Page 66 of Counterfeit Connection

“Do you think what we’re doing is confusing?” I ask him, hoping he will answer me honestly.

“In what way?”

“I mean, confusing for our own brains and bodies. We are together for all intents and purposes, except for real life. I worry about our psyches when this is all over.”

I feel his chest behind me rise and fall as he ponders my question. “I think we’re both aware of the reality here, right? We have an open line of communication and are helping each other through it all. That’s all we can do, I think.”

I rest my head back against him. “I suppose you’re right.”

We lie in relative silence after that, and eventually, his breathing is steady and I know he’s fallen asleep.

I can’t though. I simply stare toward the window and watch the shadows from the moonlight shining across the treebranches dance along my wall. I didn’t expect to be so torn about this relationship, or lack thereof. This was supposed to be transactional, easy, but I fear it’s barreling toward complicated faster than either one of us could have prepared for.

Chapter 20

Kaitlyn

Eventually, I did fall asleep. When you have a pillow like Griffin Shaw, it’s sort of inevitable. I don’t know how long he was awake before me. The minute I started to stir; he had a soft kiss waiting for the top of my head. I turned my body inside his arms to rest my head against his beating heart. It’s only then I notice Marilyn curled on the mattress on the other side of him. I can’t help but smile.

We lay like that for about thirty minutes before the overwhelming smell of coffee, waffles, and bacon came barreling like an amazing freight train up the stairs. While I showered to get my body moving, Griffin opted to help drain the first pot of coffee with Hilary and my father before she had to drive to Roanoke for the next couple of days for her hospital shift.

She was on her way out the door as I came downstairs, pulling my hair back into a wavy ponytail. “Did you save any coffee for me?”

“Do I value my sanity?” My father winks as he hands me the biggest mug I’ve ever seen. “So, what do you kids have planned for the day?”

“Well, we hadn’t really made a definite plan,” I add, looking over at Griffin, who’s got an ear on the conversation and an eye in his emails on his phone. “What do you think?”

“Well, you and I have a couple of contracts to review over waffles, then I was hoping you’d introduce me to your horses.”

I know the smile that appears on my face spreads from ear to ear. I must look like a fool, but I don’t care. I’ve missed my horses. “Yes, please!”

My dad sips his coffee with a grin. “Well, I’ve got some things to do around here. You kids have fun out there.” He walks by me and kisses the side of my head. “I love you, Pixie,” he whispers to me.

“I love you too, Dad.” I watch as he heads outside before sliding into my seat across from Griffin and immediately digging into the most delicious waffles I’ve ever had. “Mmmm,” I moan. “God, that’s good.”

Griffin smirks. “Where have I heard that before?”

I kick him underneath the table. “Shhh.”

“I was simply talking about the time you drank a proper cup of tea that I made you. Where was your mind? In the gutter?”

“That will have to remain a mystery.” I laugh. “Was the contract thing real or was that for my father to hear?”

“Tobias sent two things for us to look at regarding the ongoing negotiations I have in New York. There’s also a new prospect in London and in Los Angeles. I’d like you to be on the ground floor with those. I know there will be a learning curve.”

“Good thing I’m a quick study.”

“I never thought otherwise.”

“So, the horse thing. You can tack them up, right? I won’t have to do that for you?”

“I told you, Kaitlyn. Us having matching horses wasn’t an elaborate ruse. If you’d like, I can tack up for us both.”

“I’d thoroughly enjoy watching you do that.”

After we finish breakfast and I take a first glance at the contracts Griffin emailed to me, we head outside and take the short walk over to the stables. When we make it through the gate, I all but run over to the stall at the end where I know Rocket is waiting for me.

“Hey, handsome!” I say excitedly, giving his muzzle a good rub. “I’ve missed you so much.”

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