Page 60 of Midnight Hunt

God, I wanted him. I couldn’t deny that. Griff had a way of anchoring me in the present so that for a blissful moment in time, I completely forgot about the past. Being with him made me feelwholeagain. Like the girl I’d been before my family broke apart and left me to pick up the pieces.

I desperately wanted to be that girl again. To experience the carefree confidence Griff made me feel when I was with him.

He said he wanted me. Said helovedme.

I was safe with him. Safe with my blond-haired, puppy-eyed security blanket.

For now.

But now might be all we hadleft. I knew all too well how quickly everything could change and fall apart.

One last time. One last passionate moment with the male who made me feel like the girl I used to be.

Without a word, I untied my robe, letting it fall to the floor before turning around. Our eyes met and held for a long moment; then I moved to join him.

20

GRIFF

She came. She came tome.

She’d never come to me like this before. I’d always been the one to go to her. When she needed me, I was there. She asked, and I gave. That’s how our relationship had worked for years.

But I’d finally dared to push, dared to pursue her, dared to express my own needs.

I’d asked her, and . . . and she’d come.

As she approached, my dick started to harden. It couldn’t be helped, but she didn’t seem to mind. In fact, her eyes dipped below my waist as if she knew the effect she had on me. And when her gaze lingered, my cock stiffened even more, proudly saluting the air. She continued to eye it, and I half expected it to start wagging like a golden retriever’s tail.

“Keep staring at me like that, and I’m going to come,” I gruffly told her.

A little smirk tilted her lips. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

At the playful way she said it, I had the sudden urge to howl, roll on the floor, and show her my belly.

Whiskey, get out of my thoughts, I growled at my familiar.

But you used to like it when I helped guide your movements, he huffed in disappointment.I know Vi definitely liked it.

This moment is for me and her only. She’s struggling to accept what I told her, so I need to handle this carefully.

He huffed again, but I knew he understood. Vi hadn’t said she loved me back. Hell, she hadn’t even said shewantedme.

But she was here. She’d stayed, and that said more than any words could. I wasn’t just a friend to her. She had feelings for me. Just how deep they were, I didn’t know, but I was willing to find out slowly. To move forward at the pace she wanted, no matter how excruciating that may be.

She was my future, and we had all the time in the world to explore our feelings.

Even so, I could barely contain my excitement when she stopped before the shower door and our eyes met again. I didn’t move a muscle. Didn’t even blink. The only sound was the steady rush of water from the showerhead.

The decision was hers to leave or stay. If she left, I would be heartbroken, but I didn’t want her to stay if she didn’t want to. I openly conveyed that message with my eyes, hoping she could see it. Hoping she knew the choice was hers and hers alone. No matter how I felt, I would never force myself on her. She could walk away from this forever, and I would respect that decision.

But I ached for her to stay. Ached for her to open the shower door and join me. I longed for it so deeply that I couldn’t breathe. My heart started to thunder, and I grew lightheaded as I continued to wait, hoping with all of my heart that she would—

She lifted a hand and opened the glass door, and I nearly dropped to my knees in relief. Still, I didn’t move, watching her slowly step inside and shut the door behind her. But as vulnerability flashed in her eyes, I eased forward, raising my hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.

“If at any time you don’t want this, just say the word,” I gently said, letting my hand linger on her face.

Her swallow was audible, and she nervously nodded.

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