Page 36 of Mocha Kisses

“Be right there. Fuck, are you okay? What happened?”

Just before the darkness takes over, I mumble two words that I am sure will only make this scene look worse. “I’m sorry.”

Griffin hasn’t given me the rest of it so I’m here, angry as shit, hating that he left me in the scene where Noah’s brother betrays him. My heart hurts for a man that doesn’t exist while the man I’m in love with laughs at me.

“Fin!”

He stops immediately, his gaze softening as he pulls me into his lap. “It’s been a while since you’ve called me that. Fuck, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. Let’s go get lunch.” I snuggle into his hold, not desperate to leave this spot. Still, I need the rest of this shit. It’s good and it’s giving me something else to focus on.

“Only if you promise me the rest. I thought this was all of it. You gave me the entire Word doc but this-”

Griffin leans back into the lounge cushions, pulling me with him. I twist around to meet his gaze, wondering what’s going on behind his gray eyes. “Sorry. It’s what I’ve done with the last handful of editors, giving them pieces to see if they actually read it. Now, it’s just a habit. I don’t think you’d avoid reading it.”

I never really thought of Griffin and the insecurities that he must have. He has always been my piece of sunshine but even then, there were moments when I saw the real him, the man who didn’t believe he could. Seeing the vulnerability again has me leaning in for a kiss if only to show him that I see him. That I love him as he is.

My stomach rumbles again, ruining the moment. “Come on,” Griffin whispers against my lips. “Pretty sure Nova has lunch ready.”

“You’ve got a live-in butler as your boyfriend?” I ask jokingly as I climb off the lounge and grab my bag. I don’t feel the need to keep it pressed against my back but I still want it with me.

Griffin sports a silly smile as I walk after him. “He does a lot more than cooking, Luna.”

“Oh, I fucking bet.” I’ve fantasized catching them a few times now but that’s too far in the future to think about. We make it up the stairs and I frown at the lavish display spread across the kitchen island. Well, cold-cut sandwiches, beer, and homemade fries are lavish to me. I realize that the cold cut staring back at me is the same one Rome gave me the other night—which means I’ve eaten Nova’s food before I even met him.

Nova is currently facing the sink, his backside facing us and I can’t help but take in the man that caught Griffin’s attention. His arms dip low into the metal bin, washing off a dish, the muscles in his shoulders twisting and pulling beneath the tight black shirt. I swallow nervously and avert my gaze, lest he figure out that I’m staring as Griffin drags me to the bar stools.

“Did you do this for Casey?” I ask out of curiosity.

The lawyer twists around and the dark shade of blue staring at us brightens instantly. I want to believe it’s because we’re both here but I know it’s for Griffin. “Of course. I’d do this for anyone.”

“That’s why she probably thought she had a chance.” I don’t like cheapening some of the girls in our office but they’re merely Yana’s publicity stunt to gather media coverage for new releases on top of their editing gigs. There was no reason to send Casey out here when she hates anything other than city living, fast cars, and luxury. Which means that the editors being sent over here have to have been influenced by Yana somewhat.

I slide onto one of the stools and drop my bag to the floor, keeping Nova’s intense gaze. “Did you find anything?” I’m not even sure I want to know but the relief that could come from the truth has me asking anyway. The truth is better than running blind.

Nova’s entire demeanor softens. Even in the lounge clothes, he still has this dominating presence that both terrifies and intrigues me. Yet, in this moment, his aura feels warm, inviting,mysterious.Still terrifying but I want to lean into it rather than pull away. “Unfortunately, not. There’s a few names that have popped up but I don’t want to give you any guarantees until I have something concrete. I have a call to make which should give me a few more answers.”

I mull that over while taking a healthy bite of the sandwich in front of me. Is it mine? Who cares? They can make another one. I’m starving. “You aren’t bullshitting me, right?”

Nova clears his throat and tilts his head, his blue eyes flashing with interest. I’m sure he doesn’t get attitude like that from Griffin or maybe he does and they enjoy that kind of banter. “Angel, I wouldn’t bullshit you about something like this. I also won’t give you hope where there isn’t any.”

He doesn’t sugarcoat his words at all and I appreciate it. For too long, I’ve gotten half answers and mysteries to solve. I like that here I get the truth and nothing but. Nodding, I take another bite and chew slowly, sighing as my belly stops protesting. I feel guilty eating their food and drinking their coffee for free but they said to be selfish—this counts, right?

The lawyer rounds the island and places a delicate kiss on my head, his tattooed fingers brushing across my shoulder. “Take care of him for me. I should be back a bit later.” When I angle my chin toward him, a breathy sigh leaves his lips before he presses them to mine. A delicate caress and nothing more. “Soon, angel.”

His presence disappears and I feel bereft of his warmth until I look over and see Nova tipping Griffin’s chin up in similar fashion to the way I did. The difference is the way Griffin curls his fingers into Nova’s shirt, demanding more than he gave me. Nova gladly obliges, leaning down to take Griffin’s lips, his hands on either side of Griffin’s face. The kiss is dominant, rough,demandingas I watch their tongues dance. I hold my breath in fear that I might ruin the moment, leaning forward as I take in every bit of this embrace.

“Enjoy the show, angel? You’re drooling.”

I blink rapidly and frantically wipe my mouth, growling at Nova when I realize he’s joking. Kind of. I was mentally drooling. Nova throws me a grin before heading for the door, leaving the two of us alone.

“He did that on purpose, didn’t he?” I ask Griffin.

“He was saying goodbye.”

“Fin.”

“And trying to show you that it’s okay to take what you want. Nova does. Why can’t you?”

Griffin makes a good point even if I’m still coming to terms with it. I scarf down the rest of my lunch, pleasantly surprised that the fries are crisp and well-seasoned. A lawyer who cooks? I would have never guessed. Griffin watches me most of the time, chuckling every time I start choking and have to chug some of my beer. He reaches over, fingers dragging along my cheek which pulls me away from my meal.

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