Chapter 38
thirty-eight
. . .
Griffin
She sinks to her knees, and I swear the world tilts.
I’ve never seen anything so breathtaking, so utterly wrecking, as Avery Sinclair on her knees in front of me, her eyes locked onto mine, her hands sliding up my thighs.
You wore the dress.
The thought flickers through my mind, unbidden, as I take her in. And before I can stop myself, the words slip out.
"You wore the dress."
She glances up at me, her lips curving slightly. "You remember it?"
I let out a rough laugh, shaking my head. "I’ll never forget it."
And God help me, I won’t. That pink wrap dress, the one I couldn’t stop thinking about after Mexico, the one that clung to her like it was made for her.
Her hands work me over as she licks me at once, and, God, I’m about to lose it. My palm braces against the doorframe, the other tangling in her hair as she leans forward, her lips brushing over me.
The touch of her tongue is tentative, soft, and sweet. But even that tiny stroke sends a shockwave down my spine.
Fuck.
My head tips back, a low groan escaping my throat as her lips part and take me deeper. The wet heat of her mouth, the slide of her tongue—it’s enough to wreck me completely.
She pulls back slightly, her breath brushing against me, and she mutters, “I honestly don’t remember how I did this…”
My eyes snap down to her, her hand stroking me slowly, her gaze uncertain but so goddamn sexy.
“It’ll fit,” I rasp, my voice rough with need.
Her lips twitch into a small, teasing smile. “No, it’s just… been a while since I’ve done this. Since Mexico, to be exact.”
Fuck me.
Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, and I have to fight the urge to haul her up and take her right there.
Instead, I force myself to grin, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. “Open your mouth and hope for the best.”
Her gaze locks onto mine, heat simmering in those deep, hazel eyes, and she does as I ask, her lips parting slightly.
“Good girl,” I groan. “I’ll help you.”
And then I guide her, slow and steady, her mouth closing around me.
The way she looks up at me, her lips stretched over my length, her hands braced against my thighs—it’s almost too much.
“Mine,” I growl, my fingers tightening in her hair. “Fuck, you’re mine now, Avery.”
Her tongue swirls, her head tilting as she takes me deeper, and the wet, obscene sounds of her working me fill the air.
But it’s not enough.
No matter how good this is—how fucking incredible she is—I need more.
I grip her arms gently, tugging her to her feet, and she blinks up at me, her lips swollen and glistening, her cheeks flushed that perfect shade of pink.
Her chest is heaving, her breath uneven as I slide my hands to her waist, my fingers finding the tie of her dress.
“Griffin,” she whispers, her voice soft and unsure.
I lean down, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to her mouth, tasting her, savoring her. “You’re everything,” I murmur against her lips, my hands working the fabric loose.
The dress falls away, pooling at her feet, and I take a step back, my gaze sweeping over her.
Every dream I’ve ever had, every fantasy I’ve tried to bury—standing here, trembling under my touch, driving me out of my damn mind.
I pick her up like she weighs nothing, and, holding her by the hips and ass, press her against the wall.
As I press into her, slow and deliberate, watching her lips part and her head fall back, I murmur, "How was Spain?"
Her breath catches, and she lets out a shaky laugh. "It was… ah…good? Really? Right now?”
I grin against her skin, trailing kisses down her neck. "I’m serious. Was it everything you dreamed it would be?"
Her fingers dig into my shoulders as I slide deeper, her body tightening around me.
"I needed it," she says, her voice breathy.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. For my, uh, academic development.”
"Well, good," I say, my grin softening as I tilt her chin toward me. "You’ve always gone after what you wanted. And I’m proud of you for that, Sinclair."
Her eyes flutter open, meeting mine, and for a second, there’s something raw and unguarded in her gaze.
"I matured a lot," she says softly.
"Yeah?" I tease, my lips brushing hers. "Does that mean you’ve finally decided what you want in life?"
Her cheeks flush deeper, her breath hitching as I move, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.
"I… I think so," she stammers.
"Yeah?" I press, my hand brushing over her throat, my thumb tracing her pulse. "Like what?"
She hesitates, her lips parting as if she’s searching for the right words.
"I want a lot of things," she whispers. "I want to be successful. I want to be happy. And… maybe one day, I want a family."
My heart twists, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.
"A family?" I ask, my voice low, my movements slowing as I search her eyes.
She nods, her hands sliding to my face. "Yeah. Not now, but…someday. I want to really be in love when I do it. I want it to mean something."
"It will," I promise, my voice rough. "And you will be amazing at it."
Her lips tremble, and she lets out a shaky laugh. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Do you want kids, Griffin?"
Jesus, woman. Quite a question at a time like this .
I lean in, my forehead pressing against hers. "I want everything. A big house, a messy kitchen, kids running around the yard. And you, Avery.”
“Yeah?” She breathes, heavy as I push in to the hilt. “I want it all—with you."
Her breath catches, her eyes widening.
"Griffin," she whispers, her voice breaking slightly. "I thought about you so much. So many nights…Oh God…fuck I’m gonna come…”
That’s all it takes.
The words hit me like a wrecking ball, and my control snaps.
We move together, her body arching into mine as I bury myself in her completely, my hands gripping her hips like I might lose her if I let go.
"I love you," I rasp, the words spilling out without hesitation.
Her eyes flutter open, glassy and soft, her lips trembling as she whispers back, “Aww, hell. I love you, too."
And then everything else fades.
We’re a tangle of limbs and heat, her nails raking down my back as she gasps my name, her voice raw and breathless. My mouth finds hers, messy and desperate, swallowing her sounds as I drive into her, faster, harder, needing her in a way that borders on madness.
Her hands grip my shoulders, her fingers digging into my skin, pulling me closer, deeper, as if she’s trying to fuse us together.
"Griffin," she moans, her head tipping back, her hair spilling over her shoulders, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I press my lips to her throat, tasting the salt of her skin, feeling the rapid beat of her pulse under my tongue.
"Avery," I growl, my hands sliding lower, lifting her slightly, angling her just right. "Look at me."
Her eyes snap open, locking onto mine, and the intensity there—pure, raw, unfiltered—makes my breath catch.
"Don’t stop," she pleads, her voice breaking. "Don’t you dare stop. Oh God.” She moans, biting my shoulder.
"Never," I promise, my voice rough, the word tearing from my throat as I thrust into her harder, chasing the edge, pulling her along with me. “Take every inch, baby.”
Her pussy tightens around me with her body, her head falling back as a broken cry tears from her lips, as she bucks against me, wild.
“So good.”
And I’m right there with her.
"That’s it," I murmur, my hand tangling in her hair, holding her close. "Let go for me, baby. Just let go."
She shatters, her body trembling against mine, her nails scraping down my back, leaving marks I’ll wear with pride.
And the sight of her—so wild, so undone—pulls me over the edge, my release hitting me like a freight train, leaving me wrecked, breathless, completely hers.
We collapse together, our breaths ragged, our bodies still tangled, the heat of the moment fading into a warm, heady haze.
I press my forehead to hers, my hand brushing a strand of hair from her face, and for the first time in a long time, I feel…whole.
And as her lips curve into a soft, sleepy smile, I know—there’s no going back.
Avery Sinclair owns me.
She always has.
The heat of her body against mine is everything I’ve ever wanted. The way she shivers, the soft sound of my name falling from her lips—it’s wrecking me in the best possible way.
We’re still tangled together, her breath warm against my chest, my hands brushing over her damp hair. I press my forehead to hers, savoring the quiet, intimate aftermath of everything we just shared.
And then?—
Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz.
The sharp vibration of a phone breaks through the haze, jolting us both back to reality.
She freezes, her head lifting slightly as the sound repeats.
"What the…" Avery mutters, untangling herself from me as her eyes dart to the marble counter.
The screen of her phone lights up, the name flashing in bright white letters:
Cassie Calling.
"Shit," she whispers, scrambling to grab it.
I lean back against the wall, running a hand through my hair as she answers, her voice breathless and unsteady.
"Hey, Cass!" she says, her tone pitched too high.
I smirk, crossing my arms as I watch her try to pull herself together. She smooths her dress, but it’s hopeless—it’s wrinkled, her hair’s a mess, and her lips are swollen. And damn if it isn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
"Where are you?" Cassie’s voice is loud enough for me to hear through the line. "We’re heading to another bar. You coming?"
Avery glances at me, her cheeks flushing, and I can see the gears turning in her head.
"Uh… yeah," she stammers. "I just…needed some air. I’ll be back in a minute."
"You okay?" Cassie asks, her voice softening.
Avery hesitates, her fingers tightening around the phone. "Yeah. I’m fine. I’ll see you soon."
She hangs up, her shoulders sagging as she lets out a shaky breath.
"Smooth," I tease, my voice low and rough.
She glares at me, though the corner of her mouth twitches. "Don’t even start."
I push off the wall, closing the space between us in two strides. My hand finds her waist, my thumb brushing the curve of her hip.
"You sure you’re fine?" I ask, my voice softening as I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze.
Her lips part, her eyes searching mine, and for a second, I think she’s going to say something real—something big.
But instead, she shakes her head, stepping back. "We should go. Cassie’s waiting."
I nod, though every cell in my body is screaming at me to keep her here.
Because the truth is—this isn’t enough. It’ll never be enough.
As we step back into the crowded, noisy club, the spell between us fades, replaced by the harsh glow of reality.
But one thought lingers in the back of my mind, as persistent as the thrum of the bass.
Before I can shake it, Avery’s soft voice cuts through the haze.
“Griff,” she whispers, glancing around nervously. “We need to figure out a way to tell her. We can’t let this be a secret. It’s not right.”
I pause, tugging my jacket back into place, my mind racing.
“I’ll figure something out,” I mutter, straightening the collar.
Her eyes narrow slightly, doubt flickering across her face. “How?”
I meet her gaze, trying to summon the confidence I don’t entirely feel.
“Avery, it’ll be fine. I got this.”
Her lips press into a thin line, and for a second, I think she’s going to push back. But instead, she exhales, shaking her head.
“You better,” she says quietly, her fingers brushing mine as we move toward the table.
Cassie’s already waiting, her face lighting up when she spots us. "There you two are! What took so long?"
Avery and I exchange a glance, the silent secret between us hanging heavy in the air.
“Bathroom line,” I lie smoothly, flashing a grin as I slide back into my seat.
Cassie narrows her eyes suspiciously but doesn’t press it. Instead, she grabs another nacho and launches into her next topic.
“Anyway, you’re both coming to Tahoe next weekend, right? Mom’s already booked the house—it’s going to be the whole family. You know how she gets about Thanksgiving traditions!”
Avery blinks, her glass halfway to her lips. “Wait. Tahoe?”
“Yes, Tahoe!” Cassie chirps, like this is the most obvious thing in the world. “You’re family, Avery. Of course you’re coming. Mom made sure to get a house with enough rooms for everyone. It’ll be like old times!”
I glance at Avery, catching the brief flicker of panic in her eyes before she schools her expression.
“Oh… yeah. Sure,” she says, her voice light, but I know her too well. She’s calculating how the hell we’re supposed to keep this under wraps when we’re stuck under the same roof for an entire weekend.
I lean back in my seat, swirling my drink, doing my best to look unfazed.
“Tahoe sounds great,” I say, earning a suspicious glance from Avery.
Cassie beams. “It’s going to be so much fun! Sledding, hot chocolate, and oh—Griff, you’re still good at making fires, right? Mom said the place has this amazing stone fireplace, and she’s already planning s’mores.”
“I’ve got it covered,” I say smoothly, ignoring the way Avery’s looking at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.
As Cassie chatters on about the trip, Avery takes another sip of her drink, her shoulders tense, her eyes darting everywhere but at me.
But I can’t stop watching her.
Because as much as this secret feels like a ticking time bomb, ready to blow at any second, I can’t bring myself to care about the fallout.
Just then, one of my teammates strolls over, a playful grin on his face. It’s Travis, our starting wide receiver, who never misses an opportunity to insert himself into any conversation.
“What’s all this talk about Tahoe?” he asks, snagging a chip from the table like he belongs here. “We’ve got a game to win next Thursday, man.”
I force a laugh, leaning back in my chair. “Don’t worry, Trav. I can multitask.”
“Yeah?” He smirks, glancing between Cassie, Avery, and me like he’s piecing something together. “Better not let Coach hear about your little family vacation plans. He’ll have you running extra drills.”
Cassie rolls her eyes, waving him off. “It’s not like he’s skipping practice, Travis. And besides, it’s not just any vacation. It’s Thanksgiving. Family time.”
“Family time, huh?” Travis’s eyes dart to Avery, his grin widening. “And what about you, Sinclair? You part of the family now?”
Avery nearly chokes on her drink, her eyes going wide as she scrambles for an answer.
“She’s been part of the family for years,” Cassie says before Avery can respond, her tone matter-of-fact. “She’s my best friend. Of course she’s coming to Tahoe.”
I catch Avery’s gaze, her cheeks flushed as she looks anywhere but at me.
Travis chuckles, clearly enjoying the awkward energy. “Alright, alright. Guess I’ll let you off the hook this time, Knox. But don’t let me catch you sneaking turkey sandwiches into the locker room next week.”
He claps me on the shoulder, winks at Avery, and saunters off, leaving an odd tension in his wake.
Cassie shakes her head, muttering something about “boys and their egos” before diving back into her nachos.
But Avery? She’s fidgeting with her glass, her lips pressed together like she’s holding back a million thoughts.
I lean closer, my voice low. “Relax. He doesn’t know anything.”
Her eyes finally meet mine, and there’s a flicker of something in them—relief, maybe, or frustration.
“This is going to be a long week,” she whispers.
She has no idea.
Because as much as I’ve got this secret under control now, one wrong move in Tahoe?
And it’s game over. The Knox family is no joke.