Page 49 of Subbing For Santa

Griffin’s laugh dies as his expression morphs into a frown, and a hint of disappointment flashes across his eyes.

“I know I have sprung this on you, and I know you don’t like the fact that I know your secret, but I really hope you give me a chance to prove to you that we could be good together.”

Leaning forward, he cups my face and presses his lips to mine for a gentle peck. When he pulls back, his dark gaze penetrates mine, locking me in place.

“I’ll be outside on your porch at 10am. If you haven’t come out by 10:05, then I’ll know you’ve made your decision and I’ll leave you alone.” He runs a wary hand through his hair. “Maybe.”

I grin. He couldn’t help himself. He just had to add that maybe in.

With one last glance, he presses a kiss to my forehead before scooping up his jeans and walking out.

Chapter fourteen

Blushing

Agatha

Sleepwashardtocome by and in the end, I only got a few hours in before dragging myself up out of bed. By the time Griffin left in the early hours of this morning, and I stopped stewing over what to do, I was left with little time to re-energise. My mind wouldn’t stop racing, going over everything he said and did.

He’d been spying on me for a while, which is just a gentle term for stalking.

He knows about the most recent skeleton in my closet that I thought I’d hidden. Strangely, despite that, he still set his sights on me.

Let’s not forget that he’s part of a well-known crime family. I did some more online stalking of my own after he left. The Marx family isn’t to be taken lightly. Their involvement in organised crime, mostly in the state of Victoria, has them sitting at the top of the organised crime hierarchy according to my research. And somehow, I managed to snag the attention of one of them.

What will happen to me now that I know this information about him? If I refuse Christmas with him, will my body be found in a week’s time decomposing in the lake?

Although, I don’t think I really believe that. Hell, at this point, what the fuck do I know? I don’t even know Griffin Marx. Even as I think it, it feels wrong. I feel like I do know him. A part of him anyway, which is just absurd given the situation. What I’m almost sure of, though, is that I don’t believe Griffin would hurt me.

Sure, he’s unconventional, but then, so am I.

It’s for that reason, and the fact that my stupid heart misses him, that I shower and dress myself up pretty, stepping out of my front door with an overnight bag at 10:04am.

Yes, I was cutting it fine, but I had to let him sweat it out a little.

“That was payback, wasn’t it?” His deep voice is instantly calming. I’ve been so used to hearing it of late, I hadn’t realised just how strongly it affected me.

“Maybe.” I smirk and he grins wide. Holy hell, in the bright summer daylight, he looks so different. Soft. Gentle. But still mouth-watering, and panty melting. “Here.” He holds up a small, wrapped gift. “Merry Christmas.”

“Oh.” I frown. “I don’t have anything for you.”

“Stepping through that door is my gift, little elf.” He nudges the gift towards me, and I reach out and accept it while he takes my bag from me.

Biting my lower lip, I open the red and gold foil wrapping to find a long black velvet box. When I glance up at Griffin, he’s watching me with a smirk, waiting for me to continue.

My cheeks heat as I look back down, opening the box to find an exquisite gemstone necklace.

“Oh.” My breath whooshes from my lungs. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s a rainbow iris agate, encased in a gold pendant with an amethyst at the top. I got it because agate—”

I cut him off. “Is linked to the name Agatha.”

He grins and nods.

“It’s truly beautiful.” I take the stunning gift from its case and ease it over my head.

“Just like you.”

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