“You’re very good with your hands.”
“I’m very good with a lot of things, and I’m at your command.”
Griffin sat staring at her for a moment before Helen realized he wasn’t going to do anything else until she told him it was okay. This certainly was a novel experience, especially since she had no idea what instructions to give.
“I don’t know what to do here, Griffin.” Helen held her hands up helplessly. God, she hated what she had become, but was clueless about how to stop it.
“Just do what feels right, the things that make you feel good.” Softly rubbing her calves to accentuate his words, Griffin gently parted her thighs and moved his large body between her legs. The sensation of his cotton shirt rubbing against her bare legs felt utterly decadent. So this must be what foreplay was.
Helen chuckled to herself, but her emotions must have been reflected in her face.
“What’s so funny?” Griffin’s touches had never stopped. His fingers lightly danced over her skin, making heat pool low in her belly. It had been a long time since she had felt this alive or this aroused.
“If I knew what I found pleasurable, I could ask for it, but … this probably wasn’t such a good idea.” Helen tried to scoot back from Griffin and his amazing fingers, but he wasn’t having any of it.
“Nope, you’re committed now. It’s okay if you don’t know what you want. We’ll just experiment and figure it out. Anything you like, we’ll keep doing, and if there’s anything you don’t like, we’ll stop.” Grabbing her ankles, Griffin pulled her back toward him. “If you don’t know what you want, I just might make a few suggestions.”
Helen licked her lips nervously. She could bail out right now and become the old, sedate, grandmotherly type she feared, or she could grab the brass ring, hold on tight, and go for the ride of her life. “Brass ring it is.”
Griffin didn’t even ask her what the hell she was talking about; he just smiled wickedly and ran his hands right up under her skirt to stroke at her bare thighs.
“Do you like this?”
“Yes, very much.” Helen could hear the catch in her throat, but she wasn’t going to let her fear stop her from feeling.
“Do you like it when a man goes down on you?”
Helen’s mouth dropped open as she stared speechlessly at him.
He didn’t just ask that, did he?
“That’s not an answer.” Griffin’s hands were completely under her skirt now, resting at the elastic band of her very unattractive panties. The reminder of how she was so unprepared to be seduced was like a splash of cold water onto her overheating body.
Acting quickly, Helen brought her hands down on the top of her skirt, stilling Griffin’s wandering fingers. “It’s fine.”
“Just fine?”
Was there another word he was looking for? Helen pushed at his hands, but to her surprise, Griffin didn’t budge. He merely raised a brow as he tightened his grip. Flushing, Helen dug her fingers into his. “This is not a good time for this.”
“The wrong time of the month?”
Helen gasped. “No!”
“Are you worried about birth control?”
“Birth control, uh, no, I’m not worried about that.” What a laugh. A soon-to-be grandmother having a conversation about birth control with her younger lover.
Top that, Oprah.
“Then it’s the perfect time. I want to taste you. I want to delve my tongue between your folds and binge on your flavor.”
Taste…he was going to be the death of her.
Helen didn’t know how to reply. Just the thought of Griffin burying his head between her legs made her stomach tense with need. The things he said, the way he was so comfortable with his desires, aroused her.
“I’m…” Closing her eyes, Helen blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “I’m not wearing pretty lingerie…”
A quick smile parted his lips. “Trust me, whatever you’re wearing now won’t be on you long enough for it to matter.”
Helen knew the lingerie wasn’t the only problem. Not only had she not been intimate in a really long time, she wasn’t too happy with the look of the extra weight she was carrying around. On the other hand, she wasn’t willing to give up this opportunity just because he might see her chunky thighs. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I want you to taste me with your mouth.”
The wolfish grin was back. “It will be my pleasure to pleasure you with my mouth.”
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy it much more.”
“Now that, my sweet Helen, is definitely debatable.”
Throwing caution to the wind, Helen leaned back against the couch. Closing her eyes in mortification, she felt Griffin tug her ugly panties off her body. She really didn’t know what to expect. The only experience she’d had with receiving cunnilingus was one time with Jack. As usual, it had been in the backseat of his car, and although nice, it wasn’t anything to sing praises about. Assuming he would go right for her clit, Helen was surprised when she felt Griffin gently part her folds. He wasn’t looking at her, was he? Her eyes flew open, and she stared down at Griffin between her thighs.
“Good, I want you to watch.” Griffin dipped his head and lightly licked along her seam, barely touching her, but causing a rush of sensations throughout her body. He was going to drive her insane. Using his fingers and tongue, Griffin began to delve into her vagina, exploring every secret niche.
Dropping her head back, Helen let the world around her fall away and concentrated on the feelings Griffin was evoking. His fingers slipped inside of her, stroking a spot she’d never known existed. Her hips were thrusting in time to his caresses, and she realized the whimpering sounds she was hearing were coming from her own lips.
“So good, you taste so good.” Griffin’s praise was like a balm to her ego. She’d never realized how self-conscious she was about her own sexuality. Mike had always told her she was no good, a cold, frigid woman who hated sex. She didn’t hate sex; she just hated Mike. His belittling comments had not only robbed her of her sensuality, but of her femininity as well.
“More, Griffin, I need more.” Helen could barely believe the words were coming out of her mouth. Who was she to order a man around? But Griffin just chuckled and bent his head, seemingly happy to return to exploring her pussy.
Helen’s hips jerked as Griffin finally touched her clit. His tongue circled the bundle of nerves before sucking it between his lips.
“Oh, God, yes. Harder, Griffin, please.”
“We’ve got all the time in the world, Helen. No need to rush.”
“No, damn it. I want this now.” Helen braced her feet against the cushions of the couch, pressing her soft flesh toward him.
“Yes, ma’am.” Griffin grasped her hips and pulled them up toward him. He alternately lapped at her juices and sucked on her clit. The constant change was driving her to the edge and back, causing Helen to sob with frustration.
Slowly lowering her hips, Griffin speared his fingers into her vagina, hooking around to stroke the supersensitive inner walls. Sucking her clit into his mouth, he kept the pressure building until her climax overtook her, shaking her body with the force of a tidal wave. Jerking uncontrollably, Helen screamed out her release as Griffin continued to torment and tease her, not allowing the sensations to abate before throwing her into orgasm again. Finally collapsing against the back of the couch, Helen lay gasping for breath as Griffin lightly lapped at the evidence of her passion.
Her body shook with delicious aftershocks as her mind tried to comprehend everything she had just experienced. Hello, Mr. Orgasm, Helen thought with a giggle. Where have you been all my life?
She felt giddy. She felt punch-drunk. She felt utterly divine.
Griffin slowly pulled back from between her splayed thighs and brought his drenched fingers to his mouth. Helen held his gaze as he cleansed all evidence of her desire away from his very talented fingers.
Helen coul
d feel her face heat up under his wanton stare. It didn’t make sense that she could still feel shy after the wonderful bliss they had just experienced together, but she did.
No, shy was the wrong word. Helen felt exposed. It wasn’t just her sex he had dipped into; Griffin had also tasted her soul. “Wow feels like an understatement, by far.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment nevertheless.” Griffin leaned forward and brushed a kiss on her inner thigh before standing up.
There was a very large and distinct bulge pressing at the front of his trousers, proving to Helen, more than words ever could, he had enjoyed their encounter as well.
Wetting her lips nervously, Helen reached her hand out, wanting to feel the strength of his arousal under his fingers, but to her dismay, Griffin stepped back.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s time for me to leave.” Leave! Helen sat up, pushing her skirt back down into place. Was he joking? “Now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Helen stood, now more self-conscious than before. Did she do something wrong? Had she been too forward, not forward enough?
“Stop it, Helen.” Griffin’s gruff words brought her gaze back to his. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Little liar.” Griffin pulled her to him, pressing his erection flush against her. “I’m not leaving because I don’t want you. Quite the opposite, in fact. Before we take this further, I want you to really think about what we’re going to do. Think about what you want me to do you and what you want to do to me. Because the next time I’m between your legs, I won’t stop until I’m buried deep within your hot body.”
“I’m not hot.”
Griffin’s deep masculine laugh rolled over like a wave. “I sincerely beg to differ. You almost scorched me alive.”
Leaning forward, Griffin brushed his lips across hers.
The faint scent of her arousal teased her senses as he deepened the kiss. Helen held onto him as he swept her up tighter into him. She felt dizzy from his touch, his kisses, the commanding way he possessed her body. Just as quickly as he had kissed her, he broke the kiss. Firmly pushing her away from his body, he said,
“You’re going to be the death of me, woman.”
“You really don’t have to go.”
“Trust me, I do. But do me a favor.” The desire in her tone brought a smile to his lips.
“What?”
“Think of me tonight.”
As if she truly could do anything else. Helen could only nod, but apparently it was good enough for Griffin who, with one last brush of his lips against hers, turned and walked out of the house.
Helen sank down onto the couch, her weak legs no longer able to support her trembling body. If he had that much effect on her when he only used his mouth, what in the world was going to happen when they finally made love?
*
The image of Helen spread so wantonly before him had yet to leave Griffin’s mind. The image was so haunting, in fact, it had inspired him to pick up his childhood hobby of drawing, just to cleanse the vision from his tortured soul.
With a stroke of his pen, Griffin brought the memory to life again, if only for his own personal pleasure. Helen, with her poignant blue eyes and supple thighs would turn him into a Degas-like artist yet.
“Jimmy Cracked Corn, and I don’t care.”
The room broke out into nervous laughter, startling Griffin out of his naughty daydream. Griffin looked up from the pornographic doodle that had first started his lustful thoughts to wandering, straight up into the knowing gaze of Marc, who was looking anything but amused.
Never one to back down, Griffin flipped his yellow notepad over and entwined his fingers together casually. “I gather from the snickering I missed something important.”
“Only if you care about cracked corn.” Marc turned his attention back to the packed boardroom. “Would everyone excuse us for a moment?”
The crowd quickly gathered to their feet, everyone in a rush to abide by Marc’s decree. Despite everything Lily had done to change his Scrooge-like persona, fear still won out whenever he had that displeased look in his eyes.
Faced with the angry stare, all Griffin wanted to do was laugh. If after all these years, Marc thought he could intimidate Griffin, he had another think coming.
“So are you going to tell me what my faux pas was, or am I supposed to guess?”
“Last time I checked we were in the middle of a merger, not art class.”
Griffin flipped the notepad back over and held it up for Marc to see. “You don’t like it.”
“It has an uncanny resemblance to my wife, nude. Since I know you’re not ready to die, I’m going to assume it’s the elder version and not the younger.”
“Good guess.” Turning around, Griffin looked down at the image and smiled. “I like it, too.”
“Do I need to remind you again that this is a very bad idea?”
“Nope.”
“You’re going to see her no matter what I think?”
“Yep.” Griffin pushed away from the table and stood. “Since you dismissed everyone, I think I’ll head out early today.”
“Early, why?”
“I have a date.”
“With Helen?”
“Yes.” Or he would as soon as he called her and asked her out.
As he strolled toward his office, Griffin wondered again for the hundredth time how he had found the self-control to walk away from Helen. He knew, both now and then, it was the right thing to do, but by God, when the chance came around again, he wasn’t going to be leaving so easily.
Sitting behind his desk, Griffin picked up the phone and dialed the number he’d recently memorized.
“Hello.” Just the sound of her husky voice was getting him hard. Damn, he had it bad.
“Hi there, gorgeous. Miss me?”
“Griffin, is that you?”
“Do most men call you gorgeous and ask if you miss them?” Griffin was affronted. There had better not be anyone poaching on his territory.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. That’s why I knew it was you.” She didn’t sound pissed, which was good. He wanted her agreeable, so he decided to pursue just why it was his business.
“What are you doing today?”
“I’m doing laundry, why?”
“Because you are leaving boring laundry and coming out with me. I got off work early and we can drive up to Columbus. Do a little shopping and go out to dinner.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone. “Okay, I’d like that.”
Griffin kept his cheering on the inside. “Great, I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”
Quickly ending the phone call, Griffin called information and got the number of a particular store in Columbus he wanted to visit. Ever since Helen had complained about her “boring” underwear, all he could think about was dressing her in silk and lace.
Yvette’s was an exclusive lingerie shop that catered to the well-to-do. Their private dressing rooms would be ideal for Griffin and Helen to both enjoy the intimate apparel.
After quickly setting up the arrangement with a much richer Yvette, Griffin left work, taking time to gas up his BMW and pick up a little present for Helen.
When he pulled in front of her condo, he had to actually tell his pounding heart to calm down. He was acting like a besotted schoolboy. Instead of rushing to her door like the enamored fool he was, Griffin forced himself to wait a full two minutes before exiting his car, freshly bought flowers in hand. Not because he was trying to play it cool, just because he needed that long to make sure his erection was at bay. The thought of Helen alone was having a very uplifting effect on his wayward cock.
As he headed up the walkway, Griffin cased her surroundings, an unconscious habit that had evolved over many years of unsavory living. The building her sons had picked out for her was top of the line, especially consideri
ng where she had previously lived. Griffin had recently purchased his own home, a few blocks away from Marc and Lily, which he just knew Helen would adore.
Knocking briskly on her door, Griffin held his other hand behind his back, keeping the flowers safely from her view. When Helen opened the door, though, he was the one who was pleasantly surprised. Dressed in a ginger floral-print sundress, Helen looked as pretty as could be. The light orange tint of her dress complimented the soft tan of her skin. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant style, which Griffin had only really seen on screen legends like Grace Kelly.
Helen looked elegant and polished. He couldn’t wait to see her mussed and writhing beneath him.
“You’re late,” she chided teasingly.
Griffin pulled his hand from behind his back, letting the purple orchids he’d picked out for her do all his explaining for him.
“Oh, Griffin, they’re lovely.”
“Not in comparison to you. You look breathtaking.”
Blushing, Helen took the flowers from him and stepped back, gesturing for him to enter her home. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you for agreeing to accompany me on such late notice.”
“Let me just get these in some water.” Helen went into the kitchen, and Griffin glanced around her home. She had definitely put her touch on the place, because it certainly didn’t look like new construction. Of course, he might have noticed more of what her place looked like last time if he hadn’t been so interested in tasting what was between her thighs.
“All set.” Helen breezed out of the kitchen and grabbed a white sweater lying over a chair.
“Let’s go, then.” Griffin couldn’t wait to get her into the lingerie shop. He wondered if she would balk at his forwardness.
Their conversation during the two-hour drive allowed Griffin to learn more about Helen and her past. Although he knew the facts from the dossier he had compiled for Marc on all the River Bend residents, hearing the stories from Helen’s own viewpoint gave him a lot of insight into her life. This was the first time she had ever been truly free since she was a teenager, pregnant and alone when her boyfriend left her. Griffin was going to make sure she let herself explore that freedom.
Redemption 4 - Helen's Release Page 4