Fight or Flight

Part 5

When we get to the platform it leads out to a sort of balcony and a handful of older men come into view assembling instruments. One of the men looks at Griff and a big smile stretched across his kind face.

"Griff! How are you doing boy?" Irish accent very thick coming from the portly red man. I have seen him before in the restaurant, he must work there.

"I'm doing well. I hope you don't mind I was hoping to hear some of your practice."

"Not at all." He waves his hands in front of him. Who's your friend?"

"This is Erin." Griff nudges me forward. "Erin, this is an old family friend, Richard."

"It's very nice to meet you Richard."

"You too, missy" he says with a wink and he goes about assembling his instrument.

"So, this is band practice?" I ask. I lean against the old patio furniture sitting on the balcony.

"So it is. Richard owns the restaurant, he's family. Same with all the guys he plays with, I have known them since I can remember. They play to blow off steam, it's really something to see."

It's dark and there is a strong chill in the air as we look out over this little part of such a large city. The music takes me by surprise, I had assumed it would be a classic rock or maybe even bagpipes given the look of the men. But instead it was a beautiful soft tune that I know I had never heard before.

Griff hold his hand out to mine I take hesitate only for a second before placing my hand in his. He gently pulls my hand up and holds it his against his chest. He puts his other hand on my hip pulls me in exceptionally close and there on the balcony, we are dancing in the night air.

His chin is touching my temple and I can hear that he is humming along with the music.

"What is this song?" I look up to ask him.

He looks directly into my eyes, "It's a Gaelic love song. Its supposedly about a man who has fallen so madly in love that it kills him. A little cryptic, but I appreciate the honesty of it."

"Its truly beautiful."

We dance without saying anything else. I can hear his heartbeat, the warmth of his chest pressed against my cheek.

"I should probably get home; it's getting really late." I say without looking up.

"Oh, yeah. Let me walk you down. Are you going to call an Uber?" He puts his hand gently on the small of my back and throws Richard a wave before we descend down the stairs.

"Actually, I live pretty close to here so I am going to walk home."

"Which way are you heading" he asks me hands in his back pockets.

I start to head toward home and I don't need to turn around to know he's following me.

I am walking a few feet ahead of him when I turn walking backwards a few strides before turning back around, "You know, I don't need you to walk me home."

He picks up his pace a little leaning into his jog, "you have no idea what happens on these streets this late at night." His face is light and playful, keeping his hands in his pockets to protect them from the cold air as he moves.

"I am very afraid" I giggle. I turn around again to find his chest less than an inch of my face.

"This is me." I gaze up at the building knowing the doorman will be opening the door at any second.

"I was hoping we had more time." Griff says to the night air.

"I had a great time tonight, thank you for everything." I say and it feels oddly formal for how we had just spent the last few hours, it's almost like I knew him and we hadn't just met. I feel him lace his fingers with mine, there is an electricity from our touch and I am certain he feels it too. He's looking down to me studying my face, his gaze so intense I feel my breath falter under it.

He leans in to my ear and I think he is going to whisper something, but instead I feel the warmth of his kiss just under my earring. He continues to kiss down my neck, his warm lips against my skin and the cold air. I close my eyes and tilt my neck so he can continue though he doesn't. I look up to him and his eyes look at me with great interest, "We have all the time in the world."

My stomach flutters in response to his words.

I start to take a step back and he is quickly reaching around my waist to hold me in place.

I breathe in his scent, peppery mint and it's quite possibly the best smell.

He presses his lips to mine and I feel his body relax as he sighs into my mouth making me melt against him. I back away from him and the kiss, this was the perfect ending to the evening.

Griff's eyes don't leave me as Ernie, the doorman, opens the door and doesn't make eye contact. What a gentleman.

"Goodnight Erin." I give a small wave in reply.

As soon as I am in my apartment, I text Ava to let her know I am home and get in the shower thinking about Griff's hands on me and those dark eyes.