Forbidden Virgin

by Carmen Falcone

  He gave her one last good thrust and soon, he groaned, spilling himself into her pussy. With a growl, he fell down on her and she inhaled. The massiveness of him should suffocate her, but it gave her a sense of comfort she had never experienced before. She adjusted her head on the crook of his neck, and kissed his skin. “Graham?”

  “Yes?”

  “I think I’m falling in love with you,” she blurted out.

  Graham tensed up. After the mind-blowing orgasm, his brain still adjusted to the reality around him. He kissed the top of her head, producing a gentle answer to the declaration stirring his insides.

  “You don’t have to say the same. I needed to tell someone otherwise I’d burst since no one else knows about us,” she said. “You’re the most amazing man.”

  He carefully slid off her, then stretched out his hand so she could sit up. He wanted to make sure he didn’t break contact so she wouldn’t think he gave her the cold shoulder immediately after she told him she loved him. Love. “You’re going to give me a big head saying all those things,” he said. Most women he dated were so guarded, so schooled into the traps of relationship drama. Kate didn’t play games and that pleased him.

  He brought her to him and kissed her on the lips. “The things you do to me, Kate,” he murmured against her lips. “I’m obsessed. The world isn’t right if I’m not inside you.”

  She caressed his hair. “So you’re giving us a chance and forgetting the silly idea of cutting me loose?”

  He pondered. The only way to cut her loose would be to cancel her trainee program, and that would be self-serving. If he saw her he’d want to make love to her. So now the best bet would be to carry on the affair until she finished the work experience and traveled to Europe. God knew how he’d survive when she went to Europe. Maybe he could convince Jacob not to visit her in Hawaii. Shit. He wanted her so much he’d jeopardize a decade’s long friendship. Yet the sacrifice seemed like a small price to pay for the sweetness of her mouth, the velvety warmth of her body and the gentle sway of her hips. “Yes. We’ll keep seeing each other until you have to go.”

  She kissed him. “You won’t regret it.”

  He sighed. Not regretting a thing would make his post-Kate life a lot more difficult.

  Chapter 8

  One month later…

  Kate parked her car in Graham’s driveway and slid out. She glanced at her wristwatch. For the past few weeks, she’d learned a lot from the Housekeeping and Laundry departments. Now she worked at Front Desk, checking guests in and out and transferring calls.

  In the morning, her worry-o-meter had flashed when Graham hadn’t shown up for work, and she’d texted and called during her break to no response. She’d checked with Sheri, who told her he wouldn’t be in for the day due to a flu bug.

  Kate carried a couple of grocery bags. She’d stopped on the way to buy some essentials just in case he didn’t have them handy—though she’d slept over at his place enough to know his housekeeper kept his fridge stocked. Still. It felt good to hand pick the fresh produce, smell the candles to pick the perfect scent, and pick out a couple of painkillers.

  She used the key he gave her to get into his place. Sometimes he went out of town for a day or two and she loved to surprise him when he returned. She’d received an email about the Swiss hotel school, but she skimmed the information about her year abroad with a mist of dread and excitement. The experience would be a life changer: to be able to live in Europe, learn the trade from a global perspective and travel on her own—but that meant saying goodbye to Graham, the man she’d loved for years. She could have named such a sentiment an infatuation or crush, and maybe it’d begun that way. But now she recognized it as the most powerful emotion she had nurtured for a man. And going away would rip it all away.

  She clenched the bags with one hand, and kicked the door shut behind her. “Graham?” she called.

  Maybe if they continued together by the time her training ended, she could work out an arrangement with him. He could visit her a few times in Switzerland during her stay. Unless he doesn’t want to keep our relationship going. She shook her head. One day at a time, she told herself.

  She’d wanted him to take her virginity and now she just wanted him to keep taking her. And she’d do whatever she could to show him her commitment.

  She placed the two bags on the kitchen countertop, and rolled up her sleeves. The front desk uniform was a lot cuter than the housekeeping: a knee-length black skirt with a snow white shirt and a black jacket with the hotel’s monogram. Sighing, she headed to the hallway, finding his bedroom door open. When she entered, she found him sleeping on the bed.

  Wearing only a pair of black silky boxers, he lay on his stomach, his hand drooping down the thick mattress. Gently, she kneeled in front of him and touched his forehead. His skin burned hot.

  She glanced at the nightstand crowded with a thermometer, two bottles of water, facial tissues, his cell phone and the TV remote. She used the fancy thermometer to read his forehead, and it confirmed he had a high fever.

  Quickly, she dashed to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of pain reliever from the bag and returned to his room.

  “Graham, take this,” she whispered.

  He didn’t move. She poked his shoulder, and said in her normal voice, “Your fever is bad. Open your mouth.”

  He opened his eyes for a second, but for the first time his gorgeous midnight blue eyes didn’t carry any emotion. Poor guy. He opened his mouth to yawn, and she popped the two pills inside and grabbed the bottle. “Drink it.”

  He did as he was told, and she enjoyed being the one in charge for a change. “What are you doing here?” he said.

  “I’m checking on you.” If she said I’m taking care of you maybe that would have woken him up. If he had been more conscious maybe he’d refused the medication or her help. Graham was the epitome of the tough guy who didn’t need anything—unless it was her. He’d told her many times he needed her, and she hoped he meant it in other ways than just sex. Because she needed him in so many ways it scared her.

  He mumbled words she didn’t comprehend, and turned his head to the other side and hugged his pillow. She rushed to the kitchen and put the groceries away, then used the recipe from her grandma she knew by heart to make him some chicken noodle soup.

  When she returned to his room, he still slept, but she touched his forehead and found him a tad cooler. Good. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, and she picked it up.

  Preston is back in Maui for a couple of meetings. I’m throwing him a dinner party at my place tomorrow. Come by and you can talk to him about your proposal.

  At the end of the text, her eyes slid to the top and she read the sender’s information. Amanda. Could it possibly be his ex, Amanda? Because if so, she seemed way too willing to help him out. A wave of frustration washed over her. She’d gotten used to the looks guests and women in general gave Graham. In fact, a part of her swelled with female pride knowing a guy so hot chose her to sleep next to.

  She contemplated the massive man sprawled on the bed. Amanda represented a different ball game. She’d been his ex, and maybe she wanted to change their status-quo and saw his need of Preston’s business as a great excuse. But what if she just wanted to help him out? Wouldn’t it be sexist of Kate to think Amanda wanted him for herself only? Besides, Graham would appreciate the opportunity for sure. He’d told her Preston was more slippery than wet soap and he’d been trying to nail the deal.

  The phone buzzed in her hand, startling her and she almost jumped off the edge of the bed. Let me know soon.

  I’ll do it. Thanks. She typed, and hoped to God she made the right decision.

  “Any better?” she asked the next morning. She’d decided to call off work and told her manager she didn’t feel well—maybe it’d be prophetic and she’d catch his flu bug. She couldn’t in good conscience have left him. She made him drink the soup, but also made sure she kept his fever down and him hydrated. She opted for not ment
ioning the Amanda situation/Preston dinner until he fully recovered.

  He rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?” he asked, yawning.

  “Nine o’clock.”

  He propped himself on his elbow, giving her a luscious view of his tanned muscular chest. “Were you here all night?”

  “Yes, of course. Why didn’t you tell me you caught the flu?” She’d have come sooner had she known.

  “I didn’t want to be a bother,” he said, and slid out of the bed. “You didn’t have to come,” he said evenly, and by his tone she didn’t know if he was grateful or annoyed. He disappeared into his bathroom, and she heard the sound of the water running and assumed he brushed his teeth. He probably wasn’t used to asking for help.

  “You’re never a bother. I’m glad you feel better.” Because I’m about to tell you how I snooped on your cell phone and scheduled a work dinner.

  “I do feel better,” he yelled from the bathroom, and she heard the shower running. She debated whether she should join him—she wanted to, but decided waiting was best. Who knew how recovered he really was? Before she pondered on, he surged from the bathroom wearing a towel wrapped around his waist.

  She still wore the work clothes she’d put on before deciding she couldn’t make it to work. He snatched her into his arms, and soon he kissed her with longing, making her entire body vibrate. The minty flavor hinted at the toothbrush he’d used. Her limbs bucked under the blatant desire scorching her belly. He rubbed his face on her, and the day-old shadow prickled her sensitive flesh. “You surprise me every day, sweet Kate.”

  She lifted her chin, kissing him. Her tongue teased, played, and tortured his in a dance granting her a groan or two from him. He pulled up her skirt and caressed her bottom. “I called in sick to make sure you were better. We have all day.”

  “Good, because I think Nurse Kate will have to take care of a very unruly patient,” he said, slapping her ass. “He doesn’t like to follow the same rules as others.”

  “Isn’t he a dirty boy?” she whispered in his ear. “No problem, she knows how to handle dirty boys,” she said, and yanked the towel off of him. Hmmm. Yup. Graham was definitely better.

  Chuckling, she went down on his body. His immense cock jumped out and she kissed the tip. “Does this make you feel better?”

  He ran his fingers through her hair. “Fuck yes.”

  The doorbell rang, the sound pulling her from the haze of lust. She surged to her feet, her pulse spiking. “Expecting company?”

  “No.”

  “Maybe it’s a solicitor,” she said, though she doubted this nice gated community with million dollar mansions would allow any unauthorized vendors. “I’ll go check. You wait for me, dirty patient, otherwise there’ll be consequences. Be a good boy and keep your cock nice and hard.”

  He stroked himself, his fingers working up and down his length. She licked the corner of her mouth, anticipating that big dick inside her. Sighing, she smoothed her hand over her uniform and exited his room.

  Didn’t matter how many times she saw it, the sight of him touching himself with his eyes intent on her turned her on beyond belief. She bit back a smile when she opened the door. Whoever waited on the other side couldn’t see the flush taking over her face.

  When her gaze landed on the unexpected visitor, her blood froze and smile died on her lips. “Dad?”

  Graham heard voices coming from the living room, so he slapped on the pair of grey slacks he’d tossed over the chair a couple nights ago and buttoned up a white shirt. She’d spent the entire night with him, cooked soup for him and stroked his hair and back while he slept. A smile curled at his lips.

  He’d expected to create sexual memories with her but the past month had meant so much more. And the previous night she’d cared for him, even though he would have refused her assistance had he been conscious. His stomach clenched, and he shook his head, walking out of his room. Best not to think about distractions.

  “Graham,” she said, her voice a bit nervous when he joined her at the living area. “I’m so glad to see you’re feeling better. I came over to check on you and I barely walked in. Guess who came over? My dad,” she said, pointing to the side, and Graham’s gaze darted to Jacob. Graham’s spine locked into place, and he experienced a much different nausea than his flu bug.

  “Hey buddy,” Jacob stopped reading on his iPhone screen and walked up to him, giving him a hug and patting his back. “I decided to surprise you both. I’m doing a conference in Oahu and had a couple of days free, so I decided to fly in. Your mom had a convention to attend so she couldn’t join me.”

  “Nice to see you, man,” Graham said, hating himself for the big fat lie. He avoided looking at Kate altogether; unsure of what type of look he’d been giving her lately. He probably needed to train himself to see her as the old Kate again, otherwise he’d be toast. “Have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”

  “I’m good thanks.” Jacob sat on one of the leather sofas. “I checked in at the hotel and a very helpful front desk clerk told me you had been sick so I thought I’d say hi. Then I meet my cutie here who also came to check on you. Like father like daughter,” he said, then gave one of his easy chuckles.

  Like father like daughter. God.

  Graham tried to swallow but his tongue got stuck at the roof of his mouth.

  “I also texted Amanda, and she just told me,” he tapped his cell phone, one of his many nerdy moves, “she’s throwing a dinner for Preston tomorrow and invited me. She told me you’d be there so I said yes.”

  Shit. When he’d dated Amanda, she and Jacob and Anna went on a few double dates in L.A. together and they all added one another on their social media accounts. He could see his friend trying to get them back together and meddling by texting her, but why would she say he’d agreed to go to a dinner party he knew nothing about?

  “Dinner . . .” he repeated, more to himself than to the others.

  “Maybe you don’t remember because of the fever,” she said, and he finally looked at her, trying to read the message in her eyes. Maybe Kate helped set it up? Meeting Preston wouldn’t be a bad thing. He’d been trying to get a hold of him after the ball but he didn’t need the extra baggage of Amanda.

  “I told Amanda I arrived in Maui to visit my darling daughter, and she said I could bring her.”

  “Did she? How nice of her,” Graham said, trying hard to manage the sarcasm from dripping from his voice. Amanda certainly pulled her strings and enjoyed the game, didn’t she? She knew about him and Kate, and she was making the situation fatally awkward.

  “I always said you were a fool to let her get away. Amanda is the perfect woman for you.” Jacob shook his head. “Maybe this dinner will set things in motion. When did you last go on a date?”

  His gut clenched tight, and he hoped he managed keeping a neutral expression. “I really don’t want to talk about dating right now.” His friend always meant well, but he didn’t need Jacob for sentimental advice and certainly none involving his dating life.

  Jacob scratched his oval chin and blinked his brown eyes. “Of course. We’ll talk later. I’m glad to see you’re doing well, man,” he said, and shared a handshake with him before turning to his daughter and saying, “Kate, we need to catch up. Is your car parked out there?” he asked gesturing to the car on the driveway.

  “Yes,” she said, a note of urgency in her voice. She probably couldn’t wait to get out of there either.

  “Good. Give your dad a ride to the hotel and we’ll talk on the way.”

  “Of course.”

  Graham walked them to the door, where Jacob said goodbye and Kate flashed him a warning look— silently urging him to keep their secret still a secret. She widened her eyes briefly before parting, her silent message to say she was just as surprised as he was. They walked on the gravel path and entered her car.

  How the hell would he handle Preston, Amanda, Jacob, and Kate at the same table?

  “You’ve made it,” She
ri said as she held her cup of coffee to her lips. She leaned against the door as he sat down. “I thought you’d stay at home one more day.”

  “I should have. But now I have an opportunity to pitch an idea to Preston, and I decided to come and study some numbers to be ready,” he said, flicking his computer screen on and typing his password.

  “How’s your girlfriend doing?” she asked entering his office.

  “I told you I don’t see Amanda anymore,” he said.

  She brought the cup to her lips and had a drink. “I mean Kate.”

  Graham stopped typing and stared at her. “You know?” he said evenly, then swallowed the lodge of surprise in his throat. If she knew, what were the chances his other employees also suspected their affair? He’d hate for them to lose respect for him. He’d always thrived on leading by example, on showing professionalism in order to expect it.

  She waved him off. “Honey, I’m not stupid. I have a fifteen-year-old at home. I can detect horny teenagers from miles away.”

  He ran his fingers down his face. “She’s not a teenager anymore,” he rationalized.

  Sheri chuckled. “I meant you.”

  Of course, she’d have noticed the amount of calls from Kate she’d transferred or how he no longer worked as many hours as he used to—particularly at lunch time or the weekend.

  Sheri sat in front of him and placed her mug on the table. A kind smile formed on her lips and it reached her hazel eyes. Never in his life had he been happier his longtime assistant wasn’t judgmental. “She seems to really like you.”

  She liked him all right. He tapped his foot on the floor, and his fingers drummed on the table. A part of him wanted to run from the conversation, but he couldn’t bring himself to. Because you need this one-on-one. You need to talk to someone about Kate. “She does. But she’s off to Switzerland in less than two months.”