The Temptress by C. J. Fallowfield, Book Cover By Design, Karen J Read Free Book Online Page B

your bath and put you to bed with another
chapter from Elmer, but no promises. Ok?’
    ‘Ok,’ he mumbled, as he snuggled in closer.
    ‘Can I let you into a secret?’ I whispered.
    ‘Yes,’ he whispered back.
    ‘I’d much rather be at home with you than at
work, but this is what grown-ups have to do.’
    ‘Bryce’s mummy doesn’t. Bryce’s mummy stays at
home and his daddy goes to work. Can’t you find me a daddy so you can stay at
home too?’
    ‘I’d love to find you a daddy,’ I sighed, my previously
melting heart suddenly hardening and shattering at the thought that he was
missing out on so much love. Whatever I gave him could never make up for not
having a father in his life. ‘But it’s not that easy. When Mummy meets a man
that she likes, she has to make sure that he’ll be amazing with you, because
you deserve that. If I find a daddy for you, he needs to be the best one in the
whole wide world, because otherwise we’re better staying as just you and me.’ I
reached up to wipe a stray tear that had escaped and was making its way down my
cheek. Was I being selfish having broken up with Greg on Saturday night? He was
almost the perfect guy, he could have been wonderful with Tristan, I just knew
it, but we’d had sex again, awful sex. I’d told him that it wasn’t
working for me and he’d been shocked, he’d thought it was sensational. We’d
tried again, but still nothing. I’d rather be on my own than in a sexless, passionless
relationship. But being on my own was affecting my darling boy as well. I
looked up at the school clock and grimaced, he’d be late if he didn’t go in. We
didn’t have time for a deep and meaningful conversation now. I was going to
have to try and get out of work earlier than normal, to reassure him tonight. ‘Do
you understand why I can’t rush this, darling? Why finding the perfect daddy
for you, one that will stay with us, is better than having lots that come and
go?’
    ‘I guess,’ he sighed.
    ‘We’ll talk about this soon, ok? Come on,
you’ll be late for school. I love you, for the rest of my life and beyond.’
    ‘Me too,’ came his little voice. I kissed his
soft hair and carefully set him down, holding his hand as we walked across the
playground to one of the school assistants.
    ‘Morning Tristan, ready for a fun day?’ she
smiled. He shrugged and looked at the floor.
    ‘He is really,’ I smiled, giving his hand a
squeeze. ‘Especially if at reading time Elmer the elephant could make an
appearance.’
    ‘I’m sure that can be arranged,’ she replied,
making him lift his head and smile. He took her hand, as I gave his other one another
quick squeeze before releasing it. I waited, as he headed inside with her. He
turned to give me a wave and I blew him a kiss, before they disappeared out of
sight. I quickly shook myself down. He’d be fine, it was me that was going to
worry about him all day, on top of my usual busy Monday. Weekends were always
the busiest for the girls, which meant more assessments and planning of next
moves, as well as more women who’d suspected their partners had been deceitful
over the weekend.
     
    ‘Morning, Violet,’ I smiled, as I walked into
reception. I’d deliberately made it fresh and modern, but with a cosy
atmosphere. Dove grey walls, white skirting and mouldings, white leather sofas
with soft grey knitted cushions and a long reception desk, made out of the same
white granite that covered the reception and corridor floors. Access was
restricted to those of us with key cards, visitors having to use the intercom
downstairs to be allowed entry. Violet was sitting behind the large desk, with
a beaming smile. She loved her job almost as much as I did. I couldn’t
understand how people who hated getting up on a Monday morning for their jobs, did
it week after week. ‘How was your weekend?’
    ‘Amazing!’ she winked, her not so secret signal
that she’d had great sex with her boyfriend Jared.
    ‘You?’ she