1102 Sugar Rd. (Cherry Falls)

It sucked leaving the doctor’s office and not being able to go home with Graham and Logan, but with teachers being out, the need for me to be there on the last day before fall break was a necessity. That didn’t mean I didn’t take my full hour for lunch while I was with them. I did that and stomped my foot like Logan would do when he wasn’t ready to go to bed. That was the first time Graham kissed me in front of my son. I’m not sure why I was worried. Graham is all in. He showed me that with every single thing he did—playing with Logan, taking him to the Sheriff’s office to show him around, making dinner every night. There’s nothing better to come home to than Logan and Graham, especially once Logan goes to bed. That’s when our time begins, it’s also where I am now.

My naked body pressed against Graham’s, replete after the thorough workout he gave me using his hands, tongue, and cock. And being celibate for years on end was definitely worth it if it led me to Graham.

“What has your brain on overdrive?” Graham is playing with my hair. My head is resting on his chest as I listen to the rhythmic beating of his heart, obsessing about how perfect our time has been, worrying about my past for no good reason.

“Everything and nothing.” I lift my head. Graham’s hand tangles in my hair, something I’ve learned he loves to do and is a natural occurrence.

“I’m here, Faith. I know my job worries you, I know you have a shit past, but, baby, our days are nothing but bright and filled with sunshine.” I probably should get to the root of why every time Graham was chasing me, I went into hiding.

“Yeah, that’s some of it, not all of it. I never told you about Logan’s father or my parents, and I need to. It’s not pretty. In fact, it’s really freaking ugly, but before I even tell you about it, I want you to know I’m okay. It sucked, and it hurt. I’m stronger than ever, but that doesn’t mean certain insecurities don’t pop up from time to time.” Graham’s hand stops sliding through my hair, instead, the palm of his hand tips my head up until our eyes meet, unable to keep staring at his chest.

“Ugly or pretty, good or bad, sickness or health, rich or poor. I’m here no matter what. Might get pissed, may need to walk it off if I am. That doesn’t mean I’ll take it out on you.” Graham’s lips slide against mine in the softest way possible.

“Okay, if you’re sure. Maybe we should put some clothes on first?” I go to lift up and away from him, but that doesn’t happen.

“Want you right where you are,” Graham states.

“Even if we’re talking about another man? Doesn’t that go against some kind of guy code?” I question.

“Was my cock just inside you? Were my lips pressed to yours? My name is what you breathed out when you were coming around my length. Pretty sure I can handle you talking about some pea-sized dick.” I guess when Graham says it like that, it makes perfectly logical sense.

“Well, okay, yeah,” I stammer. “I was young when I had Logan, not as young as some could be. Twenty-one wasn’t too bad. A broken condom with my then college boyfriend changed things completely. The baby daddy asked me to get rid of it, if you catch my drift. I’d never do that, not when I knew in my heart that even if I had to go it alone, I would, without a second glance. It wasn’t easy to swallow my pride and let me parents know what happened. They tried to push us together, to get married, but when I mentioned that Chris—that’s Logan’s sperm donor’s name—insisted on abortion, they didn’t rally behind me. They insisted I either fix things with Chris or put my unborn child up for adoption. The third option was to leave home. Which is what I did, and I never looked back.” I moved before laying my heart on the line, telling Graham a deep secret that only two of my friends in Cherry Falls know about. Those would be Lily and Wren. Graham’s hand is under my neck, my head on his shoulder, waiting to hear what he has to say about all things Faith Bridges.

“Shit. Sucks what you went through. You could have buckled, done what they told you to. Not have had Logan, which I can’t imagine even for a second, you two are a package deal. I hate like hell that you had to struggle, but, baby, you came out on top. And I’m not leaving you or Logan, not if I have my way.” Graham flips me over, his big brawny body swooping on top of me. Tears are streaming down my face from his words alone, and when he kisses me, it has more meaning, more depth, more emotion than those three little words women and men seem to throw out way too easily these days. I’m thankful Graham is choosing to show me just what we mean to him instead.