Page 43 of The Holy Grail
“What do you mean?”
“Well, our differences were sort of revealed gradually to me, but I think my mom just had better intuition from the beginning.”
“So what was the final straw?”
Malcom’s expression turned uncomfortable. “There just came a time when our differences were insurmountable. Gwen ended up wanting more than I was willing to give, and that was the end.”
Jules could have said she was sorry, but if things had worked out for Malcom and his wife, Jules wouldn’t be dating him now, so she wasn’t really sorry—especially since Gwen seemed like a selfish person. So, instead Jules asked, “Do you ever regret ending your marriage?”
“No. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And easiest.”
It was said with such absolute certainty, Jules knew it was completely true and he had no lingering regrets about it. It also piqued her interest about what ‘more’ Gwen had wanted which had led to the dissolution of their marriage, but decided that was maybe a question for their third date.
“Do your parents want you to get married and settle down?” Malcom asked.
“Honestly, I think they would, just because they’re so happy and want that for me, but they also know that happiness looks different for different people. So, I think they just want me to be happy, whatever that looks like for me.”
“Jesus, your parents sound like amazing people.”
“They are. I got lucky that day.”
“You mean the day you were conceived?”
“No, the day they adopted me.”
“You were adopted?”
Jules nodded. “I was.”
“I’ve never known anyone who was adopted.”
“Well, we’re pretty much just ordinary people.”
He took her hand and squeezed, his gaze direct and full of heat. “There’s nothing ordinary about you.”
Chapter 12
G-spot whisperer
When dinner was finished, Jules went to help Malcom clean up the kitchen, but he waved her off.
“You’re the guest,” he said.
“All right,” she acquiesced, but instead of going back to her chair, she hopped up on the island to stay close to him. She had no real domestic experience with a man, and found herself actually enjoying watching him tidy his domain—she also really enjoyed checking him out and appreciating the graceful way he moved. He appeared so comfortable in his own skin it seemed hard to believe he could ever be shy, or in any way self-conscious.
Maybe it did come and go? If that was the case, it was definitely gone for now.
It didn’t take long until he was done, and he returned to her. Jules spread her legs a little to give him room in front of her and he leaned forward, hands beside her thighs on the countertop. The simple act of being semi-boxed in had her senses buzzing with anticipation for whatever was going to come next.
It was her turn to become slightly flushed under his gaze, her heart rate increasing as he slowly leaned in to kiss her. Malcom tasted like maple syrup as she teased his tongue with hers, reveling in the crush of his lips. Too soon—and to her disappointment—he ended the kiss.
“Lay back,” he ordered, the words soft, yet firm.
It took her a few seconds to register what he’d said, and then her thoughts began whirling. Jules could really only think of two reasons why he’d want her on her back, andthe height of the island might make one of them a little difficult for him, despite the fact he was fairly tall.
Which meant … Malcom wanted to go down on her?
On their second date? Before he’d seen her naked, or even played with her tits?
