Chapter 14
In my bedroom, he lowers me gently onto the bed and begins removing the rest of his clothes. I watch him, my body still burning. "What are you doing now?"
He climbs over me, kissing up my thighs. "I fucked you in the kitchen, like you asked," he says with a grin. "Now I'm going to take my time and make love to you."
A few hours later...
He wasn't kidding about making love to me. God, he's amazing in every way.
I lie against his chest, both of us still breathing hard, our naked bodies entwined. My fingers trace circles around his scar. "I have a mission coming up. I leave in a couple of weeks, but I'll only be gone a month." Graham looks down at me.
I lift my head, worried. "Where are you going? Is it dangerous?"
He sighs. "Baby, I can't tell you where. But Owen and Lee are going with me, so I'll be safer with them there. They're my brothers. They always have my back."
My teeth clench as every terrible possibility runs through my head. He draws my face toward his. "Stop, Nora. Stop thinking about what could happen. I'll be okay. I promise I'll come straight back to you," he says, trying to ease my worry.
I search his eyes for honesty. "You promise?"
His hands stroke up and down my sides. "I promise." Then he covers my face with kisses.
I pull back a little. "Will you stay tonight?"
He nods. "Yes, but I'll have to leave early for work in the morning."
I start kissing his chest and feel him growing aroused again. "Speaking of work, I thought you were working today." I look at him, confused.
"I was, but Owen, Lee, and I found out about the mission this morning, and Roger let us leave early. I knew you were studying, but I didn't want you thinking I'd kept this from you. So I went home, changed, and came over." Graham searches my eyes for understanding.
He gets up and pulls me out of bed. "Go shower. I'll make lunch." He leaves the bedroom and heads to the kitchen.
Standing under the shower, I think about everything that's happened today. I'm falling for him so hard, so fast.
Afterward, I put on a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and my Converse.
I find Graham in the kitchen with a grilled cheese sandwich for me. It's strange how even the simplest things he does can attract me.
"I hope you don't mind grilled cheese. There isn't much to work with in here," he says with a chuckle.
I hop onto the counter beside him and pick up my sandwich. "Mmm... I love grilled cheese. Besides, between work, family, you, and our friends, I'm hardly home. That doesn't leave much time for grocery shopping." I wink at him.
Graham leans against the counter, eating his sandwich. I watch him. "What are we doing today?"
He turns to me. "There's a festival downtown. I thought we could go."
I smile. "Sounds good." Jumping down, I hurry into my bedroom for my purse. When I return, he's laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" I ask.
He picks up his keys. "You. You're awfully excited about this festival."
I raise an eyebrow. "Well, duh. Festivals always have amazing food. And I like spending time with you outside the bedroom, too." I give him a suggestive wink.
He chuckles and shakes his head, then takes my hand to lead me outside.
When we reach the festival downtown, vendors and white tents line the street. I've heard about these festivals, but I've never been to one.
Graham and I wander hand in hand past the booths. At a jewelry stall, I notice a bracelet set with brightly colored stones. I pick it up to admire it. It's beautiful. Graham's voice startles me with how close it is. "What? No glitter or jewels?"
I wrinkle my nose. "Nah. I'm not much for glitter. It's probably why I like action movies. I like that... edge-of-your-seat feeling, waiting for the big explosions. I know. Fucking weird."
He grins. "No, it's not weird. I already worked out that you like big explosions." He turns to walk away.
I drop the bracelet. "Was that a sexual innuendo?" I gasp.
He throws his head back, laughing. "It can be whatever you want it to be." Then he turns, takes my face in his hands, and kisses me hard.
I blush and push him away as people begin to stare. We move on to an ice cream stand, where I order chocolate and Graham orders strawberry. He steps forward to pay for both. "Graham, I've got mine."
He shakes his head. "No. I'm paying."
I huff. "Graham, I'm serious."
He hands the woman enough money for both cones. "Nora, it's $4. It's not a big deal. I can afford a $4 ice cream cone." He passes me the chocolate one.
I take a breath. "It's not about whether you can afford it. It's about me wanting to feel independent. I don't want to depend on a man."
He chuckles as we continue along the street. "Nora, I hardly think a $4 ice cream cone will make you feel independent. But if it means that much to you, I won't pay for everything when we go out. Just most things."
I roll my eyes. There's no point arguing with him.
We head toward a park and sit on a bench. Watching him eat his ice cream, I ask, "Have you ever had a serious relationship before me?"
He stops eating and looks out across the park. "So... we're having the exes conversation?"
I shrug. "You know a little about mine, but I know almost nothing about your past relationships."
He sits quietly, his gaze moving over the park.
"Well... I had a serious girlfriend three years ago.
Her name was Vanessa. We were together for a year, and I thought I was deeply in love with her.
I was working a lot then, going overseas on missions.
I'd just come back from one when I found she'd packed all her things.
I stood in our apartment's living room while she told me she'd been seeing someone else.
She said he had a lot more money than I did and could take care of her the way she deserved.
After that, I stopped putting myself out there.
I was scared. I suppose I'm still scared of being left for something better. "
"The saying goes that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I believe that. You're such a good man. She didn't deserve you." I take his hand.
He cradles my head and captures my mouth. I kiss him back just as fiercely.
I pull away. "Can I ask something? Why me? Why did you pursue me?"
He smiles, brushing his thumb over my cheek.
"You were nothing like Vanessa. Hell, you were different from any of the girls I'd messed around with.
Looking back, Vanessa was too high maintenance for me.
You argue with me over a fucking $4 ice cream cone because you don't want to depend on anyone. " His voice is firm, and I blush.
He licks his ice cream, then continues. "I knew I liked you the moment you told Lee off. Most girls fall all over his looks and that bad-boy personality. You basically told him to fuck off. It was pretty entertaining. You had all that fire, and I fell for it."
I brush my lips against his. He pulls me closer and deepens the kiss.
This weekend has been amazing...