CHAPTER 33

Training was going to be interesting, that was for sure. And on another note, I now knew where his room was. One mystery solved.

I had to rack my brain to remember exactly how to get out of this network of joining hallways, rooms and secret staircases. Turns out that there was a fourth level to the compound that housed the officials like Thea and Colonel Lennox, as well as a few more offices. It made sense since they had to sleep somewhere, it was just never explicitly mentioned.

I had previously been shown another second level that housed a laundry and storage room that ran parallel to the loft level, above the kitchen and strategy room. It was through a hidden door that blended into the steel walls of the hallway, right before the door to Thea's office. It led to a narrow passageway of stairs that took you up to the level. There were a few doors around but we were only ever allowed to use the laundry and storage room. I always assumed maybe his room would be through one of those mysterious doors, but he never admitted it.

I didn't think there'd be another whole level that I was just oblivious too. But sure enough, there was a second set of inconspicuous stairs across from those ones, again hidden behind a concealed door. When Griffin pushed the wall to reveal it last night, I was amazed. I was even more amazed to see a whole private level complete with multiple sitting areas, dark hallways and lots of doors.

If that wasn't enough, his room was located in a separate section, through another large sitting area. At the back of this, was the infamous door to Griffin's apartment.

Even in my lust-filled, overly eager and nervously anxious state, I noticed a different set of stairs just off the second lounge area and immediately demanded to know where that one led, only to be told that it in fact led right down to the Bunker.

My mouth did drop in awe at that.

That was the way I was currently attempting to exit out of, hoping it would be the fastest way back to my room.

I honestly had no clue where in the Bunker it would lead to. Still, I followed the stairs down to a whole other section of what seemed to be more rooms. The perplexities of this place was making my head spin. Now aware of what to look for, I could make out the edging of a door in the wall directly opposite the stairs I had just descended, so I took my chance. As I approached it, I noticed a small black handle and pulled.

Sure enough, I was staring into the Bunker.

It had emptied out considering the time, so once I was through, I took a moment to try to comprehend my bearings. I was on the opposite side of the Bunker, far from my bed. I turned to take in the entrance I had just used. Yet another undetected, disguised door in the wall, right next to the stairs I took every day from the loft. It was right beside someone's "room".

Looking at it now, I should have noticed that there was an usually large space left before the first wardrobe started. But I never did.

I'm sure everybody knew this was there except for me, being the new girl. They just wouldn't dare use it unless it was a necessity, so I'd never seen anyone come through here. No one would willingly enter the personal space of the officials. And Griffin had just always seemed to show up and disappear at will. As did all the other officials.

This had definitely been an eye-opening twelve hours. I was buzzing with adrenaline. From all of it.

I of course was late after my explorations and shower. It didn't help that I was now extra aware of how I looked so I could impress a certain captain who'd be in attendance. It took me forever to then braid my hair and figure out what the hell I was going to wear. Kitana had come back to check on me, choosing to wait for me as she questioned why I had been so late this morning. I promised her I'd fill her in on all the details later but considering how long it was taking me to get ready, looking back and forth between my tiny bike shorts and my usual black leggings like my life depended on it, I had plenty of time to give her an overview of the night. She practically purred in excitement and all but dressed me after that, deciding the bike shorts were the way to go and pairing it with a khaki halter top and my combat boots. Just call me Lara Croft.

We walked into training fifteen minutes late, missing most of the warmup. Griff's gaze snapped to us as soon as we walked in. Like he'd been watching that door, waiting for me to enter.

He gave me the cheekiest smile as he scolded us. "Ladies, so nice of you to finally join us. I'm feeling generous today so no suicide laps. Stretch and then re-join the group."

Kitana raised her brow knowingly and I rolled my eyes. As I walked past him he leaned over and seductively whispered close to my ear. "You'll be making up for it later."

I was deceased.

Kit and I stretched in the corner while Griffin addressed the squad. He looked delectable in black cargo pants, army boots and a forest green t-shirt that was rolled up a few times at the sleeves. Somehow, we managed to coordinate.

"Alright team, pair up. We'll be working on defence today. Cosmo, you're with me." He gave me that lustful smile again. In front of everyone.

I did little to hide the flabbergasted look on my face. Not that he didn't spar with me often, we partnered up all the time but not usually declared so publicly like this, and I didn't think he'd make it so obvious after last night. I assumed he'd mostly be done with me now. Or at the very least, I thought he'd make an awkward attempt at ghosting me. But this was Griffin we were talking about, I should have known he'd have no shame. The guy oozed confidence. He'd also take any opportunity to make me squirm, taking immense pleasure in watching me blush.

He talked my fellow recruits through a few pointers and sent them sparring. Then he casually strolled over to where Kit and I stood. Still stretching, his eyes lingered on all my movements. He didn't look at Kit once. "In my professional opinion, you might need to stretch those hamstrings more, Venus," he suggested. "Bend over."

I shot daggers at him but did so anyway. He didn't even try to hide the way he checked out my ass. I guess the bike shorts were the way to go after all. He came in behind me, pressing his body against mine and pushing my back further down. "Deeper," he commanded. The heat rose in me like a pure flame. "Perfect," he purred.

I quickly shot up and surveyed who might be watching. Kitana smugly smiled at us before strolling to Billie who was waiting for her, not seeming to mind the hold up as she also observed us knowingly. She raised her brow at us but neither of them said a word as they took their stances and began the combos. I met the gaze of Carter across the hall in the weapon section who was effortlessly blocking another recruit's attacks with a sword but somehow still managed to give me a wink. I rolled my eyes again. Between dealing with the four of them, my eyes were going to roll right out of my head. But I didn't blame them, they all saw this coming from a mile away.

I quickly scanned for Sienna. Nowhere to be seen.

No one else seemed to be paying attention to us, so I relaxed a little.

The sexy male in front of me waited, arms crossed and biceps popping. He was using the moment to eye fuck me. I couldn't help but smile at him as I mimicked his stance, knowing it would make my boobs look that little bit better. By the way his gaze shot down there, I knew it did the job. I heard a little appreciative growl rumble in his throat. "I've got to admit, I've come to love my job. You were late because you wore those shorts for me and I get to punish you for it tonight."

I swallowed roughly, getting into my starting position. He continued, "I don't know if I can wait until tonight though. I might have to come up with an excuse to get you out of here … now." His provocative voice, his suggestive words, drove me insane.

"Griffin, we shouldn't keep doing–"

"We should," he stated, cutting me off and stepping closer. He grabbed my hips, twisting one side towards him. "We definitely should." Then his hand ran up my waist to my shoulder and he adjusted my arms. "I make the rules around here, remember, Supernova?" When he had me positioned how he wanted, he tried to knock me off balance by jutting his leg between mine while striking with his hand towards my chest. "Besides, do you really think you can resist after last night?"

I caught his arm just in time and held my stance. Cocky bastard. He grinned at me, impressed, and then grabbed my body to set me up for the next position. "There's no point trying to run from it. Don't lie to yourself, baby."

"This has to be just for fun though," I warned as his hands traversed my body, leaving tiny goosebumps in their wake. "Just an outlet. I'm not ready for anything else." Really, I wasn't ready to get hurt again. And if I tried to keep it fun, maybe I wouldn't let my heart get too involved. Maybe it could just be sex.

Studying my face, he considered his next words. "Fine with me. I'm not what one would call the ‘boyfriend' type anyway."

"Good." Maybe this would prevent me from getting hurt. Although a part of me really wished he was the boyfriend type.

"Great," he agreed.This timeI was too distracted to block his next move and he threw me to the floor, his enormous body landing on top of mine. The breath was knocked out of me, and not just because of his weight. He leaned in and licked my lip—right there in the open for anyone to see. Before I knew it, he was pulling me up to my feet and his voice boomed to the squad who were still busy practising their defences.

"It appears I got a bit carried away. I'll be taking Venus to the infirmary to make sure she's okay. Billie and Kitana will take over with demonstrations."

He was already pulling me away before he finished speaking. The second he dragged me into the hall and closed the sliding door, he lifted me to wrap my legs around his waist and roughly pressed me against the steel wall, consuming my mouth hungrily while his hands continued his exploration from earlier, enjoying the benefits of my tiny shorts. He swallowed my bewildered moan.

"You waste no time," I panted when I was allowed to take a breath. I didn't know how I was going to get through this. Once I got a taste of him, I just couldn't get enough.

"I can't keep my hands off you, Supernova," he proclaimed breathlessly.

He walked me down the hall and fumbled to find the door as we continued to taste each other"s mouths. He finally got us through one. The large room was thankfully empty. By the whiteboard on the back wall and the round table in the centre, framed by an array of mismatched leather chairs, I was guessing this was the notorious strategy room. I'd not yet been in here and definitely wouldn't have guessed my first time would be for the type of war games Griffin and I were now playing. "Should we be in here?"

"It's safer than the hallway, isn't it?" He continued to press kisses along my lips and down my jaw. He had a point and I was in no mood to stop him as my body was a tinglingly, wanton mess. At least it was private.

Griff placed me on the table and stopped his attack on my mouth long enough to take his shirt off. The hanging pendant lights above the table illuminated the defined ridges of his abs and the photographer in me wanted to capture this moment—the exquisite artwork that he was.

His face took on a predatory expression in the dim lighting with his cheekbones and wicked grin glowing. My body reacted with excitement rather than fear as I recalled last night, and I ran my hands along the smooth, hard planes of his chest. He stood between my legs and grabbed both sides of my face with his broad hands, his soft lips once again meeting my own, leaning into me as he lowered me down onto the table until my back pressed against the hard, cold surface. His hands moved down my chest, tracing the edge of my halter top before he pulled it over my head, leaving me in just my shorts and boots. His long arms hit one of the lights as he did so, causing it to swing violently above us. We both broke out laughing. He gave me another melting grin before resuming his assailment of my body.

I was about to get my workout in for the day—and likely not my last.

I could get used to this.