by Nikki Ash
It’s my turn to put him at ease. “Leighton is no one’s fault. He’s been a true blessing in my life. I should be thanking you for giving him to me.”
His head tilts to the side, questioning if I’m telling the truth.
“I’m serious. I was really unhappy, and when—” I quickly stop myself, not ready to tell him everything about that aspect of why I was at the bar that night. That will have to come later. I sit down and take a sip of my wine to buy time. “Just know, I’ve never blamed you for anything.”
He nods, obviously feeling better about the guilt he must have been holding on to since we first saw him this morning. “Tell me about him.”
That’s when it hits me. Here I was, worried about what this meant to me, seeing him again, but I didn’t put myself in his shoes. He just found out he has a son that he knows nothing about. My heart aches when I think about how much he’s missed.
“Here, let me get something for you.” I stand and head toward my bookshelf that houses my photo albums. When I come back, I’m wearing a huge smile as I show him my favorite picture of Leighton as a baby.
He’s mid-bite of his food, and he gasps, wiping his mouth and then reaching out to grab the frame I’m showing him.
“This is him?” he asks in awe.
I sit and watch as his eyes tear up at the cutest little boy you’ve ever seen.
My mom loved playing a game with him where she would ask, “How big is that baby?” She’d taught Leighton to raise his arms high above his head, and she would say, “So big!”
In the photo, he has his arms up high and the cheesiest grin, making his chubby cheeks look even bigger. I can’t look at the photo without a glee of happiness washing over me.
Travis peels his sight from the picture and turns to me. “He really does have my eyes.”
I grin. “I can tell you, not a day has gone by since he was born that I haven’t thought about you when I see him.”
He props the photo up on the table, so we can see it clearly.
“Was he a good baby?” he asks, taking another bite of his food.
“As long as he was being boob-fed, he was happy.”
“That’s my boy,” Travis teases.
I pick up a napkin and throw it at him, which feels really good because he’s right. Leighton is his boy, and for the first time since he was born, I’m not worried about having the conversation with him about who his dad is.
After dinner, we move to the couch, where we spend the rest of the night talking about Leighton and where we’ve been since he was born. Every memory I had of Travis comes rushing back. I learn quickly that I didn’t just make him up to be something he wasn’t.
He’s better.
He’s grown, as I have too. I can see the maturity of being out of college and being a doctor has done him well. He tells me he hasn’t dated much, but by the looks of him, I find that hard to believe. When he mentions how he spends most of his days with married women and their kids, it makes a little more sense.
“What about you? Have you dated much?” he asks.
I’m nervous to tell him I haven’t been with anyone since him, so I leave that part out and say, “The only dates I’ve had are with a little blue-eyed boy.”
He takes my hand and stares into my eyes. “So, what about this blue-eyed boy?”
My heart stops, and I inhale a quick breath.
Thankfully, he continues, “I’ve thought about you often after that night. We definitely clicked. I’ll never understand why you left, but none of that matters now. Seeing you again was a surprise—especially with Leighton—but I’m so glad to get a chance to be with you again.”
I grin, knowing I feel the same way. All night, I’ve felt like we were back at the bar, getting to know each other all over again yet really for the first time.
We stare at each other, and I feel that pull, that drive that brought us together last time. It’s more than magnetic, and it’s bigger than the universe.
Right now, he’s the only thing I want, and when he takes my hand in his, I feel his touch deep in my soul.
“I know we’ve already done this, but, Michelle, I really want to kiss you,” he says, running his finger down my cheek.
I lick my lips, nodding my head and leaning into him.
When we meet, sparks fly, and electricity shoots through my body. It’s here and now that I remember why I threw caution to the wind. When he touches me, I feel things I didn’t know were possible. Last time we were here, I thought it was the pain Daniel had brought me as well as the loneliness our marriage had caused me. Now, I know it was none of that.
It’s him.
If there’s anything such as soul mates, Travis is absolutely mine. There’s no doubt in my mind now. The universe brought us together twice and gave us Leighton in the process because it knew we were meant to be together, just in due time.
When he pulls away from me, he takes my hand and places it against his chest, so I can feel his heart pound.
“Do you feel that?” he asks, keeping my palm against him.
I nod and take his hand, holding it against my own beating heart. “I feel it here too.”
He stands and takes me in his arms, walking me down the hall to my bedroom. When he steps past Leighton’s room, he stops, taking in where his son sleeps every night. The way his face lights up is the sexiest thing ever.
He wants this. He wants me just as much as he wants Leighton.
There’s not a single hesitation in his stride as he enters my room and places me down on my bed.
Slowly, he removes my flats and kicks off his own shoes.
When he leans down, his lips meet with mine. With his strong arms holding him above me, I run my palms down his torso, feeling each line of his abs through his shirt underneath my fingertips.
I want more of him, so I take the next step and move his shirt up. When my hands touch the softness of his skin, a tiny moan escapes my lips. It’s been so long since I’ve been with a man, but no man is like him.
Travis puts my body on pins and needles of lust and need. I become a woman I don’t even know when I yank his shirt over his head, taking it completely off.
Once his is on the floor, I don’t wait for him to reach for mine, removing it myself. He can tell I’m greedy to take it to the next level, and he wastes no time as he crashes his lips against mine.
We rush our hands to each other’s pants and pull them down as fast as we can. Without any thought, my panties are off, and his boxers are on the floor.
As he slides into me, I scream in ecstasy.
I’ve spent many a nights dreaming of having a man next to me, with me, making love to me, yet even in my dreams, I didn’t imagine this.
He fills me to the brim, and I’m so wet and turned on that it sends the most intense sensations through my core to fill my entire body.
I don’t know whether to scream or moan or lie here in absolute shock from the way he makes my body feel.
It’s intense.
It’s almost too much.
Yet, when he slides in and out of me, it’s like the feelings double, and I quickly lose control.
I grip his ass, needing to hold something before I float away. He grinds harder, and I scream louder.
When he holds my face, kissing me while slamming into me, I finally lose every part of my being and clench around him so hard that he pauses, enjoying the waves of me gripping around him.
As his body convulses and quakes inside me, my head falls back, and I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and not wanting to move a muscle, praying the sensations rushing through my body never go away.
He brings his lips to mine and kisses me senseless. I’m a puddle of sex and orgasm, and he’s to blame. After a minute of getting lost in kisses, he pulls out of me, yanks me into his side, and cuddles against me.
I curl up willingly, holding his arm tightly.
He kisses my ear and whispers, “That was even better than the first time.”
> I nod. I couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Nine
Waking up in a man’s arms startles me. When I remember it’s Travis and everything that happened last night though, I’m filled with joy.
He makes me feel so alive again, and now, knowing I have nothing standing in my way of actually being with him, I couldn’t be happier.
I stir a little more, and he does the same. I roll off his chest and grab my pillow, curling on my side while I watch him wake up.
When his eyes meet mine, he smiles. “Morning,” he whispers sleepily.
“Morning.” I grin, gripping my pillow tighter as nerves suddenly wash over me.
This is the part I never got with him last time. I’ve never really had the morning-after talk with anyone like this. Even though we spent the night talking away, I still barely know him.
“Coffee?” I ask, giving me a reason to gather myself.
He reaches over and flips me around, pulling my back into his front. “Sure but not yet. I want to enjoy this a little bit longer.”
I tug on his arm that’s holding me. I’ve heard endorphins rush through your body after hugging someone for twenty seconds. With Travis, I don’t need any time at all. One touch from him, and my body feels lighter, safer, as I’m wrapped in his arms.
We drift in and out of sleep until I hear my phone ring from the front room, reminding me that I didn’t even put it on the charger last night.
With a sigh, I slide out of bed to retrieve it.
When I see it’s my mom calling, I head to the kitchen to make coffee, hoping to not bother Travis.
“Morning,” I say into the phone as I get the coffee grounds from the container on the counter.
“Mommy!” Leighton sings into the phone.
I smile big, loving the sound of his voice. “Hey, baby. Did you sleep good at Grandma and Grandpa’s house?”
“I did! They even let Ming sleep on the bed with me!”
Ming is their little shih tzu and Leighton’s absolute joy in life.
“That’s fun. Where’s your grandma?” I ask, pouring in the necessary amount of water.
“I’m right here,” Mom calls from somewhere next to Leighton.
“What’s your plan today?” I ask.
Yesterday, she wasn’t sure if her Saturday morning tennis match with her friends was on or not.
“We’re going to play, so I was thinking I’d drop Leighton off in about a half hour or so.”
My eyes open wide as panic sets in.
I can’t have them see Travis.
“Yeah. Okay.” I purse my lips as I think of a tactful way to say, You have to leave, so my son—your son—doesn’t see you here.
“Okay, Mommy. Grandma’s making me pan-ee-cakes, so I’m going to go now. See you soon. Love you!”
I smile, loving our nickname for pancakes and the way he says it. “Sounds good. I’ll see you shortly.”
He hangs up, and I press the coffee button before rushing back to my room.
As I enter, I see Travis propped up by some pillows with his hand behind his back. He slipped on his boxer briefs, but his bare chest is on full display, seriously making my mouth water.
I shake my head, remembering I need to get him to go home. I grip my hands in front of my body, ripping off the Band-Aid. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
A sharp laugh escapes his lips. “It’s like that, huh?”
I rush to his side. “No. I’m sorry. It’s just … my mom is bringing Leighton back in a half hour, and I don’t want them to see you here.”
He tilts his head to the side and raises his finger to tuck my hair behind my ear. “I understand, but I’d like to see you guys again today.”
I rub my lips together, not realizing how fast we were going to jump into this. “You want to see us? Or just me?”
“I’d like to see Leighton. Actually, I’d like to see him as much as I can from this day forward.”
I know I should be thrilled, but all of this is happening so fast, and nothing has really sunk in yet. I pull back slightly. “We can arrange that.”
His lips tilt to the side. “Arrange that? You make it sound like you’re not sure.”
My shoulders fall forward. “You have to remember, this time yesterday, I had no idea I would ever see you again.”
“Yes, and this time yesterday, I had no idea I was a father, let alone to a five-year-old little boy. I get the enormity of the situation, but I also want to make up for all the time I’ve lost.”
I nod, reaching for his hands to grasp in mine. “Yes, I know. Let’s just take things slow. Between us and you with Leighton.”
He inhales, and I can see his wheels turning. “How slow?” he finally asks. “I want him to know I’m his father.”
I close my eyes, my chest suddenly tight. “It’s just …” I open them and stare into his gorgeous blues that match the ones I’ve treasured for the last five years. “I’m just afraid. I can’t have you coming into our lives and saying you’re his dad and then not staying around.”
Travis snaps the covers back. “You need to understand, I’m not going anywhere. Don’t forget who left me that night.” He stands, and I feel the dagger he just threw at me.
“That’s harsh.” I face him.
He stops and takes a deep breath, letting us both calm down from the sudden rush of emotions filling the room.
He places his hand on my face, and I instantly fall into it. “Look, I don’t know what will happen between us. I’d like to see us make this work and be together. That night, I thought I’d met the one. Last night, I had that same feeling. I know it will take time. But no matter what, I will not leave my son. I’m in his life from here on out. That, I can absolutely and without a doubt promise you from the bottom of my heart.”
I nod, and he leans in to kiss my lips.
As he pulls back, he grins. “Can I at least get that coffee you promised before you kick me out?”
I laugh and love the way he changes the tension between us so easily. No one could ever be prepared for the situation we’re in, but knowing he’s levelheaded and in it for the long haul definitely helps.
Chapter Ten
I watch as Travis pulls on his pants and slips his shirt over his head. When he turns around and catches me staring, he pulls me in his arms and kisses me so senseless that I forget I’m a mom who needs to get him out of here. I wish he could stay, so we could have round two, but I know that can’t happen.
He steps away, and I want to pout until my son’s face pops in my head. I do a little turn and start to pull him out of the room.
Of course, I make him a cup of coffee first, which makes me feel slightly better about kicking him out. The only to-go cup I have is one that says Wonder Mom with the Wonder Woman logo.
He picks it up, smiling at me. “Cute cup.”
“Leighton picked it out for Mother’s Day last year.”
“Good man. He chose right.”
We walk to the door, and Travis takes me into his arms again. My knees go weak when his lips meet mine. Even though it takes me a few seconds, I get my wits about me and place my hand on his chest, stopping our kiss and opening the front door.
That’s when I hear, “Mommy!”
Travis jumps to the right as Leighton rushes to my side and hugs me as tight as he can.
“Hey, buddy. I didn’t expect you here so fast,” I say, picking him up and hugging him properly.
“Obviously,” Mom says as she enters my place, checking Travis up and down. “I’m Judy, Michelle’s mom. And you are?” She holds her hand out to Travis and smiles like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Hmm.” She glances at me and then back to Travis. “Your eyes are stunning, just like my—”
“Dr. Rivers!” Leighton says, thankfully interrupting my mom’s thought process. “Why are you here? Did my mom need a doctor?” He places his hand to my forehead, like I do when he says he has a tummy ache. “Are you feeling
sick, Mommy?”
Mom laughs, and I eye her to stop.
“I’m okay, baby. Dr. Rivers was just bringing me a paper I forgot to sign.”
“So, Dr. Rivers”—Mom sashays over to him, wrapping her arm around his and bringing him back into my living room—“are you Leighton’s new pediatrician?”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure am,” Travis says, looking over to me to make sure this is okay.
I shrug and shut the door, knowing she’ll keep him here so there’s no need to try to fight it.
She walks to the kitchen, where she pours herself a cup of coffee.
“So, Mom, I thought you guys were making pancakes?” I ask, widening my eyes at her.
“We were, but Susie called and asked that I come earlier, so we only made the two he ate, and I put the rest of the batter in the fridge for later.”
“Then, don’t you have to leave? Is she waiting for you?” I motion toward the door.
“Oh, no worries. She’ll understand why I’m late when I tell her who I met.” The way her grin shines through over her coffee mug makes Travis chuckle into his cup. “So, did you two just meet yesterday?” she asks.
Travis looks at me, and I jump in, making sure she doesn’t know just how long I’ve known him. “Yes, just yesterday really.” As soon as the words slip from my mouth, I want to slap my own forehead when I realize just how bad that sounded.
“Well, I sure am glad to meet you and see you here, bright and early like this. I keep on telling Michelle she needs to date. I don’t think she’s been on one since she split with that horrible husband of hers.”
Travis turns to me with a questioning expression. “Husband?”
My heart beats so hard in my chest that I feel like it might explode. “Oh dear, look at me. Telling her story. I’m sorry. There’s nothing to know though. We like to think of him as the sperm donor since he bailed as soon as Michelle found out she was pregnant.”
I close my eyes, not wanting to see Travis’s expression after my mom so nonchalantly just dropped the bomb. When I finally open them, he’s staring daggers at me.
