She laughs and takes a step toward me. “You have a kid?”
“I have three. How about you?”
The woman shakes her head. “None. I don’t have time.”
“That’s a shame. You’re missing out.”
“Someday.” She shrugs as if the thought of having a child doesn’t really cross her mind much. “Who are you here with?”
“Nora Hayes.”
“Ahhh. You’re the mystery man everyone has been talking about. I can see what the fuss is about. You’re a very attractive man.”
Wow. Are all women around here this bold? “Thank you.”
The woman whose name I still don’t know takes another step toward me and trips. Her wine glass clatters against floor as she tumbles forward. I manage to catch her with one arm.
“My dress,” she says, looking down at herself. “It’s ruined.”
“It’s not ruined.”
Dad mode kicks in, and I set down my plate of food and grab a few cloth napkins. She grabs another one, and together we work at cleaning her up the best we can.
“Don’t wipe it, blot it,” I tell her.
“You’re good at this.”
“Yeah, well, when you have three kids, stains are a part of everyday life.”
“What is going on here?”
I whirl around to find Nora a few feet away. Her pale face stares at me before dropping to my hands, which are way too close to this woman’s breasts.
Shit. I yank my hands back.
“Nora,” the woman says before I have a chance to respond. “I don’t know where you found this guy, but he’s a keeper. Can you believe I was clumsy enough to spill wine on myself? But here he was, your knight in shining armor, ready to swoop in and save me.”
“It wasn’t quite that dramatic,” I add.
“If you two are done here, the show is over. You should probably get to your after party, don’t you think, Shaylee?”
Shaylee? Aw, fuck. This was the woman I was supposed to stay away from.
“Probably,” Shaylee says.
“It was nice meeting you. Good luck getting that stain out.” I drop the napkin and take my place at Nora’s side.
Shaylee frowns and disappears down the hall.
“That wasn’t what it looked like.”
Nora looks at me. Her bottom lip trembles, and without a word, she turns on her heel and walks away.
Fucking hell.
“Nora, wait.”
She spins when I reach for her wrist, ready to give me a piece of her mind.
But not here.
“Hold that thought.” I take her arm and guide her to a small room at the end of the hall. Looks like another banquet room, but it’s empty, so it’ll do. “You’re mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’m disappointed, and I wasn’t expecting to walk out and find you groping Shaylee.”
“First off, I wasn’t groping her. She spilled her wine, and I was trying to help her clean it up.”
“I’m guessing she did that on purpose.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Second, I had no idea who she was until you said her name.”
Nora huffs and looks away. “I don’t like her, Grayson. She’s always been rude to me, and I don’t trust her. When I saw you touching her it…it…”
“Made you jealous?” I ask, putting my face in front of hers.
“Yes! I was jealous! Are you happy now?”
“Very.” I pull Nora to me. Perfect. Right where she’s supposed to be. “I love that you don’t want me touching another woman because that’s how I feel about you and other men. I promise I won’t let it happen again. Next time a woman spills wine or anything else on herself, I will not under any circumstances offer my assistance.”
Nora laughs and shakes her head. “No, I don’t want you to do that. I love that you’re helpful, but maybe don’t help Shaylee.”
“No Shaylee. Got it.”
“And maybe don’t get too close to the chest.”
“I’m sorry.” I kiss her nose.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“How about we make an appearance at the after party and then I can take you home?”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Oh, God, here he comes,” Nora whispers.
“Who?”
“Todd.”
“Nora!”
I look up to find a pompous-looking man walking our way. He opens his arms wide and reaches for Nora. I tighten my left arm around her hip and stop him with a hand to his chest.
“That’s close enough.”
Todd curls his nose. “Who are you?”
“He’s with me,” Nora cuts in. “What do you want, Todd?”
Todd continues to study me for a few seconds and then finally gives up and looks at Nora. His face softens, and he smiles.
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to you on the red carpet or at the movie.”
“Because I was avoiding you.”
I like it when my girl is feisty.
“Seems to me you should be throwing yourself at my feet, thanking me for allowing you to come here in exchange for dropping the charges.”
Fuck no. Prissy boy isn’t going to toss that in her face. I take a menacing step forward.
“I’d watch your tone around her if I were you.”
Todd scrambles back, and Bo appears out of nowhere.
“Is there a problem here?”
“No problem,” Nora says. “Todd was just saying hello.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Bo looks at me, gives a curt nod, and steps away.
“I never did like him,” Todd huffs.
Nora rolls her eyes. “I’m sure the feeling is mutual. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
“Nora, wait.” Todd makes a move to touch her arm but pulls his hand back when I growl. “Can we talk?”
“Sure, talk.”
“Alone?”
“Not a chance in hell,” I say.
The little prick rubs a hand over his mouth. His eyes dance between me and Nora. Finally, he relents.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For everything. I miss you, Nora. I made a mistake, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back. I just need you to give me a chance.”
“Are you crazy? You lied to me and cheated on me. Our relationship wasn’t even real to begin with. You humiliated me, Todd.” Nora wraps her arms around my waist, taking the comfort I’m more than willing to give. “I’m with someone else now, and I’m happy—happier than I’ve been in a long time, and no way in hell will I give that up.”
“He doesn’t know you.”
“He knows me better than you ever did,” she fires back.
Todd shakes his head. “You’re making a huge mistake.”
“It would seem that my huge mistake was ever giving you the time of day. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
We walk to a nearby empty table.
“I’m proud of you for standing up to him.”
“Thanks. I’m shaking.”
“I know.” I rub her arms. “You did great.”
“I’m glad you’re here with me, Grayson.”
“Me too.”
“Nora, darling, is that you?” I hear a woman say.
We turn to see a group of three women, all equally beautiful and dressed to the nines. I know I’ve seen them before, but I couldn’t tell you where.
Air kisses are exchanged, and then Nora introduces me. “Grayson, this is Violet Ward, Scarlett Townsend, and Penelope Frost. Girls, this is my boyfriend, Grayson Calhoun.”
I recognize each of the names, but I still can’t place them.
“Good evening, ladies,” I say, giving a polite nod.
Scarlett and Penelope ogle me openly while Violet gives me a careful onceover.
“I’m glad you finally ditched Todd,” Scarlett says. “He’s such an ass.”
Penelope nods. “He hit on me at an award show once. I told him we were friends and
he could go to hell.”
“You never told me that,” Nora says.
“Oh, I didn’t?” Penelope waves her off. “I thought I did.”
I stand patiently beside Nora as she makes small talk with the girls, and then they eventually walk away and several other people approach. Each one barely spares me a glance before doting over Nora, who makes it a point to introduce me to each one of them.
After each cool introduction, not one person asks me another question—nothing about myself or how I’m enjoying the evening. They could care less that I’m even here.
Fine by me. These people don’t need to know me any more than I need to know them. I stand back and listen quietly as women walk up and want to gossip.
I’m proud to say Nora doesn’t participate. Instead, she smiles and listens, but doesn’t add to the drama. In fact, she looks uncomfortable. These women call themselves her friends, but I’m guessing by the bored look on Nora’s face that they’re more acquaintances than anything.
Regardless, the mindless chatter is driving me batshit crazy. This is worse that listening to my kids bicker.
“Want to get out of here?” I ask when we get a reprieve.
Nora looks up at me, relieved. “I thought you’d never ask.”
The ride back to Calabasas is quiet. When we walk through the front door, Nora shuts it softly and walks straight back to her room. She glances over her shoulder once to make sure I’m following, which I am, because I’m a sucker for this woman.
Once in her room, she takes out her earrings, sets them on the dresser, and then proceeds to pull the bobby pins, one by one, from her hair until it falls down her back in thick, dark waves.
And then she turns to me.
She’s gorgeous. Her big eyes blink up at me as she runs a tongue along her lower lip. Everything about her is perfect. She’s like something out of a magazine—too beautiful, too perfect, too everything. She’s untouchable, but here I am running my fingers up her arms and over her collarbone until I cup her delicate neck in the palm of my hand.
She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she melts against me.
“I’m scared,” she whispers.
“We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready to do.”
“I’m not scared of that. I’m ready for that.”
“Then what are you scared of?”
“This. Us.”
I brush a strand of hair from her face. “I’m scared too, you know.”
“You don’t seem like the type of man to be scared of anything. You’re always so strong and sure of yourself.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t get scared, and you, Nora Hayes, frighten the hell out of me. Everything between us has happened so fast.”
She nods. “I know it has.”
“But I don’t want it to end. It’s not you or the thought of you that scares me. It’s knowing you’re going to leave—that one of these days I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.”
“I don’t have to leave.”
“Yes, you do. Your life is here, Nora. Your life is on stage, touring the world, entertaining your fans. And that’s how it should be. That’s what you love.”
“I can have more than one love. And just because I leave doesn’t mean I won’t come back.”
“That’s the answer I was hoping for.”
I kiss her soft lips, slide my hand up the curve of her waist, and cup her breast in my hand. She arches her back, pressing herself against me.
“Make love to me,” she whispers, her lips brushing mine. “I need you, Grayson.”
“I need you too, sweetheart.”
Nora takes a step back. With her eyes on mine, she lowers the straps of her dress and shimmies out of it until she’s standing naked before me.
My mouth waters at the sight of her: round, perky tits, curvy waist made for my hands, and the damp V between her legs.
Nora is a sight to behold. If she wants to give this part of herself to me, I’m going to take it and cherish every second. I’m going to show her what it’s like to be loved by a real man.
“Come here.”
Nora steps toward me, and together we unbutton my shirt. She shoves it off my shoulders and dives straight for my chest. Her lips work their way from one nipple to the other before traveling down my stomach.
She drops to her knees, undoes my belt, and pulls my pants down. My cock bobs heavily between us, and I nearly swallow my tongue when she wraps those cherry-red lips around the head and dips her tongue in the slit.
I hook my hands under her arms and pull her up and against me.
“I wasn’t done.”
“I know you weren’t, and later, if you still want to, you can suck my cock for hours, but right now I’m barely hanging on by a thread at the thought of burying myself inside of you.”
“I want that.”
“Me too. And when I get off for the first time tonight, I want it to be here,” I say, cupping her. “Not in your mouth.”
“Well, in that case…”
Nora falls backward, pulling me onto the bed with her.
I shift us so she’s under me and slowly lower my body to hers.
“Condom?”
“I’m on the pill.” When I lift a brow, she clarifies. “They help regulate my periods. I don’t want anything between us, Grayson. When you take me for the first time, I want to feel you and only you.”
“I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone since Lorelei, and I got checked after her.”
Nora nods, wraps her legs around my waist, and pulls me forward until my cock edges along her pussy.
She moans and arches against me.
“Not yet, sweetheart. I want to make sure you’re ready.”
I push a hand between us and slip a finger into her wet folds. Her body tightens around me at the intrusion, and she lifts her hips, searching for the palm of my hand. I give it to her, grinding it against her clit as I take her mouth.
When her legs begin to shake and her breath comes in short, hot pants, I pull back and align myself at her entrance.
“Please. I’m yours, Grayson.”
Nora lifts her hips enough for the head of my cock to slip into her. With one fluid thrust, I push past what little resistance was left and seat myself inside of her. Nora sucks in a breath, digs her nails into my back, and presses her face against my neck.
“Look at me. I need to see you, Nora.”
29
Nora
How do I look at him without showing all of my cards? I’m sure every emotion I’m feeling for this guy is written all over my face, and it makes me feel vulnerable.
I gather my strength and give him what he wants. If I weren’t already lying down, he’d have to pick me up off the floor, because seeing the love I feel shining back at me through his gorgeous eyes is enough to bring any woman to her knees.
My body curves into his like we’re meant to be together. I should be scared at the feelings this man evokes, but I’m not. Instead, I’m lost in the way his mouth moves against mine, the gentle roll of his hips, and all the new sensations he’s eliciting that I didn’t even know existed.
He kisses down my jaw, sucking and teasing until he makes it to my breast. He pulls at a tight nipple, whispering my name as he does. The sound of his raspy voice has my toes curling against the bed. I want to hurry him along, but he’s content to take his time, and I already know he won’t be rushed.
I almost cry when he pulls out, but it’s only for a second while he flips us around so I’m straddling his hips. Grayson is propped on a pillow, his strong hands wrapped around my hips as I hover above him. Slowly, he lowers me until I’m full.
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life, and I don’t trust myself to go easy with you. I want you to take control since it’s your first time. We’ll take this at your pace, however fast or slow you want it.”
I love that he’s putting me in charge, but I’ve never done this before, and I don’t really know wha
t to do. He must see my uncertainty on my face, because he links his fingers with mine and rocks his hips.
This position hits all sorts of new spots inside of me and has me gasping for air while simultaneously searching for those secret areas again.
“Ohhh,” I breathe.
Our bodies move together. I shift between fast and slow, exploring my body as well as his and making a mental note of what feels the best, and what makes him moan. But no matter what I do, it’s still not enough. I want to get as close to him as I possibly can. I want him to brand me and fuck me and make me his.
I’d crawl inside him if I could.
“Harder, Grayson. I need more.”
He puts his arm around my waist, holding me close. His lips brush against my ear. He sucks the lobe into his mouth and then his hips really begin to move, thrusting in and out.
I moan loudly.
I’ve wanted this for so long, and now I’m here. I want to go slow and savor every moment, but this feels too good.
Too good to be true.
“Wrap your arms around my neck.”
I do, and in a swift move I’m back on the bottom. Grayson’s body presses mine into the mattress. It’s a heady feeling that has me growing impossibly damp between the thighs.
Our bodies slap together, the sounds of flesh on flesh filling the air.
“Grayson,” I whisper, threading my fingers into his hair. His lips fall to my neck, sending chills down my spine. Or maybe that’s the beginning of an orgasm. Who the hell knows? What I do know is he has my body wound so tight, I feel like I’m going to explode.
I’ve waited for this moment for so long. Had I known it would be this good, I would’ve begged someone to take my virginity much sooner. But I know in my heart of hearts that it’s the way it is because it’s him…it’s us.
He pulls away from my neck, hooks an arm under my knee, and opens me more. He watches himself disappear into me over and over. I want to look down, see what it looks like for myself, but I can’t because I’m mesmerized by him.
“Fuck,” he grits out.
His movements grow faster and harder. He lets go of my leg and presses a thumb to my clit. I drop my head against the pillow as my body spasms beneath his. Grayson lets out a guttural moan and drops his forehead to mine. We meet each other thrust for thrust as we ride out our orgasms together.
Wait For Me Page 21
