The Life & Death of Jorja Graham Page 9

  I was irritated at first because I was right in the middle of a delicious dream with Corbin but was grateful when I saw the time. Where the hell did the day go? It seems not doing anything all day actually catapults the hours ahead instead of dragging them out.

  It had been a relaxing day but the suspense of what was going on at the estate was almost more than I could stand. I slipped on my boots, grabbed my sweater and keys and ran out the door. It was almost five and the sun was dropping down over the tops of the trees, but there was still plenty of daylight left. I rounded the corner and turned down the main drive and my stomach clenched, the workers were all still here and there were twice as many vehicles than yesterday.

  I parked my car further down and off to the side so I didn’t block the drive and got out. No one had even acknowledged I’d stepped onto the property; they were all so completely focused on their work until one of the carpenters finally nodded in my direction.

  “Everything is looking great. Ya’ll are doing a fantastic job,” I called out. He thanked me then went back to hammering.

  They were making a ton of headway. All the rotted out boards had been replaced already and the new flowers looked amazing up against the lush green shrubbery. I opened the front door cautiously and prayed I didn’t bump into anything. Saws buzzed, men chattered, and hammers found their target with a thud, yet all that seemed to stop the moment I looked up. Corbin was on the landing in dark jeans and a heather grey T-shirt, a crowbar in one hand and a hammer in the other. My heart literally skipped, like a rock over a flat pool of water and then stopped completely when he spotted me. His lips shifted into a lazy, sexy grin and my body roared to life.

  “I thought you were relaxing today?” he said as he made his way down the stairs.

  “I did but the suspense was killing me. I had to come see what kind of progress was being made. I honestly didn’t think you’d be here but I’m glad you are.”

  His hands snaked behind my back as he pulled me closer to him. “I’m glad you’re here too.” He leaned forward and kissed me like he did last night, no hesitation, just pure passion. I should’ve cared that we were in a room full of contractors but as I savored his lips, I didn’t give a damn where we were.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “For dinner?” I grinned.

  He exhaled a chuckle before he whispered in my ear. “Dinner first and then I’ll have you for dessert.” My body shivered as he kissed the spot just below my ear.

  Corbin stepped away and set the tools on the floor next to the first rung of the stairs. “Gentlemen, let’s call it a night. I have a date.”

  The men stopped what they were doing, basically dropping everything exactly where they stood. In less than fifteen minutes, it was just Corbin and me in the center of a remodeling tornado.

  He leaned down and kissed me again. “What are you craving tonight?”

  I bit the inside my lip and chose to answer his actual question and not the one I hoped he was implying. “How about seafood?”

  “I’m in, but this is your stomping ground, so where to?”

  “There’s a great place not too far from here, great food and it’s on the water.”

  He didn’t respond, just stood there staring at me, and while it should’ve made me uncomfortable, it warmed me. His look was filled with adoration and when he intertwined our fingers, I wasn’t sure I needed to go to dinner. I’d suffice with the two of us naked somewhere in this house, anywhere, as long as he was touching me. He smirked, again as if he could read the thoughts rolling around in my head.

  We had a great time at dinner. We laughed hysterically several times, to the point where I was sure the wait staff was wishing we'd sat outside on the patio and not inside the main dining room. We couldn’t help ourselves though; there had been a multi-generational family out for dinner, the ages ranging from toddler to well into their nineties. The teenagers were texting and rolling their eyes every few minutes, the parents were attempting to corral the youngest ones, and the grandparents were telling stories using those iconic words, “Back in my day...” We weren’t laughing at them, we were laughing with them.

  They kept involving us in their conversation, wanting our opinions on just about everything that was happening. They’d even asked us to explain what the hell some of the items on the menu were––the language barrier between thick Brooklyn and twanged southern was a bit lost in translation. “Fried green tomatoes? Why the hell would someone want to fry an unripe tomato? You find me a ripe one and I may try that,” the grandfather bellowed. Then the grandmother piped in. “Grits, what the hell are grits? Do you people know how to cook real food?”

  Corbin and I tried to explain about the southern specialties, telling them to give them a try, that they might be surprised. When Corbin ordered a pitcher for us, he also ordered a few for the weary travelers, hoping to ease the tension between them. It was obvious their southern vacation had become more of a nightmare than the unwinding visit they'd probably planned for.

  As I watched and listened to Corbin interact with the family, I couldn’t stop the feelings that were awakening in me. This “relationship” felt so natural, so real despite its infancy. I loved being with him. Loved how he commanded not only my attention but everyone in the room as well. He oozed magnetism. Corbin was not the man I originally thought, that was just a façade. This man before me was loving and kind and incredibly sexy. His laugh was as intoxicating as his smile and the way he looked at me, I had no doubt about his feelings towards me.

  The family had made several comments about how we looked like newlyweds fresh from our honeymoon. We laughed but didn’t bother to correct them; instead, Corbin would reach over and hold my hand, confirming their suspicions.

  We finally left the restaurant, a smidge tipsy and a lot aroused; we couldn’t keep our hands off one another all the way to the car. Thankfully, Lucas didn’t acknowledge any of it as he drove us back to my place. When we got out the car, I grabbed my keys and Corbin carried me to my door, my lips finding his with every step. I wanted him and he wanted me, and I didn’t care how little we knew one another, all I wanted was to know how he felt inside me.

  The door latched closed and I reached behind him to click the lock. Corbin held me close as he took the stairs two at a time. He set me down at the top of the landing and I led him towards my room. It only took a moment before we tore at each other's clothes, our hands and lips seeking every inch of exposed skin until we stood before one another bare and wanting. Corbin’s half lidded eyes took in every inch of me before he asked in a whisper, “Are you sure?”

  Hell yes I was sure, but I could tell by the look on his face that he needed confirmation. I opted to show him instead of tell him. What had just been frantic was now slow and sensual, minutes turned into hours and hours into the next day. I woke in his arms and I knew I’d never be happier than I was in this moment. I watched his chest rise and fall as he slept peacefully next to me. As I relished in this tranquility, the site of his body stirred me once again. My heart was attached and I knew I was ruined. It was a lesson I knew all too well, when you love, you hurt…they were two sides of the same coin.

  c h a p t e r

  FOURTEEN

  This past week flew by, but as promised, Corbin and the contractors had Rhetta’s estate in pristine order. The house looked amazing inside and out, and as I stood watching the caterer and florist prepare the room for the auction, I was filled with pride. I’d done it, I’d put together a historical based auction with a party twist. It was only a matter of hours before everything would be in full swing, the tourists mingling with all the Savannahians we had invited, which from our last count was about half the city.

  Heddie and Vivian walked through the front door carrying a garment bag in one hand and a duffle in the other. “Here you go, Jorja.” Vivian said.

  “Thank you so much. I cannot believe I forgot it this morning,” I replied.

  “Where’s that gorgeous man of yours, darli
n'?” Heddie smiled.

  “He’ll be here in another hour or so. I told him I didn’t think he’d care about all the setup.”

  Vivian kissed me on the cheek. “I’m so glad you gave him a chance, Jorja. I…we, really think he’s good for you. You haven’t smiled like this since, well, I can’t remember when.”

  I blushed but opted not to try and put my thoughts into words because the look on my face was speaking volumes.

  “I cannot believe what a little paint and elbow grease can do for a place.” Vivian exclaimed, her voice echoing in the grand foyer.

  I laughed. “How long have you been dying to do that?”

  “Since the first day she walked through that front door, she has a thing for high ceilings” Heddie teased.

  We all laughed together and then walked towards the study to the left of the foyer to set down the stuff. It was the only room that wasn’t bustling with several dozen people.

  “So have you finally given Corbin an answer as to whether or not you're gonna buy this place?” Vivian questioned as she perused the floor to ceiling bookshelf.

  I dropped my head. “No, not yet. He’s been asking every day but it’s just too much, don’t you think? We barely know one another.”

  “Darlin', with the glow you have, you know him better than you are letting on.” Heddie gave me one of her glances. “Besides, what are you afraid of, that you’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted?”

  I chewed on my bottom lip. “I’ve never gotten everything I’ve ever wanted, so why now? It all just seems too good to be true and I’m waiting for the day when I wake up and realize this was all a dream…a damn good dream, but still a dream.”

  They both walked over and wrapped their arms around me. “Sweetie, you can’t live life like that. You have to take chances. You have to let love enrapture you. Life’s too short not to know and give love. You hear me?” Vivian said as she pulled back to look at me.

  Tears welled in my eyes, the first tears I’d cried since the day I’d left my mother’s house. I’d boxed all my emotions and now they were spilling out of me but for very different reasons. My aunts were right, but I’d survived like this for so long that I didn’t know what it felt like to just experience life. My soul ached for someone like Corbin but I think that’s what scared me the most. I wanted it so badly and sometimes when you want something that bad, you end up overlooking what’s right in front of you.

  “You’re over thinking again. I can see the wheels spinning,” Heddie scolded. “Just live, Jorja. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other, everything will settle into place in time.” She kissed my forehead then moved to sit on the sofa.

  “Ms. Graham, where would you like us to set up the podium?” A young woman’s voice asked from the doorway. “Oh I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  I wiped my eyes. “It’s no problem, Alma. At the base of the stairs would be great, thank you.” She nodded and exited the room in a rush.

  “You go change and we’ll check on the caterers,” Vivian said as she and Heddie moved towards the foyer. “Oh, and your make-up bag and shoes are in the duffle.” I nodded, then grabbed the bags. I walked past all the workers and headed up to what was Rhetta’s bedroom. My aunts had the brilliant idea to take the guests on a tour of the house and as they came across auction items, they were tagged with a number and an informational summary of that particular piece. If they found something they wanted to purchase, they were to write the item number down so they could bid on it later. Each room was already staged and set, so as I opened the door to the en suite from the bedroom, I was careful not to disturb anything as I set my things on the counter.

  When this house was originally built, this bathroom was once a small sitting room but at some point Rhetta must’ve decided to move with the times and convert it into a bathroom. It wasn’t huge like some of the modern master bath suites, but it was large enough for a clawfoot tub, a furniture style vanity and a toilet. It really needed a bit of modern updating but the chair rail and stripped wallpaper were still beautiful.

  As I pulled my hair out of its ponytail, I stared at myself in the mirror. I hadn’t realized it until now but I was a bundle of nerves and I had no idea why. Today is going to be perfect, stop letting your fear control you. I said those words in the mirror three more times before I began to touch up my make-up and put on some lipstick. As I hung the garment bag on the back of the door, I wondered what outfit my aunts had picked out for me because I was fairly certain they swapped what I had chosen because it wasn’t “dressy” enough. They always used to tell me pants were too casual no matter how expensive the material.

  I unzipped the bag and nodded approvingly when I saw the black pencil skirt and ivory chiffon shirt. At least they liked the shirt I picked out. I slipped into the outfit and then wrapped my hair into a twist, pinning it with two pearl clips they’d put into a small jewelry pouch. They’d even included my grama’s pearl earrings and necklace, so I put them on as well. An elegant southern lady from tip to toe.

  I assumed they’d added a perfect pair of kitten heels to accompany this ensemble but when I looked at the bottom of the duffle bag, there was a wrapped shoebox. It had a small white note card tucked under the dark red bow and my name was penned in block lettering on the front. “I have the lingerie that’ll match these. Can’t wait to see you in them.~ Corbin”

  I ripped open the box and found the most gorgeous pair of deep crimson heels. As I removed them, I couldn’t help but run my hands along the soft suede. My body warmed as I imagined him picking out the perfect outfit to match these but as the naughty thoughts started to invade my brain, I realized that now was not the time to let my mind wander. I was, however, already counting the minutes until I could show him exactly how much I appreciated these beauties. Auction first, seduction later.

  As I slid the heels onto my feet and stared into the mirror once again, I willed my nerves and my libido to calm down. This was a big day for my aunts and I. Generations Antiques was well known for having some of the best finds, but with all the out-of-towners in attendance, I hoped this event would increase our reach even further.

  I stuffed my other clothes into the bag and picked up the bathroom, leaving it as spotless as when I walked in. I then moved out into the hall and set my things inside the small closet. Just as I turned the skeleton key in the lock, I heard the distinctive cackle of the Flannigan sisters. I took a deep breath and prayed for strength, as they were a handful on a good day. I made a mental note to tell the bartender to keep the wine in their wine spritzers to a minimum. As I stepped off the landing, I spotted Corbin immediately. It was no surprise he was surrounded by the pair. The Flannigan sisters were the town cougars and not the feline type, but the widowed, catty kind who thought any man with money was the perfect catch.

  When my heels clicked on the stairs, his eyes snapped to me. Even though the women were still shrieking at him, I had his full attention. I walked down each step, careful not to slip in my new shoes. I held onto the rail until I reached the bottom, then took Corbin’s hand.

  “Nice shoes,” he crooned close to my ear.

  “Yeah, this really hot guy I know bought them for me. I think he has a crush on me.”

  The corner of his mouth turned up and he kissed my hand. “It’s a little more than a crush.”

  “Why Jorja, how do you and Mr. Gorgeous here know one another?” The eldest sister with the pumpkin colored hair chided.

  “Yes, do tell how your paths have crossed,” the other sister insisted.

  Corbin squeezed my hand. “Actually, I’m the owner of this house and the one who's been pursuing Jorja for her many talents," he winked. “She’s been dodging me, I might add, but I’m persistent.”

  The shocked look on both of their faces was priceless and Corbin was enjoying every second of it. He pulled me to his side and gave me a gentle peck on the lips, not enough to be scandalous but enough to prove a point to the now unbelievably jealous Fla
nnigan sisters. I pursed my lips as we glided passed them and when we were out of earshot, I couldn’t help but comment on his wickedness. “You are awful.”

  “Awfully what,” he retorted.

  I withheld my answer because his proximity to me was having an effect and I needed to stay focused. “I have to do a check on everything. The tour will be starting soon and I want to do one last sweep and check on the food service. I’ll find you in a bit.”

  I was about three steps away when he called out. “Lucas and I will check the rooms, you worry about the other stuff.”

  I waved my hand and mouthed “thank you” before I moved through the gathering crowd. The waiters had already begun putting the food out and the bartenders were hopping and bopping with a line of folks waiting to get their drinks. So far so good. The auctioneer was setting up his gavel at the podium and Heddie and Vivian were entertaining Paxton and the slew of guests he’d invited. I walked over to the stairs and went halfway up, looking for the best vantage point to announce the guidelines and rules for the tour/auction.

  “Everyone.” I waited. “Excuse me, may I have everyone’s attention, please.” The crowd began to quiet and all turned to look in my direction, their cocktails in one hand and appetizers in the other. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming today. I do hope that you enjoy not only the rich history of this house, but also the exquisite pieces Rhetta Rhyland collected over the years. It’s come to my attention this past week that Rhetta may have been misunderstood. I think she was just a woman who enjoyed her solitude and hopefully as you tour her home you too will see why the stories of her wickedness pale in comparison to her discerning taste.”