31. McKenna
It’s Valentine’s Day, a holiday I’ve never really loved because I haven’t been in a relationship on this day before. Cades and I have been staying at Griff’s place in Minnesota for the past six weeks since he was injured. I told him we weren’t moving in here permanently, that we were just staying until he was finished with recovery and back in Colorado.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that his injury was season-ending, and Griff will be recovering and doing therapy through the offseason in Minnesota.
I’ve since amended our timeline to be until he’s back on his feet, likely sometime around Cadence’s second birthday at the end of March, which he insisted we now host her birthday party here instead of at Carson’s as I had originally planned.
Griff hasn’t pushed me regarding a relationship between us. He promised me we’re going to take this at my pace, and he’s honored that.
But . . . that hasn’t kept me from sleeping in his bed each night. I can’t help it! What if he needs his leg propped up in the middle of the night? Or for me to help him fill his bottle of water? It’s just easier to be in the same room as him in case he needs me.
Yeah, that’s the reason. It has nothing to do with how surreal it feels to wake up with his strong arms wrapped around you. Keep living in your delusional little bubble, McKenna.
We haven’t done anything, though he does kiss me on the forehead before bed each night and pulls me into his chest, where I fall asleep. Needless to say, my restraint is hanging by a thread.
After a long stretch, I roll over to find an empty bed and Griff’s crutches missing from beside his side of the bed. I quickly go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, wash my face, and throw my hair up in a messy bun before heading downstairs.
I get to the landing of the stairs, and the sight before me has me stopping in my tracks.
Holy. Shit.
There are two vases full of pink and red flowers on the kitchen island, balloons floating to the ceiling, and a shirtless Griffin is just placing a platter of crepes, fruit, and toppings next to the flowers.
“What’s all this?” I ask, trying not to drool at the sight of him shirtless in the kitchen.
He wipes his hands on his gray sweatpants—which are slung so low on his hips I can see every delicious edge of his abs, the smattering of hair that disappears under his waistband, and the V of his adonis belt that makes me melt. Then he grabs his crutches and meets me at the bottom of the steps, where I’m still gawking.
Griff places a kiss on my forehead, then each of my cheeks. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Sunshine.”
His smile lights up his face, dimples on full display. My heart swells from the sincerity shining in his eyes, and I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of belonging. These past few months since Griffin has come back into our lives have made me feel alive again.
“Happy V-Day, G.” I take him in again now that he’s closer and I’m spellbound by the intensity of my need for this man.
The trance I was in is broken when I hear a clang in the kitchen. He had me in such a stupor I didn’t even see Cadence in her highchair.
“Good morning, baby,” I coo to her.
“Mama! Look!” she points up at the balloons hanging from the ceiling next to her highchair. She’s squirming around so excitedly I fear she’d fall out if she weren’t strapped in.
“Oh my goodness, Cades, what are we going to do with your daddy? He’s spoiled us silly this morning!”
Griff chuckles, probably laughing at the animated voice I use when talking to Cadence.
“I had to go all out for my girls on my very first Valentine’s Day with the two of you.”
I pull him in for a hug. Heat tugs low in my belly at the feel of his warm skin and toned muscles encasing me. His familiar scent is like my own personal drug—the pheromones making me feel like I’m an animal in heat.
“Well, thank you. We appreciate it, and you.”
“No need to thank me, Sunshine.” He places a quick kiss on the top of my head, and I can’t help but long for his lips to land on mine.
“Now, let’s get this little gremlin fed before our hangry Cadeygirl comes out.”
We’ve just gotten Cadence to sleep when Griff asks, “Will you watch a movie with me, Valentine?”
I smirk at the new nickname.
“That depends. Has your taste in movies changed for the better in our time apart?”
He covers his heart, feigning hurt at my subtle dig. “I’ll have you know, I am not alone in my love for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.”
We’re walking down the steps that lead to the theater room in his basement. Thankfully, Griff no longer has to use crutches after the follow-up appointment he had today with his surgeon. He does have to continue to wear a large brace for the next several weeks to keep his knee stabilized, though.
“Oh, trust me, I know. But unless you want to put me right to sleep, we will skip over your precious and watch something with a little eye candy.”
“Okay, now I’m really hurt,” he says as he brings me in to tickle my sides.
“Stop! Please, oh my god, stop!” I laugh so hard I think I’ll pass out.
“Not until you admit that I’m the only eye candy you need,” he demands.
“Alright!” I gasp, “You’re the only one I’ll ever need.”
He stops suddenly as my words sink in. It’s not that I don’t mean them in that way, I just haven’t admitted my feelings out loud for him yet. I had planned on telling him how I felt in Colorado, but then he got hurt, and I’ve been so focused on trying to get him better and get us settled, and then school started again, that I haven’t had the chance to tell him.
I turn to tell him, but his intense gaze on mine stops me, uncoiling something deep inside of me.
Longing.
In this moment, I’m more desperate for this man than I’ve ever been for anything in my life. Griff is still so in sync with me after all this time; it’s like he can read my mind as he wraps his arms around my waist.
“I am, Sunshine. Don’t doubt this. I’m the only one, and you’re my one and only. It’s always been you and me, Kenna. I’m yours, and you are mine. I think it’s about time I remind you of that.”
Griff grips my jaw, and then he finally brings his lips to mine in a kiss that stops time. It’s slow at first, taking on an exploratory pace—we’re getting reacquainted with one another.
The world stands still as we get lost in the kiss. He runs his hands through my hair and grips the strands. My skin feels like it’s burning. The fire he ignites in me is all-consuming.
I’m so enraptured that I don’t notice we’ve moved until the back of my knees connects with one of the theater sofas.
His calloused hands slide under my shirt, finding me braless. Griffin’s touch sends heat racing through me. It’s a heady feeling being worshiped by this man.
“I’m going to need you to keep quiet so you don’t wake our daughter up. Can you do that for me, Sunshine?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Good girl. Now, let me see your gorgeous body spread bare for me.”
I hesitate for only a moment before he lifts my shirt off me and slides my sleep shorts down and tosses them across the room.
“Fuck, Kenna. You’re so fucking perfect.”
I bring one hand up, covering my breasts, and use the other to hide my stomach. “I look a lot different than the last time you saw me, Griff. I’m far from perfect.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what? I have stretch marks on my stomach, hips, and boobs now. The skin on my stomach is looser, no matter how much work I put in at the gym and on the court.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t try to hide from me. Those changes are a result of the bravest thing you’ve ever done. Your body prospered while growing our beautiful daughter. Let me show you how appreciative I am for this body. Are you ready for me to kiss and worship every inch of your skin, McKenna?” he rasps.
I enthusiastically nod my head, not able to find my words.
Griff lays me back, placing soft kisses along my skin as he slides down my body and nestles himself between my legs.
When his fingers trace up the inside of my thighs, he groans, and the sound ricochets in my stomach, sending tingles straight to my core.
My eyes roll back, and a murmur of pleasure slips from my lips. Anticipation has my clit throbbing.
The first stroke of his tongue through my folds sends my hips flying from the sofa.
“Open your eyes, Sunshine. You need to see whose face you’re going to come on.” He licks me from my clit to the bottom of my slit.
Holy fuck. I have missed his dirty mouth so much.
Keeping eye contact with me, he flicks my clit vigorously with his tongue. It only takes a few moments for the pressure to build at the base of my spine. When he sinks two of his fingers inside my drenched pussy, I’m coming within seconds.
I waste no time convincing him I want more. “Strip for me, Hotshot.”
He pulls his shirt over his head and, without missing a beat, yanks his pants and boxers down. His body is a work of art. My eyes trail down his chest, his abs, his mouth-watering cock, and stop when I notice something on his quad. Just above his left knee is a tattoo that looks fresh.
“What is that? Did you just get a new tattoo?”
“I did. Carson and I went to get them earlier this week. He seems to think I’m getting cabin fever. I got Cadence’s birthday in Roman Numerals.”
The way his quad muscles bulge under the tattoo makes it hotter than anything I’ve ever seen. I never thought I’d like a tattoo there, but knowing he has a piece of our daughter etched into his skin makes me absolutely feral.
“I love it, Griff.”
“I’m hoping I’ll have some more dates to ink on me soon,” he smirks at me.
Griffin kneels down on the sofa, hovering above me. When he finally lays his gloriously sculpted body against mine, the warmth of his skin overtakes me.
His voice is husky as he says, “I can’t promise I’ll be gentle this first time, Sunshine. The past two years without you have been torturous. I need you hard and fast right this minute.”
His breaths are labored, and his jaw ticks like he’s fighting with his self-control.
I can’t seem to be able to, but I need to quell this need—to quench my thirst for him.
I’m dickmatized—completely spellbound from the feel of his length grinding into me for the first time in too long.
“G, I need you to let go for me, baby. Show me that you’re just as desperate to feel me as I am to feel you after all this time.”
Griff groans, and I know that’s exactly what he was hoping I’d say. He settles between my legs, his cock nudging my entrance.
“I don’t have a condom. I haven’t been with anyone since you. Let me fill you up, Sunshine. I honestly would love nothing more than to see you grow another one of my babies,” he whispers in my ear.
Oh, fuck.
“You haven’t been with anyone else, like at all?”
“I haven’t looked at another woman since I pushed you away, McKenna.”
Okay, I’ll be circling back to that tidbit later. But right now, I need this man more than my next breath.
“I haven’t been with anyone else either. But I have an IUD, Griff. We’re good. For now,” I pant.
“You may have one for now, Sunshine. But mark my words, I will put a ring on your finger. Soon. And we will be making more babies. Even sooner.”
Before I can respond, Griff grips his cock and guides it inside me. When he’s all the way in, filling me to the hilt, I can feel my second climax rushing to the surface. I haven’t been this full in over two years, and the sensation alone is going to make me come undone.
Likely able to feel how close I am, he pistons his hips to meet mine, grinding his pelvis against my clit in a deliciously mind-numbing rhythm. It only takes a few more deep thrusts for my second orgasm to pull me under. Ecstasy floods my system. Griffin’s cologne, mixed with his sexy musk that’s all him, consumes me.
“Until then—less talking and more filling me up. Practice makes perfect,” I sass.
His moans reverberate against my collarbone as I feel his cock pulse inside of me, filling me with his cum.
“Fuck, McKenna.”
Griff reluctantly pulls out of me, grabbing my hand and leading us back upstairs to his bedroom to clean up.
I’ve barely hit the sheets before his erection presses against me. “How are you already hard?” I chuckle.
“I always want you,” he answers.
“There’s the insatiable man I know.”
“We’ve got a lot of time apart to make up for, Sunshine.”
And that he did. I had several more orgasms last night before I finally passed out. I’ve never been so gloriously sore from sex. But I’ve also never gone five rounds in one night.
My legs scream at me as I move to get out of bed. I groan loud enough for Griff to hear.
He shifts in bed and gives me a devilish smile. “Sore this morning, Sunshine?”
“Ugh, yes.”
Griff sits up, and the sheet falls to his waist. Seeing the corded muscles of his back flex as he stretches turns me on so much I groan again.
“I’ll run you a bath, Mama.”
A few moments later, Griff returns from the ensuite with a bottle of massage oil.
“Let me give you a massage while the bath runs.”
“Pinch me. I think I’m still dreaming.”
He chuckles. “If I pinch your nipples, will you know this is real life?”
“Let’s not start something I may not be able to finish. I’m pretty sore.”
He turns me over and places a kiss along each vertebra of my spine before he pours some oil into his hands and begins to work my muscles.
I’m not sure how long he massaged my body—I must’ve dozed off, because when I wake back up, he’s finishing kneading the arch of my left foot.
Griff grabs the book I’ve been reading from my nightstand and hands it to me before nodding toward the bathroom. “The bath is ready. Go read for a bit and relax. I’ll go wake our Little Ray up for breakfast. Oh, and Sunshine, make sure to use the red tabs in your book for anything you want me to reference later.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
And just like that, Griff has turned my world upside down. Or maybe it’s finally right-side up. Being with him again feels like finally coming home.