by J. P. Comeau
I blinked. “Sure?”
His gaze darkened as his stare connected with mine once more. He pushed off the counter and walked toward me, effectively pinning me into my own little corner. I swallowed hard as he took the mug from my hands. He tossed it back, draining the contents before he set it off to the side.
Then, his hands fell to my waist. “Eva?”
My voice squeaked. “Yes?”
His face came closer to mine. “Tell me to stop.”
And when I felt the pulsing of his breath against my lips, I shook my head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
I barely got the phrase out before his mouth connected with mine. My knees went weak as his tongue punched its way through my lips and tangled up with mine. I moaned as his arms cloaked my back. He pulled me away from the countertop and against his body so tightly I could feel his chiseled abs pressing against my soft stomach.
And when we finally came up for air, my pelvis heated with a need for more.
“I can’t thank you enough for today,” Gavin whispered.
I shook my head quickly. “Seriously, it wasn’t an issue. It still isn’t, okay? Don’t worry about it.”
Something passed behind his eyes, and I didn’t catch it. And even as his face contorted with it, I still didn’t recognize it.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
His eyes dropped to my lips. “Like what?”
I drew in a deep breath. “Like… like you want to kiss me again.”
His eyes snapped up to mine. “Because I do.”
I slid my arms around his neck. “Then, do it.”
And before I could blink, his hands gripped my ass cheeks, and he hoisted me onto the kitchen counter and then planted his mouth over mine once more.
9
Gavin
I couldn’t contain myself any longer. Not with Eva. Not with how beautiful she was and how comfortable she made my daughter and how much sunshine she brought into my life. Her walking into a room lit it up, but her smile did something to me that I couldn’t deny any longer. During my entire shoot with Jorge, all I thought about was Eva. During every hiccup and every command and every run-through on set, all I thought about was coming home, not just to my daughter, but to her.
And as my hands slid beyond her off-shouldered sweatshirt, I felt her naked skin against my fingertips for the very first time, causing me to growl as my mouth fell against her neck.
“Oh, my God,” Eva whispered.
I nibbled against her pulse point as my hands slid up to her tits. Her puckered nipples poked against her bra, and I wanted nothing more than to free them. To release them just so I could lap against her hardened peaks. I needed to stop. I needed to stop being so damn selfish before I ruined something extraordinary that had come into my daughter’s life.
But, I couldn’t contain myself.
“Shit,” she hissed.
I growled against her skin. “I want you so badly.”
Her legs spread for me. “Then, take me because I won’t tell you to stop.”
Something popped inside of me, and I wrapped my arms around her back. I picked her up from the countertop and buried my face into her tits as I walked her into the living room. We fell onto the couch, and food crumbs tumbled everywhere. Our clothes came off in a flurry of passionate need before her legs slid over my shoulders. The smell of her womanhood filled my nostrils. I wanted so desperately to taste her with my tongue until her thighs quivered around my head.
But, my cock leaked with a need that guided me straight to her throbbing entrance before I sank every inch of myself into her precious, beautiful, warm body.
“Oh, fuck,” Eva groaned.
I grunted. “Fucking—ah, so tight. Holy hell.”
I bent her in half and propped myself up, watching as her face contorted in pleasure. I snapped my hips against hers as her gorgeous curves jumped against my body. And the more I sank into her, the more my day faded away.
With every thrust, I forgot about work.
With every moan, I forgot about that set.
With every kiss, I forgot about the fight I’d had with Marissa in the car coming home.
And with every roll of her hips against my own, she pulled me into her world.
“Gavin. Don’t stop. Right there. Oh, shit. Right there. Don’t stop. Just like that.”
I panted for air as beads of sweat gathered on the nape of my neck. “Come for me, Eva. Do it. Squeeze that dick.”
She wrapped her hands around my forearms. “Gavin!”
I captured her lips with my own, silencing her cries of passion. I growled down the back of her throat as she unraveled against me, quaking and milking my cock for all it was worth. That coil in my gut tightened from my toes to my nose, causing my muscles to contract as I sank myself into her pulsing warmth one last time. Then, my body collapsed as my balls pulled up, unleashing my pent-up stress against her walls, coating her as she panted beneath me, her body splayed out for my taking.
I buried my face in the crook of Eva’s neck as my cock sat inside of her body. Our intermingled juices pumped out with every pulse of her pussy, but I didn’t care. I needed to get the furniture cleaned anyway. I logged the mental note away, for now, knowing damn good and well, it would haunt me until I did something about it.
And as I kissed her skin softly, Eva’s voice filled my ear. “Want to talk about it?”
I nuzzled my nose against her jawline. “Ah, won’t change anything.”
She ran her fingers through my hair. “Might help, though. Always helps me.”
I puffed out my cheeks with a sigh and slid from between her legs. No use in having this conversation with us in such a compromising position. I leaned back on my haunches and held out my hand, helping her upright before the two of us leaned against the back of the couch.
Dammit, she’s gorgeous in the moonlight.
“My ex-wife, Marissa, has already fired Camila.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait; what? Why?”
I scoffed. “Why does my ex-wife do anything? Because that’s what she felt like at the moment.”
“Does she even have that capacity when she didn’t even hire us?”
I shrugged. “Not particularly, but Marissa doesn’t care. And whatever she said to Camila, it worked. I’ve called the woman three times today, and nothing I say or offer is making her change her mind.”
Eva shook her head slowly. “What in the world does she think you’re supposed to do? Is she at least looking for other daytime nannies?”
I chuckled breathlessly. “She’s not doing anything. I, however, am trying my best to find someone to help me out during the day. But, there’s nothing I can do about it today, so it’ll be something I tackle tomorrow.”
“Well, I can definitely put in a good word with a few people I know on my end. We’ll set the end of next week as a goal, though. You think you can be home during the day for one more week?”
Already trying to make us a team. I like it. “Yeah, I think I can swing it.”
She smiled. “Then, don’t worry. We’ll find you another daytime nanny in no time.”
I leaned forward, thanking her with a kiss. “I appreciate it so much.”
She smiled against my lips. “I also have Tuesday off coming up this week. We have a bunch of servicemen coming in to check on things from top to bottom, so the spa is closed. I could come in all day Tuesday if you’d like. That would give you at least one workday this week where you don’t have to worry about things.”
I cupped her cheek. “You’re outstanding; you know that?”
She blushed. “Just want to help.”
It feels like we’ve done this for ages. “Thank you for everything you’ve already done.”
She nodded. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”
Then, I pulled her into my arms, settled her against my body as I lay down, and stared up at the ceiling as she curled against me.
Allowing myself a moment’s r
est not to worry about anything except the beautiful woman lying naked in my arms.
10
Eva
“Eva?”
I typed away mindlessly on my computer.
“Eva.”
I could’ve sworn I heard my name, but it sounded so far off that I didn’t pay it any mind. Until Ginger whipped my chair around, that is.
“Eva!”
I jumped. “Holy shit! What?”
She scoffed. “I’ve been calling you from the hallway for damn near five minutes. You okay?”
I blinked. “I’m fine. Just got a lot of work. What is it?”
She cocked her head. “No. Something’s wrong. What happened?”
Guadalupe stuck her head into my office. “Everyone ready for some good news?”
Thank fuck for distractions. “Yes, ma’am! What’s the good news?”
Ginger stood up and pointed at me. “Don’t think I’m forgetting about this. I will pull it out of you.”
I waved my hand at her. “Come on in, Guadalupe. What’s up?”
The older woman rushed into my office and closed the door. “Before I say anything, yes, I do have permission from my niece to share.”
“Is this about what happened yesterday?” I asked.
Ginger paused. “What happened yesterday?”
Guadalupe clicked her tongue. “Yesterday couldn’t have been any more of a blessing. Camila would have had to quit anyway.”
Ginger sighed. “I’m so lost.”
I stood to my feet. “Gavin’s ex-wife fired Camila yesterday, but Guadalupe’s apparently got news that would’ve forced her to quit the nannying job in the first place. Caught up now?”
Ginger glared at me. “Yeah, got it. Thanks.”
Guadalupe clapped her hands. “Camila’s pregnant! I’m going to be a tia abuela!”
The sheer shriek that came out of my mouth startled even myself. I loved babies, I loved people having babies, and I loved everything that came with having babies. I lunged myself at Guadalupe and wrapped her up into a great big hug before we started bouncing around and rejoicing. Tears of happiness poured from her eyes onto my shoulder, and I reached out for Ginger, tugging her into a group hug.
“I can’t believe it. It’s finally happening,” Guadalupe whispered.
I kissed the side of her head. “I’m so happy for you.”
Ginger rubbed her back. “How far along is she? Do you know?”
Guadalupe released us. “The doctors said that she’s right at the beginning, a little less than six weeks along. Just pray for us. Keep us in your thoughts. Camila and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for well over three years now. Let’s hope this is their time.”
I cupped her hands in mine. “It’s definitely their time; you know it is.”
But then, Guadalupe paused. “Did you say Camila got fired?”
It took me a while to piece together what she was asking. “Oh! Yes. I know that Gavin’s ex-wife fired Camila yesterday. It’s why I had to go in all day yesterday and watch Asia.”
Guadalupe shook her head. “No, no, no, no. My Camila never gets fired. She called to quit because her morning sickness is catching up with her quickly.”
I furrowed my brow. “But, Gavin said—”
Ginger snickered. “Oh, this is gonna be juicy.”
I pointed at her. “Everything we say about—or around—Gavin stays here. The last thing we all need is for his private life to be talked about and for the wrong set of ears to hear it. Got it?”
Ginger smirked. “Protective much?”
Guadalupe giggled. “Seems like she likes him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Promise me. Right now. Both of you.”
Ginger shrugged. “I’m not that bad with shit like that.”
Guadalupe held up her hands in mock surrender. “As God as my witness.”
I nodded. “Good. So, why would Camila call his ex-wife to quit if Gavin were the one who hired her? That doesn’t make any sense.”
Guadalupe sighed. “All she told me was that she couldn’t get Gavin to pick up, so she called his ex-wife. Maybe she thought the woman could get in touch with Gavin or something.”
Why would she lie about something like that, though? What’s the point?
“Anyway,” Ginger said as she put her hands on her hips, “this calls for a celebration, especially since the spa is being serviced tomorrow. How do you guys feel about cake?”
I clapped my hands. “And celebratory discounts for members! Let’s get them in on this. Flash sale, all day today. All services, products, and add-ons are thirty percent off.”
Guadalupe clapped my shoulder. “I think you two have got this, so I’m going to go grocery shopping. I’ll get cake, a vegetable and fruit platter, some refreshments for us to enjoy. It’ll be wonderful.”
Ginger scurried to my door. “I’ll tell Margo out front to start applying the discounts!”
The spa erupted into one massive celebration for Camila and her new addition to her family. Margo put up streamers and balloons she found in the back storage room, and Guadalupe came in with bags filled to the brim with cups, ice, sodas, juices, finger foods, and all sorts of sweet treats. Our customers celebrated with us and rejoiced in happiness while reveling in their discounts. Our stock flew off the shelves so quickly that we had to restock not once but three separate times that day.
But, no amount of celebration wiped my mind of my memories.
I have to talk with Gavin about what happened between us.
I clocked out right at two in the afternoon and blazed a trail to his place. Not only did I want to tell him the good news about Camila, but I also needed to tell him about the lie his ex-wife had spewed. Part of me thought it wasn’t my place, but the other part of me felt Gavin had a right to know. He seemed so stressed that his ex had just swept in and terminated someone without his knowledge, and I didn’t want that hanging over his head any longer.
If he’s going to torture himself, it might as well be with the truth.
I pulled up to the house and really stopped to take a look at it. The crisp, clean white exterior was dotted with bright-yellow shutters, giving the place a very summery sort of feel. The columns attached to the wrap-around porch were unlike anything architecturally seen in this area, and I knew it had to have come from nowhere else except Gavin’s upbringing. I smiled at the idea of baby Gavin being raised in a house similar to this one. Beautiful plantation-style columns and running around playing tag on the porch while his parents and grandparents rocked the day away in rocking chairs fit for kings and queens.
But, a stark knock on my window pulled me from my trance. And I saw a stoic Gavin standing on the other side.
“I gotta go. Asia’s inside,” he said through the glass.
I opened the door and slipped out, but he was already booking it toward the garage.
“I have something to tell you!” I called out after him.
He held a thumbs up in the air. “We’ll talk soon, then!”
And like a lightning bolt, he was gone. No kiss. No acknowledgment of what had happened last night. Not even a hug. Just him, a command, and then an empty space before I felt my heart sink to my toes.
“It’s okay. Daddy does that sometimes when he’s upset,” Asia said.
I felt her hand slip into mine, and I looked down at her. “Any idea why he’s upset?”
She shrugged. “Usually, it’s Mom. I heard them yelling this morning.”
I crouched down as the garage opened off in the distance. “Well, why don’t we go inside and find something fun to do, yeah?”
She nodded with a smile. “I like that idea. Can we paint? I like painting.”
“Of course, we can. And then, we can figure out what to—”
The peeling away of tires interrupted my statement before smoke kicked up into the air. I stood up and whipped around, catching the backend of Gavin’s canary-yellow sports car as it tore down the driveway. I heard his tires squ
ealing as he hit the road, trying his hardest to get out of here as quickly as he could. I wasn’t sure what had him in such a rush, but something told me I didn’t want to be around when he got home.
“Come on, pretty girl. Let’s go find something to paint,” I said.
I led her back inside, but I was only partially there. I kept racking my mind as to what I could’ve done to make Gavin treat me so coldly. Last night had been phenomenal. A bit awkward, maybe, but still amazing. And today, it felt like he wanted nothing to do with me. But, once Asia and I started painting, a text rolled through my phone, and it made me feel a little more comfortable with things.
Gavin: I’m sorry for being in such a hurry, but I had to be on set earlier than I thought.
I quickly texted him back while Asia hogged all the paint colors.
Me: Thank you for messaging. And I totally get that, no worries. But, I did figure out something I thought you should know.
Those three little dots started bouncing before his reply popped up.
Gavin: Oh? What happened?
I sighed before I started in on the message.
Me: I saw Camila’s aunt at work today, and she informed me that Camila is pregnant. That’s why she quit; she wasn’t terminated. I just wanted to let you know that your ex-wife didn’t fire anyone, that’s all.
I expected him to start typing back, but it didn’t happen. I expected him to be relieved or even tell me that he figured something like that might have occurred. But, there was nothing. I sent my message, I saw the little D change to an R, telling me he had read the text, but then, nothing happened.
No little dots bounced.
No message came through.
It was as if he read the message and decided it wasn’t worth a response.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told him.
“Look, Miss Eva! Look!”
Asia’s voice pulled my eyes to her paper, and I saw what appeared to be a beautiful sunset. The bottom half of the page was blue, and there were little hills at the top that almost looked like waves. And the top half of the paper had a massive yellow ball up at the corner with pinks and purples and blues streaking across the sky.
