Page 25 of Property of Grifter
I can’t be sure, but I think that’s the first time she’s shortened my name like that.I like when she calls me Griffin, but something about right now—in this moment—her looking at me like she is, her gorgeous body in my arms, and the whisper of my name across her lips and I realize that regardless of the amount of time I’ve known her, I’m more than half in love with the woman.When I see her lips part and hear a shaky breath move through her, I don’t resist.I lean down until my lips touch hers, leaving it light so that she can pull away if that’s what she wants.When she leans deeper into me and her hold on my neck tightens, I take that as a sign and it’s the only one I need.I kiss her softly at first, letting her get used to the feel of my lips on hers, my tongue pressing out, seeking entrance.When she grants it, I pull her to me tighter, as I deepen the kiss.She melts into my arms, as every inch of tension leaves her body.
I memorize everything about this moment, the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine, the way she touches me, the sweet scent of cherries I get when she’s this close …everything.
When I finally pull away, she’s trembling against me.Something about that and the trust I see in her eyes makes my fucking heart squeeze in my chest.“Spend the night with me, Georgie,” I plead, not wanting to let her go.I feel her stiffen, but I push ahead anyway.“We don’t have to have sex.That will totally be up to you.I don’t care if we talk or watch fucking television.I just want you to come home with me.I want to hold you through the night and wake up with you still in my arms.I just … I’m not ready to say goodbye to you yet.”
Even through the bad parking lot lighting, I can see the blush on her cheeks, as well as the way her lips press together when she’s looking at me.“I really shouldn’t,” she puffs, the words so quiet that they seem to dance across my skin.
All I can think is that she didn’t say no.It’s an opening that I’m not about to let pass me by.I move us so that we’re standing by my bike.I get on and look up at her.“Climb on.”
“Griff…”
“You’re safe with me.Nothing will happen you don’t want, sweetheart.I swear that to you right now.The night is in your control.”She swallows nervously but nods her head tentatively to tell me yes.I feel like I’ve won a fucking war.Once she’s settled behind me, I put my hand over the two of hers which are wrapped around my stomach.“Hold on tight, baby.We’ll be there soon.”
The engine roars to life and I pull out on the road with only one thought.I need to get her home, in my bed, more than I needed my next breath.As we barrel down the road, the night air whipping against my body, I rev the engine and increase my speed.I don’t go as fast as I want, because there is precious cargo behind me.The single most precious thing in my world.
My Georgia.
13GEORGIA
I feellike my heart is going to pound out of my chest as Griffin’s Harley rolls into the parking lot of the Kings’ clubhouse.I’m questioning myself over and over.It’s insanity to continue this date, especially after the dumpster fire of a night that I’ve experienced already.Still, the dancing out in the parking lot and the stark honesty with which he spoke to me weakened my reserve.I don’t know if that’s smart, but I couldn’t say no.I wanted to be held in his arms so much that I threw caution to the wind.It may end up biting me in the ass, but I instinctively know that if I don’t take this chance, I will regret it for the rest of my life.
Griffin parks up and I slide off behind him, the gravel crunching underneath my heels as I adjust this damned skirt that I still want to choke my grandmother for.Griff follows me, the sound of his heavy boots on the gravel much louder.I look around but not too much.Honestly, at this point, it’s just going to make me more nervous.Griffin offers me his hand and I grab it at once.I’m clinging to him like my life depends on it.Maybe it does.I think he can feel the way my body is shaking because he stops at the entrance, drops my hand and puts both of his on each side of my face.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.I promise you.Trust me, okay?”
I open my mouth to tell him that he needs to earn my trust after the way tonight has gone.I don’t get the words out.I just snap my mouth shut and nod.He presses a hard, urgent, closed-mouth kiss on my lips before grabbing my hand again and leading me inside.For some reason, I feel like I’m marching into my doom.
The second we get inside, a chorus of whistles, hollers, and crude jokes ring out, making me wish I had run the other direction at the restaurant instead of getting on the back of Griffin’s bike.
“Damn, Georgia if I’d known you had legs like that, I’d have made a move before the Prez got a chance.”
“Holy shit, she looks like a different woman,” another says.
I’m holding onto Griffin’s hand so tight that it’s a wonder I don’t break every bone in it, as a voice I recognize calls out.“Georgie, you get tired of slummin’ with the Prez, come look up a real man.”
“Watch your mouth, Prospect,” Griffin growls.“This is my old lady.”
The room gets quieter after that, and I can feel the tension in Griffin’s body at once.I look around the room that’s filled with tables and chairs, some couches, pool tables and a giant bar.There are several barely dressed women walking around.A couple in the laps of the other guys.All in all, it looks like a giant frat party, it’s just the men are rougher and the women more … um … naked.I mean, they have T-shirts on, but it’s clear they’re wearing nothing underneath—absolutely nothing.It all makes me uncomfortable.I’m not one to judge.Nana has taught me to live by the motto, to each their own.Still, knowing that this is Griffin’s world and the way he lives, points out that we’re nothing alike.I’m not sure how the two of us are supposed to work if it goes beyond tonight—which I highly doubt it will now.
Even as all of this is going around and around in my head, I still search out that voice.I know I’ve heard it before.As I look through the smoke and weak light in the room—the only part with appropriate lighting are the pool table and poker tables.I’d imagine, since there are a couple people making out on the couches that this was a deliberate choice.I see a girl on her knees in front of another guy, I’m pretty sure it’s the blonde guy that Griffin calls C.I might be a virgin, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what they’re doing back there.I quickly advert my eyes and immediately see the man I heard.
Alex.
My body goes completely stiff.I didn’t ever want to see him again.Just looking at him and the way he is leering at me is enough to make me sick to my stomach.
“Baby?Is something wrong?”
I look up at him.He’s worried, but he’s also …proud.His arm is wrapped around my waist and he’s clearly showing possession as he holds me.It’s a look that I never expected to have from a man.Somehow, that is enough to erase any memory of Alex or the crap here at the club.I shake my head and force a smile.My focus needs to be on Griffin.I don’t know where this thing between us is going, but if all I ever have is this moment right here—that’s all I need.
“I’m fine.Didn’t you promise me a movie and cuddling?”I ask quietly—not wanting the others to hear.I’m not sure he wants his buddies to hear he promised a G to PG rated night.
“That I did, baby.That I did,” he purrs, bending down to kiss me with so much hunger that it robs me of breath.I can hear all the men yelling and encouraging Griffin as he picks me up—never breaking our kiss.I ignore them as Griffin carries me down the hall.I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but for tonight, I’m going to experience how it feels to be in a man’s arms and know he’s not ashamed of me—or worried I’ll bring him bad luck.
I’ll worry about everything else tomorrow.
14GRIFTER
“Wow,”Georgia practically hums when I break our kiss.I grin because it reminds me of the first time that I kissed her.Her response then was similar.I truly don’ t think I will ever have enough of this woman.
