Years.
I could see the sincerity in his face and Icould almost imagine Matthew strutting around going “I told you so” but it wasso hard to imagine. However, no matter how difficult it was to take in, thatwasn’t the direction I wanted our conversation to go.
I could feel bad about missing the signalslater, but for now, I wanted to tease him and see what happened. “I bet youhave a very good imagination.”
He gave a half-shrug. “Possibly, but I’mpretty sure you and your friends have me beat. Between their teasing and justthe club itself, I can’t compete with that.”
I could feel my cheeks heating, but beforeI could figure out how to respond he kept going. “But where I do succeed isstamina, stubbornness, and mouthwatering food.”
I might have groaned again. “Yes, you’vegot some impressive…strong suits.”
Giving up trying to look too good, I let myeyes wander over his chest and arms, then leaned back just enough to give theimpression I was checking out his ass. “Yes, very impressive strong suits.”
Instead of being shocked or thinking I wastoo outrageous, laughter burst out of him. When he finally caught his breath,he grinned happily. “You are a constant surprise.”
“And that’s a good thing?” My guess wasyes, but it was nice to see him nod.
“Oh yes.” He looked like he wanted to reachfor me, but he stopped himself and pushed away from the table. “Okay, give me aminute to get this stuff in the kitchen and I’ll be right back.”
Rising, I shook my head. “Nope, I’ll help.”
He wanted to argue, I could see it on hisface, but he swallowed it back and nodded. “Thank you.”
He was so cute.
“Thank you for letting me feel like family andnot a guest.” My words had his smile widening again as we gathered up theplates and silverware and took them into the kitchen.
He seemed to be a very organized chefbecause there wasn’t much to clean besides the plates and a few odds and ends.Working quietly, we had everything organized in minutes. As I took theleftovers to the fridge, Griffin filled the last pan with water. “I’ll scrubthis later.”
When we were done, I just stood thereawkwardly. It’d been easier to tease him when we were eating and moving aroundthe kitchen. Now it was just us. Griffin must have realized that because hestepped toward me and held out his hand. “Let’s go upstairs and sit down.”
Lacing my fingers through his, I nodded.“Sounds good.”
And it did…it’d just been a long time sinceI’d had butterflies in my stomach. My times with Dakota and Tristan were theclosest thing to flirting and the intimacy that came with curling up withsomeone, and I suddenly felt awkward.
They were family and that meant security.
Even if I looked stupid, they’d still haveto love me. That was how family worked. Griffin was something else, somewherebetween friend and more.
Swallowing, I spoke up. “You know I haven’tdated since Matthew died, right? I mean, I’ve got the guys, but I haven’t datedanyone and the time I’ve spent with Dakota and Tristan wasn’t exactly…”
I sounded like an idiot.
Okay, how to try again?
But thankfully, I didn’t have to.
Griffin smiled and stepped closer to kissmy forehead. “I know this is going to feel a bit weird, but just talk to me andI promise to do the same. We won’t rush. We’re just going to see if we’re onthe same page.”
Nodding, I did my best to let the stressease out of me. Everything he’d mentioned and hinted at said we were both onthe same page. If we weren’t, I’d eat one of Austin’s dresses. “Yes,communication is important.”
I didn’t believe in making a partner guesswhat I was thinking or in letting small problems blow up. I was too old forthat and I’d learned all those lessons with Matthew, and that was what I wantedagain.
A partner.
A Dom.
An alpha who would love me for me.
