Chapter 322

This. Was. A. Dream. Come. True.
Violet adored each of her men equally, but every now and then, she craved the warmth of someone with Griffin’s easygoing, cozy nature. Quiet Moments together like these felt like the perfect kind of date, especially in the middle of the chaotic whirlwind that was Parents Week.
She was currently wearing one of Griffin’s shirts, which, on her, might as well have been a dress, brushing the tops of her knees. Yep.
But Violet didn’t care, because right now, Griffin was stretched out on the bed with a deep, satisfied groan, his long, burly frame sinking into the mattress. His damp hair, still tousled from the shower, spilled in wild waves across her lap as she sat cross-legged near the headboard.
And yes, she was combing his hair. You heard that right. His hair was hers to pamper today.
Her roommates were probably searching for her by now, since she’d only told them she was stepping out to the restroom. Luckily, Violet had already scheduled a message to ping their phones, just vague enough to calm them without revealing her location. Lila had her phone anyway. Violet had deliberately left it with her so she wouldn’t suspect anything when she “went to the restroom.” And it looked like Lila had swallowed the bait. Ha!
Violet smoothed her palm over Griffin’s thick mane, marveling at how soft it felt between her fingers.
“Has your mother spoken to you since yesterday’s incident?” she asked, slipping a wide-toothed comb gently through the first dense section.
“No, not yet,” Griffin replied, a low, contented rumble vibrating from deep in his chest, one hand resting lazily over his stomach.
He glanced up at her. “You don’t need to worry about her. My mother’s known for her fiery temper, but she’ll calm down eventually. You’ll see.” Griffin’s voice was a rough velvet, his eyes closed, and a rare look of complete peace softening his usually fierce features.
As Violet worked through a stubborn knot near the nape of his neck with delicate fingers, she shifted the conversation. “You have such fine, thick hair. It’s unfair. I’m jealous.”
That earned a lazy chuckle from Griffin, his shoulders shaking lightly. “Of course you are.”
“So, just asking,” Violet started, “This hair thing, it’s hereditary, right? I mean, I wouldn’t mind having kids running around with a thick mane like this.”
Griffin let out a mock gasp. “Violet Purple, you’re thinking about children already when we haven’t even plowed that garden yet?”
“I don’t mind having kids…” Violet admitted softly, a bashful look on her face, especially as Griffin tilted his head up in that position, watching her speak. “…As long as there’s enough resources to raise them. I wouldn’t want my child going through the same suffering I experienced in District One. Most especially, they would have both parents to raise them.”
There was a beat of silence until Griffin turned around fully, hands braced on either side of her, facing her directly.
“You mean they’d have their mummy and their daddies?”
At once, Violet’s face lit up. She nodded, “Yes, their mummy and their daddies.” She leaned in to seal the sweet agreement with a soft kiss on his lips.
Griffin’s gaze lingered as he asked, “Do you like a large family?”
Violet rolled her eyes like he’d just asked the most ridiculous question. “I grew up alone. Of course I want a big family.”
“Perfect.” Griffin smiled, pressing a kiss to her neck. Violet sighed, a soft exhale of contentment escaping her lips. Warmth bloomed in her chest, stronger than she expected. She tilted her head back, silently inviting him closer.
“How many kids are we thinking here?” Griffin murmured against her skin, his lips trailing up her neck.
“I could give you ten,” Violet said without missing a beat.
Griffin froze. His lips stilled on her skin, and he slowly pulled back, blinking. “Are you kidding me right now?”
But Violet only shrugged. “Their daddy has money. We should aim for the sky.”
Griffin couldn’t hold it in. Laughter burst out of him, deep and uncontrollable. The gods help him with Violet.
“Fine,” he managed between chuckles. “Ten kids for me.” He pulled her closer, holding her tightly. Then he asked, teasingly, “What about Asher?”
Violet bit her lip thoughtfully. “Five children for Asher—three girls and two boys. I wouldn’t mind seeing a bunch of little versions of him running around.”
“You really think Asher can handle that?” Griffin asked seriously, “Honestly, I wouldn’t even be surprised if Asher didn’t want kids.”
Violet didn’t know why, but that comment made her chest tighten. If Asher didn’t want kids, she’d respect that, but deep down, she knew better. She’d been inside Asher’s head, seen the boy who’d been denied a childhood.
No, Violet had this quiet conviction: Asher would be a fiercely devoted father, the kind who wouldn’t let anyone harm his children. And well, he had already promised to put a babe in her belly.
Damn it. Why did that thought turn her on?
“Asher wants kids,” she murmured confidently. “Trust me. He’d be an amazing father.”
Griffin gave her a curious look, as if trying to figure out what gave her such certainty. But he let it go, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Alright. And what about Roman?”
“Oh God,” Violet groaned dramatically at the mention of Roman, making Griffin burst into laughter.
“For Roman,” Violet declared with mock exasperation, “I’ll give him three kids. All girls. No boys, please.”
A boy for Roman? Goddess help them.
The female population would never recover. Violet shuddered at the thought.
“And then, two kids for Alaric,” she added, grinning. “Our little prince and princess. That should be enough for that busy nerd to handle.”
Griffin broke into another deep laugh, his chest rumbling. It was the kind of laughter that warmed the whole room.
“So,” Griffin teased, “twenty kids total. You’ve got your work cut out for you, Rogue Queen. Sounds like we’re building a whole community.”
“Oh yeah? And you don’t?” Violet shot back, her eyes sparkling. “You owe me ten kids, or have you forgotten?”
“How could I forget?” Griffin drawled, amusement heavy in his voice. “Looks like I’ve got the hardest job after graduation, giving you ten kids.”
With that, Griffin tugged her down onto the bed, her head hitting the pillow with a playful bounce. Then he slid between her thighs, bracing himself over her, and leaned in to kiss her with a wicked grin.
Violet’s legs instinctively wrapped around him, her fingers threading into his still-damp hair. She gave a slow, languid massage to his scalp, coaxing soft, content murmurs from Griffin as they melted into the kiss.
The world outside slipped away, leaving only the two of them tangled together in this private moment. One that belonged only to them.