Chapter Five
Sierra looked up at the menu in Sal’s Sub Shop out of habit, but she couldn’t read the large display. The words and colors all blurred together as she thought about Graham, and their incredible night together.
What kind of woman falls in love after one night of sex?
Granted, it was amazing sex, not that she had anything to compare it to, but still…it was amazing. The answer to her question, though, was simple, and she was pathetic.
Thinking about her night with Graham brought all of her body aches back to the forefront, but she didn’t mind. Body aches after sex, at least all the aches she had, were way better than pain from working out too hard, or some other kind of injury.
These aches made her feel good.
Loved.
Shit!
She’d definitely chosen wisely when she’d picked Graham to be the one. Not only did he know exactly what he was doing in the bedroom, but he’d been insatiable.
So were you!
Her cheeks burned as she remembered how bold she’d been, and how she’d begged him shamelessly, over and over again. They’d made love—had sex, fucked, bumped uglies…those other terms just didn’t fit—a total of three times during the night, and she’d instigated two of those times.
Thinking about the way he’d loved her body made her pussy tingle with need.
God, she desperately wanted him again. She wanted to feel his thick cock deep inside her pussy, filling her completely, and she wanted the weight of his body on top of hers, pushing her into the mattress.
The way they’d fit together had felt like more than just sex.
At least, she’d wanted it to be more.
Don’t be stupid!
It was nothing more than a one-night stand.
Okay, in fairness, it had been more than one night—she’d met his family after all—but, it still didn’t mean anything. They’d had an agreement, and nothing more. Only a crazy person would fall in love with a man in that scenario.
Great! I’m pathetic and crazy!
After their long night together, she’d woken up early, and studied him for a long time. He looked different without his glasses on, not better or worse, just different, and though he was still drop-dead gorgeous, she was used to him in the stylish frames.
She was glad he’d kept them on for their first time. The gesture had helped her remain comfortable, and she liked knowing that he’d wanted to see her clearly. Later, though, she’d gotten her wish, and learned what it was like to have those violet eyes so close to her own.
It had been more intense than she’d imagined.
That early morning hour was also where her stupid mistake became crystal clear. The “L” word had surfaced in her mind, and she’d quickly realized that she didn’t want to be with him for just two more weeks.
She wanted to be with him forever.
How fucked up was that?
Not only was she destined to spend the rest of her life alone, but she didn’t even know how to have a proper night of no-strings sex. Not that she wanted another one. She glanced around the room, and confirmed what she feared all along.
No other man came close to measuring up to Graham.
As soon as she’d realized her foolishness, she’d slid out of the bed, gathered up her clothes, and ducked into the guest bathroom. Graham and his friends were used to staying up late and sleeping in, so the clearing was quiet as she’d crept out to her car.
She’d pulled out of the driveway slowly, but as soon as she’d hit the main road, she’d gunned the engine. She’d raced home, breaking nearly all of the posted speed limits, showered, and curled up on the couch under her favorite blanket.
Food had sounded good, but sleep had sounded better, and she didn’t have the energy to make anything anyway.
A few hours later, the shrill ringing of her phone woke her up, and she’d grabbed the device, hoping it was Graham.
It wasn’t.
Jasper Locke, her almost new employer, had called to inform her that she didn’t have the job in his fancy hotel after all. He didn’t give a reason, and she was so devastated by the news, that she didn’t ask for one.
Were her parents to blame? Did they now have connections and influence in every town? She had no idea, and right now, she didn’t care.
Later, once she felt semi-whole again, she’d worry about her future.
Even though she’d been the one to leave him, the fact that Graham hadn’t called meant he never would, and she knew she needed to move on.
First, though, she’d needed food, and that’s how she’d ended up at Sal’s, staring at the menu like a pathetic, crazy mess. It was too soon, though, her wounds were too fresh, and she felt lost, alone, and completely out of place.
On a positive note, at least she wasn’t a virgin anymore.
Unfortunately, that bit of information did little to make her feel better.
“Is that all for you today?”
“Um…” She stared blankly at the cashier.
Apparently, she’d ordered some food, and the other woman needed to know if she wanted anything else. Did she? She had no idea. She couldn’t remember ordering—let alone what she could have possibly ordered—and she felt like a complete idiot.
“No, that’s not all.”
She’d recognize that voice anywhere, and her heart raced as she looked in the sound’s direction. Graham stepped up to the counter beside her, added his order to hers, and paid for both of their meals.
When the transaction was over, he led her to a semi-secluded table near the back wall, which was impressive because Sal’s was always packed, and left to retrieve their drinks.
Sierra sat at the table dumbly, and watched as he moved around the room.
First, he brought back their drinks and a ton of napkins, and then he left again to collect their food. The whole scene looked completely natural, as if they’d lunched together in this very spot a hundred times, and a band tightened around her heart.
It was exactly how she’d always imagined true love would be.
Graham is here!
He’d tracked her down, which was both wonderful and incredibly hard to believe, but only one thing mattered to her fragile heart…
Why did he do it?
***
Graham knew the moment Sierra slipped out of his arms to make her escape, but what he didn’t know was why. They’d had a great night together, and he’d never imagined she would sneak away the next morning without a word.
As much as he wanted to confront her, and demand answers, he forced himself to be patient, and allow her the time she needed to sort through her feelings. Especially because it had been her first time having sex.
By lunch, though, he’d had enough.
It was clear his mate wouldn’t come back to him on her own, so he set out to find her. He didn’t bother with the phone, because he had a feeling she wouldn’t answer his calls, or worse, she’d say something he didn’t want to hear, and he refused to give her an easy out. It would only make claiming her that much harder.
He’d gone to Sal’s with the intent of getting some food, and arriving at her apartment unannounced, but it seemed that fate was on his side. Sierra had just reached the counter when he’d stepped through the door, and he’d moved through the crowd quickly to make it to her side before she finished.
He heard the words coming out of her mouth, but she didn’t sound like herself. Alarm bells went off in his head, and his bear went wild, but he ignored the animal and continued with his plan.
Her shock at his presence worked in his favor, and he used it to his advantage.
After placing his half of the order, he led her to a seat as far away from the crowd as possible, got their drinks, and then picked up their food.
When he returned to the table, the bewildered look on her face let him know that she thought he was crazy. She also looked sleep deprived, heartbroken, guarded and weak.
The urge to throw her over his shoulder, drop her in his truck, and drive her back to his place rode him hard, but he knew the alpha male in him wouldn’t help right now, so he tapped down his deep, overwhelming desires to protect and take care of her, and tried to keep things casual.
If he knew what was going on in her mind, he could tackle the problem head-on, but until that happened, he planned on pretending everything was normal.
First, he’d get rid of her hunger, and then he’d work on the other stuff.
Luckily, it didn’t take her long to question his motives.
“Graham, what are you doing here?” she asked quietly.
“Eating lunch with you.”
“Yes, I know that, but, I mean…why?”
The combination of confusion and worry in her voice made his heart ache, and he silently cursed. He knew it was necessary in the beginning, but he hated not telling his mate everything up front.
“Because we had a date.”
“I thought…”
She looked away, and her words trailed off.
He knew exactly what she’d thought, and he immediately stopped that line of thinking.
“If you don’t want me to fuck your sweet pussy again, then fine,” he whispered. “I won’t like it—I love the feeling of your body joined with mine—but I can deal. We had an agreement, however, and you’re still my girlfriend.”
The blush that filled her cheeks was beautiful.
“Graham, I…”
She struggled to find the right words, and he refused to help her. They couldn’t have the conversation they needed to have in public, and it was too soon anyway.
He pushed her sandwich toward her, opened the bag of chips he’d ordered, and split it between their two plates. They didn’t need the extra food—Sal’s sandwiches were the biggest and best in town; so big, in fact, that they had to be eaten with two hands—but he wanted to make sure she had enough to eat. She needed fuel, and sleep, and he planned on ensuring she had both.
Or at least trying to.
“Eat.”
He took a bite out of his sandwich, and raised an eyebrow as he chewed.
She sighed, and reluctantly popped a potato chip into her mouth. Then she popped in another, and another until they were all gone. Next, she tackled the sandwich, and a few minutes later, she’d completely cleaned her plate.
“I guess I was hungry,” she giggled nervously, leaning back in her chair. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, firmly, “but don’t do that again.”
Her steel gray eyes met his, and the look on her face proved she knew he wasn’t talking about the food.
“I’m sorry,” she nodded. “I shouldn’t have left like I did.”
“You shouldn’t have left at all,” he clarified.
They stared at each other in a silent battle of wills, until she finally broke down and gave him what he wanted.
“I shouldn’t have left at all.”
“Good girl. Will you still come to the club with me tonight?”
He couldn’t take off every night from work, but his mate could definitely hang out in his office sometimes, and on slow nights, she could be his assistant. Of course, by assistant, he meant absolutely no work would get done at all.
“Yes,” she nodded. “I’ll come.”
“Good.”
He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, and he wanted her to know everything about him. If he was transparent about everything else, then hopefully the fact that he could change into a bear wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Right! Keep lying to yourself, dumbass!
Okay, it was a huge deal, he knew that.
With any luck, she would accept him anyway.