Chapter 25

ZAINAB

Griff fucks me like he can’t go without me for a moment, but also like he wants to take his time. He doesn’t fuck me like an overly excited adolescent. He rolls his hips, fucking me in long strokes that draw out the pleasure for both of us.

“Not begging anymore, are you?” he teases, his voice gruff and husky with desire.

He pulls back and thrusts into me again. I lift my hips to meet his.

“I got what I wanted.”

He grunts in agreement. I hold onto his shoulders as he begins to move faster. His pace increases steadily.

Griff’s huge hand cups one of my buttocks and holds me in the right place for him to hit the deepest spot inside me.

“That feel good?” he grunts in response to my moan.

“Yes!” I gasp.

He does it over and over, slamming into me to reach that spot that makes me moan and whimper. He keeps going and going and going, holding off his own pleasure in search of mine.

“Griff,” I groan. “Please tell me you’re going to let me come this time.”

His lips brush over mine in a teasing kiss. I lean up off the pillow to kiss him properly.

His lips devour mine. His tongue dips into my mouth and caresses my own.

I’m a slave to his touch, craving every second.

“Let’s find out,” he mumbles against my lips.

Somehow, he increases the pace. He thrusts into me hard and fast, making my bed frame shake.

We climax together, almost completely in sync. He holds me through the entirety of my orgasm, thrusting until I’m spent.

We lay next to each other for a moment, catching our breath. My chest warms as he pulls me into his arms and rests his chin on top of my head.

“This feels like home,” he whispers. “Thank you.”

***

Since we were teenagers, Faisal and I have celebrated our birthdays on different days.

Our parents got sick of us fighting over who got the bigger cake, or more presents, or people invited to their party. They decided we couldn’t share a birthday anymore.

For the last eleven birthdays, Faisal has celebrated his birthday on the fourth, and I’ve celebrated mine on the eighteenth.

Our actual birthday is the eleventh; it’s exactly a week between our celebrated days.

Only my famous rapper brother would want to spend his birthday in the middle of a fancy nightclub when he doesn’t drink.

“Nab!” he shouts when he sees me arrive. He hugs me tightly. “Thanks for coming.”

“Of course. I didn’t bring your present though. I thought tomorrow would be better since we’ll be together for lunch at Dad’s house.”

“Ugh, right, before the theater.”

“You could sound more enthusiastic.”

Faisal pulls a face. “You know the theater is Dad’s thing, not mine.”

“I know.”

He looks around and spots Ben, the bodyguard assigned to me tonight. He frowns and turns back to me.

“No Jake tonight? I thought you two were joined at the hip.”

It’s strange for me to hear the first name that Griff goes by with other people.

I force a smile on my face. “No, he’s got the night off. Ben is my bodyguard tonight.”

“Oh, right, cool.”

My brother takes most things at face value.

I wish Griff could be here though. I asked if he wanted to come, but he said it would only spark questions.

He’s right. If he were here with Ben too, my brother would wonder what was up. I don’t need two bodyguards for a nightclub.

My hand twitches with the need to text him, but I tell myself not to be clingy.

I spot the bar across the club. Even though it’s probably not the best idea, I head over to get myself a drink.

HUXLEY

Ben is a good guy. I chose him myself, so I know that he can do his job, but that doesn’t stop me from tailing their SUV to the club.

I tell myself that I’m only here to evaluate Ben. If I watch him work, I can write him a strong recommendation for his next role.

It’s nothing to do with the fact that I can’t stop thinking about Zainab. And it’s nothing to do with the fact that I’m obsessed with her safety.

I keep to the shadows, using the crowd as cover. She doesn’t need to know I’m here tonight. I don’t want her to feel like I’m stalking her.

~Which I totally am.~

I spot Ben and watch him for a few minutes. He’s alert, checking the room every few minutes and consistently keeping his eyes on Zainab. I don’t like that someone else is looking at her so closely, but I’m reassured by his attentiveness.

“Shots, shots, shots!”

I can hear the chant from Mohammad across the club.

Shots are really not what this group needs. The birthday boy himself is sitting at the back of the booth. His arms are spread out on either side, his head back, and his eyes closed.

He’s higher than God, soaring somewhere with no sign of coming down soon. The rest of his friends are either wasted or as high as he is.

It’s a mess. I’m surprised they haven’t been kicked out of the VIP section, but I guess that’s what money can buy you.

Zainab is surprisingly sober compared to the rest of the group. She stopped drinking a while ago when everyone else became too intoxicated to notice.

I watch her carefully, a smile spreading over my face when she pretends to do the shot and subtly pours the liquid into a nearby empty glass.

The club is packed tonight. I’m glad Faisal booked the VIP space because it makes it easier to have a clear view of his group, including Zainab. I get myself a glass of water, just for something to hold, and then blend into the crowd once more.

The group gets up, and I put down my drink. I watch them make their way into the crowd to dance.

This makes me uncomfortable. It’s hard to see her with all the writhing bodies moving around.

A guy in with his hood up catches my eye.

~Who has their hood up in a nightclub?~

He has sketchy written all over him. I follow his movements as he works his way through the crowd.

A larger guy steps in front of me, blocking my view. I curse under my breath and move around him, cursing louder when I realize I’ve lost sight of the hoodie guy.

Suddenly, there’s a shout, followed by a scream. I push my way through the crowd, shoving people carelessly with only Zainab on my mind. Someone treads on my foot, and I barely register it as my eyes land on her.

She’s been split off from her friends. Her arms are up in a defensive stance, and a man has both of his hands wrapped around her wrists.

I see red.

I grab him by the back of the neck and throw him to the ground. Ben appears by my side and kneels on the man’s back, pinning him down.

“You got him?” I bark, and Ben nods.

I’ll interrogate him on where the fuck he was later. Right now, I need to check on Zainab.

She throws herself into my arms, and I wrap them around her, keeping her close.

“Come on, follow me,” I bring my mouth close to her ear so that she can hear me over the music.

I lead her through the throng of people toward the exit. My grip on her hand doesn’t let up until we’re out on the street. One glance around tells me that we’re alone.

I turn back to her. Her eyes are wide, her face paler than usual. I notice how fast her breathing is. I place my hands on her shoulders.

“Deep breaths, Zee.”

She does as I instruct, and her breathing slowly evens out. My phone is buzzing in my pocket. Most likely Ben.

“Are you okay?”

“I am now,” she replies weakly. “He was trying to get to Faisal. He was threatening me.”

My heartbeat roars in my ears as anger pulses through me.

“What did he say?”

“He said that he’s sent messages, and Faisal hasn’t replied.”

~The stalker.~

Zee frowns at me. “What are you doing here?”

I hesitate for a moment before telling her the truth. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. I wanted to see you.”

Her eyes soften, and she places her hands on my chest.

“That’s sweet, Griff.”

My phone starts ringing again.

“Excuse me, sorry.” I pick up the phone; it’s Ben. “Fill me in.”

After a minute, I hang up and turn back to Zee.

“Ben is going to stay with the man until the police come to arrest him. You’ll probably have to give a statement tomorrow, but for now, I’m taking you home.”

“What about my brother?”

“Faisal and his friends have already been taken out by security.”

She pulls out her phone and curses at the sight of all the missed calls from her brother.