Page 30 of The Wrong Sister
19
mina
Waking up with Griffin’s strong arms around me is surreal. I’m still not sure what to make of it. Even thinking about it too much could jinx the delicate balance between fantasy and reality. I shift onto my back, but he doesn’t budge, still holding me. He’s more relaxed in his sleep. The tension he can hold in his broad shoulders, the lines of concentration around his eyes, and the sharp line of his jaw are all softer.
I know his features aren’t perfect, but they’re perfect to me. There’s familiarity in the lines of his face, but he still feels new to me. The man next to me has hints of the boy I’ve always wanted, but he’s not that boy anymore. He looks stronger, with harder edges, but there’s still kindness in the set of his mouth and signs of humor in the lines at the corners of his eyes. His dark hair is shorter, neater, but the same walnut color as always. I smooth my hand across his cheek, reveling at the sandpaper scratch of his facial hair. Teenage Griffin didn’t feel like this. He sleepily opens his eyes, their silvery-grey taking me in, a soft smile stretching his face. He turns into my hand and kisses my palm. Teenage Griffin didn’t look at me like this either.
“Hi.” He yawns, tightening his arms around me. “I think this could be my favorite way I’ve ever woken up.”
“Really? Why is that?” I prod, eyes wide. I’ll admit it, I’ve always liked messing with him.
“Hmmm. Could be the view. I mean, where do I look? The most perfect breasts I’ve ever seen are right there, or I could look at your face…” His expression grows serious. “I like seeing you like this, Mina.”
“Naked?” I quip.
He twists his mouth, not enjoying my joke. “Yes, but you know that’s not what I was talking about. I mean, likethis.” He runs a finger across my brows and down my cheek, sliding his thumb across my lips. “Real. Natural. No makeup, hair mussed from sex and sleep, a little softer than Mina the fighter. Just Mina in my arms.”
Shit. I don’t have mental defenses up to deal with Griffin being sweet. I’m not prepared for it. Being with him has been a dream come true, but I have no idea where his head is at. I can’t afford to be vulnerable because I won’t survive having my heart crushed by him. I have a whole stupid lifetime of hopes riding on this and there are too many ways it can crumble out from underneath me. I’ve gotta walk the fine line between being honest with him and protecting myself. Ignoring the fact that we’ve had sex, a lot, I know Griffin. It’s too soon. We’ve been too insulated. There’s no way he genuinely knows what he wants. I settle for being as honest as I can.
“I like being Mina in your arms.” That seems to be good enough for now. He sighs, closing his eyes again, his head falling back on the pillows. “Griffin?”
“Mmmm?” he mumbles, his eyes still closed.
“I’ve really, really enjoyed this little bubble we’ve been existing in, but I need to go home.”
“Why?” His eyes pop open and he looks concerned.
“I need clean underwear. And clothes in general.”
“Do you though? I’m totally fine with you staying naked. Who likes doing laundry anyway?”
I roll my eyes. “Also, my phone died. Are you holding me hostage, Griffin Simms? Should I alert the authorities? I’m not sure how I’ll do it with a dead phone, but I’m resourceful; I’ll figure something out.”
“Can I come?”
“You want to come home with me?” I was expecting him to be ready for me to go.
“I know we’ll have to go back to real life and work and all that tomorrow. But I don’t want this to end. One more day?” He looks so earnest and I couldn’t possibly say no to him. I never could.
“Ok. Come home with me.” I hop out of bed to get dressed.
“You meant right now?”
“No time like the present, Griff.” I pull on my shorts and t-shirt, stuffing my underwear in my purse.
“We should get to your place quickly. I’m not going to be able to function knowing you’re not wearing anything under those clothes.”
“Is it always about sex with you?”
“Apparently! But only with you. Fuck, the things you make me think about, Mina…” He grins at me, standing in front of his closet, digging for clothes. “Are you staring at my ass? Please say you are.” He looks over his shoulder to catch me doing exactly that.
“I’m doing my best not to treat you like a piece of meat, sir, but it’s a real struggle. Hey,” I speak a little more seriously, “looking at your body gave me a thought. Do you want to work out with me today?”
“Like weights or what?”
“Sure. There’s a gym in my building. You don’t look like that without putting the work in. And I didn’t get in a…traditional workout yesterday.”
“I’d love to. I mostly run on my own. Do you lift weights often?” he asks over his shoulder.
