Page 80 of Into the Night

Everyone in Sutton thinks I’ve just returned from an extended stay with friends, recuperating from my injuries. Nobody knows it was Griffin, apart from our immediate circle of friends. And nobody needs to know that the new ranger is still learning how to control his beast.

But John was right. Fresh air, open spaces, and physical activity are exactly what he needs to keep his balance.

The door opens, and he steps inside quietly. His dark brown hair is messy, and my stomach swoops when his glowing amber eyes lift to mine. He’s been out clearing the yard, and the smell of wood chippings and hard work as he leans in for a quick kiss only adds to his usual heady scent.

“Get it all done?” I ask, as he stalks to the large desk against the far wall, where he’s set up his screen and bookcases.

It’s a different layout than how John had it—more like an office than someone’s living room—which makes it easier to be here without constantly thinking of John, and where he might be.

“Yep.” Griffin’s response is clipped, and he radiates tension, sighing, like he’s carrying the weight of the world, as he slips his jacket off and hangs it on the back of his chair.

I can feel his unease as though it’s my own. His beast is extremely protective and unhappy that I could still be at risk of another unprovoked attack. I may be used to it, but Griffin isn’t.

I make my way to him, watching his tanned hand move across the keys as he fires up the computer, and then get straight to work. I think he’s done enough for today.

Coming to stand in front of him, I wedge myself between him and the desk, and then rub my hands over the taut muscles in his neck, massaging his shoulders.

He hums appreciatively, and his eyes slide closed, allowing me to admire his handsome features and strong jaw at my leisure.

“Henry brought Jed in for questioning and warned them to leave you alone. But no charges.”

So that’s what’s bothering him. Jed is going to get away with what he did.

“As expected, he denied any involvement, and denied Martin’s death even happened, saying he’s just working abroad for a while. And without a body, Henry’s hands are tied. But Jed’s father promised to shut down any chatter he hears about harassing you or your family.”

Yeah right.

Griffin looks as optimistic as I do.

As much as Henry’s efforts are appreciated, it’s like sticking a bandage over a stab wound. It might stem the flow for a short time, but they’ll be back eventually. Hopefully, out of sight, out of mind though, and they’ll be too afraid to come near me for a while.

That’s why my parents are moving to Sutton. It’ll be nice to have them close by.

Dipping my head down, I press my lips lightly to Griffin’s, eager to distract him from what’s weighing on his mind. “It’ll be okay.”

Griffin’s hands move to the backs of my thighs and stroke up and down, edging a little higher on each pass. His fingers brush my sex as he cups my ass, pulling me closer so I’m standing between his parted thighs.

“You’re more relaxed about it than I am.” His expression is still serious as wraps his hands around my waist and lifts the hem of my T-shirt, pressing soft kisses to my stomach and dragging his mouth along the pale silvery scars left behind. “I still think I’m the reason these turned out so well.”

Rolling my eyes, I ignore his smug comment and bury my fingers in his hair, tipping my head back as his hungry lips slide along my skin, slowly dragging lower to the top of my jeans.

He bites into the denim and tugs, making me giggle, loving how playful he is. But I’m supposed to be cheering him up, not the other way around.

“What about Jed’s sister?” I ask, pushing Griffin’s head back from my stomach and forcing him to sit back in his chair.

Ben lost her in the forest, but he’s adamant it was her. There’s no love lost between her and her big brother, but she could have been there, snooping around at her father’s behest. It’s hard not to be suspicious of everyone.

Griffin raises an eyebrow as I rest my hands on his thick thighs and slowly sink to my knees. His eyes burn into mine as I deftly pop open the top button of his trousers and drag down his zipper over the straining bulge underneath. His cock is already thick and hard, the tip stretching up above the waistband of his boxer briefs.

I reach out and brush my thumb over the smooth head, sliding my finger, and the bead of precum I wiped away, into my mouth with a husky moan.

“We could just leave and go live on a beach somewhere.”

It sounds like heaven, but no. I’d miss my family, and I don’t want Jed and his cronies to win by scaring me off the mountains.

“You need to help Ben before he loses his mind.”

Now that we know what some of the legends and symbols on the map are, Ben’s chomping at the bit to get back out there and follow the trail. He’s tried it by himself, but some of the terrain is too difficult to traverse alone. And still not keen on bringing anyone else in on what he found, Ben wants Griffin to be his fellow tracker.

---