“Graham.” I grab his hand to stop him as he moves to leave the room. “Will you tell me about your siblings too? I don’t know anything about your family.”
I feel his hand tense in mine. “There’s nothing to tell. I don’t have any siblings. I don’t have a family. I never have.”
With that, he pulls away and leaves without another word.
Chapter Forty-One
Graham
This marriage will be a part of me forever. The scent of my wife’s skin, the vibrancy of her eyes when she stares into mine, and her touch – the way she touches me – will never leave me.
If all I get with her is the promised three months, I will live the rest of my days coasting through on the memories of moments like this.
I’ll never want another woman the way I want Trina.
She sighs as she takes another small bite of the lemon tart that we’re sharing.
I watch her carefully, taking note of the way her tongue slicks her bottom lip and the soft smile that settles on her mouth as she swallows the sweet treat.
“This cake is out of this world,” Lloyd says from next to me as he devours the single slice of chocolate cake I bought.
He was in the library when I went to seek him out.
Neither of us mentioned that it was nearing nine by then. I’d spent hours in bed with my wife as an appetizer to what I plan to do to her later.
I’m going to plant kisses over every inch of her body before I take her slowly.
I want the fuck tonight to last until daybreak.
Sleep is becoming a nuisance. It’s time lost with Trina. Time I’ll never be able to recover once she files for divorce.
“It’s my mom’s recipe,” Trina states proudly. “She once told me it took her years to perfect it.”
“It was worth it.” Lloyd chuckles. “It’s by far the best I’ve tasted in my entire life.”
His entire life.
Those words draw Trina’s gaze to mine. I see the sorrow that has settled in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. His life is nearing its end.
I want to change that, but I can’t fix what ails Lloyd. I wish to hell I could.
“Graham bought samples of lots of different treats. I’ll put the rest in the fridge for us to taste test tomorrow.” Trina tries to lighten the mood. “Does anyone want coffee or tea?”
Lloyd shakes off the suggestion with a wave of his hand in the air. “Nothing for me. I’m going to find a book and get ready for bed.”
I push back to lend him a hand as he stands. “I’ll go with you to the library.”
Trina stands too. “I’ll put the dishes in the sink.”
The T-shirt she’s wearing inches up to reveal a sliver of the smooth skin of her stomach above the waistband of her jeans.
That’s going to be the starting point for my kiss-fueled journey of her body tonight.
“You can load the dishwasher later, can’t you, darling?”
I fight off a smile. “You bet, dear.”
Trina bats her long lashes at me. “I’ll clear the table and then take a bath.”
I want in on that bath, so I place a hand on Lloyd’s back to move him along.
He turns to face Trina. “Have I thanked you today for making Bull the happiest man alive?”
His words catch my breath in my throat because they’re the truth.
“He makes me happy too,” Trina responds. “He’s a pretty great husband.”
I glance at her. “I’ll find you in a bit.”
“You will.” She wiggles both brows before her attention shifts to Lloyd. “Goodnight. Sleep well and dream good dreams.”
“You too.” He moves to kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
I pray he does.
I want him to live forever, and it’s not only because life will be hard without him.
When he’s gone, this marriage is over, and I’m not ready for that.
I doubt like hell I ever will be.
“You gave her those earrings today, didn’t you?” Lloyd asks as soon as we round the corner and enter the library.
I let out a light chuckle. “How did you know?”
His hand darts to his ear. “Trina kept touching them. She was checking to see if they were still there. That’s a sure sign that a woman has just received new jewelry.”
Shaking my head, I follow him into the room. “That’s a hell of a lot more insight into women than I’ll ever have.”
He turns to face me. “You’re learning, Bull. It’s one step at a time.”
I scan the shelves of books before my gaze settles back on him. “How are you feeling, Lloyd?”
“Good.” He nods before he repeats the word with more exuberance. “Good.”
“Have you given any more thought to my offer?”
He glances in my direction. “What offer?”
Seeing as how there is only one offer on the table, I remind him. “The offer to see another doctor. I’m going to do some research into who is the best cardiologist in the state. I’ll convince them to make time for you.”