by Natalie Ann
The t-shirt came down to the middle of my thigh, and the pants that he had given me had a drawstring that I tied tightly and then rolled the waistband a couple of times to pull the legs up. I pulled my hair down, running my hands through the wayward curls. If there were anything that I could change about myself, it would be my hair. I liked my curls, but they were completely out of control most days. My hair had a mind of its own, and even with the anti-frizz products, it was still wild. I sighed as I thought about Trevor being such an organized person. He probably thought my hair was horrible—completely out of control.
I gathered my clothes, folded them, and then went out to the living room, setting them on the table. When I turned, I found Trevor sitting on a new piece of furniture. It was a glider placed in front of the mountain of baby stuff, a lighter wood color than his other furniture.
His eyes slipped down my small frame, and I wondered what he was thinking. I couldn’t exactly see his facial features because it was darker on that side of the room.
“Nice chair,” I said.
“Nice outfit,” he replied, and I snickered as I glanced down and realized my nipples were poking out. Oh, geez! I crossed my arms and walked toward him.
“I can take him,” I said softly.
He stared at me for a moment, then glanced down at Devon. “He’s almost done. I’ll finish, then head to bed.”
I nodded, turning away and gathering the pillow and blanket to lay them on the sofa so he could lay Devon in the bassinet when he was done eating. I collected my cellphone and went to sit, glancing at him and seeing Trevor with his head back and his eyes closed. I sank to the sofa and stared at him, my heart aching at how beautiful he was sitting there with Devon.
Off in the distance, a rumble sounded, and I glanced at the window. Rain was leaving spots on the glass, and a flash of lightning brightened the sky slightly. I glanced at the ceiling. Is that for me, Carol?
Devon made a sucking noise as if he’d finished the bottle, and Trevor lifted his head slowly, removing the bottle and then shifting him to his shoulder. My attention divided between Trevor and the storm outside as it grew closer. My stomach wiggled as if butterflies were invading it.
A few minutes later, Devon burped, and Trevor carefully laid him down. He stood over him, looking down on him before he turned to me, speaking softly. “Thank you.”
I smiled at him. “You’re welcome. Now go to bed.”
He came to stand in front of me, and I stared up at him, the light from the kitchen casting shadows over the right side of his face. He held his hand out to me, and I slipped my hand into his and stood on shaky legs.
Thunder rumbled overhead as I stood in front of him. His palms cupped my cheeks, and he remained quiet as his eyes slipped over my face from top to bottom. Just when I thought I wouldn’t be able to stand it anymore, he leaned forward and kissed me tenderly.
It was over two seconds later, but the gentleness of his kiss had zapped through my body like the lightning of the storm outside. “Good night, Davina Daniels.”
“Good night, Trevor Vaughn,” I answered huskily, and he let go of my face and went to his room, closing the door almost all the way.
I sank to the couch, touching my lips. That had been the most elegant and tender kiss that I had ever received. After pondering it for a long moment, I went to turn off the light in the kitchen, then returned to the couch. I lay there for a long time staring at the window, watching the flashing outside, and feeling like I had officially been struck.
That last kiss had burned into my soul, and I knew that no matter what I told myself, I was falling in love with Trevor. I hadn’t wanted to, didn’t mean to, but it had happened.
As I closed my eyes, I wondered how I was going to protect my heart from becoming smashed to bits. I wasn’t what Trevor wanted in his life. Maybe part of him needed me because of Devon, but that didn’t mean he wanted me.
Although that last kiss said something different, and I drifted off to sleep as I played the memory of that kiss repeatedly in my mind.
Chapter 21 – Trevor
I felt like a new man as I rolled to my back and stared at the ceiling. Man, it was amazing what a good night's sleep could do for you. I hadn’t heard Devon all night, and I wondered how many times he had woken up.
I used the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and then slipped quietly out to the living room. Devon was still sleeping, and so was Davina. I stood looking between the two of them, only then realizing how much the two of them meant to me.
Last night when I had kissed her, I’d wanted to wrap her in my arms and take her to my bed, but I hadn’t. The kiss that I gave her had caused a shift in my chest, but I was too tired to figure out what it meant—then.
Today, I would think it over. I would try to figure out what it really meant, to me and my future. I went into the kitchen and found only two empty bottles on the counter. Had Devon only woken up once? How was that possible? Maybe he had been so worn out from the night before that he needed the sleep as I had.
I started to put the coffee on and noticed Davina shifting around on the couch. A moment later, she lifted her head, gave me a sleepy smile, then lay back down. God, I loved that smile.
I frowned as I poured the water into the coffeemaker. Is that what this was, love? Was I falling in love with Davina? Hadn’t I already realized that my gut was telling me to hold on to her, but was it because I was falling for her, or because I wanted her help with Devon?
I had no clue because I had never really been in love before. Of course, I’d had strong feelings for women before, but none that I could officially say had been love. Up until now, I hadn’t been sure that it was possible for me to love someone, but was it?
I leaned against the counter, checking my email while the coffee brewed, and then I poured two cups, taking one to Davina who was moving around under her cover. She sat up, her wild hair all over the place as she pulled the blanket up over her chest.
“Thank you,” she said softly, taking the mug from me. “How are you feeling today?”
I grinned at her as I took a seat at the other end of the couch. “Like a new man. You have no idea how much I appreciate your staying last night. Did he only wake up once?”
She nodded before she sipped from her mug. “Yeah.”
“How is that possible? He was up like four times the night before.”
“I added a little more formula to his bottle. I think he needs to eat more now. He guzzled every drop and went right back to sleep.”
“How much did you give him?”
“Six ounces.”
My jaw dropped. “No wonder he has been waking up every two hours. I was only giving him four.”
“You need to feed him more.”
As if our talking about him got his attention, he began to wiggle and grunt in the bassinet. “I’ll make sure to feed him more, then. I didn’t realize I needed to add more.”
She smiled at me, her coffee mug in front of her face, and the steam rose past her features. My heart clenched again as I stared at her, and I inhaled sharply.
“Problem?” she asked.
“No, I was just wondering if you thought any more about my offer.”
“Which one?” she asked.
“About moving in with me.”
She let her gaze slip from me to the bassinet and then back. “I have, but I haven’t decided yet. I do admit that I miss him something terrible, and I enjoyed feeding him last night, but I’m not sure I’m ready to move in with you, Trevor.”
“Well, at least you’re thinking about it.” He winked. “Speaking of which, I have to head to the real estate office this morning. The inspection came through, and I need to go sign off on it.”
“So, it’s official? You are buying that house?”
“Yep. In fact, Martin already has movers packing his house. His wife is living in England right now. She got transferred, and he couldn’t join her until this was finished, so he’s excited to get over there earlier
than expected.”
“When do you think you’ll be able to move in?”
I laughed. “Would you believe that I’m getting the keys early? He’s giving them to me next week. The paperwork won’t be done for the sale for another three weeks, but we are both sure that all will go through quickly. He’s giving me the keys early, and then he will fly back for the closing.”
“Wow! You’re moving in next week?”
“Yep.” Devon snorted, and I set my coffee mug down and went to him, kissing his head as I lifted him into my arms. “So, if you want to join us, let me know soon. Otherwise, I’m going to have to start the interview process and find a nanny to move in.”
She gnawed on her bottom lip. “I’ll consider it, Trevor.”
I sat on the other end of the couch with Devon, and she threw the cover back and got up. “I’ll get a bottle for him.”
I watched her pass me, letting my gaze drift down her attire. Damn, she looked so fucking cute in my clothes. So much so that something below the belt began to come to life.
I forced my attention off of Davina and back to Devon. “You want Aunt Davina to come live with us, don’t you?” I asked him.
He cooed softly as he reached for my face. I kissed his hand, and he grabbed my bottom lip, pulling it as he babbled.
“See, I knew you did,” I said once he’d let go of my mouth.
I glanced at Davina, and she was grinning as she prepared his bottle.
“Let’s get you changed, and then you can eat, big boy,” I said as I got off the couch. I gathered a diaper and wipes and laid him on the floor.
I had just pulled his diaper back when suddenly, I got sprayed in the face. “Oh, shit!” I grumbled as I pushed his diaper back down. “He just peed on me!”
Davina started laughing. “Did he really?”
“Yes, I took his diaper off, and he just let loose!” I tore my shirt over my head and used it to wipe my face. “Okay, little man, that was gross. Let’s not do that anymore.” I peaked under the diaper. “You done?”
Devon babbled, kicking his legs into the air as he tried to eat his hands. “Someone is hungry,” Davina said from above me.
“Yeah, well, can you feed him so I can wash up?”
“Yeah,” she replied with a chuckle. “I had heard that might happen. It’s a little more dangerous with boys since it points up.”
“No kidding. I never even thought about that.” I put his new diaper on him. “I need some clean clothes for him; he got his pj’s wet.”
Davina collected some from the container off to the side and handed them down. I made quick work of it and then handed him off to her. “If you had asked me a month ago if I could change a diaper and get a baby dressed, I would have laughed in your face.”
“Yeah, but you have it all figured out now.”
I glanced at her, my brow furrowed. “Not all, but I’m starting to figure it out. Like I had no idea that I was supposed to be feeding him more.”
“He’s a growing boy,” Davina said in a playful voice as she grinned down at Devon. “Aren’t you a growing boy?”
He babbled at her, and then she took a seat in the glider and gave him the bottle. One of his hands pushed up against the bottle. “Is he trying to hold it?”
“No, I don’t think so. I think he’s just now learning that he has hands that move, and he likes to touch things.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I thought you didn’t know anything about kids.”
She shrugged. “I get a daily email about baby stuff. I signed up when Devon was born. Tells me things he might be doing or things that might need attention. It’s how I knew he probably needed more food.”
“You need to give me that site,” I told her seriously.
“Give me your email, and I will,” she told me.
I went to wash my face and hands and then grabbed a new t-shirt while Devon ate. After collecting my coffee again, I told her my plans for the house, showing her pictures on my phone of the furniture I planned on getting for his room. We talked for a while about other plans I had for the house, and then Devon was finished eating.
“Man, did he finish six ounces that fast?”
“Yeah, he might almost be ready for seven, but I’d give it a couple of days.”
“He has a doctor’s appointment on Monday. I hope they can give me some more advice.”
“Good idea.”
She kissed Devon and then held him out to me. “I need to get going.”
“Okay, let me get dressed, and I’ll take you home.”
“No, that’s okay. You have things to do, and I can call a car.”
“Davina, I can take you home.”
She smiled at me. “It’s okay; you have a lot to get done today. I’ll take a car. It will be easier.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Absolutely.” She collected her stuff and went back to my bedroom to use my bathroom.
I checked my phone and found an email from Margo. She wanted me to read over some papers before I came in to sign them. That would be easier with my laptop, and I strapped Devon in his bouncy chair while I went to collect it.
I stepped into my bedroom and noticed the bathroom door wasn’t all the way closed. A two-inch gap afforded me a straight view of Davina standing in her pale pink panties as she slipped on her bra. The sight of her heavy naked breast slammed into me. Fuck—instant hard-on. I couldn’t help but watch as she wiggled into the fabric and then did the clasp.
I quickly stepped back out of the bedroom and went back to the living room. Jesus, her breast had been perfect, and I wanted to rush back into the bathroom and strip her bra off. I paced for a moment as I tried to talk myself down. She might be kissing me and not giving me a hard time, but I did not doubt that she’d lose her mind if I tried to make love to her.
Make love—when was the last time I had thought of sex in those terms? I couldn’t remember. It had always been sex, never anything to do with love.
I was in the kitchen, rinsing the bottles when Davina returned. I couldn’t help but stare at her chest, my erection almost painful below my hips. Devon let out a squeal, and Davina laughed.
“Aren’t you feeling playful this morning,” Davina said to him.
“Aren’t we both,” I muttered to myself, but it wasn’t loud enough for her to hear.
“So, you’re going to pick me up at one, right?”
“Yeah, is that okay?”
“Perfect,” she said as she messed with her phone. She slipped it into her pocket when she finished. “The car should be here in a couple of minutes, so I’m going to go outside and wait. I’ll see you later.”
I should have escorted her down the stairs, should have kissed her goodbye, but I stayed where I was. The last thing I needed her to see was my dick poking my pants out as it begged for her attention. “Alright, I’ll see you later. Thanks for your help, Davina.”
She smiled widely at me. “No problem, Trevor. Good luck today.” She started heading down the stairs as I said thanks.
I heard the door open and then close, and I peered out the kitchen window to see her walking down the sidewalk. I glanced down at my hips; my dick throbbed painfully. Damn, I needed to release that thing. I glanced at Devon, now if only he would take a nap, I could shower and get some relief.
Sadly, he was bouncing happily in his seat, and after sleeping all night, I had a feeling he wasn’t taking a nap anytime soon.
Chapter 22 – Davina
Even though I’d slept on his couch, I’d slept well. I’d also had quite a few rather nice dreams about Trevor that had begun as a fantasy as I’d fed Devon around midnight.
I imagined putting Devon back into his bassinet and then slipping into Trevor’s room to climb in bed beside him. I would curl my body up against his, could imagine his surprise as he came slightly awake and responded to my presence. I imagined him pulling me into his arms, touching me tenderly, kissing me harder, and making love to me in the early mor
ning hours of the day.
It had been hard to go back to sleep at first because so much of me wanted to follow through on that fantasy. However, I wasn’t crazy, and I knew that sleeping with Trevor wasn’t smart. No matter how I was starting to feel for him, I knew that Trevor wasn’t the man for me. Despite Carol wishing he were.
In the car back to my place, I contemplated his proposal again. Could I possibly live in his house and not get involved with him? I had a feeling that if I did move in, we’d eventually fall into bed with one another. I just couldn’t imagine what would happen after that. What if we did sleep with one another a couple of times, and then we decided that it wasn’t going to work? How awkward would it be to remain living under the same roof?
Not that he’d even suggested that we be more than roommates. I knew that was what he was offering, and perhaps I was jumping the gun here. I sighed as the driver let me out, and I quickly passed the money over to him with the app on my phone as I said thank you and goodbye.
It was only nine when I got home, and I had a while before I needed to start the process of getting dressed. Yes, it was going to be a process because I’d already decided that I was going to straighten my hair, which would take almost an hour by itself.
I did, however, take a shower and wash my hair so it would have plenty of time to dry before I needed to work on it with the flat iron. While it dried, I ate a large breakfast and then did some homework.
At eleven, I plugged in the flat iron and let it heat up. I could get that done, and then I would have time while I dressed to make sure it took before Trevor arrived.
While I worked on my loathsome hair, I sang to the music on my phone and danced around the bathroom a little bit. My gaze slipped over the room, and I suddenly wished I’d paid more attention to the size of the bathroom in the in-law suite of his new place. Was it big enough? I knew the master bathroom would have been big enough for three people and all their stuff, but was the in-law suite big enough for all my bathroom accouterments?
