Lori

"Wait, why are we getting into your car? Are we driving somewhere? Why didn't you tell me to meet you there?" I asked when I met Graham the next day. He'd asked me to drive to the stadium, only to now inform me we were driving in his car to another location.

"Because I'm whisking you away."

"Oh." I fidgeted with my thumbs behind my back, smiling sheepishly. "Well, whisk me away, Frazier."

He pulled me flush against him, kissing me until I tingled in intimate places. Did he not know what danger an under-sexed and under-kissed woman was? He couldn't kiss me like that in public, or he was risking me jumping him like I had in that tent and my kitchen.

As we climbed into the car, I wondered if we were heading to the beach, or if he had a restaurant in mind. The truth was, it didn't matter. I was just happy to spend some time with him. We'd talked on the phone every day this week, but nothing beat admiring those fine muscles, that sculpted jaw. 

"We're going to a park I love," he informed me. I beamed, looking out through the window, at the people, the cars. I was being whisked away to a midday date in a park. Could life get better than that?

"How did it go with the new wedding location?" he asked.

"Joanna replied this morning. She agreed to my prices." I'd told him about Joanna's restaurant on the phone, and now I filled him in on the details.

"I like seeing you so excited. You light up." 

I relished his compliment. We talked a little about everything until he pulled the car in front of Griffith Park.

We climbed out of the car, and he headed to the back, opening the trunk and retrieving two blankets and a huge lunchbox.

"What's in the box?" I asked.

"Our afternoon snack."

"You... prepared this?" My voice was high-pitched, but I had the strangest feeling I was actually dreaming all of this. Maybe I'd dozed off at my desk researching groom costumes for Chihuahuas.

"I did."

Graham took my hand and gave it a small squeeze, kissing my forehead. Not a dream, then. He led me through a narrow passage flanked by greenery. The smell of patchouli was thick in the warm day. The path opened up in a beautiful clearing. Enormously old California oak trees lined the other end of the clearing. This was one of my favorite parks. Central Park in New York had nothing on it. Griffith Park was five times bigger and contained some of my favorite landmarks: the Hollywood sign, Batman's cave, and even an outdoor theater.

"Let's go under those trees," Graham said.

"Sure."

He didn't let go of my hand as we crossed the clearing. I loved the feeling of my hand cocooned in his warm, much larger one. The grass was high, tickling my ankles. The only sounds surrounding us were birds chirping and the rustle of leaves. It was a sunny end of February day, which caused a conundrum. If we sat in the shade, it could become chilly, but if we sat in the sun, we'd start sweating. When we reached the trees, he laid out the blanket in the shade, pointing out that we could cover ourselves with the second blanket if needed.

"My lady, if you please."

"Why, thank you."

I sat on the blanket, stretching my legs. Graham lowered himself on his haunches, unloading the box.

"I made grilled cheese sandwiches and French pancakes with peanut butter and raisins."

"You made them?"

"Yeah."

I wouldn't have cared if he'd bought our snack from a fast food joint, but knowing he'd taken his time to prepare this made everything even more special—and surreal. Was I really here with this handsome man? Could this really be my life?

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, sitting next to me.

"That this doesn't seem like my life," I said honestly.

"It is." He kissed the side of my head, then moved his lips lower, feathering them on my cheek before resting them on my neck. I shifted my position until my back was flat against his front.

The grilled sandwiches were delicious.

"Where did you learn to make these?" I asked after my third one. I wasn't even that hungry, but they were addictive.

"Nana's recipe."

"I'm already in love with Nana," I declared, munching happily.

"She loved showing me her recipes. Said she hadn't managed to teach my dad, but wanted to do things differently with me."

"Is she close to your dad now?"

I felt him go a little rigid, and regretted the question. I wanted him to open up to me, but in his own time.

"Not exactly."

"And your mom?"

"She passed away a few years ago. I wasn't too close to her either. My parents divorced when I was two years old. I lived with Dad, except summers, which I spent with Nana. Mom had visitation rights, and I saw her every other month. She remarried and had two more kids, but I’m not close to them. I’ve seen them a couple of times in my life.”

My heart clenched for Graham the boy. I couldn't imagine what that must have felt like.

"I'm sorry."

"I got used to her not being in my life. I missed her, but I got used to it. I overheard Dad tell Nana once that he wasn't equipped to be a single dad. I actually believe he just didn't know how to handle it. I told you not everyone was a great parent like you." He wrapped his arms a little tighter around me. Graham threaded his hand through my hair, moving it to one side and planting a kiss at the back of my neck. "I like how strong and independent you are."

"Thanks."

After finishing the sandwiches, we dug into the pancakes.

"Oh my God. You're a wizard, not a cook. Pancakes can't be this good."

Five minutes later, the pancakes were gone, and my belly was about to explode. We cleaned up with some wet wipes from my purse, and then I rested my hands on Graham's thighs, moving my palms in small circles. The sun had shifted in the sky, and so had the shade, so my feet were now lying in the sun. A gentle breeze swayed through the trees. This was heaven. 

"Do you want ice cream? I hear there's a joint somewhere in the park," he said.

"Mmm, no space. Thanks to a gorgeous man, I'm already full."

Graham laughed softly in my ear. "I see. Tell me more. You like him?"

"Oh, yeah. He's quite something."

"Does he make you smile?"

"Often." 

"Good. If I ever stop making you smile, I want you to tell me, okay?"

I stilled. "Why would you even say that?"

He didn't respond, so I turned around, trying to gauge his expression. His lips were set in a thin line. "Does it have to do with your divorce?"

Something flickered in his eyes, and I knew I was right. "Want to tell me about it?"

For a brief moment, I thought Graham might brush me off, but then he said, "When we divorced, Elizabeth threw it in my face that her happiness wasn't a priority for me. We were married for three years and didn't see eye-to-eye on anything. She was an aspiring actress, and I think she believed marrying me would be more glamorous. She wanted us to attend every movie-related event in town, travel constantly. I tried, in the beginning, because I knew networking was key in the industry. But I couldn’t keep up with all the events, all the parties she wanted us to attend so we’d be seen by key people. And as for traveling, it started to wear me out at some point.  

Eventually, she attended more and more events on her own, travelled alone. I don’t blame her; it’s what she wanted. But we spent more time on different continents than together. I flew to visit her every other weekend, but it wasn’t the same. We were married for three years, and during the last two, I think we didn’t spend more than a couple of months together.”

“So things... fell apart?”

“Yes.”

"Sounds like you were too different to compromise."

"You could say that. We wanted different things in life, and neither of us realized it until a few years into our marriage. Or maybe I just don't know how to do relationships right."

"I don't think that's true. You're close to Amber and Matt. You've charmed me and Milo like a pro." 

I was humbled by his openness. I also didn't know what to say to reassure him. These were early days, and I didn’t know him that well. Plus, I had fears of my own. Graham kissed up and down the side of my neck, but where the kisses had been light and playful before, they were more sensual now. His lips lingered longer, and when the tip of his tongue came in contact with my skin, a current of awareness zipped right through me. 

"This wasn't my best idea," Graham said. It gave me immense pleasure that his voice was rougher. "Should've taken you somewhere private. We can do that now."

"I knew it. You've lured me here under the pretense of a date, when all you want is to have your wicked way with me." 

"No pretense, sweetheart. I like spending time with you—talking to you, holding you. But I also like to sink deep inside you, and I won't apologize for it."

I was officially on fire. Using nothing but words, he'd transformed me into a bundle of need. I shifted on the blanket, turning so I could look at him. His gaze was molten.

"You cannot do this," I informed him.

"What?"

"Turn me on, just like that. I could teach you a lesson, you know." I moved my hands upward on his thighs, so he'd get the message. "But I'm not that cruel. I can't send you back to work with blue balls." 

He threw his head back, laughing. "You're something."

"I can be a little devil," I confirmed. "You ain't seen nothing yet."

"Is that a threat?"

"Yes. Yes it is." I added a scowl to drive my point home, but Graham merely laughed again. Then he pulled me even closer in his lap, kissing me, the heat of his body seeping into mine.

Kissing like this, slow and deep, felt incredibly intimate. It was also arousing as hell. I felt every stroke of his tongue against mine between my legs.

"I cleared my afternoon," he said.

"You did?"

"Yeah. When you said you had time until five, I cleared my schedule too."

"Just for me?" I asked.

"Just for you."

Ah, hell. That made me ridiculously happy. He gave me a sexy kiss, pulling my ass farther into his lap until we were grinding against each other. I was so hot for him that I felt I was going to break out of my skin. He was hard, and his fingers kneaded my ass cheeks possessively over my dress. He skimmed his fingers up my body, laying them at the sides of my neck. He kissed one corner of my mouth then moved to the other.

"How about we move this party to my house?" I whispered, shuddering. 

"I love your ideas, baby." 

***

Graham

"All for us!" Lori exclaimed when we stepped inside her house, twirling once. I loved her energy. I loved everything about this woman. I tucked her to my side and kissed her neck, inhaling her subtle citrus smell before descending to her shoulder.

"I could do this all afternoon." I traced her collarbone with my fingers, then skimmed my palm down her arms, feeling her skin turn to goose bumps under my touch.

"I think some other parts of me need your attention too."

"I think you need to learn the value of patience." I moved on to her other side, nuzzling her neck with my nose, then repeating the movement with open-mouthed kisses. 

Lori cinched her dress up, revealing more of her legs... and then garters. Fuck, fuck, fuck. She was wearing garters all this time? I swallowed, fighting the urge to tear off all her clothes right this instant.

"You were saying about patience?" Lori whispered seductively, pressing her ass against my erection.

"I'm starting to think you planned to seduce me from the get-go."

Lori laughed softly, then yelped as I scooped her into my arms. "Oh, I like this." 

I carried her to her bedroom, setting her back on her feet at the side of the bed. I pushed away her dress straps, pressing my thumbs over her bare shoulders. I wanted her bad. I wanted her now. She stepped out of my reach, lowering the zipper on her side. A growl tore from me.

"You're driving me crazy."

"You're responsible for making me rediscover my inner seductress. Now you have to suffer the consequences."

"Lori..." I said warningly, but she held up her finger.

"I want to show them to you. Sit on the bed."

I growled again, more desperately, but sat.

She pushed her dress down as slowly as she could, revealing a sexy outfit one inch at a time. She was fucking out-of-this-world sexy in those stockings.

"Come closer," I beckoned. When she didn't move, I said in a gruffer voice, "Come here. I need to touch you."

I opened my legs wide, and she stepped between them. I ran my fingers up and down her thighs.

"You bought these for me?"

"Well... I liked them. And I thought you'd like them too."

I moved one hand between her thighs, stroking two fingers over the scrap of fabric covering her entrance. Her knees buckled. She was aroused. I could feel it through the panties. 

"You're beautiful, Lori." A black scarf hanging from the open door of her dresser caught my attention. It looked like silk. “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Just close them.”

I rose from the bed, taking the scarf in my hands, coming up behind Lori. I pushed her hair to one side, running the scarf along her spine. She arched forward.

“What is that? What are you—”

“Shhh... enjoy it. And keep your eyes closed.”

I ran my hands over the cups of the bra, then undid the clasp in the center. I lavished her breasts with attention as soon as I freed them, all the while teasing her skin with the scarf: her forearms, her chest. Between her thighs. She didn’t know where I’d touch next, or where I’d lick. Her chest rose and fell with labored breathing, not only from arousal, but also anticipation.

I pushed her panties down, kneading that gorgeous ass of hers. I lowered her with her back on the bed, then took off my clothes as fast as possible. Lori let her bare thighs fall open invitingly. This woman was all mine.

I rolled a condom on before lowering myself on the bed. I gripped myself at the base, but instead of sliding inside her, I rubbed the tip against her clit. She jackknifed. A shot of energy so intense zipped through me I could swear my heart stopped for a second. I teased her nipples, alternating between a touch with the scarf and a lick until she was thrashing around.

“Can I open my eyes now?” she asked shyly.

“No. I’ll tell you when you can.”

Then I flipped her over on her belly, kissing down her spine, biting her ass gently, running my finger between the cheeks. She moaned in the pillow, tugging at the sheets. I spread her thighs wider, settling between them and lowering my head until it was level with her ass and pussy. Then I swiped my tongue over her folds until she exploded. I loved turning her wild.

"This was so good," she murmured.

"We're not done. You can open your eyes now."

I flipped her again then pulled her on top, so she was straddling my thighs. Cupping her ass, I lowered her on my cock.

"Oh, Graham, this is...." Her words faded on a gasp.

"This feels so damn good. I'm never letting you out of this bedroom."

She laughed, holding onto me. "Love that plan." 

Our rhythm was fast and desperate, and I was touching every inch of her I could reach. I needed more. I was insatiable today.

"Baby, I need to fuck you hard," I rasped.

"Yes."

The wild came out in both of us then. I kept her hips up, moving into her from below, watching her beautiful breasts shift on every thrust. Her clit was colliding with my pubic bone, and she was so near to a climax that her legs were shaking. She was squeezing me tight, and I went in deeper, faster. 

"Harder," she urged, exploding with pleasure when I obliged her. I thrust inside her through my orgasm, coming apart too. I wanted all she had to give. Then I kissed her, gently laying her on the bed.

"Did I hurt you?" I asked, only now realizing how rough I'd been.

"No."

"I was rough."

"I liked it."

"I didn't mean to be like that."

"You couldn't resist, huh? I loved it." I knew she meant it.

We showered, and when we left the bathroom, both clad in robes, Lori asked over her shoulder, "Do you mind if I put on some music?" she asked.

"Not at all."

Lori clicked a remote, and a slow song started blaring through the sound system in the living room. She swayed her head and neck to the easy rhythm. I pulled her to me, taking one of her small hands in mine and bringing my other hand to her waist. I swayed us both to the slow beat of the music.

I caught her dreamy smile when she glanced at the huge folder titled Wedding Portfolio on the coffee table. It brought back bitter memories for me, but I tried not to show it. She’d pick up on it, and I didn’t want to get into it right now. I’d shared with her a lot today about my family and my marriage, and I was still feeling raw from it. 

"This afternoon is the best," she whispered, looking up at me with so much warmth you'd think I was laying the world at her feet. This simple afternoon was making me immensely happy, and she seemed happy too. I was hoping, at least. I wanted this woman's affection. It scared me how much I craved it already, because it made me feel exposed. But that look in her eyes right there... I wanted more of it. Which was why, instead of taking things slow, I asked, “Do you have plans tonight?”

"Not beyond picking up Milo and bringing him back here."

"Let's do that together."

She hesitated, and I held my breath until she nodded. "Okay. What are you doing tomorrow evening?"

"I'm meeting some sponsors. Why?"

"My family gets together every Friday for dinner. Think you could come by next week?"

I loved spending time with her and Milo, so why not meet the rest of the family too?

I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Definitely. I'd love to come with you."

"It's better that you won't be here for this one, actually. I'm going to tell them about us. I mean the girls know, but my brothers don't."

"Sounds like a plan." We hadn't talked about when to break the news to those close to us, but I'd already told the three people I cared about most that I was dating Lori.

"Nana, Matt, and Amber already know about us."

"And your dad?"

"I'll tell him next time we talk, but we don't have that kind of relationship."

"Sorry I'm being so nosy. I can't help thinking what a pity it is that you aren't closer. My parents passed away in a car accident when I was a kid, and I still miss them."

I held her closer, feeling her go soft in my arms.

"I’m sorry. Honestly, I wouldn't know how to build a relationship with him. After the fiasco at the club, we drifted apart even more. We speak once a month when I send him an allowance."

"Oh?"

"I promised to send him money if he in turn promised not to ask Nana for it. It also gives me some peace of mind, knowing he's set up financially. Means he can't get in trouble."

I knew she was tight with her siblings, and I hoped she wouldn't think I was a heartless bastard for keeping my father at arm's length. But her eyes didn't hold judgment, just warmth and empathy. I could learn a thing or ten from Lori, and I was looking forward to it. I twirled her once, and the tie around her robe loosened a bit. I saw my chance and unfastened it completely.

"What did you do that for?" she asked.

"You're so beautiful. Shame to cover you up." I switched up our dancing position, wrapping my hands around her waist, pulling her close enough that her breasts were pressing against my chest. Her nipples puckered when I lowered my hands to her ass.

"You're so good with your hands," she murmured. I lowered myself until I was level with her breast and drew a circle with my tongue around her nipple. Her hips surged forward. "You're good with your mouth too."

Straightening up, I captured her mouth. Her eyes flared when I pulled back.

"You bring out all my unladylike instincts," she said, bringing her hand to the tie of my robe and pulling at it.

"I like those instincts very much. I like everything about you."

"Is that so? Well, I love your mouth and hands. Haven't decided about the rest." She lowered her hand to cup my cock, stroking me up and down. "Love this too."

"You're still sore from earlier." I exhaled through gritted teeth, trying to keep my composure, but the movement of her hand was driving me crazy with lust.

"The good kind of sore, though."

"Still, what kind of man would I be if I seduced you now?"

She rose on her tiptoes, kissing my jaw. "The kind who liked the first time so much that he wants seconds? Don't worry. Your conscience will remain intact, because I am going to seduce you." 

"Give me your best, my lady."