16. Griffin

T he party is deafening when I walk inside the baseball house behind Malik. I had no intention of coming to a party tonight, but once I knew Blair would be here, there was no way I was staying home. I know how these parties can get sometimes, including how handsy some of the guys are. God knows I've torn enough unwanted guys off of girls in this house before. Blair is not going to become one of them.

I'll keep my distance and behave unless someone requires me not to. I just want to keep an eye on her and make sure she's safe. That's all. Mostly all.

After we get drinks—well, Malik, Dean, and Asher get drinks—we go into the living room. I choose to not have any alcohol because I want to be completely sober, keeping an eye on her tonight.

We find a couch in the living room and take it over. I don't love pushing other people around, but the living room is the center of the parties here and a good place where I'll more than likely spot Blair.

After about a hundred people filter in and out of the room, I see her luscious brown hair.

Locking on to my target, I watch her incessantly. There are too many people between us to see her completely, but I can at least see that she's with Lumi and that no one is trying to bother her right now. The group of girls blocking my view of her scatter, and my vision homes in on her, everyone else blurring in comparison.

My heart leaps into my throat. Picking my jaw up off of the floor, I adjust my hips in my seat and wet my lips. My breathing shallows out, and my heartbeat races faster with each second I stare.

How in the hell did I sit in that class with her for weeks and not notice?

She glows like a beacon, beckoning me to her every time she walks into a room. It's like admiring her was written into my DNA, and it was triggered when we spoke for the first time, and now, I'm forever searching for her everywhere I go.

She looks so fucking sexy and beautiful right now.

Thank God I opted to wear jeans with this ensemble instead of the joggers I almost chose because there would be no hiding what she's doing to me right now.

Fucking Christ.

Setting my hands in my lap, I do my best to cover my growing appreciation of her beauty. But it's damn near impossible when the most beautiful girl in the fucking world is twenty feet away from me, wearing fishnet tights, a deep red skirt, and a matching top that has a rose on the front of the corset bra. Her loosely curled hair is in a long, high pony, and I can't stop thinking about running my tongue from the base of her exposed neck to her ear. Her lips are painted red, and I suddenly have a desire to see what that shade would look like painted across my body.

"I need you to punch me in the balls right now," I say to Malik, straight-faced, with no inflection in my tone.

"Spread 'em, baby. Here I come," Malik says and winds his fist up.

"Fuck. Stop. I was mostly kidding." I ground my words out, frustrated on so many levels right now.

"Look, I get it, man. She's hot. Why don't you just go for it?" he asks me as if it could be that simple.

If everything works out perfectly, then, sure, it could be. But what if every wrong thing happens? What if I kiss her and she leaves? I would be fucking devastated.

"I can't. I just can't. Not yet at least. I don't want to run her off and screw everything up. I need her right now," I admit.

He chuckles and glances at my lap. "I mean, I think the entire room can see that."

Biting down on my laugh, I elbow him. "Shut up."

"You've really got it bad for her, huh? I've never seen you like this," he confesses.

My heart thumps harder because I know it's true.

Rolling my head onto the back of the couch, I sigh and admit the truth for the first time out loud. "Yeah."

I can't get her out of my head. Everything reminds me of her. Any coffee shop makes me think of the warm cup she always has in her hands. Every book I see has me wondering if she's read it. Every time I see someone smile, I think of hers—the shy ones that are often accompanied by reddened cheeks, the big ones that take over her entire face, and the ones she shares only with me.

Her smile is so intoxicating that I never want to see her frown again. I want to take care of her in any and every way. I don't want her worrying about how to pay for school or her dad's medical shit. I want her to be happy and stress-free. I want her to want for nothing. I would happily provide the world to her if she only asks and thank her for letting me.

My mind empties the second her eyes lock on to mine, unable to think of anything but her . She tilts her head ever so slightly to the side as she recognizes me. I didn't bother dressing up, so it's not all that hard to figure it out. But I think she's shocked that I'm here at all.

Truthfully, I didn't plan on coming to this party, but there was no way in hell that I was going to be anywhere else tonight, knowing she would be here. And, holy fuck, I'm glad I got to see her in that outfit because it is ruining me right now.

The tiniest smirk forms on her lips as she stares me down, a mix of bewilderment and satisfaction dancing in her eyes. I should go over there and say hello, but a part of me is scared that she'll think it's creepy that I showed up at the place she'd mentioned earlier.

Lifting my arm up, I wave at her and smile.

A few girls that are scattered around her wave back, but I ignore them, only looking at her. Blair raises her hand and wiggles her fingers at me.

Lumi snaps her hand in front of her, and she jumps, turning to face him. But she steals a glance my way. And another.

They exchange a few words, but I'm way too far away to hear it over this music. Her brow furrows and lips tighten. I want to know what's twisting her face into a scowl. But as fast as it appeared, it's gone.

She looks over at me, and I don't bother averting my gaze. I don't care if she sees me staring right now. She deserves to be gazed upon, and I would happily oblige for eternity.

Even though the lights are dim, I witness my new favorite thing—seeing her blush from anything I do. I'm obsessed with it. I crave it. But only if it happens because of me. I think I might lose it if another guy brings out that redness in her cheeks like I do.

She might be talking to Lumi now, but I know she's still thinking about me because she can't stop sneaking glimpses my way. With every glance over here, my willpower to stay in my seat quickly deteriorates.

"So, what's going on with you two?" Malik leans over and asks me, nodding his head toward Blair.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I swallow hard. I don't know why it's so hard for me to talk about liking her. I've never been one to voice my emotions, especially ones that feel so vulnerable. Anger is easy to feel, and it's safer because you feel it offensively. You are on the attack. You lash out with rage.

But with vulnerability, it's the opposite. I feel like I'm playing defense twenty-four/seven, just waiting to get hurt again .

"Nothing," I answer him without tearing my gaze away from her.

"Umm … that's a lie. But I'll let it slide for right now." He chuckles, and I can't help but smirk as he calls me out.

My grin flattens as I focus on a guy approaching Blair and Lumi. He says something to them, but primarily Blair. He looks familiar, but I can't quite place it.

And then it clicks.

Josh.

He's got a reputation—that's for sure. A rep that has me wanting him as far away from Blair as possible. He laughs overtly hard at something she said, and my eye twitches before my lips twist into a nasty scowl. She smiles politely at him, and he continues to eye-fuck her. He reaches over and touches her arm, brushing his hand against her.

I'm on my feet before realizing it, barreling straight toward them. But I don't care. In seconds, I close the distance between Blair and me.

Slowing my pace, I enter their circle. I step behind her and snake my arm around her waist, flattening my hand against her stomach and pulling her into my chest. Fuck, she fits so perfectly pressed against me.

"What the hell?" she scoffs and turns, her eyes widening so far that I think they might burst.

"There you are. I wasn't sure you were going to make it, babe," I say sweetly down to Blair with absolute ease.

Her brows pinch, and I squint my eyes with a smile, holding her stare and hoping she's getting my point—to stay away from this guy.

Her eyes study mine, and I watch as my plan registers on her face. Her confusion dissipates, replaced by a smile and twinkling eyes. Her shoulders and body relax into me. She holds my gaze for a second longer before turning back toward the other two, settling further into my arms.

Fuck, I love holding her like this.

She leans her head back and smiles up at me, and I enjoy every second of her undivided attention. With the hand on her stomach, I start brushing over the fabric of the corset with my thumb, back and forth. A shiver runs through her body, and my chest flutters at the reaction.

Josh looks down at the movement and then up at my face, his demeanor immediately shrinking into submission. "Hawthorne. I didn't know you would be here tonight."

Nodding at him, I kiss the top of Blair's head, immediately distracted by how amazing she smells, and rest my head on hers.

I don't miss the opportunity to sneak in a little chirp. "Well, she told me she was coming, and there was no way I was letting her party in this house without me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he scoffs and takes a sip of his beer.

"It was just a joke," I lie through my teeth, not wanting to get Blair kicked out of the party by pissing off one of the hosts.

He laughs without humor, but does nothing to challenge it further. "Okay, sure. I'll see you guys around."

"Yep," I respond coolly as he walks away, and my shoulders relax the tiniest amount when I know he's gone. Bending down near Blair's ear, I whisper, "You're welcome."

She spins around in my arms, but doesn't back up, giving me way too much hope that maybe she feels the same as me. She looks straight up at me. "What exactly am I thanking you for?"

"For saving you from Josh," I tell her, leaving out some details I've heard whispered through campus.

He's had a few complaints against him for sexual harassment, but apparently, his dad's money has bought the silence. But there's one person his dad can't protect him from, and that's me.

I don't usually get involved in shit that doesn't actively affect me, but seeing him in action with Blair has me feeling a whole different way about the situation. Maybe it's time to give him a taste of his own medicine. His dad wouldn't be able to save him this time. But I'll worry about that later.

Tonight, I need to focus on Blair and Lumi. I want them to have a safe and fun time. I won't let them drive after seeing how much they've already had to drink. I'll hang around until they're ready to leave.

I don't want to make tonight about me, so as hard as it is, I release Blair from my hold and step back. I plant a kiss on her forehead for two reasons. One, because I wanted to. Two, because without a single word, I let everyone know that she's mine and off-limits. Even if we aren't together, I'm not going to watch guys throw themselves at her all night. And if someone messes with her now, they're doing so at their own risk, knowing she's here with me and there will be consequences.

"I'll be here if you need anything. Have a good night, Blair."

She opens her mouth to say something, but nothing comes out, and I leave her be, walking back over to my seat next to Malik.

He has a giant smart-ass grin on his face. Sarcasm oozes from his every word as he says, "Yeah, it looks like nothing is going on between you guys at all. A totally normal relationship between a tutor and student."

My phone vibrates, and I check it, finding a two-worded text from Blair that has my heart doing backflips.

Blair: Thank you.

Malik obnoxiously leans over and reads the message.

Keeping my eyes locked on Blair, I elbow him before any stupidity leaks out of his mouth. "Shut up."

He laughs and slaps my knee. "I'll be right back. I'm going to get a drink. Do you want anything?"

Shaking my head, I answer him, "No. I'm good. Thanks though."

"No problem," he says before walking away and disappearing into the kitchen.

Nothing happens by the time he returns with a drink in hand. No one else has tried to be stupid and approach her. Lumi and she seem to be having fun, drinking a lot and dancing.

I can see the changes in her movements as I watch the alcohol hitting her system. She's looser, freely moving her hips and body. It's hypnotizing. I think if the building caught on fire right now, I still wouldn't be able to look away. I would happily burn to ash in this very spot.

The next hour or so is exactly the same—way too many drinks and lots of dancing. Personally, I'm having a great fucking night. I could sit here and watch her until the end of time.

"I'm going to get some water," I tell Malik before dismissing myself to the kitchen.

After managing to find one of the last unused Solo cups, I fill it up with tap water and chug it quickly before refilling it and heading back to my seat.

As I enter the living room, Blair's voice cuts through the music and stops me dead in my tracks.

"Get the fuck out of here, Grant. You have no say in my life anymore."

Anymore? Who is this guy?

As I turn in her direction and she comes into view, my veins pump harder and faster the second I see his hand around her wrist. I storm across the room, and people part ways like water around me to let me through, although I don't know if it's from my size or the anger emanating from me in waves.

Lumi notices me first and looks instantly relieved, his tight shoulders relaxing.

"Can you hold this?" I ask him, holding out my cup of water.

Confused, he says, "S-sure," and takes it from me without hesitation.

With deadly rage, I turn my attention toward the second guy pushing his luck with Blair tonight.

My words rumble from deep in my chest, silencing the conversations around us. "Let. Go. Of. Her," I order him, my voice booming loud and deep.

His heated gaze turns to me, humor dancing in his eyes, but he doesn't let go of her. The skin on her arm around his fingers is stark white from the amount of pressure he's using. I've never felt more rage in my life than I do at this moment.

"We're having a conversation here. Get fucking lost, dude," he scoffs.

And every shred of patience I have snaps.

Reaching out, I pinch his wrist in my grip. He yelps like a little bitch as I rip each finger away from Blair's reddened forearm. His fingerprints remain on her, bringing my anger to a whole new level, and as I lift his pinkie, I snap it backward into two, feeling a gnarly pop as he shrieks in pain.

But I'm not done yet.

No one— no one —gets to leave marks on her like that.

Releasing his wrist, I grab him by the throat and storm toward the wall behind him, dragging him like a doll as he struggles to stay on his feet. Everyone is gasping around us as I slam him into the wall, pinning him by his throat.

Getting in his face, I make sure he hears me loud and clear. "Don't touch her ever again. Do you understand me?" An animalistic sound tears from deep in my chest.

He looks at me with confusion and shock. His words rasp through my grasp. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

With a haunting chuckle, I squeeze his throat tighter, watching his eyes bulge out of his head. "The person whose hand could break your fucking neck right now if you give me a good enough reason."

He does his best to laugh through my hold, and my vision pulses red .

"Griffin, stop!" Blair's hand flattens against my back, but I don't move a muscle. "Please."

My grip on this prick loosens with her plea.

When I drop my hand to my side, Grant falls a few inches to the ground. I didn't even realize I had lifted him up.

Fuck .

Blair is making me lose my mind.

Malik steps into my peripheral vision. I had no doubt he was beside me seconds after I grabbed this dude, just in case I needed backup.

The guy coughs and looks at her. "You know this guy, huh? Really, Blair?"

Stepping in front of her, I cut his view of her off. "Don't fucking talk to her. Did you not just learn anything?"

I grab his broken pinkie and twist it. He screams out in pain, but any sympathy is long gone.

"I would happily show you again with a different finger if you need a reminder."

"I don't," he growls.

I will give it to him. He never gives up, even when he's fighting a losing war.

"Get out of here," I spit before turning around to Blair.

"Look out!" Lumi shouts and points behind me right before I feel a fist crack into the side of my head.

Blair flies forward into Lumi as someone shoves her.

My vision goes from red to black.

Spinning around, I grab the guy by the neck of his shirt, pull my fist back, and punch him as hard as I can right in the face. A nasty crack vibrates through my hand and cuts through the music, ringing in my ears.

I would be worried, but it's not my hand that hurts; it's his face. Blood is spurting out of his nose, and his hands fly to his face as he starts to sob.

Turning back to Lumi, I ask, "What's his deal?"

He nods and glances at Blair. "It's her ex, and he won't leave her alone. Grant Gustavson."

Why didn't she tell me about this? I could have helped her ? —

Later. Think about that later.

Giving the man of the hour my undivided attention, I wipe the blood from my knuckles on his forehead and shirt, cleaning them off. "Grant, right?" He nods, and I continue, "Believe it or not, this was me holding back. If I find out you are still bothering Blair, it will not just be your face that I break. Do you understand me now?"

He cups his face, catching the blood that's still oozing from his nose. "Y-yes. Fuck. You're insane!"

My words hiss through my teeth. "Do you know what the definition of insane is, Grant? It's doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I gave you perfectly clear instructions not to touch her, yet you did it again and expected a different outcome. So, really, who's the crazy one here? Not me." My words bellow from the deepest part of my chest, a menacing growl. "If you want to see crazy, try shit with her again. Please fucking test me. I would love to take some anger out on you."

He remains silent.

"Josh!" I shout over the music.

Josh finds us a moment later, and I tell him, "This guy needs to leave. "

Grant looks at me in utter disbelief. "Are you serious? Josh, you cannot kick me out," Grant pathetically begs him.

Josh hesitates, and I fully shift my attention his way, my nostrils flaring and chest puffing with fury. He knows I'm not leaving any room for debate. If Josh says no, he'll have a problem with me, too, and he's smart enough to know that's not something he wants.

"Grant, let's go, dude. I saw you put your hands on her. You can't do that shit," Josh accosts him.

Grant scoffs. "Really? Coming from you?"

Josh doesn't respond. Instead, he grabs Grant, and along with a few other baseball players, he escorts him to the door and throws him out of the house.

"I don't need you to fight my battles, Griffin," Blair slurs behind me, and I turn to find her with glossy eyes and a flushed complexion.

God, she's so goddamn cute, especially all angry and pouty.

"I'm not fighting them for you. I'm fighting them with you," I correct her, teasing her slightly, which only pokes the bear more.

She purses her lips and jabs her finger into my chest. "You are being … ugh, frustrating!"

She glares at me for a moment before her eyes fall to my lips, and my lips part in response as blood pumps straight to my dick. Her being mad at me should definitely not turn me on, right? Although I'm not sure there's much she could do at this point that wouldn't have that effect on me.

Right now, I just need to get her and Lumi home. Clearly, Blair has had her fill for the night, and by the slightly horrified look on Lumi's face, he wouldn't mind leaving the scene I just created.

"Frustrating? Hmm. Why don't we continue this conversation in the car?" I offer, gesturing her backward with my hands.

She doesn't move a step. Instead, she crosses her arms and stomps her foot. "I'm not going anywhere."

Ignoring her for a moment and sighing, I look at Lumi. "Does she have a purse or a bag we need to track down?"

He shakes his head. "Nope. We don't have anything else. Just my car."

By the sound of his words, I can tell he's still heavily intoxicated from what he had to drink, so he's not getting behind the wheel and driving home.

"Are you cool with crashing at my place? We can get your car tomorrow," I ask.

Blair seems to drift into thought, her face blanking out.

Jesus . How much did she have to drink?

Lumi smiles. "Sleep in Hawthorne Manor? I thought you'd never ask."

Chuckling, I ask, "Hawthorne Manor?"

Lumi's eyes widen, and he glances at Blair. "It's what she calls it."

Why is it adorable that she has a nickname for my house?

"All right." I laugh. "We'll get your car tomorrow then. Let's get out of here. Are you ready?"

Lumi smiles. "Sure am."

Blair rushes a few feet over to me and plants her head on my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist. My hands fly out to her sides in shock, not touching her.

Slowly, she looks up at me and says, "Thank you."

"Please don't thank me for that," I respond immediately, meaning every single word.

"Griffin …" She trails off and rocks onto her tiptoes.

Her pupils dilate, and she licks her lips. I don't know if it's the alcohol or not, but I've never seen her so exposed, and I don't mean physically.

I mean the way she's looking at me. There are no barriers between us at this moment, and I never want to go back. I'm addicted. I'm hooked. She's never looked so vulnerable, and my heart constricts in my chest because I know she's only looking at me like that. I'm over the fucking moon that she feels safe enough to let her guard down with me.

She inches closer to my lips, and I stay still, gazing down at the only girl who can steal my breath away simply by existing.

She lifts her hand to my jaw and guides my head down, and for some insane reason, I let her. Her eyes drift closed as she wets her lips before they graze against mine.

Every nerve in my body jumps at the contact, and it takes everything in me not to lean into her kiss. I mean, everything I have.

Her eyes flutter open, and she looks up at me with parted lips and disappointment.

Whispering only loud enough for her to hear, I say, "I'm not going to kiss you, Blair."

"Why not?" She pouts, and I bite down on my lip, wanting nothing more than to bite down on hers .

"Because you're drunk. I'm not into taking advantage of you, and I don't want a room full of people to see how desperate I am when I finally claim those pretty lips with mine. And I sure as fuck am not risking you waking up tomorrow and regretting it."

Her lips part, and her cheeks burn, turning the same color as her lipstick.

"Come on." I slide my hand around hers and intertwine our fingers.

"W-where are we going?" Blair slurs.

"We're going home, baby," I murmur to her, pulling her tighter against me.

"Thank God. I hate parties," she admits, and I grin.

I have so many questions that I am dying to ask her, and part of me wants to use a bit of her drunkenness to my advantage. She might say things now that she wouldn't admit if she were sober. But I never want her to feel like I'm exploiting her for anything.

She passes out not a minute into the drive home, leaning across the middle console, her head lying on my shoulder. Lumi is quietly singing in the back seat to the radio with his head leaning against the window, drunkenly enjoying the ride as we pull into my driveway. When I shift into park, Lumi perks up, seemingly more sober, and hops out of my truck. Tucking my phone, keys, and wallet into my pockets, I quickly make my way around to the front passenger door and pull it open.

Rustling my keys back out of my pocket, I grab the house one, handing it to Lumi, and whisper, "Can you unlock the door? I'll carry her inside. "

Lumi's gaze softens, and he nods with a slight smile before turning away and starting up the stairs.

Looking back down at Blair, I study her for a moment longer. There is something so peaceful about watching her sleep, every worry about her dad and money gone, only a look of relaxation on her beautiful face.

Bending down, I reach over and undo the seat belt. Sliding an arm under her knees and around her back, I lift her out of the truck and cradle her against my chest. The second she lays her palm against my peck and nestles her head against me, my breath hitches.

I don't want to carry her up the steps. I don't want to put her to bed. I want to stay right here with her in my arms. Tilting my head down, I breathe her in as deeply as I can, filling my lungs to capacity.

As I take a step back, I place a gentle kiss on the top of her head and push the door shut with my foot.

The cool air swishes around us as I carry her up the steps toward my front door, which Lumi is now holding open. Stepping inside, I tighten my hold on Blair, not ready to let her go.

"I'll get her upstairs. Feel free to take one of the empty bedrooms on the first floor, unless you want to share with her in her room?" I ask, part of me hoping he chooses the first floor so that I can stay with her tonight and make sure she doesn't puke in her sleep.

He shrugs hesitantly. "I'll probably just stay with her to keep an eye on her."

"Y-yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Definitely. Someone should definitely keep an eye on her," I ramble, hating myself more and more with each dragging word .

He knowingly smiles as we start walking toward the stairs. "Unless you had other ideas?"

"Nope." The word flies out of my mouth before he can even finish his question. "Not at all. I mean, she would probably want you there anyway."

"Okay, then it's a plan," he states.

I hate this plan.

Silence stretches between us for the rest of the walk to her room, and Lumi gasps as we step inside.

"Holy crap. Can I move in too?"

I smile at his awe.

But as quickly as pride floods my veins, guilt replaces it.

This house is nothing more than pretty decor and elaborate architecture. For how many rooms it has, most are empty of happy memories.

Well, until Blair got here, that is.

"I'm kidding, Griffin. Don't look so scared." He laughs, and I chuckle along with him, allowing him to believe that my fear is of another person living in my house and not of the uncontrollable feelings I'm developing for the girl wrapped in my arms.

Walking over to the bed, I shift her in my grasp and cradle her with one arm as I pull her comforter back. Gently, I lay her down on the bed, and she instantly nuzzles into the pillows.

Memorizing the shape of her relaxed lips, the soft rise and fall of her chest, and the flutter behind her eyelids, I take a step away from her and turn on my heel.

"Good night, Griffin. Thanks for giving us a ride and letting me stay. And beating the shit out of Grant. Lord knows he's had that coming for a while," Lumi says, and the mention of that guy makes my blood pressure spike.

"Speaking of him"—I continue toward the door—"can you let me know if he messes with her anymore?"

He nods. "Yeah, of course. I'm honestly surprised you didn't know who he was or why she hasn't mentioned him. He never stops bugging her. I'm just glad you were there to step in tonight. Grant can be … unpredictable."

Clenching my jaw, I assure him, "Don't worry about him anymore. I'll handle it from now on."

"Thank God." He chuckles, the kind that holds no humor but rather laced with relief.

"Good night," I say before leaving the room and closing the door behind me.

As I walk into my room, I grab the handle and spin around to close it, but instead I leave it cracked a few inches. Just in case Blair needs me for anything tonight.