CHAPTER 29

For the next couple of weeks, we went out almost every night during the weekends, and every time Griffin and I basically only had eyes for each other. After that first time we went out together, we would usually just lock eyes as we danced with our friends, neither of us bothering to dance with anyone else but also not dancing explicitly together. But following that morning with the blindfold, things changed. It had been just over two weeks since that kiss and while our day to day life remained the same, it was an unspoken thing that if we were partnering up for anything, we were partnering up with each other. And the same rule applied for dancing.

After the kiss I had avoided him as much as I could for the rest of that day as I tried to gather myself and my thoughts. Although, he didn't make it easy for me. Which was actually fine because all my thoughts went right back to him anyway. So by dinner, I had happily taken up my usual spot next to him, savouring the delicious looks he was giving me and the slight shift in our relationship. By the beaming smile he greeted me with that evening, it would have been crystal clear to our friends that something had changed between us. They weren't stupid. Or blind.

The cliche of the lingering touches and stolen looks would probably make an outsider want to gag. Hell, it probably made Sienna want to gag most of all—or kill me. Either or. Our friends on the other hand were nothing but supportive of the weird, undefined thing between us.

As much as I wanted to keep the kiss with Griff a secret, I couldn't resist telling them. And it didn't take me long either. I think I cracked a few days later when we were having one of our famous girls" nights. I was pretty sure Griffin had told Carter the same day it had happened, based on the knowing looks and random chuckles he kept directing at me. So we clearly sucked at keeping secrets. Not that we had needed to. They had made it clear on numerous occasions that they supported us and that whatever happened, it wouldn't alter the nature of our group. I didn't miss the knowing looks they all shared, but not one of them questioned or judged us. They didn't make us feel bad about our desires, or my crazy indecisiveness. They just had our backs, one-hundred percent.

Weirdly enough, although we had both confided in our closest companions, Griff and I hadn't addressed it properly between ourselves yet. We were terrible at communicating—as well as keeping secrets. I still hadn't told him that I wanted to take him up on his offer. Hadn't made it clear that I wanted to give in to that carnal desire that had lodged itself between us. My brain kept revisiting the idea that I didn't know what, if anything, would come of all this—the logical overthinker in me kept bringing it up. Would it be some fleeting fling? One passionate night? Or something more? I kept telling myself it didn't matter. That one time would be enough. That would be all I needed. Because the intensely ardent side of me just wanted the guy.

They were warring with each other, the two sides of me. But I think I'd let the impassioned one win this time. The last time I'd listen to it, I ended up here. And that had been the best thing to happen to me.

The girls were surprised but definitely not shocked at the happenings of that morning, saying it was only a matter of time and that the chemistry between us was so obvious. Like I'd said, they were team Griffin all the way.

They were shocked, however, at the fact that it hadn't happened again since. But even more so at the fact that he hadn't tried his luck at anything further.

Considering what had occurred, things had been fairly normal between us since.

Yes, there was an underlying sensual disposition. More than the usual, if that was even possible. Yes, we seemed to be constantly together, and were on the precipice of escalating things. But even though we both knew we had a thing for one another—or better yet, everyone knew—we just didn't act on it any further.

He hadn't made another move on me. Or at least a direct one like the kiss.

I was waiting for him to do so, in which case I would likely jump on the opportunity. The lack of further physical effort on his part, and general sense of normalcy, elicited some confusion in me. It did cross my mind that maybe he thought it wasn't worth pursuing things with me further. In fact, the thought took up an absurdly large amount of real estate in my mind. But I tried not to dwell on it and just take each moment as it came.

It was a Sunday, and we had already gone out yesterday, but today was Carter's birthday so we were going out again tonight anyway and I was very excited to rock my sexy little red number this time. We were heading out to dinner first, which wasn't an often occurrence. So even though I was always too scared to wear it, I thought it was the perfect occasion. Even if I didn't want to wear it, I was pretty sure Kitana would literally put me in it—by force if she had to. She'd been growing tired of me being indecisive and constantly putting it back in my cupboard after feeling like it was too much, often telling me off for not being more confident in myself and having enough self-love. It was one of the things I adored about her.

Griffin and Carter had headed out to a racetrack earlier today to get a few laps in. Apparently Carter came from money and had a garage somewhere with a few sports cars that he liked to play with every now and then. He'd bought a new McLaren or something as a birthday gift to himself and wanted to take it for a spin.

The girls and I spent the last few hours getting ready. Sprawled with them on my tiny bed, I contemplated my reflection in the little mirror of the makeup palette I was using. My eyes were adorned with a soft but sultry smokey eye but it was my lip colour that I was deep in thought about when Kit threw a lipstick at my lap.

"That one," she commanded.

I examined it; a deep scarlet rouge to compliment my dress. Bold. But tonight, I was feeling bold.

We were heading to some fancy restaurant in Manhattan that Kit knew of before going to Carter's second home at the club where they were holding a whole event for him. So our outfit choices were a little more on the dressier side tonight. Kitana looked flawless and chic in a little black satin number that hugged her body to her upper thigh. The sweetheart neckline of the dress was framed by diamante straps that ran from her shoulders down the front of the dress and dipped under her boobs. There was a small triangle cut-out at her sternum, between the diamante outline and black satin material that covered her chest. She had silver strappy shoes to match and a tiny diamante clutch. I got a strong ‘Parisian night' vibe from her choice of attire.

The light to her dark, Billie was Kit's opposite tonight. Her lithe body was clothed in a stunning white two-piece set. The top was a halter cowl neck that ended in a V-shape at the front, pointing directly to her belly button. The material pulled at the back into a beautiful bow. Her hip hugging skirt ruched at the front and then flared into a soft ruffle when it hit her thighs. The satin material clung to her body in all the right places and flowed delicately in the others. Her makeup was shimmery and light, giving her an ethereal glow. Her strappy white heels tied up just before her knees and her braids were undone tonight, leaving her long brown-black hair in voluminous curls. Billie looked heavenly, like the angelic counterpart to me.

I felt like the naughtiest one for once—channelling an alter ego I didn't know I had in my red latex dress. I had to be all in to rock this one. The top half was a deep cut balconette style with thicker straps that hugged my chest while pulling everything up, causing the girls to bulge out just the right amount. It cinched tight at my waist and ended quite high on my thigh. The bottom half of the dress contoured my best asset in the shiny, smooth material, and my matching red lips and pumps completed the look. My sleek and straight ebony locks fell down to my waist.

Apart from the hair, the only other thing to break up all the red was my small black chained handbag tucked under my shoulder.

"I feel like Billie and I should be sitting on your shoulder whispering good and evil thoughts in your ear, Kit," I voiced my observation once we were all ready.

Kit laughed. "I'll see if I have a spare pitchfork for you. Billie probably already owns a halo."

The giggling continued as we met the boys outside the compound. Both were adorned in darker colours today, looking dangerously sexy. Carter, the birthday boy, but also always the flashier one out of the two, adorned a black shirt, a few buttons left open, and dark grey slacks that were perfectly tailored so they ended at his ankle, just above his black Chelsea boots. While his outfit was put together, his blonde hair was messily styled in front of his face, making his icey blue eyes and full lips pop. Apart from his silver sleeper earring and a watch, he had no other jewellery today.

Griffin, with his black tee tucked into black slacks and Doc Martens, looked devastatingly yet casually handsome, like he didn't even need to try. He had a small silver chain dangling from his belt loop and his usual dog tag around his neck. His t-shirt visibly strained over his muscular chest and then loosened up before it was tucked into an all-black Louis-Vuitton belt. He looked straight out of a designer ad; effortlessly stylish and uncaring. The outfit reminded me of the tormented bad boy persona I got from him at our first interaction. That felt like so long ago now. Felt like a whole different me who met that intimidatingly gorgeous guy in a New York City courtyard.

If I thought he gave me lingering looks every other time he'd seen me dressed up, tonight was a whole other level. He looked at me hungrily, like a predator waiting to devour his prey. And I lapped it up. Ironic since he wasn't meant to be the male with animal instincts in my life.

Carter whistled as we approached, approvingly taking us all in. "I am one lucky guy."

I was last to wish him, greeting him with a kiss on the cheek as he pulled me in for a hug. "Happy Birthday, Car."

"It is now," he teased, grinning at me. I knew not to take anything Carter said too seriously. Everything came from a place of platonic love and playfulness with his friends—most of them anyway. It was all fun and games. They didn't give me butterflies like with Griffin, and I knew Carter didn't see me like that. But it was still nice to hear.

"Watch it, birthday boy." I looked over just in time to see Griffin's eyes flash. But he kept his expression cool and collected as he watched me with his best friend. Although there was absolutely nothing between me and Carter, not to mention that he and Kit were still sorting through their own ‘not-relationship' thing, it was fun to see Griffin squirm just that little bit.

As we made our way to the restaurant, his eyes were on me every time I gazed in his direction. As per usual, his heated stares made me giddy.

We arrived at a stylish Argentinian restaurant lit up by red neon lights. The inside ambiance of the place was dark and sultry with round dark leather booths. Tiny lamps decorated the tables, creating the perfect mood lighting. The only other sources of light were small Edison light bulbs, sparingly hanging from the ceiling, and red tube lights dispersed among the dark brick walls.

Griff made sure to slide into the booth next to me before anyone else could, leaving space for Carter on my opposite side, right in the middle, followed by Kit and then Billie.

I visibly blushed when Griffin leaned in close to my ear and whispered in his husky voice. "You look breathtaking. You always do. But tonight, you're fucking irresistible."

My cheeks probably turned the same shade as my lipstick. Clearly the colour of the night.

Even though the seats didn't make a full circle, it was round enough that we were all almost facing each other, making it ideal for a night of merriment between friends. We drank, we ate copious amounts of steak with chimichurri and finished with traditional dulce de leche desserts. I felt full and content, in every way.

???

We walked a few blocks after dinner to get some fresh air and enjoy the view of the Manhattan streets. I was slowly but surely seeing more parts of the city and was continuously in awe of everything I'd been shown so far. Us three girls broke off from the boys at some point, walking arm in arm, chatting about the night. It felt oddly similar to one of the many iconic Sex and the City scenes I watched growing up and I had to wonder how this had become my life now; strolling the streets of New York with my gal pals. Kitana giggled as she tugged on our interlinked elbows, pulling both me and Billie closer to her. Her voice dropped an octave as she suddenly became serious. "Griff has not taken his eyes off you all night." She beamed before she continued, "I told you this was the dress." Her face tilted up in smug satisfaction and I chuckled at my friend before I dared a quick glance back to the boys who casually strolled a few paces behind us. They were laughing about something, but sure enough, Griffin"s gaze drifted to me and silver eyes met mine.

I chewed my bottom lip.

"Look at her, she's totally blushing." Billie—always the perceptive one—laughed as she made her observation. "You two are unbelievable! What are you waiting for?"

"Tell me about it." Kit rolled her eyes.

"I don't know," I muttered. "He hasn't made another move since that kiss."

Kit was the first to reply. "Girl, he literally makes a move on you at least twice a day."

Billie smiled. "There's this look he gives you. We've never seen that look before."

"He's beyond interested. He wants you, Vee," Kit added. "And you want him."

"You know I do." I hesitantly looked up at my friends who both looked at me with compassion and excitement. We'd had these sorts of conversations many times, but now things were so close to progressing that it felt so much more real.

"I love hearing you admit it." Kitana squeezed me gently and then pulled away, throwing her hand up in the air and twirling around. "Vee's gonna get lucky!" She said as she spun, softly enough that the boys most likely wouldn't have heard, but louder than a whisper.

"Shhhh!" I pulled her back in, glaring at her playfully. "Nothing"s going to happen right now. Honestly, I don't know how to make the next move. I keep getting flustered and weird around him."

"You get so cute and blushed," Kit grinned.

"I literally act like a complete idiot. And I keep turning him down on instinct when I don't want to anymore. So, I'm still waiting for him to make the first move … or the next move or whatever … but when he does, then yes, I won't push him away again." Billie encouragingly patted my hand that was locked in her arm as I continued, "I honestly can't stop thinking about that kiss. He's literally on my mind all the time. He's infiltrated my thoughts. I don't know how he did it and I never expected it coming here, but there's no point denying my attraction to him anymore."

"There really isn't, baby girl. You have the hots for each other. Just bang him already." Kit really had a way with words.

It was my turn to roll my eyes at her. "We'll see what happens. Ugh, the things this will do to his ego!"

"I don't think it's possible for it to get any bigger," Billie added.

"Oh, it might after this," Kit countered. "But you'll be getting laid so it'll be worth it." We all laughed as we waited for the boys to catch up, and then continued to walk down the street until we eventually stopped to catch a cab to the club.