Then I Met You: A single dad romance (Love in Everton Book 6)

by Fabiola Francisco

  Wanting to get closer to him, I step forward but have nowhere to go unless I climb him like a tree. I won’t ruin the moment by toppling us over on the stool. A giggle bubbles up in the back of my throat as the vision of us falling over comes front and center in my mind.

  “What’s so funny?” Gavin pulls away just enough to ask the question, his breath against my lips.

  I shake my head. “Nothing. Keep kissing me like that.” I smash my lips with his, my tongue probing his lips. Our tongues continue their dance.

  Gavin’s hands continue to wander. They move down the curve of my ass to where the top of my thighs meet my butt. His fingers sneak under the hem of my shorts, teasing my skin.

  I shiver and press my body to his, needing to feel more. My thighs clench together to create some type of friction.

  Gavin pulls back and stares at me. “You’re not wearing underwear,” he states, though his eyebrows lift in surprise.

  “I was getting ready to go out, so I just threw this on when I got out of the shower.”

  The guttural growl that moves through his chest turns me on even more. “Fuck.” He rubs one hand down his face and stares at me again.

  Keeping our eyes locked, he moves his other hand around the inside of the hem. My heart goes wild as I wait for his next move. My chest rises and falls. His finger skims along where my thigh connects with my core.

  “You’re wet,” he whispers. “Fucking hot.” His finger runs along my pussy, and I call out, holding on to his shoulders when my legs buckle.

  “Don’t stop,” I demand.

  One side of his lips lift. Leaning his head forward, his lips kiss the corner of my mouth before trailing kisses down my cheek to my jaw and neck. I angle my head to the side and moan. The roughness of his beard spikes my heated skin.

  Gavin swipes his finger over my clit again, pressing down with more force this time yet continuing his teasing.

  I arch into him as my breathing grows heavier. His other hand runs up and down from my hip to my ribs. His thumb stops on the side of my breast, and his thumb brushes against my nipple. I shudder, consumed by the sensation of having his hands over my body.

  Whether it’s been years or not, Gavin knows where to touch to get a reaction from me.

  He moves a finger down my pussy, thrusting into me. I cry out. My entire body is on fire, trembling and heated. He thrusts a second finger, adding pressure and moving in and out of me with determined strokes while he tweaks my nipples through my shirt with his other hand.

  I claw at his back, unintelligible words slipping from my lips in gasps. His lips move back up from my neck to my lips, taking me in a deep kiss. Gavin swallows my pleas and does exactly what he knows I need when he rubs his thumb over my clit. In a matter of seconds, I fall apart, pulsing around his fingers.

  One of my hands moves down to his lap, rubbing my palm against his hard cock. I need to feel him. Blindly, I undo his belt just as my orgasm hits me, pausing my movements as I throw my head back in bliss.

  “Gorgeous,” Gavin states, and he slows his fingers as I come down from my climax.

  Stunned into silence, I continue to remove the buttons and slide down the zipper on his jeans. Gavin places his hand over mine before I can reach for him.

  “You don’t have to.”

  I look into his eyes and lean in for a slow kiss. “I want to,” I murmur against his lips.

  Dropping to my knees, Gavin’s eyes widen before his hands tangle in my hair, and I take him in my mouth. Who cares if we’re a few minutes late to meet our friends?

  Gavin

  I wasn’t prepared to see Sutton on her knees before me. Let alone to watch her take my dick in her mouth and suck me to the brink of orgasm. She wouldn’t let up, even when I warned her I wasn’t going to last.

  After years of not feeling a woman, it was embarrassing how quickly I came. She didn’t make me feel self-conscious. She didn’t give me time to overthink. She stood and kissed me in a long and deep kiss before skipping away to get cleaned up and dressed.

  She’s an unexpected angel with that blonde hair and beautiful smile. I’m under her charm, wrapped up in her with no way out. Talking throughout the week only fueled my need to see her. When I read her message, I knew I’d move heaven and earth to see her tonight, even if in public with our friends.

  We walk into Clarke’s holding hands. Sutton walks in confidence, wearing tight jeans that hug her ass and a white button-down blouse. She left a few of the top buttons undone, but I’ll make sure I’m the only one that will get a glimpse of her.

  “What did I miss?” Lia looks between us. “Is this what happens when I’m pregnant and home with morning sickness? How did I miss you two becoming an item?” She crosses her arms and glares at us then at Axel.

  “Don’t look at me. This is news to me, too. I’ve been holding your hair back during said morning sickness.” He lifts his hands in surrender.

  Lia smiles at him and leans in for a kiss. “You’re the best.” She turns her attention back to us. “When did this happen?” She waves a hand between us.

  Ainsley interrupts, putting her arm around Lia. “It’s new. Don’t make a big deal about it.”

  “Uh, you knew and didn’t tell me?” Now she glares at Ainsley, and I can’t help but chuckle.

  “It’s only been about a week,” I assure Lia. I don’t need a pregnant woman on my case.

  “Well, I approve,” she nods.

  “Me too,” Poppy smiles, waving her fingers at us.

  “Now that we have your blessin’, can a girl get a beer ‘round here?” Sutton says, moving toward the bar. She looks back at me over her shoulder and winks.

  Axel chuckles beside me and claps my shoulder. “You’re in trouble.”

  We order two beers and talk to our friends, music playing in the background.

  “Hey, guys.” Averly and Eli walk up to us.

  “Hey! What are you doing here? Where’s Mason?” Poppy pushes forward, hugging her.

  Averly laughs. “We left him with my parents. Finn insisted we came out tonight instead of staying locked up at home. Clearly, he doesn’t know what it means to have an infant.” She rolls her eyes at her brother’s comments.

  “By the way, I like this.” She motions a finger between Sutton and me. “I’d heard something was going on but wasn’t sure.”

  “You heard while you’re home with a baby, and I didn’t?” Lia shakes her head.

  “Emotional pregnancy moods?” Averly scrunches up her nose as she looks at her.

  “How did you handle it?” Lia sighs in frustration.

  “ I barely did.”

  “Tell me about it.” Eli hugs Averly from behind with a grin.

  As I watch all of them interact, I wonder what it will be like for Sutton and me in the future. Will we be where our friends are right now? Married, having more kids. I hadn’t even thought about more kids. For me, Penny was it. How would she feel about having a sibling?

  “Hey,” Finn’s voice booms from behind us. “Aw, you listened to your big brother and made it.” He kisses Averly’s cheek.

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  “Hey,” Abbie smiles at me.

  “Oh, my God!” Sutton yells next to me, causing me to tense.

  “What in the…” I furrow my eyebrows. My eyes pop wide when Sutton grabs Abbie’s hand.

  “You’re engaged!” She hugs Abbie, and everyone else joins in congratulating Finn and her.

  “Yeah, it happened earlier today,” Abbie blushes and offers a small smile. I know how much she hates being the center of attention.

  “We can plan our weddings together,” Poppy hollers.

  “So much yelling.” Eli shakes his head and steps toward the bar.

  I clap Finn’s shoulder. “Congrats, man.”

  “Thanks.” He shakes my hand.

  “How come you didn’t tell me?” Averly punches Finn’s shoulder. I laugh and cover my mouth when she narrows her eyes in my direction.


  “No offense, but you would’ve blabbed.” Finn looks at me. “Same goes for you. I know how close you and Abbie are.”

  I shake my head and raise my hands. “None taken.”

  I hear Abbie telling the women how Finn planned a surprise photoshoot for them, and she thought she was going to shoot someone who had booked her. Then, as the woman was taking their photo, he proposed. I’m sure she’ll tell me all about it soon.

  Eli hands Averly a drink, winking. “Vodka for the Missus.”

  “Trying to get me drunk,” Averly retorts.

  “That’s my sister,” Finn deadpans.

  “And that’s my cousin.” I lift my brows and point at Abbie, knowing damn well Finn wasn’t a saint before he started dating her.

  “I feel like we’re all oddly related now.” Finn looks at us. “There are worse people to call family, I guess,” he shrugs and laughs at his own joke.

  Shaking my head, I smile at Sutton when I catch her looking my way. I lift my beer toward her and take a drink.

  “It’s good to see you happy,” Finn slaps my back. Leave it to him to keep things honest.

  “Thanks,” I chuckle. “It feels good.”

  I go to Sutton and loop my arm around her waist. She smiles up at me. The memory of her on her knees hits me, and I clear my throat. As if reading my mind, she winks and pats my chest.

  “You’re a vixen,” I whisper in her ear.

  She laughs and hides her head in my chest before looking back at me. She doesn’t need to say anything for me to know what she’s feeling. I’m feeling the same thing. This could go somewhere far, but I want to take things slow before jumping straight into heartbreak road on a suicide mission.

  When Abbie finishes talking to Poppy and Ainsley, I give her a big hug and congratulate her. She deserves all the happiness she’s getting.

  “Thanks, cuz. I see things are going well.” Her eyebrows dance on her forehead, and Sutton’s throaty laugh makes my cock hard.

  “Yeah,” I assure her we’ll have lunch soon to catch up.

  “Let’s go dance.” Sutton pulls my hand out into the crowd. I reluctantly let her guide me, knowing it’s no use to fight her. At least she already knows I have two left feet.

  Sutton moves around me, shaking her hips and lifting her hands over her head. She laughs and moves my arms. I can’t help but stare at her as she dances. When she turns and gives me her back, I watch her ass shake before grabbing her hips and pulling her to me. She teases me and wiggles her ass against my crotch. I lean into her ear and groan.

  Sutton turns and wraps her arms around my neck, moving to the beat. I move with her, and she pushes further into me. I’m sure she feels the bulge in my jeans. I want nothing more than to take her home and bury myself inside her, but I can’t spend all night out. And I don’t want to just fuck her and leave.

  We dance the rest of the night, major foreplay for my hard dick.

  As I drop Sutton back home, I turn to look at her.

  “What are you doing tomorrow?”

  “Resting.” She smiles sleepily.

  “How about we take Penny to The Mad Batter. I owe her a cupcake.”

  “Let me know when, and I’ll be there. We won’t have to tell her about us, yet. I know you wanted to wait a bit.” She scoots closer to me on the bench in my truck.

  I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and Sutton rests her head on my chest.

  “I want to make sure she understands what dating and girlfriend means.”

  Sutton’s head snaps up, and she stares at me. “Am I your girlfriend?” Her eyebrows furrow in the cutest way.

  “Well, you’re the only person I’m seeing. I plan to see a lot more of you. And I want this.” I reach for her hands.

  “I want this, too. I like you, Gavin. I know you experienced something terrible, and I’m grateful you trust me.” She tilts her head, and her eyes crinkle as she smiles.

  “I like you, too.” I lean forward and kiss her. “Even if you make me dance in public,” I say against her lips before kissing her again.

  “Hmmm,” she sighs and holds me by the neck. Sutton gets on her knees so she can reach better, our tongues moving together.

  I reach for her thighs and bring one over me, so she’s straddling me. When she lowers her body over mine, I groan and thrust my hips up.

  “Not the best idea unless I planned on doing more than this,” I grumble.

  “Shhh…” She presses a finger over my lips. Cupping my face, Sutton adds, “We take our time. I agree this position gives me all kinds of ideas, but we’re in no rush.”

  “You have no idea how badly I want you.” I grip her hips. “But I don’t want to fuck you in my truck and leave. It’s a little more complicated with being a dad, but I promise we’ll have time for us.” I thrust up, and she moans. “Trust me.”

  Wordlessly, Sutton fuses her lips to mine and kisses me with wild desperation. Her nails scrape the back of my neck. It prickles my skin and drives my desire into full gear. I hold her to me and get lost in the kiss, giving her what I can at the moment.

  I make it a point to figure out how to parent and date simultaneously. Maybe Abbie can keep Penny over one night, so I won’t feel so guilty spending the night with Sutton and not being home when Penny wakes up.

  Sutton grinds into me. Yeah, I’m gonna have to beg Abbie. I’ll owe her big time. Hell, I’ll gift her the most expensive gift for her wedding if she does this one favor.

  My hands move up and down her back, recalling what happened earlier. It’d be so easy to slip my hand in her jeans, but I want to be able to take my time. I’m not a teenager looking for a quickie in a parked car. Sutton deserves better than that.

  I take Sutton’s lower lip between my teeth and tug. Dropping a kiss on the base of her throat, I catch my breath. Our mingled breaths fog up the windows. My chest heaving as I think about anything that will distract me from the woman straddling me.

  “Intense,” she says, running a hand through her hair and flipping it to the side.

  “Very.” I trace the V opening of her shirt. She shivers at the contact, and I smirk. “I should get you inside.”

  “Yeah,” she whispers.

  I hold her chin and turn her face toward me. “I promise. Soon.”

  She pinches her lips in a smile and nods. “I know.” She gives me a chaste kiss and moves off my lap. I sigh and run a hand through my hair, regaining my control, and willing my dick to calm down so I can step off this truck and walk her to her door.

  Sutton’s giggles steal my attention. “Feelin’ a little hard up?” she winks.

  “You have no idea.” I move my hand down my face and scratch my bearded chin. It’s as if my body already forgot that I came earlier. It doesn’t care what happened a few hours ago when it’s got Sutton near it.

  After a few deep breaths, I walk Sutton to her door and kiss her before promising to see her tomorrow. The decision I have to make is if I want to tell Penny about Sutton before we see her or wait until we’re more established in our relationship. The one thing I want to avoid is getting Penny’s hopes up and something happening between Sutton and me.

  She will probably have a bunch of questions I’m not sure I’ll have the best answers for. While I’d love nothing more than to believe that our relationship can be flawless, knowing Sutton’s career is so demanding worries me at times. She’s in and out of town, touring and making a name for herself—something I don’t want to interfere in.

  We can make it work if Knox and Ainsley can, as well as so many other musicians. We sure as hell aren’t the first couple in this situation. That’s what I tell myself on the drive home. Because if there’s one thing I’m certain of, it is that Sutton Wright is one woman I’m willing to risk my heart for.

  Sutton

  “Tell me everything.” Kelsey sits on my sofa, cradling a glass filled with cherry-colored wine. She arrived earlier today and has been bugging me with questions about Gavin.

  “It’s going
really well. We’ve gone out a few times just the two of us, and on Saturday, we went to get cupcakes with his daughter.”

  “Does she know you two are an item?” Her eyes bug out.

  I shake my head. “Not yet. He wants to give it some time, and I respect that. Penny has gotten close to me in the short time I’ve known her, and I wouldn’t want her to feel upset or confused if something were to happen.”

  “What would happen?” Kelsey lifts her eyebrows and gives me an I’m-not-buying-it look.

  “I hope Gavin and I work out. I like him a lot, and like I said, things are going great. But you know the beginning is always the honeymoon stage. My career isn’t easy, and he has a daughter to protect and care for. He can’t exactly go on the road with me for months on end the way Ainsley can go with Knox.”

  She nods, musing over this. “I get it, but that doesn’t mean you two can’t make it work.” She takes a sip of wine and relaxes back into the couch.

  “I know.” I blow out a gust of breath. Everything she says is true, and Gavin and I are off to a fantastic start. It’s still a worry I have, though.

  “When am I going to meet him?” Her eyebrows dance on her forehead, causing me to giggle and fall back on the couch with her, careful not to spill my beer. I bought the local IPA that Gavin got for our picnic, and now every time I drink it, I think of that night and our first kiss.

  “Tomorrow night. We’re going to Clarke’s.”

  “Ohhhh… That bar you’re always talking about?”

  I laugh. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Kelsey throws a pillow at me. “Don’t call me ma’am.”

  My head falls back in laughter, and I snort, causing us both to laugh harder.

  “Has Gavin witnessed your adorably embarrassing quirk?”

  “Yes.” I cover my face. “He says it’s cute.”

  “Then, he’s a keeper because I’d call your snorting a lot of things, but cute isn’t one of them,” she teases.

  I roll my eyes and smile. It’s so nice to have her visit and finally see Everton. “What are we going to do tonight?” She looks at me over the rim of her glass.