Page 97 of Counterfeit Connection

I take a deep breath and exhale. “Mmmm. Indeed.”

Begrudgingly, I slide out from inside her, gently collapsing to her side. A few strands of her blond hair are delicately pasted to her skin with the sweat of near exhaustion. “How do you manage to look stunning all the time?”

“I think you’re biased.”

“I most certainly am and proud of it.”

“I think we could use a shower,” she says as she traces my jawline with her finger.

“We.” I smile and kiss her lips. “I adore how you say we.”

Chapter 30

Kaitlyn

The sheers lining the floor-to-ceiling windows in Griffin’s bedroom are allowing the morning light and first hint of warmth for the day when my eyes decide it’s time for me to be awake. The light fabric floats in the gentle breeze. The birds are singing a sweet song outside.

My head is nestled on Griffin’s shoulder. He was my chosen pillow after we finally decided we’d had our fill and needed sleep. I didn’t realize it could be like this with anyone. I sometimes get a chill when I think I almost told him to fuck off when he came to apologize. I think about all the goodness I would have missed had I acted in haste. I think my mother would have been proud I didn’t.

Griffin’s gentle heartbeat under my cheek is one of the most calming things I can think of. When we’re here, just us, this is what it’s all about. Gilly asked me to think about if I can handle anything the press could or would say about me or the family. The bottom line is I have to be. If I’m not, this is what I miss. This is what I won’t have. No words are worth depriving me of this. I’ll get better at it. I will.

My arms wrap tighter around my handsome Sleeping Beauty. That subtle movement is what gives me away. Within seconds, Griffin locks his hand under my thigh, tugging me in one swift motion flush against his entire body.

“Whoa,” I breathe.

“Mmm. You were too far away,” he growls sleepily.

“Six inches is too far away?”

“Yes.”

“Then who am I to argue?” I hook my leg over his body to get even closer. “How’s that?”

“Even better,” he grumbles sleepily then presses a kiss to the crown of my head.

“What are your plans today?” I ask him as I trace my fingertip over the indents that make up his abdomen. “Do you have to work?”

“It’s Sunday, baby. I’m not leaving this apartment or this bed unless I have to.”

I smile. “I was hoping you’d say that. I could really get used to this.”

“Good, because I don’t plan on letting you go. You’re stuck with me.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” I shift a little and a delicious soreness makes itself known. “I certainly feel last night in my body.”

“Sore?”

“In the best way.”

“How about a decent soak in the tub? The guest bathroom has one where we can get the water all the way up to our necks without a fuss. I could even order us up some bubbles should the mood hit.”

“I can’t remember the last time I had a bath. Might have been at my parents’. You know, the claw-foot one. Ugh, I remember times after gymnastics I’d go in there until I was a prune.”

Griffin’s eyebrow raises slightly, along with the corner of his mouth. “A gymnast you say? I was wondering where your excessive flexibility comes from. I see it’s from years of practice in a way where I won’t have to harm anyone.”

I smack his chest lightly with the back of my hand. “I see we’ve hit the jealous portion of our relationship.”

“Baby, I was always jealous. I just wasn’t allowed to show it. You know, contract and all.”

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