Page 82 of Subbing For Santa

“Why?”

“Because.” He grunts.

“Because why?” I pout, and he shrugs.

“Maybe I’m worried you’ll think differently of me.”

That surprises me. “I won’t.”

“You don’t know that.” He rasps, his eyes falling to the gun.

“Hey.” I say quietly, slipping from the desk to straddle his lap. “I’m aware of what you do for a living, Griff.”

“I wish you didn’t know. I wish I could be the good person you deserve.”

Not for the first time, the need to tell him about my past is on the tip of my tongue. I’m sure he’d understand, yet I can’t bring myself to say the words.

“Griff. Youarea good person. Just because you’ve had to do some bad things, you did them for the good of something else.”

“Not always, little elf. I’ve had my share of fuck-ups as well.”

Reaching up, I cup his stubbled jaw. “Haven’t we all?” I offer him a warm, reassuring smile before pressing my lips to his.

Our kiss is slow and long, and I feel like a teenager again when kissing was such a big deal and thought about all the damn time. It seems to be a big deal again, thanks to this man, and even though my body heats with arousal, the flutters in my belly and chest are more powerful, overriding everything else.

We eventually part, and Griffin locks away his gun, never letting me touch it, which I respect. Then he has to go off and deal with some stripper issues while I watch all the action from his office through the mirrored viewing window.

When Griffin returns to me, he seems distracted, worry lines etched in his forehead. He takes a phone call and answers some emails before his brother, Oswald, comes in and takes over the shift for the night.

As we drive back to Redfield Lake, Griffin remains quiet and distracted, and it makes me uneasy.

“Is everything ok?” I ask, breaking the uncomfortable silence in the car.

Griffin shakes his head like he’s trying to wake himself up or something, and then turns his dark gaze to me. “Yes. Of course.”

I frown. “Liar.”

Sighing, Griffin’s grip on the steering wheel tightens before he glances back at me. “Sorry, Aggie. It’s just boring work stuff.”

“Did the strippers run out of lube or something?” I joke, and he smirks.

“I wish that was all it was.”

“I may not know a lot about running a strip club, but I know stuff, Griffin. I can help if you need it. Or just listen if you need to vent.”

A small smile tugs at his lips as his eyes dart to mine briefly. “In all seriousness, Aggie. Can I keep you? Please?”

There’s pain laced in his tone that causes hot tears to irritate the backs of my eyes. There’s also longing in his tone, too.

“Yes.” I whisper loud enough for him to hear me, and his eyes dart back to mine.

“For real? You’ll be my woman? You’ll stick around and keep playing these games with me?”

“Yes. But no lies, ok? And we are exclusive. I have no intention of dating anyone else, and I expect the same in return.”

“I only have eyes, heart and dick for you, my little elf.”

I grin and he drops one hand from the steering wheel to take mine, resting it on his thigh as he drives.

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