Page 22 of Barely Breathing
Griff looked startled at her blunt question, but she wasn’t good at beating around the bush.It was a side effect of having only a father while growing up.
“I thought you didn’t want to have sex again right now.”
“Oh.”A stupid response but it was all she could think of.She had said that and meant it at the time.This was why she stayed holed up with a computer.
“Come with me.”He held out his hand and grabbed his keys with the other one.
She almost jumped toward him.She needed to go, to do, anything.Otherwise, she might attack him and have her wicked way.
“Where are we going?”
He nudged her out the door and downstairs before pulling her out the side door and into the lot where she’d parked her car.Before she could go check on her baby, he led her toward another car.He beeped to unlocked it then opened the passenger door for her.He really was a gentleman.It made her heart stutter when he did things like that.
“Where are we going?”she asked again when he slid behind the wheel and started the car.
“For a ride.I’ll show you some of the town.Maybe, go for a walk or something.”
“I thought I was supposed to lie low.”
“We will.”He shrugged, focusing on the road as he pulled out of the lot.“My windows are tinted.No one will see you in here.We’ll take in the city and talk.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
He glanced her way, a grin on his lips.It sent a slow tug through her stomach and down between her thighs.What was it about Griff Daniels that had her dreaming of things, things she’d never really thought about other than in the abstract?
“Tell me about you,” he prompted when she just watched him quietly from the passenger seat.Good grief, she must look like a lovesick fool.Why didn’t the mere thought of love, associated in any way with Griff, make her uneasy?
She didn’t believe in love.Lust?A resounding yes.Commitment, if both people worked at it.But love?She wasn’t sure of that.She’d never seen it, other than the love she and her father had.Love for family.Never romantic love.
“Honor?”
She glanced up and flushed as if he’d been party to her thoughts.
“You pretty much know about me.I grew up with my dad.He was gone a lot.I learned early on that the boogie man exists and he comes in all shapes and sizes.”She smiled.“Dad taught me how to fight.Hand-to-hand combat, guns, knives.You name it.I can fight if I have to.”
“What about your mom?”
“She left when I was a baby.”She crossed her arms over her chest and looked out the window.
Griff’s hand trailed down her arm, and he linked his fingers with hers, tugging her hand to rest on his thigh.She had no choice but to turn with the movement.
“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
She softened.“It’s okay.I tell myself it doesn’t matter.”She shrugged.“But I guess it does.Still, my dad was amazing.I didn’t want for anything.”
* * * * *
Griff did his best to bite his tongue.She didn’t want for anything?Did she really believe the bullshit she spouted?Yet, here she was because she was trying to protect her dad.Griff wondered how long until she figured out Jack had called the other man.He’d known it as soon as Jack had left the conference room.It’s what Griff would have done, as well.
“Tell me about your family.”
He glanced toward her at her question.Her palm was soft against his, and the heat of their hands bled into his thigh.He wanted her.It was taking all he had to keep from ripping off her clothes and taking her again and again and again.He was afraid of what he might have done if they’d spent another minute inside his apartment.Especially with her asking if he wanted to have sex.
“Well, there’s my older brother, Gil.”
“My dad spoke of him.Gil married Jack’s daughter, Moira, right?They have a daughter?”
He grinned.His brother would have a coronary if he knew someone had put together a file on him and his girls.He nodded.“Yeah.Abigail Rose.We all call her Abby.She’s beautiful, like her mother.I think you’ll like Moira.She’s fantastic.”Anyone who could put up with and even love his demanding older brother was a saint in Griff’s opinion.
