8. Isabella
Snowstorm day two and I'm officially worried. I've never seen one last this long before. To make things worse, we're totally cut off from the outside world. The power went out last night but thankfully this house has a backup generator so at least there's been electricity. But I'm starting to get antsy.
I know Graham can tell. He's been doing his best to distract me. We spent most of the day in bed. Separate beds—he slept in his room and I took one of the guest rooms. Although he did try to suggest we sleep together. He apparently hates sleeping alone and likes to cuddle. I threw a pillow at his face before kicking him out of my room. He can be such a shameless flirt.
Right now, we're in the kitchen. We just finished dinner and I'm overseeing him as he washes the dishes.
"You know, you've made me do more chores in the past two days than I have done in all my thirty years of living, right?"
"Yes, I'm aware you were spoiled rotten growing up. Really, though, we had help in my house growing up, too. That didn't stop me from helping out my mama in the kitchen once in a while."
Technically, I only did all that because my father liked to reiterate that a woman's job was in there.
"Different upbringings," Graham mutters.
"Tell me about it. Anyway, I'm bored. What should we do?"
He shrugs. "We could watch movies again?"
I shake my head. "No, something else. I saw a couple of beers in your fridge. And I noticed you have a pool table in the game room," I suggest.
"You know how to play pool?" he asks, a gleam in his eyes.
I nod.
"Alright, darling. Let me just get done with the menial labor and we'll go over there. Although I do suggest drinking something stronger. You like whiskey? It'll help pass the time."
"I don't mind," I reply.
"Okay, go down the hall and you'll find the wine room. It's the brown door with a reindeer painted on it. Grab anything you like."
I leave to find the room. I thought my family was pretty rich growing up, but the Steeles are on a whole other insane level. Wine rooms, game rooms, and it's not even their actual home. Just a vacation house they built in a city they barely visit. Graham told me last night that he's the only one that ever really uses this place. No wonder he's so spoiled.
He finishes up in the kitchen and we head to the game room. I'm holding the bottle of whiskey. He's holding two cups filled with ice.
"Care to make this interesting, Sunshine?" Graham asks, standing in front of the pool table.
I arch an eyebrow. "How?"
"A question for each ball we sink."
"Hmm," I say thoughtfully. "That just sounds like a ploy to find out my secrets."
"Come on, it'll be fun. And I promise I won't ask anything too intrusive."
"You're a terrible influence, Graham."
He smiles. "You can call me Gray."
"Why?"
"Because everyone I like calls me Gray."
My heart warms and I fight back a smile of my own. "Okay, Gray. You can start."
"Solid or stripes?" he asks.
I choose stripes. He grabs the cue stick and breaks the rack. His first shot has three balls dropping into the pockets. He looks up at me with a grin.
"That's three questions."
"No, multiple balls count as one question," I correct.
"Fine. Let's see." He pauses to think about his question. He pours some whiskey into his glass and drinks before speaking. "Who do you love the most in the world?"
"Seriously?" I ask, surprised by the question.
"Just answer, Sunshine."
"The twins. Matthew and Maria are everything to me," I reply honestly.
"Where are their parents?"
"That's two questions," I protest.
He gives me a pleading look.
"Their dad passed away. And their mom isn't really healthy so I mostly look after them."
Graham's face falls. I can see him trying to work it all out. He knows my father's dead and now the twins' dad as well. He would be shocked to find out my mother's gone too, and Enzo parents as well. That's a lot of death in one family. But it's pretty normal in my world.
"Sorry I shouldn't have asked," he apologizes.
"It's okay. Let's continue the game."
He shoots again but is unsuccessful in sinking any of his balls. I collect the cue stick from him. Graham pours me some whiskey, which I down before taking my shot. Two of my balls enter the pockets. I smile, turning to him.
"Well done, Sunshine. What's your question?" he prompts.
"Alexander's your half-brother, isn't he?"
"Ah. You want to know about my complicated family tree. I'm in high spirits, Isabella, so I really don't want to talk about it. But you're right. He's my half-brother. The short story is that my father cheated on his wife, Xander's mother, with his secretary. The secretary ended up pregnant with me."
"Where's your mother now?" I ask curiously.
"Married to him," Graham replies uncomfortably. "Can we not get into this?"
"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. I think we should both lay off the deep questions."
He nods in agreement and we continue the game. Soon enough, it's his turn to ask a question again.
"What's your most embarrassing memory?"
I have to seriously think about that, but eventually, it hits me. "When I was in high school, I walked in on a teacher in the middle of giving a blowjob to another teacher."
Graham laughs. "No way."
"Seriously. They were in a small supply closet. She was on her knees, his pants were undone and they were just going at it. They didn't even notice me until I made a noise of surprise. I stood there in shock for a couple more seconds—they were staring at me, I was staring at them. And then I ran away. It was mortifying."
"Damn, that's hilarious," Graham says, still laughing. "What happened after?"
"Nothing. We all pretended it never happened. They never brought it up and neither did I. They went on to get married a year after I graduated. I even got an invite to the wedding."
"It was probably their way of thanking you for not saying anything."
"I just minded my business. Wasn't hard."
"Something similar happened to me too, actually. Except I was the one receiving the blowjob," he says, grinning.
I slap his arm. "Did I really need to know that?"
"Maybe not." He laughs. "But at least now you can think about it."
I make a face of disgust. He chuckles, reaching up and brushing my hair from my face. It's intimate and I find myself looking up, right into his eyes. My breath hitches and a shiver rolls through me. Graham must feel it, too, because he swallows. Then he steps away.
"It's your turn, Sunshine."
The game continues. We ask each other anything and everything, ranging from our most memorable vacations to our biggest achievements. Silly things like birthdays and favorite colors. I can't remember the last time I talked to anyone this much.
He asks me what I do for work and I inform him that I mostly work from home, web designing. It's nothing too serious. I've never had to work and considering my family's situation, it was easier to just stay at home.
"Alright, your turn," I say after sinking two of my balls again. "What's your biggest fear?"
"That I'm going to lose this game," he mutters.
I make a face, "Graham."
He drinks some whiskey, expression closed off. "Do you really want to know?"
"Do you not want me to know?"
"I guess I could tell you. It's pretty cliché, actually. My biggest fear is that I'll never be good enough."
"For who?"
"I don't know, Isabella. My father, my family, our company. Hell, even myself."
"I think you're being too hard on yourself," I say gently, placing a hand on his arm.
He offers me a small smile and we continue the game. We're down to the last few balls. Two of them his and one of them mine. Graham has a smug look on his face because he knows he has a chance to win.
"My turn for a question, finally. Tell me about your last relationship."
I tense. Seriously? He has this uncanny ability to figure out the things that hurt the most. And he doesn't even realize it.
"Why are you asking me that?"
"Because I'm curious, Sunshine. And your reaction is making me even more curious," he says, studying my face. "How long ago was it?"
"A month," I mutter.
His eyebrows rise. "What happened?"
"It didn't work out because he was a coward. He had a choice. He could have chosen me, but he didn't," I say, feeling my heart break all over again.
Graham places a hand on my cheek, titling my head up so I'm looking into his eyes. "He's an idiot," he says reassuringly.
"I know."
"Did you love him?"
I shake my head. "No, but I almost did."
Thankfully, I was smart enough to not fall. I know better than anyone how dangerous love can get. How much it can hurt.
Graham nods, brushing a finger over my cheek, "Good girl."
It's happening again. My heart starts to race, and when his eyes flicker to my lips, I know I have to step away. At this point, it's almost like a dance, a push-and-pull kind of thing. I regret stepping away, but I'm scared to find out what would have happened if I hadn't.
I don't miss the flicker of disappointment in Graham's expression.
"Gray, you have to play," I remind him just so he'll stop looking at me.
He blinks. "Right." He grabs the cue stick, staring at the table for a second before looking up at me. "If I win, do I get a reward?"
I bite my bottom lip. There's no mistaking the suggestive expression on his face.
"What kind of reward?" I ask, feeling a flutter in my chest.
"How about a kiss?" he asks with a challenging glint in his eyes.
Desire swirls in my gut. I blame the whiskey.
"Win first and then we'll see," I manage to say, hoping he can't tell how nervous I am.
He huffs out a breath before leaning and getting into position. I hold my breath as he makes his play. I'm not sure what I want more—for him to lose or for him to win.
I get my answer when he actually does win. He lets out a celebratory whoop before walking over to stand in front of me.
"I won, Sunshine."
"Yes, I saw."
"Now can I get that kiss?" he asks, a little eagerly.
I cross my arms over my chest, fighting back a smile. "I don't think you really deserve it, though. The game was so close, I could have won."
"But you didn't," he presses. "Come on, Isabella, you're killing me."
I place my hand on his chest and stare up at him. I can feel his beating heart. It's racing, almost as much as mine is.
"If I kiss you, will shut you up?"
He nods enthusiastically. "For as long as you want."
I smile. "Since you're being so agreeable…"
I get on my toes to interlock my arms around his neck. Everything around us seems to stop. There's a moment before his lips meet mine that I wonder if this is a good idea. And then he's kissing me and that doesn't matter because I realize I want this.
I want this so much.
Graham's lips are soft and the way he moves them against mine feels like diving into an ocean and being swept away by the current. Nothing else matters but this moment. The feeling of his strong body pressed against mine. The way our lips move in tandem, like this is what they were made for.
My hands are in his hair and I'm pulling him closer, trying to feel more of him. When my lips part, he doesn't hesitate to slip his tongue into my mouth. I gasp at the sensation roaring to life inside of me. His hands encircle my waist, and it's a moment of desperation where we both want nothing more than this.
Graham lifts me up and my legs wrap around his waist. My arms are around his neck and we're still kissing, delirious with the sensation. I blindly reach for his chest, needing to feel more of him.
Graham seems to understand. He walks forward, placing me on the pool table and pulling off his shirt in the same moment. I stare at his muscled chest and my mouth drops open when I spot the glint of a silver barbell poking through one of his nipples.
"Holy shit, Gray?" I say, breathing heavily.
"Hmm?" he mutters distractedly as he kisses the side of my neck.
I swallow softly, trying to focus. I place my hand on his nipple, touching the piercing gently. "What's this?"
He looks down at his chest for a second before looking back at me and grinning wolfishly.
"You like it?"
It's hot as hell, but I'm not going to tell him that. "It looks like it hurt a lot."
He grabs a fistful of my hair, looking me in the eye. "It didn't. And you said no more talking." He pouts.
"I told you not to speak. I didn't say anything about me."
"Can we both just not speak?" he asks. Desire and anticipation swirl in his emerald green eyes. "I want you, Isabella."
"I want you too," I admit, feeling a quiver in my chest.
"Good." He smiles before kissing me again.
He reaches for the hem of his shirt that I'm currently putting on. I'm not wearing a bra. Once it's off, all I'm left with is the booty shorts I wore under my dress to the club. Graham's eyes darken as he stares at my breasts. My nipples are achy and hard. I bite down on my bottom lip when he squeezes one breast in his hands. He brushes his thumb over my nipple.
His eyes meet mine. "Can I?"
There's no need to ask for clarification. I nod once and his head goes down. He starts to suck on my breasts, alternating from one nipple to the other. My head falls back and I moan. While he's busy with my breasts, I reach inside his sweatpants, my hand encircling his cock. He sucks in a sharp breath.
"Bloody hell, Isabella. You might want to stop that," he groans.
"No," I say simply, rubbing my hand over his cock.
He doesn't protest when I pull his pants down. He steps out of them easily enough and I stare down at his cock. It's long and thick, with pre-cum leaking out. I swallow softly before looking him in the eye.
"At least you don't have a piercing there."
Graham laughs. "Trust me, Sunshine, I've considered it."
He kisses me again and I forget to breathe or think.
"Wait," I mumble.
He stops and I slide off the table to take off my shorts and my panties, all in one movement. Graham swallows.
"Fuck you're beautiful," he whispers.
I smile, suddenly shy, but the sensation disappears when he lifts me into arms once more. I wrap my arms around his neck, grinding my ass against his cock.
"I want you to fuck me," I say against his lips as he kisses me.
"I'll make it so good for you, darling. I promise."
"Good," I whisper.
"The condoms are in my bedroom, though," he whispers back.
"Then take me there."
My legs wrap around his waist once again. I have no idea how we get up the stairs to his room. I spend the entire time kissing his neck, my hands roaming his back. When we get to the room, he places me on the bed before opening the bedside drawer and pulling out a condom.
I lie on the bed, naked, unabashedly watching him. He tears the condom wrapper with his teeth and I roll my eyes. My gaze is drawn to his cock as he slides it on. He climbs back onto the bed, lying on top of me and kissing me gently.
"Are you sure about this, Isabella?" he asks gently.
"Yes."
His eyes shine with some unnamable emotion. My mouth opens in a silent gasp as he slowly enters me. Graham makes a low moaning sound, and my walls immediately clench around him.
"Relax, Sunshine. I'm not all the way in yet," he murmurs, rubbing his thumb over my cheek.
He's not all the way in and he already feels like this? Oh god.
I clutch his arm as he continues to drive into me, the pace maddeningly slow. I feel the moment he bottoms out. Stars practically explode behind my eyelids and I bite back a scream.
"Fuck," Graham hisses. "How does that feel?"
"I'm okay," I manage to say. "You can move now."
He does, pulling out before slowly entering me once again. I can't help a whimper as my muscles stretch to accommodate him.
"You feel so good, Isabella," he groans.
"Less talking, more fucking," I order, gasping when he hits a particular spot.
He chuckles. "Your wish is my command."
My nails dig into his arms when I feel his cock rub over my clit for a second before he thrusts back inside of me. He leans down to suck on one of my nipples. My head falls back and I make embarrassingly loud noises. He continues to fuck me slowly, but I need more.
"Graham, faster."
I've got to hand it to him, he's good at following directions. He increases the pace and my eyes fall shut as he pounds into me. I can't do anything but feel. When my eyes open, he's staring at me. His lips are dark and swollen from kissing. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart and the sound of our flesh slapping together.
Graham makes a short grunt before suddenly pulling out.
"If I keep looking at you, I'll come too fast," he mutters, breathing hard. "Could you get on your knees, Sunshine? Get on your knees and turn around."
Under normal circumstances, I'd be fighting that command hard. But I'm too far gone to care. All I want is him inside of me. He shifts away and I do as he asked, tuning around and facing the headboard.
"Good girl," Graham purrs.
I've barely grabbed onto it for support when he enters me with a hard thrust.
I let out a gasp and hear him do the same behind me, his warm breath on my neck. He wraps one arm around my torso and puts the other one on the headboard next to mine as he continues to pound inside of me, bending his head occasionally to suck on my neck.
It's too much. I've never felt this much during sex. My emotions are out of control, heightened in a way they never have been before. I can feel my impending orgasm everywhere, all the way down to my toes. I bite my bottom lip when Graham moves his hand down to rub my clit while still thrusting into me. The feeling of his hand on my clit is all I need to explode.
"Come for me, Sunshine," he whispers in my ear.
My mouth opens in a silent scream and my entire body shudders as I do so. My orgasm continues to barrel through me and I barely register him turning me around and lying me on my back. I feel his hard body on mine and he continues to thrust inside of me, kissing me in the process.
Then his body jerks and he buries his face in my neck as he finds his own release. His body goes slack against mine and we stay like that for several moments, panting, until Graham moves out of me and lays down on the bed at my side.
He takes in the expression on my face and smiles. My heart is still racing. He reaches for a lock of my hair, twirling it in his hand.
"I told you I'd make it good," he says cockily.
"Shut up," I mumble.
He chuckles before placing a kiss on my cheek. I still can't believe what just happened. But I know deep down that wasn't just sex. It was so much more.
And I am fucking terrified.