Chapter 6
As I sit down, I notice Graham staring at me. “Nora, you look beautiful. Don't get me wrong, you always look amazing. But tonight, you're breathtaking.”
I take a deep breath. “You know, I'm pretty sure friends don't compliment each other like that.”
He smirks. “Who said we were going to be just friends?”
My eyes widen. I look into his ice-blue eyes and keep breathing deeply. “I thought we agreed to be friends.”
A broad grin spreads across his face. “I don't remember agreeing to anything like that.
Look, Nora, we both know I'm attracted to you, and you're attracted to me.
Before you argue, I've caught you checking me out.” I blush.
He's absolutely right. “Give me one good reason this shouldn't be a date, and I'll consider just being your friend.”
I let out a slow breath. “I'm not sure I'm ready to date. I have a hard time trusting men.”
He clasps his hands on the table. “I'm guessing this is about an ex. I'm not him. Please don't compare me to him. I'd never do anything to hurt you.”
I look around at the other couples, afraid to meet his intense gaze. When I finally find the courage, he seems to be looking straight into my soul. “Okay. I'll try not to compare you.”
He smiles and places his hand over mine. “Thank you. Now, I don't want to talk about exes. This is our first date. I'd rather spend it getting to know each other.”
Amused, I look at him. “Okay. How old are you, and what do you do for work?”
“I'm twenty-seven. I'm in the military, like Owen and Lee. The three of us were Navy SEALs. We were injured in combat, and now we work on the base here. I'm a weapons specialist. I help design and test weapons.”
That catches my interest. “So, you're a good shot?”
He gives an amused huff. “Well, I was a sniper, so I guess so.” That's so sexy. No wonder he's so muscular.
“How were you injured, if you don't mind my asking?”
“Our vehicle hit a roadside bomb. It practically tore off my left arm. I needed several surgeries to repair it. They saved it, but it still gives me trouble.” There's excitement in his voice as he tells me.
I can't work out whether he's pleased that I'm engaging in the conversation or simply enjoys talking about his military background.
“Do you plan to stay here, or do you think you'll be stationed somewhere else?” I ask.
He breaks into a huge grin. “Ah, planning our future already? To answer your question, no. I'm not planning to move anytime soon.”
I chuckle. “Keep dreaming.”
“Okay, enough about me. I want to hear about you. You'll be twenty-two soon, right? And you're in your final year of college. What do you want to do after graduation?” He leans forward, waiting for my answer.
I grin, trying not to laugh. “Ah, planning our future already?” I take a sip of water and watch him, amused.
He chuckles. “Damn right.” I choke on my water and start coughing. I wasn't expecting that answer. He looks thoroughly entertained.
“Yes, I'll be twenty-two soon, and I graduate in May.
I never really thought about where I'd end up until Renzo talked to Bianca and me about becoming partners and taking over the restaurant in five years. So it looks as though I might stay. Who knows what the future holds?” More like, who knows whether Damon and Henry will find me.
Graham and I leave the restaurant. In the passenger seat, I rest a hand on my thigh. A warm hand reaches over and threads its fingers through mine. I look at Graham. He isn't even looking my way, but there's a grin on his face. Real smooth, Mr. Whitaker.
We arrive at Bianca's apartment. I get out, and Graham walks me to the steps.
God, I'm nervous. Is he going to kiss me?
I feel like I could throw up. At the bottom of the steps, I give him a small wave.
“Good night, Graham.” He smiles. “Good night, Nora.” I turn to go up, but he catches my hand and spins me toward him.
His other hand comes to the side of my face, and his lips meet mine.
The sudden movement surprises me, but I kiss him back immediately.
I wrap my arms around his neck as he deepens the kiss.
His hands slide to my waist and draw me against him.
My whole body is on fire. He kisses me as though I'm the only person in the world.
I slowly run my hands down to his chest, feeling his muscles tighten beneath my touch.
I press back a little, breaking the kiss.
He looks into my eyes, then kisses my forehead.
“Good night, Nora.” Still trying to catch my breath, I answer softly, “Good night, Graham.”
I climb the steps and enter Bianca's apartment to find her straddling Owen. She's in her bra, and he's shirtless. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I exclaim.
Bianca gets off Owen and comes toward me, grabbing her shirt. “How did it go?”
I shake my head and drop my keys on the counter. “Really? I practically walk in on you two having sex, and you want to ask about my date?”
Her eyes light up. “So it was a date!”
I take a deep breath. “Yes. No. Fuck, I guess so. Graham wouldn't stop calling it a date, so I gave in.” Owen gets up and heads to the kitchen to heat some popcorn. “I'll talk to you later, Bia, so you and Owen can finish.”
Owen throws back his head and laughs. “Believe me, we will later.
Right now, I'm more interested in this non-date that became a date. Did you let him kiss you?” I blush and nod.
He grins. “Then I'd call that a date. If you didn't think it was one, you wouldn't have let him kiss you.
And judging by your face, I'd say you enjoyed it.”
I turn to walk away. “I'm not discussing this.”
Bianca grabs the purse still hanging from my shoulder. “Oh, no, you don't. He kissed you, and you kissed him back!”
I turn toward her. “Yes, I kissed him back. It got a little heated, and I pushed him away. Not to be mean. Just to let him know I wasn't ready for anything more right then.”
Bianca squeals. “Oh my God! What was it like? Did it make you want him more? I know it's been over a year since you had sex.”
I look at Owen. He's stopped eating his popcorn, his mouth hanging open. “BIANCA! Owen doesn't need to know everything about me. I'm not even sure I want Graham knowing that,” I yell.
She giggles. “Oh, when you get that far, he'll know.”
Owen pushes away from the counter. “Yeah, I'd tell him before you get to that point. He needs to know.” I was surprised. Owen wasn't looking at me as though I were a freak. He seemed more concerned than anything.
I give him a confused look. “Why?”
He smirks. “A few reasons. Mostly because you'll be tight, and he'll want to be gentle so he doesn't hurt you.
Being that tight will also make it difficult for any guy not to come as soon as he's inside you.
And it'll boost Graham's ego. He'll know you're not easy, and he'll feel good that you've let him have you. It's a guy thing.”
“Are you going to tell him about this conversation?” I raise an eyebrow.
He tips his head back. “Not if I want to live.
You should know something about Graham, Nora.
It could be good or bad, but he gets jealous easily.
He'd be pissed if he knew we were talking about sex, especially about you and him.
That's a conversation he'd want to have with you himself.
He's not abusive or anything. Just a little possessive.”
I leave Bianca's place and head home. In my apartment, I flop onto the bed and touch my lips, remembering the incredible kiss Graham and I shared. He really is amazing. I've never felt like this about a man, and I don't know whether I'll be able to control myself around him.