“Hey Doc, me and Matthew were starting to get worried about you.”

“Hey Mom!” Matty chimes in, with a smile bigger than the state of Texas.

I stop at the front door; I’m almost afraid I’ve come to the wrong house. I just pulled a fourteen hour shift and was trying to drum up the energy to fix dinner, do laundry and spend time with Matty. Then I walk into…this.

Bull and Matty are sitting in the floor, putting together a model car that Bull brought by yesterday. My son is almost as attached to Bull as I am. It worries me, but slowly, I’m starting to believe that Bull means what he says. I’m keep letting fear hold me back, but we’ve only been dating for a little while. I worry these feelings I am having, are just too soon.

Then things like today happen. I come home to this, with Matty all smiles and…

“What’s that smell?” I ask, at the same time my stomach starts rumbling.

“I made some chili. Are you hungry, Doc?” he asks, and it’s a completely innocent question. But he looks at me, and all I can remember is the way his eyes look—right before he fucks me. My body vibrates with need.

“I’m starved,” I tell him, and I’m not talking about the chili. I’m talking about Bull. It’s all about him. I think my world is starting to revolve around him.

“I’ll get you some then. Did you have a good day?”

“It was actually really good. I mean it started when this man gave me a ride to work on his bike, and it just kept getting better.”

“No run-ins with Walter-boy or Melissa?” he asks, and I know he’s worried.

He told me a little about the scene with Melissa at the club, and to be honest I’ve been worried about her reaction too. I haven’t seen her though. She’s been MIA for the last three days. The head of the nursing staff said she didn’t give them any warning just left them a note on the hospital administrator’s desk that a family emergency came up and she was leaving the state.

I relay that information to Bull, and he gets a puzzled look on his face.

“What?” I ask.

“Just didn’t figure she’d give up that easily. She was really mad. Did Judy mind giving you a ride home?”

“Me either, but I’m not going to complain about it. And no, she’s been really down since the house fire. Do you know they’re having trouble getting the insurance to pay?”

“Why’s that?”

“Apparently, the Fire Marshal’s report came back, and they’re saying it looks like the fire was purposely set.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope and since Judy and Tony were upside down on their mortgage, the insurance agent is being an ass.”

“Da……darn it,” he says with a wink. “Maybe the club could help them out?”

“She’s got a meeting with the insurance company tomorrow, which means no bike ride tomorrow morning—as fun as it was.”

“Does this mean I’m staying again tonight?” he asks in surprise.

“I was hoping you would. But sadly, I will drive my boring old Volvo, to work,” I tell him, trying to play down the nervous flutter in my stomach. The truth is…I don’t want him to leave.

“Jesus, I can’t believe I’m dating a woman who drives a Volvo.”

I stick my tongue out at him.

Bull laughs, before looking at Matty. “Okay, sport. Let’s stop for the night and get your Mama some food.”

“Aw! Man!”

Bull reaches over and ruffles Matty’s hair, and my heart flips over inside my chest.

“We can finish up tomorrow, buddy.”

“Now, go love on your mom,” he tells him, and I fall for him, a little more.

Matty comes and hugs me, and I hold him close, before letting him go. There’s times he rebels from being mom’s baby. Then there are times like now, when he reminds me of when he was three, and I was his world.

I talk with my son while Bull warms up my food. I ask Matty how his sleepover went and smile as he tells me about all of the video games they played. It’s a big hint as to what he wants for Christmas, so I make a note somewhere inside my tired brain. Matty’s spent the day with Bull. He volunteered to be here today when Matty got off the bus. I worried how he would explain it to Matty. Apparently, he told Matty he wanted to spend time with his favorite buddy. Matty’s chest puffs out in pride, when he tells me that. I look over his head at Bull, and he winks at me. I know I’m already half way in love with him. He comes back in with a tray that’s loaded with a drink, a bowl of chili, and some crackers.

“Wow, I think you might be trying to spoil me, Mr. Kane.”

“You never know, Doc.

“Hey, Mom? I’m going to go play video games. I’m supposed to do an online battle with Greg.”

“Greg?” I ask, because that’s a new name.

“He’s a new guy at my school, just like me. I just met him today. He’s really cool.”

“Okay. Have fun. I’ll be in before bedtime to check on you.”

“He’s a good kid,” Bull says, when he leaves.

“He is, he’s growing too fast. I didn’t know you could cook,” I tell him, to distract my thoughts, the thought of Matty growing up and outgrowing me is a constant concern. It’s a worry that’s only gotten worse, since I don’t have a lot of time with him right now.

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, Doc.”

“Such as?”

“Sweetheart, I can’t give away all my secrets. I have to tempt you with them slowly,” he jokes.

“Is that what you’re doing?” I ask leaning against the back of the couch, feeling completely relaxed.

“Unleashing my awesomeness, a little at a time to get you addicted? Absolutely,” he says, going down on his knees in front of me. He takes my shoes off, and then picks one foot up, tenderly massaging it.

“God, that feels better than sex,” I moan.

“Fucking hell, I must be doing something wrong,” he jokes, and I laugh as a yawn overtakes me. Bull takes my tray, and sets it on the coffee table, before continuing with his massage, concentrating on the balls of my feet.

I’ve almost dozed off, when the doorbell rings. I jerk and yawn again, but before I can get up, Bull waves me off.

“I got it, Doc,” he says, already going to the door.

I’m close to being out again when Bull comes back. He’s holding a white envelope, the kind you get with a greeting card, and reaches it to me.

“No one was there, but they slid this under the storm door,” he says, handing it to me, before returning to work on my foot.

“That’s weird,” I say, looking at the envelope. It’s addressed Dr. Skye Walker. That’s it, no further writing.

“I thought so. It better not be another man trying to make a move on you.”

I shake my head, because he’s being foolish. It’s nice he thinks I’m someone other men would notice. I’ve never had a self-confidence issue—it’s just really nice to feel valued. I take the envelope with heavy eyes. It’s going to take all I have to stay awake to kiss Matty goodnight.

I yawn, then grip the card. I look at Bull on impulse and reach down to kiss him quickly on the lips.

“I’m pretty sure I’m ruined for other men after last night,” I tell him, not even caring that I’m blushing.

“Damn straight,” he says, coming up to sit beside me. He takes me in his arms and kisses the side of my neck. “Could you feel me when you walked today, Doc? Did you feel empty?” His wicked words send goosebumps over my skin, and I’m instantly aching for him. He was right last night. He did brand me.

“If I say yes, will you do something about it?” My tired body is instantly ready for him.

“Absolutely, sweetheart.”

“Then, yes times infinity,” I tell him, as I open the envelope. I pull out a folded, thick piece of paper inside. It’s not a card as I thought. Just a note, that’s folded in half. I recognize the handwriting immediately.

Every sin must have a just recompense. You made me do it.—AW