Page 31 of Narrow Margins
The rest of the evening is relaxed and fun: we sit for hours at the restaurant and then in a small café-bar near the marina. Griff has me laughing at the antics of his youth and how he would try and pull the wool over his mentor, Tanner’s, eyes. We haven’t attempted a kiss in public and I’m fine with that but Griff does hold my hand as we stroll back to the car, his thumb stroking the back of my hand as we saunter along the sidewalk.
Griff drives, taking control of the car effortlessly, and finds our way home without prompts from me. Butterflies build up in my gut as we enter the house, are we going to have sex now?Is it what Griff will want? Especially after we have broken down all—or, at least, most—of my barriers? I don’t know.
Closing the door quietly behind me after I climb out, Griff waits for me at the front of the car then, clicking the key fob, he locks it and holds out his hand again.
“You look very nervous and I don’t know why, what’s going on?” He asks in hushed tones.
“I’m fine, tired, I guess. It’s been a strange few days, don’t you think?” I hope he agrees with me.
“I sure do, but I’m happy, Corrie, and that’s down to you. C’mon, you look beat.” Still holding my hand, he walks me upstairs and straight to my room. Letting go of his hand, I strip, leaving only my boxer shorts on and head for the bathroom. I need to pee and brush my teeth.
“Hold up, Corrie, I want to say goodnight.” Griff stalks towards me. Wrapping his hands through my hair, he says, “I’m gonna need a goodnight kiss to help me sleep.”
“What?” I study Griff to see if he’s kidding, but it doesn’t look like it. “Aren’t you staying here, with me?”
Griff frowns, “I didn’t think you would want me to, you’re beat and I thought you’d sleep better alone.”
“Well, you’re wrong; I slept better last night than I have in months. Please, Griff, sleep in my bed.” A smile spreads slowly over my face as his eyes darken again and he leans back in for a kiss.
“That’s good to know, ‘cos I did too. Let me go and get changed and I’ll be back.” Pecking my mouth again, he trots off to his room.
By the time he’s back, I’m done in the bathroom and in bed. I smile lazily as he looks at me and climbs in beside me. I smell the mint from his toothpaste when I lean in to kiss him. “Hmm. Minty fresh: I like it.” I dip down to claim his mouth again.
But I feel him stiffen and draw back, “Griff, what’s wrong?”
“I think we should get some sleep, baby.” He runs his knuckles softly down my cheek, I pull further away from him.
“I don’t understand? You’ve been begging for it, what’s changed?” I’m so confused, I had thought we’d moved past any misunderstandings.
“It’s not me, Corrie, I think you need to adjust. I know your body wants me, I know I want you, but I think your mind is still undecided on my level of commitment. So, until I have proven myself to your doubtful mind, we are going to wait.” Griff looks at me so kindly, I don’t know whether to punch him or kiss him.
“You’re unbelievable, and I’m not sure if it’s a good unbelievable or a bad one. I just don’t know where I stand with you. I hope your balls turn blue and fall off.” I huff, trying to appear pissed off but he simply laughs and pulls me on top of him.
“Oh, baby, that is never gonna happen.” His legs wrap around my hips, “We’ll get there, Corrie, but not tonight, okay?”
I nod and he kisses me. Then, with a strength I didn’t think he would have, he flips us over. A few more, deep kisses later he rolls off me and turns on his side, away from me.
“Good night, Corrie, sweet dreams.” I hear the heaviness in his voice as sleep takes him away.
“Yeah, night, Griff. I’ll just lie here with a boner while you sleep.” I grumble but fall asleep moments after him.