Falling Hard Read Online Free PDF Page B

sorry.” Her voice sounded strained and unhappy.
     
    She’s probably feeling guilty. I probably should have too, but I didn't. I bent to kiss her cheek. “I hope you're not regretting last night, Tanya.”
     
    She drew away from me. “I am, but not for the reason you think. I don’t want you to think I’m easy.”
     
    “I don’t,” I said quickly. “I never thought you were.”
     
    “How could you not? I've slept with you only two months after having your brother’s baby.” She looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
     
    I knelt next to her and rubbed my cheek against her leg. “I was kind of hoping Thomasie could be ours—yours and mine.”
     
    I felt her stiffen and looked up to find her peering down at me. “You don’t think I’m—”
     
    “I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I know I’m eleven years older than you, but I was hoping... would you stay with me?”
     
    She touched my hair with her free hand. “For how long?”
     
    “Oh, I don’t know.” I shrugged. “How about a nice round figure? Say, for the rest of your life?”
     
    She smiled but shook her head. “Nope, that's too long. I can’t commit myself to you for more than fifty, maybe sixty years tops. After that I’m outta here.”
     
    “Well, if that’s all you have to give, I guess I’ll have to make do with it.” I stood up, and then bent down to kiss her lips.
     
    After a moment of locking lips, she pushed me away.
     
    “What? You're tired of me already?”
     
    “In case you haven't noticed, I'm breastfeeding here, handsome.”
     
    Handsome? Damn. Things were definitely looking up. She kissed her cheek. “I'll go make breakfast.”
     
    “And while you're at it, put some clothes on or...”
     
    I turned at the door. “Or what?”
     
    “Or I can't promise to keep my hands off you.”
     
    I grinned. “Then I am definitely not putting any clothes on.”
     
    I smiled at the sound of her laughter as I headed towards the kitchen to make breakfast.
     
    * * *
     
    The first few days after we made love felt like a beautiful dream. I woke in bed with her each morning thinking things were too perfect. I was happier than I’d ever been. Tanya seemed thrilled, too. Thomasie was a happy, healthy baby. I loved coming home to them each night after work. We felt like a family. And I wanted to keep things that way.
     
    “Have you ever considered not returning to work?” I asked her as we had dinner one night.
     
    “Yes and then reality rears its head and I have to think about Thomas's and my future.”
     
    “Why don't you let me do that, honey?”
     
    She put her fork down. “You?”
     
    “Yes. Me”
     
    “You already work a difficult job.”
     
    “I like my job so it's not difficult and I'm happy to get a part time one so you can stay home and be a full-time mom.”
     
    “That's a big step, Tom.”
     
    “I know, but it’s what I want to do. Will you think about it?”
     
    “I don't have to. I want that too...if you're sure.”
     
    I reached across the table to hold her hand. “I'm very sure.”
     
    “Then so am I, but I don't want you working any second job. I'll get a part time one.”
     
    “That's not necessary. I—”
     
    “Let's do that and then neither one of us will be too tired to enjoy our time with Tommy and each other.”
     
    “Okay, you can start looking for a part time job in a few months. For now, stay home with Tommy.”
     
    She nodded. “Deal.”
     
    I squeezed her hand. “And in the meantime, let's start looking around for a house.”
     
    “A house? Tom..a house?”
     
    I nodded. “Ryan and I have been talking about opening a garage of our own for a while. Now I think it's something we really want to do.” I had other plans I wasn't ready to discuss with her yet. Plans to marry her. I felt pretty sure she cared for me as deeply as I did her.
     
    But I wanted to surprise her. So one Saturday I told her I was going fishing and spent the