Page 89 of Greed
But she was born for this.
If he couldn’t give up those items, then she would do it for him. She’d go through every single piece if it took all day and then find a home for it. There were shelters south of her mid-town apartment, and there were people in her building who needed help. That woman and her baby in the South-Side won’t be the only needy mother on the streets.
She supposed she could hand the items back to the police anonymously, but—she glanced back at Griffin taking a sip from his blue mug, the gentle breeze trying to ruffle his styled hair, but failing—something good had to come out of this. He wouldn’t need to steal with her, he’d said so. She gave him peace, and he did the same for her.
She was so full of love for him in that moment that her chest hurt.
As if connected to her very heart, he looked over and their eyes clashed. He paused, mug hovering mid-air, and then she smiled tentatively. He unfolded his long body and replaced his coffee with another mug before he padded over, barefoot.
“Hi.” His voice was deliciously low in the morning.
“You were up early.”
“I like to get my workout and meditation in before eight.”
He shook himself, as if to remind himself of the mug in his hand, and then handed it to her. “This is for you. I wasn’t sure how long you’d sleep, so if it’s cold I can heat it up.”
She took a sip of the hot, creamy coffee and moaned in delight. Perfect temperature, just the way she liked it. “I could get used to this, you know.”
“I hope so.”
His words brought a blush to her cheeks, and after lowering her mug, she found he had a matching stain in his expression. She glanced down. She was naked with only a sheet gathered around her hips.
“Sorry,” she apologized, thinking how Donnie used to require her to cover up, even in her own home.It’s not proper for a lady to flaunt herself,he’d said. But she’d done it when he wasn’t there. She couldn’t help herself. “I’ve always been a bit free with myself around the home. Does it bother you?”
“No,” he said, a little too fast. “I’m good.”
Her lips curved in a smile. She patted a spot next to her. “Excellent. Now, come and sit next to me.”
He put one knee on the bed, but half way, his gaze snagged on the scene in the living area and he frowned.
“Oh, no,” she said, and tugged him gently. “You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
As he landed next to her, she pushed him back against the headboard to sit. She shifted the sheet away from her and straddled him, much like she had the previous night.
Naturally, his hands shifted to support her rear.
“Lilo, I’m—”
She put her finger on his lip. “Shh. I’m going to help you get rid of it all, okay?”
Her simple touch flipped a switch inside him, and just like last night, she knew he was reacting hard and fast to her. His skin flushed, his eyes blackened, and he flexed his grip on her backside. He was self-conscious about his sensitivity needs, but she loved taking things leisurely, loved building up their experience, one stroke at a time. Even a well-timed look could have him shuddering in pleasure. This was how she affected him, and it made her pulse rabbit and her body heavy with need.
“Kiss me, Griffin,” she said. “Kiss me and know it’s going to be all right.”
He tentatively touched his lips to hers and moaned, rolling his hips underneath her. “Lilo, look what you do to me” he murmured. “Look how you make me lose control.”
His words were a shot of dopamine to her brain. She unzipped him, and pulled his heavy length out, and then she made love with him fully clothed, and her completely naked, and maybe it was that extra layer of protection around him, or maybe it was the fact he knew she was his, but this time, his passion drove her to new dizzying heights.
When they were done and sated and recovering next to each other, she outlined her plan to help him give away the clutter in his home. He didn’t respond at first, only drew her to his side. She hooked a leg over him and placed her head and palm on his chest, toying with the buttons on his shirt.
“So that’s what we’re going to do today, okay?” she said. “Box by box, and none of your family will know if you don’t want them to. I can keep a secret.” He was silent, and she wasn’t sure if it was her bossiness. She leaned back so she could see his face. “Or we could stay in bed all day. Whatever you want, my little mythical beast.”
He shot her a quizzical look. “Mythical beast?”
“Because a griffin is this magical animal from folklore that protects treasure and prized possessions.”
“Like you,” he said with lidded eyes.
