Page 11 of Unconventional Love

“Would one of you mind telling maintenance that this washer is leaking?” she snaps, pointing to the puddle on the floor beneath the washer and Graham smiles brightly at her as my eyes widen in horror, knowing the washer isn’t leaking at all.

“Yes, ma’am. We will go find someone,” he tells her and grabs my hand once again, whisking me away.

* * *

“You fucked Graham Mitchell?” Jules cries in shocked excitement right as the elevator doors open to an unsuspecting couple with mortified looks on their faces. I waited until we were checking out this morning to tell her, and she’s reacting just as I suspected.

Embarrassment is prominent as my face goes crimson. The now mortified people awaiting an elevator just wanted to hop on to go down. Instead they unexpectedly became privy to yesterday afternoon’s sexcapade.Please don’t get on.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” I start, but the woman offers a sad smile that looks more like a grimace.

“We’ll just get the next one.”

The doors slide shut, and I fall against the wall of the elevator. “It’s not a big deal. Don’t make it a big deal,” I plead. Telling her about Graham wasn’t planned, but I couldn’t exactly lie to her after the man dragged me away through the conference room, leaving her to wonder for half an hour. There were only so many deflections I could make last night.

“So, the night before last was the barista, and yesterday the hot cover model? Damn, you weren’t kidding when you said you needed good sleep.” She gives me a nod of approval.

“Well, I mean, the hot cover model was kinda there the night before last too…” I scrunch my face with the admission, preparing myself for the impending freak out.

Her jaw hits the floor as her eyes widen. “Holy shit! At the same time?” She cocks her head, and brings a finger up to her chin in contemplation for a moment before deciding on something. “Yep. I’m jealous.”

“Don’t be. It was a one time thing.” Okay, maybe a two time thing, but that’s it.

“He’s the one who sent you breakfast yesterday morning! And then fucked you in the hotel laundry room? It doesn’t exactly seem like a one time thing. I can count, Liv. And what about your barista?”

The elevator dings as we reach the main level, thankfully ending her inquisition. We exit, rolling our bags into the lobby.

Just as I think the line of questions is over, she asks quietly, “Do we need to find you a new coffee shop? Or should I start planning your polyamorous wedding?”

I chuckle. “First, she woke me up at 3:45 in the morning to get ready for work. I cannot commit to that kind of daily debauchery. Second, she lives here in Seattle. I’m better off finding someone closer to Pendleton.” After Jules left Oregon for Canada, I’ve found myself even more lonely back home.

I stop short of the lobby check in and my eyes widen as I see Graham leaned against a wall with two cups of coffee in his hands.Nearly all of the guests from the convention are checking out this morning, so the space is filled, and yet, like a moth to a flame, I’m entirely drawn to him.

Jules follows my line of sight. “One time thing my ass,” she mocks me with a wink that says she knows I’m full of shit.

I’m just as confused when he spots me and smiles brightly. In an instant he’s striding across the room, his giant frame easily maneuvering through the crowded lobby, focusing solely on me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, my heart rate picking up at the mere presence of him. I feign annoyance to hide the sadness I feel about leaving today; seeing him doesn’t make it any easier.

“You said you were leaving, and I wanted to say goodbye.” He shrugs, and passes me the coffee. The abbreviation for the salted caramel praline latte, scrawled on the side in familiar writing. “I went to see Sky this morning so that you didn’t have to make a trip.” That possessive nature of his that I’ve grown to love over the last two days rears its head.

Jules clears her throat beside me. “Um, excuse me, sir. Where is my coffee?”

Graham offers her the other coffee in his hand. “One medium, vanilla almond milk latte, steamed to 130.” He rolls his eyes as he says it, not entirely thrilled. “Lucky for you two, the barista seemed to vividly remember your orders.”

“Awww, thanks book daddy,” Jules muses.

I burst out in surprised laughter. “I’m telling Samuel you said that.”

“Do it. You call him delivery daddy all the time. Only fair I give your man a nickname.”

The insinuation gives me pause. I quickly look at Graham who is showing no indication that he minds that at all. I specifically told her Graham and I wouldn’t work, but I mask my irritation.

“Can I walk you to your car?” Graham brushes past the comment, and I find myself questioning what the hell is happening.

“Absolutely not.” I insist. “I hate the rain, and will not be stepping a single foot away from the awning. I used the valet anyway.”

Jules announces her shuttle to the airport has arrived, and I hug her goodbye with a pang of sadness, not sure when I will see my best friend again. When she exits the doors, I return my attention to Graham, swallowing hard as the beautiful man before me has my insides melting beneath his gaze.

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