“Thanks, Graham,” Faith says after Logan demanded I read him his bedtime story this time around with his mom snuggling in beside him.
“Not needed. Glad I was there to help you guys out. Come, take a load off and let’s figure out what you’re going to do now that Logan’s basically staying home from school even longer.” She’s still wearing the blood-stained shirt, not having bothered to change or shower when we got home. Instead spending every minute with Logan.
“God, I haven’t even thought that far in advance. I’m going to have to take unpaid leave,” she admits.
“Nah, I’ll come over here in the morning, hang with him for the day. I wasn’t kidding about taking some much-needed time off. I would rather do it hanging out with Logan than working on the house alone.” I kick my feet up and on the coffee table, hoping Faith will get the hint that I’m not leaving anytime soon.
“Are you sure, Graham? That’s a lot to offer for a whole lot of nothing.” If she were settled in there becoming an us, and soon, I’d tease her with several things I want from her. We’re not at that point, though.
“Without a doubt. Why don’t you go relax for a few minutes. I’ll stay here in case Logan wakes up, then head home. You tell me what time you need to be at work, and I’ll be here in the morning. Just make sure you leave me his booster seat just in case. Once he’s better, I may take him to my office and give him a grand tour.” Logan’s only been in the main area where the secretary sits. Something tells me he wouldn’t mind looking at the inner workings of it, and his mind would be blown away.
“You can leave. I have baby monitors I’m probably going to pull out for the night. If his bed were big enough and he didn’t spin around in circles in his sleep, I’d be sleeping with him.”
“Take a shower first, without worrying. Then you can pull them out, or if you want, I’ll carry him to your bed if you’d rather.” It’s hard to tell a strong independent woman what to do. Fuck, I’ve tried to do that with Faith before, and she shut down.
“Fine, I don’t think you’ll give it a rest until I do. Plus, I kind of smell.” She laughs but does as I suggest.
“Not sure you could ever stink. A hot shower and some time to yourself will help. I’ll sit in his room while you relax.” I stand up from the couch and make my way towards her while she’s standing in the middle of the room wringing her fingers.
“I don’t think you’ll stop until I do.” A foot is all that separates us. Not liking that a bit, I move closer.
“You’re right about that.” My arms move around her, pulling her to me, holding her, and when I feel her body slacken, I know she needed this hug more than ever. I hold her, not just because she needs it, but because here wrapped in the shelter in my arms is where I always want Faith and Logan to be.
Seven
Faith
“Dear God, forgive me for I have sinned,” I say out loud to the kitchen. After last night, the meaning of this sinning, well, thankfully, it happened in the comfort of my bed. Though, if Graham had taken things one step further last night, I would have let him without any hesitation. He was true to his word and stayed in Logan’s room while I took a shower, suffering mom guilt for enjoying the time to wash my hair, twice, shave my legs, and then let the water pour over my beat-up body until it ran cold. That’s not what I’m asking forgiveness for, no, that would be because of Graham kissing me senseless, his thumb gliding over my fevered skin at the base of my neck, and then me being even more reckless after he left.
The baby monitor was on. After checking on Logan one last time, I was in my bed with a wicked fantasy of just what Graham could do with those capable lips and hands. The absolute worst part was that it didn’t even quelch the thirst he built up inside me. If anything, it just made me weak—weak in the knees, weak in the heart, and definitely weak in the mind.
That’s probably why I’m hemming and hawing about my hair, clothes, and whatever else I can fidget with. It’d be really helpful if Logan woke up and requested his breakfast like he usually does. Sometimes, it’ll be waffles, cereal, bagels, whatever he wishes I usually keep on hand. Besides Logan being extremely smart for his age, he’s particular about what he has to eat, minus ice cream—that’s the one thing he’ll do anything to get his hands on. Otherwise, it’s a healthy and nutritiously balanced breakfast. I look at the clock one last time knowing Graham is beyond punctual and will be here in the next few minutes. What I was thinking of taking him up on his offer to watch Logan, I have no idea. I do know that doughnuts aren’t going to cut it.