Page 68 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“A sleepover sounds good to me.” Grif tried to cuddle me to him, but I rolled toward the nightstand and picked up my phone.
Mercy
Everyone went home. If you decide to have a sleepover, I can meet you by the hotdog cart outside of the center. I’ll be fine taking the metro by myself.
That was over an hour ago. I texted her back.
Me
Lost track of time. On my way.
“Kitten, you can stay. It’s late.” Grif tried to tug me back to the bed.
“I need to go.” I shook my head. While I longed to with the very depths of my soul, I had responsibilities.
His face fell and my heart broke. I wanted nothing more than to make him happy.
“As much as I’d love to stay with the both of you, I have to physically walk Mercy into the training facility each morning. Atsome point I’d love to have a sleepover,” I offered, saddened that it couldn’t be tonight.
“That would be amazing. Let me drive you home.” Grif sat up.
“It’s fine. I’ll order a car.” Given the late hour, I didn’t feel like taking the metro.
I got up. Oh, I felt that. My pussy got quite the pounding, and it was fabulous. I struggled back into my dress, not feeling like putting on my bra.
“There were no panties.” I shot Dean a coy look.
“Mmmm.” Dean came over and zipped me up. His fingers lingered on my skin, sending little ripples of heat through me.
It was hard not to look at his fit and naked body. If I did, this dress would come off, and I needed to get home.
“Grif has a thing about clothes in the bed. Are you sure you don’t want to stay? I’m a very good snuggler.” Dean’s hands ran down my bare arms.
“I’m sure you are, and I’m excited to have that opportunity one night.” Cuddling with the two of them sounded nice. But I hadn’t prepared to sleep over.
Grif got out of bed and threw on some boxers. “Let me at least walk you to the door.”
“See you tomorrow.” I gave Dean a peck on the cheek.
He enveloped me in a big hug.Stay, just stay.I pushed that back. No. Not tonight.
Giving myself a quick look in the mirror on the back of his door, I grabbed my purse and phone and slipped out into the dark hall...
... and ran straight into a chest. A broad chest.
“Who the fuck are you?” an unfamiliar voice growled as I caught the scent of vetiver.
“There you are, Pepperjack. This is Verity Thorne, the woman I’m seeing. Verity, this is my packmate, AJ Zaman. I’m soglad you can finally meet,” Grif said, flipping on the hall light, excitement in his voice.
AJ wore a suit, but it was more movie debonaire than businessman. His tie peeked out of his pocket. Sunglasses nestled in his dark, messy hair.
His brown eyes narrowed at me in disappointment. “Oh, fuck no. This Verity? No way.”
My heart fell to my stomach. I’d shrunk my world while in my PhD program to shield myself from the haters that had harangued me when I was at university.
“What did she do?” Grif put his arms around me, voice growing defensive as his scent soured.
“It’s what shedidn’tdo.” AJ scowled at me. “I know you were having a rough time of it. It wasn’t entirely your fault. But sometimes you have to do right when right’s due, even if it’s an inconvenience. They’re good people who were patient with you. You’re just another spoiled, entitled princess.”
