by Layla Hagen
"You sure know how to spin words."
He took my words as a yes, which they were, and pulled me out of bed, dragging his knuckles against the side of my breast, then my ass, as if he had free reign to touch me. Which he had.
My skin turned to goose bumps, partly because he was touching me so shamelessly, but also because I felt a little exposed.
"Do you have a robe? Or I can use a towel to cover myself."
"I want you naked. It's a requirement."
"Really?"
"Yes."
I crossed my arms over my chest, pretending to be offended. In fact, I was weighing the pros and cons. I'd feel self-conscious parading naked around his house. But the heat in his gaze told me that he liked what he saw. This gave me leverage to ask for the same in return. A naked Graham definitely trumped any self-consciousness. Oh, yes, I think I'll do just that.
Discovering my naughty side was fun and... unexpected. Talk about Val and Landon not knowing how to have fun, but it seemed I'd forgotten too.
"I'll consider giving in to your request if you don't put on clothes either."
"Deal."
Damn! That had been too easy. I suspected I could have gotten a much better deal if only my negotiation skills were sharper. I tried my luck.
"I don't know...." I drew out the words, tracing a small circle on the carpet with my toe.
"You're not getting out of this room with your skin covered. I'm upgrading this to rule status."
"Fine."
He pulled me flush against him, kissing me. My body sizzled at the skin-on-skin contact, at the way my curves molded against his chest. We were a perfect fit. As we descended to his kitchen, one thought circled in my mind: I didn't want this night to end.
Chapter Fifteen
Lori
I woke up with a start, blinking at the sight of the restless ocean stretching in front of me. I must have fallen asleep after we got back from the kitchen. Before I had a chance to mull over last night, or to wonder why Graham wasn't in his bed, I glanced at the clock and immediately panicked. I'd overslept!
Tatiana from the decoration company was scheduled to have arrived half an hour ago. I looked around for my clothes before realizing I only had last night's dress here. My overnight bag was still in the room I'd left it in when I arrived. I wrapped myself in the towel I'd used last night after showering. Then I clutched my dress, shoes, and underwear to my chest and skittered out of Graham's bedroom.
I changed into jeans and a yellow polo shirt at top speed, tied my messy curls into an even messier knot, and headed downstairs. I couldn't believe I'd overslept. I never overslept. True, I never spent the night entangled with a hot and delicious man, either. How had I not heard the alarm?
I'd always been a troubled sleeper. It was rare for me to sleep deeply, but last night had definitely been an exception. I didn't know if it was because our sexy activities had worn me out, or because being held by those strong arms had felt so good. I wondered where Graham was. He'd told me he was an early riser, but since we'd gone to bed so late last night, I'd thought he'd sleep in.
When I stepped outside, I saw that Tatiana and her assistant, Bella, were already done taking down the decorations. Their Bridal Boutique branded truck was almost filled to the brim with boxes.
The team for the tent was also here, and they'd already disassembled half of it. Graham was helping too. What a sight that was—arms stretched, muscles flexed. He was wearing jeans, so I couldn't make out the finer details of his ass muscles, but I knew they had to be flexed too. Why couldn't he be one of those who wore jogging clothing around his house? That tight spandex would leave nothing to the imagination. On second thought, it was better that he didn't, because Bella and Tatiana were enjoying the view as much as I was, and they didn't have to know just how defined and lean his muscles were.
Oh, boy! Was I really being possessive and jealous? Yes, yes I was. I'd been jealous last night when Jackie had all but climbed Graham, and my possessiveness hadn't dimmed one bit after having spent the night with him.
I cleared my throat to announce my presence.
"Morning," Graham said. When he cast his bright blue eyes on me, he took my breath away. For a moment, I forgot we weren't alone. I took in his tousled hair, his full lips. Now that I knew how soft they were, how thoroughly they explored my body, I couldn't look at them the same way.
"Hi, Lori," Tatiana said, snapping me back to reality. "Wasn't expecting to see you at all. Graham said your conference call might take all morning."
It took a second for me to understand what Tatiana meant. Graham had covered for me.
"Oh, I got lucky. Didn't take so long after all. Here, let me help you with the boxes. Sorry I couldn't help packing."
Tatiana waved her hand. Bella shrugged. "Didn't take long at all."
We loaded the last of the boxes all together. Working side by side with Graham and occasionally coming so close that I could smell his body wash was a special kind of torture. When our arms accidentally touched, a bolt of heat ran through me, spreading from the point of contact all the way to my toes. I glanced sideways at him to check if he'd felt the sizzle too, and I startled when I realized he was watching me, gaze a tad darker than before. Oh yeah, he'd felt it too.
After Bella and Tatiana left, Graham said, "I'm going to make some sandwiches. Want some?"
"Yes, please." I glanced at the guys who were dismantling the tent. "Don't want to leave them alone, though. If I leave them to their own devices, they'll make a mess of your yard."
Graham smiled lazily, like he knew that concern for his yard wasn't the only reason I wanted to stay out here.
"I'll bring the sandwiches out here. We'll eat together."
"Sounds great."
I tried to compose myself as he headed back to the house, but I'd suddenly developed a lazy eye. The man was truly a work of art. I might as well get my fill while I could.
I slipped into full-on planner mode once he was out of sight, and good thing I did, because one of the guys had been about to throw one of the tent poles straight onto the flower bed.
"Careful there," I admonished. "Not over the flowers. Plenty of space next to it."
Both men grunted but did as I asked. This was why I insisted on watching over the disassembly. After one of the first weddings I'd organized, I received an angry call from the mother-in-law who'd hosted the wedding on her property because two of her precious alabaster statues had been manhandled by the vendors who'd come to take back their things. I'd paid for the damages. Since then, I'd made it a point to oversee the post-wedding activities myself or have one of my assistants do it. I jumped at the sound of a low chuckle. Graham was a few feet behind, holding two plates. I relieved him of one.
"Thanks. I didn't hear you."
We moved a little farther away, between two giant palm trees, where there were two rattan armchairs and a table.
"I can't sit. Standing keeps me awake," I informed him. I practically inhaled my sandwich while also keeping an eye on the guys as they dismantled the tent.
"That stern look is a good one on you. I like seeing you in action," Graham said.
"Policing people isn't my favorite part of the job, but you got to do what you got to do. I can't believe I overslept. Why didn't you wake me up when Tatiana arrived?" I asked, placing the empty plate on the rattan table.
"Thought you could use the extra sleep. You need to be in top form for your trip to Universal Studios."
"You're right. I don't want to be a zombie. Milo needs my full attention."
Graham placed his plate next to mine, then shifted his position until we were face-to-face and tilted his head slightly.
"What about what you need, Lori?" He dropped his gaze to my lips. Why did he have to say my name like that? "I have a good idea of what you need, and I'll give you just that."
"Is that so? Without asking me if I want it?"
"I would, but I think you're afraid to want it. Even more afraid to adm
it it."
Wow. His words were so true.
"You have me all figured out, don't you?"
"No, but I'm learning. Last night was the start." He cupped my face, brushing the corners of my mouth with his thumbs.
"I'm working," I whispered, wondering if this would rile him up. Oh yeah, it did.
"If you say that again, I'll take you in my arms and carry you away in front of everyone."
"No, you will not."
"Try me."
"I can wrestle you, Frazier. I have three brothers," I said smugly. "I've had plenty of practice sparring with them as a kid, and I take working out seriously, so I'm in great shape to kick your ass."
He pulled me behind a palm tree.
"I'd love to see you try to wrestle me." His voice was low and a little gruff, sending a current of awareness right to my nipples. His cheeks were covered in stubble, and it made him look, if possible, even hotter.
"If we were alone, I'd sink into you right here, right now."
He kissed me then, his mouth hot and warm on mine. My body responded to him in a visceral way. I touched those fine muscles, lingering with my hands on his shoulders, then moving to his arms. Every inch of my skin seemed to come alive as this sexy and funny man did delicious things to me.
***
Graham
I tore my mouth away from hers only because I'd make a spectacle of us both if I continued.
"Let's set a date for when I can cook for you and Milo."
She immediately tensed in my arms.
"What's wrong, Lori? Talk to me." Was she pushing me away?
"I haven't thought through how to explain all of this to Milo."
"What do you usually say when you introduce a date?"
"I haven't dated in years, Graham. Dating is daunting enough for an adult, but parading men in front of a kid is not the best idea."
It took me a few seconds to absorb what she was saying, and then I felt a wave of affection for her. Not attraction. Affection.
I'd suspected her dating life took a back seat when she said it had been a while last night, but I hadn't realized she'd meant years. She wasn't pushing me away. This was simply new for her. I could work with that. Fuck, I had no clue what I was doing here either. I’d stuck to superficial entanglements after my divorce, but this was something else.
The thought of letting her go was scarier than the thought of getting hurt. I was man enough to admit that. This wasn’t only physical attraction. It had never been just about that. I wanted to get to know Lori better, even at the risk of getting burned. But could I risk hurting her? And her son? Elizabeth’s words rang in my ears. That I hadn’t been the husband she’d wished for. Could I do better? I wanted to.
"You won't be parading men," I assured her. "Just me. I'm very territorial."
She gave me a small smile. "Milo needs stability. He gets attached to every man in his life, like my brothers, or his soccer coach. Substitutes for the father he doesn't have."
That gutted me, because... what did I know about being a father, after all? Nothing. I hadn't had stellar examples, and kids didn't come with instruction manuals. But I knew Lori was right. Stability was important.
"I understand what you're saying."
"You do?"
"Didn't have much stability myself, so yeah. I understand exactly. We both have our issues, Lori, but what we have is special."
I pulled her against me and skimmed my hands up and down the sides of her body, lingering on her delicious breasts.
"You're very convincing," she murmured, nodding. I claimed her mouth and kissed her until I felt her rise on her tiptoes. I nudged her knees open, rubbing against her. "If you keep doing that, I'll forget what I'm actually here to do," she whispered.
"That's the plan, baby."
"You make me want to be wild. But I have to go back to supervising the guys. I need to leave here in an hour."
Instead of letting her go, I kissed her again.
"What are you doing?" she muttered.
"Giving you an incentive to come back. I know how to play my cards."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you'd better behave. I'll call you tonight after we finish at Universal Studios and we'll set up a date for that dinner. Sometime this week?"
"Okay. I'll leave you to handle things here."
I stepped back, even though those lips were tempting the hell out of me. I wanted to pull her close again and kiss her hard, lift her in my arms, and take her inside the house. I'd sink inside her before we'd even make it to the bedroom. I hadn't gotten nearly enough of this woman last night. Not just her body, but the way she'd filled my house with her laughter and her warmth. A selfish part of me regretted not keeping her up until morning. I'd wasted those last few hours sleeping instead of enjoying her.
A strong breeze came from the ocean, ruffling her hair, bringing a few strands in her face. On instinct, I pushed them away, tucking them behind her ear. Lori darted the tip of her tongue between her lips. Her nipples pushed against her shirt, suddenly greeting me. I rubbed her earlobe between my thumb and forefinger, touching her bare arm when I lowered my hand.
"Go, before I get other ideas," I said.
I shoved my free hand in my pocket to keep from touching her again. She turned around and walked toward the workers, her hips moving seductively with every step. Did she have any idea how innately sensual she was? Did she know how crazy it was driving me to let her walk away from me?
"Guys, extra care with the flowers. Please! I told you already." She was magnificent, strolling around, dishing instructions. She was a strong woman, raising her son alone, making her own way through life.
I walked back inside the house, bringing the plates to the kitchen. Looking at the counter, I smiled. We'd fought over the last bite of our snack last night. I'd let her win. I climbed the staircase, making a beeline to my bedroom. The bed was unmade, and seeing the rumpled sheets brought another smile. The house hadn't seemed too big last night with Lori in it.
I usually spent Sundays going out for a run and watching soccer games. Occasionally, I also went over pressing sponsorship contracts, but as a rule, I avoided working from home. From there, it was an easy path to becoming a workaholic, and I didn’t want that kind of lifestyle. The club was rendering millions in profits the way I ran it, which was by working a solid nine to five, with the occasional phone call or meeting after hours. I didn’t need or want more money.
Today, I'd broken that rule. After completing my run and watching the third quarter of the latest game, I scrolled through my e-mails, answering the most pressing ones. And I still couldn't stop thinking about Lori. Last night had been incredible. I'd effortlessly opened up to her, and I felt deep in my bones that my life was going to change in a fundamental way. I wanted to make that change. I was so deep in thoughts that I barely heard my phone buzzing. Amber's name flashed across the screen.
"You're on your honeymoon. Don't you have better things to do than call me?"
"Wanted to make sure everything went smoothly today."
"Everything's fine. You wouldn't even know there was a wedding here."
"Graham, I know I've said it before, but thanks so much for everything. And this honeymoon, you shouldn't have. It's too much."
Ah, there it was. I knew we'd been having this conversation.
"Enjoy it."
"You've been sneaky about it."
"Was the only way." I hadn't given them any details about their honeymoon, just made it sound as if they'd be getting a weeklong getaway in a spa resort in the Los Angeles area. It was half true. They were in a resort... in the Bahamas. I got to my feet and headed outside, descending on the beach.
"So, Lori's gone already?" she asked.
"Yep. Three hours ago."
"Counting the minutes too, huh?"
"That obvious?"
"Saw how you were looking at her last night, but I was too busy enjoying the spotlight to call you out on it."
"Right."
"You going to see her again?"
"Definitely."
"I sense a 'but' in your tone."
"No buts, only... can I ask you something? Do you think I could make a good father?" I shoved a hand in my pocket, fingering a coin I found there. My feet sank a few inches in the warm sand. For a second, all I could hear were the waves and seagulls chirping in the distance. I wondered if I'd only said that in my head. I'd never voiced that fear before.
"Graham, you're a great man. I've known you for almost twenty years. You're not like your dad or your grandfather. Get those ideas out of your head, or I'll call Nana."
The corners of my lips twitched. "Don't call Nana. She'll hand me my ass."
"And you'd deserve that for doubting yourself. We're not doomed to repeat our parents' mistakes, you know. Or I'll end up with a bad perm after the age of sixty, or a slight wine addiction. Or both. Imagine the horror."
"I already have a divorce on my resume. First move in following in the steps of my infamous forefathers."
"No. That was the wrong couple at the wrong time. You and Elizabeth weren't compatible. Sometimes it takes time to realize that. I have to go, or Matt will start wondering what I'm up to."
"Enjoy your honeymoon."
"Oh, I intend to. It's either that or feel guilty that you're spending so much money on us. I've decided to enjoy it."
"Good girl."
After saying goodbye to Amber, I sat on the sand and scrolled through the photos on my phone, pulling up the one Lori sent me, with her and Milo at the concert. That little boy had her eyes, but his hair was a light brown.
You made this little boy very happy, Lori had written after the concert. And last night, Lori had definitely had fun. But was I what they needed long-term?
Chapter Sixteen
Lori
When I arrived at Val's house, Milo begged me to stay a little longer because he hadn't finished painting. My sister was resourceful. She had him painting with a squirt gun. Seeing my son reminded me of Jeff's e-mail. I was mad at myself that I still allowed him to affect me so much.