“Where did you go?” he asks gently while rubbing soft circles on the back of my neck.
It takes all my willpower not to moan and lean closer to him. “Sorry, just got lost in thought,” I manage to whisper back. He doesn’t say anything; he just stares at me while continuing to drive me crazy, massaging my neck. Finally, he inches closer until we’re just a breath away.
“I want to kiss you real bad, Bailey. I’m trying to take things slow but when you’re looking at me that way, all flushed cheeks and pouty lips, it makes it really hard for me to be good, despite Logan being here.”
I’m so caught up in how close his lips are to mine that I didn’t quite catch all that he said. Something about wanting to kiss me. I really want him to kiss me. Without thinking, I lick my dry lips while staring at his full ones. He growls, and I try to move back but his grip on my neck just tightens.
“Babe, don’t lick your lips like that. It’s driving me crazy with want for you.” He sounds like he’s in pain.
Logan calls out from the living room and informs us he’s picked out the movie to watch. Before I can make a move to get up, Gavin pulls me closer and whispers in my ear, creating chills all over my body. “You’re sitting next to me on that couch, no questions asked. I want to be close to you.” He pulls away and stands, reaching out for my hand.
I have no words, and even if I did, I’m pretty sure my voice wouldn’t work. My heart is racing and I can feel my cheeks burning. I slip my hand in his, and those damned butterflies throw the biggest party ever. I’ve never held hands like this before, but I really like how it feels with Gavin.
Chapter Eight
Gavin
As I enter the Phoenix, Hunter is in the reception area, and I know he is waiting to pounce, like the little schoolgirl he is, wanting to know about last night. As much as I try to get rid of the smile I’ve been sporting since the moment I woke up, it’s just not happening.
Last night went better than I could have expected. The poor kid didn’t last more than forty minutes into the movie before he crawled on the couch and placed his head on Bailey’s lap. As she ran her fingers through his hair, he quickly drifted off to sleep, snoring softly. I had secretly hoped that Logan would pass out during the movie so Bailey and I could have a little alone time. I just didn’t want the night to end. Being so close to Bailey, having her melt at my touch, I just couldn’t give that shit up. The moment I knew Logan was asleep, I pressed my lips to the side of her head and could feel when she suddenly held her breath.
“Breathe, babe.” I kissed down her cheek to her jawline and down to just below her ear where I could feel her heart pulsating, stopping to kiss that spot a few times. I wasn’t planning on taking it any further but then she slightly turned her head in my direction, and I was a goner. Her plump lips were right there for the taking. I gently pressed my lips to hers just to feel their softness. When she gasped in surprise I couldn’t help myself, I plunged my tongue in and took what I’d been dying to taste from the moment I laid eyes on her. I massaged her tongue with mine and nipped at her bottom lip. She seemed stiff for a second, but when she brought her hand up into my hair, all bets were off. Our tongues dueled for dominance, and I’ve never been so damn turned on from just kissing. She broke the kiss first, and I wanted to pull her back in, but when she whispered Logan’s name, I knew we had to stop. I gently pressed my lips to hers once more then helped her pick Logan up and walked her to her door. I waited for her to step inside and put him in bed before saying goodnight. With Logan sleeping in his room, we were more at ease, and I kissed her without reservation, leaving both of us breathless and her cheeks flushed. I placed one more kiss on her forehead and watched her close her door, waiting to leave until I heard the lock click in place. As I said, it went a lot better than I expected.
“From the bounce in your step and that damn goofy smile on your smug face, I’m going to say last night went well.” Hunter pounced, just like I thought he would.
“We had a good time,” I return, as I make my way to the computer to confirm my schedule for the day. I still have an hour and a half break at twelve, and I plan to swing by Momma B’s. Bailey’s only working the breakfast shift today since it’s Sunday, and I know Logan will be there since there’s no after-school program on the weekends. Yeah, I know how it sounds, but I’m not stalking her. Momma B’s Grill is located just at the top of the hill, and my tattoo studio happens to be only four shops down.
“You had a good time? That’s it? Dude, I need more than that,” Hunter insists as he chomps away on his doughnut.
“Did you replace your junk with a vagina, Hunter?” I throw at him.
At this, he makes a show of grabbing said junk. “Nah, bro. Still intact. So?” He wiggles his eyebrows. Hunter is relentless, I might as well give him something or he will spend all damn day at my station, in between clients, asking for details. He’s that fucking annoying.
“Like I said, we had a good time. I cooked lasagna and Bailey was sweet enough to have brought over an apple pie she made for dessert. I almost had a heart attack when Logan asked if I had made mac and cheese for dinner. It’s the bestest food in the whole wide world, according to him.”
Hunter throws his head back, laughing. “Kid’s the coolest, I tell you.”
“Yeah, he really is. Thankfully, his other favorite food is lasagna, so I was good. We watched a movie and the kid passed out soon after. We called it a night, and I walked her to her door.” Hunter stares at me, trying to figure out if I’m hiding anything else. We’re dudes, we don’t kiss and tell. Well, okay, we’ll mention if we’ve fucked. But Bailey’s not some one-night stand, and there’s no way I’m ever telling him anything intimate that happens between Bailey and me. That’s none of the fucker’s business.
“How were you and Bailey?” he prompts and crosses his arms across his chest, waiting. I take a deep breath and let it out before answering him.
“Like night and day. Having Bailey in my space without a crowd, she was a different woman. It was as if her guard came down and her real personality came through full force. She seemed relaxed and to be enjoying herself.” I smile at the memory of having her snug on the couch while watching the kid movie with Logan. She melted into me and never tried to pull away.
“Any mention of Logan’s father?” Hunter pulls me out of my thoughts.
“No. We didn’t get too personal with Logan there. Besides, last night was just about spending time together.”
“Makes sense. When are you seeing her again?”
“Not sure yet, but soon. There’s no way I can go back to how we were, not after last night.” Hunter just wiggles his eyebrows and makes kissing faces at me. Fucking clown.
“Would you get back to work already? Shit.” I shove him and he salutes me, heading back to the front to see if his first client has arrived.
Hunter’s right though, I need to figure out the deal with the father, because there’s no way I’m giving her up, especially not to some douche who, from the looks of it, abandoned his woman and kid. Needing a distraction from all thoughts Bailey, I get to work. It’s not a very busy morning for me, just a few small tats and some touch-ups. This afternoon will keep me busy, as I have a solider coming in to finish off this massive back piece. It’s one of my best works yet and also one of the toughest on a personal level. Our flag takes up most of his back. The right side of the flag is ripped to shreds, billowing in the wind. Under it, there will be a script in memory of his three fallen brothers. I cannot wait to finish it. So far, it’s turning out sick, and Luke seems to think so too, although he’s a man of few words. I can’t blame him. Before I know it, it’s five minutes to twelve; it’s finally time to have lunch with the girl who has consumed all my thoughts.
~Bailey~
“Oh, baby girl, I want to meet whoever placed that gorgeous smile on your face.”
I look up from the tray I just placed at the front counter to find Momma B coming out from the kitchen. Momma B usually
only shows up for the dinner shift since there’s liquor being served, and sometimes things can get a little rowdy, at least from what Ash has told me.
I haven’t worked the dinner shift yet, and I think Momma B has done that knowing it would be difficult for me to find childcare for Logan. Although I appreciate her doing that, I also know that the dinner shift brings in a lot more tips than breakfast and lunch, just from serving drinks. I’ll have to see if we can work something out in the future. For now, I can’t complain about the money I’m making. It maintains a roof over our heads, food on the table, and even a little bit for extra stuff like arts and crafts for Logan or a pair of new work shoes for me. So, really, I can’t complain.
During weekends, Momma B will work either the breakfast or lunch shifts, to give us girls half days. Thankfully, I am able to bring Logan with me on weekends. When I work the breakfast shift he will sit at one of the tables closest to the front counter, where I can see him, and Mr. Henderson usually stays longer than other days to help keep an eye on him. Secretly, I know Mr. Henderson loves the company as much as Logan loves telling him all kinds of stories from school and drawing him pictures. Sometimes they’ll color together in one of Logan’s coloring books and I swear, I’ve never heard Mr. Henderson laugh in all the time I’ve known him, but somehow, Logan makes him laugh out loud.
That’s just how Logan is. Ever since we’ve been here, Logan’s personality has begun to show. He’s such a funny and loving person. You would have never guessed it if you knew how the first few years of his life had been. I think kids really do bounce back better than adults.
Momma B is still in front of me, with her arms crossed over her chest and a knowing smirk, waiting for my response. Oh, sweet Lord. What am I supposed to say? I hadn’t even realized that I had been smiling all damn day. Oh, who am I kidding? I haven’t stopped smiling since I closed the door last night after Gavin kissed me goodnight. Gosh, does he have the sexiest, softest lips ever. I mean, I don’t have much to compare them to but Gavin’s lips felt amazing. And boy, oh boy, does he know how to kiss. I thought I was messing it up, but once I felt his tongue on mine, I don’t know what came over me except that it felt perfect and I wanted more of it.
“Oh, baby girl, spill the details, please.” Momma B leans her elbows on the counter, waiting very eagerly for me to start talking. “From those flaming cheeks of yours, it’s juicy news for sure. Do tell, sugar.”
I groan and cover my face while Momma B chuckles. I let out a breath before spilling my guts to this woman who has taken Logan and me in with open arms without judgment and without pressing for information that I wasn’t yet willing to share.
“Logan and I had dinner at Gavin’s place last night,” I manage to whisper without stumbling over my words.
“Oh, baby girl! Tell me more.”
I let out a laugh and smile from ear to ear. “We had a really nice time together.” My face is hurting so damn much from the smile I’m sporting, but I can’t help myself.
“Oh, no, darling, I want details. Did he kiss you?”
She wiggles her eyebrows, and I can’t help but groan again and hide my face. It’s probably the color of bright tomatoes now.
“He did! How was it?”
Gosh, are Momma B and Ashton related somehow? She’s acting exactly how Ash would. She kinda reminds me of my mom. Only I didn’t get the chance to have many boy talks with mine before she was taken from me. Thankfully, Ash is working the lunch shift today so she can’t grill me about my date with Gavin.
“I’m here!” Speak of the damn devil. I let out another groan and sit on one of the stools.
Thankfully, it has died down a bit, and I’ve already checked on my tables. I look over my shoulder to where Logan is sitting with Mr. Henderson and see they’re both focused on one of their coloring books.
“Hurry up, Ash! Bailey was just about to tell me how Gavin kissed her last night,” Momma B all about shouts out for all the damn diner to hear.
Hide me now.
“What?” Ashton about falls flat on her ass in her hurry to get to us. Oh, how these two kill me. I can’t help but laugh and feel blessed to have them in my life. Things are finally looking up for me, and I have Momma B and Ash to thank for that. I just hope I’m not making a mistake by staying here and forming connections.
“Spill! I want every detail.” Ash plops herself right next to Momma B while pouring herself a cup of coffee. I take a much-needed breath and tell them how great Gavin was, from engaging with Logan in conversations, to holding my hand during the movie, to the kiss. By the time I’m done, my heart is racing and my face is burning. My cheeks are hurting so much from the enormous smile I’m now sporting.
“Oh, my God!” Ash makes a dramatic sigh and is fanning herself with one of the napkins. Momma B is smiling as if I just told her I won the lottery.
“How do you feel, Bailey?” Momma B asks, in a much quieter voice. I straighten up in my stool and think about it for a moment.
“I’m happy,” I breathe out and then add, “I’d like to see him again, but I’m also a bit scared.”
“Just be careful with your heart, baby girl. Gavin’s a great man, but he has also never committed to any woman before. Not that I don’t notice the way he looks at you. Lord knows he only comes in here to see you, and if any other man even thinks of speaking to you, he growls like a damn Rottweiler. Just be cautious, but enjoy the ride.” She smiles, reaches over, and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
Just like my momma used to do.
I have never had someone look out for me, except Joe, my old boss, but even he never gave me a heart-to-heart speech the way Momma B just did.
“And speaking of the devil himself.” Ash breathes out, still in her dream-like state. I turn to face the entrance, and sure enough, Gavin walks through the door, looking as handsome as he did last night.
I can feel the damn butterflies take flight in my stomach, and I will them to just calm their shit so I can at least have a decent conversation with him. I stand from my stool, but before I can move, Gavin comes straight to me, places both hands on my waist, pulls me flush against his broad, muscular chest, and gently presses a kiss on my forehead. I swear, those damn butterflies just started lighting fireworks.
“Hey, beautiful,” he whispers against my forehead and squeezes my hips a little before pushing back to lock eyes with me.
I barely manage a “hey” myself before Logan is running up to us, calling out Gavin’s name.
“Gavin, did you bring Zeus?”
Gavin steps back and kneels to be eye level with him. “Sorry, bud, I’m working, so Zeus is at home.”
“Oh, what do you do for work?” Logan questions. This is what I love to see, Logan just being himself, without worrying if he can or cannot say or do something.
“How about you and your mom join me for lunch, and I can tell you all about it?” he asks as he straightens to his full height and looks back at me. Logan is already excitedly saying yes.
“I’m still working,” I manage to get out through my clogged voice. I can still feel the warmth from his lips on my forehead and the butterflies are still driving me crazy.
“Technically, you’re off. It’s noon and the breakfast shift is over. You go ahead and have a sit; I’ll be right there with the lunch menus.” Ash happily provides, while practically jumping in place. Can she be any more obvious?
“Great, thanks, Ash.” Gavin smiles at her, and I swear she melts right there at our feet. This girl, I tell you.
“I’ll meet you at the usual table, beautiful.” He winks and throws me that sexy smirk of his, which makes it impossible for me to say no.
“Please, can we?” Logan begs.
“All right.” I smile at them both. Logan lets out a whoop of excitement and is already making his way over to the table Gavin sits at most times.
“Hey, Bubba, are you forgetting something?” He stops then turns to me. I point my finger toward Mr. Henderson, who happens to be
enjoying this little show.
“Mr. Henderson, I’m sorry I left you. Do you want to come and eat with us?” Just like that my little guy apologizes and makes you feel wanted, all at once.
Mr. Henderson chuckles and declines politely. He walks with Logan to the cash register while Logan tells him how he’ll come back next week to spend time with him. My little man.
Logan comes over to Gavin, and they make their way over to his usual table while I stand there frozen in place, sporting the biggest smile while watching them as if they have been in each other’s lives all along.
“That smile looks beautiful on you, darling.” Mr. Henderson stops by my side, and I smile up at him but have no words.
“You just let me know if he breaks your heart and I’ll take care of him.” Mr. Henderson shows me his fists and shakes them.
I smile brightly at him, and without pause I give him a tight hug. He’s stiff at first but quickly returns my embrace.
“Thank you. For everything, Mr. Henderson,” I whisper to him and pull back to see him smiling right back at me.
Once Mr. Henderson leaves, I make my way to the locker room past the kitchen and quickly freshen up as best as I can.
Ash comes running into the back and gives me some of her fruity lip gloss to wear, pulls my curls from my messy bun and fluffs it out a bit. She turns me to her and smiles brightly. “Go get him, tiger.”
I laugh alongside her as we make our way back out front. I look out to where Gavin usually sits, and my heart warms at seeing him coloring in one of Logan’s books and laughing at something silly Logan must have said. This is what I’ve always wanted for Logan. To be safe and happy with people who genuinely care for him. But the survivor in me is hesitant to go all-in and trust freely.
Just Breathe Page 4
