It was late, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t at her office. She worked even on weekends, not that he could fault her because he knew that drive to stay on top of the career you’d worked so hard for. But he wanted to see her, needed to see her.
For the first time in...ever, Graham willed this movie to end. He loved spending time with his brothers, valued their special bond, but right now he had other plans.
Plans that involved Eve, a dark room and no interruptions from the outside world. He didn’t want her to get swept away into the fear of being pregnant. He wanted her relaxed and he knew exactly how to make that happen.
Intending to make it through the next couple hours, Graham opted not to refill his bourbon. Two glasses were enough because he wanted his head on straight.
“You all up for more poker?” Brooks asked as the credits rolled.
“I need to get home,” Carson replied, coming to his feet. “I don’t have to spend my nights looking at you two anymore.”
Carson had found love. Good for him. Graham wasn’t jealous, he just didn’t believe in such things. Still, whatever Carson and Georgia had together was genuine. The way they looked at each other, the way they were always looking out for the other was a testament to their deep bond.
“Can’t say I blame you,” Brooks countered. “You’re a lucky man.”
Brooks wanted that home life. He wanted the wife, the kids, all of that. Graham wanted to nail this case he was working on and get Eve to come around to seeing they didn’t need to cool it in the sheets simply because they’d created a child. “I actually need to run an errand,” Graham chimed in.
Both brothers turned to look his way. Brooks smirked. “Really? What’s her name?”
Graham busied himself putting the remote away and taking his glass back to the bar, which was just off the theater room. His brothers followed him. No way were they going to leave him alone.
Empty glass in hand, he whirled around. “It’s just work. Relax. I’m in the middle of a big case. That’s all I can say.”
They both stared at him, clearly not believing the lie. With a shrug, he turned to the bar and started stacking the glasses and returning the bottles to the shelves on the wall.
“I’m out,” Carson said on a sigh. “I’d rather be home with Georgia than try to figure out what Graham is being so cryptic about.”
Fine by him. One down. One to go.
From the corner of his eye, Graham saw Brooks eyeing him, arms crossed over his chest. The sound of Carson headed down the hall, the sound of his footsteps growing softer before eventually disappearing. Now that Carson was gone, Graham waited for the accusations from his twin.
“Whatever you’re smirking about, get it off your chest,” Graham finally said, turning to face Brooks.
With a shrug, he replied, “Nothing in particular. Just curious as to why you’re rushing off. I’m sure you could do anything work related from here. I know you have your laptop at the ready at all times. And I’m sure you know whatever case you’re working on like the back of your hand without having to look at any files.”
Graham hadn’t gotten to the top at such a young age by depending on anyone else. Every case, every file, every opponent in the courtroom was filed away in his mind. He knew every detail backward and forward. He studied his rivals and found their weaknesses so he could annihilate them when they came face-to-face. So Brooks was right, but no way was Graham going to admit such a thing.
“You don’t have to know every detail of my personal life,” Graham fired back. Okay, maybe that was harsh, but right now, he wanted to get to Eve. “Are we done here?”
Brooks blew out a sigh. “For now. I’ll let you have your little secret, but all secrets come out eventually. Just ask Sutton.”
The jab hit too close to home. Yes, Sutton’s secret baby, aka Carson, had taken nearly three decades to come to the surface. Graham highly doubted Eve’s secret would last three months. Soon both families would know that the Winchesters and the Newports were going to be bound together for life.
That thought had Graham reevaluating everything. Eve had every right not to put his name on the birth certificate. She had every right to fight him for custody. She’d lose, but that wasn’t the point. The point was, he refused to let his child come into this world in the midst of a feud.
So now Graham had to show her who he really was. Eve had to see him as a compassionate, loving man who would do anything for his child. She had to see that working together was the best thing for all of them. Because he refused to allow any other man to come in and take away this little family. Love didn’t have to be a factor. Graham held the power here, and he would get Eve to marry him, ensuring their child carried the Newport name. A marriage based on sexual chemistry was more than enough for him to rethink saying his “I dos.”
And that was why Graham was even more eager to get to her house. Soon Eve would see just how perfect they were together.
Seven o’clock. Most nights she’d still be at the office, but it was Saturday so Eve had opted to come home. She really needed to cut out the weekends for a while. She was exhausted, and her doctor had told her to listen to her body. Well, she was listening and her body was telling her she needed to get rid of these heels and kill the suit. Yoga pants and a tee sounded pretty good right now. Oh, and a ponytail.
She rarely was off her game. Even at home she was always professional because she often did video meetings and had to look the part. Sure, the other day she had on yoga pants and bunny slippers beneath her desk, but she’d put on makeup, earrings and a suit jacket. Boom. She so owned this corporate world.
She’d nearly cried with relief after she washed her face and pulled her hair back. Now that she was comfortable, she had a little boost of energy...and an extremely empty stomach. She’d had an early lunch to work around meetings, but she seriously needed to keep some snacks in her office at work. Her assistant would’ve gladly gone and gotten her anything, but Eve had her assistant doing so much lately with the acquisition of the Australian company, Eve hated to even ask for a pack of crackers.
Maybe she’d lie in bed, gorge on food and watch a movie on Netflix. A date with herself? Sounded heavenly and completely relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered.
When someone knocked at the back door, Eve nearly cried. Only one person came and went via the French doors overlooking the outdoor living area. The door was conveniently located by the garage Graham used.
She peered down at her attire and shrugged. He’d seen her in her suits, in a ball gown and in her birthday suit, but he’d never seen her in sloppy, I-want-to-be-left-alone mode.
Circling the kitchen island and bypassing the breakfast nook, she reached the French doors. Only the soft glow from the motion lights illuminated Graham’s broad frame, slashing a streak of light across one side of his face. His eyes pierced her straight through the glass. There was an intensity to this man that her body couldn’t deny. She hated how, even now, especially now, she didn’t want to deny him anything. But if she didn’t watch out, she would end up hurt. Right now, she had to focus on her baby.
Flicking the lock, she opened one of the doors. Because she knew he wasn’t just here for a quick visit, she stepped aside and let him in.
The second Graham was inside, she clicked the lock back into place. When she turned, his eyes raked her, as they always did. She shivered, but was too tired to even appreciate her instant arousal. There had to be some sort of stop button where this physical relationship was concerned. Shouldn’t they focus on how to make this parenting thing work? The time for selfish desires