Page 28 of Supernova

“I love it when you beg, baby.”

His reply didn’t surprise me but still made me want to slap him. Slap him and then maybe rip his clothes off.

Instead I just muttered “prick” as I started to walk away. Clearly he wasn’t going to be humble about me asking for his help.

This time it was him that grabbed me, pulling my wrist and riveting my body back into his. He had stepped closer, so that I was now inches away from his chest. With my wrist still held in his hand, tightly between us, he lowered his face, hovering just above my neck. My breath became shallow.

“I’ll train you, Venus.” He whispered against my ear. “I can think of a few reasons I want you to stay.”

A shiver coursed through my body. He had used my name. And it sounded damn good in his mouth.

Then he dropped my wrist, smiled seductively and walked straight past me, exiting the gym.

I stared after him, breathless, confused and I hate to admit, a little excited.

CHAPTER 20

Before dawn could even grace the skies the next morning, I was awoken by Griffin. With slumber still coating my eyes in my early morning delusion, I could have sworn he looked like a dark angel hovering over me with a sinisterly smug look on his face.

“Time to get up, Superstar.” His morning voice was even more gravely than usual. And it did something to my insides.

My response to being woken up was an unattractive grunt.

Before I could even register what was happening, I was drenched with cold water. I moved faster than I ever had before as I flung myself up, the coldness shocking my system.

“You prick!” I whisper-screamed, careful not to wake up the poor souls around me at this ungodly hour.

He gave me a dark chuckle. “Just be happy it was only a cup and not the bucket. Now get up, you wanted to train. We’re doing this my way.”

I rolled my eyes at him like I did all too often. But I also couldn’t be too mad because he was doing this for me after all. So I bit my tongue, grabbed some clothes and stormed off to the bathroom. He followed, keeping a slight distance between us, careful not to say anything else while he held back his amusement. I paused when we reached the bathroom. How the hell were we going to do this. There was no one else in here that I could even hide behind. I stared at him. He looked back, this time not trying very hard to conceal that he clearly found enjoyment in this. “Other side mister,” I demanded.

“Not much of a morning person, are you Sunshine?” He laughed.

“Other side.” There was no humour in my voice. “Actually no, you stay here. That’s my side.”

He huffed out a laugh as he walked past me to the shower stall closest to us. He wasted no time, pulling off his shirt. That was my cue to leave. I power-walked to the back corner that I favoured, using all my will not to turn back and stare at his sculpted, delicious body. I waited until I was in the stall, covered by the walls before I removed my clothes, hanging them over the edge.

Griffin whistled to himself as he showered. I made eye contact with him once across the room and he winked at me. I felt my body temperature rise, and not just from the hot water that poured over me.

He finished first and got changed on his side. Once he was done and had left, I turned the shower off and threw on my clothes. I went with a long sleeve black crop and khaki cargo pants, channelling my inner Kim Possible.

When I was dressed, I headed out to the gym, finding Griffin waiting for me in the Chill with his arms crossed as he leaned against the sliding door opposite the staircase. His wet hair dripped onto his white shirt and down to his grey sweatpants. He looked bloody good in grey.

“Before we start, we need to establish one thing.” He looked serious as he blocked the doorway to the gym.

“What’s that?”

“That I’m the greatest.”

“Ugh.” Was this guy for real?

“Now now, Superstar. This is vital for our training. It sets the tone. Not to mention that without proper recognition, I may have no choice but to pull out of this deal. For I have many things I could be doing with people who acknowledge my greatness.” He grinned at me.

I crossed my arms and leaned on my hip, waiting for him to continue his bullshitery.

“Repeat after me: Griffin Gray, you’re the greatest of all time.”

“Greatest fighter?” I questioned.

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