The storm that night had come on abruptly. The pounding rain, the crash of lighting seemed to go well with Hannah's dilemma. She couldn't sleep. Henry's words pounded in her head over and over again.
"You are most definitely pregnant. End of the first trimester."
He had waited for her to respond. But there had been nothing. Hannah just glared at him like he was speaking a foreign language.
"I can contact Logan, " he added.
He had meant well but those words set her off, "Of course you can. He hasn't tried to contact me whatsoever, but a you're a fellow Xmen, of course he would make sure you knew where he was."
"Hannah, you know what he is like."
She could barely contain herself. She was angry, "Oh, yes, I do. Out of sight out of mind. And you won't contact him, Henry. Under no circumstances is he to know about this."
"Hannah, I think that is a mistake."
Hannah began to pace the floor, blocking Henry out she began to rant, "Or my father, or anyone else in this place. I need some time, I have a concert in a few days and I can't let anything get in the way of that. It's important to me." She turned to see the concern on Henry's face. She took a deep breath and calmly spoke, "I can deal with this. It's about time I took on my own problems. Henry, I do have your word, please. You mustn't tell anyone."
"Doctor patient confidentiality. I wouldn't think of it. But there are people who care for you Hannah, that should know."
"In time. My time." On those words she had walked out of the room.
Now as she sat in her bed, her knees clutched close to her chest, listening to the storm, she realized she had no idea what she was doing. How was she going to deal with any of this? A baby. She thought about her mother. What had it been like for her to receive the news of her pregnancy 26 years ago? A pregnancy by a man she knew she could never have a future with. How she wished her mother was here to tell her what to do. Her mother had been through it; her mother coped and dealt with it. There was no reason she couldn't do the same. But Hannah couldn't see anything clearly. The baby, the recital, Logan…all of it clouding her mind. And then there was Graham.
Graham. Lovely Graham who would give her the world if he could. He was her best friend, the man she could confide everything in and he loved her. Graham would know what to do. She quickly jumped off the bed and found her clothes crumpled on the floor where she had thrown them off earlier. The clock by her bed said 4:30 AM. She could get the train into the city and be there as Graham was waking up. As she trailed a brush through her tangled hair, the panic seemed to be subsiding. She could deal with this; she was her mother's daughter after all.
The rain didn't let up and once she arrived at Grand Central Station, she couldn't find a cab. So she walked. He lived in a loft in the village. It was a fair walk but this morning she felt a determination in her stride and the rain was not going to keep her from her destination. The New York streets were waking up and people were beginning to head to work. Smartly dressed, umbrellas in hand, Hannah was an odd sight; her long dark hair, now a stringy mess clinging to her face and her jeans and tennis shoes soaked. She felt a squish every step she took. But she kept moving. When she reached the door of the building she buzzed Graham's loft. The wet now was beginning to cause a chill and she fidgeted back and forth as the seconds felt like hours waiting for his voice. There was nothing. She buzzed again, this time pressing it more than once.
The muffled voice on the other end was not happy, "Alright already. You've got my attention. Who the hell are you and what do you want at this ungodly hour?"
Her confidence was now slowly diminishing, she sheepishly replied, "It's Hannah."
"Can't hear you? If you've got the nerve to wake me from my kip, then have the decency to speak up and tell me what you want."
She spoke a little louder, "It's Hannah, and I'll just go. I'm sorry, Graham, this was a mistake." She felt the tears coming.
The voice lost its hard edge, "Hannah, no don't go. I'm buzzing you up."
Hannah had already stepped away from the door and with her head down began to head back down the street.
When Graham heard no reply and there was no creaking sounds coming from the lift, he realized he had been too late. Throwing on the trench coat hanging on the coat rack, over his tartan PJ bottoms and tshirt, he darted down the steps barefoot. 5 floors down was quite a haul, but he soon was wide awake from the brisk run. When he opened the door to the outside, the blustering winds and rain hit him straight in the face. He looked both ways in hopes he wasn't too late. The streets were fairly dead but it was hard to make out any face. A sea of black umbrellas were all that was visible. He angrily clasped his hands together. Damn it. Which way would she have gone? He stood in the rain, contemplating a route to take when he saw the crouching soaking wet figure, taking shelter under the awning of the grocers on the corner to his right. He took a double take, as the figure's head slightly rose her eyes filled with tears. He would know those eyes anywhere. Ignoring the downpour he darted towards her.
"Hannah." He shouted as soon as he was in ear shot.
She looked up. In seconds he stood in front of her, removing his coat and draping it over her wet and shivering body. He brushed his hand across her face, "What the hell are you doing out in this weather at this time of the morning?" He said it with concern. There was no anger. She buried her head into his shirt and his arms enveloped her. He lifted her chin up gently, looking into her tearful eyes, smiling, "It doesn't matter. Let's get you into the warmth and get these wet clothes off you. I can't have my star come down with pneumonia right before her big night." She said nothing but let him escort her to his place.
Not a word was spoken all the way up the elevator, and even the creaks and moans of the machinery couldn't relieve the silence. Hannah backed away from Graham, into a far corner. He let her have her space, but as the door opened she reached for his hand, as if she couldn't take a step without his support. He had no idea what was going on, but figured she was having stage nerves about the performance. It was normal; he was just not used to this behavior coming from someone he felt he knew so well.
He unlocked his door, and felt her grip tighten on his hand. He smiled back at her reassuring her. As the door opened to the spacey loft, Hannah still held on tight. Her eyes surveyed the space carefully. The magnificent Steinway grand piano was the main focal point which wasn't a surprise to her. She associated Graham with his music, but the modern chrome cabinets in the kitchen, and tasteful art and furniture in the rest of the loft was a side of Graham she knew nothing about.
"Your first visit to my humble abode. Not much but it's home."
She turned to him and smiled, "It's wonderful." She let go of his hand and went to the huge windows peering out into the streets that were becoming alive with early morning traffic and pedestrians. She shivered and clutched herself tightly. The wetness forgotten for mere seconds now hit her hard. Graham moved closer to her and turned her towards the bathroom, "You need to get out of those things and take a nice warm bath. I'll get you a robe to put on and a cup of tea."
She felt slightly intimidated. She was in his house. She could see the messed up bed in the far corner. She had wakened him. "I shouldn't have come. I'm intruding."
"On what?"
"Your sleep. You were sleeping and I woke you up. I didn't even call you."
He pushed her towards the bathroom. "Get in the bath and then we'll talk. I assume that's why you're here."
She stared at him. He was so caring and warm. He would do anything for her. She nodded and smiled.
"Whatever is on your mind we can get through it. We're a team. Remember that. And you'll never be an intruder here."
She moved closer to him and gently kissed his lips. "Graham Eastborne, you are a wonderful man."
That was it. He was wonderful or kind but never anything more. They were involved in an odd sort of way. She kissed him, he held her hand or touched her briefly but she held back. He watched as she slowly closed the door. He wanted her more than she could ever want him. He loved her. And he knew her love was not the same but he kept holding on and hoping she would see what they could be together. It seemed hopeless but he had no intention of giving up. He let out a sigh and headed towards the kitchen to put the kettle on.
Hannah laid back closing her eyes as she sunk lower into the tub. She placed her hands on her naked belly, expecting to feel different. She was not just Hannah Masterson, the pianist; she was now Hannah Masterson, soon to be mother. This baby was growing inside her and she was going to be strong, like her mother had been. Logan popped into her head as she rubbed her fingers across her stomach. She loved him. It didn't matter that he was out of her life, that he had moved on somewhere else, she loved him. And she would love this baby. An image came to mind of a rolly polly infant cradled in her arms on a beautiful spring day in an English garden. He was his father: dark unruly hair and determined expression as he wrestled with a rattle. She smiled at the delightful image. Then the rattle broke and he showed strength and anger that she found hard to manage. Hannah clutched her belly in fear. A mutant child. It was a possibility she would have to face.
There was a knock at the door, which startled her and brought her back to reality. "I brought you my robe to put on. I'll just open the door and pop it on the toilet seat. I promise I won't peek."
She pulled the plug, stood up and grabbed a towel, quickly wrapping it around her. She loved Graham's gentlemen quality. He didn't burst into a room like Logan; he was respectful of her privacy. "It's alright, Graham, you can come in."
He turned his head away placing the robe on the toilet seat, "It's a bit ratty, but it will do. I've just popped your clothes into the dryer and I put the kettle on. I figured you'd appreciate a real English cup of tea."
She smiled, finding his behavior sweet and endearing, "I'm decent Graham, it's fine if you look."
Not knowing what to expect he turned to find her wrapped in towel. It was the most he had ever seen of her and he found it a bit much. Blushing he turned his head away, "You're hardly decent and I've promised you the one thing I am is a gentlemen so put the robe on."
"We used to play in a paddling pool together and I was naked as the day I was born."
"And you were also a toddler and I was still in short pants. You know Miss Masterson, for not knowing what your feelings are for me you sure know how to mess with my libido."
She thought about Logan. He would say the same thing. What the hell was she doing? She quickly grabbed the robe and slipped it on. Ashamed, she sulked out of the bathroom past him noticing the tea sitting on the kitchen counter. He stood at the door, surprised, once again, by her confusing behavior.
She regressed back to her English schoolgirl ways, "May I?" She pointed to the teapot.
"Of course. You know I was thinking I should probably give the professor a bell, let him know you're alright. He's probably worried sick about you."
"I am a grown woman." The words came out nasty and sharp. "He doesn't have to know everything." As she poured a cup of tea, she realized maybe this was exactly what she wanted. Maybe it was part of her plan. She brought the cup slowly towards her lips as Graham sat on a bar stool across from her watching her in utter confusion.
He rubbed his chin, as he leaned on the counter, "Wow, this isn't just about nerves concerning the recital obviously."
"No, it's definitely not. And I'm afraid things might change between us once I tell you what I need to tell you." She wasn't handling any of this well. One minute a total basket case, the next trying to brush it off with confidence. She realized he was gazing intently at her waiting for her to continue. She leaned across the counter grasping both of his hands, "I can't lose you Graham, not now."
She started crying and he reached up cupping her face in his palm, "You could never lose me, Hannah."
"This is bad. There is so much you don't know. It could change everything."
" I'm willing to take that risk. I can't bear seeing you like this. Maybe I should call your godfather."
"My father…he's my father."
Graham looked at her bewildered.
"That's the first lie. Are you ready for more?"
"You're father. Than who is Alan Masterson?"
"He raised me. My mother married him because she couldn't be with the professor. You see, Graham. He is a mutant. My father is a mutant."
He seemed nonplused, "That is common knowledge, Hannah. I knew that coming into all of this."
"You did? How?"
"Things have been tossed around for awhile now about the school. So if the next thing you are going to tell me is that you're a mutant…well, I won't be surprised."
She sat up abruptly glaring at him. "You never said anything."
"I didn't see a point. I was there to teach you. And I wanted to get to know you again. I grabbed the opportunity to be able to spend time with you. The mutancy didn't change anything, in fact I have no idea what it is. It's nothing like flying or teleporting is it? You know as a kid, those are the kinds of powers you always dream of. "
"Sorry to disappoint you, they aren't so spectacular. I have a photographic mind."
"Ah, that explains your ability to know a piece after one glance. I was always a little perturbed you had the knack of memorizing on the first go."
"You're taking this all very well."
"Did you want me to fly off the handle? Maybe you wanted things to change. Maybe you figured I would stop having feelings for you. Sorry to say, that isn't going to happen. That mutancy is who you are, and I love who you are, Hannah. I don't think I can make that any clearer."
She stood up and moved over to the window, pulling the robe tightly around her. He had turned in his chair to face her. She was silent, she thought about how her mother might have handled this. She turned slowly to face him. His loving caring smile made what she had to say next incredibly difficult. "I'm pregnant, Graham. Can you love that about me too? Can you learn to love another man's child?"
The smile slowly faded from his lips. "So you and Logan…I guess I never really thought it was that serious. Obviously I was wrong."
"There is no me and Logan. There never was. I was a passing fancy."
"Really?" He was unconvinced.
"He left months ago and I haven't heard a thing from him. He's moved on."
"But you haven't."
"I'm trying to. The music is important to me, I feel I have a goal to reach and with you I can do that. And the last few weeks with you….I know I've been difficult."
"It all makes sense, you know. God, I've been behaving like a bloody fool and actually believing that you could ever have any kind of feelings towards me."
"I do have feelings for you Graham. I do."
"But now you're going to have his baby." He stood up and began pacing back and forth. He was angry, for being so stupid. For falling for her, like he had. Then something struck him, "How long have you known? Was this part of your plan? Make it look like something was going on; come to my house in the middle of the night, so your father believes something is going on. Then voila…you're pregnant. No, no, no, Hannah, I am not going along with this bloody scheme."
"There is no scheme. I came here because you are all I have. My best friend. I realized what I was doing was exactly what my mother did. She wanted a normal existence; she wanted me to be normal. I can't be normal; it's too late for that. And now I am carrying a baby that has a possibility of being far from normal as well. I don't expect you to embrace this situation. I just wanted you to know. I've never had someone care about me the way you do, you deserved the truth. Things will be different, I will have to adjust. I can do this. I can give up my music, and go back to the school and raise my child there. I'll manage. Please don't feel you are obligated in anyway to help me."
"You can't give up your music."
"Sometimes you make sacrifices, its part of life and anyhow, why does it really matter to you what I do?"
"Because you're damn good, better than I ever was. People need to hear you and I know you love it. I see the person you are when you sit at the piano and play. It's part of you."
"And so is this baby." She looked up at him. "Look, I can do the concert on Saturday and then we part ways. I don't want to make any of this hard on you."
"Well, you already have."
"I'm so sorry, Graham. You have to believe me, when I tell you I didn't know about the baby til last night. The last few weeks…you and me, I wanted that to happen. You are the most loving and kind man I have ever known."
"But I can never be Logan."
"You are everything he is not. All the good things."
"But you want the bad guy. He's more interesting."
"Damn it, Graham. I am not going to go running after Logan. He has showed no interest or concern for me since he left."
"But the baby could change that."
"He will never find out from me. I can't have him in and out of my life when he feels like showing up. I don't want my child to grow up that way."
"So he'll grow up not knowing a father? You think that's the better option?"
"Yes, I do." Hannah went to the dryer situated next to the kitchen watching her clothes spinning round, "How long does this damn thing take? Surely they're nearly dry."
Tensions surrounded her. She felt it in every part of her body, the air she was breathing and then by Graham's stance. Graham was quiet for a long time glaring out the window but the gaze unfocused, just staring out into space. He was in his own little world, millions of miles away. She had never seen him so distant.
Restless she went to the piano, the silence was killing her. She didn't know if it would set him off but she needed to play. Choosing a popular standard, "Night and Day", she softly began the intro. Graham slowly turned and found her caught up in the music. Beginning to relax, her body began to sway with her playing; she was feeling every note, every phrase. The satisfaction on her face was evident; the passion came alive when she touched those keys. It was always Hannah's way of dealing with any awkward situation. She found solace in her music, like he once had. Damn it, he thought. She had him. He couldn't pull away if he wanted to. At that moment he knew what he needed to do.
He picked up the phone and dialed the professor's number. "Professor Xavier, it's Graham Eastborne."
Hannah stopped playing, a look of concern on her face. She had no idea what he was up to. He moved closer to her, placing her hands back on the keys and nodding his head for her to continue. He had turned into her teacher and she didn't think twice about ignoring his instruction. He was still distant but he was at least acknowledging her presence. He walked around the piano facing her, "Yes, that was Hannah. As you've probably already guessed, she's here."
"Actually, I assumed she was still asleep. She had a late night."
"Obviously, later than you thought since she arrived at my loft in the middle of the night." Hannah was stunned by the conversation, her mouth dropped open.
"Is she alright?"
"Last minute nerves. It happens to the best of us. But we have decided that she should spend the next few days here with me. It's a more practical working environment, no distractions."
This was news to Hannah. He noticed her ready to protest and he quickly moved back to her and placed a hand over her mouth, "We'll stop by the mansion this afternoon to pick up what she needs. I want you to know that she is perfectly safe here and you shouldn't be concerned about anything out of the ordinary. Hannah is solely focused on her performance for Saturday."
There was a silence on the other end of the line, "Professor, I just want to make sure you are fine with the arrangement. I would never think of going behind your back. Hannah on the other hand has a tendency of rebelling but I guarantee you that the next few days I will be putting her through a practice hell. No holds barred." He took his hand away from Hannah's mouth as he sat beside her on the stool, managing a smile.
"Well, Graham, I don't envy the task you have at hand but I am sure you do know what is best for her at the moment. This performance is very important to her and I am sure she will thank you in the end."
"Yes, that she will do. I will see to that."
"Well, then, that is sorted out. We will see you this afternoon."
"Yes, we will."
"And Graham, thank you."
"I'm just doing my job, sir."
As he hung up the phone, Hannah glared at him, "What is going on?"
"You heard the conversation. You're staying with me."
"For what purpose?"
"To practice, darling. You heard what I told your father."
"No, no, no." She waved her finger in front of his face, "two minutes ago you were furious at me and now you are playing a game. And I am not sure why."
"This is definitely not a game. You have a huge concert coming up. You're pregnant and your emotions are all over the place. There is only one person who can keep you on track for the performance and that is me. I also don't think you want your father to know that Logan has put you in the family way. He likes me, and I am pretty sure he would like nothing more than the two of us to hook up, so why not give him what he wants."
"You're not making any sense."
"Every child deserves to have a father, Hannah, god damn it. So I'll be your child's Alan Masterson."
"Graham, how can you do that? I know how it makes you feel."
"I can do it because I love you. That is why Alan did it for your mother. I know you love me in your own way and for now that has to be enough."
"And the baby?"
"You mean our baby. I suppose it's another 6 or 7 months, so there is plenty of time to prepare ourselves for that event. Right now I think we need to think about your health and make sure you are getting enough rest. I think we both want Saturday night to be flawless, you've worked to hard for this for it not to be." He took hold of her hand, "It's your night, Hannah. I want it to be perfect."
She felt the tears well up in her eyes. "It will be with you by my side, Graham. I couldn't have done this without you."
She leaned towards him and gently kissed his lips. There wasn't a response but a small flicker of his eyelids. She thought she saw a tear in his eyes. She had hurt him and he still was vulnerable. She placed a hand on his cheek, "I don't deserve you."
He looked up into her eyes and managed a half cocked smile, "Well, you're stuck with me. I don't think many men could deal with this kind of thing. Not exactly sure how I'm going to do it, but I will because you mean that much to me." He swallowed hard. Hannah had no idea how hard this would be on him…Another man's baby. a mutant's baby at that and a man Hannah would never forget
She wanted to know what he was thinking. There was so much hidden behind his eyes. He turned away from her again and looked down at their hands clasped together. There was so much they would have to get through but she knew this had been the right decision. Coming to Graham was right, being with him now felt right. Hannah knew they needed to change the subject, "Are you really going to put me through practice hell? You said yesterday that I was ready."
". Your Rachmoninov is pure genius, the Chopin exquisite and the Bach perfect. You will have the audience in the palm of your hand Saturday night but that doesn't mean your repertoire is flawless, young lady. You might fool New York into believing you're a world class pianist, but can you make your father believe we are lovers. I think that will be your real test. Because as it stands now, there is no chance in hell you can pull it off. "
He stood up and went to the kitchen taking a sip of his tea. Hannah's jaw dropped and she now felt hurt by the bitterness in his voice.
"I think you're wrong." She stood up and moved to the kitchen counter, taking his arm and making him face her. He put the cup down on the counter, as they both gazed intensely at each other. There was an awkward silence.
"Don't give me that look, Hannah. You know perfectly well what I'm on about. You kiss me like a brother. You flirt and laugh like a schoolgirl. And, ah, yes, we hold hands, as if we were children. Do you really think anyone will believe we could conceive a child? It's as if we are back at your sweet 16 party, and reenacting a missing time in your life."
"So how exactly would you like me to behave?" She felt a little disheveled by his comments, because she knew they were true.
His thoughts went to Logan. What had that man brought out in her? Whatever it was, she now saved it all for the piano and hell, he wanted it, "Like a woman. I wouldn't think that would be so difficult Hannah."
She was now riled up, "A woman?" She was determined to stay calm but inside she felt humiliated. "I am more of a woman than you have ever had, Graham Eastborne."
He already knew that which only fed his desire and her fieriness was just adding fuel to the already burning fire. He couldn't resist and pulled her close to him chuckling, "Really now, and what could you possible know about the women I have had, Miss Masterson?"
"Upper class socialite snobs or flighty piano students who bowed at your feet no doubt. Not one of them with any heart or soul." Hannah commented sarcastically. She sensed the lightheartedness in his voice and began to feel more comfortable.
But underneath the lightheartedness, he longed for her. He enjoyed their verbal sparing, but this morning it was much harder to keep up. He felt his defenses dropping rapidly. He didn't have a comeback, just an intense gaze into her eyes.
Hannah's comfort zone could easily have disappeared but instead she realized that this was Graham. Someone who cared deeply for her and it didn't feel unnatural as he traced a finger across her jawline and up around her ear, looking straight into her eyes. There was something so familiar about this moment. She closed her eyes and felt a shiver jolt through her. His arm around her waist drew her closer and their bodies pressed against each other, his thin cotton pajama bottoms and the tatty robe were hardly enough material to protect them from the desires their bodies seemed to be igniting. His lips brushed against her cheek, then found their way to the corner of her mouth. Hannah let out a sigh, as he parted her lips and entered this unchartered territory. Her hands immediately grabbed his hair, as she felt her body betraying her but there was no fighting it. She enjoyed his tender caress of her neck, the sweet taste of his lips and his enthusiasm as his kisses became more and more fervid. No longer the innocent pecks they had exchanged over the last few weeks, Hannah gave him the response he longed for.
After months of wanting her, the moment was almost too much for his body to handle. He felt light headed, as her hands wildly fingered his hair and scalp. With every thrust of a tongue, every sigh she evoked and the proximity of her nearly naked torso was beginning to be take the toll on a body that had been out of commission for far too long. This was going somewhere, he wasn't sure Hannah was ready for. He was reluctant to let go but he began to realize his own selfishness. Loosening his hold on her, an overwhelmed Hannah gasped. He stroked her hair gently and lifted her chin and saw the confusion in her eyes. He knew how easy he could have taken advantage of her but she meant way too much to him. He had her, now he had to hold on to her.
He smiled at her, "Well, I was wrong. I could never call that kiss brotherly. Maybe there is a woman in there after all…a woman with heart and soul. And you were quite right, I've never experienced one of those before." He teased her.
She loved this about him. He could read her and he was very good about making light of situations. She smiled at him, "Well, I guess it was about time you did."
"I am converted. Never will I go back to the dark side. Those god awful socialites and adoring students…no, no, they will no longer do." He put on a stern face then busted up into laughter squeezing her tighter. He fingered the lapels of her robe, "And you my lady, how are you finding the advances of an honorable gentleman to your liking?"
"Well, I believe your intentions are quite clear and I'm not so sure they are all that honorable." This time she was doing the teasing. A slight smile lit up her face.
"Well, that didn't answer my question but judging by your reaction at the time I can only guess that you quite liked it. Don't deny it." He was still fingering the lapels of the robe, and before Hannah knew it he had untied the sash. Graham caught a glance at an exposed breast and a sigh escaped his lips.
She pushed him back, pulling the robe together and retying it, "And you call yourself a gentleman. You should be ashamed of yourself."
He was grinning and loving every minute of it, "A gentle man I am, but you'll never know unless you let me take you to bed."
"Graham, really." This comment came as somewhat of a shock. She looked up into his eyes and saw that he was dead serious.
"If I'm going to be a father to this baby, don't you think I have a right to sleep with its mother?" He pulled her back to him, holding her tight in his grasp,"God, I have never wanted anything so much." A hand slipped up the back of the robe caressing her thigh. As it moved higher she felt a jolt through her body, then a finger found its way between her legs and as it brushed against her wetness, she cried out his name.
Graham was startled, realizing he had violated her, which definitely wasn't his intention. Of course his body had other ideas and maybe he couldn't help thinking it was what she might be used to with Logan. Visions of this wild animal like man attacking her in the woods or pinning her against a wall kept creeping into his mind. Is that what she liked? He had no idea but decided to go with his gut feeling on this. Hannah needed to instigate any sexual encounter. He released his hand and pulled her close to him, stroking her hair, "Hannah, I'm sorry. My words, my actions…god, damn it…all of it pure selfishness. You owe me nothing. Forgive me, Hannah. You aren't ready and I'm pushing."
The touch made her mind somewhat fuzzy, she took a deep breath, "Maybe I need a push." She regrouped her thoughts. Was she ready? There was so much going on inside her body, she felt she didn't know what it was trying to tell her, " I love when you touch me, the things you say to me. When I'm with you I feel like a lady, a real lady. You're my knight in shining armor you know."
"Ah, don't put me up on that white horse. I could never live up to it."
"You already have." This time she instigated the kiss. Not a sweet innocent peck but something that came from deep within her. She felt grateful for his kindness, overwhelmed by his desire, and in need of someone to love her. She stroked his cheek, "I can't think of anything I would like more than to be in your bed, Graham Eastborne."
He really wasn't expecting this response, "Now? You want to be in my bed now?"
"I did wake you up early this morning and I've had no sleep, bed sounds good."
"Right, I've got it. To sleep, bed sounds good to sleep." There was a slight disappointment in his voice.
"Well, yes, but I'm not ruling out any other possibilities." Her hand slid down the front of the robe, fingering the tie.
He couldn't take his eyes off her. "That sounds promising."
"Yes, I think so. A few hours in bed and I'll be ready for any grueling practice you plan on putting me through."
He raised his eyebrows and took her hand, pulling her towards the bed, "You have no idea what a slave driver I can be."
"Oh, I'm beginning to get an idea." Letting go of his hand she skipped ahead to the bed. Plopping down, flaying her body across it, the robe loosening and coming undone on its own. She smiled up at him, holding both arms towards him.
He dived onto the bed nearly landing on top of her. Hannah began to giggle as she found the robe now practically off. He playfully wrestled her, and found her utter enjoyment of the moment incredibly sexy, "You are wicked, Hannah."
She cared so much for him. He was cheerful and pleasant and everything Logan wasn't. He made her laugh. He wanted nothing more than to please her and take care of her. But there was a slight moment on that bed, with the wind shaking the windows and the rain pelting down on the fire escape, as he entered her she found herself wanting something else. Grabbing his hair she clenched her eyes tightly and forced back the tears welling up in her eyes. She had moved on. It was exactly what Logan had wanted for her.