And I followed him.
Again.
Like some lost puppy. It wasn’t until we stopped and he pressed the call button for the elevator that I figured I should say something.
“So, what did you need?” He turned only to move his attention back on the doors in front of him. I frowned. “I mean, why did you need me to go with you?” I added, my voice softer than I ever spoke, and I didn’t like it.
“You’ll see.” The elevator pinged open, as if timed perfectly with his words. I watched as he waited for me to step inside firstbefore he pushed the cart inside and pressed a button for the floor he was taking us to.
“So, spitfire?—“
“Marty,” I corrected at once and fought from wincing. Me and my mouth were definitely going to get me fired sooner than later.
Maybe it was time for me to update my resume?
Or go back to school like my mom had been suggesting these last couple of months.
“Marty,” he corrected. I hated how much I liked the sound of my name when he said it. “I need some help.”
“Help?” I quirked an eyebrow.
“Yup.” The door opened, and when I looked out, my body froze, almost locking in place as I stared down the all-too familiar hallway.
One I had almost not made it out of when that asshole had...
“Marty? Babe, hey, look at me,” Griffin called, and I did as he asked without question. “You’re okay,” he reassured me, and I stiffly nodded. Did he know what had happened? Had Mary talked to him? Had he talked to Pope? He stepped out and pushed the cart to the side and tagged my hand with his.
“Wait, what are you?—“
“Come on.” I guess I wasn’t walking fast enough for him, because the next thing I knew, he picked me up, my legs wrapped around the narrow of his waist, and my uniform dress bunched up the back of my thighs. “What do you think you’re doing?!” I exclaimed.
“Fucking this up,” he muttered. “But honestly, maybe it’s for the better?”
“Excuse me?” I was completely confused.
“It’s probably better for me just to be me from the get-go, so you know what you’re getting when it comes to me.”
“Getting with…” I was not going to tell him I wasn’t getting him. I was there for work, and that was it. “You’re not making any sense,” I mumbled, but for some stupid reason, I didn’t wiggle out of his hold or try to make him put me down. If I was honest, I kinda liked how it felt for him to carry me like I weighed nothing more than a sack of flour.
“I will. I promise,” he mumbled.
My hands that, with a mind of their own, lightly rested over his shoulders started to stroke the fabric of his leather cut and cotton shirt, enjoying the way the strong, hard muscles beneath flexed under my touch. His eyes caught mine, and for a moment, nothing else mattered. It was crazy. I’d just met the man and had been rude to him. I basically worked for him. But in that moment, it didn’t matter.
There was something about the bad boy holding me that made me want to risk it all. Which was completely and utterly stupid.When you know, you know,that little voice that had whispered he was different said.
“I’m sorry,” he said, breaking the comfortable silent bubble. I felt the genuineness in his tone wash over me. Through me. “Laying my cards on the table.” I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. “I didn’t know what happened. I should have. Stone is usually the one you guys deal with, and he wasn’t feeling well, and, not to excuse it, but he didn’t tell me exactly what I needed to say before he ran off to puke his guts out this morning and take an ice-cold shower because he was burning up.”
“Oh.” I licked my lips and felt his stare on my mouth like a touch. They tingled for a kiss I sure as hell shouldn’t be fantasizing about. He was essentially my boss, and that alone made him forbidden. And that much more attractive.Damn it.
“Anyhow, I didn’t know, and I should have shown not just you but the department and Mary more respect. I know what happened now,” he laid out, slowly setting me back down andnot letting go of my hips even after my feet touched the ground. That’s when I realized we were standing in front of the room where everything happened. “I spoke to Pope and Mary.”
“Did you now?” I asked suspiciously. He nodded and opened the door.
“Griff!” A guy inside waved. “Ma’am.” He nodded. By the leather vest he was wearing, I was guessing he was another member of the Steel Sinners. “You two ready?”
“Ready for what?” I asked, so distracted by the two men I hadn’t let myself soak up the fact I was back where everything happened.
“To demolish the place,” Griffin answered. My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of their sockets.
