His Forever Girl

Lightly he brushed her lips with his and she caught his taste. Yeasty and warm with beer. Her pulse sped at the first touch, and she leaned in for more.

But Graham was a tease.

He dotted little kisses along her jaw, making her stomach flutter with excitement.

“Oh,” she breathed, the warmth spreading as he moved steadily back toward her mouth.

But then he decided to stop teasing and covered her mouth with his, sliding a hand around her neck to clasp the back of her head, tilting her so he could gain better access.

Like rain on the parched earth, Tess welcomed the onslaught of desire. She opened her mouth, only slightly, her tongue flitting out to taste him, evocative and flirty, but Graham tasted rich as expensive wine or fine chocolate. Addictive.

He responded to her invitation and hot desire slammed into her like a midnight train eating up track when his fingers stroked the nape of her neck and his tongue stroked hers.

Tess didn’t want to stop, but she did.

Because if she didn’t stop now, she might not be able to. Because if she didn’t stop now, she might straddle him right there on a stool in the Carousel Bar.

Wouldn’t be the first time, but nothing had ever come of any guy she’d hooked up with randomly...and for some reason she didn’t want Graham to go down as a guy she’d never meet again. She wanted to wear a little black dress and killer heels she didn’t need but had to have because they made her legs look long and lean. She wanted moonlight and champagne...or at least a really good pinot grigio. She didn’t want just a one-night stand with Graham.

And that surprised her.

Pulling back, she whispered, “I think I got my answer. You?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m definitely going to need your number.” He touched a finger to her nose in a move that should have been corny but was anything but.

“So you want to walk me home?” Her voice was thick...almost seductive, so she cleared her throat.

“Some water,” the bartender said, setting down two icy glasses in front of them. “So I ain’t gotta call the fire department.”

She picked up the glass and toasted the bartender who winked at her before moving on to a guy waving a twenty on the other side.

“He has a point. We can’t do that again without charging people admission,” Graham said, looking as if the kiss had shaken him down to his wing tips. His smiled at her and picked up his water, a tinge of awe in those blue eyes.

And like a hit of smack, he made her suddenly crave more of him. She wanted to inhale him, taste every square inch and lose herself in something primal and good and irresponsible.

Maybe meeting Graham at Two Legs was a moment-in-time thing. What if there would never be a black dress, nice dinner and moonlight? What if Graham didn’t get the job? Never walked back into her world again?

Would she regret the missed chance to immerse herself in him?

Yeah, she would. So...

“When are you leaving?” she asked.

He gulped down the ice water, his strong throat moving as he swallowed. She wanted to kiss him there. Where the pulse beat in his neck, right above the loosened tie. “Tomorrow morning.”

Indecision.

She hated when she felt this way. Hot and fast? Or slow and...?

“You want another drink?” he asked, nodding toward her half-finished pomegranate martini.

“Not really.”

“Oh,” he said, sounding disappointed. Grabbing the hand she’d tucked in her lap, he cradled it. Stroking her inner wrist, he contemplated his empty glass. She could tell he didn’t want the evening to end...and neither did she.

“Pay for the drinks, Graham,” she said.

Hooking an eyebrow, Graham turned to her.

“Unless you don’t want me to see you in those boxer briefs?”

Like magic, his wallet appeared. Tossing enough cash to cover the drinks and tip on the bar, he pulled her to her feet. “You sure?”

Tess slid her hand up his lapel, cupping his jaw and dropping a light kiss on his lips. “We’re not going to overthink this.”

He pulled her toward the door. “Cab?”

“My place isn’t far. Let’s walk.”

“Or run.” He spun her into his arms, pressing her against the rough brick, not caring a homeless man slept in the alcove a few yards away.

Tess tugged his head down, her mouth eagerly meeting his. This time she wasn’t stingy with opening her mouth and it inflamed her even more. He pressed himself against her, sliding his hands down to her hips in order to pull her against his erection. Warmth turned to frenzied fire.

“Oh,” she breathed, her hands knotting in his short wavy hair. “Maybe we better hurry.”

He smiled against her.

“Yeah, y’all should,” the old bum squawked. “Unless you want a little company.”

“No, thanks,” Graham called, wrapping an arm around Tess and pulling a five out of his pocket and dropping it in the man’s tipped-up hat. “Something for you, sir.”

“Not as good as what you’re about to get, brother,” the man cracked.

“True,” Graham called out over his shoulder, not slowing up as they crossed Canal Street. Several blocks later she pulled her keys from her purse, struggling to keep her hands from shaking. Right before she pushed through the front entrance of the building, Graham caught her elbow. “You sure?”

She looked up, surprised he’d try to stop now. “You trying to talk me out of having hot, uncontrollable, slightly dirty sex with you?”

He swallowed, his teeth flashing in the darkness. “That’s what’s on the menu?”

“It’ll be better than the stuffed mushrooms you turned down. I promise.” She held the door open with no regret.

“I like your confidence.”

* * *

GRAHAM ROLLED OVER and glanced at Tess asleep in the moonlight. Long lashes lay against her upper cheeks. The smattering of freckles were more pronounced against her luminous skin. Wild locks of dark gold mixed with light brown caught in the light. She looked so innocent.

And not so much like the hellcat who had pinned him down, taken control and brought him the most excruciatingly pleasurable orgasm he’d ever experienced.