Page 55 of Supernova

I watched him, waiting to see a change in his expression. And sure enough, I caught that quick glimmer of hurt I noticed on his face a few rare times before. Like always he schooled it expertly. It was gone almost as fast as it appeared. Even so, I felt compelled to justify my response, so I added, “But not in the way you think.”

He stood but stopped wiping, one hand gripping my shoulder as the other one paused over my chest with his shirt lifted up to it, showing off that delicious body hidden underneath. He dropped the hem of his top, reaching up to my face instead, gripping my chin as he watched my lips.

“What would have happened if we didn’t get interrupted?” He asked, still careful not to look into my eyes.

“I … I’m not sure Griff,” I replied to him truthfully. But I let the hunger in my tone peak through. So he knew what I would have wanted.

“I want you, Venus.”

I swallowed roughly.

“I can make you forget.” His bottom lip rolled into his mouth as he bit it sensually. His grey eyes raked over my face, searching for a clue as to what I desired. As they finally met mine again, they flickered with silver, capturing my own with such an intensity that heat flooded my entire body and my throat went dry. I licked my own lips in an attempt to add some moisture back.

“Get over him by getting under someone else.” His gravelly voice was a rumble.

It was finally time to say yes. To give in to that temptation. To do something for me. My fortitude was only so strong.

I was feeling adventurous tonight. So I agreed.

“Okay.”

“You know one of these days—”

He stopped when he heard what I said. When it sunk in,

that irresistible grin spread across his face. “Well finally. Shall we get out of here? We can freshen up back in my room.”

In that moment, I would have followed him anywhere.

CHAPTER 31

I gawked at the huge, magnificent bathroom he had. It was the same style as the communal one downstairs with large charcoal-coloured tiles lining the whole thing. His was a brushed finish, giving it an eye-catching texture that you’d see in an architectural magazine. The shower covered the whole back wall and had no glass. It was so minimal and sleek; a single black waterfall shower head, a small shelf with shampoo and body wash in matching bottles, and a little black stool—I didn’t let myself imagine what for.

I stopped and looked at him as the realisation kicked in. There was a bite to my tone as I questioned him. “You have your own bathroom. Why do you use the one downstairs?”

The counter was also made of black stone with a deep trough-like sink built into it, and above it was a large round backlit mirror. He had a few bottles of perfume and skincare on the counter, beautifully designed and matching perfectly with the rest of the decor. Once again, I didn’t know why I was paying attention to all these things. Maybe I was nervous, my mind always focused on useless things when I was nervous. Maybe I was stalling. We’d come up to his room, which was in fact on another hidden level, and headed straight to his bathroom to get cleaned up first.

He snickered, “I had something I wanted to check out in there.” A disarming smile lit up his face and I just about died. I didn’t know whether to be mad or extremely flattered. I shot daggers at him. I’d play mad.

He just shrugged, offering up another excuse, “Sometimes it’s just easier on my way down to training.”

“Mm-hmm,” I attempted to shove past him but he grabbed me and pinned me to the bathroom wall. One hand rested beside my head on the tile, the other made its way to my hip where it effortlessly found the perfect spot to hold onto, like it was made for his large hand. My breath stilled as I looked up into his hungry grey eyes. They bore into me with so much intensity that I tried to look away. But he wouldn’t let me.

The hand on my hips quickly raised to my chin, gently but firmly pushing it so I had no option but to look back at him. I couldn’t keep eye contact without turning into a nervous mess so I looked down at his lips. I watched them as they tilted up on the corner like they did so frequently—full and lush with a warm undertone that matched his olive skin. His face came closer to mine. That perfect cupid's bow hovered just above my own and I wasn’t sure what came over me as I reached up on my tippy toes, closing that distance between us.

I ran my tongue along those beckoning lips.

His eyelids fluttered shut as he groaned before he captured my lips in a rough embrace. His fingers still held my chin firmly so I couldn’t escape—not that I had any intention too—and his mouth consumed mine. He bit on my lip softly, pulling me towards him as I snaked my arms up over his shoulders and into his hair, pulling on the shorter strands at the back. Pulling him even closer to me. He cupped the side of my face with one hand as he tasted my mouth, his tongue exploring before it found mine and they danced.

My lips were bruised in the absolute best way. His kiss, the taste of him, was euphoric.

He pressed himself against me as his hand found its way into my hair. As he did, I found something else pressing against me. He kissed me deeper, hungrier—if that was even possible. I moaned against my will.

“Venus.” He somehow managed to get out between breaths.

“Venus,” he said again, sounding ravenous and frustrated. His now red-tinged lips hovered above mine again, grazing them while he caught his breath, his forehead resting on my own. He removed his hand from my hair, bringing it to the wall so that he had me trapped between both arms. I was in no shape to speak so I just looked up at him, expectantly, waiting for him to say something. Do something.

I watched his angelic face. His expression looked strained, like he was holding himself back—giving me the option to back out if I wanted to.

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