40. Talon
Talon
I watch her study for a short period before she decides she’s hungry. Gathering up her stuff, I sling her bag and mine over my shoulder.
She eyes me curiously, “this wasn’t part of the plan.”
“I’m changing the plan.”
She rolls her eyes but throws her arm out in front of us, gesturing for me to walk. I lift a brow and wait for her to walk. Griffin chuckles under his breath.
Neither of us moves, so I smirk and whisper, “if you’d rather watch me eat, then all you have to do is say so.”
That gets a smile out of her that lights up her face, “only if you ask nicely.”
Goddamnit, this girl.
I lick my lips, and Griffin turns around. Gripping her face in the only hand I have available, I press my lips to hers. She smiles against my lips yet doesn’t entertain the idea of making out with me.
“I’m hungry,” she complains, and her stomach growls to accentuate her point.
“Okay, hangry little thing,” I laugh, “let’s get you a grilled cheese.”
Her eyes get big, and she grins from ear to ear, “you remember.”
Of course I remember, how could I forget the noise she made when she first bit into the cheesy goodness? I have to readjust my jeans thinking about it.
She notices, as she always does, and smirks.
I let her lead so I can watch her walk, the swing of her hips makes me want to throw her on the grass and fuck her in front of everyone. But I’m still making things up to her, and I doubt she’ll let me that close anytime soon.
We’ve fooled around a time or two, but I’ve been so focused on her that I refused to let her touch me. Then I have to escape to the bathroom and release myself, which admittedly never takes long.
The walk is fairly short. Cin’s head swivels as she walks, and I hate that she’s so alert. That she’s got her father’s plan on her brain at all times. I need to find something that will take her mind off everything.
Pulling out my cell, I send a quick text to Fern, asking for a favor. She’s a sap, so she’ll find something that Cin loves.
We walk into the cafeteria, and I place our things at the table where the guys are already waiting. They have full trays of food, and each greets Cin in their own way. Gemma jumps up and hugs her, “Toby said you were back, but I had a hard time believing it. Are you okay? Are you fine? God, you look amazing this soon after what happened. I was so worried–”
Gemma gently holds her face and turns it left and right, her eyes watering a little, and I’m trying to hold out on my comments. I can see how stiff Cin’s body is, and I fucking hate it. I want to rip Gemma’s hands off her body so she can never touch my girl again.
“I’m okay, Gemma,” Cin says, removing Gemma’s hand from her face. I still haven’t gotten her to explain the touch thing she has going on, but I’m glad to know it’s not just me.
“Let her get some food,” I tell Gemma, and she smiles up at me as if she’s in on a secret.
I growl and roll my eyes, leading Cin to the line where my favorite lunch lady waits to make Cin’s grilled cheese. I tell her to make two, and she eyes me, “okay, three.”
She winks and heads back into the kitchen. We walk through the line to grab our drinks, and Cin grabs chips. I ladle some soup into a bowl, and we take our spoils back to the table.
“Move,” I tell Rachel, the red-headed busybody who loves to hang around us.
She turns in her seat, placing her chin on her fist and bats her lashes at me. That is until Cin steps beside me, not too close, but close enough that Rachel’s attempt at getting my attention pauses.
“This is… news,” her face is slowly turning into a sneer.
“Cin is part of us,” I snarl, “ you are not.”
She stands but doesn’t grab her shit. Cin stands beside me, face impassive. She sets her tray down in front of the seat Rachel was sitting in and eyes Rachel. I wait for Rachel to gather her things, but instead, she places her hand on my shoulder and leans in.
Cin watches as Rachel whispers in my ear. Her eyes are like liquid honey, and I have a feeling she’s not happy, which makes me smirk.
“You don’t want her hand on me, Spice?” I taunt. I’m not paying any attention to Rachel. I’ve got my eyes locked on Cin.
Cin doesn’t respond; she’s thinking. I can see it in the way her body goes still.
“If you value that hand, I suggest you remove it,” Cin’s voice is deadly quiet, and it does something to me.
Rachel turns to look at her without removing her hand, and Cin smiles. But it’s not a happy smile; it’s a try-me smile, and I know I should end this. But it’s hot seeing her jealous.
“What did you say, fish food?” Rachel yells the last part, and the guys immediately stand.
Cin steps closer to her, looking down her nose, and she says, “listen, Raggedy Anne, The difference between you and me is that you’ve only wished Talon would bury his face in your cunt. I’ve experienced it, so yeah, fish food is appropriate for Fish Boy here.”
Rachel looks back from Cin to me, but I can’t take my eyes off Cin. The way her features sharpen, she’s still focused on Rachel’s hand.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I asked you to remove your hand from my boyfriend,” she smirks.
Rachel sputters, “her?” She asks me before looking around at everyone standing, “you’re with her ?”
I’ve never been official with anyone, so the whole cafeteria goes quiet when I answer, “yeah, I am.”
Whispers and clicks start throughout the room, and I want to laugh. These fucking drama addicts, they love a show.
“Rachel,” Toby warns, and she huffs.
Cin kicks her bag out from under the chair she was sitting in, and Rachel hisses, but doesn’t say anything else. She storms off to another table and Cin’s eyes rove over me.
“Boyfriend, huh?” I snicker.
“You agreed,” she shrugs.
I laugh and pull out her chair so she can sit. Gemma and Cin are talking, and the guys are watching something to the left of the room.
Peeking that way, I spot Cody with a group of people at his table. Turning my eyes back to the guys, I wait for them to fill me in.
Banks shakes his head and looks toward Cin.
I get the hint and move on, watching Cin devour her grilled cheese while smiling and talking to everyone at the table. She’s relaxed, and I need to remember to thank Banks later for reminding me not to ruin that.