“Also, I don’t know what you did, but you’re lucky she still cares about you. And it’s only because I know how close you are that I am leaving her here with you.”
I balked. “I would never hurt her.”
“Not physically, but the next time I run into her alone in a bar, I’m going to tell her to run as far away from you as she can.”
“I know I have some making up to do. That’s why I’m here.” And to make sure she doesn’t sleep with you.
Harris nodded. “Good.” He opened the door and leaned inside. “Madeline, you’re home. It’s time to wake up.”
“I’m home? Oh. How nice.”
Harris backed up. “Come on now. Let me help you up.”
Madeline put her hand in his and stood. She squinted when she saw me and then smiled. “Griffin. You’re here.”
I blinked and looked at Harris. “I thought she was mad at me.”
He led her around the open door. “Her moods have been flipping back and forth tonight. Give her a minute, and I’m sure she’ll be mad at you again.” He put her hand in mine.
“Gee, thanks.”
The two of us walked Madeline up to her door. While I wanted Harris gone, I couldn’t help but be thankful. If she slipped on the ice or snow, it would be nice to have someone help me get her into the house.
When we reached the front door, he squeezed her shoulders. “Good night, Madeline.”
“Good night, Harris. Thanks for the ride home.”
He looked at me. “Don’t fuck this up,” he said and took off.
“Madeline, where are your keys?”
She held up her purse and waved it in front of me. “In my purse.”
I reached for it, and she pulled it away from me and laughed.
“Madeline.”
She did it again.
Thankfully, I was quick, and I got it on the third time as she fell against me.
“Griffin, why do you smell so good?” She rubbed her face on my chest where my coat had come down as I dug through her stuff to find her keys.
I found them just as she went on her tippy-toes and licked my neck.
“Jesus Christ.” I quickly unlocked the door and gently pushed her inside as I flipped on a light.
Madeline was giggling as she came toward me again.
I stopped her with my hands on her shoulders. “Oh no. We’re not doing that again.”
She had felt too good against me, and I needed to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid tonight, like sleep with her.
She stuck out her lower lip. “Don’t you want me, Griff?”
I groaned. “More than you can possibly know. But you are going to bed, young lady.”
“Young lady?” She bit her lip. “Are we role-playing?” She turned around and pushed her butt out. “Are you going to spank me for being a bad girl?”
I shook my head and walked toward her bedroom in hopes that she’d follow. “I think you’re trying to kill me,” I muttered.
I heard her shoes drop on the floor as she ran after me, but I was ready for her. I handed her the biggest, fluffiest pair of pajamas I could find in her dresser. “Go in the bathroom and put these on.”
“Wouldn’t you rather I take my clothes off right here?” she asked innocently.
“No. Go change.”
She wrinkled her nose. “You’re no fun.”
“I know.” I pointed to the bathroom. “Go.”
I went into the kitchen, grabbed a tall glass, and filled it with water. Then, I dug through the cabinet for ibuprofen and poured a couple into my hand.
Before I walked back into her room, I peeked my head in to make sure she wasn’t naked. I sighed with relief when she walked out of the bathroom in her pajamas.
“Hey, I got you some medicine and water, so hopefully, you don’t wake up with a headache.”
She did not need a hangover on the day of her friend’s wedding.
Thankfully, it wasn’t even ten at night, so she should be able to get a good chunk of sleep.
She took the pills and drank all the water before climbing into bed.
I pulled up the covers and tucked her in up to her chin. “You and I will talk in the morning.”
She frowned. “So, no sex?”
“No, Mads, no sex.”
“Bummer.”
Forty
Madeline
I sat on the edge of my bed, feeling out of sorts as I tried to recall the night before. I remembered drinking with Harris—cringe—and actually telling him I wished I hadn’t broken up with him—double cringe.
But after that, it was a blur, which was surprising because I didn’t have a headache, although I didn’t feel one hundred percent either.
I looked down at my PJs. At least I knew I hadn’t done something stupid, like have sex with my ex, but he must have picked out what I was wearing because I didn’t sleep in this pair of pajamas. They were usually too hot, and I couldn’t sleep well.
I guessed I just needed several drinks to go with these PJs if I wanted to wear them to bed. I hadn’t woken up once last night.
I pushed myself off the bed and paused, worried the change in elevation would hurt my head or make me dizzy, but all I had to do was pee.
After going to the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and headed out to the kitchen for some coffee. I came to a screeching halt when I saw Griffin sleeping on my couch.
And that was when the rest of the night came back to me.
The angry phone call, Griffin apparently helping me get into my house, me trying to have sex with him.
Ugh.
So, not only did he know that he’d broken my heart, thanks to my message, but he’d also probably figured out that I hadn’t had sex since him.
I marched over to him and repeatedly poked him in the shoulder.
He reached behind him and grabbed my hand. “Ow. That hurts.”
I pulled my hand away. “Good.”
Griffin rolled over and sat up. As he did, the blanket fell down, and his bare chest was on display.
I felt a twinge between my legs and cursed my vagina.
Thankfully, he was rubbing his eyes and didn’t catch me staring longingly at his gorgeous body.
I looked over his shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
“Making sure you’re okay.”
“I am. You’re free to leave now.”
“Not until we talk. Or at least, until I talk. All I’m asking you to do is listen.”
I didn’t want to listen to him, but I also didn’t want to keep being mad, especially on Christina and Troy’s wedding day.
“Mads, please look at me.”
I slowly met his eyes. His were filled with pain, and I didn’t want to hear about him being hurt.
So, I jumped him.
My lips landed on his as I straddled him. He kissed me with such passion that it took my breath away. And as he grew hard between my legs, I rubbed my cleft over him.
He drew his mouth away. “Are you still drunk?”
“No.” I kissed his neck and ran my hands all over his chest.
He threaded his fingers through my hair and pulled my head up and away from him. “Are you sure this is a good idea? We need to talk. I know you’re upset, and I need to apologize.”