Chapter 37 Lori
LORI
"Whatever happens, I want you to know there will never be a day when I don't want you and Milo." He said the words gently, cupping my face in his big hands. "I understand why you have that fear, but I need you to trust me, to trust us."
"I do."
"Obviously, I know it was wrong to write that scumbag a check."
“I don’t like that he got money out of you. I don’t like it at all. I know you meant well. But you understand what I mean about making decisions together, right?” I asked.
“I do. I promise that I do.”
"So we'll work together in the future? Not just on this, but also the problems with your dad and Nana.”
"We will," he assured me. "But know this: my instinct will always be to take care of the things that might upset you. Tell me how I can make it up to you."
"You don't have anything to make up for, but if you insist, I can think of a few things," I said coyly, running my forefinger from the button of his polo shirt to his sternum.
He looked at me with those blue eyes I adored.
They were full of love… and heat. The latter sent a sizzle so hot through me that I involuntarily shimmied my hips.
Graham slyly raised one corner of his mouth.
Could this man not tempt me like this in broad daylight? I knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, though. It was just his irresistible sex appeal.
"Yeah, I can think of a few things too." He pressed his forehead against mine. "I love you, Lori. And I have great plans for us."
"Oh? Care to share them with me?"
He pulled back a notch. "I think I'll leave you guessing for now."
I laid both palms on his chest, debating how I could lure this out of him. Blackmail? Nah, too early in the day for that. Seduction? That could work. But we were in public, so my plan was a bust. Besides, I liked surprises. That didn't mean I didn't want hints, though.
"You really aren't going to tell me anything, are you?"
"No, I don't think I will. You're adorable when you're curious. And I'm good at making you fret."
"Don't be so full of yourself. I can resist your charm if I have to."
His eyes flashed. I liked to provoke him even more than he liked to make me fret.
"When you put it like that, sounds like I don't have much going for me."
"I didn't say I was immune," I pointed out, and then I started counting on my fingers.
"You've got a lot going for you. See, you have these unique talents in the kitchen, and the bedroom. Plus, you charmed my son and my siblings. That's no small feat. And you—"
He feathered his lips on my neck, and I lost not only my ability to speak, but also my trail of thought.
When he placed open-mouthed kisses on my sweet spot, I squirmed and fidgeted.
Then I felt the tip of his tongue slide across my skin too.
Oh, this vile man. He wasn't going to sweet-talk me into anything anymore.
Once the tongue was involved, I knew he was going to seduce me.
"Graham," I half whispered, half moaned. I was already hot and bothered, and he was only teasing my neck.
"I'm taking you home, Lori. I'll share my plan for this afternoon," he whispered on a growl. "Starts with you under me. I'll love you until you cry out my name. That's a promise."
"I love your promises," I muttered. We had the entire day to ourselves, since Milo wasn’t coming back until tomorrow.
"I intend to make good on every single one of them."
Graham kept his promise and seduced me thoroughly that lazy afternoon at my house.
He was kissing every inch of skin that wasn’t covered with clothes. His hands were busy methodically ridding me of said clothes. Every morsel of skin he revealed, he traced with his lips.
He kissed up my left inner thigh, then the right one.
Then he buried his mouth in between, stroking me with his tongue until my legs nearly gave in.
I was standing in front of the bed, and I was afraid I’d topple on it any second now.
My clit was on fire. With every lash of Graham’s tongue, the heat spread along my nerve endings.
Pressure was building inside me. He kissed my tender flesh until he brought me so close to climaxing I almost saw stars.
But then he pulled back, laying me on the bed.
“Not yet, sweetheart. I promise I will make you come hard, but not yet.”
I kissed his chest as he climbed over me, rolling lower to trace the line of his abs with my tongue, feeling his erection across my chest. Graham pulled me back up until our mouths were level.
He captured my lips, sliding in his tongue, kissing me ferociously.
This man wasn’t just kissing me. He was making love to my mouth.
I became so turned on from his kissing I felt I would combust soon.
I brought Graham’s hand to my clit. He slid two fingers inside me, groaning against my mouth when he realized how slick I was.
Pressing the heel of his palm against my clit, he moved his hand rhythmically, driving me crazy.
My body was at his mercy: his tongue explored my mouth, his fingers filled me, his palm worked my clit.
I exploded all around him, bracing my palms on those muscle-laced arms. I felt him move slightly on the bed, then heard him slide on protection before he pushed inside me.
“Oh, oh, oh… Graham.” My inner muscles were still clenched tight from the orgasm, and Graham slid in a few inches.
“You feel perfect.” Another inch. “Perfect.”
I rolled my hips then, taking in all of him, reveling in the exquisite pleasure. He loved me until we were both satiated and spent.
“Mmmm… every afternoon should be like this,” I declared a while later, after we’d showered and returned to bed.
“I can make it happen.” Graham bit my shoulder lightly.
His hands were naughty again. He was propped against the headrest, and I was lying with half of my back against his chest. One of his hands was circling my nipples, turning the skin on my breasts to goose bumps.
The other was drawing small circles on my lower belly, inching dangerously close to my clit.
“Your hands are wandering a lot today,” I admonished.
“They are, aren’t they? Entirely your doing.”
“How do you figure?”
He kissed one shoulder then the other. “You’re the one tempting me.”
“Oh, I see. So you’re not going to claim any responsibility?”
His lips spread in a grin. “None whatsoever.”
I moved one of my hands between his thighs, squeezing his erection. He groaned.
“You were saying, Graham?”
“Lori.” His voice held a hint of warning, but I ignored it, pumping along the length until I was satisfied that he was just as hot and bothered as I was. Then I stopped touching him and swatted his hands away, turning so I was half straddling him, laying my head on his chest.
We stayed like that for a long while, and eventually, I asked, “What’s on your mind, Graham? I can feel your wheels spinning.”
“My dad. Wondering what’s the best way to deal with him. I was thinking about asking him to work at the club again instead of just giving him money. Maybe it’ll teach him about responsibility.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“But I don’t trust him handling any money.”
“How about PR? I saw a few old interviews with him. He seemed good in front of the camera.”
He kissed the top of my head. “That’s definitely a good plan. Amber could keep a close eye on him. She’d love it. Thanks for the idea.”
“Anytime. Thank you for talking about it with me.” I wanted to give this man everything he needed: my love and support, my strength.
I cuddled closer to him, then moved on top, propping my chin on his chest, looking up at him.
Graham feathered his fingers up and down the sides of my torso, paying extra attention to my breasts. I squirmed against him. He groaned.
“You have more ideas, huh?” His voice was rougher now.
I licked my lower lip. “Plenty.”
He cupped my ass with both hands, squeezing a little. “Why don’t you show them to me right now?”
“I’m trying to decide which one to pick first.”
A few days later, after Milo fell asleep in the evening, Graham brought up Jeff.
“My accountant said that he hasn’t cashed that check.”
“Wow. Why do you think?”
“Talked to one of the club’s lawyers. He said Jeff’s likely waiting for the malpractice suit to be over to cash it; otherwise, he could lose that money too.
I want my lawyer to draw up a document for that scumbag to sign that he’ll never bother you and Milo again, and if it’s okay with you, I’d ask him to give up parental rights too.
I’d like Milo to see me as his dad one day. ”
I swear my heart grew in size. “I’d love that, Graham. I’d love it.”
Jeff didn’t give in easily. His first reaction when we approached him with the document was to ask for more money. Then Graham and I brought out the big guns, setting up a meeting with Jeff and a sharp lawyer.
I made it clear to Jeff that not only would I drag him through courts for the accrued child support, but that we’d accuse him of extortion too.
When the lawyer and Will—who’d insisted on attending the meeting and flashed his badge at every turn—explained to him that cashing Graham’s check could constitute proof of extortion, which is punishable by two to four years in prison in California, not only did he agree to sign our papers, he also returned the check and gave up his parental rights.
“See, brother?” I teased as Will, Graham, and I stepped out of the attorney’s office. “The badge does work on someone.”
Will winked. “Works on everyone I’m not related to.”
Graham kissed the side of my head, pulling me into a half hug. “Let’s go pick up our boy from school.”