Page 33 of Unforgivable Fate

“I’m trying not to immediately assume the worst of you, ya know?” She put a hand on his arm and the contact sent delicious spirals of heat shooting through his bloodstream. She looked at the spot where they were touching as if she hadn’t meant to do it. Slowly she removed her hand and sighed. “You’re not your brother. You told me that. Leo and Darius have told me that. And while I might not know you well enough yet to trust you at your word, I trust my brothers. If they’re willing to give you a chance then I figure so should I.”

Griffin’s heart felt like it might beat out of his chest. She was here. She was talking to him. She had touched him, willingly, even if it had been the heat pushing her to do it. She said she wanted to give him a chance and that felt like a gift he couldn’t pass up.

“Have dinner with me tonight.”

Nova’s eyebrows winged up in surprise and she took a half-step back before she seemed to catch herself and stand her ground. Griffin mentally punched himself for getting so excited her just blurted it at her. He shook his head, holding out a hand innocently.

“I meant to say, will you have dinner with me tonight? It’s a question. Not a demand.”

Nova’s lips quirked, “You’re good. You know that?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, honestly unsure what had made her look at him like that.

“You haven’t even acknowledged that I’ve been avoiding you since that kiss the other day and you’re not going to bring it up at all, are you?” She narrowed her eyes and snorted. “No, you’re not. But it isn’t because you don’t care. It’s clear that you do. You’re trying to respect my boundaries, even if I haven’t made it clear what they are.”

Griffin nodded, wary of her insight and curious if she could see into his mind with that special gift of hers, “I don’t want to push you and end up scaring you off.”

“I don’t scare easily, despite what my actions the other day might suggest.” Nova admitted. “I agreed to stay instead of running away. I said I would give you a chance but I haven’t, not really. And still, I don’t think you’d have come over here now if Darius hadn’t given you a push in my direction.”

“How did you…” He gaped, snapping his head back towards where the big man was still working with his Enforcers. “Did you have a vision of him telling me to come after you?”

Nova laughed and the sound warmed very dark, cold part of him. He loved that sound. He wanted to hear more of it. He could spend his life listening to her laugh.

“No.” She finally shook her head, “No vision. I literally saw him talking to you when I came back into the square and I know Darius. He’s been giving me the stink eye for days because I refuse to talk about you with him. He’s like a mother hen sometimes I swear.”

“He wants the best for you.”

“I know.” She nodded, looking off to where Darius was standing, her voice soft. “And he’s more certain that means you that I could possibly be.”

“He’s a good guy and I’ve liked getting to know him but I wasn’t befriending him just so he’d put a good word in for me with you.” Griffin frowned.

Nova smiled as she looked back at him, “Oh, I know. Darius would’ve seen right through an act like that. The fact he’s gotten to know you and invited you to work with his Enforcers, who are his pride and joy for the record, speaks volumes. He’s basically given you his stamp of approval.”

“And that’s a good thing?”

“It’s a good thing.” Nova confirmed. “I was never the kind of kid that rebelled against what the adults thought was best for me. They’re my elders and I was raised to respect their opinions. If Darius is pushing you towards me, I know it’s for the right reasons.”

Griffin raised an eyebrow, “Does that mean…?”

“Dinner.” Nova chuckled. “Yes. I’ll have dinner with you.”

“Awesome.” Griffin’s grin felt like it might split his face in half. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Wait? Tonight?” Nova gaped.

“Absolutely tonight. No way I’m giving you time to rethink it and back out on me.” He winked, “Tonight at seven. Dress comfortably.”

Nova tilted her head, “Dress comfortably? Where exactly are you taking me to dinner?”

“It’s a surprise.” Griffin laughed.

“Griffin…” She started but he stopped her complaint by sweeping in and planting a soft kiss against her lips.

Nova gasped at their mouths came together and he took advantage, sliding his tongue along the seam and tasting her. The tip of her tongue darted out to meet his and his cock pulsed with desire. He pulled back from the kiss despite his body’s insistence that he do the opposite and go deeper, take it further, to kiss her until she was weak in the knees and desperate for him.

He smiled against her lips as he watched her lashes flutter. She looked up at him from beneath the dark lashes and this time he couldn’t contain his groan. Her cheeks were flushed but despite the few wolf whistles he’d heard go up from the group of Enforcers across the square he didn’t think her blush had anything to do with embarrassment.

She wanted him, even if she didn’t want to want him.

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