Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
G raham
“How are you liking Los Angeles so far?” Nathan asked, handing me a beer.
“I like it.” I smiled. “I’m already learning a lot from Dr. Ashley.”
“She is one of the best.” He smiled. “Is your family back in New York?”
“My Aunt Dorinda is. She took me in after my parents passed away.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is.”
“Thanks, Nathan.” I tipped the bottle to my lips.
“So, Dr. Malone.” Conner walked over and hooked his arm around me. “Are you having a good time?”
“I am.” I smiled. “I think this is the best barbecue I’ve ever been to.”
“Damn right, it is. Come on. Let’s go sit around the bonfire and play some music. Things are about to get a whole lot better.” He grinned.
“What are you doing, Uncle Conner?” Ella walked over.
“Just asking Dr. Malone if he’s having a good time. Grab your guitar, Ella, and let’s play.”
Conner unhooked his arm from me, and he and Nathan walked away.
“I hope they were being nice,” Ella said.
“They were. All of your family has been very nice.” I smiled.
We walked to the bonfire and sat in the chairs that gathered around it.
“I’ve been sitting around this bonfire since I was six.” Ella smiled, taking her guitar from its case.
“So, your family always does this?” I asked.
“Almost every night.”
I sat and watched Ella play her guitar with some of the other family members. This was strange to me because I never knew any families that were so close to one another. I had a great time. It was probably one of the greatest days of my life. It was getting late, and everyone was returning to their homes.
I took hold of Ella’s hand as we walked back to her house. I didn’t want to leave and hoped she’d let me stay.
Bringing my hand up to her cheek, I stared into her beautiful blue eyes as we stood in the kitchen.
“I don’t want the night to end,” I softly spoke.
“Neither do I.” She smiled.
Leaning in, I brushed my lips against hers. She forcefully returned my kiss, letting me know she wanted me as much as I wanted her. Lifting her on the island, she wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist as our passionate kiss continued.
“My bedroom is up the stairs, and the second door on the left,” she spoke.
I lifted her from the island and carried her up the stairs. Setting her on the floor in front of the bed, I gripped the bottom of her shirt and lifted it over her head, taking note of her beautiful cleavage in the bra she wore. She did the same and tossed my shirt on the floor. Unbuttoning her shorts, she pulled them down as I took off mine.
“You are so sexy,” I whispered as my lips traveled to her neck.
Pushing her down on the bed, I hovered over her as our lips met, and my hand traveled down her torso and the front of her panties. A gasp escaped her lips as my fingers softly stroked her and gently dipped inside. The wetness that emerged from her turned me on like I had never been turned on before. As much as my cock was aching to be inside her, I had more to explore.
Reaching behind her, I unhooked her bra and exposed her breasts, taking each one in my mouth as her nipples hardened. My tongue slid down the front of her until it reached her panties. Gripping the sides, I took them down and explored her wet area, sliding my tongue up and down her swollen clit as moans escaped her.
“Do you like this?” I asked.
“Yes,” she moaned.
I devoured her with my mouth, tasting the sweet innocence she possessed. Her moans grew intense as an orgasm tore through her. Standing up, I took down my underwear, rolled on a condom, and slipped inside her as our lips tangled. The pleasure I felt tore through me like a hurricane. Taking one of her arms, I secured it with my hand above her head while her other arm was wrapped around me. Her nails dug into my back with each thrust. I didn’t want this to end, but she’d come again, causing my cock to spasm out of control. I rapidly moved in and out until I couldn’t hold back anymore and buried myself deep inside her, halted, and exploded. My heart raced out of control as I lowered my body onto hers and pressed my lips against the side of her neck. Letting go of her wrist, she wrapped her other arm around me and gently stroked my back.
I lifted myself up and stared into her eyes, taking my finger and brushing away a piece of hair on her forehead. A soft smile crossed my lips, as did one on hers.
“That was really good,” I said.
“Yes, it was.”
I pulled out of her and rolled onto my back. She rolled on her side, and her fingers softly stroked my chest.
“You can stay the night if you want?”
“I’d love to stay the night. Maybe we can go for a run in the morning,” I said. “I have clothes and sneakers in the Jeep.”
“I’d like that.” She grinned.
“Your dad is going to know my car has been here all night.”
“So? I’m an adult, and I do what I want. My father already knows not to question me. He did it one time, and it was a mistake.”
“Ah. But you’ll always be daddy’s little girl, no matter how old you are.”
“I know, but it’s my life.”
“I really do like your family, Ella.”
“Thanks. Me too.” She brightly smiled, laying her head on my chest.
“If you don’t mind me asking. What did your grandfather want to talk to you about?”
She let out a sigh. “My grandma has been having some problems with her memory. I noticed it about a year ago, but it was so mild that I just chalked it up to her age. But now, it’s getting worse, and I noticed it more when she traveled with me to New York. He’s worried about her, and so am I. Unfortunately, I know what’s happening, and I need to convince her to get an MRI done.”
“She called me Henry. She probably thought I was Lily’s brother,” he said.
“No. She thought you were her ex-husband, Henry.” She lifted her head. “There isn’t enough time in the world to tell you about him. I never met him. He passed away before I came to live with my dad. Shaun and Claire are also his children from his affairs, and Nora is his daughter from one of his ex-wives. Henry also had two brothers; nobody but Barb knew about the third brother. He was only discovered after he came to town and was very ill. He and Barb kept in contact after Henry’s funeral, and he was Grayson and Gabriel’s father. Then, come to find out, he got another woman pregnant with Carter at the same time the twin’s mother was pregnant. Oh, and my Uncle Christian is my Uncle Conner’s twin brother who was stolen at birth. He discovered who his family really was after taking a 23AndMe test when he was already an adult and cardiothoracic surgeon.”
I stared at her in disbelief, furrowing my brows.
“I know. It’s a lot. There’s more, but I think you’ve heard enough for tonight.” She laughed.
“I have no words for everything you just told me,” I said.
“Can I be honest with you?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“I never tell anyone about our family like that, not even my ex.”
“Why did you tell me?” I ran my finger down her cheek.
“I don’t know. I think it’s because it felt natural to tell you. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“What is this scar from?” She softly ran her finger along it.
“A car accident. The accident that killed my mother.”
“I’m sorry, Graham,” she said.
“Let’s get some sleep so we can get up for that run in the morning.” I smiled, leaning in and kissing her lips.
“Good idea.”
My arm wrapped securely around her as her head lay on my chest. Staring up at the ceiling, I thought about how this day and night felt right. Closing my eyes, I was startled by the nightmare I’d had.
“Graham, wake up.” I felt my shoulders shake. “Graham!”
My eyes flew open. I could see Ella staring at me as the light of the moon filtered through the sheer curtains.
“I’m fine,” I said, breathing rapidly. “Go back to sleep.”
The following morning, Ella stirred in my arms. Opening my eyes, a smile crossed my lips.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good morning.” A bright smile crossed her face.
“You ready for that run?” I asked.
“I am if you are. I’ll make us a cup of coffee while you get your bag from the car.” She softly kissed my lips.
I let out a long stretch before climbing out of bed. Pulling on my shorts, I went out to my car. I heard a voice as I grabbed my bag from the back seat.
“Morning, Dr. Malone.”
Turning around, I saw Nathan heading toward me.
Shit.
“Nathan, good morning.” I nervously smiled.
“I assume it was too late for you to drive home last night?”
“Uh—”
“Don’t sweat it.” He patted my shoulder. “I know my little girl isn’t so little anymore.”
This was too awkward.
“Dad, what are you doing?!” I heard Ella yell from the porch.
“Morning, sweetheart. I just got back from dropping your mom and Willow off at Shaun’s plane. I saw Dr. Malone out here and thought I’d say hi.”
“Okay. Hi and bye. Come on, Graham. Get changed so we can go for that run.”
“Have a good day, Nathan,” I glanced at him.
“You too, Dr. Malone.”