I NEEDED TO GET HER MIND OFF that shit with Avery, show her that there was nothing to be scared about when it came to me. Unable to concentrate on anything but seeing Soraya tonight, I left the office early which seemed to be the norm lately. If I didn’t own the company, I would have totally fired my ass.
Back at my condo, I got to work chopping vegetables for the pasta primavera I was planning to make. I wasn’t a gourmet cook by any means, but I could make a damn good al dente pasta. I’d texted Soraya earlier to let her know there was a change of plans; I was cooking her dinner for us at my place. It felt like the right change of pace after the gala fiasco. I needed to let her into my space and show her more of my casual side.
I’d just turned on the television that was built into the wall of my kitchen, selecting a show from the DVR list when the phone rang. Soraya calling. I grabbed a towel to wipe my hands before answering it.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hi…” She paused. “What is that music in the background?”
“The television.”
Shit.
Frantically trying to lower the volume, I soon realized that the volume control wasn’t working. My coolness factor was about to plummet.
“Was that the opening sequence to General Hospital?”
“No,” I lied.
“Yes, it was.”
Fuck. Caught in the act.
I laughed guiltily. “Ok, it was. You got me.”
“You watch soap operas?”
“Only this one.”
“And here I was thinking we didn’t have anything in common…”
I cleared my throat and surrendered to the embarrassment. “You watch it, too?”
“Actually, I used to…not as much anymore.”
“I never really got into it until my mother became sick when I was in high school. She was obsessed with GH. When she was bed-ridden, I’d curl up next to her at three in the afternoon and keep her company while it was on. I ended up getting into some of the storylines and kept watching it after she passed. It reminds me of her.”
She went quiet then said, “Graham…that is…wow…I…that is really precious.”
Feeling suddenly emotional, I quickly changed the subject. “To what do I owe this phone call?”
“I wanted to know if I could bring anything.”
“Nothing but your beautiful ass, baby.”
“Seriously. I want to bring something.”
“I have it covered.”
“Okay. Wine then.”
Stubborn girl.
“My driver will pick you up in an hour.”
“Alright.”
I paused for a moment then whispered her name, “Soraya…”
“Yeah?”
“I can’t fucking wait to see you.”
***
SO IMMERSED IN SETTING UP OUR TABLE, I’d forgotten to let the doorman know to just send Soraya straight upstairs. When he rang to notify me of my visitor, I decided to mess with her a bit.
“Please put Miss Venedetta on the phone,” I told him.
She came on the line. “Yes?” My dick twitched at the sound of her voice. Soraya wasn’t even in front of me, but just knowing she was downstairs was making me hard.
“How can I help you, Miss?”
She giggled. “Is this General Hospital?”
Little wiseass.
“If you’ll play naughty nurse, it can be. Give him back the phone and get your ass up here.”
When the doorman returned to the line, I instructed him to show Soraya to the elevators. Her knock was rhythmic and loud, and Blackie immediately started barking.
I spoke to my dog as I walked to the door. “Yeah. Yeah. Just wait till you see her.”
My heart started to pump faster the minute I opened it and caught sight of how breathtakingly beautiful she looked. Her hair was down but had a wild and wavy windblown look to it. The ends were still green, and she wore a matching emerald-colored blouse that was sleeveless but covered her entire neckline. There was a bow tied up at the top. Sleek black pants looked like they’d been painted on her legs. Overall, it was a teasingly conservative ensemble compared to her usual attire. Her normally bright red lips were also bare as if she knew I’d be eating them whole later.
Fighting hard to restrain myself from mauling her, I begrudgingly placed my hands at my side. I vowed not to touch or kiss her yet, fearing that I wouldn’t be able to stop. So, I was going to hold back as long as I could. This night was about showing her she could trust me. Pouncing on her right out of the gate would negate that.
“Come in.” I took in a long whiff of her floral scent as she entered the room.
The dog immediately started to jump all over her.
“Get off her, Blackie.”
Looking amused, she handed me the bottle of wine she was carrying, bent down and lifted him up. Blackie was licking all over her face.
Damn, I wanted in on that.
Taking the dog from her, I cracked, “And you thought it would be me you’d need to pry off of you.”
“You are being very good, Mr. Morgan.”
“I’m trying,” I said sincerely.
She covered her mouth. “Oh, my God! Blackie. It just hit me. From General Hospital! He’s named after that Blackie.”
“That’s right.”
She pointed at my face. “You’re not embarrassed, are you?”
“No.”
“Because your ears are turning red!”
Fuck.
“I think it’s sweet, Graham, especially that the show reminds you of your mother. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone about that. You have a way of turning me into mush, Venedetta.”