Chapter 15
The week is hectic with work and school. Graham and I have hardly seen each other; we've both been busy.
I decide to spend Friday night at Bianca's so we can get ready for the military ball together.
Saturday morning...
I wake in Bianca's bed and find her gone, though I can hear her in the kitchen. Following the smell of coffee down the hall, I find her making pancakes.
She turns toward me. "Good morning! Coffee?"
My eyes widen. "Yes, please!" She pours me a cup and hands it over. I go to her apartment window and watch the tourists shopping below.
Turning back, I ask, "Do you need any help?"
She shakes her head. "No, but I need to tell you something." I nod. "Owen asked me to move in with him when they get back from their mission."
My eyes widen again. "What did you say?"
She draws a breath. "I said yes! God, Nora, I'm so in love with him. He's sweet, charming, fucking hotter than hell, amazing in bed, and our family loves him. He can even handle my temper. He's the whole package. Kind of like Graham." She winks.
I smirk and shake my head. "You're in love with him, aren't you?" she asks.
My stomach tightens. "Yes, but I'm not telling him yet."
Bianca leans toward me. "Nora, stop being so oblivious. That man is in love with you. Tell him how you feel."
I shake my head. "No. I'm not ready to put my heart out there. It's not up for discussion."
After breakfast and a chat, Bianca goes to the bathroom. I follow and find her winding her hair onto curling rods. I chuckle. "What are you doing?"
She rolls her eyes. "Hey! My hair's thick, and I want to look good for Owen."
Once our hair and makeup are done, I follow Bianca into her bedroom. She slips into a beautiful red dress. It's more revealing than I'd be comfortable with, but she wears it elegantly.
I stare at her. "Damn, Bianca. Owen won't be able to keep his hands to himself."
She smirks. "That's the plan."
As I reach for my dress, Bianca whistles at me in my lingerie. "Stop," I say, blushing.
I slip into a green dress, fitted through the bodice and waist before flowing around my thighs. The color was a little bold, but I liked it.
Bianca shakes her head. "Wow, Nora. You look beautiful."
There's a knock, and Bianca opens the door to a speechless Owen and Graham.
Graham's gaze sweeps over me, and his jaw tightens. I can't tell whether he's angry.
He walks past Owen and Bianca without taking his eyes off me. When he reaches me, he kisses me hard. "Fuck... you look incredible. If you're going to look like that all night, we're not staying at this ball long," he says, breathing deeply.
We head outside. I climb into Graham's truck while Bianca gets into Owen's SUV.
Graham laces his fingers through mine and kisses my hand. "God, Nora. You have no idea what you do to me."
"I could say the same about you." Smirking, I kiss down his neck and hear him groan.
When we arrive at the military ball, music fills the room and people are dancing. White fabric covers the walls, and a glass chandelier hangs at the center of the ballroom. It's elegant. A stage with a microphone stands toward the back.
In one corner, I spot a buffet of finger foods and chocolate-covered strawberries. I tug Graham toward it, making him chuckle. "Food is the way to your heart. Got it."
At the buffet, I pick up a chocolate-covered strawberry and bite into it. As I lower it, Graham bends down, kisses the corner of my mouth, and licks away the chocolate. I smack his chest. "Sorry, babe. I was just helping get the chocolate off your face," he says, laughing.
I shake my head. "I could have managed. I really love chocolate-covered strawberries."
He gives me a mischievous grin. "I'll remember that tonight."
My eyes widen as I imagine what he might do. Nope. Not going there. It'll only turn me on.
He takes my hand and pulls me toward the dancers. "Come on. You can eat later. Let's get out on the dance floor."
"No Diggity" comes on, and Graham draws me into his arms before spinning me around. My ass rests against his crotch. His hands tighten at my waist, pulling me closer. I press back against him, and his heavy breath against my neck raises goosebumps.
He brings his mouth to my ear. "Keep teasing me, and I'll take you right here on the dance floor."
I smirk, knowing it's an empty threat. "No, you won't. You wouldn't want any of these men seeing me naked."
He chuckles. "You're right."
He kisses the sensitive spot on my neck, sending another shiver over me. "But I will tease you all night. I'll take it slowly until you're begging me to fuck you." Well... damn. He's got me there.
He turns me around and kisses me. Then "Don't Let Go" by En Vogue begins to play.
I loop my arms around Graham's neck, and his hands settle at my waist. We sway together to the music.
There'll be some love making, heartbreaking, soul shaking
Oh, love making, heartbreaking, soul shaking love
As those words play, Graham gazes into my eyes. I know exactly what he's thinking.
When the song ends, he kisses me passionately.
We join Bianca, Owen, Lee, and Julia. Graham starts talking with the guys.
Bianca pulls me aside. "Owen can't keep his hands off me tonight. I swear, if I gave him the chance, he'd fuck me in the bathroom."
I roll my eyes. "God, knowing you, you'd probably let him if you were horny enough."
She smirks. "Mmm... fair enough. Although I've noticed someone else's hands and lips are all over you. Somebody's getting lucky tonight!"
Blushing, I nudge her away. "You're ridiculous."
At last, the commander takes the stage for a speech and a toast. He wishes the young men and women well on their deployments and missions.
I squeeze Graham's hand, thinking of his mission in a couple of weeks. I'm going to be a fucking mess.
He turns to me. "Remember? I promised I'd come back to you."
I nod, and he kisses the top of my head. "Want to head to my place?" I nod again.
We work our way through the crowd and out of the building. As we're walking away, a hand clamps around my wrist, stopping me short. I spin around. Horror widens my eyes as I face the man who haunts my nightmares.