Page 87 of Counterfeit Connection

“I’d prefer we just stay here locked away and only coming out when we need to.”

“Some would consider that running away.”

“If they knew you like I do, they’d never question it.” Griffin wraps his fingers around my hips and gently lifts me to his desktop. “I just want to spend every waking moment making you smile.”

“I know one way you could do that.” I push a pile of folders on the corner of his desk to the floor.

“Are you teasing me with your body?” he asks.

“I don’t know. Is it working?”

Griffin leans in as close as he can without touching me. I can feel his gentle inhale and exhale across my skin. “What do you think?”

Chapter 27

Kaitlyn

What do you wear to meet a very rich, very powerful man who already hates you, and who holds the future of the man you love in the palm of his hand?

Apparently, you wear a black pencil skirt with a white blouse and a pair of bright-red heels that you so lovingly refer to as your “fuck-me heels.” I wanted to feel powerful and in control. This outfit makes me feel as such.

“You’re lucky we had somewhere to be,” Griffin says when we pull into the driveway of his father’s very large home.

“Why?”

“Those heels are obscene, and I fucking love them.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he climbs out of the car and makes his way around to my door. “How can youeven think about something like that right now?” I say, taking his hand so he can help me out.

“Have you looked in a mirror? How could Inotthink about that right now?” Before we get to the front door, I tug on Griffin’s hand to get him to stop. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything. Is it wrong that I selfishly want him to like me?”

“His opinion doesn’t matter. He no longer matters. You heard my mother; this is a formality, and honestly, a fuck you he won’t see coming. We grin, bear it, and leave.”

“My brain understands that. My heart and honor are having trouble with it. I was brought up to respect my elders. I’m walking into this man’s home with zero respect for him.”

Griffin gently wraps his hands around my face, something I’m so used to feeling. His gaze is strong, his emotion stronger. “He doesn’t deserve your respect, or mine. He doesn’t have it. That’s how it is. We’re staging this meeting for my mother. Think about the respect you’re showing her instead.”

I nod and straighten my back. “Let’s do it.”

Griffin rings the doorbell and squeezes my hand while we wait for someone to come to the door. I hate this for him. The house is so beautiful on the outside. It feels so warm, yet I know what awaits us on the inside. What kind of parent-child relationship is this, where he doesn’t even feel like he can just walk in and be greeted? I can’t even comprehend it since it’s so different from my experience.

Even in the situation we were presented with at my father’s house days ago, Griffin felt more welcome there. The nerves that were pouring through my veins seconds ago have now morphed into abject rage. I have a quick temper with people who have zero common sense or compassion. This could get ugly if I don’t keep myself in check for Griffin’s sake.Oh, Mom, please help me out here.

It doesn’t take long before an older woman with red hair greets us. “Griffin, dear,” she says, coming in for a hug. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”

“Greta,” he says, returning her affection then motioning to me. “Greta, this is my girlfriend, Kaitlyn Logan. Kaitlyn, this is my father’s long-time housekeeper, Greta.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” I tell her as I reach my hand out and she shakes it softly.

“I can’t remember the last time Griffin brought anyone with him. I had heard through the grapevine you were seeing someone, dear boy. My, isn’t she pretty? It’s lovely to meet you as well, dear,” Greta says sweetly.

“Is my father in?” Griffin asks as he nervously places a hand on her shoulder.

“He is. He’s up in his office, and just to warn you, he’s a bit prickly this morning.”

Griffin leans in to whisper, “When isn’t he?” Greta smiles at him before he gives her a soft kiss on the apple of her cheek. “We can see ourselves up to his office.”

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