experiencing that level of honesty with themselves. Where do you think addictions stem from? Why do so many relationships fail? Where does all the anger and violence in the world originate? People desperately trying to avoid experiencing exactly what you are facing head-on. They search for quick fixes, substitutions, temporary releases—but there is no easy route through hell. You’ve been dealt one of the shittiest hands imaginable; most will never be challenged with a fraction of what you have. You are one of the few with the bravery to walk through the fire, let it burn you to ash, and rise again, changed but all the more beautiful for it.”
He kissed my lips tenderly, exploring their texture and contours with his own and causing my eyes to drift closed at the pleasure and intimacy. His lips left mine as he placed a kiss on the tip of my nose, followed by both of my eyelids, and finally my forehead. It was both comforting and tantalizing. I wanted more…needed more, which led me to entwine my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck and pull his lips back to mine. I didn’t allow a gentle caress or tease, I demanded heat and power. I wanted to explore and be explored by this man. I traced the outline of his lips with the tip of my tongue before licking the seam. His ensuing groan provided the opportunity for me to slip my tongue into his mouth and begin my expedition—I was Columbus and, holy shit, I had found the New World. He was delicious, minty and warm with a hint of something dark and rich…he reminded me of an Andes crème de menthe chocolate. I loved those freaking things. I couldn’t get enough of him, discovering every nook and cranny of his mouth as if it was my life’s purpose. I nearly stamped my foot and pouted like a two-year-old when someone cleared their throat behind us.
“I hate to interrupt, but that is not a pay-by-the-hour couch, so knock it off. You are making my customers either jealous or uncomfortable, neither of which is encouraging sales,” Ev said sternly, but I saw the twinkle of pleasure in her eyes. She was getting what she had hoped for, even if she wasn’t pleased with where .
Griffin blushed—actually blushed—which was positively adorable, and caused me to laugh.
“Love that sound,” he said under his breath.
I made a move to rise but Griffin held me firmly in place.
“Uh, Griff, I’m going to need you to release me before Ev puts us in time-out.”
“She’s right. I will revoke your coffee privileges if you don’t keep it PG.”
I attempted to stand, but again Griffin prevented me from doing so. I turned my body slightly to make eye contact and discovered the problem. Griffin was excited, as in really, really excited—nice to know I still had it. I was thrilled. Not only did a man—one who knew what had happened to me—find me sexually appealing, but I had been so engrossed in our make-out session I didn’t even notice the shockingly large effect I was having on him. Furthermore, now that I was conscious of the effect, I realized I was not freaked out by the contact.
Hallelujah! I clapped my hands and did a little happy dance.
“Not helping,” he warned.
“Oops! Sorry, I’m just really excited.”
“No, I’m pretty sure that’s me,” he groaned.
“But I’m excited that you’re excited and your excitement is doing nothing but good things to me. You get me?”
“Despite my limited mental functions at the moment, I actually understood that,” Griff said with humor.
Ev cleared her throat again, not hearing our whispered conversation about Griffin’s predicament.
“Ev, geeze! Griff needs a moment to…um…coax the bear back into hibernation.”
“Aww, hell,” Griffin grumbled as Ev replied, “Overshare.”
“What? I censored.”
“You need to talk to Thia about this animal fixation. It’s really starting to concern me,” Griff said while shaking his
He kissed my lips tenderly, exploring their texture and contours with his own and causing my eyes to drift closed at the pleasure and intimacy. His lips left mine as he placed a kiss on the tip of my nose, followed by both of my eyelids, and finally my forehead. It was both comforting and tantalizing. I wanted more…needed more, which led me to entwine my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck and pull his lips back to mine. I didn’t allow a gentle caress or tease, I demanded heat and power. I wanted to explore and be explored by this man. I traced the outline of his lips with the tip of my tongue before licking the seam. His ensuing groan provided the opportunity for me to slip my tongue into his mouth and begin my expedition—I was Columbus and, holy shit, I had found the New World. He was delicious, minty and warm with a hint of something dark and rich…he reminded me of an Andes crème de menthe chocolate. I loved those freaking things. I couldn’t get enough of him, discovering every nook and cranny of his mouth as if it was my life’s purpose. I nearly stamped my foot and pouted like a two-year-old when someone cleared their throat behind us.
“I hate to interrupt, but that is not a pay-by-the-hour couch, so knock it off. You are making my customers either jealous or uncomfortable, neither of which is encouraging sales,” Ev said sternly, but I saw the twinkle of pleasure in her eyes. She was getting what she had hoped for, even if she wasn’t pleased with where .
Griffin blushed—actually blushed—which was positively adorable, and caused me to laugh.
“Love that sound,” he said under his breath.
I made a move to rise but Griffin held me firmly in place.
“Uh, Griff, I’m going to need you to release me before Ev puts us in time-out.”
“She’s right. I will revoke your coffee privileges if you don’t keep it PG.”
I attempted to stand, but again Griffin prevented me from doing so. I turned my body slightly to make eye contact and discovered the problem. Griffin was excited, as in really, really excited—nice to know I still had it. I was thrilled. Not only did a man—one who knew what had happened to me—find me sexually appealing, but I had been so engrossed in our make-out session I didn’t even notice the shockingly large effect I was having on him. Furthermore, now that I was conscious of the effect, I realized I was not freaked out by the contact.
Hallelujah! I clapped my hands and did a little happy dance.
“Not helping,” he warned.
“Oops! Sorry, I’m just really excited.”
“No, I’m pretty sure that’s me,” he groaned.
“But I’m excited that you’re excited and your excitement is doing nothing but good things to me. You get me?”
“Despite my limited mental functions at the moment, I actually understood that,” Griff said with humor.
Ev cleared her throat again, not hearing our whispered conversation about Griffin’s predicament.
“Ev, geeze! Griff needs a moment to…um…coax the bear back into hibernation.”
“Aww, hell,” Griffin grumbled as Ev replied, “Overshare.”
“What? I censored.”
“You need to talk to Thia about this animal fixation. It’s really starting to concern me,” Griff said while shaking his
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