can bring.
Only there’s nothing simple about this kiss. It feels as if he’s making a promise and sealing it with that kiss.
“We need more condoms.” Griff breaks off our kiss, pulls out and disposes of what must be the tenth condom we’ve used.
“Do we?” It’s irrational. I know this, but I don’t want anything to be between us.
“What are you saying?”
“Only that I have an IUD and my tests were all clean. I haven’t been with a man since Manila, and I’m pretty sure work tests you as part of routine physical exams.”
“They do.”
“And?”
“I’m clean. I rarely go out, and I never date. When I… Well, I always use a condom.”
I wait, letting him make up his mind. It’s a big deal asking him to go without protection, but I’m not worried about pregnancy or STDs.
“That’s cool. I was just thinking…”
He grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “First chance I get, I’ll get retested, but until then, we’ll play things safe. Is that good enough?”
“It’s good, but if we’re going out to get condoms, do you think we could stop by a thrift store while we’re out?”
“A thrift store?”
“Yeah, I don’t have anything to wear, and unless you’re taking me back to the Facility, I need clothes.”
“I have zero plans to take you back to the Facility, although you should probably meet with the councilors to talk through what happened.”
“I don’t want to talk to them.”
“You sure about that?”
“I don’t want to talk to anyone.” That’s a chapter of my life I’d rather forget.
“What about me? Will you talk to me?”
“Griff…”
“It’s good, but you need to decide. Either you talk it out with me, or I take you to see the counselors to talk with them. You know how this works. Keeping that shit inside of you only makes it fester.”
“Can we just not talk about it?” That’s my vote, but I have a feeling Griff is going to overrule me.
“You know the answer to that, but for the rest of the weekend, we’ll take things day by day. Next week, you decide. It’s either me or them, but you will work through what happened.” He taps my forehead. “Get it out, little minx. Unpack your baggage. Trust me, it’s for the best.”
I can tell I won’t win this argument, so I deflect. “Looks like you ruined breakfast.”
He lifts me off the counter and settles me on my feet before turning to the stove. “Shame, I make a mean omelet. Let’s get dressed and I’ll take you out for breakfast. We’ll grab a couple packs of condoms on the way home.”
“A couple of packs?”
He grins. “Definitely. Might have to make a second run later on. I plan to spend my weekend buried balls deep inside of you.”
“Sign me up.”
We clean up the mess together, take a shower, fuck one more time, then get ready to leave. I can get away with wearing Griff’s shirt, but we can’t find anything to cover my lower half, which leaves me with having to wear my shorts. Unlike me, they’re still stained by Bossman’s blood.
I intend to burn them later tonight.
Twenty
Moira
We spend most of the day checking out boutique stores, which frustrates me. I want to hit up a thrift store and make sensible purchases I can afford. Not one time in my life have I shopped anywhere else.
Instead, Griff argues with me, saying I deserve nice things. He refuses to take me to any of the places I want to go and forces me to visit nearly a dozen boutique shops before I broker a compromise.
He grudgingly agrees and we head to the closest superstore. It’s not a thrift shop, nor is it a pricey boutique. I’m still uncomfortable when I see the price tags, but I’m able to get most of the things I need.
We fight over who will pay. Griff nearly wins, but I pay in the end, using a debit card with barely enough cash to cover the charges.
He shakes his head, muttering about stubborn women, while I walk out with a smile on my face.
I have a feeling there will be precious few opportunities for me to win an argument with him, so I lord this one over his head.
“You didn’t need to pay for all of that.” He packs the trunk of his car with my modest purchases.
“Well, you most certainly don’t need to pay for my things.” I don’t know why this is a sticking point for me, but the idea of him paying for