Griffin Colson #2
“You should have told me,” she replies with a shrug, holding back a laugh.
Her jaw muscles flex under my palms. “But I’m not stupid enough to think giving us a chance didn’t come with shit like this.
If this is what you need to feel better and let me keep my store, then I’ll find a way to deal with it. I’m paying you back though.”
I laugh in pure relief as my forehead drops against hers. The tension leaves me in a rush and I wrap my arms around her, tugging her tight against my chest. She is definitely not paying me back, but that’s a battle I’ll fight another time.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I murmur into her hair. “I just...” I lean back enough to meet her gaze, her blue-green eyes burning into mine in a way I’ll never get used to. “I don’t do half measures when it comes to somethin’ I care about.”
Again she’s silent. She turns and grabs my hand to lead me up to the loft and my heart hammers in my chest. I can’t figure this woman out.
When I think I’ve got a beat on her, she does something else to surprise me.
I let her pull me up the stairs, only stepping in front of her to unlock the new deadbolts on her door.
By the time we step inside her loft, I’m a storm cloud of mixed emotions.
Relief, anticipation, fear, worry, and an undercurrent of that same protective energy that made me reinforce Moonglow in the first place.
I expect her to stop in the living room and really have it out with me or ask to watch a movie or some other domestic shit.
But she keeps walking to her bedroom, turning once to incline her head, telling me to follow.
My brows hit my hairline but I do as I’m told.
It’s not until we are inside her bedroom with the door shut behind me that I break the silence.
“You’re really not upset?” I frown, worried it’s another trick and she’s about to cut my balls off.
In answer to my question, she pulls her shirt over her head and tosses it on the floor. My pulse spikes and I suck in air through my teeth. The atmosphere between us turns electric. Seconds later, my shirt follows hers and I pull her into my arms.
“Seriph.” I rumble, a warning and a plea rolled into one as I back her toward the bed.
She unbuttons my pants and her legs hit the mattress. I groan and my fingers delve into her hair. My mouth crashes down onto hers. I’m not gentle. It’s all teeth and tongue, bruising and desperate with relief against her lips.
“Fuckin’ hell,” I rasp when we break apart. “You really gonna reward my bad behavior?”
I lift her up onto the edge of the bed, my palms skimming up her thighs like a man memorizing scripture. The last shreds of tension bleed from my shoulders as I drop to my knees between them.
I grin up at her wickedly. “Guess I should piss you off more often. I don’t know if you know this or not but I think you’ve got your wires crossed on how you’re supposed to act when you’re mad, first the dress now this?”
“I’m rewarding you for making me feel special. The silent treatment and making you think I would kick you out on your ass was punishment for not telling me,” she teases with a laugh.
“You gonna do shit like this every time I piss you off?” I chuckle. My hands slide up her thighs and slip the button of her jeans. I work them down with torturous slowness, pressing hot kisses to her hip bones.
“What? The silent treatment?” she breathes out, responding to my touch.
“Nah, Sunshine, the part where you let me make it up to you after.” One hand slides behind her knee, pushing it up as I lean closer, my breath hot against the lace of her underwear. “Though if this is how we settle arguments from now on? Might start pickin’ fights on purpose.”
“Oh, I will always let you make it up to me. But, I’m about to disappoint both of us.” She bites that lip ring in the way that makes my dick twitch.
“Yeah?” I nuzzle against the skin of her inner thigh, my thumb drawing idle circles over her hip. “How’s that?” I drag the lace down, ever so slowly.
“No more oral for me until I get tested. I’m an idiot and we forgot and you’ve already gone down on me too many times,” she babbles nervously.
I freeze instantly. My grip on her thigh tightens fractionally, before I sit back on my heels and meet her gaze.
“You’re not an idiot,” I say flatly, irritated that she put herself down.
“We both fucked up. Should’ve been the first thing we handled after.
..” I exhale sharply before putting her underwear back in place and standing up.
I reach for my discarded shirt and tug it on over my head, tossing hers to her with a pointed look. “Get dressed. We’re goin’ now.”
She fumbles around for her pants and her shoes. I can see the anxiety set in. She goes pale and I can tell from her eyes that she’s retreating internally. Grabbing her wrist, I duck my head to catch her gaze and bring myself to her level.
“Hey.” My thumb strokes over her pulse point, steady and unyielding. “This isn’t on you. We handle it together. End of story.” I wait until she nods to release her, already grabbing my keys. “And Seriph? Whatever the results are? Doesn’t change a damn thing between us.”
“Yeah, tell yourself that when you find out I gave your mouth chlamydia,” she mumbles.
I snort and reach out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “Chlamydia’s treatable, smartass,” I say calmly, the corner of my mouth tipping up. “Besides, I’ve done a hell of a lot riskier things with my mouth than take a chance on you.”
“That’s a really loaded statement that raises questions I’m not sure I want answers to.” She looks at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“Darlin’, trust me, some stories are better left in the past.” I tug her along behind me as I make my way down the stairs. “Unless you really wanna know about the time I had to bluff my way through a cartel poker game by pretendin’ I didn’t speak Spanish.”
“You speak Spanish?” she questions.
I open her door for her and help her in, reaching over to buckle her seatbelt. “Fluently.” I flash her a grin then move around the front before climbing into the driver’s side. “I grew up travelin’ a lot. Picked up a few languages on the way.” I start the jeep and pull away from the curb.
“A few?” Her mouth drops open. “What other languages are you fluent in?”
“Russian, Spanish, enough German to get me in trouble. Oh, and I curse in Arabic real fuckin’ well.” My grin widens at her expression. “What you’ve never met a multilingual bounty hunter before?” I rest my hand on her thigh.
“To be honest, I’ve never met a bounty hunter before.” She looks out the passenger window.
My attempts to keep her out of her head fail miserably. She tugs at her shirt hem, twisting it around her fingers.
“Hey.” I take her hand, stilling the nervous movement. “We got this. Clinic’s in and out. No questions asked. And after?” I squeeze her fingers, bringing them up to my lips. “I’m takin’ you out for dinner. You owe me a proper rant about whatever fantasy book pissed you off last week.”
We spend the rest of the drive in silence, more companionable than tense.
I can tell she’s working through it. I keep her hand held in mine, a reminder that I’m present.
That no matter what happens at the clinic, I won’t let her face it alone.
I pull into the parking lot of a discreet medical building.
The windows are tinted, there’s no flashy signage, and barely any cars. I cut the engine and turn to her.
“Ready?” My voice is firm.
If she says no, I’ll drive away without another word. The second she nods, I’m unbuckling my seatbelt like it’s a foregone conclusion that I’m coming inside with her. I circle around and open her door, offering my hand. She gets out and I fall into step beside her.
There’s no sign in or paperwork required, just a quick scan of her ID.
A nurse leads us into a private room with a small exam table with stirrups, a chair, and a sink.
One side is lined with different medical equipment while the opposite wall is lined with locked cabinets. She takes in the room warily.
My eyes hit the stirrups and I turn back to the nurse. “That’s not how we’re doin’ this.”
“Sir, it’s standard procedure.” She purses her lips glaring at me irritably. She’s a middle aged woman with brown eyes, gray hair, and a name tag that reads, ‘Nancy.’ “You’re more than welcome to wait outside if you’re going to be difficult.”
Before I can respond, Seriph beats me to it. “I also need a pregnancy test completed, please.”
I stiffen, for her to ask means she hasn’t had a period yet.
And although I bought her the morning after pill, it’s not fool proof.
My jaw is clenched so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t break.
The idea that she’s been carrying that alone, makes me want to contact the cartel to see if the dumbass is still alive so I can torture him again.
The nurse looks from me to Seriph with an expression that’s a mix between understanding and frustration.
She pulls a gown and blanket from a cabinet.
“Take everything off and cover yourself with the blanket. Make yourself comfortable.” She hands the items to Seriph.
“I’ll get a pregnancy test ordered. The doctor will be in to do your STI screening and exam.
” She shoots me one last warning look before stepping out.
Seriph sets the gown down and removes her clothes. Her fingers are trembling. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy on her but I’m not sure I really understood the cost.
“Easy, Sunshine.” Crossing the short distance, I close my hands over hers.
“I’m being ridiculous.” She sighs, looking down at the gown like it’s going to burn her.
I tie the back of the gown, then help her on the table. “Nah, you’re worried. There’s nothin’ ridiculous about it.” I tuck the blanket around her legs, making sure it covers her lap. “Just breathe.” My knuckles glide over her cheek.