She shook her head. “Nope. The only place we’re going is to the bedroom to get you undressed and in bed.” She imagined that between him only having two and a half hours sleep the previous night, the long day at work at some grotesque crime scene, the blows to the head he’d received and the alcohol, the best thing for him at the moment was sleep.
“I’m fine.” He lifted his head, attempted a smile and stood. “Let’s go.”
She laughed and took his hand. “Only place you’re going is bed.” She gave his hand a tug, leading him to the bedroom.
“I’m fine Ginny, really.”
She ignored him, flicking on the light as she led him into the bedroom. “You have the next couple of days off right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well then we can spend the day together tomorrow. You’re going to bed.”
“I don’t want to impose.” As he protested she busied herself stripping his clothes from his body. “I really don’t need you fussing.”
She looked up at him, determination flashing in her eyes. “Yeah. You do. So stop arguing and finish getting undressed. I’ll get you some aspirin. I want you completely naked by the time I get back. I’ll wash your clothes while you sleep.” She didn’t wait for a response, but heard a dry “Yes, Ma’am” as she exited the room, making her grin.
Making a side trip to the living room she picked up her makeshift bouquet of flowers and made her way into the kitchen. After shaking the soil from the roots of the flowers she found a vase, filled it with water and placed them inside, arranging them so they looked as good as a bunch of random flowers could.
“May not be roses, but it’s the thought,” she murmured to herself with a smile on her lips, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and then grabbing the bottle of aspirin.
“Okay, I’ve got umm–” She skidded to a halt just inside the doorway of the bedroom.
Graham was completely naked, sprawled out spread-eagle on top of the comforter sound asleep.
Chapter 13
~ Genevieve ~
The smell and sound of bacon sizzling woke Genevieve. She stretched and groaned softly.
“You awake?”
Her eyes sprung open to see Graham wide awake and smiling, standing in the doorway of the bedroom in just the boxers she’d washed the previous night. She returned his smile, sitting up in bed.
“I am. Something smells amazing.”
“Tastes amazing too. Stay put.” His eyes drank every inch of her in. “And no need to rush in getting dressed on my account.” He gave her a wink before turning and disappearing from the doorway.
Doing as told she remained in bed and waited for his return. When he did return, there was a silver platter in his hands. On the platter was a plate of breakfast, glass of orange juice and a vase with red roses in it.
“Awww, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I did.” He placed the platter on the night side table next to the bed and sat down next to her.
Grabbing the vase of roses she brought them to her nose and inhaled their fragrance. “When did you go get the roses?”
“As soon as I woke up and saw the bouquet I gave you last night I ran to the store.” He cringed. “I’m sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am about last night.”
“How are you feeling?” The bacon smelled too good and she was helpless to resist it any longer. Putting the roses back on the tray she grabbed the plate he prepared for her and popped a piece of bacon into her mouth. He looked better. The swelling in his lip was gone and the darkness around his eye had lightened – slightly.
“Much better. Between the lack of sleep and beer.”
She leaned over and kissed him softly. “I understand.”
“But the good news is that I’ve finally got things settled with Dane.” He grimaced. “At least I think I did; things started getting hazy as the evening progressed.”
“Can I ask what the deal is with your ex?” She’d been wanting to ask since he’d mentioned he’d been married, but didn’t want to pry. After the outburst from Dane, she felt it was something she needed to know and couldn’t hold her curiosity any longer.
Graham sighed and stretched out on the bed beside her, on his back with his fingers laced behind his head. “Well, she’d been with Dane for a couple of years and she wanted to get married. Dane, however, cared for her, maybe even loved her, but he didn’t want to settle down.
He likes the fast life with no one telling him what to do or tying him down.”
“I see.”
“So she had enough and he was sick of her nagging for something more serious so they broke up. She presented him with an ultimatum and for lack of a better way of explaining it, he told her to not let the door hit her in the ass on her way out. Not too long afterward she started calling me and dropping by. Eventually things got serious between us and to make a long story short I gave her what she wanted. But I wasn’t really what she wanted.”
“I don’t get it.”
“I think she always wanted Dane. She married me because I was a Dane substitute. I didn’t see that at the time, but realize that now.” He shot her a rueful grin.
“Has Dane ever considered taking her back after you two split?”
Graham laughed. “Hell no. Dane holds grudges, he saw her going to me as a betrayal even though they were broken up at the time and had been for some time. Dane and I always had an agreement to never date someone the other has been with. I broke that rule to be with Emma and Dane and I had a severe falling out over it. He even refused to attend the wedding. I think he still had a thing for her, but he just wouldn’t admit it.”
“Then why be with her if it meant you’d have issues with your brother?”
“I was stupid. I love being part of a couple and I did have a connection with her, or thought I did.” He shrugged. “Truth is I want to be married and have babies and grow old with someone. I just picked the wrong girl to do that with. And in truth, I knew Dane would eventually accept it.”
Genevieve let out a loud huff of air and nodded. “So how are your feelings toward Emma now?” The last thing she wanted was a rebound guy. She doubted her healing heart could handle being left for someone else so soon after Alex.
“I have no feelings, good or bad really. Embarrassment would be about it since we split because she was fucking the FedEx guy. Which, let me tell ya, Dane won’t let me forget. Either way, she’s part of the past and that’s about it.”