“Caitlyn, please…” He stepped closer, conflict written across his face. Finally, swallowing deeply, he nodded. “I enjoyed getting to know more about you, as well.”
Unwilling to prolong the awkwardness, she jerked her head toward her door and said, “It’s late, and I need to get to bed. Work tomorrow, you know. But thank you for making sure I left the pub and got home safely.” He opened his mouth again, but she turned and quickly inserted her key into the lock and swung the door open. Stepping through, she turned and saw him still standing at the top of the stairs, staring at her. Lifting her hand to wave, she barely whispered, “Goodnight, Griffin.” As the door closed, she leaned her back against the wood, torn between wishing he’d pound on the wood as he cried what a fool he’d been and beg her to let him in, or he’d leave quietly and disappear back into his own apartment.
It only took a few seconds for her to hear the click of his door shutting and knew that he’d made his decision. Letting out a shaky breath, she stayed against the door for another moment, playing the evening over in her mind. The surprise at seeing him. His irritation that she’d been neglectful of her surroundings on a dark street. The offer to walk to the harbor. Their conversations. The easy laughter and interest. And the kiss. The kiss that shattered her imagination, making her want to stay up all night just to keep experiencing the way her lips tingled and her core tightened in anticipation.
Then… nothing. An uncertain shutdown. A step back.
Sighing, she pushed off the door and tossed her purse and keys onto the kitchen counter. Not turning on any lights, she headed into the main bathroom and flipped on the water. Stripping, she pulled her hair up into a large clip and stepped underneath the spray, wincing as the hot water hit her sensitive skin. Rinsing off the day, she wished it was as easy to rinse off the disappointment.
She snorted as she flipped off the water. Hell, my feelings about Griffin have bounced between irritation and lust ever since I first saw him. As she dried off, still processing the tumultuous thoughts moving through her head, she had to accept that getting to know him this evening had been a turning point for her. No more seeing him as Gruff… just a man she wanted to get to know more. And if that kiss was any indication of the electricity between the two of them, she really wanted to explore it more.
Pulling on her sleep shorts and a soft, faded T-shirt, she climbed into bed and tried to put Griffin Capella out of her mind.
Another snort erupted in the dark night. Yeah, right.
Rushing the next morning, Caitlyn ran a brush through her long hair, deciding that hitting the snooze button had been a mistake. Pulling her hair back into a low ponytail, she slid her feet into low-heeled boots and grabbed her purse and bag. She hesitated with her hand on the doorknob, leaning forward to place her ear against the door, breathing a sigh of relief when she didn’t hear any noise coming from Griffin’s apartment.
Stepping out into the hall, she quickly locked her door and hurried down the stairs. Before she was able to make it outside, Terri popped her head out of their door.
“Caitlyn! I’m glad I caught you. I’ve got some things for you to take to school. I know you said you’d take some samples before the fundraiser and could get some preorders, perhaps.”
Nodding, she walked down the hall behind the main staircase and accepted the small cardboard box from Terri. “This will be great,” she said. “I’ll put these in the teacher’s lounge along with the little placard you made with your online store website.”
Just then, she heard the front door open and the sound of heavy boots. Sighing, she’d hoped to make it to her car unobserved by Griffin this morning. She had no plans of avoiding him for long, just wanting a day or so to get over the embarrassment of practically throwing herself at him. Pressing a little closer to Terri’s doorway, she remained hidden, not intending to eavesdrop.
“Griff, do you want the portable generator around back?”
“Probably, but why don’t you ask Bob? He’s the one who’s going to be using it today.”
“Gotcha. Andrew said you got a ride home last night from the hot girl that lives upstairs. You makin’ a move, boss?”
“Shut the fuck up, Nate. Don’t talk about her that way. Anyway, you know I’m not about to shit where I live.”
At those words, Caitlyn gasped, her gaze jumping up toward Terri, whose eyes filled with sympathy, the last thing Caitlyn wanted. Giving a little shake of her head, she said, “I’ve got to get to work. Hopefully, you get some sales from this.”
With her head held high, she walked straight toward the front, seeing Griffin and his employee’s eyes widened and mouths dropped open at the sight of her. “Good morning, gentlemen.” As she walked to the front door toward her car, she was proud that she’d managed to greet them without her voice betraying how shaken she was at Griffin’s description that being with her would be the same as shitting where he lived. She knew what he meant, and truthfully, he was right. Starting a relationship with someone that lived in her building could be fraught with peril. Climbing into her car, she rolled her eyes at her dramatic turn of phrase. As she pulled into traffic, she glanced into her rearview mirror and could see him standing on the front porch, his sunglasses shoved on top of his head, his hands planted on his hips, and an undefinable expression on his face.
14
Griffin stood on the porch, a full day’s work ahead of him, his crew waiting for instructions, and all he could think of was the woman who’d been in his thoughts for days. The woman who’d been so honest and free, ready to take on new experiences without fear. The woman who’d looked like an angel, kissed like a goddess, and whose body tempted his like no other. The woman he’d had an amazing evening with last night until he let his doubt get in the way.
Doubts about trying to date while spending so much time growing his business. Doubts about trying to date someone who lived across the hall from him. Doubts about trying to build a relationship when his past ones hadn’t ended well. Fuck, why is this so hard?
She’d filled his thoughts for most of the night as he tried to rationalize why he shouldn’t have a relationship with a neighbor. And all he’d managed to do was piss himself off. And now, she was the woman who’d heard him use vulgar slang to falsely describe what being with her would be like.
Christ, I’m a dick.
Andrew called out, and he turned toward the other end of the wrap-around porch. With a chin lift, he called out, “Be right there.” He stared down the street for another few seconds even though Caitlyn was long gone. Knowing that she wasn’t going to drive back just because he was staring, he scrubbed his hand over his face and walked toward the side of the house where his crew was now working.
By the time they stopped for lunch, most of his crew hustled off, more to get away from him than to take care of their hunger. He’d barked instructions, snapped orders, and complained about work he didn’t consider to be up to par.
Bob hung back and leaned his hip against the railing that they had not disassembled yet. Rubbing the whiskers on his chin, he looked over at Griffin. “Boss, you want to tell me what the hell is going on today?”