He leaned into her, resting his forehead against her rib cage. She slid one hand to his hair and he sighed heavily. “It’s not the first time this has happened, but my dad hates to leave her to go to work when it does. When it looks like it’ll be longer than a few days before she recovers, I usually try to go down there to help. But I can’t fucking drive and it’s expensive to fly.”
The words left her mouth before she realized it. “I could drive you.”
He lifted his head, dark eyes meeting hers. “What?”
“I mean, I can’t take a ton of time off work, but I’m not on the schedule this weekend. We could go down Friday and stay until Sunday. I could probably switch shifts with someone on Monday if you wanted to stay a little longer.”
Graham just stared at her, his lips parted slightly. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. You’re my friend and you’re worried about your family. They’re important to you and you’re important to me. I’d be happy to help, if you’ll let me.”
His expression altered a little, snagging on that last part with something like hesitation. “I’ve only taken someone where I grew up once, and it didn’t go very well.” He shook his head, the tips of his ears turning pink. “I didn’t… That is, it’s not very…” He seemed to struggle to find the right words.
“You know I don’t care about where you lived, right?” Was that what he was worried about?
He shrugged, appearing strangely vulnerable.
“Graham, I want to go because you’re my friend and because I want to be there for you, not because I give two shits about how much money your parents have. That means less than nothing to me.” She cocked her head. “Is that what you mean by it didn’t go so well? What kind of woman were you dating, Graham? Because she sounds like an asshole. You deserve better than that.”
He just looked at her, searching her face. His hands had found their way to her waist and his fingers tightened their grip as his brow furrowed.
She moved her hands from his head to his shoulders. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I…” He blinked, as if trying to make sense of something. “I never thought I’d find something more attractive about you than your smart mouth. But that might be the nicest, most genuine thing you’ve ever said to me, and I’ve never wanted to kiss you more than I do right now. I’m not really sure what to do with that.”
Claire’s heart thumped beneath her ribs. Her legs wobbled a little and she leaned into him, lowering her forehead to his. “I think you do.”
18
That was an invitation to kiss her if Graham had ever heard one.
With a tilt of his chin, their lips met in a kiss that was slow, deep, and searching.
Was she looking for the same thing as him?
He pressed harder, paying attention to her response, and she returned with a force of her own. Her hands pushed at his chest and he fell back, carefully lifting his legs onto the bed while she shed her clothes.
She carefully swung her leg over his hips and settled down exactly where he wanted her. Her blond hair, curly and unruly, framed her flushed cheeks like petals on a wildflower. Her lips were swollen from his kiss and her hazel eyes tracked her hands as she lightly trailed her nails across his chest.
He swallowed hard as he took her in.
She was so fucking beautiful.
Frowning, she asked, “Are you in pain?”
Several things hit him at once. Concern for his mom, frustration at his injury, and confusion over the depth of his feelings for this woman he couldn’t get enough of.
Before he could filter his response, he nodded.
She went up on her knees, concern filling her eyes. “I’m so sorry, does the pressure hurt your leg? Where does it h—”
Graham settled a hand on her smooth thigh, easing her back down. He circled her wrist with his fingers and pressed her hand over his heart.
“Here.” His voice came out thick. “It hurts here.”
Her eyes went soft and she stilled as his heart beat steadily against her palm. “Graham,” she whispered, then bent down to brush her lips against his.
They remained in that position for long moments, hands wedged between their hearts as they kissed softly. Reverently. Both knowing there were things he wanted to say but probably never would.
She brushed her nose against his and buried her face in his neck, just beneath his jaw. She inhaled deeply and sighed with pleasure, sending his body to a higher precipice.