talking in physical terms, but the words still sent a thrill of desire through her.
Eve leaned in until her lips barely brushed against his. “So you’re here to give in after all? Dare I say, beg me?” she whispered.
With a groan, Graham snaked his arms around her waist and gripped her backside, pulling her flush against him. “Hell no. I’m not begging. I’m taking what I want, what you’ve teased me with, and I’m saving your pride so you don’t have to beg.”
Eve laughed. “So this is all for me?”
“I’m a selfish man, Eve. Never forget that.”
His lips crushed hers as he backed her up a few steps to the door. She hit with a thud, but she barely noticed. With the way Graham’s hands were wrestling the hem of her dress up her thighs, she couldn’t concentrate on anything but the endless possibilities of what was about to happen.
“Never tease me again,” Graham muttered against her lips. “Did you think I’d avoid you, knowing you looked like this?”
His mouth made a path down her neck, to the deep V of her dress. For the first time tonight, she was all too happy to be this exposed. Better access for Graham was exactly what she needed, what she ached for.
Eve arched her back, cupping the side of his face as he jerked the thick straps down her shoulders. The second her dress fell to her waist, Graham filled his hands with her bare breasts.
“If I’d known you weren’t wearing anything beneath this, I would’ve intercepted you at your house before the party and we never would’ve left.”
Eve gasped as his lips found her sensitive tip. “The dress...it has...um...”
“Yes?” he asked, a smile in his tone. “How close are you to begging?”
About a second.
“The dress has a built-in liner. No bra necessary.”
“It’s my new favorite.”
When his hands trailed up the back of her thighs, Eve had to bite her lips to keep from crying out. He knew every single place to touch her and have her squirming. He knew she was on the brink of begging and he was practically gloating over it.
Time to turn the tables, so to speak.
Eve reached between them. The second she stroked her hand up his length, Graham let out a hiss.
“I’m not playing games, Eve.”
She couldn’t help but smile against his mouth. “You wouldn’t have come here if you weren’t playing.”
* * *
She. Was. Killing. Him.
And his slow descent had started the second she’d sent that picture of her wearing the dress. But, seeing her in person, touching those curves, was absolutely everything he’d ever dreamed and fantasized about. Yes, he’d had her multiple times, but knowing she was carrying his child bumped up the sexual appeal. There was something so primal, so...damn it, his. She was his. That child was his. There would never be another man coming into her life, into their child’s life. Not so long as Graham was around.
Maybe he’d come here to seduce her, most likely. But he’d intentionally decided to crash the party simply because he knew he could. He’d taken matters into his own hands.
Speaking of matters in hand...
“Take off your dress.”
Eve stilled. “Here?”
“We can go back inside to the party to do this, but I’m sure your family wouldn’t approve.”
Graham backed away and waited until the rustling and soft swoosh of fabric indicated she was indeed bare for him. Closing the space between them, Graham wasted no time in grabbing hold of her and lifting her until her legs wrapped around him.
He eased over slightly so her back wasn’t against the grooves in the door. But once he had her against the wall, he reached between them, unfastened his pants and kissed her. Hard. This wasn’t a sweet encounter; he didn’t have time for gentle touches and nurturing words. He was in this dark pool house with his own goddess for one reason only.
“Hurry,” she panted against his mouth.
Clearly Eve was in here for one reason, as well. This was why they got along so well. Their needs, their wants were identical in nearly every single way. Convincing her to be his wife would be the easiest case he’d ever made.
The soft pants, the occasional groan from Eve were begging enough. Graham slid into her, smiling when her fingers curled around his shoulders and gripped tighter. The way she whispered his name as she threw her head back and closed her eyes only fueled Graham to move faster.
“It’s been too long,” he growled as he kept a firm hold on her hips. “Never again.”
“No,” she murmured, her eyes locking with his.
Graham couldn’t go another day without touching her, let alone several. His stupid pride and the ridiculous game he’d played...it had backfired in his face. Now he was the one needing her, but damn if he’d admit it.
“I’m the only one, Eve.” He didn’t know why he needed to express this, but damn if another man would be keeping her bed warm. For now, she was his. “Say it.”
Nodding, she gasped when he pushed harder. “The only one. Only you.”
Feeling too vulnerable, way too close to the edge of exposing feelings he wasn’t ready to come face-to-face with, Graham angled his mouth across hers once more. His hips quickened, and her knees tightened around his waist.
When her hands came up to frame his face, Graham ignored the tingle of awareness. He wanted it fast, hard, intense. Little sweet gestures weren’t for him. They weren’t for them.
Eve tore her mouth from his and squeezed her eyes tight.
“No. Look at me,” he demanded. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he wanted to see as much of her as possible.
When her body convulsed, Graham could no longer hold back. He buried his face in the side of her neck, inhaling that familiar, jasmine scent. Holding tight, he waited until their bodies ceased trembling before he lifted his face. Her heart beat so fast against his chest, matching his own frantic pace.
“My family is going to wonder where I went,” Eve murmured, breaking the silence.
Graham nipped at her lips. “Tell them you needed some fresh air.”
“I don’t even want to look in a mirror. They’re going to wonder why I’m so messed up.”
“Then leave with me.”
Why had he said that? They weren’t inseparable. But there was something about knowing they shared this baby...the bond was already too strong. Graham needed to rein things back in or he was going to find himself in a position he wasn’t ready for.
Eve
