Page 73 of Midnight Hunt
This time, my stomach swooped with full-blown butterflies. It was strange hearing him be so honest with me about how he felt—but not a bad strange. It felt nice.Reallynice. I could become addicted to this feeling.Deliriouslyaddicted.
I tried to think of a witty comeback, but my brain was suddenly empty of all thought.
When I just stood there gaping like an idiot, he studied me a moment before asking, “Why are you in here, anyway? Did you need me?”
“Uh, no. N-not forthat,” I quickly stammered, feeling heat creep up my neck. “I just . . . I couldn’t sleep and thought . . . I thought that maybe . . .”
“You could sleep with me?” he gently finished for me, his understanding expression doing funny things to my insides.
Biting my lip so I couldn’t stammer some more, I simply nodded.
He stared at me for another beat, then pushed off the frame and approached. As he did, the closet suddenly felt too small. A swallow got stuck in my throat, but I didn’t retreat, even when he took the bag from me and placed it back on the shelf. Even when he stepped closer to trail his fingers down the snake tattoo on my arm. Even when he slowly linked our fingers together and pressed his warm palm to mine.
Without a word, he turned and tugged me after him, guiding me straight to his bed. When he pulled back the comforter and sheets, my heart decided to betray me. It started to race, and Griff paused to glance at me.
I tried to look casual, unfazed, but failed miserably. In actuality, I probably looked like a petrified rabbit about to be eaten.
Confusion flitted across Griff’s face. He opened his mouth to question me, then must have thought better of it. With a quiet sigh, he simply said, “We’ll just sleep. If you want more, all you have to do is ask.”
I nodded again, feeling my heart rate begin to slow. Sleep. I could handle that. It was theotherstuff I couldn’t handle.
As we both settled onto the bed, Griff picked up a remote on his nightstand and turned off the light. The room plunged into darkness, his blackout curtains sealing out the early morning sun. After a moment, though, my night vision kicked in, and I could clearly see him beside me on the bed.
He was on his back, staring up at the ceiling as if he was . . . waiting.
Waiting forme. For direction.
My heart rate picked up again, and I froze in place, uncertain what to do.
I shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be here, I chanted to myself, and yet I couldn’t make myself leave.
“What’s wrong?”
I startled at the sound of his voice like a jittery deer. “W-what? Nothing’s wrong.”
“C’mon, Vi. Iknowyou. You’re jumpy, hesitant, and your heart is beating like a drum. You’re terrified, and this isn’t the first time you’ve acted this way. It’s almost like . . .”
When he paused, I whispered, “Like what?”
He turned his head to look at me, his mouth set in a grim line. “Like you don’t know what you want.”
“Idoknow what I want,” I automatically replied before I could stop myself.
And I did. Oh God, I did. Itrulydid.
“Then tell me. Tell me what you want, Vi, because I’m starting to think that you don’t want—”
“I want you to hold me,” I blurted before he could finish.
He stared at me in silence for a long moment, then rolled onto his side and pulled me to him. When I was tucked securely against his chest, he quietly rumbled, “Is this good?”
I nodded, my heart slowing again as his warmth seeped into me. He brushed a lock of hair off my cheek, then gently ran his fingers through the silky tresses, making me want to purr like a cat.
A purring sound filled my mind, and I internally rolled my eyes at Sable.
Contentment settled over me, and my eyes drifted shut, but after several minutes, I was still wide awake.
Griff continued to stroke my hair, but when I didn’t fall asleep, he murmured, “Tell me what you want.”
