Page 9 of Baring it All (Men in Charge)

“I walked. No offense, Griff, but parking sucks here, and I didn’t want to have to circle the block for hours until a spot opened up.”

“You walked at night, during tourist season, from your place to here?” I question, making sure I heard her right.

“It only took ten minutes, and I had my phone out and ready to use if needed.” It’s far worse, far fucking worse. Jesus, the shit that could have happened to her, and she thinks a damn phone could have prevented something from happening.

“Stormy, no more walking. I’ll come pick you up, or you can park at my house, and I’ll pick you up from there if you’re worried about parking. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt. At all.” I bite back my anger, reluctantly.

“Fine. I still think it’s a bit overreactive of you to think someone in this small town, tourists included, would do anything to hurt me.” Maybe she’s right, maybe she’s wrong. I’d rather not take a fucking chance either way.

“Thank you. Now, are you ready to go?” She nods and skirts around me, hitting the fridge to pull out to-go bag that has the food in it. I watch as she picks up a few things that are scattered throughout my office. A hair tie on my desk, the pillow she knocked off the couch, and then she slides on her shoes. It’s only when she’s waiting at the door that I get the message she’s ready to roll. That’s when I walk toward her, take the bag out of her hand, open the door, and escort her out before turning around to make sure the door is locked behind us.

11

STORMY

“Fuck, I forgot to ask if you were okay with dogs?” Griff asks as he parks his truck in the garage of his beach house. I’m too busy trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. I knew Griffin did good for himself, and while his house isn’t huge or of the newer builds, it’s still pretty impressive, an older home, built in the seventies. Although it does look like it’s been updated throughout the years.

“Stormy, did you hear me?” Griff asks, shaking me out of my stupor.

“Oh, sorry, what did you say?” My fingers are touching my mouth to make sure if I was drooling, I can at least wipe it away before he notices.

“Dogs, are you okay with them?”

“You have a dog? What kind of dog? What’s his or her name? Tell me everything. And yes, I’m more than okay with dogs. I always wanted one when I was a little girl. Mom told me it wasn’t feasible, single mom, working two jobs, me in school and sports. It never happened. Then as an adult, it didn’t either. My job isn’t exactly a nine to five, and my apartment doesn’t allow pets of the four-legged kind.” I go into far too much detail explaining that I’m good with dogs given the chuckle Griff lets out.

“I have a dog. Finn is a Golden Retriever and a total goof, lies around the house like the couch potato he is.” The whole drive to his place, my hand was in his sitting on the center console of his truck. Even now, we’re parked in his garage, and Griff has not let my hand go. It’s like he’s worried I’ll sneak off on him. As if. The man is freaking amazing, and I’ve barely scratched the surface to everything Griffin Romero.

“Well, say less, lead the way.” His hand leaves mine to turn the engine off, and I’m starting to go after the handle of the door, a second wind hitting me at the thought of hanging out with his dog.

“Don’t even think about it, Stormy. Not sure what the dumb fuckboy did for you. I’m gonna lay it out for you now. I’ll open and close the door for you, probably smack your ass as you walk by while doing so. I’m a man’s man, not this bullshit he’s given you, or anyone else for that matter. I’m also going to make sure you’re fed and that you come harder than you ever have.” His voice started out gruff then got huskier toward the end. My thighs are never going to recover from the workout they’re getting from being constantly clenched. “You hear me, baby girl?” And when Griff uses that name, it does nothing but set my body on fire.

“I hear you, Daddy.” Using it outside of our sexual escapades doesn’t feel weird. In this instance, I think it’s pretty clear Griff is asserting his dominance, and I’m completely here for it.

“Fuck, you keep surprising me. Sit tight. I’ll get your door, then I’ll introduce you to Finn.” I don’t get a response mainly because he’s already opening his door and hopping out of the truck. Which Griff makes look all too easy. Meanwhile, it’s anything but easy for me. My eyes track his movements as he walks around the front of the truck. He never did change his shirt, saying he’d be taking it off when we got home and would be taking a shower. Damn, maybe I should have packed a bag. Clearly, this whole spending the night thing came out of the blue. I could have at least brought a purse, a change of panties, toothbrush, and a hairbrush. One look at the mirror earlier told me there was no taming my wild locks. As it is, I’ve got my phone that has a case to hold a card, my driver’s license, and cash.

“Ready?” Griff opens the door, holding his hand out for me to take, probably to help me down, and if I weren’t in a skirt, I’d probably slide down, then we’d start the whole him growling, me whimpering, and we’d never make it inside.

“Yep.” I grab the bag of food I placed between my feet so it wouldn’t tip over. My other hand goes to his, and he’s helping me out of the truck. It’s not even that high up. I’m just a slightly shorter size compared to Griff and half of the population of Jasmine.

“Ignore Finn when we get inside. His manners get away from him when he’s excited, plus we don’t get a lot of visitors at the house.” Just because Griff is Melanie’s uncle doesn’t mean we all hung out together. He’s older, she’s young, well, I am too, and the circle of friend I surrounded myself with, it’s obvious they’re shit.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine.” He guides me to the door with a hand on my hip, the other out to turn the knob. I can hear the clicking of Finn’s heels on the other side. “He must be excited. Who takes care of him when you work late at the bar or out of town?” I ask, wondering the logistics about how things work.

“I’ve got a neighbor who comes and lets him out. The only problem is Finn needs more exercise, so when I’m gone, he can get destructive if I leave something out and he’s in a particular mood.” Griff stands behind me as he opens the door. A ball of fur, yips, and excitement bolts toward us. “Finn, easy, boy.” The Golden Retriever doesn’t listen. He’s too busy nudging my hand, and I’m too much of a softy to let him not receive my attention.

“Hi, Finn.” I lift my hand out. Finn goes crazy, his big body wiggling, and then he’s nuzzling into me. I get the go-ahead from him and Griff to pet him. Instantly, I’m in heaven.

“Easy, Finn,” Griff states as Finn gets even more excited. How that’s possible, I have no idea. “Come on, baby girl, let’s go inside.” He squeezes my hip. Finn is ignoring his owner and showering me with all the attention in the way of licking my hand.

“Why don’t I take him outside to do his business? You eat your cold dinner, and I’ll join you after?” I offer, realizing yet again he hasn’t eaten, and it’s close to two o’clock in the morning. I’m exhausted, not hungry like I’m sure he is, and I’m pretty certain Griff must be tired, too.

“You taking care of me now, baby girl?” His lips graze me behind my ear. A shiver slides down my spine. I’m not sure if I’m taking care of him or being a decent human being, but if Griff likes the idea, I wouldn’t be opposed either.

“Maybe I am. Does he go out through that door?” I point to the sliding glass door.

“He does. You sure you’re okay with taking him out? He may keep you out longer than you expect.” I’m pretty sure taking a dog outside won’t take too much out of me and I’ll be fine.

“Positive. Eat your dinner so we can go to bed.” Finn must have to go because he starts running back and forth between us and the door.

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