––––––––

Griffin

––––––––

I eye Piper up trying to telepathically ask her where the hell those compliments are that she promised me on Friday night. Class is almost over and I haven’t even received a smile from her.

That’s not exactly true. She did offer me a half-grin when I first walked in. I was late, as usual. Today it was almost eight before I slid onto the stool behind my easel. By the time I flipped open my sketchbook and looked to Brenda for advice on our nightly assignment, class was in full swing.

I put the charcoal pencil to paper and managed a few lines around his ankles. I didn’t glance in the direction of the front of the class where Rufus is because an ankle’s an ankle.

After spending an evening with Piper, I can’t stand the sight of the man who will likely go home with her tonight.

“You missed out on a good time on Saturday.” Brenda doesn’t say my name, but it’s obvious she’s talking to me. The woman sitting to her left pretended not to speak English mid-way through our first class. I know it’s a ruse meant to deter Brenda from talking to her. I just wish I had thought of it first. It’s fucking brilliant.

“I had a great time on Friday night,” I counter with a killer smile.

Brenda scratches her head. “Blonde or brunette?”

Not that it’s any of her business, but I’ve got nothing to hide. I glance at Piper. I offered to take her home on Friday, but she insisted on grabbing an Uber after we exchanged numbers. I didn’t push even though all I wanted was to crawl into her bed. “Brunette. A very beautiful brunette.”

“Lucky girl.” She tosses me a half-hearted wink. “I had a blast with Rufus on Saturday. Thanks for asking.”

I don’t give a fuck if she had the time of her life tagging along on Rufus and Piper’s date. “Good for you.”

“Piper was there too.” She motions with her pencil to the center of the room where our teacher is standing dressed in a dark green skirt and white blouse. “She knew a hell of a lot about every sketch. Don’t get me wrong. It was interesting and all, but the beers back at my place weren’t drinking themselves if you know what I mean.”

I take a moment to sketch out a foot complete with five toes. It’s not bad. “I take it the three of you took the party to your place?”

“They bailed on me.” She sighs heavily as the tip of her pencil glides along the paper before she reaches forward to smudge it with the side of her thumb. “Rufus said he had a friend in town and he wanted to take Piper to meet him. I wasn’t invited to that.”

I doubt the friend could measure up to Sem Jansen. I’ve got Rufus beat on that.

“The exhibit goes all week.” Brenda rubs her thumb on her jeans transferring the dark charcoal dust. “We can check it out together tomorrow night. I still have a half a case of beer back at my place.”

I commend her for her commitment to try and ride my cock, but it’s never happening.

“I’m interested in someone else.” It’s the truth. I haven’t been able to look at another woman since I first saw Piper in my office weeks ago. The idea of fucking anyone else isn’t on my radar at this point. There’s only one woman I want.

“The brunette?” She questions. “I can be a brunette within the hour if that’s what you’re looking for.”

She’s a mousy blonde with too much determination. I can’t help but laugh at the offer. “As tempting as you are, Brenda, nothing is ever going to happen between us. As I said, I’m interested in just one woman.”

“Whoever it is she’s lucky.” Piper’s voice catches both Brenda and me off guard. Brenda turns to face her. I take a beat to erase the goofy grin off my face.

Damn right she’s lucky. She’ll see it for herself once she realizes Rufus is not the right guy for her. I am.

“I was just about to say the same thing.” Brenda whips that pencil in her hand along the arm of my jacket. Again.

“Griffin introduced me to Sem Jansen on Friday night.” Piper steps closer. “It was incredible.”

“You did that for her?” Brenda catches my eye when she glances at my profile.

I nod as I look over my shoulder at Piper. Her hair is down tonight; loose curls are framing her face. She seems content and at ease. “I called in a favor. I’m hoping my final grade will reflect the extra effort.”

Piper’s green eyes light up. “Your work is improving, Griffin. I don’t think you have to worry about your final grade.”

I don’t give a fuck about my final grade. All I care about is the fact that she’s finally looking at me like I’m more than just her student.

***

“Griffin?” Piper calls to me from where she’s standing near the front of the studio.

Class ended five minutes ago. I took my time hauling my ass off the stool because I was hoping she’d remember that she has something to give me. I want time together, her body, and whatever else she’s willing to share with me, but that’s not why I’m hanging around.

“I have a copy of that sketch we talked about.” She turns to where she placed her sketchpad. She drops it and her purse on a small table by the stage before every class. I’m assuming that’s her routine since I’ve only witnessed it once.

Class is usually in progress by the time I arrive.

I walk over to her. I was going to mention the sketch as a way to grab a few minutes alone with her. I know she always leaves with Rufus in tow. I want tonight to be different, but if all I get is a few seconds of her time, I’ll take it.

Jesus. I’m losing my grip on reality. Since when do I crave a woman’s attention?

“I feel funny about you taking this to your friend.” She holds the sketch in her hands so all I can see is the back. “You said he works homicide. I don’t think the guy who robbed me is the murdering type.”

I don’t think he is either and I doubt that Sebastian will be any help, but I want to do whatever I can to catch the son of a bitch that fucked her over. She didn’t deserve that treatment. Hell, no one does, but the fact that he conned a woman like Piper makes my blood boil.

“Give me the sketch and I’ll take it to Sebastian. If he gets a lead, I’ll let you know.”

“I have a photographic memory when it comes to faces.” The paper moves a little in her hands as she tightens her grip on the edges. “This is exactly what he looks like.”

I look down when she flips the paper over to show me the sketch.

“I know that asshole.” Rage surges through me at the sight of the man’s face. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”