I don’t know why, but her words make me want to cry. I know my life hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, but I never complain about it. Knowing that it’s obvious to other people, even if she is my best friend, makes it somehow seem worse. I kno
w she wants the best for me, and even after three years of friendship, sometimes I’m still not used to anyone being on Team Dahlia. I want to listen to her advice. I want to be a taker for once in my life. I don’t want to risk speaking, because fuck feelings, so I simply nod to let her know I’m picking up what she’s putting down. Jade’s scarlet lips form a small, knowing smile and she gives me a curt nod before leaving my room, closing my door behind her.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
This is happening.
This is really happening.
I am going to have sex with the man who bought me the teddy bear that I’m hugging.
No, the man who took care of me. The man who gave me a new life.
This is happening, and I want it.
Graham still hasn’t shown his face, so I took the opportunity to wash and shave everything. And I mean everything. After basically contorting myself into a pretzel in attempt to get to those hard-to-reach areas, I towel-dry my hair and put on my Pink Sugar lotion that smells like actual sugar cookies. I actually feel pretty good after my shower, all things considered. I have a headache from knocking my head, and my lip is swollen, but other than that, I’m ready for some action. Jade is right. I should be all kinds of fucked up about what Shawn tried to do to me, but I’m not. Because at the end of the day, he didn’t. And after what Graham did to him, whatever it is, I know he’ll never try again.
I pick out a baby pink cotton nightie with lace trim and white polka dots. It probably doesn’t scream experienced sex kitten, but I leave off the underwear for easy access, hoping it evens things out.
I contemplate painting my nails to pass the time, but I decide against it, not knowing when Graham would make an appearance. Wet nails on my pristine white bedding probably wouldn’t be a good idea. I flip through an eBook on my phone, but I can’t focus on the words. I give up after reading the same paragraph approximately seventeen times. The air is heavy with lust and anticipation. I snag my earbuds off my dresser and decide to listen to some music. Apparently, all the excitement of the day finally hits me because I start to doze off. I try to fight sleep but it catches up with me. All the adrenalin coursing through my body earlier made me tired, and all of a sudden, my eyelids become heavy, too heavy. I call his name one last time before drifting off, and then I’m done.
I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep before I feel Graham’s massive body blanket my own. I stretch and hum contentedly while my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. He hasn’t turned on the lights, but there’s some light pouring from the hallway and into my room. His dark hair is wet and a soft lock hangs in his eyes. He’s in a plain white tee shirt and what feels like thin cotton pajama pants against my legs. I’ve never seen him so dressed down and it catches me off guard. I decide that I love comfy Graham. I think I want to keep him. He drags his nose up my throat and inhales deeply before tugging my headphones out with his teeth.
“What’ve you done to him?” My voice is groggy from sleep and exhaustion, and my eyelids are droopy, but I can still see through the mist of sleep the gorgeous dangerous man next to me. And he’s done something bad tonight. I can see it in his eyes.
“Dahlia.” His voice is steel and he didn’t call me Dolly. “He’s not going to bother you anymore.”
I gulp. I thought as much, but what did he do to him? I press my body to his and suck in a ragged breath.
“Tell me how you punished him.” I feel my spine tingling with lust, and I hate that I love how violent this man is. But instead of cooperating, he chuckles softly and traces his long finger through the valley of my breasts, leaving shivers in his wake.
“You act like I owe you shit. This is so sweet. No, I’m not going to tell you anything.”
“Why?” I croak. His hand finds my throat and he wraps his fingers around it, his grip tightening gently.
“Because I want you hot for me. Not disgusted. Not scared. Aroused. Are you feeling fucked-up tonight, Baby Dolly?” He tugs at my nightie, his voice smooth and dark.
“No, but I’m feeling something else.” I swallow. I can’t be quite as direct as I want to be. Not yet. His mouth finds my nipple, still clad in my lacey little night gown, and he grazes his teeth over it teasingly.
“What’re you feeling?” He enquires, and he sounds like the best song I haven’t even heard yet.
“Horny,” I answer honestly. No point in beating around the bush—not that I have one of those anymore.
Graham pulls back to look into my eyes. His gaze flickers down to my plump lips, and before I know it, his head moves down, licking them, corner to corner. My eyes roll back into my head and my mouth drops open in a silent plea.
“Look at me, Dolly. I’m not the kind of guy who asks twice. I’m not even the type of guy who asks once. But I’m asking you now. Are you okay with this? Especially after that fucking pussy put his hands on you? Be sure, because once you say yes, I’m not going to stop. I’m not going to stop fucking you, and I’m not going to stop making you mine. Today, tomorrow, and every day after that. So, you need to be sure, baby.”
I’m scared out of my mind right now, but it’s not his words that scare me. It’s the thought of ever being without this. The realization that I’m already attached hits me fast and hard, and I know I’ll do anything to keep this feeling. I bring both hands to the back of his neck and snake my fingers through his hair and nod.
“I’m sure. I want this. So bad.”
That’s all the confirmation he needs.
His hands skirt up my thighs, sliding my nightie up over my hips and setting my skin on fire in the process.
“No panties? Such a good girl.” He continues to peel my clothing off, while I grind myself against the growing bulge in his pants. He kisses me long and hard and I feel myself getting closer to coming from this alone.
“You look so innocent, but you’re rubbing yourself on my cock like a whore. You want to be your daddy’s little whore, don’t you?”