When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(66)

“Rick.” My amusement laces his name together. “The first step is to remove your hands from the girl’s ass, and then take two steps back.”

Rick bangs his fist against the stainless steel and laughs. “I’ll be out in a second, Kennedy,” he says through clenched teeth. His eyes widen in a warning that only causes my eyes to roll. It doesn’t pack much of a punch as far as threats are concerned.

“We are leaving. Like now.” I turn to the girl. “I’m sure he’ll call you. Now, Rick, let’s go.”

“You know, I could’ve closed.” Rick nods at the girl thumbing her bottom lip as we walk to the door.

“I’m sure you could have, and I’m so proud of your panty dropping skills, but it’s two in the morning, and I’d like to get to bed.” I pat him on the back.

“Easy for you to say. You get to cuddle up next to him tonight.”

“Aww, Rick, do you want to cuddle with us tonight so you aren’t lonely?” I goad.

“If that scenario ends with your man chopping off my dick, I’ll take a hard pass.”

“Wise answer.” Graham groans behind me and I wink over my shoulder.

By the time we get home, the dash clock reads three in the morning. I stretch my neck from side to side. Graham brushes my hair from my neck and massages the deep muscles on our way to his room.

I toss my shirt on the floor. “Put me to bed,” I whisper, lifting my arms.

Graham fingers the hem of my tank top, and with slow precision, lifts it off my body, tossing it beside us.

My shorts glide down my legs. The sheets cool my hot skin as I tuck them around my body. Graham kicks off his shoes, and leaves his own pile of clothes on the floor. Every second he’s closer to being in this bed, every cell in my body fills with electricity.

“I’m sorry, for tonight, for everything.” As if he can’t get sexier, he crawls onto the bed, one knee at a time. His eyes devour me.

“Quit apologizing and come lay with me.” I tug his hand until he’s beside me. Resting my cheek against his chest, I throw a leg over his hips. His hand brushes up and down my thigh until I find the peaceful sleep only Graham’s quiet breaths can bring.

*****

A hand rocks my shoulders.

“Wake up, babe. We’ve got to get going.” My eyes are slow to open, but when they do, Graham grins down at me. “You’re cute when you’re sleepy.”

“You’re always cute.” I pat his cheek.

“Cute is reserved for little brothers and the guys you’re trying to give the ‘let’s just be friends’ talk to.” He tickles my side, making me beg him to stop. My legs kick in protest until he’s straddling me. It’s then I realize he’s close. Closer than close. He’s practically a second skin.

“You’re definitely not cute.” I lift the hem of his shirt and run a single fingertip over the ridges of his stomach.

“Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?”

“Bite your lip like you’re hungry while running your hands all over me.” Graham flips me onto my stomach and smacks my ass. “We don’t have time for shenanigans this morning.”

“There’s always time.” I lay my head on the pillow and inhale what’s left of Graham’s scent.

“I love your enthusiasm, but Ben’s waiting for us, and the kid appreciates punctuality.” His weight leaves my back. Graham changes into gym shorts and a t-shirt, zips his hoodie, and grins at me. “Hope you brought tennis shoes.” He pulls on his baseball cap and tosses my camera into my purse.

“Why, what are we doing?” My eyes widen.

“The batting cages.”

“Graham, I don’t do batting cages.”

“You do now. I’ll meet you downstairs.” With a quick wink, he’s gone.

Well, guess I’m going to the batting cages. I hurry to the bathroom, clean up and dress in record time, and run to the car.

Under strict orders from Betsy to bring him back in the same condition he’s in, or she’ll kill us both, we secure Ben in the backseat and leave.

“How’s that little asshole, Andrew, doing?” Graham eyes Ben in the rearview mirror. I elbow him. “What?” he mouths to me.

I jerk my head toward the backseat where a giggling Ben sits. I twist and make a funny face at Ben, making him laugh harder.

“Is Andrew being nicer to you, Ben?”

“No, but I’m fine with it.” His frail shoulders shrug. “He’s just jealous he’ll never be as cute as me.”

“I see Graham’s been instilling his arrogance in you.” I glance at Graham. His eyes focus on the road, a sliver of a smile begging to grow.

“He says I need to be confident, not cocky,” Ben whispers. Graham reaches behind him with a fist. Ben slams his against it.

“It worked with you, didn’t it?” Graham peers over at me.

When he’s unbuckled, Ben hops from the backseat and waits on the sidewalk, tapping his foot with anticipation. A bag slung over his shoulder, and a baseball hat sitting like perfection, Graham comes around the truck looking like every girl’s wet dream. His arm muscles strain as he pulls Ben in close to his side.

“You ready?”