by Taylor Anne
“Just thinking.” She finally replied. They were having dinner at the quaint Café Amelia, one of her favorite places to dine. Instead of being in such a foul mood, she should be enjoying the beautiful romantic garden setting of the outdoor courtyard.
“Well, you’ve barely touched your food. And you haven’t said more than a few words.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. His fingers rubbed the back of her hand, circled her wrist, then linked their hands together. He brought them up to his mouth and softly kissed hers. “Abby, everything will work itself out. You are doing the right thing.”
She smiled at him. “I know. It’s just a new experience for me. I can’t get it out of my head.”
Graeme made a motion with his hand to the waiter and before Abby knew, she had another glass of Moscato sitting in front of her. When the waiter stepped away, she smiled up at Graeme. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he said. “I know the trial starts tomorrow and I know you are worried about it, but for tonight try to put it out of your mind. Relax and enjoy the evening.”
His smile and the twinkle in his eye warmed her. At that moment, she decided to not think about tomorrow and do just as he said. Enjoy the evening.
“Tell me more about your daughter.” For the next several minutes, Abby bragged on Lauren, the light of her life.
“She has grown into a beautiful young woman. At first I was nervous about sending her off to college on her own, but she has adapted well. And she is close to Mom and Dad. I know if she needs anything, they are there for her. And Laci is only about an hour from her.”
“Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders. Wonder where she gets that from.” He winked at her. “You are a proud mother and it shows.”
“I am so proud of her.” Abby lifted the wine glass and took a sip only to catch Graeme staring at her. Smoldering, hot, passion filled his dark eyes. He blinked and shifted his gaze away. One second he looked at her like he couldn’t wait to get her into bed, and the next second his expression was void of all emotion. What was going through his mind?
They enjoyed easy conversation while finishing their meals. Graeme’s leg bumped up against Abby’s underneath the table. Accident? She thought so until she felt his foot touch hers, then run up the length of her calf. Up, almost as high as her knee. Then it trailed slowly back down. While this was going on, he was telling a story of his wild and crazy childhood days around Orange Beach. It’s a wonder they never ran into each other whenever she would visit Brooke back in the day. Graeme didn’t miss a word as his foot continuously toyed with hers. How in the hell she managed to keep a straight face was incomprehensible, but she did. When he was finished with his story, his foot broke contact with her skin. She ached for his touch again. Without the simplest touch from him, she felt lost.
Their waiter asked about dessert. After they both declined, Graeme requested the bill. He paid the waiter, leaving a generous tip for the man’s time and attention. Standing, he walked to Abby’s side of the table and pulled her chair out. His hand rested on the small of her back as they walked out of the restaurant. The balmy night air was thick. The sky was clear, allowing the stars to shine brightly next to the fullness of the moon. Graeme waited next to the passenger side of his truck while she slid in. He leaned around her. She held her breath until she heard the click of the seatbelt. His head turned a fraction of an inch, and there he was, right in front of her. Close enough that his breath touched her face. She bit her bottom lip. A soft sigh escaped anyway. Then, Graeme backed out of the truck and walked around the front to the driver’s side. Damn. Abby’s heart pounded inside her chest. Why didn’t she kiss him? Hell, why didn’t he kiss her?
He drove the short distance to Abby’s apartment. Thankfully they stopped by earlier and turned on the air conditioner. Otherwise it would be stifling in there. Graeme went straight to the kitchen and poured her a glass of wine. He grabbed a bottle of beer for himself.
“Let’s go outside for a little while. It’s such a clear night.” He led her out to the patio. He leaned against the wooden privacy fence, pulled her toward him so that she was standing between his legs. When Abby took the glass of wine from him, their hands touched. Lingered for a second too long. Yeah, that feeling was still there.
“You are beautiful tonight.” He let go of the glass and raised his hand to her shoulder, toying with the spaghetti strap of her dress.
“Thank you,” she whispered. His hand trailed down from her shoulder to her hip, following the curves of her body, igniting the fire deep within her.
“You’re killing me in that red dress. You know that, right?” he teased.
Abby’s head tilted back. She watched him. His lips quirked up into a devilish smile. She loved it when he smiled like that. All the pain and hurt was removed from his face and replaced with love and satisfaction.
She hooked her fingers through the belt loops of his jeans. She lifted her glass, took a sip, and gently tugged with her other hand to bring them closer. Abby didn’t know why she was doing that. Yes, she wanted him. But she wasn’t sure now was the time. The trial started tomorrow. There was no telling how long that would last. She needed to direct all of her energy toward the trial. But right now, the way Graeme was staring so intently at her, her insides were all shook up. She bit her bottom lip.
“Aww hell,” Graeme muttered. He closed the short distance between them and sucked her lip into his mouth. Instead of her teeth, it was his biting into the softness of her lips now. He applied just enough pressure to send a sharp tingle coursing through her body. A surge of need traveled in her blood. His tongue slid over her flesh, soothing the area after his teeth.
He shifted and Abby heard the clank of glass as he set his bottle down. Then he took the wine glass out of her hand and placed it on the table. He pulled back enough to gaze into her eyes. His hands wrapped around her lower back and turned her so that her back was against the fence. The hard wood planks provided support as she leaned her head back. The rough boards, along with the softness of her dress touching her skin drew out her inner femininity. Made her want to forget everything except the moment. Standing there in the dark of the night, with him, felt so right. Abby was so relaxed right then, and she wasn’t sure if she could blame it on the wine. She was more drunk on his touch, his presence, than anything she could get from alcohol.
Graeme placed his hands on either side of her head, his wrists barely touching her. His face was only inches away from Abby’s, but he didn’t touch her. Instead he gazed into her eyes. She watched as his hooded gaze moved over her face, down to her neck. At the bust line of her dress, his eyes lingered, took in the cleavage peeking out from the red dress. The heat from his gaze warmed her. She was frozen in that spot, but her body was on fire. He was not touching her anywhere, but she felt like he was all over her.
He leaned in a little closer. His breath was hot on her skin. Her nipples hardened in anticipation of his touch. His tongue lightly brushed over her flesh. She sucked in a ragged breath. The wetness left behind mixed with the warm night air. He trailed across the top of her breasts, then his mouth covered the soft cotton fabric of the dress and gently bit her nipple.
His mouth abandoned her only long enough for him to push the straps of her dress and bra down, exposing the soft flesh he was just biting. His hand circled the softness, followed by his warm lips. His tongue flicked over her nipples. She inhaled a deep breath, breathing in his masculine scent mixed with the night air. His other hand tugged at her dress, pulling it up. The soft cotton material rubbed sensuously over her heated skin. She melted when his hand found its way to her panties, which were already wet for him.
“Oh yeah.” He smiled.
His fingers slipped deep inside her. Abby gasped at the pleasure that erupted through her. Closing her eyes, she didn’t think, only felt. His mouth touched, teased, and bit at her neck, shoulders, and breasts all while his other hand brought her to the brink. Every time she got close, he pull
ed back. He didn’t allow her to fall over the edge. “Not yet,” he whispered into her ear.
Abby’s body ground and trembled against his hand. God, if his hands could bring that much pleasure, she couldn’t wait until he filled her. Seven years ago was nothing compared to what he was doing at that moment.
“I can’t wait,” she mumbled.
“Just a little longer, angel.”
Her dress was bunched around her waist. Her breasts were fully exposed. She knew some of her neighbors were out because she could hear the sound of music and soft voices. Thankfully her patio was private and no one could see what was going on. But the mere thought that someone might see them increased her desire.
Graeme’s hands explored her body like it was the first time. After his fingers brought her up once again, he pulled them out before she crashed. He reached around. The sound of metal scraping on the cement floor filled Abby’s head. Graeme pulled the patio chair next to her. Bending down, he picked up her right foot and placed it on the seat of the chair. Then he lowered himself in front of her. Her head fell back against the wooden plank. A sigh escaped through her lips. The next thing she felt was his warm breath on her thigh.
“Oh, Graeme…yeah, baby.”
“I love it when you call me baby.” He kissed the outline of the rose and skull tattoo. “This is different.”
Abby had gotten the tattoo after their night together. Kind of a rebellion sort of thing. The skull reminded her of him, the mysterious life he led, and the darkness she felt after leaving him. The rose was a symbol of hope. Hope that one day the roses of life would outweigh the dark side. Hope that eventually their paths would cross again. Never did she imagine it would be for the reasons they had been put back in each other’s lives.
While his mouth played around the tattoo, his hands traveled over her stomach and around to her back. He cupped her butt cheeks and squeezed. Hard. Abby gasped. He did it again, letting his fingers slide up and down the flesh between her cheeks. Gasping again, she put her hands in his hair and twisted. The more she twisted his hair, the tighter he squeezed and the more his fingers explored.
His mouth moved from her leg to the spot between her thighs. The spot aching for his touch and for release. She almost went over the edge the instant his breath grazed her skin. With one leg propped on the chair, he had easy access. She moaned when his mouth closed over her most sensitive spot. My God, paradise. “Graeme.” She called his name again.
Then his tongue joined in the action. Teasing, licking, sucking. “Now, baby.” Her eyes closed, but she could still see the stars shining brightly. The bliss went on forever, until her legs could no longer hold her up.
Graeme pulled her into his arms and sat in the chair, holding her tightly. Her head rested on his chest. His breath was coming in fast spurts. He ran his fingers through her hair.
“You okay?”
Abby shook her head without lifting it from his chest. He smelled so good. Outdoorsy. Masculine. She inhaled deeply and was turned on once again. His chest rumbled beneath her. Was he laughing at her? Right then, she couldn’t care less. She was content just to lie there in his embrace. Her eyes drifted closed. She had the sensation of floating through the air. A pause and the sliding of something. Then click. More floating. Then she was surrounded by something soft and comfy. She opened her eyes and found herself laying in her bed. Confused, she sat up.
Graeme walked in from the living room. His shirt was gone. And the button on his jeans was undone. He carried a bottle of water. And he was smiling. Or laughing.
“Here. Have a drink.” He handed the bottle to her. She reached her hand out from under the comforter to take the bottle of water. That’s when she realized she was naked. When did she undress? Or more to the point, when did he undress her, because she didn’t think she was capable of doing it herself.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. She drank the water. Graeme disappeared into the bathroom. The shower door opened and the water came on. The glass door closed. He would be standing under the flow of water. Naked. His muscular body slick with water and soap. Water droplets falling from his hair. Steam building up on the shower walls. Abby’s body betrayed her. She squirmed at the image of him standing there. Alone. Hmmm…After the way he pleasured her, payback was only proper. She threw the covers back and jumped out of bed.
Abby opened the shower door and stepped inside. Graeme regarded her with a question in his eyes. Instead of answering him with words, she kneeled down in front of him. Her hands and mouth showed him her thanks.
“Ahh, Abby.” His head fell back against the shower wall. She sneaked a peek to find his eyes closed. It didn’t take long before the peaceful look on his face was replaced by an open expression of release and ecstasy.
Graeme pulled her up and into his arms. “God Abby, I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you, angel.”
She had missed this feeling as well. Not only the intimacy of their bodies, but the intense emotional connection between them. It was like they had not been apart for seven years. She wanted to tell him that, but Abby was too choked up to speak the words.
Graeme leaned his back against the shower wall. He reached for her, lifting her in his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her securely as he settled her body onto his. Abby’s head fell forward. Over his shoulder, through the water drizzled glass, she could see their reflections in the mirror above the vanity. He was sucking and teasing her wet breasts. She inhaled sharply when he bit. The gentle love bite sent thrills through her. She loved that his touches were a fine balance between gentle and rough.
Water from the rain showerhead ran like a river down his head, over his body. Over her head and down her body. It mixed where their bodies met. Abby’s head fell back, letting the water wash over her face as Graeme worked his magic on their bodies until they were both spent and drained of everything.
Afterward, Graeme turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, still holding her nestled around his waist. He carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed. Abby reached for him, needing to feel his touch once again. He pulled the comforter back and slid under the covers next to her.
His mouth closed over hers, as his body claimed hers once again.
Chapter Ten
Abby and Graeme stepped into the courtroom. The menacing click of the doors shutting behind them sent shivers down her already tense spine. She froze. With a hand on her back, Graeme urged her forward. The room was more than half full. Who were all those people? As they made their way down the aisle, Abby searched for Laci. She spotted a woman standing next to a uniformed officer. Her hair cascaded down her back in soft, sandy waves, free from the ponytail holder it was usually banded with. Laci turned to greet them and gave Abby a big hug. Her friend’s appearance was so different when she wasn’t in detective mode. Laci and Graeme shook hands.
Abby took a deep breath, hoping to relax, but her nerves were shot. She still couldn’t believe she was in a courtroom waiting to relive the night her life changed. Even though testifying against those people was the right thing to do, all she wanted was to crawl under the seats and hide.
“Hey. Don’t be nervous.” Laci squeezed her hand.
“That’s easy for you to say. When will they bring him in?” A side door opened almost as soon as she finished her question. Two men walked in and sat at the table adjacent to the one Laci was sitting at. Dressed in a black suit, very distinguished looking, the older man was obviously the defending attorney. The other, Abby recognized as the one who pulled the trigger. He wore khaki pants with a white button down shirt. He was bigger than what she remembered. Of course, she saw him from a distance, not up close like now. Black curly hair hung down over his forehead. For a brief second, she locked eyes with him. Uncomfortable, she pulled her gaze away from his devil eyes only to catch his smirk before he turned away. Her spine tingled. He did recognize her.
Graeme wrapped his arm around her waist. She took a seat next to him. Sitting in si
lence, anticipation built as they all waited for the judge to enter. Abby wrung her hands in her lap until Graeme reached over and put his hands on hers, stilling the nervous movement.
Other than Graeme, Laci, and the prosecuting attorney, the only other person Abby had ever seen before was the man on trial. But she had that uneasy feeling someone was watching her. It was the same strange sensation that crept up on her in Orange Beach. She could feel a pair of eyes focused on her. She glanced around the room, but didn’t recognize anyone else and no one appeared to be staring in her direction. She tried to shake off the uneasiness. It had to be the fact that she had never been inside a courtroom. And now she was there to possibly put a man in jail.
“Laci, where is the other guy?”
“His trial isn’t scheduled yet. He is out on bond. But because of the connection, he is not allowed into the courtroom during this trial.”
Abby closed her eyes and took a deep breath. That meant she would have to testify again. Her stomach couldn’t handle the tension.
“Relax and just do as Laci said. When you’re on the stand keep your eyes forward, do not make eye contact with the accused. And remember, Judge Kennedy wants both of these guys put away too.” Graeme squeezed her hand. She felt the strength and comfort in his warm hands, but she didn’t feel the emotional connection that should have been there after the night they shared. Was he regretting it already? Did he only make love to help soothe her jangled nerves? Or to see if things were the same as they were seven years earlier? Was she a fool to let her emotions and feelings run rampant? Hell, she didn’t have time to think about that right now. She needed to concentrate on this freaking trial.
