Page 27 of Griffin
"Am I? Hmm, must be the great sex. It's opened up all my thought processes."
Griffin reached under the T-shirt and left his hand on my upper thigh. My body reacted instantly to his touch. "So, the sex was great, eh?"
I turned slightly toward him and smiled. "Someone is fishing for a compliment. Well, let me espouse another theory of the universe. I'm not too surprised that someone like you knows your way around a woman's body, and yes, it was amazing."
"Not sure if that theory is a compliment or a diss, but I'm going to take it as a compliment." He leaned over and kissed me lightly on the lips. "Hmm, salty. And I agree, it was fucking incredible."
The front door opened, and two loud voices dribbled through the house and down the stairs to the basement. "I should get home," I said. I moved to get out from under the cover, but Griffin took hold of my hand.
I looked back at him. He was so hot, he stole my breath for a second.
"Stay with me, ballerina. Stay the night."
I smiled and loosened my hand from his grip. "Not quite ready for that, Fin."
He nodded. "Right. You're right. I'm sorry."
Theo and Crusoe were in the kitchen. There was a clamor of pots and pans.
"Shit, they're going to destroy the kitchen with a big middle of the night feast," Griffin said. "Clowns. I live with clowns."
I got dressed, and Griffin put on a pair of jeans. A shirtless Griffin was a wonder to behold. He walked me out to the front stoop. "Hey, let's exchange numbers." He took out his phone. "That way you can let me know that you got home safely."
I hesitated, and he took it as a rejection. He looked instantly hurt.
"It's just that Tate occasionally looks at my phone."
His brows lifted. "Shit. That's not right, Shay."
"Nothing about the man is right. I know, I'll put in a woman's name and tell him I met a friend if he asks. Greta. You'll now be known as Greta."
"Does it have to be Greta? Can't I be a Sophia or Kylie?"
I laughed. "I was sticking with the Gr names." We punched in each other's numbers
"Since we're using fake names, you are now Ballerina," he said. "Not that Tate will ever get near my phone," he added before pulling me into his arms. "Text me when you get home, and Shay, I'm all in on this. I don't want you to think that, well, you know, the comment about me knowing my way around a woman's body—with you, I'm all in."
My chest felt tight as I gazed at him. "I need to find a way out of this on my own. This is my problem but I'm glad. You'll have to be patient with me though. I'm still stuck in that other half-life too, and it's not an easy one to walk away from."
"Why not? Just stay with me. We could get a place?—"
I pressed my fingers against his mouth and shook my head fervently. "That's not what I want. Not now." Again, I saw hurt in his expression. "Don't you see? If I break free from Tate, I need to be me for a while."
My words didn't erase the hurt but he nodded. "Yeah, I get it. But I'm here if you need me."
I kissed him, and he tightened his arms around me. The front door opened. "Oops, hey Fin, where is the hot sauce? We're making eggs." Theo nodded at me. "If anyone is interested."
"Fuck off, Theo," Griffin said.
"Yep, fucking off right now. Does that mean you don't know where the hot sauce is?"
"Theo," Griffin growled.
"Yep. Nice to see you again, Shay." The door shut.
"I better get going. Dancing, socializing, good sex … I think I'll sleep well tonight," I inched away from him, but it wasn't easy.
"Good sex? I thought it was great sex," he said.
