6. Destiny

6

DESTINY

I knew this question was coming but I haven’t thought of a satisfying answer yet. Truthfully, I’m still reeling from everything - the disastrous attempt at skiing alone, the realization of being lost on a mountain during a blizzard, and then the absolute relief when Griffin showed up only a few minutes later.

“I… I, um, I…” I take a cleansing breath and try again. “I’m sorry,” I finally say, nuzzling into the side of my savior’s neck. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way out here to save me. I’m sorry I was stupid and didn’t tell anyone what I was doing. I’m sorry for everything,” I finish pitifully.

Griffin continues to hold me, his hands stroking up and down my back as he heats my core with his own warm body. “There’s no need to apologize, sweetheart,” he soothes. “None of that was an answer to my question, by the way.”

I sigh and lift my head up, peering into those green irises I’ve been dreaming of the last several nights. I don’t have a good answer but I somehow find the words anyway. “I needed to prove myself to… I don’t even know anymore. My grandma? You? Myself? I think I wanted to show everyone I’m not a coward.”

“Sweetheart…”

“It was dumb and risky and obviously I failed miserably, but–”

“Hey now,” Griffin says in a stern but kind tone. “First of all, you’re not a failure. You’re not dumb, and you’re certainly not a coward. I’m not mad at you, Destiny. I was worried sick when I realized where you ran off to, but I was never upset with you.”

"You have every right to be," I tell him. "I got caught up in my head about wanting to go on an adventure and I felt like I was playing it safe by taking private lessons with you. I put myself in danger and made you brave the storm just to come to rescue me."

I look away from Griffin, but he cups my chin and draws my attention back to him. “I will always be the one to rescue you, whether from the snow or from the tangled mess of emotions you’re dealing with. I want to be the one who grounds you and keeps you safe. I can’t do that if you don’t let me in.”

I nod, still not believing he found me so fast and that he still is so sweet and caring even after I made a fool out of myself.

“My grandma was my best friend,” I whisper, giving him more of my story. “She was always in good health… until she wasn’t. She…” I hiccup, holding back the emotion threatening to crack my voice. “She didn’t tell anyone about her colon cancer diagnosis. It wasn’t until she collapsed in the bathroom one day that I knew anything was wrong at all. By the time she was rushed to the ER, she had already slipped into a coma. She never woke up.”

“Destiny,” Griffin rasps, his green eyes searching mine. “I’m so sorry. That must have been traumatic. Were you the one who found her in the bathroom?” I nod, blinking back tears. “Oh, sweet girl. I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

He presses a kiss on my cheeks and forehead.

“I can’t help but think… What if she didn’t tell me because she thought I couldn’t handle it? What if she thought I was too weak and shy to take care of her when she needed me the most? If I had been braver and bolder, she might have told me and I could have convinced her to get treatment. What if it’s all my fault?”

That’s my deepest, darkest secret. At the end of the day, I feel like I’m responsible for my grandma’s death.

“Destiny, I don’t even know where to start, but please don’t blame yourself. I can’t imagine the whirlwind of emotions going through your head and heart, but I promise you, it’s not your fault. I’m sure your grandma would agree. From everything you’ve told me about her, she loved you and wanted you to thrive. She wouldn’t want you to carry around this guilt.”

“But… But I could have said something. Done something. I could have had a little bit of a warning before she dropped dead. I didn’t know the last day was going to be the last day, you know?” My voice is barely above a whisper. “I’m… I don’t want to say it, but I’m…”

“It’s okay, Destiny. You can say it.”

“I’m… angry .” The word sits in the air between us, but Griffin doesn’t let me feel ashamed of anything.

“I know you are, sweetheart. Now you know it, too.” He gives me a wistful smile and tucks my hair behind my ears. “It’s okay. It’s normal, in fact. And in your case, absolutely understandable. I bet it hurt knowing she kept such a big secret from you.”

“I’m sure she had her reasons. I just… I wish I could go back and do it all differently.”

“All we have is the present. We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it and use it to help us grow. Maybe a grand adventure to turn you into a new, bolder version of yourself isn’t what your grandma intended.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.

“Maybe we can focus on internal confidence. You’re an amazing woman, Destiny. You’re clever and vulnerable and gorgeous. You have a tender heart and a kind spirit, both of which I know your grandma is proud of. Don’t change yourself or hide who you are, angel. Lean into your strengths.”

“Is being tender a strength? Most days it feels like a flaw, not a feature,” I counter. Griffin chuckles softly and presses another kiss to my forehead.

“It’s part of what drew me to you that first day,” he murmurs. “You were absolutely radiant when you walked into the lodge. Your beauty and soft-spoken nature called to me, but also your quiet strength. I wish you could see what I see.”

“What do you see?” I ask, my body melting at his words. I want more of him, more of his touch, more of his kiss, just… more. I begin rolling my body against his without being fully aware of what I’m doing. All I know is that he feels good and he makes me feel good.

“Shit, Destiny,” he groans. “I’m trying to be good, but you make it difficult when you’re moving like that. Gives me all kinds of dirty ideas, but that’s not what you need right now.”

“What if it is?” I ask. The tension has been building between us for days now and I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline making me brave or if Griffin just makes me feel safe enough to go for what I really want. Either way, I rub myself against his body and nip his bottom lip.

“Need to warm you up,” he whispers, his lips mere inches from mine.

“I can think of a few ways to create heat,” I say, hardly believing the words coming from my mouth. When Griffin groans again, I finally confess something I’ve been holding back. “Truthfully,” I start, nibbling my lips nervously. “I wasn’t stranded for very long before you showed up. Like maybe ten minutes.”

“You can get frostbite in under two minutes with these weather conditions,” he’s quick to point out.

“True, except I was wearing a six-hundred-dollar thermal jacket lined with fleece and coated in waterproof protection. You don’t even want to know how much my snow pants cost,” I say with a slight smirk.

Griffin takes the hint, the last bit of worry slipping from his features. “Are you telling me that you used this situation to get me nearly naked on this couch with you?”

I can’t hold back my laughter. “It’s certainly not what I had planned when I started up the mountain, but I’m definitely not complaining.”

He chuckles again, then makes a deep, rumbling sound filled with desire. Griffin slides his hands down my body with more purpose this time, squeezing and kneading my flesh while licking the side of my neck. Everywhere he touches me burns deliciously, the sensation sinking down deep inside of me.

Griffin stands with me in his arms, setting me down in front of him. His nose brushes against mine and then nips my bottom lip. I open up for him, needing everything this man has to offer. His tongue slides against mine and then tickles the roof of my mouth, the buzzing sensation shooting through my core and making me so damn wet and needy.

He presses himself further into me, his thick, hard length rubbing against my core. My hardened, sensitive nipples scrape against the hard planes of his chest, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I reach up, stretching my body to loop my arms around his neck and pull him closer to me as he kisses me over and over, deeper and deeper, each thrust of his tongue winding me up higher and higher.

“Fuck,” Griffin grunts, sounding almost in pain. “Need to taste you, Destiny. Need to lick that dripping pussy clean.”

“Yes,” I manage to whisper, barely able to comprehend what he means.

The next thing I know, I’m being spun around so I’m facing the small kitchen table. Griffin grips my hips, pulling my back into his front. I moan softly when he presses his lips to the side of my neck, kissing up and down and swirling his tongue over my pulse point. His lips brush against the shell of my ear, the deep rumble of his voice vibrating through me.

“Put your hands on the table, Destiny.” I do as he says, looking over my shoulder at him. “Just like that. Fuck, just like that.”

He kneels down behind me, hooking his thumbs into the waistband of my panties. Griffin peels them off, making me gasp as the cool air hits my soaking-wet folds. My core clenches and my arousal drips down my thighs.

Griffin grabs my ass in his large, capable hands, squeezing the soft flesh and then spreading me wide open for him. I widen my stance, wanting him to have more. To take more. To take it all. “Please,” I whimper. God, is that my voice?

I feel so vulnerable, so exposed, and so, so needy. Griffin has barely touched me, yet my clit is throbbing almost painfully. A growl rumbles up from deep in his chest, and then I feel his lips and nose glide along my slit. I tremble at the featherlight touch, gasping when he breathes me in.

“Jesus,” Griffin grunts. “So damn sweet. Gonna eat this pretty little pussy now, Destiny. Are you ready for that?”

I barely have time to nod before Griffin buries his face into my cunt, licking me from top to bottom. I cry out and grip the table, bracing myself as he teases my opening with the tip of his tongue.

Griffin’s hands roam up and down my thighs, spreading me open as he devours me. I feel his tongue everywhere; gliding through my folds, playing with my bundle of nerves, darting in and out of my tight hole. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until Griffin wraps his lips around my clit and sucks. Hard . All of the air leaves my lungs, followed by a desperate, breathy moan.

I lower myself onto my forearms on the table, resting my head on my arm. It's all I can do to keep from collapsing. Every swipe of his tongue is followed by a low, strained grunt. He sounds like he can't get enough like he's gorging on me and doesn't want to come up for air. That thought has me pressing back against him, offering him everything he wants.

My legs start shaking uncontrollably as every muscle in my body tenses. I’m so close. My stomach clenches, my heart pounds, and my joints lock up. I hold my breath, preparing for the pleasure to come.

I just need one more swipe of his tongue, one more, so close… One more…

Griffin pulls back, making me whimper in frustration. He chuckles darkly, then dives in once more, licking me in fierce, fast strokes, winding me up, higher, higher, higher…

“Oh God,” I whisper. “Oh God, oh God, ohmygod …”

My orgasm floods through me, drowning me in ecstasy. I keep coming, wave after wave of endless bliss overwhelming every single one of my senses. Griffin swallows down my release, dipping his tongue inside my entrance like he can't get enough. All I can do is tremble and let out breathy, pained little whimpers.

When he scrapes his teeth over my clit, I jerk forward and try to twist away from him. He doesn’t let me. Griffin rolls his tongue against my sensitive, swollen bundle of nerves, prolonging my orgasm for what feels like hours.

Finally, god, finally , Griffin sits back, grunting at me. I’d laugh at his brutish behavior if I could speak. As it is, all I’m capable of is lying face down on the table and pulling air into my lungs.

Griffin leans over my prone body, his lips kissing the back of my sweaty neck. "Fucking beautiful," he murmurs, wrapping his arms around my waist. He helps me stand up and then scoops me up into his embrace when my legs threaten to give out. "That good, huh?" he says with a cocky smirk on his face. He deserves it. I mean… wow.

My Greek god of a ski instructor handles me with such care as he carries me toward the bed in the corner of the small, one-room cabin. I lift my head slightly, nuzzling into the side of his neck and kissing him there. “More,” I whisper, still catching my breath from my last orgasm.

"Are you sure, angel?" Griffin asks his tone a mix of disbelief and unrestrained need.

“Yes,” I say, trying to sound confident. Should I tell him it’s my first time? Will that scare him off? I guess he’ll find out soon enough.

Griffin grunts in approval and gently lays me out on the bed before removing his last piece of clothing and hovering over me.

“You’re so damn beautiful, Destiny.” He’s looking down at my naked body on display for him. I want to cover up, but he’s looking at me with such awe, such reverence, that I start to believe he really finds me sexy. Well, judging from that monster he has between his legs staring right at me, whatever he sees in me is really doing it for him.

I scoot up the bed and spread my legs. I feel exposed, vulnerable, and so strange showing myself like this, but the anticipation is killing me. I want him, and I want him right now .

The beast of a man growls and stares at my core, literally licking his lips. His eyes grow dark, and for a second, he looks like a wolf about to devour his prey. His eyes are dominant, almost menacing, but above all, they gleam with feral satisfaction.

He crawls up my body, blazing a trail of open-mouthed kisses along the way, and then his lips find mine, leading us in a surprisingly slow, passionate kiss. Griffin rests his forehead on mine and reaches down to slide a finger through my wet slit.

“So wet, baby. So wet for me.”

I nod, and he lines his huge cock up with my entrance. He nudges the head just inside, stretching me out with a few short, shallow thrusts. This isn’t so bad. There’s no pain like I thought there would be.

And then he slams all the way inside of me.

Pain flashes through my body like he's tearing me in two from the inside out. I squeeze my eyes shut against the invasion, tears leaking out of the corners of my eyes and dripping down onto the sheets. I can’t breathe for a second.

“Destiny? Jesus, sweetheart, I… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. Look at me.”

I shake my head, I feel like an idiot. I should have just told him.

“Please, angel. Look at me.” He nuzzles his nose against mine. It’s such a sweet gesture, I can’t help but open my eyes.

“I didn’t want you to stop,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to scare you away.”

“Scare me away? You couldn’t scare me away if you tried, love.” He kisses my nose and then my lips, short and sweet. “I would have slowed down. Taken my time. Breathe for me, sweet girl. Relax and let me in. I promise it gets better.”

I nod, breathing through the pain while Griffin stays still inside of me, letting me get used to the feeling of him. The pain soon gives way and I just feel so incredibly full. Griffin kisses me again and I melt into him. He tastes so good and each stroke of his tongue stokes a fire deep inside of me. I swear I could cum just from his kisses.

I start moving my hips and Griffin groans into my mouth, breaking the kiss.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, please, Griffin. I need…” I don’t even know what I need, I just need him to do something.

“I’ve got you, love. I’ll always give you what you need.” With that, he slowly drags himself out of me before plunging back in. “Jesus, Destiny, you feel so fucking good. Like heaven wrapped around my cock.”

Griffin reaches down and circles my clit, and oh, god. Feeling him move inside of me while he plays with my little bundle of nerves? Incredible.

“Oh! Yessss ,” I moan.

He bends down and sucks a nipple into his mouth as more pleasure courses through my veins, pooling in my belly. His tongue works my nipple in the same rhythm as his finger on my clit, both in time with his thrusts. My body is on sensory overload. I’m not sure where to focus, I just know it all feels amazing.

His mouth pops off my breast and he kisses his way over to my other one to give it the same attention. “How are you feeling, angel? Are you okay?”

“Y-Yes…yes, soooo g-good!”

He gives me a wicked grin and picks up his speed, pumping in and out of me as his fingers and tongue work in concert to tighten the coil deep inside.

“Fuck, Destiny. Your tight little pussy feels so good. Everything about you… I can’t get enough.”

His words bring me closer to the edge. I buck my hips, matching him thrust for thrust, needing to find release from the intense pressure building inside. As if sensing how close I am, Griffin bites down on my nipple and pinches my clit, sending me flying over the edge as my pussy snaps around him. I feel myself gushing, squeezing, releasing, as all of my muscles tense and relax, over and over and over again.

He swallows my cries of pleasure, which is a good thing because I come hard, screaming his name.

Griffin fucks me right through my orgasm, grunting and snapping his hips into mine.

“Mmm-more, please,” I manage, once my orgasm has passed. I feel raw and sensitive and ready for whatever he has to give me.

“Are you sure, Destiny? I’m trying so damn hard to be gentle.”

“Please, please, Griffin. Give me all of you. Don’t… ooooh. D-Don’t… hold back.”

He sits back on his heels and grabs my hips, ramming me into him again and again. This angle hits deeper, unlocking some secret spot inside of me that instantly has me on edge. Each thrust builds me higher and higher.

“Destiny… Destiny…fuck, my dirty little angel. Love that you saved yourself for me.” He thrusts in and out of me, again and again. “Love this tight pussy. Love that it’s all mine.” In and out, in and out. “I’m going to be the only one to be with you like this, right, Destiny?”

He picks up his speed, rutting into me like an animal. I love it.

I nod at his words.

“Need to hear you, love. Tell me. Tell me you’re mine, only mine. Ah, fuck! ”

He slams into me once, twice, three times. And then he stills, swelling inside of me, and then exploding deep into my pussy. His orgasm sets off my own, fire coursing through my veins, prickling my nerves and dripping down my thighs. I swear to god my body is burning a hole through the sheets.

I haven’t forgotten what he said before we reached our climax, but I’m giving him an out. People say all kinds of things during sex, right?

Griffin collapses on the bed next to me and for a second, I think things are going to be awkward. I move to get off the bed, but his arm loops around my waist and pulls me into him. He turns so we’re on our sides, face to face.

“You didn’t answer me, sweetheart.”

“Well, you were the one giving me all of those orgasms, so it’s kind of your fault.” I smirk at him through my blush. I’m not used to speaking so candidly like this, but with Griffin, everything feels right.

He chuckles. “Is that a complaint?” I shake my head no as he leans in for a kiss. “Good,” he says. “So. I still need you to tell me you’re mine. All mine.”

His eyes burn right through me, willing me to tell him what he wants to hear.

“Yeah, I’m yours, Griffin,” I whisper, still unsure why he’d want me in the first place.

“Louder, sweet girl.”

“I’m yours,” I say with more conviction.

“And no one will ever be with you like this except me.”

“Griffin…”

“Say it,” he growls. All of his muscles flex at once, making me shiver.

“No one. No one but you.”

He instantly relaxes and pulls me closer to him, resting his forehead on mine.

“Good. That’s good,” he says again. I smile and then yawn, making Griffin soften his gaze. “Get some rest, love. We’ll spend the night here and head back down in the morning.”

I barely hear his last words before drifting off to sleep.