Page 278 of Steamy Ever After

When they passed the hall closet he peeked inside.

“Extra pillows and blankets. I’m good.”

“Brodie?”

“I’m going to crash out right over there.” He pointed to the sofa in the living room. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll take Jamison to school, then, if there isn’t anything else I can do for you, I’ll give you space.”

She looked tired enough to fall asleep standing. “I can’t. You can’t. You haven’t slept in a proper bed?—”

“Let me do this, sweetheart. Why make it so hard on yourself when the solution is so easy?”

“Okay, but, Brodie?”

“Yeah, Peyton?”

“I can’t remember what I was going to say.”

“Then say good night, and get into bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He heard her get up in the middle of the night, and then Finn, crying. When he shot off the sofa and rushed down the hallway to look inside, he saw Peyton sitting on the bed, rocking her son.

“Shh,” she murmured, then hummed a lullaby.

He could listen to her sing to Finn all night long, but he was intruding on their private moment. So he returned to the living room and was about to lie down when Peyton walked toward him.

“Everything okay?”

“He has some pain, but he’s asleep. I hope we didn’t wake you. I mean, obviously we did. I’m sorry.”

“Stop it. Come sit for a minute.”

“Will you rub my shoulders again?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Come here, baby.” He turned his body so it rested against the arm of the sofa, then eased her between his legs. “Lean back, sweetheart.”

He started with her neck. Earlier he’d kneaded her sore muscles. Now, she needed to relax enough to fall asleep. He kept his stroke feathery as he hummed the lullaby he had heard her sing to Finn. Moments later, Peyton’s head rested against his chest.

Brodie propped a pillow behind his head, and with Peyton wrapped in his arms, he let his heavy eyelids close.

PEYTON

“Mom, wake up. Mom…” Jamison was shaking her arm.

Peyton opened her eyes and realized she’d fallen asleep on the sofa with Brodie, who woke up too.

“Hey, sweetie,” she said, climbing off. “Is everything okay?”

“I have to leave now, Mom.”

Peyton looked her son up and down, realized he was dressed, and checked the time. Jamison was right. It was a little after seven, and they needed to leave, or he’d miss the morning bell.

“Come on, partner.” Brodie put his arm around Jamison’s shoulders. “I’ll give you a lift.”

Peyton watched as Brodie stepped into his boots, grabbed his jacket, and opened the front door. Jamison came over, kissed her goodbye, and followed.

---