20 Questions

Chapter 119

Something changed inside of me today.  It's as if I opened a door in my brain that I never knew existed.  I didn't know I had emotions and reactions like this.  I've never had the feelings I did today.  I felt empowered, invincible and proud.  I gained a new strength, a new super power.  For the first time in my life, I realized that no matter what came charging my way, I could handle it.  I never knew what my body and mind were capable of until today.  I survived.  I survived an attack that could have wiped me off the face of the Earth, but I held my own and powered through.

But with that being said, when I gained these extra abilities, I didn't lose sight of who I am.  I'm still quirky.  I still say inappropriate things and make people uncomfortable.  I still hurt for others and carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.  I still fall madly in love with my perfectly imperfect husband every day. 

I am still me...just better.

The love Hunter and I made was out of this world.  It's as if we were exploring each other's bodies for the first time.  Holding tighter to something that could have been taken away.  Appreciating everything about each other a little more – the smell of his cologne, the calluses on his hands, the deep growls that rumble in his chest as he enters me for the first time, the taste of his lips and how they feel against mine, how we fit perfectly together.

He's fast asleep, purring softly next to me.  I've yet to come down from my high so I lay here next to him, running my fingers softly over his nose, his lips, the ridges of his abs.  He's amazing in so many ways that it blinds me to his shortcomings.

The sound of the refrigerator closing pulls me from my trance.  I press a soft kiss to Hunter's forehead and climb out of bed.  I get myself dressed and walk out to see who is still awake, gently closing the door behind me.  Hunter is out like a light and I want it to stay that way.  He needs his rest because I know his poor mind has been on overdrive all day long.

Elijah is standing at the island, making himself a sandwich when I walk up to him.  He eyes me cautiously and knows he is not going to bed anytime soon, realizing that I have a lot of things I need to get off my chest.  He needs to know how wrong he is about Griffin and I've been waiting patiently for us to be alone so I can be the one to tell him.  Nothing about today was Griffin's fault. 

"Couldn't sleep?" he says as he cuts his sandwich in half.

"Nope, got a lot of things on my mind," I answer.

"I bet you do and I guarantee your fists are throbbing.  You really did a number on that scumbag."

"Yeah, I did and surprisingly enough, my hands don't hurt too terribly bad.  Hunter iced them up before dinner so that probably helped."

"Don't tell him I told you this because I don't want him getting a big head, but Hunter's a good man," he says with a deep smirk on his face.  I smile and nod back at him, but if he thinks buttering me up with pleasantries is gonna sidetrack my argument, he's obviously underestimated just how hardheaded I am.  "He really loves you.  He was absolutely beside himself when we got Griffin's call."

"I love him, too," I concur.  "And now it's time you and I talk about Griffin."

"There's nothing to talk about," he argues, immediately dismissing me.

"The hell there isn't!" I whisper shout.  "You weren't there so you don't get to guess what actually went down.  Griffin did everything right."

"Jenna, with all due respect, this is my team.  I call the shots and I made the decision to pull Griffin out of the house and assign him another task.  You will have another bodyguard at work next week."