CHAPTER 30

We arrived at the familiar pizza shop and headed into the club, dancing from the second we could hear the music. At this point, we felt like we owned the place.

We made a pit stop at the bar on the way to our usual booth to get a round of shots. Given it was a Sunday, this would be the last drink I'd have tonight, even if it was a birthday. I had two cocktails at dinner which made me feel slightly tipsy, so the shot would keep me at a good level without getting drunk. We had training in the morning after all.

Our table was decorated with a shit-tonne of confetti and a large ice bucket stocked with an array of drinks that were all lit up with sparklers, waiting for Carter. Kit must have let them know we were on our way. Carter's eyes lit up as he pulled us all in for a group hug before grabbing the largest bottle. Half the club, a mixed bag of academy recruits we invited and random strangers, chanted happy birthday to him and he didn't miss the opportunity to spray the champagne at its conclusion, causing us three girls to duck for cover. Although, there were a few eager girls that didn't share the same worry, ready to get as close to him as possible. I looked over to my friend who clearly had a thing for the guy, making sure she was okay. Kit was all smiles and laughs, not fussed at all.

Noticing my concerned glance, she looked back at me and winked playfully before whispering in my ear. "They can fawn all they want. Carter and I have a special birthday agreement. He knows what his true birthday gift is." She gestured to her body.

My eyes widened and I blinked my surprise away. "Oh."

"They do this every year," Billie shrugged with a laugh.

Kit nodded, biting her bottom lip with a fervent look in her eyes as she took in our blonde friend chatting to the cluster of girls that had gathered around him. "We sure do. The competition makes it all the more tantalising. But it's also a great confidence boost, knowing that no matter what, he chooses to go home with me. It also means I can have my fun as well. We get to have our cake, and eat it too … literally." I didn't hide my amusement at how cool this girl was. Her self-assurance was something to be admired.

"Well, if you're happy, I'm happy," I smiled warmly at her.

Kit and Billie eventually needed to pee, so Carter, Griff and I headed straight to the dancefloor. They were playing a sexy Spanish beat, meaning it was only a matter of seconds before Griff pulled me plush against his body, and our British birthday boy found his own dance partner. We had gotten him a birthday badge just for the laughs, which he happily pinned to his shirt. Tonight, he'd been getting a lot of extra attention, so clearly the badge was working. Not that he needed it. But if it got him a few free drinks, and helped him and Kit with their Chuck and Blair type games, then it was doing its job. Carter was clearly not as concerned as me about getting up early for training.

Putting the thoughts aside and giving myself wholly to the music, I swayed against Griffin's large frame, running my hands along the front of his t-shirt and feeling the sculpted chest that lay underneath as I moved my hips from side to side. Griffin held me close so our bodies pressed together, his arms resting on the small of my back. He watched my body move with a hooded gaze that lit my body on fire.

The girls hurried back to us and as Kit approached her eyebrows were knitted together in frustration, interrupting our moment.

"Sienna and the others are here," she stated, her tone laced thick with annoyance. "And she seems bitchier than usual. Did you run into her?" She directed at me.

"Urgh, no thankfully not."

Billie pulled Kit to dance before adding, "Let's not let her ruin Carter's night."

"That's right," Carter proclaimed, a giddy smile on his face from the attention he was getting from a group of girls.

"Just ignore her," Griff chimed in, his lips close to grazing my ear.

So we continued to dance. With each song the energy between us got more and more tempestuous. This place always played the best mix of RnB, Spanish songs and AfroBeats. When a slower number came on with a strong beat, I turned my back to Griffin and he firmly gripped my hips as I grinded against him. Facing away from him, I lifted my arms, swaying them to the music and when he lowered his face to the crook of my neck, I wrapped them behind the back of his head, holding him in place as I swayed. One of his hands trailed up the front of my dress to my shoulder, crossing over my body and holding me across my chest. His other hand crossed to my opposite hip so both arms wrapped around me, pinning me to him. His lips grazed the shell of my ear and I flinched in pleasant surprise but his arms tightened their hold on me as his lips trailed down my neck seductively. He kissed the spot where my neck met my shoulder and I melted into him. I wanted him so bad. And by the way he was holding me, it was clear he wanted me too. The confusion I had was slowly disappearing and I was beginning to think he had just been leaving the ball in my court after all. Or at least trying to. I was glad we both hadn't drank much either this time and by now we'd practically be sober, meaning this wasn't just fuelled by alcohol. This was real. For both of us.

I tilted my head, giving him full access to my neck. He took the hint, kissing it more feverishly.

I turned towards him slightly, looking at him intently. Taking every divine inch of him in. He gave me that beautifully wicked smile. "Tell me what you want, Supernova."

Fuck, this guy was going to be the death of me.

"Kiss me."

His lips twitched and his grin grew impossibly wider.

He turned to our friends. "We'll be back," he matter of factly stated. And with that he grabbed my arm and began pulling me in the direction of the bathrooms, to the slightly quieter hallway where we might have a moment alone. I didn't get to see their reaction but I did hear the immature excitement in their responses as I was whisked away.

In my state of bliss and anticipation, I only vaguely noticed the blur of figures storming towards me in my peripherals as he hurriedly pulled me along. By the time I actually thought to pay attention, it was too late.

I squealed, jumping out of Griffin's grip as icey cold liquid coated my dress and arms.

"Mutt slut!"

It took me a few moments to register what had just happened.

In front of me was Sienna, an empty glass in her hand tipped towards me and an annoyingly smug face staring back at me. I don't know how I managed to take in the luscious curls in her two-toned hair or her figure-hugging bronze satin mini dress. But I did. I also took in the three other girls who always clung to her side, laughing and sneering at me. Sienna's glare was malicious. Her intent was clear on her face. Was this bitch for real?

Griffin, who had a much quicker reaction time, had already put himself between us and shoved her away. He snarled with threatening menace, "Get the fuck away from her."

I looked down at my dress, twisting my arms around to take in the damage. I was covered in a sticky pink drink. Ice and the liquid now coated the floor and my shoes. My legs were also a victim of the splashback. I then scanned the area around me, noticing a little crowd watching us curiously. This was so fucking embarrassing.

"You don't want to know what happens if you ever pull something like this again, Sienna. Do you understand me?" Griffin continued. His tone was like the cold bite of pure ice. Dangerous and unforgiving.

Sienna stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Oh come on Griff–"

"I said, do you understand me?" Griffin's grumble was impossibly low and sinister as he cut her off.

She nodded.

"Good. Now get the fuck out of my face," he commanded. She obeyed, running off with her minions.

He turned to me and cupped my face but I pulled away.

"Are you okay? Let's get you cleaned up." He started directing me towards the bathroom.

"No." I pulled back, heading towards the exit. "I need to get out of here." The mortification had kicked in now that the shock was melting away.

Griff looked at me with a softness that I'd rarely seen before and then took my hand again, leading me towards the door instead of the bathroom. He walked me out to get some fresh air, holding my arm to keep me steady. It wasn't a big deal and I was stronger than this now. But it was the embarrassment that had gotten to me. It had harshly ripped me out of the whimsical, lascivious state I was in, leaving me in a desolate place of disoriented and humiliated discomposure.

When we got outside, he pulled me to the side, leaning me against the wall of the club as he shielded me from the elements with his large build. He untucked his shirt from his pants and used the material to wipe the remnants of Sienna's drink from my arms and then dabbed over the latex of my dress. My poor dress. I was just grateful for the material that allowed most of the drink to slip off rather than soak in, although it would remain sticky. I couldn't say the same for his top that would surely be wet now. But I knew he wouldn't care or bother to stop, even if I told him to.

He bent down to wipe my legs and my cheeks heated.

"Do you still love him?" He suddenly asked while he worked away at cleaning up the mess.

"Huh?" I replied stupidly. I wasn't expecting that after everything that had just happened.

"The wolf." His grey eyes met mine. "Do you still love him?" He urged.

"Oh. I, uh … I wouldn't use the word love anymore. He's the bad guy. He doesn't deserve my love."

"But you still think of him?" I could tell he was working hard to keep his face neutral, to show no emotion. He pretended he was very interested in the sticky stains on my dress that he had returned to—anything to ensure he didn't meet my gaze.

I pondered his question for a moment. "Yes," I admitted. I did still think of Riv. I thought about how someone you knew so well could betray you. I thought about what he was doing and if he still thought about me. No matter how heartbroken I was, he still crossed my mind. But that didn't mean I wanted him back. It also didn't mean that I didn't want Griffin. In fact, he consumed most, if not all, of my thoughts these days.

I watched him, waiting to see a change in his expression. And sure enough, I caught that quick glimmer of hurt I noticed on his face a few rare times before. Like always he schooled it expertly. It was gone almost as fast as it appeared. Even so, I felt compelled to justify my response, so I added, "But not in the way you think."

He stood but stopped wiping, one hand gripping my shoulder as the other one paused over my chest with his shirt lifted up to it, showing off that delicious body hidden underneath. He dropped the hem of his top, reaching up to my face instead, gripping my chin as he watched my lips.

"What would have happened if we didn't get interrupted?" He asked, still careful not to look into my eyes.

"I … I'm not sure Griff," I replied to him truthfully. But I let the hunger in my tone peak through. So he knew what I would have wanted.

"I want you, Venus."

I swallowed roughly.

"I can make you forget." His bottom lip rolled into his mouth as he bit it sensually. His grey eyes raked over my face, searching for a clue as to what I desired. As they finally met mine again, they flickered with silver, capturing my own with such an intensity that heat flooded my entire body and my throat went dry. I licked my own lips in an attempt to add some moisture back.

"Get over him by getting under someone else." His gravelly voice was a rumble.

It was finally time to say yes. To give in to that temptation. To do something for me. My fortitude was only so strong.

I was feeling adventurous tonight. So I agreed.

"Okay."

"You know one of these days—"

He stopped when he heard what I said. When it sunk in,

that irresistible grin spread across his face. "Well finally. Shall we get out of here? We can freshen up back in my room."

In that moment, I would have followed him anywhere.