Craig

Tuesdays and Wednesdays were Craig’s nights off and he’d decided Tuesday night would be the real starting-off point for their relationship.

He’d called in a favor with Braden and gotten a last-minute reservation at his restaurant La Cour. It was one of the swankiest French restaurants in town and not Craig’s usual sort of place, but he wanted Rain to know she was special.

Her eyes had widened at the sight of him standing in her doorway wearing the suit his mum had insisted on buying him for Christmas last year. She said every man should own a suit. This was his first time wearing the tailored three-piece suit. It was a dark gray and a slim-cut fit.

Rain’s chocolate eyes had darkened to almost black. “You look sexy as hell.”

Craig had taken in the dark red, fitted dress that was similar in style to most of the dresses he’d seen her in. This one, however, was cut lower in the neckline and she was wearing a silver locket that was nestled in her cleavage. He was going to have to try hard not to become fixated on that damn necklace for the rest of the evening.

“You look stunning,” he’d said. “But then, you always do.”

“Where are we going that you’re all fancied up? And am I dressy enough?”

“You always are. And it’s a surprise.”

Now Rain was sitting across from him at their cozy table in La Cour, smiling curiously at him as the waiter poured them each a glass of champagne. He didn’t really drink champagne, although he didn’t mind the taste of it. He was more of a whisky guy, but again he wanted Rain to feel special, and an eighty-pound bottle of champagne should hopefully help do that.

When the waiter left Rain gave him a wry smile. “La Cour? I thought you had to make a reservation weeks in advance.”

“Joss’s boyfriend, Braden, owns it.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “Connections.”

“You’ve never eaten here, then?”

“Nope. You?”

“Nope.”

The curiosity shone in her eyes. “Then why are we here?”

He leaned across the table and covered her hand with his. “Because I wanted this to be a special night.”

“This is lovely,” she said, her expression turning serious, “but you do know that you don’t have to spend loads of money on me to make me feel special?”

“Rain—”

She turned her hand so she could clasp his in it. “Craig, I just wanted to go on a date with you. Fish and chips and a stroll down by the waterfront would have been just as amazing. I need you to know that.”

“I do now.” He felt a moment of worry that he’d perhaps done this all wrong. He felt a little out of his depth with this whole serious-dating stuff. “Is this too much?”

She smiled and like always he felt something shift in his chest when she did it. “No. No one’s ever thought enough of me to take me somewhere like this. It’s a magical first date.”

The tension left him. “Good. I’m glad.”

They shared an intimate smile before checking out the menu.

“Although I’m not sure what half of the stuff on the menu is,” she muttered.

“Thank fuck,” he muttered back. “Because neither do I.”

*   *   *

Dinner was finished and although they’d been wary of what they were ordering, the food turned out to be as delicious as Braden had assured. They were waiting on dessert, and Rain seemed to have a nice buzz going from the champagne. In all honesty she was the most relaxed Craig had ever seen her.

He decided to at least set something straight while she was in a good mood and not readying herself to run for the door.

“To me this is a relationship,” he said. “I want this to be a real relationship. Monogamy and all.”

He saw her shoulders tense a little. “Craig . . . we should take this slow.”

“Of course,” he agreed, even though he already had visions of them playing house. “As long as we agree that we’re taking it slow with the understanding that we are taking it somewhere serious. I can’t promise what will happen in the future; no one can. But I can promise that I want to be with you.”

Her eyes shone in the candlelight. “Okay. Me too. But we’re taking it slow.”

He grinned triumphantly. “We’re taking it slow.”

* * *

“The best I’ve ever had. I promise you that.”

Rain’s words hadn’t stopped echoing in Craig’s head for the last week. He hated having to leave her to go to work, and that was a first. The truth was he’d had to physically drag himself away from her. And while his body was at work, his head was still in bed with Rain. Jo slyly commented on his absentmindedness, as if she knew the cause, and he was pretty sure that gossip would make its way to Joss’s ears and he’d never hear the end of it.

But he didn’t care. All he could think about was Rain’s mouth, her skin, the feel of her hair sliding through his fingers, her perfume, and how goddamn amazing it felt to be inside of her.

He was quite possibly addicted to this woman.

When customers flirted with him at work he automatically flirted back for tips, but it lacked his usual sincerity because there was only one woman in the world he found truly fucking beautiful, and none of these women were Rain.

The thought of going home to his empty bed in his flat filled him with dread. Salvation from the strange and unusual loneliness he felt at the thought came when his phone vibrated in his pocket an hour before closing.

I’m still up if you want to come to mine after your shift. Rain xo

Craig grinned at the text, filled with anticipation just at the thought.

I’ll be there, darlin’. Can’t wait to see you.

He saw no sense in being cool with her. He didn’t feel cool about her. He felt like his blood was on fire and there was no point in pretending otherwise.

Me too xo

He chuckled at the smiley face, discovering he found everything about her an enticing mix of sexy and adorable.

*   *   *

Something came over him as he climbed the stairs up to Rain’s flat a little over an hour later. It was something primal and desperate and while it excited the hell out of him, it also made him a little uneasy that one woman could make him feel this way.

Any uneasiness disappeared, however, as soon as she opened the door.

She was wearing a dark blue silk-and-lace nightie that heated his blood and sent a jolt straight to his dick.

She really was sincerely the sexiest, most beautiful woman he’d ever met.

“Hey, I—”

Craig cut off whatever she was going to say when he stepped inside the door and grabbed her wrist to wrench her hard against his body. His lips slammed down on her lush mouth and satisfaction flared when she instantly wrapped her arms around him, curling her fingers in the hair at the back of his neck. He wanted to devour her, his tongue moving in a deep dance with hers, tasting her, mimicking what their bodies would soon be doing. The door to the flat suddenly crashed shut and Craig broke the kiss to pull back and look at her.

Her breasts were framed perfectly by the low-cut nightdress, and it skimmed her curves before stopping short at the top of her slim thighs. Her skin was perfectly and naturally golden thanks, Rain had told him, to some Puerto Rican blood on her mother’s side.

“So fucking gorgeous,” he said hoarsely, drinking in his fill. “I love the nightie, darlin’. Much appreciated—” his hands reached for the hem—“but you don’t need it.”

Rain’s eyes glimmered in the low light of the hall and he saw the invitation and need in them. She only emphasized that need by lifting her arms willingly.

Craig flashed her a wicked grin and whipped the nightie up and over her head, letting the light fabric flutter to the floor at their feet. His gaze roamed her stunning body, his eyes feasting on her breasts. They were swollen, the nipples dark, tight little buds that he itched to suck.

Her chest rose and fell in fast breaths. “Craig . . .” She whispered his name urgently, her hand sliding up under the hem of his tee. His stomach muscles rippled at the teasing exploration, his dick straining painfully against his jeans.

He couldn’t wait to get her to the bedroom. He needed her. Now.

Apparently Rain was on the same page as she tugged his head down to kiss him. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she sucked on his tongue hard. Craig shuddered, and growled as the sensation sent more blood to his cock. He pushed her up against the wall, breaking the dirty kiss. “I can’t wait,” he told her breathlessly.

She nodded frantically, kissing him again as they both reached for the zip on his jeans. The sounds of their heavy breathing was a turn-on in itself.

He couldn’t wait. He needed inside her right fucking now. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet and then a condom from the wallet. He threw the wallet aside and shoved his jeans and boxer briefs down to his ankles, freeing his throbbing cock. As he rolled the condom on Rain kissed his neck, her little tongue flicking against his skin, making his cock twitch.

“Fuck,” he grunted, gripping her legs. He slid two fingers inside her, testing her readiness, and he almost came at how wet she was. That she wanted him that much was thrilling and heady. It also shredded his last remnants of control.

Craig spread Rain’s legs and thrust up into her.

“Craig!” Rain cried out in pleasure, her inner muscles contracting tightly around his dick. He held himself still in her for a moment, his muscles straining as he fought to control his need. She was so slick and tight, snug and hot around him. He struggled for breath for a moment as she flexed around him.

“Rain, fuck,” he growled, control gone. He hauled her legs up, and she followed his lead and wrapped her long legs around him. Holding tight to him, Rain panted with breathless excitement as he pounded them into the wall, thrusting into her hard as he glided in and out of her snug channel.

Close to blowing but needing Rain to come first, wanting to feel her explode around his cock, Craig pressed his thumb down on her clit.

“Ahhh!” He watched her flushed face as she cried out, her inner muscles rippling and tugging on his erection. That and the look on her face when she came was all it took. Eyes locked with hers, his muscles clenching, he let out a guttural grunt as his climax rocked through him, his hips jerking against her as he came long and hard.

He’d just fucked Rain against her hallway wall.

Craig fell against her, his lips on her shoulder, his chest against hers, her arms still locked around him. He turned his head and kissed her neck. “I’m sorry. I meant to do that on a bed.”

“I’m not sorry,” she whispered, her inner muscles flexing around him again. “It was hot. So goddamn hot.” She laughed lightly, making him grin.

He raised his head to kiss her and her hands slid into his hair again, holding him to her as she kissed him with an intensity that told him they weren’t done for the night.

That was more than fine by him.

* * *

That morning Craig woke before Rain did.

She was sprawled beside him, exhausted from another energetic night in bed with him. Her dark hair spilled over the pillow, much softer, longer, and thicker than he’d ever realized until the night she took it down for the first time.

As much as it might make him a bit of a dick, Craig had always been more fascinated by a woman’s body than her face. But there was a first time for everything, and as beautiful as her body was, Craig was mesmerized by Rain’s face.

He watched her sleep for a while, and as the clock on her dresser ticked quietly, forcing time along, Craig knew with a bone-deep certainty that he could watch Rain sleep forever and never be bored.

Years ago, before his dad died, Craig got up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water and found his mum asleep on the couch, lit up only by the fire glowing in the fireplace. His dad was sitting in the armchair opposite just watching her sleep.

He’d gestured to Craig to be quiet and followed him into the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” Craig had whispered in teenage boy confusion.

“Just watching your mum sleep.”

“Why?”

His dad had given him this knowing, secretive smile. “Because I like to watch her sleep. One day, son, you’ll know you’re in love when you can sit and watch your woman sleep for hours and never bore of it.”

At the time he remembered thinking he’d be lucky if he found what his parents had found in each other, although he’d never have said something so sappy out loud. But his dad seemed to know what he was thinking anyway, giving him that smile again before ruffling his hair and sending him back to his bed.

Craig felt a well of emotion rise up in his throat at the memory. His dad had been gone a long time and he’d made peace with that loss a long time ago too. But there were moments when the grief was sharper, tasting more bitter some days than others.

Like now, when he’d just realized he’d fallen in love for the first time and his dad would never get to meet the woman he loved.

The urge to wake Rain up and tell her he loved her was so strong he had to physically hold himself back from doing it. Rain was skittish and he knew she had her reasons, so he’d be patient. He’d wait for the right time to tell her that he was crazy about her.

A sound in the distance drew his attention. A vibrating noise. Coming from the hallway.

It took him a moment to realize it was his phone in the pocket of the jeans he’d discarded in the hallway last night.

Trying not to wake Rain, Craig slipped out of bed and crept out into the hall. He found his phone and discovered a missed call from his mum.

He shoved on his boxers and jeans and called her back.

“You alright?” he asked quietly.

“Aye, I just haven’t heard from you in a couple of days . . . and well . . . I was a bit worried you’re upset about me and Drew?”

Craig flinched. Her question was just bad timing considering his dad was on his mind. It was strange to think of his mum with some other man, especially knowing how much his dad had loved her, but he also knew it wasn’t fair to begrudge his mum companionship. “Not at all, Mum.”

“Why are you whispering?”

“I’m not whispering. I’m just being quiet.”

“Why?”

He glanced down the hall at Rain’s bedroom door. “Because I’m with the reason you haven’t heard from me in a couple of days.”

“Oh?” She sounded curious and also like she was trying not to sound hopeful.

Craig grinned. “I’ve found her, Mum.”

His mother sucked in her breath and after a few seconds of silence said, “You’re not messing with me?”

“Nope.”

“Craig,” she said excitedly. “That’s wonderful. What’s her name? What does she do? What’s she like? Where did you meet her? When do I get to meet her?”

He laughed softly so as not to wake Rain and wandered into the living room where she’d have less chance of hearing him if she was awake. “Her name is Rain Alexander. She owns her own clothing company. She’s amazing, she makes me laugh, and she’s absolutely stunning. I met her at work a few weeks ago. And she’s a wee bit shy about getting serious with me because she’s been hurt in the past so I’m taking it slow, which means it’ll be a while yet before you meet her. But as soon as she’s ready I’ll bring her around for dinner.”

“You sound happy,” his mum said, and he heard the tenderness in her voice. “I’m glad for you, son.”

“Aye, I know. Me too.”

“Well I’ll let you go. Tell Rain I said hi!”

He chuckled. “I will do. I love you, Mum.”

“I love you too.”

He hung up and turned around, surprised to find Rain leaning against the doorway wearing nothing but his shirt, and it was all buttoned up wrong so he could see plenty of skin. Unbelievably, after all their antics the night before, he wanted her again.

She gave him a small smile. “That was sweet.”

“What was?”

“You telling your mum you loved her like that.”

“I said it because it’s true and it makes her happy to hear it.”

“Oh.” She shivered in exaggeration and pouted her lips comically. “You’re making me want you again.”

He laughed. “Are you mocking me?”

Rain gave a light laugh and shook her head. “In all honesty, no. I think you’re charming, Craig Lanaghan.”

He felt her words sink into his chest and clutch on hard. “Mum says hi.”

She blinked in surprise. “You told her about me?”

“Of course.”

Not seeming to know what to do with that, Rain looked anywhere but at him. “Do you fancy some tea or something?”

“I fancy taking you back to bed.”

Her gaze flew to meet his. “That’s all we’ve done . . .”

He read the anxiety in her expression and decided if he didn’t want her thinking all he was after was a good fuck, he needed to start treating her like he was serious. “Right now we’re going back to bed. Tomorrow is my night off . . . we’ll go on a real date again.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that a promise?”

He strode toward her, no longer able to be in the same room with her and not touch her. He hauled her into his arms, crushing her to him. She came into him happily, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he said, “A promise I intend to keep.”