Read Online Bittersweet Chocolate by Emily Wade-Reid - Free Book Online Page B

of the tub, toweled dry, and took care of necessary dental hygiene while staring at her reflection, trying to decide on a hairstyle. Coming to a decision, she brushed her hair into soft waves, applied a smidgen of makeup, and a dab of Shalimar to all erogenous zones. She stepped out of the bathroom and squeaked, “Graham!”
    Reclining on her bed, he didn’t say a word, just smiled, and stared. She pulled her robe more tightly around her. “What are you doing in here―do you mind?”
    “It’s Gray, and you’re really something,” he remarked. “I like your hair down like that.”
    “Graham—”
    “I understand your boyfriend isn’t going to be here tonight.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Why do you keep ignoring me?”
    “Ignoring you.”
    “Not much of a relationship with him gone all the time,” he said.
    She sighed. “Graham, there’s nothing wrong with you, quite the contrary. I think you’re smart, attractive―hell. Joel was the reason I’ve ignored you.”
    “Was?”
    “Excuse me?” Damn. He would home right in on her use of past tense.
    “You said Joel was the reason you’ve been ignoring me. What do you mean was?”
    She hadn’t meant to tell him that Joel was a done deal, not yet. Not until she’d finalized the breakup, but Graham had such an optimistic expression. “When he returns―”
    “Returns? That’s what I mean. What kind of boyfriend is he, not here to help with the party?”
    “You don’t know the half of it,” she mumbled, then said more firmly, “Graham, will you leave and let me finish dressing.”
    “Okay.” He stood and strode to the door. “I’ll go get the party started with some music.” He stepped into the hall.
    “Hey, wait.” He paused, looking back over his shoulder as she walked toward him. “Did you bring your girlfriend?”
    “Oh yeah, she’s here.” He grinned, winked, and walked down the hall.
    Brow furrowed, she stared after him. If his lady was there, why was he in her room―wait, how did he know Joel wasn’t going to be at the party?
    She waited until she heard music. Then she closed and locked her door. Dressing quickly, she hurried to join her guests. Everyone had arrived and Jason, Brittany’s boyfriend, had assumed bartending duties.
    Barefoot and scantily clad, she wore snug-fitting white Wranglers topped off by a form-hugging jet-black bustier with white hook-and-eye fasteners down the front. The way Graham stared at her, heat infused her neck and cheeks. Ignoring his blatant ogling, she moved about the room, speaking to her guests, checking food platters, and making sure everyone had what they wanted. Graham shadowed her every move and caught up with her in the kitchen.
    Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms. His advanced state of arousal was obvious, but she didn’t push him away, blaming her easy capitulation on the pre-party drinks—she did have a slight buzz. But her senses weren’t so dulled she’d forgotten about his girlfriend.
    “Gray, you need to back off. What will your lady think?”
    His smile suggestive, he leaned close and whispered, “My lady likes what I’m doing. I can tell by the way she’s trembling.”
    Damn, it felt good being in his arms. She’d been feeling neglected lately, in need of caring. If it hadn’t been for misguided notions of love, she would have acted on her attraction to him that first night. She no longer had those inhibitions.
    “I want you,” he whispered. She laughed and he switched tactics. “Have you ever smoked a joint?”
    Confused by his change of topic, she stuttered, “What-no, don’t smoke, wouldn’t know how.” She frowned. “Why, you want to teach me?”
    He grabbed her hand and tugged her along behind him, through the living room and down the hall. They were outside on the balcony before she stopped, halting his forward momentum.
    “Graham, this is my party. I can’t leave.” She tried to pull her hand from his grasp.
    “We’re just going to my apartment. We