29. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Griffin
It’s been four days since I ended the call with my mother and drove off my father’s property. I still have no idea what happened in that room, save for a text from Mum letting me know she was safe and back at her home.
Everything is quiet and it’s becoming a little frightening.
But I’m staying true to my word and enjoying my time with Kaitlyn, as per my mother’s request. When I asked if she’d like to attend a close friend’s birthday celebration with me at a posh bar in London, she jumped at the opportunity to get dressed up and schmooze with the city’s best and brightest. We no longer have to worry about who we see and what we say. We’re just being with each other, doing what feels right.
“Whose party is this again? I don’t want to sound dumb when I meet them,” she asks as I pass my keys to the valet.
“Marcus Hayes. He’s a producer at the BBC. His birthday is an entire event every year.”
“Jesus Christ,” she says under her breath. “I’m not dressed up enough.”
“You’re clearly joking. You could have walked in here with those heels alone and turned every head.”
“Uh, yeah. I would have been naked at that point.” She smacks my chest playfully with the back of her hand.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her flush with my body just millimeters off the ground. Her black satin bodycon dress makes a glorious sound as it ruffles against my suit. “You’re perfect. Don’t ever think otherwise.”
“I’m going to remind you of this very conversation the next time we argue over a contract.”
“Fair enough, baby. Fair enough.” Her eyes sparkle with my term of affection. The pale berry color of her lipstick is calling me relentlessly. I slowly lean forward, leaving a soft, lingering kiss on her plump lips. I can hear cameras clicking all around us, some of them even calling my name, and hers.
“That’s so weird,” she says against my mouth. “I’ll never get used to it. I’m a nobody.”
“You aren’t and you will.” I kiss the tip of her nose then take her hand in mine. “Let’s get you inside and away from the riffraff.”
The lights from the cameras flash like a strobe light as we cross the main courtyard and then disappear into the building, now free from unwanted eyes and attention. Marcus is good about keeping the press and paps out of here so the guests can relax and enjoy themselves.
The music is pumping from the speakers, but not so loudly you can’t hear yourself talk or think, and it’s packed wall-to-wall with people, as I expected. I definitely look forward to taking Kaitlyn for a little spin on the dance floor later, once we get a few ounces of liquid courage in us.
I keep my arm tucked around my girl, anchoring her to my side and letting her know she’s with me and has nothing to worry about.
“Would you like a drink?” I say into her ear, sneaking in a little kiss to her lobe.
She nods rapidly. “God, yes, please.”
“Something fruity or something with a little kick to it?”
“I’m wearing my red-bottomed heels. Kick please.” She giggles.
“That’s my girl.” I press a kiss to her temple.
We wade through the crowd, getting stopped with greetings and introductions every ten feet or so. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of saying the words my girlfriend . Kaitlyn’s open and honest aura is drawing everyone in. Gone are her feelings of insecurity that she won’t fit in. She fits because she always did. She fits perfectly with and in me. I can honestly say I never thought I could be this satisfied in my personal life. I can finally look to the future which is linked to my north, Kaitlyn Logan.
“Griffin Shaw!” I hear called out as we approach the bar and see the man of the hour himself waving us over. “I’m so glad you came!”
“Marcus.” I clap him on the shoulder. “This is as over the top as ever. I’m impressed.”
“Well, I only expect the best for the best day there ever was. The day I was born.” He raises his glass and winks before turning his attention to Kaitlyn. “And you must be the beauty who finally nailed down this womanizer.”
“Jesus,” I mutter under my breath and slide my arm around her, resting my hand on her hip.
“If by nailed down, you mean fought him off with a stick because he was so obsessed with me until I finally gave in, then absolutely,” Kaitlyn teases, extending her hand. “Happy Birthday! I’m Kaitlyn Logan.”
“She’s fiery,” Marcus replies, shaking her hand. “I like her.”
“Thanks, me too,” I reply.
“I’ll leave you two to get drinks. Open bar, as always, and if you have any issues, don’t bug me. It’s my special day,” he jokes before slipping back into the crowd.
“Wow,” Kaitlyn says, turning her attention back to the bar.
“Yeah, he’s something else, but he’s also one of the most loyal, genuine humans I’ve ever met. He’d give you the shirt off of his back, if you needed it.”
“I’m sure there are a few women in here who would take that literally.”
We finally get our drinks and I slip a chilled tumbler into her delicate hand. “He’s just jealous the most beautiful woman on the planet is with me and not him. Everyone else is second at best.”
“Keep saying things like that and we’re going to have to find a dark corner and do something about it.”
I watch her take a slow, long sip from her amber-filled glass. My mind jumps and dances to the million things I’d like to see those lips do, along with a few things I’ve already been on the receiving end of. “Why, Ms. Logan, I think you might be a tease.”
Kaitlyn places her free hand on my chest, pressing up on her toes. “It’s only a tease if there’s no follow-through.”
I swear I growl a little. She has turned me into a caveman. “You’re walking a very thin line, baby.”
“Walking? I’m dancing all over that line.” She kisses me on the cheek and returns to her drink with a wicked grin. “Come on,” she takes my hand. “Work the room. I know you want to.”
“Fine, but only because I want to show you off.”
Kaitlyn
He’s in his element. This is his crowd. It’s where he’s comfortable, and I love to see it. He is practically glowing as he introduces me to old mates from university, former colleagues, and even a few friends of his late brother’s. On top of that, I’ve also met two very well-known soccer, ahem football , players, multiple celebrity chefs, and so many other people I can barely keep track.
But I’m thriving on his arm.
“I am going to find the ladies’ room,” I whisper into his ear.
“Let me take you…”
“No, no. It’s all right. Keep mingling.”
He presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be right here…waiting.”
He holds on to my fingers until he can’t hold them anymore. Every few steps I turn to watch him. He’s smiling, laughing…acting every bit of the mogul he is. No one would know what we’ve just been through. With each step I take, I remember moments here with him. I remember touches, soft kisses. Chills run up and down my body all the way to the ladies’ room and even continue as I push open the door.
The sinks and the mirrors above them are filled with the images of the ladies in front of them. They’re laughing and talking, that is until one woman makes eye contact with me, then the room becomes eerily silent. Weird, but okay. The entire time I’m in the stall, it’s all whispers and words I can’t make out.
When my stall door opens, there are three women left of the seven or so who were around when I entered. As I approach the sink, they part like the Red Sea to let me wash my hands. Just as I turn the faucet off, the silence is broken by the redhead to my left, who’s clearly had a drink too many. “So…you’re her.”
“Pardon?” I ask her.
“You’re the skank American who thinks she’s good enough to lock him down,” she slurs.
“American, yes. Skank? Hardly.” I move to walk around her, but she steps into my path.
“We’ve all heard about you. We know you’re a lowly horse girl from Virginia, and you think you have the ability to keep Griffin Shaw satisfied?” She scoffs. “That’s a grown woman’s job. He’ll get bored. He gets bored of everyone, and he’ll come strolling back to one of us like he always does. Eventually, he’ll realize this is where he belongs. You don’t belong in his world. You don’t belong here.”
“I’ll take lowly horse girl as a compliment. I’d rather shovel it than sling it any day. I’d appreciate it if you’d take your abject jealousy somewhere else and let me get back to my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” she cackles. “He wouldn’t know the word commitment if it came up and sucked him off.”
“Well, that was very ladylike of you. Why don’t you and your schoolgirls find someone else to talk shit about so you can feel better about yourselves. It’s been simply lovely.”
I toss my paper towels in the wastebasket at their side, flip my hair over my shoulder as a punctuation mark, and fade back into the hallway. Once I’m out of their sight, I rest my back against a wall, taking in a few breaths. I never talk like that to anyone. I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never responded to mean girls ever, but this was different. I don’t know exactly why.
I raise my chin and start scanning the room. That’s when I notice Griffin stalking through the crowd toward me.
“You were in there so long. I was starting to worry,” he says as he approaches. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, yes. I’m okay.” I push up from the wall and straighten my back. “It was just a little crowded in there.”
“I was looking for you and you seemed upset when you walked out. Did something happen?”
Can he read my mind? “There were a couple of women in there who were a little rude. It’s nothing you need to worry yourself with.”
“Rude, how? What do you mean?”
“Griffin, I promise, it’s all right. You don’t need to go all savior on me. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself, for the most part.” I nudge him playfully. “Get me another drink?”
“This conversation isn’t over. We’ll discuss it later.”
“So serious,” I tease and just over his shoulder, I can see the redhead staring at us.
Mostly because I want to, but a little bit because she’s watching, I throw my arms around his shoulders and pull him in for a deep, soft, sexy kiss.
He slips his hands to lay at the small of my back then pulls me in even closer, like he’s trying to morph us into one body. My lips part and his tongue takes the invitation, finding mine, and they begin their own intimate dance.
He sinks his teeth into my bottom lip then gives it a gentle tug before breaking our connection. “Did you just stake a claim on me?”
“Something like that.” I tilt my head and smile. “Is that a problem?”
“Not even a little.” He laces his fingers with mine and begins to walk. “Dance with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
This is the most free I’ve felt by his side in the few weeks we’ve known each other. We may be surrounded by people on the dance floor, by the bar, and chatting away at the standing tables, but Griffin and I are in our own little bubble, swaying together while music swirls around the room.
“Am I dreaming?” I ask him, curling my arms around his neck and standing flush against him, allowing my fingers to play with the hairs at the base of his neck.
“If you are, I am too. Which is either weird, or very poetic.”
I giggle softly. “Let’s stick with poetic. I never thought I’d say this, but I could see myself living here…at least part time. I mean, I couldn’t be away from my father or Gilly for too long.”
“I wouldn’t want that for you either. You’re different around them. You seem whole.”
“My family does make me whole.”
“What do you feel when you’re with me?” he asks.
I’ve been watching his face the entire time we’ve been dancing. He’s been relaxed, focused on me and nothing else. The moment that question is lingering between us, I see what I can only classify as doubt rolling through his being. “What do you mean?”
Griffin takes a quiet breath before focusing on my eyes. “If your family makes you whole, what could I give you that you don’t already have?”
I’ve never been asked that question before, certainly not by a man. Typically, men don’t care about giving you things you need. They are selfish, one-track-minded creatures… usually.
Griffin is different. He’s like the men you read about in romance novels. The ultimate book boyfriend, if you will.
“They make me whole. You make me…” I hesitate, trying to find the right word that could truly encompass what he makes me feel, because honestly, even I’m not sure yet. “You make me absolute. You make me confident. You make me…” I smile. “Happy.”
He pushes a stray hair from my face and cups my chin. “Where did you come from?”
I shrug playfully. “Virginia.”
He chuckles and pulls me in for another kiss. “Let’s get out of here. I want those heels around my ears.”
Our perfect little bubble promptly bursts when we cross the courtyard and make our way back to the valet stand. Ten times the number of camera flashes that were there when we arrived are blinding us now.
“Griffin! Kaitlyn! Just one picture!”
“Smile! Over here, Kaitlyn!”
“Griffin, is it true she’s related to a murderer? Why an American? Is it true she’s sleeping with you for money?”
I look down and cover my face with my hand until Griffin steps in front of me, shielding me from their words and their lenses.
Fuck. I’ll never get used to this.