Page 54 of Grizz

Nothing.

I look at the blackjack tables.

Not there.

The corners of the salon, the alcoves near the windows—

No sign.

My worry presses harder with every step.

What if he’s already had too much to drink?

What if someone said the wrong thing?

But then, I see him.

And for a moment, I stop breathing.

He’s standing near an alcove carved into the far wall, the amber light pooling around him.His tux jacket is slung over a chair beside him; his sleeves are rolled up, exposing strong forearms that look capable of both gentleness and absolute havoc, and I know this from personal experience.

But that isn’t what freezes me in place.

It’s the little boy in his arms.

A tiny kid in a miniature tuxedo, cheeks flushed pink with excitement, bow tie crooked, clutching a toy race car in one hand while the other clings easily to Grizz’s shirt.The boy giggles at whatever Grizz says, and Grizz laughs too.I can’t hear it, but I can see the mutual joy in their faces.

He props the child higher on his hip with ease, one broad hand braced across the boy’s back, instinctive and protective.He listens attentively as the boy’s parents speak, and then he inclines his head just enough so the kid can show him his toy car.

It is effortlessly tender and completely disarming.

And nothing like the man I’ve spent the last month bracing myself against.

I wasn’t prepared to feel this type of emotion tonight.

The parents thank him, the kid gives him a triumphant high-five, and the little family drifts toward the dessert spread.Grizz stays where he is for a moment, adjusting his cuffs, relaxing his shoulders, and I realize I haven’t moved, haven’t blinked since I’m not fully recovered from what I just saw.

He senses me before I reach him.His head lifts, eyes meeting mine across the floor.

“Hey,” he says, voice low and rumbling.His eyes roam over me, taking in the low cut, black evening gown I chose for tonight.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.The energy between us is… careful.It’s polite, a show for everyone else, because not but a few hours ago, he was wringing out a brutal orgasm from my body and making me see stars.

“You look… different,” Grizz says finally, eyes sweeping over my dress before he catches himself.

“Good different or bad different?”

His mouth twitches.“Different different.”

I flush, and he quickly softens.“Good different,” he adds quickly, as if he wasn’t sure I needed the extra reassurance but wanted to offer it anyway.“Sexy different.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and force myself to breathe normally.“Well… you clean up nicely too.”

He smirks.“I usually do.”

I clear my throat, remembering why I came over.“Actually, can I borrow you for a second?I need a quick photo of you with Tanner, Coen, and Barrett for a press piece we’re doing tomorrow.”

“Lead the way,” he says.