“Wouldn’t have taken you for a snooper,” he mumbled against my lips.
I pulled my head back and looked at him. “I’m not usually. But I can’t figure you out.”
“What’s there to figure out?”
“Slapstick comedy or Civil War flicks? The same type of person doesn’t usually have both.”
Graham looked amused. “I like both.”
“What’s with the three quarts of Nesquik? Strawberry, too.”
“I like it.”
“Obviously.”
“And so does Blackie.”
“You feed your dog Quik?”
“I do.”
“See…that’s the thing. Mr. Big Prick doesn’t have a cute little dog, and he definitely doesn’t share strawberry milk with it.”
“Maybe I’m not Mr. Big Prick like you think.” He slid my hand down to his crotch. “Maybe I just have a big prick, but I’m not really the prick you imagine.”
“What’s your secretary’s name?”
“Elaine.”
“Eliza. She just told it to you this morning. I was there.”
“I’m busy. It’s hard to find a good secretary to stay very long.”
“Only when you’re a big prick.”
“So maybe I am a big prick. But I’m not to you, am I?”
I sighed. “So what’s in the bag already?”
“What if I told you it was rope because I wanted to tie you up?”
I thought about it for a second, then shrugged. “I think I could get into that.”
He blew out a frustrated whoosh of air. “Damn. I should have bought rope.”
“That would entail a trip to the hardware store. I’m guessing you’re not a big DIY yourself kind of guy and don’t even know where one is.”
“How about one of those sex toy balls that strap around your face, so you can’t talk. What if I told you that was in the bag, big mouth?”
“A ball gag?”
“You knew what I was talking about fast enough.”
I leaned in and whispered, “I have Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore, and Anchorman, too. But instead of boring Civil War movies, I might have a few movies in a different genre.”
He groaned. “Are you telling me you have a porn stash?”
“Maybe.”
“You couldn’t be more perfect if I’d made you myself.”
“Thought you didn’t like my wiseass mouth?”
“Your wiseass mouth makes me hard, and later I’m going to fuck that mouth. You’re right, I don’t know where the damn hardware store is, but I’m resourceful, and I’m sure I can find something to secure your arms and legs while I have at it.”
He was only teasing, but listening to him talk about tying me up had me aroused, and Graham saw it on my face. “Fuck, Soraya.”
“Yes. Please.”
That was all he needed. It wasn’t until hours later that I finally learned what was inside the bag—the lingerie he had bought at Bergdorf’s the afternoon he went to pay for my dress for the gala. I didn’t get to wear it that night, but I did get a promise from Graham that the drawer would be filled with more interesting things for my next snooping session.
The next morning, I woke to a fully dressed Graham stroking my cheek. My eyes fluttered open. “Hey. Did I oversleep?”
“No. I’m early. I have a busy day and wanted to get an early start.”
I stretched my arms up over my head, causing the sheet to slip down and expose my bare breasts. The morning chill made my nipples instantly hard.
“Don’t do that. I’ll never leave.” Graham rubbed two fingers over one of the stiff peaks.
“Mmm…”
“Soraya…” he warned.
“What? That feels good. Don’t touch it if you don’t want my reaction.”
He shook his head. “Will you stay with me tonight again? I’m going to be late, but I’d love to come home to this beautiful sight in my bed.”
“You have to work late?” I looked out the bedroom window. “It’s not even light yet, and you’re already planning on working until after it’s dark.”
“No. I need to go by the wake tonight. There’s a session from seven to nine this evening, so I’ll probably stay at the office until then.”
“Oh.”
“Will you be here when I come home?”
“Why don’t I go with you tonight? To the funeral parlor. You shouldn’t have to do it alone. I can’t imagine it will be pleasant, your ex-best friend whose company you were trying to buy and his grieving wife who also happens to be your ex-girlfriend. You could use some company.”