Hyacinth - By Abigail Owen Page 0,27

just for him. The more she moved, the hotter Griffin’s gaze became, until only the two of them were there, together in their own little world. Like when she visited him in his dreams. The people around them seemed to just fade away. As though he were unable to resist, Griffin stepped up to her and placed a hand at her hip. At the contact she stilled, and they stood for a moment, just looking at each other. Then they started moving. Together.

Their bodies pumped in a sensuous rhythm, not quite touching except where his hand remained on her hip. One of his knees slipped between her legs. The thump of the beat resonated in Selene’s blood. She closed her eyes, letting the sensations take over. Her arms slipped up through her hair, lifting the heavy mass off her sweating neck and then let it fall back down as her hands twisted in the air above her head.

Desire pulsed through her in time to the music. With a little shimmy, she gave him her back, undulating her spine enticingly. His hand returned to her hip, drawing her body into his. She felt surrounded by Griffin… his heat, his seductive scent. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, setting her already hot skin on fire.

Despite her earlier anger at him, she felt a secret thrill at being so close to him here in the dark, their bodies sweating as they gyrated to the thumping beats. She tossed him a look over her shoulder that was all woman. Leaning back, she lifted her hands over her head to catch him by the scruff of neck and gently pulled him closer.

“I assumed you weren’t going to come!” she shouted.

“I decided to join you!” he yelled back.

“Oh… why?”

When Griffin didn’t respond, she thought maybe he hadn’t heard her over the noise. But then he put his lips up to her ear. “I don’t want to fight with you tonight.”

Selene turned in his arms, still grinding to the music as her body responded to his. She stared at him, his face only a few inches away from hers, and gave him a small smile. Griffin pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. The fingers at her back started to slowly caress her skin, and Selene was immensely grateful she’d worn the backless top.

She closed her eyes, savoring his closeness. She thought she felt Griffin dip his head and lightly brush his lips across her bared shoulder. But when she opened her eyes and glanced at him, he just looked steadily back at her. She must’ve imagined it. Despite that, shivers of wanting shimmied up and down her back, making it impossible for her to ignore the desires and dreams centered on this man that she’d held in check for so long.

The music changed, and Griffin stepped back. He offered her his hand and led her back to their table like a gentleman. No one in their group commented on his return or their provocative dancing, although she noticed Ellie raising her eyebrows at him. To Selene this was fascinating. She’d never had a family that cared enough to banter with her or tease her or one she’d felt safe enough with to do the same.

Griffin didn’t ask her to dance again, but she had several more rounds with the girls and felt him watching her the whole time. Excitement fizzed inside her like effervescent bubbles. Selene was grateful for her blocking ability; otherwise, Lila and Ellie would be having a field day with her right now. Selene was having so much fun, she was surprised when it was time for last call. How the heck was it already so late? Or rather, so early in the morning?

Sad that her wonderful time had come to an end, Selene gathered her things and they all headed home.

*****

“Who’s on first shift?” Selene asked, yawning.

“I am,” Griffin answered. He leaned casually in the doorway to the family room and gave her a small shrug. “It’s only fair,” he added. “I haven’t done it yet.”

“I’ll watch, too,” Ramsey volunteered. Lila gave a small frown.

Griffin furrowed his brow. “Thanks, but I don’t need any help.”

“We always stay with Selene in pairs,” Alex explained as he entered the room. He held two water bottles and gave one to Ellie.

“Her idea,” Adelaide added. Griffin raised a curious eyebrow at Selene, and she shrugged.

“It’s for your own safety,” she muttered.

Griffin cocked his head to the side and gave her a scrutinizing