excuses to touch me,” he returned with a wink.
I’d like to say he was wrong, but at that moment I would have taken any available excuse to rub up against him. My hormones were in hyper-drive. Damn, was it hot in here?
“Umm, I’m just going to—” Meg stammered as she slinked away.
“See what you did? You overwhelmed poor Meg and she ran away.”
“Are you going to attempt to hit me again as punishment?”
“Wiseass—you’re lucky you’re hot,” I said as I poked his chest.
“So you think I’m hot?” he said and smirked with satisfaction.
“Fishing for compliments—really? Your hotness score just dropped a point.”
“You headed to the NYSC?” he asked, evidently unconcerned with the penalty point.
“Yep. I’m going to kick some gym butt, as soon as I figure out how to use all those fancy machines.”
“You’re in luck, I was heading there myself. I’ll show you the ropes and teach you how to use all the scary machines.”
I eyed him dubiously. His fitted jeans and blue polo shirt—although exquisitely displaying his assets—were not regulation gym attire.
“My gym bag is in the car,” he volunteered as if psychic.
“What exactly is in your gym bag? I’ll need specifics before I commit.”
He smirked at my challenge. “Black shorts and a tank. Do I pass inspection?”
“Assuming the shorts ride low on your hips and the tank is tight, I guess you’ll do—especially since you’re cheaper than paying for one of the gym’s trainers.”
“Be careful, Lo, you keep flirting with me and I may start to think you mean it.”
“You’re a hot guy, Griff. I flirt with hot guys, it’s instinctual. Don’t read too much into it.”
“So that’s all I am… just another hot guy, same as the rest?”
I looked into his eyes and saw that his question was sincere.
“You’re special,” I said, squeezing his forearm to emphasize my point. “Come on, I’ve fed your ego enough for one day.”
We exited Higher Yearning and I attempted to walk to my car, but Griff stopped me.
“Why don’t you ride with me? It’ll be dark by the time we’re done. I may even feed you afterward; help you fulfill another homework assignment.”
I paused, uncertain. I knew Griff wouldn’t hurt me; he didn’t have it in him to hurt a woman. Ev and Hunter trusted him implicitly. I trusted him too, but an irrational part of me objected to the risk of being alone with any man. I wanted to say yes, to overcome the misplaced fear, but the compulsion to distance myself from all possible threats was so strong.
“Samantha, look at me.” He cupped my cheek and guided my face upward until our eyes locked. “I will never hurt you. I would give anything to take away the pain you’ve suffered, but that’s impossible. I don’t expect your unconditional trust; I’ll earn that over time. Once you’re comfortable enough to drop your guard with me, you can relax and enjoy life for a little while, knowing you are protected.”
He hugged me to his side, asking for nothing, only offering comfort and support. The realization allowed me to do as he said, relax and enjoy the moment without fear—I was safe with Griffin. I knew it deep within, as if my soul recognized the truth in his words.
He led me to a black Dodge Ram 3500 pick-up. The truck had fancy sport wheels that added a few extra inches, making it a challenge for me to climb in. Griffin placed his hands on my waist, lifting me in, while I struggled to contain my laughter. His hands were so large compared to my small frame that they encircled my waist like a belt.
“I love that sound—your laugh. Do I want to know what has you so entertained?”
“You’re so big and I’m so small—we are walking extremes, and side-by-side it’s comical. The top of my head barely reaches your chest.”
He laughed and responded by resting his elbow on top of my head.
When we arrived at NYSC,
I’d like to say he was wrong, but at that moment I would have taken any available excuse to rub up against him. My hormones were in hyper-drive. Damn, was it hot in here?
“Umm, I’m just going to—” Meg stammered as she slinked away.
“See what you did? You overwhelmed poor Meg and she ran away.”
“Are you going to attempt to hit me again as punishment?”
“Wiseass—you’re lucky you’re hot,” I said as I poked his chest.
“So you think I’m hot?” he said and smirked with satisfaction.
“Fishing for compliments—really? Your hotness score just dropped a point.”
“You headed to the NYSC?” he asked, evidently unconcerned with the penalty point.
“Yep. I’m going to kick some gym butt, as soon as I figure out how to use all those fancy machines.”
“You’re in luck, I was heading there myself. I’ll show you the ropes and teach you how to use all the scary machines.”
I eyed him dubiously. His fitted jeans and blue polo shirt—although exquisitely displaying his assets—were not regulation gym attire.
“My gym bag is in the car,” he volunteered as if psychic.
“What exactly is in your gym bag? I’ll need specifics before I commit.”
He smirked at my challenge. “Black shorts and a tank. Do I pass inspection?”
“Assuming the shorts ride low on your hips and the tank is tight, I guess you’ll do—especially since you’re cheaper than paying for one of the gym’s trainers.”
“Be careful, Lo, you keep flirting with me and I may start to think you mean it.”
“You’re a hot guy, Griff. I flirt with hot guys, it’s instinctual. Don’t read too much into it.”
“So that’s all I am… just another hot guy, same as the rest?”
I looked into his eyes and saw that his question was sincere.
“You’re special,” I said, squeezing his forearm to emphasize my point. “Come on, I’ve fed your ego enough for one day.”
We exited Higher Yearning and I attempted to walk to my car, but Griff stopped me.
“Why don’t you ride with me? It’ll be dark by the time we’re done. I may even feed you afterward; help you fulfill another homework assignment.”
I paused, uncertain. I knew Griff wouldn’t hurt me; he didn’t have it in him to hurt a woman. Ev and Hunter trusted him implicitly. I trusted him too, but an irrational part of me objected to the risk of being alone with any man. I wanted to say yes, to overcome the misplaced fear, but the compulsion to distance myself from all possible threats was so strong.
“Samantha, look at me.” He cupped my cheek and guided my face upward until our eyes locked. “I will never hurt you. I would give anything to take away the pain you’ve suffered, but that’s impossible. I don’t expect your unconditional trust; I’ll earn that over time. Once you’re comfortable enough to drop your guard with me, you can relax and enjoy life for a little while, knowing you are protected.”
He hugged me to his side, asking for nothing, only offering comfort and support. The realization allowed me to do as he said, relax and enjoy the moment without fear—I was safe with Griffin. I knew it deep within, as if my soul recognized the truth in his words.
He led me to a black Dodge Ram 3500 pick-up. The truck had fancy sport wheels that added a few extra inches, making it a challenge for me to climb in. Griffin placed his hands on my waist, lifting me in, while I struggled to contain my laughter. His hands were so large compared to my small frame that they encircled my waist like a belt.
“I love that sound—your laugh. Do I want to know what has you so entertained?”
“You’re so big and I’m so small—we are walking extremes, and side-by-side it’s comical. The top of my head barely reaches your chest.”
He laughed and responded by resting his elbow on top of my head.
When we arrived at NYSC,
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