by Bromberg, K
“I will,” I promise Sean, pressing a kiss to my finger and dropping it to his photograph. “I promise.”
I box up the cards, tuck them way, then wipe my eyes. Time to be brave.
Chapter 28
Graham
Valerie opens the door to the arena for me with a stern smile and a wag of her finger. “You have five minutes.”
“Thank you, Valerie.”
“No, thank you. That Stellar Spa gift card was everything I needed. If it weren’t for you, Luna would be giving me forks and paperweights.” She shudders before jabbing her thumb down the hallway. “Okay, on second thought, you have ten minutes. I’ll wait here for you.”
I thank her for doing me a solid and letting me into the arena.
Maybe this is crazy, but it feels like the sanest thought I’ve had all day. Sean was my rock, the guy I turned to. He was steady, reliable, and quick with an answer. Almost always, the answer was an upbeat one. It was “seize the day” or “go for it.”
And it was almost always delivered here.
This arena is where we hatched some of our greatest plans.
As I walk through the stands, closer to the ice, I swear I can feel Sean’s presence. That might mean I’m losing my mind. Or maybe that’s how it goes when you lose somebody you love. You can feel them in places that matter. In the things you shared.
If he were here, I’d ask him what to do next.
When you fall hard for your buddy’s sister, you need to man up and let him know.
I take a seat then lower my head almost as if I’m in church, but I’m not asking God, or a saint, or even a ghost. I’m asking a friend, who happens to be on the other side.
My voice is low, barely a whisper. “I miss you, buddy. I miss you a hell of a lot. But we’re doing great things, and I know you’d be proud of what we built. You’d be proud of your sister too. She’s an amazing woman, bright and beautiful and confident. She has great friends, and she knows what she wants in life.”
I hope I’m part of what she wants.
I heave a sigh then say the next thing, the hardest part. But once the words are out, there’s nothing tough about saying them. They are the truest words I’ve ever spoken.
“I didn't plan on falling in love with her. But it happened. And you know what I think? What I hope, at least? That you would tell me to go for it. Even though you’d grumble. Even though you’d threaten me with bodily injury at first, warn me never to hurt her. But in the end, I think you’d say to go for it because you’d know I’ll treat her right. And I will, Sean. I will treat her like she’s the most adored woman on the planet, because she is, and I don’t want to lose this chance at forever.”
Forever.
The word clangs in my brain.
CJ used it last night in the kitchen, while I hunted for the sushi menu.
“Do you think romance can last forever?”
I answer for myself this time.
Yes. Yes, I do. But only if you have the guts to tell the woman you want forever to be with her.
Chapter 29
Graham
I run.
I run through the city. I cruise past couples enjoying Sunday evening dates, past families turning in after a day outside in the gorgeous spring weather. I race by guys heading to office buildings to work late on a weekend.
That’s been me.
That was me just last night.
But it’s not who I am now.
I run with more energy than I had when I started this morning. She’s not far away, but walking is for guys who don’t know they’re in love.
I don’t bother heading home to shower. I don’t stop to buy flowers.
CJ doesn’t want or need flowers. This isn’t about that kind of gift. This is about something new, something different. That’s what this has been about all along. She’s the one. She’s always been the one, never been far from my thoughts, even before this week together.
This time I have to go in naked, so to speak. Venture into unfamiliar territory without my usual tool kit of gifts and goodies, of lingerie and flowers. The arsenal of seduction isn’t what I need right now, not tonight.
As soon as I reach her building, I run up the steps, powered by pure adrenaline and a mad need to make sure she knows I love her. I grab my phone and stab my finger against her name, calling her.
My breath comes in harsh pants as I wait for her to answer.
Her voice is shaky, a little surprised as she asks, “Hello?”
“I’m outside. I need to see you.”
There’s a pause. “You’re . . . outside?”
Breathless, more words come. “I’m here at your apartment. I need to see you. I need to see you now, Butterfly.”
Seconds later, the buzzer bleats, and I slam my hands against the door, pushing it open. I take the steps two by two up to the third floor. I turn at the landing and into her hall to find her standing in the doorway of her apartment, looking beautiful and vulnerable, and something else too.
Hopeful.
I know the look because it’s how I feel. Hope fills me up and overflows.
I don’t waste time. I’m ready to give her my heart, and I pray, dirty and sweaty and empty-handed as I am, that she’ll want to keep it. I close the distance to her. “I didn’t give you a complete answer last night.”
She lifts her chin, her gaze locking with mine. “What was the question?”
“Do I think romance can last forever?”
Her eyes widen, and she nods as if she’s telling me to keep going.
“I said I didn’t know because I’ve never felt anything like that before.” I cup her cheeks. “Until you.”
A sweet, small gasp escapes her lips.
“I was asleep before you. Asleep without even any decent dreams.” I shake my head. “But now I’m wide awake. And the world is beautiful because I’m in love with you, CJ. I’m crazy in love with you. And I was wondering if you might possibly feel the same way?”
Her lips part, but for a long moment, she says nothing. My life, my heart, my future hang in the balance as I wait. It’s probably only a few seconds, but it feels like an eternity.
The moment she finally smiles up at me, love clear in every curve of her face, is better than all her orgasms. It’s her, giving me her heart to take care of.
And I will handle it with so much care.
She nods, her voice soft at first. “Yes, I might possibly feel the same way, Graham. I might possibly be so crazy in love with you that I’ve spent every moment since I left your place either in the depths of despair, or plotting ways to bring you back to me.”
A weight lifts from my shoulders, banished by her words. I tug her close, needing the connection, savoring her warmth. “I thought you only wanted me for my sexy body,” I say, laughing with relief.
She shakes her head with a huff. “I thought you only wanted a week, and I was so scared of losing your friendship. But then I decided I couldn’t let you go without a fight. I was writing down all the reasons we’re meant to be when you called.”
“I like it when you fight for me.” I stroke her cheek, smiling because I can’t stop. “I want to read your list.”
Her gaze lifts to the ceiling. “I didn’t get very far. I’d just started when this guy I really like showed up on my doorstep and said he loved me.”
“What a jerk that guy is,” I tease.
She shakes her head, playfulness vanishing. “No, he’s not a jerk. He’s a wonderful man with the kindest heart and the most generous spirit, who doesn’t care for emojis either, and who also happens to be incredible in the sack.”
I laugh, grateful for the joke. It came just in time, before I started tearing up right here in the hallway.
“He taught me how good it feels to fall in love,” she continues, running gentle hands up and down my back. “So good, I want to keep learning it over and over.”
My heart thumps hard against my chest. “Butterfly, we’ll keep learning together. Yo
u’ve already taught me so much more than I could ever have taught you. Turns out falling in love is pretty amazing.”
She swallows hard, and her eyes shine with tears. “I’m so glad it was me.”
And just like that, she reminds me again why I love her, how she opens her heart and brings me in out of the cold.
“And I’m so glad you woke me up.” I dip my mouth to hers, this kiss a promise. A vow to never take her heart for granted.
Her lips brush against mine, and everything in the world feels right and true.
When we pull apart, I glance inside her place, where Stephen King is rolling around in front of the television, gnawing on her remote control. “What do you think about ditching the seven days to seduction and turning it into an always?”
“You are my always.” She wiggles her eyebrows, tugs my sweaty shirt, and yanks me into her apartment. “And right now, I want all of you.”
“Have me, woman,” I say with a growl as the door falls shut.
In seconds, she’s locked us both in her bedroom, pulled off my shirt, pushed down my shorts, and is whispering in my ear that we can do it without protection since she’s on birth control.
I didn’t come to her home expecting a gift, but that might be the best present of all. When I slide inside, feeling all of her, I know. I know it’s only going to keep getting better.
That’s another thing she’s taught me, and it’s a lesson I can’t wait to keep learning every single day.
Chapter 30
Graham
It’s Monday afternoon. Go time. The board members are gathered inside the boardroom with their beverages of choice, the glossy marketing preview our ad agency prepared, and all their preconceived notions.
Some of them want to sell.
I know that.
And I know there’s a chance that nothing CJ or I say will change their minds.
A week ago, the thought would have turned me inside out.
But now, I have this woman, this amazing person who will be on my team—and in my heart and my bed—no matter how the vote goes today.
I’m going to be okay. Better than okay, because everything that matters is right here next to me.
“You ready?” I give her hand a quick squeeze outside the heavy brown door.
CJ looks up at me, her eyes warm and sure. “I am. And so are you. You’ve got this. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
I grin, fighting the urge to lean down and kiss her.
Later. After the vote. I’ll do it the very second we’re alone, because I will need her kiss, no matter which way things go.
I swing through the door, holding it for CJ to enter before me. We take our seats as I smile at the familiar faces—even Bill and Betsy, who are wearing twin “I will not be moved” expressions. Well, too bad, guys. I’m going to move you or die trying . . .
Quickly, we run through the standard business matters. Then we move on to the key topic. I stand at the head of the table.
“So, as you all may know . . .” I pause, building the suspense as I take a moment to make eye contact with each person at the table. “I’m a bra man.”
I’m rewarded with chuckles from most.
“Yep, I'm a bra man, a panty man, a baby doll man,” I continue. “I love underwear, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I love underwear, I love women in underwear, and I love this company. Adored is more than a name to me. When Sean and I started this venture, we wanted to make sure every person who slipped into our product felt special, valued, irreplaceable. Sometimes that means they’ll look in the mirror and love how a certain item of clothing makes them feel. Sometimes it means they’ll blow their lover’s socks off in lingerie that brings out the kind of woman they want to be.”
I pace toward the window overlooking the city, motioning toward the sun-drenched skyline. “Beauty means different things to different people. Every woman out there is a unique and beautiful individual. But those women, the women who wear our lingerie, they have things in common too. They value quality, originality, and integrity. They value themselves and believe they deserve the best.”
My gaze drifts back across the room. “With our industry in a state of flux, it can be tempting to think about other options. Easier options, maybe.” I shrug, lifting my hands at my sides. “Sure, why not sell our lingerie company to a conglomerate peddling everything from socks and suits to snow-cone machines and mail-order tick medicine for your dog?”
Muffled laughter assures me the room is still with me.
“But Adored has never been about easy. It’s about a commitment to something fine in a world that’s drowning in fast, cheap, and disposable.” I meet Bill’s gaze, then Betsy’s, watching their expressions soften. “It’s about what women deserve, not what the world has told them to settle for. You want somebody leading this company who understands that, and who understands why Adored is special. A one-company kind of man.” My gaze glides briefly to CJ, enough for only her to understand as I say, “A one-woman kind of man.” She smiles, making my heart do that weightless, walk-on-the-moon thing it does with her these days.
I finish with a line that is about so much more than business. “I want to be that man, and I hope you’ll keep having me.”
A polite smattering of applause fills the room as I motion to CJ. “Now Caroline, Sean’s sister, would like to say a few words.”
CJ stands, beautiful and poised as ever, and I’ve never been prouder to have her on my side. “Hello everyone. Believe me, I know it can be enticing to explore different options. I understand the temptation and have experienced it myself. But in the end, I realized that selling would have been a choice I made out of fear, out of a lack of belief in what I could accomplish.”
Her tone gentles as she adds, “And fear is never a good reason to make a big change. If a sale was right, you would know it in your bones. It would be something you would be ready to fight for.” She pauses, giving a small shake of her head. “But that’s not the feeling I get here today. I sense that you all believe Adored’s future is valuable, and that it should be trusted to someone who understands that.”
CJ arches a wry brow as she motions my way. “And, well . . . Graham knows panties.”
The laughter from the board is louder this time, but I only have eyes for this woman, this dynamite creature bringing the meeting home with a bang.
“He knows bras and bustiers and corsets.” Her smile fades as she adds, “But he knows something much more important too. He knows how to listen to women. To his customers. To the people who appreciate and value Adored’s products. He listens, he learns, he adjusts, he leads—that’s the hallmark of a great businessman.” She glances back to me, her eyes shining. “It’s also the hallmark of a great man. Thank you.”
CJ sits to even louder applause, and I know we’ve won them over.
The vote to move forward with business as usual is unanimous. My company is still mine, and that makes me one happy man.
But someone else makes me even happier.
After the meeting, I steal her away, into my office, locking the door behind us.
“You were incredible,” I murmur against her lips, kissing her hard and deep as I back her across the room.
“So were you.” Her breath hitches as I lift her onto my desk and slide her skirt higher on her thighs. “You’re sexy when you’re commanding a room.”
“You’re sexy on my desk.” I kiss a trail down her throat as I work open the buttons on her blouse. “As a matter of fact, I’ve had this recurring fantasy about you on my desk . . .”
Then I show her, and it’s safe to say we’re voting a unanimous yes to office afternoon delight.
Epilogue
CJ
Six weeks later . . .
They say good things come to those who wait.
I’m not sure that’s always true, but I’m never going to regret waiting for Graham, this man who always knows exactly how to make me smile.
“A roller-disco, monster dress-u
p, twenty-sixth birthday party,” I read, surveying the invitation he’s submitted for my approval. I beam up at him, smiling from ear to ear. “How did you know I’ve always wanted to dress up like a scary clown and party all night long?”
He groans in mock dismay. “No clown. Anything but a clown.”
I slide into his lap on our couch—ours, because I moved in with him two weeks ago, and now his home is our home—and press a kiss to his Saturday-morning scruffy cheek. “Okay, no clown. But yes. I love it. And you. And I can’t wait to see you tricked out as a sexy Dracula.”
He hums softly as he pulls me closer, murmuring in a terrible Transylvanian accent, “Yes, my darlink, I vill dress as Dracula and bite your beautiful body all night long.”
He nips at my neck, and I dissolve into laughter that becomes a gasp and a soft moan as his kisses lose their teasing edge. We retreat to our bedroom, and he surprises me all over again with how quickly he can make me wild and ravenous, like I’m drowning in pleasure and beauty.
And afterward, once we’ve let a yowling Stephen King in to curl at the foot of the bed and chew on an old pair of Graham’s socks—his favorite new chew toys—we snuggle and make more plans.
Plans for the Fourth of July on his friend Luna’s rooftop terrace.
Plans for an August vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, where we intend to eat our weight in lobster rolls.
Plans for a theater premier in September, and his birthday in October, and a visit to his parents’ place in West Palm Beach in November for Thanksgiving.
Though every day feels like Thanksgiving lately.
I have so much to be grateful for.
For this man, this life, this joy, this love . . .