Page 4 of Our Unexpected Beginning (Club Surrender #4)
Julia picked up the garment bag and brought it down to the hall closet. She ignored the scattered pile of sewing items that covered the walk-in closet floor.
She pushed past the theater costumes and retired cosplay pieces to hang the dress on the back wall.
It hung next to the fabric that Lexi had changed her mind after it was ordered.
There were two previous discards and another wedding dress hanging next to Mia’s that Julia had been commissioned to create.
Julia shut the light and pushed the door closed, hiding the mess before Graham could see and judge like everyone else–except Melody of course.
She tossed her jacket over the back of the couch and turned to Graham. It was her turn to give him a wolfish grin while she pulled the first few buttons of her dress.
“Not to sound crude…” She was locked in his hungry gaze.
Julia continued to pull the buttons.
“Fuck, babe. You have got the most beautiful body. I could get lost exploring.”
Julia smiled as she pulled the clip from her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders. The compliment was flattering and not something she was used to. Coming from Graham, it made her belly flutter.
She let her hands run down her neck and over the sides of her breasts. “That’s not crude.”
It was endearing to her when his cheeks flushed the faintest shade of pink. He leaned against the door as his hands grabbed her sides and pulled her into him. It snicked shut with the force of their union.
“Fine,” he grunted, his hands coming up to cup her half-exposed breasts. “I could die a happy man if I spent the rest of my life worshipping these tits of yours.” Graham’s grip tightened, his thumbs teasing beneath the edge of her bra.
“Oh.”
His brown eyes darkened and in one quick motion, he wrenched the fabric down, freeing her breasts. They spilled into his hands and he roughly pressed them together. He bent down and licked the slope of her neck.
“Warm, soft, and so responsive.” Graham mused. “Big enough to display my handprints when I parade you through the club.”
She gasped as his calloused fingers pinched her nipples in unison. The pressure tightened until she rocked onto her toes.
“Well, I’m not a girl to complain.” Julia lifted her foot and pulled the zipper, letting her boot drop to the floor. She did the same with the other foot.
Julia alternated between pulling at the buttons of Graham’s shirt and tugging her dress down her shoulders to free up her arms for movement.
Graham pinched her nipple again, rolling it between his fingers with steady pressure. “Brand your breasts with the sting of my palm.” Her eyes fluttered closed. “I can see it now. A halter dress and heels, your hair in a ponytail, a perfectly innocent picture until you take a closer look.”
Her head lolled against the wall, her heartbeat picking up rhythm with the wicked pull of Graham’s fingers.
“But you see, my girl is very naughty and in constant need of guidance.” Graham’s breath was warm against her neck .
Her nails scored down his biceps. “Yes, Sir.”
“You’ll have several welted imprints of my hand on your body to display. Must not forget the perfect touch.”
Her mouth opened on a moan, and she looked up at him with glazed unfocused eyes.
“The best whores have their lipstick smudged. You know why?” He grabbed her jaw and lifted her to her tiptoes. “So they mark their dominant’s cock with their throat.”
Julia shuddered, overwhelmed with the sensations and mental descriptions that had her wet and needy. She was ready to fall to her knees and do just that.
Graham peppered kisses across her neck and collarbone. Nipping at the tops of her breasts and neck until her skin was flushed from the attention.
“We should stop.” He panted against her neck.
Julia snaked her hand between them and boldly grabbed his cock through his jeans.
“That’s the opposite of stop, Jules.” She pulled the buttons to his jeans and slipped her hand inside. Her palm moved along his length, and he slicked her hand with the evidence of his lust.
“Fuck.”
Her fingers wrapped around his shaft. “See, I do know what I’m doing.”
“You excel in distraction.” Julia’s grin widened as he rested his head against hers, his breathing labored.
“I always thrived on being an excellent student.” Julia pressed against him, kissing beneath his jawline .
“We need to stop. Oh fuck, your touch is. Jules...” He gripped her by the forearms and pulled her back.
She looked up at him, confusion mingling with a hint of hurt playing in her eyes.
Julia instinctively backed away, feeling the sting of rejection, but his grip only tightened, anchoring her in place. “Oh no you don’t.”
“You said stop,” she retorted, her voice trembling with a mixture of frustration and dashed hope. The rejection had her insides twisting painfully.
“You’re misunderstanding me. I mean wait.
” Graham gently cupped her cheek, his eyes pleading for understanding.
“I apologize if I was unclear. I want you.” He raised his brow at her, but she tore her gaze away from his intense eyes, uncertainty gnawing at her resolve.
“I want you,” he repeated, his voice laced with sincerity and longing.
“I plan on doing things to you that are illegal in several states.”
But .
The unspoken word hovered between them, a bitter reminder of past disappointments and unexpected turns that always seemed to cast her aside. She braced herself for the inevitable rejection that would follow.
“But what?” she whispered, her voice barely audible, dreading the answer and what it might mean for them. For her.
Her eyes darted everywhere except to him, unwilling to face what she feared would be there. She’d leaped too quickly, once again assuming and diving in without regard for the reality around her, seeing things that were never there.
Graham’s grip on her arms tightened as if he were trying to hold on to her before she slipped away.
“Look at me.” Graham ducked down and forced her to look at him.
“I would be a sorry-ass excuse for a man to even think of being with you after a dirty day at the garage. It can be below zero outside and the shop is always ten degrees above boiling.”
Julia blinked, processing his words. A wave of relief washed over her, followed quickly by embarrassment at her hasty assumptions. She felt her cheeks flush hot as understanding dawned.
He wasn’t saying he didn’t want her, he was being considerate. He wanted to shower.
“Oh,” she breathed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I... I thought...I’m sorry.”
Graham’s expression softened, his thumbs gently caressing her arms. “I know what you thought. And I’m sorry for not being clearer.” He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “You have a way of clouding my brain. You deserve more than a quick fumble when I’m covered in grease and grime.”
Julia’s heart swelled at his words, her earlier doubts melting away. She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze with renewed confidence. “Well, Graham,” she purred, her hands sliding up his chest, “I suppose we should get you cleaned up.”
“Point me in the direction of your shower. ”
“It’s down the hall. The handle can be tricky if–YOU, OH GOD, WHAT are you doing!? Graham!” Julia squeaked as her feet were lifted off the floor into Graham’s arms.
He grabbed a handful of her ass. “Better be safe than sorry, you’ll have to come with me.”
“Yes, Sir!” She tightened her arms around his neck and pointed down the hall with her foot. “That’a way!”
Graham
Graham padded around Julia’s kitchen barefoot, with only a towel wrapped snugly around his waist.
He’d taken the initiative of raiding her kitchen to replenish the energy well spent in her shower. They left no part of the other untouched, washing the day away and every last bit of hot water in Julia’s apartment.
Crossing his arms he leaned against the cabinet, waiting on the oven timer, he looked around the apartment taking in his surroundings.
It was a little chaotic. The kitchen table was littered with cluttered piles of forgotten cups, sketch pads, and pens, negating the ability to eat around it .
The furniture was older–not worn out, but loved and lived in.
An eclectic assortment of throw pillows and fuzzy blankets are scattered about.
A climbing vine plant he couldn’t name hung in the ceiling above a swinging basket chair and had crawled its way over the curtains and intertwined in the lights that sparkled through the sheer fabric.
Her workstation was in the corner by the large window in the living room. Two garment racks, a full-figured mannequin, and a table filled with drawers that held any number of things she could need.
Her personality covered every inch, and he was thankful to be allowed into the space.
“Are you sure you don’t need help?!” Julia called from the living room, breaking through Graham’s thoughts.
He turned to lean on the island facing the couch, resting his elbows on the granite, and looked at her pointedly. “If you get off that couch, so help me, kitten. You’ll wish you could sit when I’m done with you.”
“Are you trying to deter me or are you ready for another round?” Jules grabbed her water and took a long drink. “I’m hydrated and flexible, Sir .”
Fuck. The way the honorific rolled off her tongue and around his cock worked as the distraction she’d most likely intended.
“You know, one would tease that you’re a bad host.”
“Excuse me? You’re the big oaf that insisted on raiding my kitchen and exposing the embarrassment that I’m no better than a troll gremlin. ”
“I was thinking more Ariel with the hair and all.” He gestured to the chaotic shelf of knickknacks she had scattered across her bookshelves and living area.
“As long as we’re not insinuating that I’m an airhead, I’ll accept.” She looked adorable curled on the couch in a robe and an old beat-up high school team blanket.