CHAPTER 28
Scarily enough, I was becoming a morning person. The thought sent chills through me but it was becoming undeniable. I even woke up before the alarm rang in the Bunker some mornings. Ridiculous, I know. This morning was one of those days. It had been over a week since my first night patrol shift.
I woke up in a hot mess after a steamy dream about the irresistible male, a good hour and half before our usual wake up time. I couldn't fall back asleep so I left my bed in frustration. I hated that he was overtaking my thoughts these days—and my dreams. Although, dreaming about him was a lot easier than facing him in reality.
After our close call alone in the car that night, and then back in the loft, I had minimised one-on-one time with Griffin, especially for the rest of our night patrols, sticking to Kitana like glue. But the boy was on my mind twenty-four-seven. We still did our private training on Tuesday and Thursday but apart from that, I tried to only hang around him in group settings where he wouldn't be too much of a temptation. Of course, training was the biggest temptation of all. Since his hands explored my body that night, he'd been taking every opportunity to run them along my arms or waist when he was demonstrating moves to me. But he hadn't brought up our last chat or that general line of discussion again. While I knew I could do so, and he'd probably love that, I didn't know how to ease it into conversation like he did, and my initial reaction to his dallying was to be sarcastic or turn it down—it was almost instinct. Even though I didn't want to turn it down anymore. Which left me in a bit of a predicament.
A part of me also didn't want to give him the satisfaction of coming across too keen. Which was stupid—I know. I was keen. But I was also stubborn. As a result of all this, I was a nervous wreck around him, and was trying my hardest not to make it too apparent. I just didn't know how to proceed and was not good at this. It was giving me anxiety. Which was why I was trying to minimise alone time. But I also wasn't doing a great job at that either because I just wanted to be around him all of the time. The cycle was vicious.
I felt this pull towards him this morning and hoped I would run into him if I headed to the place I could almost always find him; the fire escape.
And if he wasn"t there, I thought I could use a run to release some of the pent-up energy the dream had bestowed me with.
Sure enough, when I lifted the window to the fire escape, he was sitting on the edge, legs dangling off just like the first time I'd ever seen him. His hoodie today was khaki and like usual, the hood was covering the back of his head. But even without seeing his face, I could tell it was him. Given it was a Friday and not one of our usual training days, I was a tad surprised to find him out here so early. Surprised, but not mad. Definitely not mad.
He greeted me without turning when he heard me climb over the ledge. "Morning, Supernova."
"How did you know it was me?" I questioned.
"Sixth sense, remember?" He snickered.
"Right." I paused, not knowing if I should approach him or sit on the ledge. Instead, I walked up to the ladder that one of us usually leaned on. "Do you ever sleep? Actually, where do you even sleep?" Now that he was here and it was just us two in the early morning air, the nervous energy and stupid babbling had kicked in.
"Why gorgeous, you looking to visit? You seem awfully curious." He turned slightly towards me so I could see his too-perfect side profile.
My heart rate quickened and I hoped his sixth sense wouldn't pick up on that. "I … I just think it's weird that I've been here for months now and I have no idea where it is. Is there a separate wing?"
"I've offered to give you a private tour of my bedroom. Just say the word Cosmo and we'll go." He looked at me now, his expression playful and excited.
There went my heart again. "You'd love that," I countered on instinct.
"Something tells me you would too." His devilish grin adorned his beautiful face and I couldn't help but smile back at his confidence. He wasn't wrong.
After a beat, he turned away, back towards the front of the compound and the little courtyard. "Do you ever sleep?" He flipped my question back on me. "I can help tire you out if you like?"
"Actually, I was planning on going for a run around the block." There was my chance, but yet again I fucked it, panicking in the moment. Maybe I liked the chase just a little too much.
I hoped he would join me. I could no longer deny that I wanted to be in his presence. I was starting to really love the adrenaline high I got from it. Like some sort of Griffin junkie. My usual runners high wouldn't cut it anymore.
"Well, lead the way then," he said so casually, turning towards me again. I smiled to myself as I walked past him and then descended the few steps down the ladder before jumping down.
When I was on the ground, starting to stretch out my quads, he leaped off and landed expertly beside me. His expression and posture showed how little effort it took him. As we stretched silently, I took in his black shorts that were high enough that his long, defined legs were on show. With his khaki hoodie, white crew socks, black runners and earphones hanging around his neck, I wondered if he also had planned to go for a run, and if that was part of his normal routine. I wondered what his routine was. He was still so mysterious to me. I had no idea where he went off to every night when he left his friends and no idea where he came from when he appeared in the morning for training. I was just hitting the surface of getting to know him and yet I was so intrigued.
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The streets of Brooklyn were quieter than ever at this time as the dark sky started to lighten ever so slightly, a hint of red tinting the thick city atmosphere. Although he had told me to lead, he knew I had absolutely no bearings and took charge anyway, navigating us a few blocks until we hit a path along the East River—which was as far as my knowledge of the city went.
After about 1.4miles we stopped for a breather, taking in the views of the skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. I was starting to grow really fond of the city. It was giving the forest a run for its money. Especially at this time, when it almost felt like it was just me and him. Soon this path would be full of other runners, but we had beat them to it this morning. It was probably one of the very few times you'd catch the city in this sort of stillness and I was lapping up every precious second of it.
I took a moment to soak it in, closing my eyes and raising my head towards the rising sun. When I opened them and looked towards Griff, I saw him doing the same thing, leaning forward against the rail that separated us from the river. Although it was getting warmer, the morning breeze ruffled his hair. He looked so at peace and I knew at that moment that this was part of his morning ritual, at least when he wasn't wasting his time training a wannabe hunter.
When his eyes finally opened, he found me gently smiling at him. It was the most vulnerable I had seen him and it didn't escape me that he felt comfortable to lower his guard around me, even just for a few minutes. No humour or charm or sarcasm to deflect and distract. Just him. Exposed and unguarded. Taking in the moment.
"We should head back," he said when he finally spoke. I nodded and we ran back in comfortable silence.
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Griffin gave me a boost to reach the ladder when we got back to the academy. The front door would usually be locked this early, although I'm sure the son of Thea had a key. But we preferred the fire escape anyway. Made us feel rebellious and in control.
I relished the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around my waist as he lifted me until I could grab the ladder and pull myself up. I watched as he effortlessly pulled himself up. By now the sun had risen and the sky was lit in a soft amber haze. I checked my watch for the time, it was just passed 5:45 meaning the rest of the squad would start to wake up and get ready soon, showering and then heading to breakfast. I waited, not too sure what I should do between now and then.
"Do you want to take another crack at accessing your extra senses?" Griff quietly offered. "I have a theory we could try out."
"Uhh, sure. I've got some time to kill." I was relieved I didn't have to fill it myself. And that I got to spend a bit of extra time in his presence.
He gestured for me to head in before him, following me at a distance but letting me make my way off the fire escape myself. I liked that he didn't overprotect or baby me the way River did. With Griffin, I was capable. I needed a lot of work and practice, but nevertheless I was capable. I wasn't just some frail little human used for his entertainment.
After sticking the landing from the ladder in the gym, Griffin started to walk towards the door leading to the hall. "Start warming up on the sparring mats. I'll be back," he called out to me before he indolently continued in the direction of the door and disappeared.
"Uh, okay," I shrugged as I watched after him confused. That boy was so vague.
I walked across to the closest mat to the front door and unzipped my hoodie that was sweaty from the run. Leaving it on a bench to the side, I grabbed one of the towels and wiped up the sweat, taking a moment to appreciate the detailed art that now covered my arms. I went back to Ivy soon after my first tattoo and had visited a few times since, diving into the deep end and getting intricate sleeves on both my arms as well as a few more tattoos down my sternum and ribs. I let Ivy do the design, choosing an eagle, the moon, a sword, flowers—everything that symbolised my new freedom. It was art and it decorated my body like a canvas. Every so often when I remembered they were there, I took a few moments to appreciate the beauty.
When Griffin still hadn't arrived, I started stretching out my legs, focusing on my calves and shins that definitely needed the extra attention after running on concrete. He returned a few minutes later, a satin black ribbon dangling from his hand. As he approached me, he held it up between us, pulling the two ends of the material until it was taught, a wicked smile playing on his face. As he looked at me amused, his eyes flashed silver for a second. I on the other hand did not look amused. "Do I even want to know why you have that?"
"Probably not." His smile grew, showing off his gorgeous pearly whites and his ever so slightly pointed canines. Weirdly enough it was something I noticed on him. He was just one of those people that had that natural sharpness there. But River, being an actual wolf, had no such thing in his human form. Another pointless observation I had made.
He walked behind me, reaching over my head and lowering the ribbon in front of my eyes as he held the ends.
"Um, excuse me?" I said, my tone laced with concern and frustration at his lack of explanation. His breath tickled my neck as he began tying the ends behind my head, the fabric now completely covering my eyes. His mouth was close to my ear when he spoke next.
"Often we need to dim one sense in order to access another." His voice was smooth. Calm. "By removing your sight, your other senses should be heightened, including your intuition and hearing." He was right about the hearing, his voice was already the only thing I could now focus on as it travelled the centimetres to my ear and vibrated through my entire body.
"Now I want you to try to use your sixth sense to predict where I'm going to come at you from."
I braced, not knowing what to expect. I couldn't hear his footsteps. The guy moved like a ninja. So I just took a blocking position.
"Clearly you have experience with this sort of technique," I accused while I waited. I knew he'd catch what I was implying.
"I can show you a few other ways the blindfold can come in handy," he volunteered. I tried to listen to where his voice was coming from but his words distracted me.
When I replied, I tried to sound like I was joking. "Mmm, maybe later." But that was my pathetic attempt at actually trying to drop hints that I was finally ready to take this flirtatious banter one step further. He was silent and I swallowed nervously. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I was seriously no good at this.
Before I knew it, he struck, hitting my ribs gently with his fist. I wasn't quick enough to block. He struck again, this time getting my upper shoulder from behind. I had no idea how he got behind me so quickly and how I didn't hear anything.
"You're not trusting your senses, Cosmo," he blandly stated. "Feel the air around you. Feel where my presence is, where the air feels different."
I concentrated. Calming my senses. Putting aside my thoughts. I visualised what the space in front of me looked like. I had started off facing the boxing side of the gym but now with the few movements I made, I was pretty sure I'd be facing the front door. I pictured what the wall in front of me would look like. I imagined the few pull up bars along the grey concrete wall, one higher than the other. I imagined the two black ropes that hang from the ceiling towards the left corner that I usually tried to avoid. Once I had the area in front of me painted in my head, I started paying attention to the air like he had said, thinking of the particles that made up the space. From there, I honed in on my hearing, listening for his breathing or any movements from the material on his clothes. I caught the slight rustle of his shorts as his leg extended when he went for a kick this time, aiming for my side. In the seconds it took for him to make contact with me, I noticed a slight gleam in the mental vision I created. The particles shimmered in the morning light to my left––he hadn't moved from where he had struck my shoulder, which I would have never expected. But I instinctively turned, throwing my arm out and making contact with his strong leg, blocking his kick.
"Good." I obviously couldn't see his face but I could tell he was smiling. I liked the hint of pride I heard in his tone.
With the next few hits, I was getting more and more comfortable in trusting the glimmer where his presence was without needing to listen out for anything. My body was just able to know—the hair on my body slightly sticking up on whichever side he was on, giving me a minuscule warning to look that way to catch the change in the air. I blocked each attack: an undercut punch when he moved back to my right, causing me to spin towards the door again; a jab at my face; and then another round house kick once he'd moved a full hundred and eighty degrees to my back.
Now that I had got that part somewhat down and was listening to my senses, I also started hearing his breathing. Even though it was calm and controlled, I could pick it up ever so slightly. We were facing the gym section now and my own breathing was not so calm. I waited for the next attack, seeing the shimmer moving towards to me. Slowly.
But as it got closer, the movement was harder to detect and I couldn't tell if his fist was moving towards me so I kept my blocking position up just in case. I started to panic a little, listening out for his breath again which was close, and this time slightly hitched. I had no idea what move he was planning next so I readied myself to take the hit.
To my utter surprise, his fingers gently traced up my bare waist, stopping just under my sports bra. I froze, holding my breath until I felt the loss of contact with my body. He moved and it took all my effort to try to focus, watching the purple-tinged glimmer in my vision dance to my left. I stayed facing forward, not bothering to go on the defence. Griffin was on my side now and his fingers shot out to trace along the small of my back. His breathing became a little harsher.
This time when he moved, I was suddenly incapable of using the newfound abilities to predict his whereabouts. From behind me he grabbed both of my wrists which I had relaxed to my sides, no longer held in front of my face ready to block. With his body flushed against my back, he held them in his hands for a moment and then slid his fingers up the side of my arms, up to my shoulders.
His body warmth left mine again as he changed his position. My mind was a jumbled mess as I looked to my right, my body still facing forward, leaving the side of my neck wide open for him to trace with his fingers as he stood right in front of me. My body jumped ever so slightly at his touch before I relaxed into it. He slid his fingers up to the back of my neck, holding me firmly in his grip as his remaining hand found my hip, wrapping around it and pulling me closer to him.
He was a hundred percent right about the heightened senses because mine were going ballistic right now.
The adrenaline that overtook my body was eager to see what he'd do next. He slowly but firmly angled my head back so I was facing him. And then the shimmering particles in my vision went crazy—rapidly bouncing and colliding into one another before they morphed into one glittering male form that moved closer and closer until his lips touched mine.
The particles that made up my body surely exploded.
When his lips moved away, I pulled the blindfold off my face. I needed to see his expression. Needed to try and gauge what he was thinking or feeling and try to make some sense of what was happening.
I had just been kissed by Griffin Gray and my whole world just fucking changed … again.
His eyes were hooded as they bored intensely into mine. As he contemplated me.
His mouth twitched upwards into a brazen smile when he saw the surprise on my face. Surprise and a fuck-tonne of unveiled pleasure. It was likely that last part that he was smiling at.
I wanted more.
I was still in his grip. He didn't bother to let go of the back of my neck or waist. I subconsciously grabbed the front material of his hoodie, pulling him ever so slightly back to me in an attempt to encourage him to do it again. The encouragement was well received.
He obliged.
His lips gently made their way back down to mine, his movement slow and deliberate—probably to torture me or force me to recognise that I had now asked for it. Wanted it.
And when they met mine, I kissed him back.
It started out slow and curious, like we were both wary of how fragile this precarious moment was. But once it was clear both of us were all in this time, it turned desperate.
I roughly pulled at his hoodie.
He entwined his fingers in the back of my hair. Grabbed at my waist.
Both of us trying to bring each other impossibly closer as our mouths fervently explored.
For a minuscule second he paused against my mouth, as if listening out for something. The second was short lived and he then proceeded to continue. But now I had picked up on what he had heard; distant chatter. Before I knew it, I heard the sound of the door to the gym sliding open and I abruptly pushed off him, breaking his hold on me as I quickly glanced at the door just in time to see people walking in. I looked back at him with startled eyes.
He let out a breathy chuckle that all but melted me.
I pulled myself together, straightening my clothes and fixing my ponytail that was surely not in a presentable state anymore, not after his fingers entangled themselves in it. He continued to watch me with a satisfied smirk on his face so I gave him a playful shove.
"Griff, stop looking at me like that." I squinted a wannabe glare at him but couldn't hide the giddiness I felt.
His response was another laugh. I bit my lip as I smiled at him and then looked back towards the door just as Kit, Billie and Carter walked in.
"We better go join them," I suggested.
"Whatever you want, Supernova." He continued to smirk down at me. I rolled my eyes and began walking towards our friends. When I twirled back towards him, I caught his gaze trailing back up to my face from where they were clearly checking out my ass. I smiled to myself but quickly pushed it away so I could attempt to be serious.
"This never happened, okay?" I don't know why I said it, but I did. I think I was nervous about our friends finding out. Nervous about what happened—no matter how much I wanted it.
"What never happened?" His grin almost blinded me.
"Exactly." I nodded at him before spinning back and heading in their direction.
It took all I had and more to try and act normal with the current influx of endorphins in my system. The rest of the day was full of secret glances, cheeky winks—from him of course—and me trying to avoid him as much as possible again. So really, nothing too out of the ordinary.