Page 73 of The Rookie

My cheeks flame again, and I pull back just slightly, staring him down. “Ifeltthat.”

“Can’t help it,” he replies, utterly unapologetic. “Have you seen you?”

I open my mouth to argue, but he kisses me again before I can get the words out. His lips are softer now, slower—like he’s trying to memorize the shape of mine—and it’s honestly unfair.

I can feel the heat of him everywhere, the water bubbling around us, the air between us electric. My hands rest on his chest, but before I realize it, one starts to drift lower, over the hard planes of his stomach, until?—

Oh.

My fingers brush against his hard length beneath the water, and I freeze for a split second, my breath catching in my throat. His reaction is immediate as I wrap my hand around his base—a sharp intake of breath, his body tensing under my touch.

I should stop. I should absolutely stop.

But then Griffin lets out a low, guttural moan As I slide up, his head tipping back slightly, and any rational thought I had disappears.

I wrap my fingers around him, stroking slowly, deliberately, the warmth of the water and the heat of his skin under my hand making me feel drunk with power. His hands grip the edge of the hot tub, his knuckles white as I watch him unravel.

“Fuuuuck, Avery,” he groans, his voice rough, strained. His eyes meet mine, dark and full of need. “I love how you touch me.”

I arch an eyebrow, a sly grin playing on my lips as I play with him.

Griffin leans forward, his lips brushing against my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “You know exactly what you’re doing.”

“Do I?” I whisper, stroking him a little faster now, my confidence growing with every shuddered breath he takes.

His hips buck slightly into my hand, his control slipping, and it sends a thrill through me. For once, I feel completely in control, like I have the upper hand in this impossible dynamic between us.

But then Griffin pushes my hand off of him and his hands are on my hips, pulling me closer, his grip firm and commanding. He leans in, just enough to press a lingering kiss to my forehead, and I swear—something in my chest aches in a way I don’t know how to name.

“You’re playing with fire,” he murmurs, his voice low and full of promise. “And I don’t think you’re ready for what happens next.”

This is dangerous.

But damn it, I’ve never wanted anything more.

But something inside me bubbles to the surface. Maybe it’s Cassie. Maybe it’s my stupid Catholic upbringing. Maybe it’s the sinking feeling that once I let this happen, there’s no going back.

As if on queue to interrupt us, I hear Jake and Kayla before I see them. They make their way back toward the hot tub, laughter spilling between them, and I poke Griffin’s side, my voice quieter now.

“Griffin?”

He turns to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Yeah?”

I hesitate, my fingers curling against my knee. Then, softly—“As pretty as those green leaves are, I’m actually liking the red roses tonight.”

Griffin stills.

Then, ever so slowly, he exhales through his nose, his lips curving—not into a smirk, not into teasing amusement, but somethingsofter.

“Understood.”

He lifts a hand, brushing my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for just a second too long. “I’m not trying to rush anything with you, Avery.”

I swallow hard. “I know.” My voice wobbles slightly, but I force myself to meet his gaze.

Before he can respond, I hit thejetsbefore Jake and Kayla crash back into the hot tub, water splashing up around us.

“What’d we miss?” Jake grins, oblivious.

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