It didn’t come out angry or cold, just flat. That hurt more than if she screamed at him. “You’re right. But I never thought I’d have met you.”
“Single-minded focus?”
“It works, most of the time,” he agreed. “Just not when pixies fly in your way.”
She giggled.
His heart soared.
For the rest of the journey they were quiet, but the tension had eased. For that he was grateful.
Less than twenty minutes later, he walked her to her loft apartment. “Can I come in?”
She shook her head.
“I need to say something.” He looked around the small hallway. “But not here.”
Relenting, she unlocked the door and pushed it open. She reached over and flicked on the light. Griff walked in behind her and closed the door. He blinked. The half-painted wall in front of him made his middle sink. “Gray?”
“It’s a reflection of my heart, remember?”
He felt sick; he’d done this to her. She’d brought him light and love. He’d brought her sadness and heartache. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For deceiving you. Revenge was more important than the people involved.”
“I know, Griff.”
“I never wanted to hurt you.”
She stood facing him with her arms crossed over her chest. God, she looked adorable nearly swallowed up in his jacket. “When did you think about me?”
“Always.”
“Ha! Before or after we were married?”
“From the first night we met. I was always trying to protect you.”
That must have sunk in; she frowned.
“I wanted you then. Do you have any idea what you look like when the firelight plays in your hair and over your skin? I sat at my desk half the night because I didn’t trust myself.” He smiled. “You begged me to sleep with you.”
She swatted him. “I did not.”
“Then when we’re in bed, you roll over and press yourself against my back.”
“Griffin James, or whoever you are, you are so in trouble.”
“You put your arm around me and held my hand all night long. That was the night I fell in love with a pixie.”
Her wide, green questioning eyes gazed up at him. “Is that the truth? I don’t know what is anymore.”
“From me?” Pain slashed through him. “I know. I did that to you. To us.”
“I don’t know if I can forgive you for what you did.”
Griffin cupped her face in his palms and tenderly kissed her soft, sweet lips. “I don’t think I could if I were you either.” Reluctantly, he pulled away, easing his jacket off of her shoulders. Deep inside, he knew there was more to come. Much more. “I’m sorry, Pixie.”
His heart ached so much he thought it was breaking all over again.
Chapter 22
Griffin avoided the bed. He couldn’t lie down there, couldn’t torture himself with thoughts of making love to Priscilla there. Instead, he showered, shaved, and changed only to find himself back in his study and sitting in her pink chair with his feet resting on the matching ottoman.
He sighed, letting the tension siphon out of him like a deflating balloon. Closing his eyes, he welcomed the rest that came. But his dreams plagued him: red-headed pixies and monsters with fangs chased him.
A bell jolted him awake. It rang again. Griff got up, wiping the sleep from his eyes as he headed to the front door. He opened it to a delivery driver.
“You Griffin James?”
“That’s me.”
He handed him the clipboard and pen. “Sign here for your delivery.”
“I didn’t order anything.”
The guy checked the paperwork. “Priscilla King James did. You related, right?”
“My wife,” he said, liking the sound of it.
The middle-aged guy chuckled. “Well, you know the missus probably wanted to surprise you.” He shrugged. “Paying us time and a half, too. The instructions are for us to unload, bring them in, and open the crates. Um…let’s see, in the study.”
Griffin frowned, figuring it was a late delivery for the house. Why else would she have sent him a present?
The heavy wooden crates, one tall and bulky, the other short and squat, proved more work than any of them imagined. Getting them off the truck and on the cart was the easy part. Wheeling them over the threshold and down the long hall slowed their progress so they could avoid marring the freshly painted rooms.
“Where do you want it?” the younger, dark-haired guy asked.
Griff nodded to the blank wall. “Over there.” He had no idea what could be so big.
The two men eased it down, and then took out their crowbars, yanking nails half-way out and with each board exposing a little bit more of the mystery. When they were done, Griffin stood in awe.