23. Griffin

Chapter Twenty-Three

Griffin

Tish tucked her head into my neck as she trembled against me. I was stunned, wrung dry from the force of my climax. We stayed like that for long moments.

I savored the feel of her against me, soft curves, damp skin. I could feel her breath begin to slow along with mine and the tremors in her body begin to dissipate.

I sifted my fingers through her hair before my hand slid down her back in a slow pass. I felt as if someone had kicked my feet out from under me. I was off-balance emotionally. Everything that happened with Tish seemed to take me off guard. It was unexpected, startling, and raw.

When I felt her lift her head, I dragged my eyes open. We stared at each other. Even now, even after the force of the encounter had reached its climax, it felt as if something was still burgeoning between us. It was beyond sexual. It was beyond desire. I didn't know what to make of it, and I sensed she didn't either. This thing between us had its own life with the connection shimmering in the air between us.

She blinked before leaning forward and pressing a kiss in the divot at the base of my throat. The tiny touch felt like a brand on my skin.

I wasn't sure how, but I gathered up some composure. We managed to disentangle ourselves. Tish slipped into the bedroom to change into more comfortable clothes, while I stopped by the bathroom to dispose of my condom.

When she came back out, she stopped feet away, her gaze a little uncertain. She rested one foot on top of the other. I glanced down to see her toenails were painted purple. She followed my gaze.

"Teddy was napping the other day, so I painted my toenails." After a pause, she asked, "Do you want to stay?"

"You already asked and I did. Have you changed your mind?"

She shook her head quickly.

It was early-ish, but she looked tired. I reached for her hand. "Let's go to bed."

Once we were in her bedroom, she gestured toward the television on the dresser. "I didn't used to have a TV in my bedroom, but before Teddy started sleeping more, I needed something to keep me company. I'm lucky if I make it for six hours. It's nice to have the TV if he's restless."

"Lots of people have TVs in their bedroom," I pointed out before giving her a quick kiss.

A little while later, we had on a home improvement show. She said she liked the background noise. I didn't care what we watched. I just wanted to be with Tish.

She fell asleep within a half hour. When I woke up to a sound from the baby monitor, I glanced toward Tish. Her eyes opened instantly. She scrambled up just as I asked, "Do you want me to check on him?"

She swung her legs off the bed. "I'll check, but thank you."

A moment later, she returned to the bed holding a sleepy baby. She propped herself up on the pillows to nurse him. I sat up with her. "You don't have to do that," she said.

"I want to."

"You can sleep, Griffin."

I angled to the side to face her more fully. "Tish, I'm awake already."

Hours later, I came awake again. Tish didn't stir when there was a murmur of sound on the baby monitor. Slipping out of bed quietly, I went to check on Teddy. He bicycled his chubby little legs in the air when he saw me. I scooped him up, promptly discovering he needed a diaper change.

I was in the middle of that task when Tish appeared in the doorway. "Griffin."

Her hair was a wild mess and she was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of cotton shorts. I adjusted the last tape on the diaper and smiled over at her. "He needed a fresh diaper."

She studied me before laughing. Teddy rolled his head to the side and let out a squeal of joy when he saw his mom.

I handed him to her as she approached me. "I can't believe I didn't hear him on the baby monitor," she said.

"He didn't make much noise," I assured her. "I had to go to the bathroom anyway."

"Have you?"

I chuckled as I shook my head. "Now that you're up, I'll take this opportunity." I scooted past her.

A short while later, we were in the kitchen, and Tish was holding the baby and trying to get the coffee made. "I got it." I nudged her to the side.

"You can't get everything!" she protested.

"I'm not. You've showered, you've dressed Teddy, you've gotten the bag ready for the day, and you fed him. All I've done is change his diaper and take my own shower. If we're going to keep track, which, by the way, I think is completely ridiculous, you're ahead. Let me make coffee."

I nudged her with my hip again and she sat down at the kitchen table. A few minutes later, I handed her a fresh cup of coffee before sitting down across from her. "Is there anything you want for breakfast?"

"Breakfast isn't something I have a lot of time for," she said slowly.

"I noticed you have some fresh eggs in the fridge."

She smiled. "Allie has chickens. They lay a lot of eggs."

"How do you like your eggs?"

"Griffin," she warned.

"Tish, I'm starving. I personally like scrambled eggs. Do you mind if I make some?"

She bit her lip to keep from laughing before shaking her head slowly. "Of course not. And, I love scrambled eggs."

After we finished eating, I cleaned up and filled the dishwasher. Without thinking, I started it. "Are you even for real?" she teased.

"Last time I checked," I quipped.

"Seriously. You change diapers, you make eggs, you clean up, what the hell?" she mused.

"I grew up with a lot of siblings and we all had chores. How are we doing on time?"