Chapter 3
Lucy
His bedroom was exactly what I’d expected... spartan but comfortable, with a massive log bed that dominated the space. What I hadn’t expected was how intimate it would feel to be in here, surrounded by his things, about to sleep in his bed.
"Bathroom's yours first," Griffin said from the doorway, keeping his distance like I might bite. Though the way he’d been looking at me during dinner, I wasn’t sure he’d mind if I did.
"Such a gentleman," I teased, grabbing my now-dry underwear from where it had been hanging in the bathroom. "Turn around while I change?"
He spun around so fast I had to bite back a laugh. "I'll be in the living room."
"You know," I called after him as I started changing, "most men would at least try to sneak a peek."
His response was a grunt that echoed down the hallway.
I slipped out of his sweatpants but kept his flannel shirt on... partly because it was comfortable, partly because I knew it would drive him crazy. The hem hit mid-thigh, decent enough to not be scandalous, but just short enough to be interesting.
When I padded out to say goodnight, I found him arranging blankets on the couch, still fully dressed.
"You’re not sleeping in jeans, are you?" I asked, leaning against the wall.
He looked up, then immediately looked away when he saw my bare legs. "I'll be fine."
"Don’t be ridiculous. You be much more comfortable out of your clothes,” I said.
He rolled his eyes. "I’m fine, thanks."
"Griffin." I crossed my arms, which made the shirt ride up just a bit more. His eyes tracked the movement before snapping back to my face. "Go change. I promise not to ravish you in your sleep."
He made a choking sound. "That’s... that’s not..."
"I’m kidding."
I wasn’t entirely kidding.
"But seriously, get comfortable. This is your house."
He disappeared into his room, returning in flannel pajama pants and a fitted black t-shirt that did nothing to hide his broad chest and strong arms.
Now it was my turn to look away.
But I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
My eyes were glued to this giant who looked like he’d been chainsawed into shape from a massive lump of lumber.
"Better?" he asked gruffly.
"Much." I walked over to adjust his blankets, purposely brushing against him. "Though I still think this is silly. That bed is huge."
"No," he said, too fast.
"We’re both adults."
"No."
"I don’t snore."
"Lucy." My name came out like a warning.
I turned to face him, finding him much closer than I’d expected. "Yes?"
"Go to bed,” he said.
"Make me."
His eyes darkened, and for a second, I thought he might actually do it. But then he stepped back, running a hand through his dark hair.
"You’re impossible,” he said.
"So I’ve been told." I reached up and patted his cheek, feeling the scratch of his beard against my palm. "Goodnight, grumpy."
I felt his eyes on me all the way back to the bedroom.
Once inside, I slipped between his sheets, surrounded by his scent. The bed was comfortable, but it felt too big. Too empty. Even when I spread my arms and legs wide, I felt like a toddler in an adult’s bed.
I was almost asleep when a floorboard creaked in the hallway.
I opened my eyes to find Griffin standing in the doorway, his silhouette massive against the dim light.
"Everything okay?" I asked softly.
"Just... checking the heat. Making sure you’re warm enough."
"I’m warm." I propped myself up on an elbow, letting the shirt slip off one shoulder. "But there’s always room for more heat... if you’re offering."
He gripped the doorframe so hard I heard the wood creak. "You need to stop," he said.
"Stop what?"
"You know what."
I sat up fully, the covers pooling around my waist. "Maybe I don’t. Maybe you should come over here and explain it to me."
The silence between us stretched. Electric. Dangerous.
Then he took one step forward.
And another.
Until he was standing beside the bed, looking down at me with an intensity that made my breath catch.
"Lucy," he rasped. "You’re playing with fire."
I reached for him, fingers brushing the hem of his shirt.
"Maybe I want to get burned."