Tatiana waved her hand. Bella shrugged. "Didn't take long at all."
We loaded the last of the boxes all together. Working side by side with Graham and occasionally coming so close that I could smell his body wash was a special kind of torture. When our arms accidentally touched, a bolt of heat ran through me, spreading from the point of contact all the way to my toes. I glanced sideways at him to check if he'd felt the sizzle too, and I startled when I realized he was watching me, gaze a tad darker than before. Oh yeah, he'd felt it too.
After Bella and Tatiana left, Graham said, "I'm going to make some sandwiches. Want some?"
"Yes, please." I glanced at the guys who were dismantling the tent. "Don't want to leave them alone, though. If I leave them to their own devices, they'll make a mess of your yard."
Graham smiled lazily, like he knew that concern for his yard wasn't the only reason I wanted to stay out here.
"I'll bring the sandwiches out here. We'll eat together."
"Sounds great."
I tried to compose myself as he headed back to the house, but I'd suddenly developed a lazy eye. The man was truly a work of art. I might as well get my fill while I could.
I slipped into full-on planner mode once he was out of sight, and good thing I did, because one of the guys had been about to throw one of the tent poles straight onto the flower bed.
"Careful there," I admonished. "Not over the flowers. Plenty of space next to it."
Both men grunted but did as I asked. This was why I insisted on watching over the disassembly. After one of the first weddings I'd organized, I received an angry call from the mother-in-law who'd hosted the wedding on her property because two of her precious alabaster statues had been manhandled by the vendors who'd come to take back their things. I'd paid for the damages. Since then, I'd made it a point to oversee the post-wedding activities myself or have one of my assistants do it. I jumped at the sound of a low chuckle. Graham was a few feet behind, holding two plates. I relieved him of one.
"Thanks. I didn't hear you."
We moved a little farther away, between two giant palm trees, where there were two rattan armchairs and a table.
"I can't sit. Standing keeps me awake," I informed him. I practically inhaled my sandwich while also keeping an eye on the guys as they dismantled the tent.
"That stern look is a good one on you. I like seeing you in action," Graham said.
"Policing people isn't my favorite part of the job, but you got to do what you got to do. I can't believe I overslept. Why didn't you wake me up when Tatiana arrived?" I asked, placing the empty plate on the rattan table.
"Thought you could use the extra sleep. You need to be in top form for your trip to Universal Studios."
"You're right. I don't want to be a zombie. Milo needs my full attention."
Graham placed his plate next to mine, then shifted his position until we were face-to-face and tilted his head slightly.
"What about what you need, Lori?" He dropped his gaze to my lips. Why did he have to say my name like that? "I have a good idea of what you need, and I'll give you just that."
"Is that so? Without asking me if I want it?"
"I would, but I think you're afraid to want it. Even more afraid to adm
it it."
Wow. His words were so true.
"You have me all figured out, don't you?"
"No, but I'm learning. Last night was the start." He cupped my face, brushing the corners of my mouth with his thumbs.
"I'm working," I whispered, wondering if this would rile him up. Oh yeah, it did.
"If you say that again, I'll take you in my arms and carry you away in front of everyone."
"No, you will not."
"Try me."