Grim Offerings (Aisling Grimlock Book 2) by Amanda M. Lee Page A

though.”
    “I am not a prude,” Griffin said, climbing up from the couch.
    I kept the blanket wrapped around my front as I followed Griffin to the bedroom. It was gaping in the back, but I didn’t really notice.
    “You’re totally a prude,” Jerry said. “Hey, Bug?”
    I stilled.
    “I’m making an appointment at that spa for us this weekend,” he said. “You totally need to get your butt buffed.”
    Griffin scowled. “It’s like living in a circus.”
    “Come on,” I said, pushing him forward. “If you’re a good boy, I’ll let you play with the clown car.”
    “That’s the only reason I’m still here,” Griffin grumbled.
    “See you in the morning, Bug.”

Ten
    “I don’t care what Jerry says. You don’t need to buff your butt.”
    Griffin’s hands were warm as he snuggled up behind me the next morning.
    “I thought you were appalled because Jerry has seen me naked.”
    “I’ve thought about it, and it really doesn’t bother me.”
    I waited.
    “Okay, it bothers me,” Griffin conceded. “I guess I’ll just have to get over it. Jerry is your best friend, and it’s not as if he’s sexually attracted to you.”
    “He’s definitely not attracted to me.”
    “Have you seen him naked?”
    “Yes.”
    “Does he like … walk around naked?”
    “Absolutely not,” I said. “Jerry thinks putting your naked bits on furniture other people use is tacky.”
    “So, does he think what we did last night was tacky?”
    “I’m betting he’s cleaning the couch as we speak.”
    Griffin laughed. “He’s funny. I can see why you two are so close.”
    Something about his wistful tone tugged at my heart. “Who is your best friend?”
    “I don’t really have one.”
    That was sad. “Never?”
    Griffin shrugged. “I have friends. I just don’t bond with people like you do.”
    “I’m not bonded to anyone but Jerry.”
    “You’re bonded to Aidan.”
    I frowned. “I don’t know what his deal is,” I said. “Right before we saw you with Maya he was the one trying to make me feel better by saying you were probably just busy with work and it wasn’t your choice not to call me.”
    “I’m really sorry about that,” Griffin said, rubbing my hip with his finger. “Just for the record, if I have to go undercover again I’m not going to hesitate to wake you up.”
    “Do you think you’ll have to?”
    “Probably,” Griffin said. “It’s part of my job. Does that bother you?”
    “I would be a hypocrite if it did,” I said. “You’ve been pretty understanding about all of my stuff.”
    “I don’t know if ‘understanding’ is the right word, but I’m trying to be better,” he said. “I just never imagined any of this stuff was real. Now that I know it is, it’s kind of … .”
    “Terrifying?”
    “Interesting,” Griffin corrected. “I’m not going to lie, though. Your constant appearances at crime scenes are going to cause problems.”
    “I didn’t know that was going to happen.”
    “I know you didn’t,” he said. “I just need you to be more careful. At a certain point, I might not be able to save you.”
    “Well, hopefully it won’t be an issue again,” I said.
    “Hopefully.”
    The sound of his growling stomach filled the room.
    “Are you hungry?”
    “I could eat.”
    “Let’s get dressed,” I said. “I could eat, too.”
    “Aren’t you worried about Aidan being at the breakfast table?”
    “Nope,” I said, climbing out of bed. “He needs to get over himself. I have no idea what his problem is.”
    “I think he’s just protective of you,” Griffin said. “I’m not taking it personally.”
    “Don’t,” I said. “He’ll calm down.”
    “Let’s hope so. I can only take so many dirty looks before I punch him in the face.”
     
    “GOOD morning.”
    Jerry was fluttering around the couch with an aerosol can in his rubber glove-covered hand when we exited the bedroom. “Don’t sit on the couch. I’m fumigating it.”
    I shot Griffin a