The touch was almost her undoing. She wore only a tank top and cotton shorts. The shirt had risen up so that his warm hand landed on her skin. There was a chill in the air, but she wasn’t sure she could blame the sudden goose bumps on the temperature.
For a moment, she froze, unwilling or unable to continue forward. It felt so damn good to be touched like that, his huge hand splaying across her lower back as though she was the most important person in his world. Cherished. Loved.
A deep need curled up in the pit of her stomach, a need she’d ignored for years.
As she unzipped the tent and finally made her way out on her knees, she wondered why on earth she had ignored her carnal needs for so long.
She’d had boyfriends—plenty of them—in high school and college. Some had been long term, others not so much. She’d been intimate with some of them. But in the last two years since she’d graduated and started working, she hadn’t had a serious relationship. She’d been busy building her career and training.
In fact, she didn’t usually let anyone get as close to her as Griffen had on several occasions today. And the weirdest part was her strong reaction.
That hadn’t happened in two years, either.
Huh.
Griffen’s hand remained on her back as she exited the tent and stood.
“You didn’t have to get up,” she whispered, trying not to disturb or alert the others. “I would have been fine.”
He leaned into her until his lips touched her ear. “Not letting you wander around out here alone. It’s not safe, baby.”
Her eyebrows shot up. Baby? Holy shit.
Something deep inside her clenched. Her entire body came to life. Was it from his hand on her back, his lips on her ear, or the way he assigned the endearment to her?
A shiver went down her entire body as she fought the emotional overload. Her mouth was dry. Her pussy was not.
A slight pressure on her back made Rebecca slip on her flip-flops and move forward. It was almost too dark. She should have brought a flashlight, but the building that housed the restrooms and showers was well lit. All she had to do was aim in that direction and hope she didn’t trip over anything.
Now that they were outside the tent, she was cold. She should have grabbed her jacket but decided to keep going instead of turning back.
They said nothing as they made their way toward the lights. Rebecca’s tongue was stuck in her throat. The only thing she was aware of was the hand that had made its way up to the center of her back. It was still splayed, covering nearly all of her, but at least it was no longer on her bare skin. If it had been, her knees would have buckled and caused her to collapse.
“I’ll be right back,” she muttered as they reached the restroom.
Griffen grabbed her shirt and kept her from entering. “Hang on.”
She felt the tug of her tight tank top as it stretched over her bare breasts. Her nipples jumped to attention, as if they needed a reminder the man at her side was fucking sexy as hell and touching her.
Rebecca stopped moving forward, letting Griffen step past her and open the door to the ladies room. “Anyone in here?”
There was no response.
How unbelievably chivalrous.
And that wasn’t enough for Griffen. He went inside when there was no response, leaning into the room and dipping his head to ensure there were no feet under the doors. “Okay,” he said as he backed out.
Rebecca was past words. Holy fuck. Overprotective much?
She stepped inside, almost reluctant to break contact with his touch.
If she wasn’t mistaken, he was in agreement. He let out a long exhale as the door shut behind her.
Jesus.
She peed, her body shaking the entire time, washed her hands, and reemerged to find Griffen leaning against the wall.
The man smiled, that coy half smile she’d seen several times—in between his brooding glares of disapproval.
“Thanks,” she murmured, slightly embarrassed. “You didn’t have to come with me. I would have been fine.”
“I know.” He didn’t move from the wall. Instead he reached for her hand and pulled her into him, nestling her body between his legs so her chest landed against his. One arm went around her waist and the other burrowed into her hair under her braids, pulling her close.
If she was uncertain about his intentions earlier, there was little doubt now. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled slowly. His body warmed her against the cold air.
Rebecca thought her heart might stop from the sharp spike of arousal taking over her body. Her knees felt weak. She didn’t need them anyway. Griffen held her tight enough to keep her from falling.
Her nipples rubbed against the front of her shirt, or perhaps his. In either case, they felt swollen and tight.