37. Griffin #2
His weighted stare meets hers, before traveling to Everest’s and back again slowly, and I’m sure he’s thinking of a thousand ways to deny his needs.
To push himself back into the black and white that he exists in, but it’s too late for that.
His hands flex, both itching to sign his response, before I let my hands fall to my thighs, and allow my little finger to brush along the outside of his leg.
He zeros in on the movement, so hyper aware of any slight move after what happened to him, but I need him to know he can do this.
A deep breath is slowly forced in and out of his lungs, his hands now flattening against his lap.
“I want the same as you,” he admits quietly.
“I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember, it’s why I kissed you on your thirteenth birthday.
” Everest’s stare widens at that new tidbit of information, but Harden doesn’t notice or care.
“It’s why, six years later, I can still feel the impression of your lips like it was yesterday, so of course I want you.
” His admission has her stunned silent, all of us really, and just when I think it can’t get any better, he clears his throat and adds, “but I also want him.”
Pride fills my insides, warmth spreading through my chest, as Aurora nods again, digesting everything he just said, before she swings her gaze to Everest. “Ever.” She whispers his name like a plea, his stare still filled with fury as he looks at her.
“You know where I stand princess, I only want you.”
It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no either. Everest always chooses his words carefully, and Aurora knows that. She takes it and runs with it, because she knows deep down that Everest Monroe would do fucking anything to make her happy.
“Okay then, it’s settled.”
No other words are said, no parameters are set, we just come to the silent agreement that this is officially happening.
Not long after that, the food that Harden ordered shows up, and Aurora makes him restart the movie, which of course he does.
Then we all sit and eat and enjoy a movie night, like we have done a hundred times before.
When night falls, Everest is the first to stand up and start clearing shit away.
He hasn’t said a word since his last statement earlier, even though he did move to sit next to Aurora for the movie.
She watches him tidy up and then leave with a sigh, and I know it’s going to take him a while to come around.
We shouldn’t have pushed him. Still, I stand and pull her toward me with a smile.
“It’s okay sweetheart, he will come around, I promise.
” Leaning down I press my lips to hers, enjoying the fact that I’m just freely able to touch her and kiss her like this now.
“Now go keep him company in bed before he kills us all,” I add, making her laugh, as I drop one last kiss to her mouth, before grabbing my bottle of water and heading to the stairs.
I expect both her and Harden to follow, but they both linger in the living room, and as much as I want to stay and watch things unfold between them, I force myself to keep walking upstairs.
Bypassing my room, I head straight to Harden’s, pulling off my hoodie and joggers, climbing into his bed in just my boxers, ensuring I leave the space by the wall for him. It’s not long before he pushes inside, looking completely bemused to find me there, as he slowly shuts his door behind him.
“What? I think we’re past pretending this thing between us isn’t happening, Haze,” I chuckle, his eyes darkening as he takes me in, before he moves toward me like a predator stalking his prey.
When he reaches me his fingers gently stroke along my jaw, his eyes marvelling at how he touches me, before he signs.
And I think we’re past you using my last name.
I laugh again, enjoying this possessive side of him that I’ve never seen before.
Maybe I’ll have to fuck it out of you . He adds, instantly heating my insides, as he reaches up and slowly strips out of his own clothes, until he’s also in nothing but his boxers.
His words might be bold, but I can tell he's still a little nervous.
“Just tell me whenever you’re ready, Harden and I’ll get on my knees like a good boy.”
His eyes gleam a little at that, and all my suspicions about him are confirmed.
He needs to be the one in charge, taking control of everything so he doesn’t get lost to his trauma, and I am more than willing to let that happen.
Climbing over me, he shifts himself until his back is against the wall, and just when I think he isn’t going to respond, I move to turn off the light.
“It could take a while,” he whispers softly, halting my movements, and when I look back at him, I don’t see the man who got on his knees for me, I only see my best friend.
“Good thing we’ve got all the time in the world then, huh?” I toss back with a smile, and he returns it slightly, while still pressing himself firmly back into the wall, hugging his pillow tightly.
“Goodnight, Griff,” he sighs, the two words so content that they thrill me, as I reach over and turn off the light, and snuggle myself as close as he will allow.
“Goodnight, baby.”