Graham

I was giving Lori a few days to calm down, some space to think everything through. The conversation in the car had gone to hell, and I didn't want to repeat the experience. I'd said some goddamn stupid things. The more I thought about it, the more stupid they sounded.

Simply put, Saturday had not been a good day. Years ago, when I'd made that deal with Dad, I thought it was the smart thing. He'd be set up financially and wouldn't be around to cause trouble. But trouble seemed to find him anywhere. Clearly, my way of solving the issue had just swept the problem under a rug.

I saw that now, and I was going to make some changes. I didn't know what they entailed yet, but I was working on it. The phone call with Nana had made me question myself and the way I handled things.

Hearing Lori question me as well didn't help. It wasn't an excuse, but it was the truth. Had I been wrong to give that jerk a check without talking to her first? Sure. I'd known it was a bad idea while I was signing the check.

He might come back for more in the future. Lori was right about that. The last thing I wanted was to disappoint her, or make her unhappy. I'd gone through that with my divorce already. I needed to explain all this to her.

I loved Lori fiercely, but she had to understand one thing about me. When something bothered the people I loved, I took care of it. Simple as that. I'd always done it, and I wasn't going to apologize for it. I hoped Lori would see that. If not...

There was no alternative. I refused to lose her. If she didn't understand, I'd explain it to her until she did. Whatever it took. I admitted my technique could use some refining, and so did my communication skills, but I wasn't going to lose her or Milo over this. Just the notion made my chest twist.

In any case, we still had things to work through if her first conclusion had been that this was too much for me. She'd seemed past logical reason at that point, but her words had to be based on an underlying fear. 

On Wednesday I headed to the club early. The team was coming back from their away game later today, and I wanted to prepare a pep talk. We'd suffered a brutal defeat, which was an especially tough pill to swallow after a string of victories and the celebration on Saturday. I wanted the guys to know I believed in them despite that.

The mood was grim when I entered the club. The usual chatter coming from the PR and marketing department was a whisper. I poked my head inside to greet them.

"Come on, chin up. It was just a defeat. We'll get back on our feet in no time. Amber, do you have time to go out to the stadium and double-check if everything is ready for tonight?"

The stadium was rented for a concert this evening, and I wanted to verify for myself that everything was running smoothly.

"Sure thing." She rose from her seat, smoothing her palm on her belly.

At the stadium, we started by inspecting the stage. They'd started transforming the arena on Monday. Building the stage and the requisite light installations took time. We checked in with the sound technicians as well. Everything was running according to plan. The concert was sold out, so the stadium would be at its full capacity. Lastly, I went over the emergency evacuation plans with the head of security and floor operators.

"Let's sit down a bit," Amber said once we'd completed our tour. We headed to the chairs in the VIP section that had been arranged on the arena floor itself, in front of the stage.

"I tire so fast it's not even funny. And I'm sleepy all the time." Amber brought a hand to her mouth to cover her yawn.

"If you want to take time off—"

"I don't. I'm not sick, just slower than usual." After a few beats, she folded her arms over her belly. "So... are you going to bring me up to date?"

"On what?" 

"How did the talk with Lori go?"

I hadn't intended to tell Amber anything, but on Monday morning, she took one look at me and knew.

"Haven't spoken to her yet."

"I thought you wanted us to come out here as an excuse to gossip."

"God forbid we actually work, huh?"

"Why didn't you talk to her?"

"I'm giving her some time to cool off."

"How much time exactly do you think she needs?"

"I figured a few days would be good. I've got some things to explain, and I want her to be calm when I do that. I saw on your calendar that you have a meeting with her today. I want to go in your place."

Amber punched my arm. "I knew you hadn't really dragged me out here for work. Thank God. How do you know I'm meeting her?"

"You put ‘baby shower planning’ in your work calendar, which is synchronized to mine."

"Any reason you're hijacking my date instead of getting one of your own?"

"I want to take her by surprise." Their lunch date was in ninety minutes. That still gave me time to buy flowers. I wasn't big on flowers, but I wasn't about to show up empty-handed after our fight. "Where are you meeting, anyway? There was no mention of a location in your calendar."

"Griffith Park."

After she told me the exact location in the park, I kissed her cheek and took off. First stop, the nearest flower shop.

***

I wasn't going to lie; my palms were sweating a little when I entered the park. People were milling around in the alleyways, their chatter forming a constant background noise that was punctuated by horn blares now and again. As I drew nearer to the ice cream truck, I spotted her.

She was sitting on a bench with her legs crossed. Her dress reached midthigh, displaying her beautiful skin. She didn't see me approach because she was bent over a large folder that no doubt contained some samples or pictures for Amber. Her blonde hair was hanging over one shoulder, fluttering in the light breeze. She straightened up when I sat next to her.

"I was expecting Amber."

"I'm a much better date though," I said with as much cockiness as possible, hoping it would help her relax. A very small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

I held out the flowers. "These are for you."

She closed the folder, pushing it behind her, taking the flowers in her arms. The vendor said she'd mixed tulips with roses and freesias.

"Thank you. They're beautiful."

I shifted closer to her. "I want to tell you many things, Lori, but I'll start with the most important one. I love you. I'm crazy in love with you. Occasionally, that might make me do crazy things. I know I'm a bit of a hothead, and that I act on impulse. But I promise to work on that, to talk things through with you. On Saturday, I wasn't pushing you away... not exactly. It's hard to explain what was going on in my head. I guess I was disappointed in myself, and I didn't want you to see that." On a deep breath, I added, "I didn't want to disappoint you."

"You didn't disappoint me, Graham. Not at all."

Lori buried her nose in the flowers, then lowered the bouquet a little, and seeing those sweet lips parted slightly, I went in for a kiss. Sighing softly, she opened up for me. I wanted to kiss her until she'd climb in my lap, but we were in a park. I had to consider that.

"I'm sorry I overreacted. That wasn’t okay. You deserved better than that. I promise to do  better. And I’m sorry I pushed so much," she muttered when I let her go. "I shouldn't have. I was feeling a little insecure, and I was afraid you were slipping away from me. I love your crazy love, and your protectiveness."

Hearing those words from her was all I needed to feel whole. 

"But I'm strong. I want you to know that. Even if I look shaken, that doesn't mean I can't handle things." 

"I know you're strong. It's one of the things I love about you." I played with a strand of her hair, then pushed it behind her ear. It was time to bring up something else. 

***

Lori

"Whatever happens, I want you to know there will never be a day when I don't want you and Milo." He said the words gently, cupping my face in his big hands. "I understand why you have that fear, but I need you to trust me, to trust us."

"I do."

"Obviously, I know it was wrong to write that scumbag a check."

“I don’t like that he got money out of you. I don’t like it at all. I know you meant well. But you understand what I mean about making decisions together, right?” I asked.

“I do. I promise that I do.”  

"So we'll work together in the future? Not just on this, but also the problems with your dad and Nana.”  

"We will," he assured me. "But know this: my instinct will always be to take care of the things that might upset you. Tell me how I can make it up to you."

"You don't have anything to make up for, but if you insist, I can think of a few things," I said coyly, running my forefinger from the button of his polo shirt to his sternum. He looked at me with those blue eyes I adored. They were full of love... and heat. The latter sent a sizzle so hot through me that I involuntarily shimmied my hips. Graham slyly raised one corner of his mouth. 

Could this man not tempt me like this in broad daylight? I knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, though. It was just his irresistible sex appeal.

"Yeah, I can think of a few things too." He pressed his forehead against mine. "I love you, Lori. And I have great plans for us."

"Oh? Care to share them with me?"

He pulled back a notch. "I think I'll leave you guessing for now."

I laid both palms on his chest, debating how I could lure this out of him. Blackmail? Nah, too early in the day for that. Seduction? That could work. But we were in public, so my plan was a bust. Besides, I liked surprises. That didn't mean I didn't want hints, though. 

"You really aren't going to tell me anything, are you?"

"No, I don't think I will. You're adorable when you're curious. And I'm good at making you fret."

"Don't be so full of yourself. I can resist your charm if I have to."

His eyes flashed. I liked to provoke him even more than he liked to make me fret. 

"When you put it like that, sounds like I don't have much going for me."

"I didn't say I was immune," I pointed out, and then I started counting on my fingers.

"You've got a lot going for you. See, you have these unique talents in the kitchen, and the bedroom. Plus, you charmed my son and my siblings. That's no small feat. And you—"

He feathered his lips on my neck, and I lost not only my ability to speak, but also my trail of thought. When he placed open-mouthed kisses on my sweet spot, I squirmed and fidgeted. Then I felt the tip of his tongue slide across my skin too. Oh, this vile man. He wasn't going to sweet-talk me into anything anymore. Once the tongue was involved, I knew he was going to seduce me.

"Graham," I half whispered, half moaned. I was already hot and bothered, and he was only teasing my neck.

"I'm taking you home, Lori. I'll share my plan for this afternoon," he whispered on a growl. "Starts with you under me. I'll love you until you cry out my name. That's a promise."

"I love your promises," I muttered. We had the entire day to ourselves, since Milo wasn’t coming back until tomorrow.

"I intend to make good on every single one of them."

Graham kept his promise and seduced me thoroughly that lazy afternoon at my house.

He was kissing every inch of skin that wasn’t covered with clothes. His hands were busy methodically ridding me of said clothes. Every morsel of skin he revealed, he traced with his lips.

He kissed up my left inner thigh, then the right one. Then he buried his mouth in between, stroking me with his tongue until my legs nearly gave in. I was standing in front of the bed, and I was afraid I’d topple on it any second now. My clit was on fire. With every lash of Graham’s tongue, the heat spread along my nerve endings. Pressure was building inside me. He kissed my tender flesh until he brought me so close to climaxing I almost saw stars. But then he pulled back, laying me on the bed. 

“Not yet, sweetheart. I promise I will make you come hard, but not yet.”

I kissed his chest as he climbed over me, rolling lower to trace the line of his abs with my tongue, feeling his erection across my chest. Graham pulled me back up until our mouths were level. He captured my lips, sliding in his tongue, kissing me ferociously. This man wasn’t just kissing me. He was making love to my mouth. I became so turned on from his kissing I felt I would combust soon. I brought Graham’s hand to my clit. He slid two fingers inside me, groaning against my mouth when he realized how slick I was.

Pressing the heel of his palm against my clit, he moved his hand rhythmically, driving me crazy. My body was at his mercy: his tongue explored my mouth, his fingers filled me, his palm worked my clit. I exploded all around him, bracing my palms on those muscle-laced arms. I felt him move slightly on the bed, then heard him slide on protection before he pushed inside me.

“Oh, oh, oh... Graham.” My inner muscles were still clenched tight from the orgasm, and Graham slid in a few inches.

“You feel perfect.” Another inch. “Perfect.” 

I rolled my hips then, taking in all of him, reveling in the exquisite pleasure. He loved me until we were both satiated and spent.

“Mmmm... every afternoon should be like this,” I declared a while later, after we’d showered and returned to bed.

“I can make it happen.” Graham bit my shoulder lightly. His hands were naughty again. He was propped against the headrest, and I was lying with half of my back against his chest. One of his hands was circling my nipples, turning the skin on my breasts to goose bumps. The other was drawing small circles on my lower belly, inching dangerously close to my clit.

“Your hands are wandering a lot today,” I admonished.

“They are, aren’t they? Entirely your doing.”

“How do you figure?” 

He kissed one shoulder then the other. “You’re the one tempting me.”

“Oh, I see. So you’re not going to claim any responsibility?”

His lips spread in a grin. “None whatsoever.”

I moved one of my hands between his thighs, squeezing his erection. He groaned.

“You were saying, Graham?” 

“Lori.” His voice held a hint of warning, but I ignored it, pumping along the length until I was satisfied that he was just as hot and bothered as I was. Then I stopped touching him and swatted his hands away, turning so I was half straddling him, laying my head on his chest.

We stayed like that for a long while, and eventually, I asked, “What’s on your mind, Graham? I can feel your wheels spinning.”

“My dad. Wondering what’s the best way to deal with him. I was thinking about asking him to work at the club again instead of just giving him money. Maybe it’ll teach him about responsibility.”

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“But I don’t trust him handling any money.”

“How about PR? I saw a few old interviews with him. He seemed good in front of the camera.” 

He kissed the top of my head. “That’s definitely a good plan. Amber could keep a close eye on him. She’d love it. Thanks for the idea.”

“Anytime. Thank you for talking about it with me.” I wanted to give this man everything he needed: my love and support, my strength. I cuddled closer to him, then moved on top, propping my chin on his chest, looking up at him. Graham feathered his fingers up and down the sides of my torso, paying extra attention to my breasts. I squirmed against him. He groaned.

“You have more ideas, huh?” His voice was rougher now.

I licked my lower lip. “Plenty.”

He cupped my ass with both hands, squeezing a little. “Why don’t you show them to me right now?”

“I’m trying to decide which one to pick first.”

***

A few days later, after Milo fell asleep in the evening, Graham brought up Jeff.

“My accountant said that he hasn’t cashed that check.”

“Wow. Why do you think?”

“Talked to one of the club’s lawyers. He said Jeff’s likely waiting for the malpractice suit to be over to cash it; otherwise, he could lose that money too. I want my lawyer to draw up a document for that scumbag to sign that he’ll never bother you and Milo again, and if it’s okay with you, I’d ask him to give up parental rights too. I’d like Milo to see me as his dad one day.”

I swear my heart grew in size. “I’d love that, Graham. I’d love it.”

Jeff didn’t give in easily. His first reaction when we approached him with the document was to ask for more money. Then Graham and I brought out the big guns, setting up a meeting with Jeff and a sharp lawyer.

I made it clear to Jeff that not only would I drag him through courts for the accrued child support, but that we’d accuse him of extortion too. When the lawyer and Will—who’d insisted on attending the meeting and flashed his badge at every turn—explained to him that cashing Graham’s check could constitute proof of extortion, which is punishable by two to four years in prison in California, not only did he agree to sign our papers, he also returned the check and gave up his parental rights.

“See, brother?” I teased as Will, Graham, and I stepped out of the attorney’s office. “The badge does work on someone.”

Will winked. “Works on everyone I’m not related to.”

Graham kissed the side of my head, pulling me into a half hug. “Let’s go pick up our boy from school.”