Chapter 10
As the week passes, I can't stop overthinking my Friday date with Graham.
Thursday morning...
I go into the restaurant to ask Renzo whether I can leave early tomorrow. I knock on his office door. “Hey, got a second?” I ask nervously.
He nods. “Of course, love.” I step inside and sit across from his desk.
“Would you mind if I took a half day tomorrow?”
He leans back and strokes his beard. “Does this have anything to do with you missing family night two weekends ago?”
I blush. “Possibly.”
He rests his hands on the desk. “I'll make you a deal. Leave whenever you need to tomorrow, as long as you bring him to family dinner on Saturday. Besides, I want you there. We have something important to discuss.”
I take a deep breath. “Deal.”
I go to the bar and start preparing for the lunch rush. Bianca comes over with her customers' drink order. “Sooo... I hear you're leaving early tomorrow. Where are you going?”
I shake the drink I'm mixing. “Graham is taking me shooting at his work, and then he's cooking dinner at his house.”
Her eyes widen. “Is this the proper date he was talking about?”
My heart pounds as I remember what he said last weekend about taking me on a proper date before we go further sexually.
“Honestly, I don't know. I've been stressing over it all week.
I don't know what to do. Should I pack clothes or not?
I don't want him thinking I'm suggesting we're going to have sex.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “You think too much.
Pack a bag and leave it in your trunk. He won't know you came prepared.
If you're not ready, you won't feel as though you've given him the wrong idea.
But it'll be there if you decide you can't keep your hands off him.
And I'm not going to lie, that man is sex on legs.” She winks.
“God, I fucking know, Bia. Just thinking about him turns me on,” I say wearily.
After work, I head home. In my room, I debate whether to pack a bag. What to do, what to do? In the end, I pack the fucking bag. Ugh. What am I doing? I'm never like this.
The next morning, I get ready for a few hours at work and throw my bag into the trunk. At the restaurant, Bianca is counting the cash in the register. I walk over. “Hey.” She smirks. “So, did you pack a bag?”
My chest rises with a breath. “Yes.”
A huge smile spreads over her face as she comes around the bar. “You'd better tell me everything tomorrow morning, before family dinner. Speaking of which, Uncle Renzo says you're bringing someone special. Would that special someone happen to be named Graham?”
I purse my lips. “I agreed, but I haven't asked Graham yet. It might not even happen.”
She shakes her head. “The way that man looks at you, I'm sure he'll jump at the chance.”
I leave work early and change into jeans, a gray tank top, a gray-and-red plaid shirt, and sneakers.
Then I head to Graham's work. At the gate, the guard finds my name on his visitor list. I drive through and park.
Graham is leaning against a brick building in his camp uniform and boots.
Even his work clothes make him look sexy.
I climb out and walk over. He takes my hands and gives me a quick kiss. On our way inside, I meet a few of his coworkers. Soon we come across a tall man. Graham immediately shakes his hand. “Good afternoon, Commander. I'd like you to meet someone very special. This is Nora.”
The man turns to me and offers his hand. “Hello, Nora. I'm Roger. It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you.” I give Graham a surprised look. “Hello, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you don't mind Graham showing me around his workplace.”
Roger smiles. “Of course not.” As Graham starts to lead me away, Roger adds, “She's a keeper, Graham.”
Graham smiles. “I know.”
I'm still taken aback by the exchange. “Graham, who was that?” He swipes his ID, and we pass through doors leading to an outdoor range. “My boss. He made sure Owen, Lee, and I got the medical care and therapy we needed.” My mouth forms a quiet “Oh.”
I turn and see guns laid out on a table. Lee and Owen stand nearby, studying gun blueprints. They spot me and wave. Graham and I walk over. Owen looks at Graham, then grins at me. “What's up, princess?” Graham's posture stiffens. He doesn't like Owen's nickname for me.
I smile at Owen. “Nothing much. Just spending the day with Graham.”
Owen leans toward Graham. “Would you relax? Don't get me wrong, Nora's beautiful, but Bianca's got it going on. Besides, I'm planning to tell her how I feel tonight.”
My eyes widen. “You are? Oh my gosh!” I throw my arms around Owen. “I'm so happy for you two!”
He laughs and hugs me back. “Same goes for you, Nora.” I look up at him. Weird.
Graham takes my hand and leads me to one of the shooting stands. He shows me how to hold a gun correctly and how to load and unload it. When I step into position, he stands directly behind me. I can feel his pecs against my back. Mmm, he smells good. Focus, Nora.
I'm so nervous. I glance back at him. “Will it kick hard?”
He bends until his face is close to mine. “Not too hard. Don't worry. I'm right behind you.” His warm breath touches my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
I ease back on the trigger, and the loud report startles me. My shot hits the upper-right shoulder of the black outline on the paper, nowhere near the center target. “Damn.”
Graham leans down and kisses my cheek. “You did well for your first shot. Don't get discouraged.” I take a deep breath and fire again. This time, the shot lands lower and much closer to the target.
We spend the afternoon trying different guns. Of course, as a former sniper, Graham is an incredible shot. Part of me wants to see a bazooka blow something up, but that's from watching too many action movies. If I were actually close enough to one, I'm sure I'd be scared shitless.
We say goodbye to Lee and Owen and start cleaning up. Outside, Graham opens my car door and kisses me. “I'll meet you at my house?” I nod and give him another quick kiss. “Yes. I'll follow you.”
I follow Graham to a beautiful modern house.
He lives in the city, but the neighboring houses aren't too close.
It's really nice. I notice an attached two-car garage and another two-car garage standing separately.
He pulls into the garage while I park in the driveway.
I walk to the front door, and he unlocks it and lets me in.
The moment the door opens, I leap into his arms. He catches me, and I kiss him, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He shuts the door, carries me into the kitchen, and sets me on the counter.
His hands move over me. At last, he breaks the kiss, breathing hard.
“I need to start dinner. Would you like a drink?”
I nod.
He pours a glass of wine. I look at him. “How did you know I like that wine?”
He smiles as he hands it over. “I noticed you ordered it on our first date. You seemed to enjoy it.”
I hopped off the counter and went to him, pressing my lips to his and tasting him with my tongue. Then I drew back. “You really are too good to be true.”
He smirks. “I could say the same about you.” If he only knew the real me. He'd be running into the sunset.
We ate dinner, and it was delicious. I had no idea Graham could cook so well.
Afterward, he pulled me onto the couch and asked me to choose a movie.
I pick Black Panther because, well, I love action movies.
As it starts, he draws me against him. I lie there tracing a finger over his chest. I want him so badly. I want him to make love to me now.
He notices and looks down at me. “Nora, is everything all right?” I sit up, blushing. “Yes.” He sits up, too, and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “What's going on in that pretty head of yours?”
I draw a deep breath. “I want you.” The words come out breathlessly.
He stares at me for a moment. God, I thought I'd read all the signs right.
Maybe he doesn't want me. Before the thought can go any further, his lips crash into mine.
He catches my waist and pulls me onto his lap.
“Baby, you have no idea how long I've wanted to hear that,” he growls.
Then his mouth moves along my jaw and down my neck, drawing a moan from me.