Chapter 39
Griz didn’t think he could hold it together until Elowen arrived. Every chance he got, he checked his phone to see where she was. She had another hour, and then she would be at his place. They were getting together with the group on Saturday evening before she took off on Sunday morning.
Elowen wanted to talk to Thario, so they were headed over there on Saturday morning. He was ever thankful for Thario. The man had saved them when he’d rescued Elowen. He’d held the gun on Jenkins, keeping him from attacking Griz as he’d focused on Elowen.
The seconds dripped out slowly like they were caught in a sieve. They finished with their run, and he showered and then pulled on his clothes.
“You’re in a rush,” Sharp said as he pulled on his underwear.
“Elowen will be at my place soon.”
Apple laughed behind him. “That’s why you’ve been so antsy this afternoon.”
He smiled. “Yeah, she’ll be here soon, and I get to spend the weekend with her.”
“That’s not a lot of time,” Shine said as he came out of the showers.
“No, it’s not. But she’ll be back in a few weeks. This will probably be the most time we spend apart.”
“I’m going to miss you when you retire,” Squat said.
“I’ll miss all of you, too,” Griz said.
Jay’s laughter boomed behind him. “No, you won’t. You’ll be freaking happy to be rid of us.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll be happy to be done with the Navy, but I’ll always miss you all.”
Sharp patted him on his shoulder. “Enjoy your time with Elowen.”
“You know I will. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
He took off, not speeding as he drove, though he really wanted to get home fast. He pulled up, and she wasn’t there yet, so he rushed in and made sure everything was picked up.
The place looked great since he’d cleaned the night before. Now, all that he needed was Elowen there.
He heard a car pull up, and he raced to the door and pulled it open.
She looked so pretty that his heart almost cracked.
The relief he felt mixed with the love he had for her, bringing tears to his eyes.
He had to gasp for breath as he stepped outside, making his way to her.
Then she was in his arms, hugging him. Tears ran down his cheeks, and he didn’t even try to wipe them away.
He didn’t care if anyone saw him this way.
He loved Elowen, and he wanted everyone to know.
Elowen sniffled. “God, it feels so good to be in your arms.”
He rubbed his face against the top of her head. “I missed you.”
Elowen laughed and leaned back, tears shining in her eyes. “Do you think our reunions will always be this emotional?”
He laughed, too. “We did just see each other, but yeah, I think we will be this emotional for a while.” His lips found hers in a passionate kiss that he knew they needed to take inside.
Though he didn’t want to, he pulled away and grabbed her bag. He led her into his house and closed, then locked the door before he turned to face her. He didn’t want to push her too fast, so he’d prepared himself not to have sex with her this weekend.
“So I have steaks for grilling. I thought we could watch a movie tonight.”
“I want you.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m taking back my power. I know, I know. I thought about this a lot. I may have to stop, but I didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t want to be punished by not doing something I enjoy.”
He cupped her face and held her gaze. “At any point you want to stop, just tell me. I’m not going to ever make you do anything you don’t want to do, even if it is something that makes you uncomfortable.”
“I’ll tell you. I won’t hide my feelings.”
“Good. I want you to tell me everything you feel or think.”
She laughed. “I will. And honestly, now that I’m here, I feel better. I want you. I want to feel you up against me.”
“We’ll go slow.”
She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it off, revealing her bra-covered breasts. He had to temper his reaction, or he would be coming in his shorts. She was so beautiful and desirable, and he was going to enjoy every second she gave him.
The feel of her hands on his body as she tugged up his shirt sent a shiver through him. He moaned and watched gooseflesh scatter across her shoulders and down her arms. They were both turned on, and he was glad the attack hadn’t shut that part of her down.
He let her guide how fast they went, which was a delicious torture for him. The way she lazily traced his muscles had his desire riding high. When she unzipped his pants and shoved them down to his thighs, his cock pulsed, and he thought he might come.
“I’m about to lose control.”
Her serious gaze connected with his. “If you do, then we’ll start over and build slowly again.”
“I like this.”
“What?”
“You are in control. I like how you touch me.” She flicked her tongue over his nipple, sending a burst of fire through him. “Jesus,” he breathed out and moaned.
Elowen shivered. “You are so fucking gorgeous.”
“So are you.”
She pulled off the rest of her clothes, feeling liberated. Though she was strong, Griz was much stronger. He could hold her down and do whatever he wanted, but he had given her the power. She could tell he wanted to take her to his bed, but he didn’t move.
“Put on that condom,” she said.
Griz nodded and ripped open the package, then rolled it on. She pushed him back to one of the kitchen chairs, and he sat, his eyes wide as he stared up at her.
She straddled his lap and slowly lowered. His cock slid in, and they both moaned. He didn’t move. Instead, he let her set the pace.
“Can I touch you?” Griz’s voice rumbled through her.
“Yes.”
His fingers on her clit drove her wild. She slowed her movements, allowing him to touch her as she rode him. She was being driven to the edge, her body on fire.
“I can’t hold back.”
“Neither can I,” Griz said through gritted teeth.
She sank down on him again, and that was it. She shattered, her legs giving out as she came.
Griz held her up so she didn’t fall backward. His fingers tightened around her waist, and for a second, she felt the rise of panic, but it didn’t last long.
“So freaking good,” Griz said.
She relaxed and leaned against his torso, melting against him. His hold on her relaxed, and he draped one arm around her back. His lips were on her face, kissing her. She groaned and tried to sit up. He helped her stand, then she moved to the couch and dropped down beside him.
“I need to toss this.”
She nodded, wishing they could go without a condom, but it would be months before she could trust that none of the tests would come back positive. She hated that she didn’t know what had happened to her.
Griz turned and paused. “You okay?”
She looked up and tried for a smile. “Yes. I just…” Did she really want to bring this up?
Griz sat beside her, holding her hand. “Tell me.”
“I hate that we have to use a condom.”
He squeezed her hand and then patted her leg.
“I know you do, but we’ll get through this.
Wearing a condom isn’t a big deal. Honestly, I’ve always worn them, even when a woman told me she was on the pill or she had some sort of contraceptive preventing pregnancy.
I couldn’t risk it because I never wanted to be attached to anyone.
Eventually, you and I will decide what we want to do about kids, if we even want to have them, and then we’ll discuss going without a condom.
For now, we’re going to protect both of us. ”
“So you don’t hate it?”
“No. I love you, and that’s all that matters.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you. You’re being so good to me. I love you.”
He moved her so she was on his lap. Being with him like this was wonderful.
She could make it through this with Griz’s support.
He gave her strength, which she’d never really experienced in a relationship before.
But this thing she had with Griz was different, solid.
What they had was real, and no trauma would rip it apart.