Free aisling grimlock 03 - grim discovery by Amanda M. Lee

fact, we’re calling it a night.”
    “We haven’t ordered yet,” Adam pointed out.
    “We’ll pick up dinner on the way home,” Griffin said. “I just think it would be better for everyone if we left now.”
    “I can force Meredith to apologize,” Adam offered. “If that will make Aisling feel better … she won’t like it, but she’ll do it.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Griffin replied. “We’re going home. Aisling wants to get out of her outfit. She was just describing the one she’s going to climb into for me … and, well, I’m dying to see it.”
    “I’m going to live to regret that,” I muttered under my breath so only Griffin could hear.
    “Well, if you’re sure,” Adam said. “We look forward to seeing you next Saturday.”
    I stilled, surprised, because there was no way this man could want a repeat of this day.
    “We’ll talk about it and get back to you,” Griffin said. “For now, we just want to get home and relax.”
    “Okay. Have a nice night.”
    And just like that Adam dismissed us. Once it was just Griffin and me in the parking lot I turned toward him and pasted my best “you have to forgive me” smile on my face. “How much begging am I going to have to do to get out of trouble?”
    The sensuous curve of Griffin’s lips was enough to make my stomach flip. “You’re going to be begging all night, baby.”
    Strangely enough, that didn’t sound so bad. “Can we stop and get Chinese on the way home?”
    “Absolutely,” Griffin said, tugging my hand and leading me toward his Explorer. “You’re going to need a full stomach for what I have planned.”
    “And what do you have planned?”
    “You’re going to need to do a lot of work to get out of your ticket, young lady. I think you should start stripping now.”
    That sounded a heck of a lot better than the rest of my options for the night.
     

Seven
    “Are you ready for this?” Griffin asked, pulling into the driveway in front of Grimlock Manor on Sunday afternoon and fixing me with a curious look.
    “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
    “Why would I be nervous?”
    “You’re always nervous when we have dinner with my family,” I replied, attempting to unbuckle my seatbelt, but struggling because I was so tense.
    “I’m not nervous when we have dinner with your family,” Griffin corrected, reaching over and hitting the seatbelt button to release me. “I just don’t like how your father looks at me.”
    “How does he look at you?”
    “Like I’m doing filthy things to his daughter.”
    I snorted. “That stuff you did last night was pretty filthy,” I said. “We had to take a bath after … and that led to more filthy stuff.”
    “You laughed all through every filthy thing we did,” Griffin pointed out. “It was the first time I’ve heard you laugh – I mean really laugh – in a week and a half.”
    I pressed my lips together and met his gaze. “I … .”
    “Don’t apologize for feeling what you’re feeling,” Griffin chided, wagging a finger in my face for emphasis. “I don’t know how you’re on two feet right now with all you’re dealing with. I didn’t say that to upset you … or make you worry that I’m going to walk away because you’re not chipper enough.
    “I said it because I love to watch you laugh,” he continued. “You’ve had to pretend to be upbeat around your family and Jerry. You don’t have to do that with me. I don’t expect you to fake it when we’re together. Wait … that came out wrong.”
    I burst out laughing, the simple act relieving some of the tension building in my chest. “Thank you for that.”
    “Funnily enough, I didn’t mean that to be a joke,” Griffin said, grabbing my hand. “I really didn’t mean for that to be a joke.”
    “Don’t worry. Your manhood is safe with me,” I teased. “I know what you meant. I’m … thankful that I can tell you everything. I would be lost without you right now.”
    “Wow! That could be the