Page 71 of The Rookie

I glance back at him, trying to look casual, but he’s already watching me—head tilted, that damn smirk just teasing the edges of his mouth.

“You’re awful, you know that?” I mutter, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

He grins, leaning back against the edge of the hot tub like he owns the place. “You keep saying that, and yet you’re still here.Looking at the green leaves.”

“What happens in Mexico…stays in Mexico.”

“Mm-hmm.” He cracks one eye open, his gaze locking on mine. “Admit it. This is the most fun you’ve had in a while.”

I open my mouth to argue, but I can’t. Because, dammit, he’s right.

“Fine,” I mutter. “It’s… okay.”

Griffin laughs, low and warm, and for once, there’s no teasing in it—just genuine amusement. “You’re such a liar, Sinclair.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help smiling.

For a while, we’re quiet. The steam from the hot tub curls into the cool night air, and the bubbles make a soft, rhythmic hum. It’s peaceful in a way I didn’t expect—like the chaos Kayla brought with her has finally dissipated, leaving just… us.

“Kayla really is something, huh?” I say, breaking the silence.

Griffin chuckles, his head lolling to the side to look at me. “She’s a character, that’s for sure.”

“You’re not tempted?” I tease, raising an eyebrow. “She’s clearly into you.”

He laughs again, but there’s something softer in his expression this time. “Nah. Look, Kayla’s great and all, but I don’t really know her that well.”

I tilt my head. “So?”

“So,” he says simply, shrugging one shoulder. “If I’m going to mess around, I’d prefer it to be with someone I trust. Someone I know. Someone I’ve known for a long time.”

The words hang between us, suspended like the steam swirling above the water. I swallow hard, pretending like my heart isn’t suddenly pounding in my ears.

“Someone like…” I start, trailing off before I can stop myself.

Griffin’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Someone like you.”

My cheeks flush instantly. “Griffin…”

I bite my lip, trying to steady myself. The way he’s looking at me right now—it’s too much. It’s like he sees straight through me, past every wall I’ve put up.

Before I can come up with a snarky retort, his hand grazes my cheek, and just like that, my brain goes offline.

I don’t know who moves first. Maybe it’s him. Maybe it’s me. But suddenly, his lips are on mine, and my heart nearly stops.

It’s soft at first—tentative, almost—as if he’s letting me decide how far this goes. But then his hand slips to my waist under the water, and I melt.

Griffin Knox knows exactly what he’s doing.

His mouth moves against mine, slow and teasing, like he’s savoring every second. I tilt my head to kiss him deeper, and his fingers flex on my waist, pulling me just slightly closer.

The water bubbles around us, and for once, I don’t care that we’re in a hot tub or that we’renaked.I don’t care that this is Griffin—annoying, cocky, infuriating Griffin.

All I care about is the way he’s kissing me like I’m the only thing that matters.

I shift slightly in the water, and my hand—completely accidentally—brushes against him.

Oh.

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