Illusive (Storm MC 5)

Griff: Fuck, baby. I’ll see you later.

Tania watched me as I placed my phone on the table. “Going by the look on your face while you were texting with him – and I’m presuming it was him – you’re one hundred percent in, so I hope he comes through for you.” Her voice softened. “You deserve a good man after Tommy screwed you over. After you dedicated two years to that asshole, you deserve a fucking king.”

I really did.

I just hoped I’d found one, rather than another lying, cheating asshole.

* * *

Griff arrived at my place an hour and a half later, carrying a bag from the hardware store. He placed it on my kitchen counter, snaked his hand around my waist, and pulled me to him. Placing a kiss to my lips, he murmured, “Been a long fucking day and you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

I felt the same way, but at the same time, I was a little on edge after my conversation with Tania. Discussing my relationship with Griff was high on my priority list now, and while I wanted to think I was the only woman he said stuff like that to, I had to find a way to bring it up in conversation.

Eyeing the hardware bag, I asked, “What’s in the bag, handsome?”

“I noticed the tap in your bathroom is leaking so I picked up some washers, as well as a light bulb for the light in your hallway that blew last night. Wasn’t sure if you already had some, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to grab more just in case.”

I stared at him.

Tears pricked my eyes and I felt so damn stupid for that, but I’d never – not once – dated a man who cared enough to do something like this. Blinking rapidly to try to get the tears under control made me feel even sillier, but it beat the alternative of turning into a blubbering mess in front of him.

He frowned as he watched me blinking. “Did I say something wrong, sweetheart?”

My emotions swelled and my breathing picked up as I fought the tears. And then, unable to keep the tears and the emotions in check, I lost my cool in front of Griff. Again.

“No, you didn’t say anything wrong, or do anything wrong…in fact, you did everything right, and I’m not used to having a man around who does everything right. Oh, God, but you’ll probably want me to share you, and I don’t want to share you. I’m not the kind of woman who can do that, Griff, so if that’s what you’re looking for, we’re going to have to call it quits now. And that would suck because for the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve met a man who has so much potential. I mean, you told me today you would do my mowing for goodness sake – my mowing, in this heat – no one has ever offered to do my mowing before. And now you’re picking stuff up from the hardware that even I didn’t know I needed.” I gulped a breath, and he took that opportunity to interrupt me.

“Number one - sharing is off the table. In fact, it was never even on the table to begin with. No fucking way am I sharing you. Number two – I’m sensing some confusion about what this is between us, so we need to clear that up, before we go any further. You’re mine now, Sophia. There will be no other men, and I will have no other women. I don’t work that way, and I sure as shit don’t date women who do.” His eyes didn’t let me go; it was as if they were claiming me just like he had. And his voice was all kinds of commanding. It slid right through me, wrapping itself around me and making me feel both safe and desired.

I nodded. “I’m good with that,” I said softly.

“Thank Christ. Now, I’m going to mow Josie’s yard and then yours, and then after I take a shower, I’m going to taste that sweet pussy of yours again.”

His eyes were fixed firmly on mine, and when I nodded in response – because I could hardly form a thought, let alone a word after that declaration - he dropped another kiss on my lips before leaving me to do the mowing. And I grasped the kitchen counter to steady myself. Griff’s bossy ways caused a weakness in my legs that no other man ever had.

* * *

“Sophia.”

Griff’s voice held a dangerous edge to it; an edge that caused desire to pool in my belly. I waited in my bedroom for him to come and find me, and a few moments later, he stood in the doorway, his intense gaze on me. We watched each other, neither saying a word, neither moving to the other. And then he took control. And I escaped into a role where I felt more free than I’d ever felt in my life.

“Come here,” he demanded, his powerful body strong and tall, and ready for me.

I left my dressing table where I’d been sitting brushing my hair and massaging body cream into my skin. Standing in front of him, I traced his body with my eyes. Griff’s skin was free of ink and the artist in me imagined intricate designs of light and shade stretched across his hard muscles. He stood naked now, hard for me, and I shivered as I imagined what he would do.

“Take your clothes off.”

I did what he said, removing my shorts, t-shirt and underwear, and a minute later, my body was revealed to him. My gaze shifted to his and I found him watching me – my face, not my body – and I watched him back. Our eyes communicated our desire, our need, and our stories.

He reached his hand out to run his finger lightly down my cheek. Bending his face, he kissed a trail of kisses along my collarbone and down to my breasts. At the same time, his hands massaged my breasts. Then one of his hands slid around my body and down over my ass. Gripping me there, he pulled my body to his.

Lifting his face to look at me, he said, “Have you got a scarf?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Heat flared in his eyes. “Go get it for me.”

I stepped out of his hold and moved quickly to my wardrobe. Once I had the scarf, I went back to where he waited and handed it to him.