Page 27 of Narrow Margins
“Baby, I told you, I’m in. And to me that means holding my boyfriend’s hand. Don’t you want to?”
“Damn right, I do.” Corrie grabs my hand, squeezing gently, and leads the way through the reception area and back to the huge studio off the side of the gym.
“Do we get to use the gym too? I haven’t worked out as much as I used to when I was racing, but I think I need to. This is amazing: I’ve never seen such a well-equipped gym.” My eyes are as wide as saucers as I survey the set-up. Even though there must over thirty, maybe even forty, people working out, there’s no overcrowding or wait for any of the machines.
“Yeah, of course we do. I work here with Ben; I’m working towards being a trainer for amputees and this place is perfect.” Corrie smiles and greets a few of the guys working on the free weights.
“That’s really cool, Corrie, I never knew that.” I’m glad he doesn’t only model, I know he’s far too switched on to do nothing more.
“There’s masses we don’t know about each other, Griff, and that’s why I wanted to take it slow,” He shakes his head, smiling wryly. “You seem to have other ideas, though. Come on, let’s get this over with; I want to take you out to dinner tonight.”
“Are we going on a date?” Excitement bubbles up inside me at the thought of being out and about with this amazing man.
“We are.” Again, with the wry smile.
“Well, if you’re buying me dinner, I may let you get to second base.” I laugh out loud at his stunned expression as we walk into the studio, making everyone in there stop and look at us. Corrie lets go of my hand and drapes his arm over my shoulder then, leaning in, he whispers against my temple.
“Nice way to get noticed.” Dropping a kiss on my hairline, he leads us over to the group of friends and family waiting to get started.
Troy walks over, a smile on his face, “I see you’ve made two good decisions, or did my brother-in-law hold a gun to your head?”
“I’m sure there was something large aimed at my head but…” I stop when Corrie elbows me in the ribs.
“Not sure he wants to hear about that, Griff.” Corrie growls in my ear.
“Right, now you’re back with us, let’s get to work. Griff, go see wardrobe, then hair and make-up. Corrie, can I have a word?” Troy looks at Corrie, his face giving nothing away.
Six hours later, I’m ready to get out of here. Corrie chews his lip as Raff talks quietly to him, but he nods and smiles. He catches me looking and he lets go of his lip, offering a slow, lazy smile. Catching his gaze, his brother turns to me. His smile isn’t quite as genuine, I’m not sure what his problem is with me. Maybe because I called him out yesterday, but I don’t think he trusts me with his brother.
Corrie saunters over, I forget he’s lost a leg watching the ease with which he walks to me. Then it hits me—like a wrecking ball hits me—he didn’t come after me this morning because I stormed away when he hadn’t fixed his prosthesis. Fuck! No wonder he was so pissed at me. I can tell he’s seen my reaction as he slows down and the cute grin falters and fear washes over his beautiful features.
I stride to him, not caring if anyone sees. Reaching him in a few, long steps, my hands reach up to his face and I cup his cheeks gently but my mouth falls on his, hot and hard. My teeth tug on his bottom lip, drawing a moan from him. Then, releasing it, my tongue slides inside his warm mouth, slicking up against his as his shock fades. His hands grab my hips but move around to my ass, pushing himself into me. His erection grows, and this is so not the place for that beast to be seen. Pulling away, my forehead clunks softly against his.
“I’m sorry.” I hear his gasp as he tries to pull away. “No, baby, not that. I’m not leaving you.” I feel him relax but only fractionally, his hands have a rigid grip on my hips. “I’m sorry I walked away this morning, I promise I will never, fucking ever, do that to you again. Next time we fight, I will stay in the same room as you, I won’t leave you feeling helpless, because, Corrie, you are the most together and able man I know. I just don’t see you as a man missing a limb, because to me you are perfect.”
My mouth trembles over his, but it’s his turn to take charge. His entire body trembles as emotion takes over and his lips press against mine. There’s no tongues but I feel everything he feels at this exact moment.
“Want to get away from here?” I whisper against his lips.
“So much.” He nods.
“Then, let’s go. Don’t look around, just walk with me.” I grab his hand and we stroll through the silent room. I know every pair of eyes is on us and I don’t give a fuck. I want to get home. I throw him the keys as we reach the car, “You drive, we don’t need a repeat of yesterday.” I notice Corrie only nods. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I am. I just want to get home.” He looks at me and, although I see heat building in him as his eyes flash, there is something else there, too, something I can’t decipher.
“You know the way.”
My head spins. Not only has he given me a, hands-down, makes-every-film-kiss-look-shit kiss but he has worked out and understood why I was mad. I don’t know what to do with myself. I want to be anywhere but here. No, that’s not true, I want to be in bed, my bed, with him.
Shit! I promised him a dinner date, okay, it’s only a couple of hours then I can get him home and in my bed. Suddenly, his voice breaks though my vacillations.
“Sorry, sweetheart, what did you say?” I watch a smile creep over his face as I speak. “What?” I feel myself blush and peer out of the corner of my eye.
Griff shakes his head, “Nothing, babe. Stop chewing your lip, you’ll make it sore and then I won’t get to do all the things to your mouth I want to do.”
“Don’t laugh at me, you fucker.” I reach over to push him but he grabs my hand and, lifting it to his mouth, kisses my knuckles. “Are you sure this is the first time you’ve been with a man? Because, you’re way too good at this.”
“What d’you mean? Because I want to kiss you? Hell, Corrie, I’ve never been this demonstrative with anyone before. It’s all you, babe.” Griff smiles and places my hand down on his thigh, resting his own on top.