“Evan is retrieving passwords to unlock the children’s phones. We’re on the lower level. I’ll bring you the key.”
“No, that’s okay, I’ll come grab it, you guys are busy.” The door behind us opens, and I do a double take. Jon, the man from the security office, is standing in the open doorway. He looks a little surprised to see me.
I step to the side of the hallway to allow him to pass, but he just remains at the door, watching me. Griffin is still speaking, and I realize I have no idea what he said. “Pardon, can you repeat that?” I make eye contact with Alice and give her a funny look, sayingwhat’s up with this guy?
“Tell them they can call off the bodyguard. I’m with you.” Alice plants her hand on her hip.
“Did you send him to watch over me?” I whisper into the phone. I know the man can hear me, but it feels weird talking about him as if he’s not even there.
“You wouldn’t allow Evan to accompany you, and I don’t want you being on your own right now…not until we figure out what’s going on,” Griffin answers unapologetically.
“You could have told me.” I turn my back on Alice and Jon, not wanting them to see the anger on my face. When he doesn’t respond, I let out a frustrated groan. “Griffin, are you still there?”
“I am,” echoes through the phone and from behind me. I spin on my heel and see Griffin in the flesh, standing just a few feet away from me. I pull the phone away from my ear and hit end. I want to scowl at him, but I end up just running my eyes over him from head to toe. He got here really fast.
“You may go,” he orders while looking right into my eyes, but I can tell by the cold indifference in his tone he’s not speaking to me. In my peripheral, I see Jon walking away in the opposite direction.
I cross my arms over my chest. “I get that you think I might be in danger, but you should have told me you had someone follow me. That makes me feel weird.” I push my hair back from my face. “I didn’t even know I was being watched,” I admit reluctantly, which, more than anything, might prove I need a frigging bodyguard if I’m that obtuse.
Griffin takes a step closer, inching into my personal space. “It’s not forever. I won’t allow you to be threatened. I have many other properties. Or I can just make everyone leave.”
I snort, but the smile that was lifting my lips falls. “Wait, you’re not joking?” I search Griffin’s face.
“What would I be joking about?” He tilts his head.
My eyes widen. “About the fact that you would displace hundreds of kids, people, because of me. I would never let that happen.”
Griffin reaches for my hand and wraps his fingers around mine. “Then I won’t allow it to come to that. Would you like the key?” He changes the topic swiftly, and I hear Alice let out a short, deep chuckle. I’m slightly embarrassed she heard him say that. I mean, we haven’t even known each other very long.
“I’ll take the key,” I murmur softly. “And you have to tell me if you send someone to watch me in the future.”
“You should just assume if Evan or I aren’t with you, then that it’s a definite possibility.”
I close my eyes slowly and grumble, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re overbearing?”
The corner of Griffin’s lips tip up in a minute smile. “Never, but not because it’s not true.” He brings his face close to mine and lowers his voice to a seductive whisper. I lick my bottom lip and remind myself I’m supposed to be aggravated with him. “They just aren’t brave enough to say it.” His smile widens, and I’ll be damned, but I swoon a little. He’s just too handsome for both our sakes.
I narrow my gaze on him. “Well, I am.”
Griffin edges even closer and ghosts his lips over mine. “I know, and you were well before you knew I would never hurt you.” I’m not sure why, but that somehow feels like a compliment. The cool metal of the key slips into my free palm, and his hand closes over my fingers to ensure I don’t drop it. “Make sure you always have this. Please.” The courtesy comes out sounding a little foreign, but the effort isn’t lost on me.
I nod. “Are you going back to help Evan?”
“Should I?” He raises his brow as if he’s tempting me to tell him he shouldn’t. “I could tag along with you.”
Alice clears her throat. I roll my lips in so I won’t smile. She knows if Griffin is around, I certainly won’t spill any details, juicy or not. “We’ll be in the room when you guys get done,” I offer instead.
Griffin takes a slow step back but doesn’t release my hand. Rather, he brings it up to his lips, staring me right in the eye, and announces, “I’m sorry about earlier. Remember how I told you to shut me up when my mouth runs away with me?” His tongue snakes out, and he flicks it between my fingers and up to my knuckles. My lower stomach clenches, and a startled breath escapes me. The image of Griffin underneath me with his face between my legs assaults me.
His reaction is immediate. His pupils dilate, and he jerks me closer so I can feel every inch of his body against mine. With his mouth near my ear, Griffin whispers, “I can hear your heart racing, you’re singing to me.” His lips trail over the side of my neck, and I tilt my head to give him better access. It’s not intentional, but it happens all the same.
“Should I leave you two alone, or is this something I can stay and watch?” Alice sounds almost hopeful about the last part of her question. I lightly push Griffin’s chest away, knowing the distance isn’t going to offer me much reprieve but still hoping the space might help clear my head.
“Nothing to see here,” I say, but my voice betrays me, and it comes out sounding way too husky.
“Really? That’s nothing? I’m starting to wonder if you and I share the same definition of the word.” Alice’s brows are high on her head, but she’s grinning at me.
Griffin gives my hand a little squeeze before releasing me. “I’ll be back for her soon,” he mutters to Alice as he turns and strolls away. I stare after him for way too long, but it’s a really nice view.
