Chapter 39

Iwoke slowly, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. I stretched my arms and then realized I didn't remember going to bed. In fact, the last thing I remembered was sitting on the couch with Graham. Realization dawned as a smile spread across my face. He must have carried me to bed. The thought filled me with a warmth that radiated from the depths of my very soul.

He was a good man. A really good man. He made me feel cherished and taken care of. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I felt like someone took care of me. I had been Sloane's sole caretaker for fifteen years. I was the one that always had to make decisions and be strong for my daughter. I didn't get to be sick or lazy or choose to be selfish. Graham shouldered that burden. Part of it. It was so nice to have a partner. I couldn't believe I had denied myself this pleasure for fourteen years. All I had to do was reach out.

I inhaled and realized I was smelling the tantalizing scent of breakfast. I didn't want Sloane on her feet. I appreciated her cooking breakfast, but I wanted her to heal. I pulled on my robe and made my way to the kitchen. Before I got down the hall, I heard voices. It was a sound I would cherish.

I walked into the kitchen and saw Sloane and Graham laughing over something. Sloane was sitting on a barstool, drinking a glass of orange juice.

"Good morning," I greeted them.

"Hey, Mom." Sloane smiled.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked.

"Making breakfast," Graham replied. "Sloane said you like fresh strawberries with your waffles."

"I do." I nodded.

"Coffee is ready," Graham said.

"Are you staying off your foot?" I asked Sloane.

"Yes," she sighed. "He told me I had to sit here and cut strawberries."

"Good," I said.

I wasn't sure how to talk to Graham in front of Sloane. I wanted to greet Graham with a kiss, but that would give away our little secret. The two of them were talking about Taylor Swift. I was surprised by how much he knew about the singer. As I watched them, I felt an ache in my heart. How could I have been so blind to the void that had existed in her life for so long?

I made a silent vow to make up for lost time—to cherish every moment, every shared laugh from this moment forward.

"Do you need help?" I asked.

"Nope." Graham shook his head. "Sit down and relax. I've got this."

I sat down next to Sloane, appreciating the pampering. Graham found the plates and quickly dished us up. The three of us sat at the breakfast bar, eating what turned out to be a very good breakfast.

"I guess I'm not the only cook in the family," I said.

"This is your waffle recipe," Graham replied. "Sloane told me where to find it."

After breakfast, Sloane gave me the look. I knew the look. She wanted something and she was debating how to ask it in order to get the response she wanted.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Can I go to Todd's?" she asked.

Graham looked taken aback. He was already protective of her.

"Will his parents be there?" I asked.

Sloane rolled her eyes in response, a hint of exasperation evident in her tone. "Of course they will, Mom," she replied, her words tinged with a touch of annoyance. "I'm not stupid. I'm not doing anything wrong. We're just going to play Xbox and listen to music."

I looked at Graham. He should have a say in this. He shrugged and then gave a slight nod.

"Alright, but you need to stay off your foot," I told her.

She grinned. "Thanks."

"Should I call for a car?" I asked her.

"No, he's coming to pick me up."

"Alone? Does he have a license? How old is this kid?"

She sighed. "No, his parents are driving. They went out to breakfast and said they could come by and pick me up."

"Fine." I nodded.

Sloane disappeared to get ready, leaving Graham and me alone in the kitchen. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. "So, the apartment is about to be empty?" he murmured, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

I couldn't help but laugh at his suggestive tone. It seemed he was already reading my mind. "Sounds like it."

"I'm going to get dressed," I told him. "Don't let her leave. I'd like to meet his parents."

"Me too," he said.

I quickly dressed in jeans and a sweater for a lazy Saturday. Sloane had just come out of her room. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"We're going to walk you down," I answered.

"Um, you guys don't have to come down with me," Sloane stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I can handle it."

"We'll come down with you," I said firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument.

She rolled her eyes again. "This is so embarrassing."

Graham looked at me and grinned. He was enjoying this. Another first for his role as father. Todd and his parents were waiting in the lobby.

We went through the introductions. Sloane introduced Graham as her father, which had him puffing up. I saw the pride in his eyes.

"We'll have Sloane back by dinner," his mother said.

We watched them walk out to their waiting car. Graham put his arm around my waist. "I'm not sure I like this," he said.

"Like what?"

"Watching her walk away," he answered.

"Me either," I sighed. "But she's fourteen. Do you remember when you were fourteen?"

His eyes widened. "I'm going to bring her back in here immediately."

I laughed and pulled him back. "Stop. She's fine."

"I was a fourteen-year-old boy," he said. "I know exactly what that boy is thinking. And what he wants to do."

"Sloane is a smart girl," I assured him. "I trust her."

"I trust her. I don't trust him."

"Come on, there's an empty apartment upstairs."

His face lit up. "Oh yeah, there is."

In the elevator, Graham was suddenly very handsy. I giggled, slapping his hands away. "There are cameras," I hissed.

"So, we'll give them a show."

"I have to see the security people every day." I laughed. "I need to be able to look them in the eyes."

He positioned his body in front of mine, totally blocking me from the camera in the corner. Before he could do anything, the elevator jolted to a stop and the door slid open. He dragged me out of the elevator and quickly got me inside. As soon as the door clicked shut behind us, Graham's lips crashed against mine, igniting a passion that swept through me like a wildfire. His body pressed against mine, pinning me against the wall as our kiss deepened.

My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. He gently removed my sweater and ran his fingers through my hair, pulling me closer to him.

"Why do you turn me on so much?" I moaned against his lips. "You make me hot. So hot."

"You're just desperate for my attention."

I playfully slapped his chest, trying to catch my breath. "I most certainly am not! But you certainly know how to make a girl feel desired."

His lips found their way back to mine. His hands slid down my sides and around to grab my ass. He pulled me against him, letting me feel his erection. I wanted to mount him right there against the wall.

He broke away from the kiss just long enough to whisper in my ear. "You are the sexiest woman I've ever met."

My heart raced. He was right. I was desperate for his attention, but more than that, I was eager to explore this new side of us. We were like a couple of teenagers—like nothing ever changed.

He picked me up effortlessly and started to carry me to my bedroom when my phone started to ring. "It might be Sloane," I said.

He groaned and put me down. I looked at the screen and cringed. "It's my dad."

"Damn, that's a boner killer," he said.

I sent it to voicemail. But before we could pick up where we left off, he called right back. "Dammit," I muttered. "It must be important. I'm sorry. Give me a moment."

I answered the call. "Hello, Dad," I said with a sigh.

"I'm about to be outside your building, Isadora," he said, his voice tight with barely contained frustration. "I'm tired of trying to get you on the phone, and we need to talk. I know you're home."

I looked around as if I was going to spot him hiding in a corner. "Dad, it's not a good time."

"Five minutes, Isadora. And don't you dare try to skip out on this."

The blood drained from my face as his words sank in. A knot of dread formed in the pit of my stomach. Why on earth was my father showing up unannounced, demanding to talk? What could be so urgent that he couldn't even wait for me to call him back?

Before I could say anything, the line went dead. My very exciting afternoon of hot sex was dashed. "Shit," I muttered.

"What's going on?" Graham asked.

"You have to go," I said. "Now."

"Why? What happened?"

"My father is going to be here any minute. I don't want him to know about this. Not yet."

He nodded with understanding. "I see."

"Graham, you know it's not because I don't want him to know about you, but he ruins everything he touches."

"I get it," he said. "I'll be here if you need me. Just give me a call."

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling guilty for kicking him out.

"Don't be." He gave me a quick kiss before walking out.

I waited for my father's arrival. A million thoughts raced through my mind, each more terrifying than the last. What could he possibly want to talk about? And what would happen when he found out about Graham? I knew how my father felt about him. Good old Dad wouldn't be starting up the Graham fan club anytime soon.

But I was an adult. He didn't get to make decisions for me. He didn't know Graham like I did. I paced the living room, my heart pounding in my chest.

I had no idea what the old man wanted. What if it was about something I had no control over? I didn't know if it was about me leaving the company or if he found out about Graham. I suddenly remembered the breakfast dishes and rushed over to hide the evidence of a guest.

"Shit!"

The blankets on the couch. I raced over, scooped them up, and tossed them in the coat closet. My eyes scanned the area looking for any other signs I had a visitor stay over. The ridiculousness of it all was not lost on me.

I was a grown woman trying to hide my boyfriend from my dad.

"Stupid."