Page 82 of Counterfeit Connection

Love? Does he love me? Oh my God, now I’m spiraling again.

The sun has long since set and we are still spending time with Bianca at her home. She has a fire burning while she knits on the sofa, and Griffin is sipping on a scotch in a large, leather chair while I relax across his lap. His hand lies protectively on my thigh and I rest my head on his shoulder, watching the flames in the fireplace flicker and dance.

“Are you getting tired? We can head back to my place,” he whispers in my ear before kissing the lobe.

“I’m perfect.”

“You can stay here, loves. It’s not often I have company stay a while. Your room is made up, Griffy.”

“We didn’t really bring a bag, Mum.”

“You have clothes here and I’ll find something for Kaitlyn to wear. You know I have a thing or two.”

I look up at him. “Can we? You did promise me an authentic experience. What could be more authentic than returning the favor from sleeping in my childhood room? I won’t be offended by all the soccer and Harry Potter paraphernalia.”

“Baby, it’s football and there’s no Harry Potter anywhere.”

Bianca clears her throat. “At least not anymore, my dear Gryffindor.”

“Mum!”

I giggle. “It’s okay. I hope you won’t mind sharing your room with a Ravenclaw.”

Griffin’s arm pulls tighter around me. “It will be a stretch, but I think I’ll survive.”

His bed is so tiny compared to the one at his apartment, but it has given us no choice except to sleep half lying on top of each other. I’ve slept in worse situations before.

I’ve never felt so… content… in a relationship in my entire life. I’ve gotten things that I needed from other men, of course. Every relationship has its bright moments in my life, but Griffin is different. He’s special.

He’s long asleep now, after participating in a good, old-fashioned make-out session with me, ala high school… and now I’m just staring at him.

The lines in his face are relaxed, and he looks so much younger like this. He almost has a constant scowl when he’s awake, andtrust me, it’s hot, but this is different. It makes me want to wrap him in my arms and protect him from the world.

I don’t even mean to speak out loud, but the words leave my mouth before I can stop them… and even in a whisper, part of me hopes he can hear me.

“I love you.”

Chapter 25

Griffin

The unexpected night at my mother’s turned into a beautiful morning. I had several dreams I’m still debating on if they were real or not. One I know for certain is my mother didn’t sleep much. I woke up here and there, listening to her mumble to herself through the vents in a variety of languages.

When the three of us sat for breakfast, she was as calm as she was while she was knitting. Kaitlyn thought it was cute she was doing that to pass the time. I know what it really means. When she’s plotting something, good or not so much, she busies her hands with large needles in them. It’s like it quiets a space deep within her to get a plan in place. We were told that plan in tandem.

She told us to go about our business, whatever that is. Don’t speak of my father’s request to anyone, even those who already know. If I’d only come to her in the first place. I’ve been the one to protect her from the bullshit she intentionally left. I thought I still had to. She told me, in no uncertain terms, that it’s no longer my job and she’s not afraid to step in and take a snake off at the head. My mother asked me not to ask many questions and to trust that all will be revealed when the time is right.

As we were walking down the path to my car, she pulled Kaitlyn aside for a private moment. I leaned against the rear of the car watching them. Mum would brush a stray bit of hair away from Kaitlyn’s cheek then would rub her arms up and down in a moment of comfort. My beautiful blonde would nod here and there, speaking a few words to her before they embraced, as if they’d known each other forever. I could tell Kaitlyn needed that motherly love that mine was all too happy to give. It created a warmth inside me like I’ve never felt before.

My hand never left her thigh as we drove back to my place. If I have my way, I’ll never stop touching her for as long as I’m breathing.

Marilyn was one pissed-off cat when we arrived back at my apartment. Kaitlyn scooped her up immediately and showered her with kisses and snuggles, much to the feline’s protests. She’s one spoiled kitten. She had everything she needed while we were gone, except for Kaitlyn. I understand though. I’d miss her too.

I take a few minutes in my office to shoot off a couple of emails then venture back out to find both ladies curled on the sofa together, watching television.

“This is a sight I could get used to.” I lean against the wall with my arms crossed.

“She is acting extra needy and trying to make me feel bad for leaving her alone last night.”

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