CHAPTER 13

MIA

I’m on my fourth shot with Isabella. Wait, maybe it’s Stella?

I don’t know, but she’s been a great distraction from all that’s happening in my head. We haven’t said much, or really, I haven’t since she hasn’t stopped talking. In less than ten minutes, she told me about her cats, job, friends, etc. But not a single thing has stuck.

Maybe it’s because I’m a bit distracted by the feeling of Griffon’s eyes burning through me. With every giggle, every touch, every slow ‘lean in,’ I can’t help but steal a peek, and from what I can tell, she hasn’t moved an inch.

If anything, it looks like she is about to throw her body over the railing.

And for once, I’m the one satisfied. I can’t help the mischievous smile that spreads across my face as if I just won the lottery.

Maybe that’s why I feel bold enough to turn back to Bella and ask, “Do you want to dance?”

We’re mid-conversation, so my question makes her eyes widen, and her eyebrows shoot up. But her expression quickly changes to a small smirk when I put my hand out.

“Of course!” Bella (I think) answers, hopping out of her seat. I don’t waste any time leading the way to the dance floor, not sparing a glance towards Griffon, even if I already know she’s watching.

My adrenaline is too high to stop and care what she thinks. All of the alcohol is slowly beginning to spread, and my body is responding fast. I can feel every tiny droplet of sweat starting to run down the sides of my face. But I pay no mind as soon as I feel small hands grab my waist.

I’m thrown off momentarily and stiffen completely, but I relax within seconds. This isn’t the time for overthinking. I’m over that; all I want to do is live in the moment and let go of my fears of being perceived.

Fuck, I want to be seen.

After closing my eyes, I lean back into her grasp, basking in her scent. She smells sweet—more like vanilla mingled with a floral note. Maybe Gardenia, to be more specific. It’s almost too sweet for my taste; I must stop myself from scrunching up my nose. I shouldn’t even think about her perfume—who cares if it's too sweet? She’s hot, and she’s into me.

I can't see her, but I can feel her short hair brushing against the side of my neck as she moves closer, her lips practically touching my ear.

“This okay?” Her hands tighten around my waist as she guides me backward until my back is pressed against her chest. Her touch is gentle, and even without seeing her, I can feel everything as her hips begin to sway back and forth.

Instead of speaking up, I simply nod and start to match her movements. Our hips move in sync as the beat envelops us both. Sweat threatens to drip down my chest as our pace quickens, and I can’t tell if I’m feeling the bass from the speakers or my heart pounding. But I don’t care—I finally feel free.

As our movements begin to mirror each other, my mind starts to drift away. Even with her breath on my neck, her hands on my skin, and her lips so close to my ear, I only see Griffon.

My mind replaces the feeling of her gentle touch with something more solid and rough. I can’t stop myself from gasping at how quickly my body responds to just the thought of her. I hate it—I know I do—but fuck, I can’t help but fall deeper into my imagination. All I see is her: her hair, her bright blue eyes, her... everything.

My head falls back, and instinctively, I crack my eyes open, disappointed to find that she isn’t staring back at me. I quickly scan the balcony, but I stop moving completely when I don’t immediately spot Monica or Lauren. Panic sets in as my head whips around, searching for Eleanor somewhere in the crowd. But it has only gotten more compact since we arrived.

“Is everything okay?” The soft voice behind me breaks through my mini-crisis, reminding me of my reality.

“Oh—uhh—” My eyes continue to search through the crowd for anyone at this point.

Just as I turn to respond, I feel my arm being yanked, and my body jerks to the left, leaving me speechless. My eyes widen, and I jump at the firm grasp, but I’m stuck in place as they grab my other arm, pinning my back against their chest.

This is the point where I should probably scream.

Fight.

Try to break free.

But there’s no point when I already know who it is. How could I not know when she’s all I’ve been thinking about? It’s ridiculous how quickly my eyes flutter closed as the deep, musky scent of sandalwood and patchouli overtakes my senses. She smells like her home—I know this because it was one of the first things I noticed, along with the insane décor. Her place smelled like a less migraine-inducing version of a men’s department store.

“It’s time to go.”

My eyes snap open at the roughness in her voice; it rings with command. She’s almost unrecognizable, but when I lean back to look up, I’m quickly reminded of how tall Griffon is. My head hits her chest almost instantly. Not like how I was with—

Oh shit.

Even in Griffon’s grasp, I wiggle around, trying to find Bella... or is it Stella? But she’s long gone and probably moved on as soon as Griffon stepped in. Her presence is demanding, and I understand why. I should feel bad, but I can only focus on how weak my legs feel. I’ve never felt so vulnerable with my arms pulled back.

How long was she up there watching me before deciding enough was enough?

A shiver runs down my spine as I imagine a jealous Griffon running around, trying to find me.

“I said it’s time to go,” Griffon repeats herself slowly. I don’t even try to argue as she releases one of my arms and begins to pull me through the crowd toward the exit.

Once we make it through the door, the cool air hits my hot, sweaty skin, and I immediately break free from her grasp, as if I never wanted to be held in the first place.

“What the hell? Where’s El?”

I take a few steps back to create space between us, hoping to regain control over the situation. But Griffon has other ideas; she grabs my wrist and pulls me closer.

Finally, I can see under the brim of her hat. Her eyes are a shade darker than usual, and only one eyebrow is raised as she tilts her head.

“You weren’t really worried about El when you were just busy humping that girl’s thigh—”

My eyes bulge as I try to register what she just said. Her expression borders on mockery.

“—Uber’s already here.” Griffon’s hand raises, and my eyes follow as she points to a small car where El, Monica, and Lauren are currently stuffing themselves inside.

When I turn back to Griffon, she’s already walking to the other side of the car, and I follow silently. My cheeks are already pink from embarrassment, but as I round the car to the open door, they turn bright red when I realize the vehicle is completely full. There sits Griffon, a small smirk playing on her lips.

“Uhhh,” is all I can manage as I look around and see El in the passenger seat and a very giggly Monica perched on Lauren's lap.

“Come on, Mia, there’s room!” El exclaims. I know she’s drunk, but I still shoot her a glare.

“Yeah, Mia, there’s room,” Griffon teases, patting her lap. Her arms move behind Lauren's headrest, completely spreading out.

“Of course,” I mutter before slipping into the car and settling on Griffon's thigh.

I purposely scoot all the way to the left until my body is pressed against the window, barely in her lap. It’s uncomfortable, and my ass is killing me, but I know the drive will be over soon, so I just need to push through. There’s really no point in complaining.

“You can scoot back, you know?” Griffon questions.

“Oh, I’m good!” I reply, cringing at my overly cheerful tone.

But when the driver pulls away quickly and starts speeding down the street, I almost immediately get whiplash and am knocked back into Griffon’s chest.

Her hands fly down to grip my waist and steady me. “I told you to sit back.”

I should have something smart as a comeback, but I let out a deep sigh of defeat instead. After accepting, I begin to shift around to get more comfortable. Within seconds, my body freezes as I feel something big and hard poking my ass.

Instantly, my mind begins to race a mile a minute. With wide eyes, I slowly turn around to face an already smiling Griffon. Without needing to exchange words, my unasked question is immediately answered.

Griffon is wearing a strap.