Chapter 15
Lauren
Forthelastweek, Gavin has been getting acquainted with Graham. Every day after I get out of work and before we head home, I bring him over. The two of them talk, getting to know each other. While they do father and son things, I sit out on the porch and toss a ball for Gem.
It's been hard to step back and let them have their time together and not be part of it. I've been involved in every aspect of my son's life for the last six years, but I know how important this is. I want this for him, so I'm doing my best.
Every night after dinner, Graham calls Gavin, and they talk some more. When they hang up, I put him to bed, clean up and call Gavin back so we can have our time together.
While it's hard not to picture us as one big happy family at the end of all this, I have to be realistic. Gavin walked away once, and we had a much better shot of working it out then than we do now. But I know I'm in too far, and if he decides not to stick around, it will break my heart. At this point, I’ll have to live with it as I've decided it's worth the pain.
As I walk into Oakside today, things seem a bit different, even if I can't put my finger on it. I knock on Gavin's door, and Gem comes over to greet me.I give her a good head rub, and she heads back to lie beside Gavin.
"Hey," I say as I walk in and sit next to him on the couch.
"So, what’s the plan for today?" He smirks.
Over the past few days, the playful Gavin I remember from all those years ago has crept back in. The more comfortable he is, the more playful he becomes.
I smile. "Graham is over at his friend's house for the weekend. They’re going camping, and well, it’s not my thing."
"No, it isn’t. Reading by the lake was about as outdoorsy as it got with you." He chuckles.
"I wondered if you wanted to come over to my place for a while today." I'm hoping he reads between the lines. We haven't done more than kissing and phone sex, but it's hard when there are eyes everywhere here at Oakside and little ears back home.
"Just you and me?" He scoots a bit closer.
"Well, and Gem too."
"Oh, of course, Gem," he whispers and leans in for a kiss.
His lips barely touch mine when the chatter of people in the hallway pulls us apart.
"Come on. Let's go so we can have some alone time."
Gem leads him out to my car, and once Gavin is settled, she gets in the backseat for the ride. As soon as I pull out of the driveway, Gavin takes my hand and doesn't let go until we get to my house.
"What does your place look like?" he asks as we sit in the driveway.
"It's a small three bedroom, but it's all mine. It's ranch style, and the third bedroom is Graham's playroom since it's across the hall from his room. My mom planted some pink and yellow flowers in front of the front porch. It’s a brick home, but it was that horrible orange brick, so I painted it white, and it has black shutters and a black door."
There’s a smile on his face like he's picturing the house as I describe it."Sounds exactly like you."
We get out of the car, and Gem leads him to the porch, waiting for me to unlock the door. This seems like a big moment. I’d planned a flirty day out of Oakside, but we both know it's more than that.
I unlock the door, and no sooner do we step through than he has me pinned against it, his mouth one mine. This isn't the sweet, simple kisses we’ve shared at Oakside when no one was looking.This kiss is dominating, claiming. This kiss says he's mine, and I’m his. If I'm honest, I want nothing more than to be claimed by this man. Whatever he’s willing to give me, I want.
"If you don't want this, now is the time to speak up," he whispers against my lips before kissing down my neck.
Having his lips on my skin is too much, causing tingles all over my body. When he stops, all I want is his lips on me again, anywhere, so long as they’re on me.
"Yes, I want this," I tell him.
He rewards me with another kiss.His hand travels down to cup my breast, and he runs his thumb over my nipple, making me moan. I forgot how good it felt to be touched like this, to be touched by Gavin.
"Where's your room, baby?" Gavin whispers, taking a step back.
The tent in his pants shows how badly he wants me. There’s no moment more powerful than this, knowing this man desires me so much.