CHAPTER 18

That night, when I couldn't sleep, I creeped out of bed and snuck out of the Bunker. Mindlessly walking, I found myself heading towards the fire escape to get some fresh air and see if I could catch a glimpse of the stars. It was something I missed deeply about Saint Claire; the clear skies and endlessly bright twinkle of the galaxy. My bed here wasn't exactly located in a prime stargazing position given that the only windows were on the opposite side, so I didn't get my daily fix like I would back there. I was conscious of not calling Saint Claire home anymore—at least not right now while it was all so fresh. I couldn't see it the same now that my rose-coloured glasses were shattered into a thousand pieces. But it was still ‘home' enough for me to want to eventually go back and save it from the wolves that were terrorising it.

With my thoughts elsewhere, I pulled myself up the ladder and onto the small platform. I sucked in a deep breath before I looked out the large window. I let that breath out when I found a dark silhouette leaning against the fire escape. I was hoping that I'd stumble upon that view. Hoping that I might have company tonight.

I wasn't sure if it was Carter or Griffin, but either way, I wouldn't be mad at who I'd encounter—either would be a much-needed distraction. Although, a part of me secretly hoped I might run into one of them slightly more than the other.

It may have been the reason I came out here.

With a soft tug, I lifted up the window enough to squeeze through and then proceeded to take a seat on the ledge. The hooded male turned towards me, revealing the angelic features of Griffin, the sharp planes of his face highlighted by the soft glow of the moon. He gave me a cheeky smile, as if he too had been hoping someone would join him. Or maybe that was just what I wanted him to be thinking.

"You found me." His piercing gaze didn't stray as he gave me his signature smirk. So maybe he was indeed thinking the same thing. Just like the first time I laid eyes on him, his dark, silky locks peaked out under his faded black hoodie. Our positions were reversed from the last time we were out here together. As he leaned his long body casually against the ladder of the fire escape his hands fiddled with a small dagger, twisting it in between his fingers. It was one of those little black ninja ones which I happened to learn was called a kunai. I'd picked up quite a lot of knowledge about weapons in my first week, eager to catch up on all the time I'd lost playing fairytale.

Dressed in my own hoodie—his one that I had now fully claimed—I pulled the material over my head to shield myself from the chilly breeze before I replied. "I wasn't looking." Lie.

He repositioned the kunai so his pointer finger was looped through the hole at the top, spinning it around thoughtlessly. The sexy ninja vibe he had going on was kind of a turn on. A week, Venus. It's been a week. Stop it.

"I'm sure you weren't," he said, dripping with sarcasm.

"Don't flatter yourself, Griff. I just wanted some fresh air … and … I missed the stars." I wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing slightly to provide some warmth as I looked up to the sky, spotting a few of the brighter stars through the clouds. It was colder out here than I had expected.

"You cold?" He asked with a hint of concern. He then quickly followed it up with something more his usual calibre, "I can think of a few ways we can keep warm." If only he could hear my eyes roll.

My mind wandered to what the girls had told me earlier; that he gave me more attention than he did any other girl. Was this something he would say to everyone? It was more than likely he would. There was no point dwelling on it or getting excited that he maybe had a thing for me.

When I didn't reply he walked over, taking a seat on the window sill beside me. His leg pressed against my own, as did his broad shoulder, offering me warmth along the side of my body where we touched. With his legs spread apart, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he continued playing with the small weapon. He didn't make eye contact with me this time, instead focusing his attention on the movements of the dagger.

"I like to watch the stars too; they remind me how small and insignificant we are in the scheme of things." His whispered words broke the moment of silence between us.

"That's a little dark," I replied, wondering how someone as confident and impressive as him could ever feel insignificant.

He gave me a somber laugh. "Yeah, well I'm not exactly a ray of sunshine, now am I?"

Now it was my turn to laugh. "What are you talking about, your presence and sunny disposition is infectious," I teased, shoving against him playfully.

He turned to look at me as his lips raised into a genuine smile. I didn't even realise how intensely I was staring at those lips and that smile until they twisted into one of mischief. I also didn't realise I leaned into him slightly. His fingers slowly reached out to my face, pushing back a stray strand of my hair. Was this normal? Great, now I was going to be overthinking everything even more than usual. Like I needed a reason to be more neurotic. With this revelation, I pulled back from him. I noticed as the briefest hint of disappointment played on his features but he quickly schooled his face back into its usual unreadable expression.

"One week down," he casually stated. "I'm surprised, you've been able to hold your own."

"In training?" I asked, slightly offended.

"No." He gave me a disarming grin. "In not giving in to temptation."

There it was again, that inflated sense of self. Although, he wasn't wrong, it was hard to resist—not that I'd ever let him know that.

"Believe it or not, it hasn't been that difficult." But between all the flirting, the sexual tension and the fact that it would be a big ‘fuck you' to River, it was starting to look like a pretty good idea. With the option so easily accessible, or so it seemed anyway, it was indeed becoming increasingly difficult.

"Yeah, I find that hard to believe." He said it so matter of factly.

"You would," I stated.

"It's only a matter of time. You'll give in eventually." Was it bad that I was starting to consider it? Maybe it would be just what I needed?

"See, how can someone this sure of himself ever feel insignificant." I shot back at him.

He placed his hand on his heart, feigning hurt for a split second with a cheeky glimmer in his eyes. "You're right, there's nothing insignificant about me."

"Wow. I'm speechless."

"I tend to have that effect on girls," he bragged, the corner of his mouth dragged up on one side, flashing me with his perfect teeth.

"Is that how it went the other night? You came back awfully early for someone who claims so much. I assumed you'd at least last a little longer than the average guy. But if Saturdaywas any indication, it seems like Mr Big Shot is all talk and no game." I was thoroughly enjoying the banter. The distraction.

"I'm anything but average, baby. Not all girls can handle this." He gestured to himself.

"Oh, I'm sure," I scoffed.

"I have a feeling you could handle me though. Should we test that theory?" The look he gave me had me weak at the knees.

Maybe coming out here wasn't such a great idea after all.