Chapter 6
HANNAH
Iwoke up feeling hot—in more ways than one.
Griffin’s muscular body was curled around mine from behind, one heavy arm draped over my waist. His hand had slipped under the shirt I’d slept in, cupping my breast possessively, his thumb resting just below my nipple.
His other hand was between my legs, his big palm warm against the thin fabric of my sleep shorts, his fingers curved like they belonged there.
My breath caught in my chest, and heat flooded through me. I should have been embarrassed and pulled away. Instead, my body arched into his touch before my brain could catch up.
He made a low, rumbling sound against my neck, like he’d been waiting for me to wake up.
His thumb brushed over my nipple, circling until it pebbled under his touch.
The hand between my legs pressed more firmly against my growing heat, and his fingers started stroking over my clit through the fabric.
“Griffin.”
His name slipped out on a shaky breath.
He didn’t answer with words. Just shifted closer, his hips rocking against my butt so I could feel exactly how hard he was.
His mouth found the sensitive spot beneath my ear, sucking lightly as his fingers slipped beneath the waistband of my shorts and panties.
He found me already wet, and the rough groan that vibrated against my skin made my thighs tremble.
Any lingering thought of stopping him flew out of my head as he worked me with confident strokes.
Two thick fingers slid through my folds, circling my clit and dipping inside my core just enough to make me gasp.
Every touch felt like he knew exactly what I needed.
Where he’d make me shiver and get the biggest response.
The pleasure built fast, my body going taut as I panted, my hips rocking helplessly against his hand.
“Come for me, sweetheart,” he murmured against my neck.
I shattered with a choked cry, clenching around his fingers as waves of pleasure crashed through me. My whole body trembled, and he kept stroking me through every aftershock, drawing my release out until I was boneless.
I thought he’d keep going. Roll me onto my back and sink inside, claiming my virginity. Even though my mind was still whirling from the mind-blowing orgasm he’d just given me, my body already ached for more.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he eased his hand free from my sleep shorts and turned me gently onto my back. Then he cupped my cheek as he lowered his head to kiss me. His tongue slid between my lips to tangle with mine. It was slow, deep, and devastating.
When he pulled back, his blue eyes were burning. “Not like this. You need to be sure you’re staying before I sink my cock inside you. I’m not gonna want to let you out of my bed, let alone Riverstone, once I have you.”
There was a lot to unpack in what he said, but my sensual fog made it hard to focus. Before I could figure out how to reply, a soft fussing sound came through the baby monitor on the bedside table.
Griffin gave me one more quick kiss, then rolled out of bed with a sexy smile that made those pesky butterflies swirl in my belly. “Take your time getting ready. I need to feed my girls.”
He left the room, and I stayed there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, my heart still racing. My body felt languid while I replayed every touch. The way he hadn't taken any pleasure for himself even though I could feel how much he wanted me.
And how he’d said “my girls.” Isa and me. Like he considered both of us to be his.
The conviction in his voice hit me harder than it should have.
I’d never had a man claim me before. But I’d also never gotten an orgasm from one, either.
I was all mixed up inside, torn between my desire for Griffin and the complexity of the situation we were in. Except Isa wasn’t technically one of my cases. I was her foster parent. And although Griffin was listed on her birth certificate, his twin brother was the one who fathered her.
The line was blurry, and I’d blown right past it by sleeping in the same bed with him, let alone what we’d just done.
Rolling over with a sigh, I realized the baby monitor was still quiet. I’d slept straight through for the first time since I’d taken Isa home with me. I hadn’t heard any of the usual crying, not even any fussing.
Realization settled over me slowly. Cross must have gotten up with Isa at some point, and I hadn’t heard. He hadn’t asked for credit for taking care of her. He’d just quietly taken care of what needed to be done.
Knowing he’d stepped up like that for the baby girl I loved knocked even more of my emotional walls down. And I was falling for him too, whether I wanted to admit it or not.
My legs were still a little shaky when I finally dragged myself out of bed, took a quick shower, and got dressed. When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I noticed that my eyes were softer, and my cheeks were flushed. I looked happier than I remembered being in a long time.
I followed the low murmur of voices down the hall and into the kitchen.
Griffin stood at the counter, with Isa cradled easily in one strong arm while he held her bottle with the other.
He swayed back and forth like he’d done this a hundred times, rocking her gently and murmuring something soft when she made a little noise.
There was no awkwardness. Just a natural competence that made my ovaries practically burst.
Glancing up when I stepped in, his blue eyes darkened as they dragged over me in a slow sweep that made me want to squirm in the very best way.
He went right back to feeding Isa like it was the most normal thing in the world. “She’s almost done with her bottle. Then I’ll make omelets.”
He made it sound so matter-of-fact. As though we’d already been doing this together for months instead of one chaotic day.
I leaned against the counter, watching him. “You got up with her all night.”
“She needed to eat.” He shrugged. “You needed sleep.”
The simplicity of his answer did more for me than any pretty words ever could. Yet again, he’d seen a need and stepped in to fill it without thinking twice or expecting credit.
Isa finished the bottle, and he nestled her against his broad shoulder to gently pat her back. Nodding toward the table, he murmured, “Sit. I’ll get her in the swing and bring you some coffee.”
I started to protest. “I can—”
“Sit.”
I quirked a brow. “Are you always this bossy?”
“Only when I’m right.”
I probably should have been annoyed, but the banter was too enjoyable.
He settled Isa into a brand-new swing I was pretty sure hadn’t been there last night, then moved to the coffee maker. When he brought my mug over, our fingers brushed. Sparks shot straight up my arm, and I froze at the memory of what that hand had done to me this morning.
His phone buzzed on the counter, breaking the moment.
Griffin glanced at the screen, and his whole demeanor shifted. Subtly, but I caught it.
He answered, turning slightly away but staying in the room. “Yeah.”
I couldn’t hear what was said on the other end of the call before he asked, “Current location?”
After listening for a minute, he muttered, “What the fuck?”
There was another long pause before he asked, “When?”
A second later, he grunted, “Done.”
Then he ended the call and set the phone down, looking at Isa before his gaze came back to me.
“I need to step out for a bit later.”
I nodded, accepting it without pushing. Whatever they were talking about sounded important, but I wasn’t sure it was my place to ask what was going on.
He hesitated, like he was waiting for questions. When I stayed quiet, his brow furrowed.
“Our tech guy found solid proof,” he finally explained. “Video surveillance and credit card receipts. It was my brother with Rea. I’d already left town that weekend.”
I appreciated the information, but I was surprised to find that it didn’t change anything for me. “I don’t need the evidence, Griffin. I already believe you.”
Something tight in his shoulders eased. The relief in his blue gaze settled something inside me, too, easing the tension in the room as he made perfect omelets we ate together.
I got to enjoy the meal without rushing, since Isa was happily playing in her swing.
It felt strangely domestic and comfortable.
Afterward, he disappeared to get ready while I headed to the nursery to change Isa. I was just snapping her onesie when he stepped behind me. Strong arms came around me for a moment, then he leaned down and claimed my mouth. After leaving me breathless, he pressed a soft kiss to Isa’s forehead.
“Take care of my girls.”
I stood there in the quiet nursery, Isa cooing happily in my arms while those words hung in the air long after he left.