Page 35 of Griffin

The lump in my throat grows in size at her words.

“Of course, I can. Let’s go and get ice cream now.”

Melody slips her hand into mine, and we stroll to where Griffin is waiting, surrounded by a gaggle of women.

His eyes meet mine, and he pleads for help silently, and for a moment, I want to stride up to him and pull him into my arms, claiming him as mine. His eyes burn into mine, and I swallow, unable to tear my eyes from his.

“Daddy, we’re going to get ice cream, and Ivy said she’s going to come every week,” Melody announces, beaming with happiness.

Griffin excuses himself from the women, who all glare at me.

“That’s great, baby.”

He looks at me with an apology in his eyes, but I refuse to make eye contact with him again.

“Leave your car here, and I’ll drive,” Griffin says, his gaze moving to my mouth.

My cheeks heat up beneath his gaze, and I realize he’s waiting for a response.

“Fine,” I say, resting my hands on Melody’s shoulders. “Can you drop me back for it after?”

Griffin nods and finally releases me from his gaze.

Jesus. My body is humming like it’s on fire, but I don’t know why. Well, I do, but I need to be realistic; Griffin isn’t some man I can fuck and leave.

He’s my dad’s best friend and Melody’s father. Shit, he’s also my boss.

The thought makes my core dance with delight, but I force myself to remember what he just said.

He disapproves of me sleeping around, so I need to stop imagining anything can happen between us.

Feeling hungover and frustrated, I lay my head back as Griffin drives us to the ice cream parlor.

Melody knows exactly what she wants, and I opt for double chocolate fudge. I need the sugar.

We get lucky and find a booth at the back, and Melody and I sit opposite Griffin, giggling as he squeezes himself behind the table.

“You’re too big, Daddy.”

I plunge the spoon into my ice cream, moaning with delight when the sheer indulgence hits my tongue.

“God, this is good,” I say, closing my eyes.

Better than the sex I had last night, anyway.

Irritated, I open my eyes and scoop more ice cream into my mouth, aware that Griffin is watching me.

“Good?” He asks, winking at Melody.

“Yes, it’s so good,” Melody replies, digging in.

“And yours? Is it good?” Griffin holds my gaze as I lick my spoon, nodding.

“It’s good. Better than … ” I almost say better than sex, but I stop myself. Hardly appropriate for a child and Griffin, of all people.

Griffin laughs.

“Nah, it’s not.”

---