I hear my sister laugh and I walk out of the room, shutting the door behind me.
I ignore the show going on in the living room and walk towards the kitchen, taking a beer out of the fridge.
“You want in on the fun big boy?” asks one of the strippers coming into the kitchen.
“Not tonight sweetheart,” I say taking a long swig from my beer.
“Everything's already paid for handsome. Come sit, let me dance for you.”
“I ain't interested,” I say finishing my beer and putting it in the sink.
The truth is I would probably be all over this. The blonde haired, fake tits model type. My signature. Except now I seem to be partial to brunettes. Brunettes with a mean left hook and green eyes that can make a man forget his fucking name.
I push past the stripper and get to the bedroom door as my sister opens it, her eyes widening at the sight before her.
“Remember what you just got back there, Damon Johnson and if you ever want to get it again, you will stay in this room with the door locked,” my sister demands.
I smile and shake my head as I briefly see her reach down to his crotch and that's my cue to look away.
“Ow, I know. Believe me, Bella June, I'm never straying away from this pu-”
“Bye Bells!” I say quickly not wanting Damon to finish that sentence.
This shit is weird. She didn't ever act like this with Connor. I'm happy for her but just...no.
I hear my sister laugh and she whispers something to Damon before kissing him and moving to me, wrapping me in a hug.
“Let me ask ya somethin’. When I left to come here, Normani wasn't in the room. When I got here you weren't. Is that just a coincidence or…”
“We hung by the bar for a little bit. Nothin’ crazy,” I shrug.
“Hmm okay. I know you're a good guy Dev, but don't pull your bachelor shit with her. She's a forever kinda girl, not a fuck and chuck.”
“God, who are you? Is this his doin’ or you hangin’ with Lace too much?”
Bella laughs and shakes her head as she slaps me on the back. She turns towards Damon pointing a finger at him as she walks backwards.
“Remember what I said big guy.”
“Love you angel, be careful walkin’ backwards like that, we all know how that ends.”
She points to her engagement ring and smiles with a wink. “Worth it.”
Damon laughs as Bella walks out of the door and then heads back into the bedroom.
I follow him in, locking the door and he moves back to the bed.
“Sorry about that man. I know you would never do that I just reacted without thinkin’,” I apologize.
“It's okay, I'm sure I would have done the same. So Normani huh?”
“Nah just...I don’t know there's somethin’ different about her.”
“Believe me man, I do know. We're a lot alike me and you. Let me tell you givin’ up all those girls for Brynn didn't feel the same as doin’ it for Bella. All that shit in there would tempt me. I would never act on it, but it would test me a little. Now though? I just want to lay back and sleep, not an ounce of myself wants that,” Damon says pointing to the door.
“Well as the brother of your almost wife, that makes me fuckin’ happy to hear,” I laugh.
“Let me ask you what the hell you're doing in here when you could be out there?”
“I guess not an ounce of me wants that either.”
Damon smiles and shakes his head.
“Well then, good luck my man. That little trio those girls got going on is a band of fury. They made us men work for it, hell, I still don't think Nico officially has Lacey,” Damon laughs.
“I...I dont think Normani and I-”
“Yeah you are. The Devin before Normani would want every ounce of that,” he says pointing to the door.
He lays down in bed, pulling the blanket over his chest and his arm over his face.
Shit, he's right. Hes fuckin’ right.
-----
I walk through the aisle of the plane and find Normani sitting next to the window, Lance next to her. Not fucking happening.
“Up Lance. You're sittin’ in my seat,” I demand.
“No way, this is my seat. Sit here on the aisle.”
“Richie has the aisle seat. Move.”
I give him the stare, the stare that says I'll rip your fucking head off and he rolls his eyes getting to his feet.
“Whatever asshole,” he grumbles.
“Caveman much?” Normani says with amusement in her voice.
“I think that was pretty civil. I didn't grab him and launch him over my shoulder like I wanted to.”
Normani laughs and I smile as I squeeze into the middle seat, Richie on my back waiting to get into his seat.
“I can sit in the middle, you look uncomfortable.”
“Not a chance.”
“Definite caveman,” she says with a sly smile looking behind me at Richie.
“Alright fine, I'll play along. Phone. Now,” I say extending my hand towards her.
“What?”
“Give me your phone, I'm puttin’ my number in.”
“Oh my God, are you serious right now?” Normani laughs.
“Hey darlin’, I didn't nickname myself caveman, but if the shoe fits.”
“Give me your phone,” she says crossing her arms over her chest.
I reach into my back pocket and hand over my phone typing in the code as she holds it.
“That was too easy. You don't have to delete naked pictures or anything?”
“Haven't gotten any of those in months. I've been focused on other things,” I say eyeing her. “Plus, I might have changed my number.”
I smile and she rolls her eyes and types a couple of things, then hands my phone back to me.
“There. Texted myself. Don't expect naked pictures though,” she laughs.
“Believe me darlin’,” I say leaning close to her. “I don't want the pictures, I want the real thing.”
“Devin…”
“Slow. Got it. Just...lettin’ ya know, I prefer the real thing,” I wink.
The pilot comes on over the speaker and I see Normani's face pale.
“You okay?” I ask concerned.
“I uh...ain’t a fan of flyin’. Especially takeoff and landin’. The up in the air part is alright, as long as there's no turbulence but...“
“You shouldn't have come if you weren't comfortable,” I say putting my hand on her knee to calm her.
“I couldn't miss this. Bella’s become one of my best friends. I wouldn't ever forgive myself if I missed it.”
“I keep thinkin’ there ain't nothin’ you could do to make me more intrigued by you and there you go and do it.”
She looks over to me and smiles as we feel the plane jerk forward. She grips the arm rests and her knuckles start to turn white, her breathing picking up.
I grab her chin and make her look at me.
“What's your favorite food?” I ask quickly.
“What?” she asks frantically.
“Favorite food?”
“Uhh..I don't...I guess Tex Mex. There's a place by my apartment that-”
The plane jumps as it ascends higher and she closes her eyes.
“Which place is that?” I ask loudly trying to distract her.
“Umm..Tony's Tex Mex,” she says breathlessly.
“Got it, Tex Mex, what do you order?”
“Th-...The chili con queso and baja tacos,” she stutters.
“Favorite football team?”
“What?”
“Football? You said you like watchin’ the guys in the tight pants. Which team wears them better?”
She laughs and slowly opens her eyes looking at me.
“I...I don't watch football, I was just tryna rattle you. You came in all arrogant, I wanted to knock you down a peg.”
“Oh, you little wretch,” I say in mock horror.
She laughs again and the pilot comes
on the speakers to let us know we've reached our altitude and the seatbelt sign has been lifted.
“Thank you,” she says softly.
“I hated flyin’ too, but now I do so much of it, I got used to it. The key is to stay distracted.”
“You wanna watch a movie?” she asks pointing to the screen behind the headrest of the seat in front of us.
“Sure, you pick.”
We each grab our headphones and plug them into the tv screen and watch some mushy chick flick about God knows what. I glance down at Normani halfway through and she’s fast asleep on my shoulder.
I smile leaning my cheek on the top of her head and close my eyes. Little brat probably didn't even watch five minutes of that movie.
Sucker Gavinwood, this woman has got you by the balls.
“Trays back in the upright position. Seatbelts on. We should be landing soon,” says the pilot from the speakers.
I see Normani stiffen next to me again and I grab her hand.
“You're fine, relax okay. Breathe in and out. You ready to go back to work?”
“Yes, I can't wait,” she says in a strangled voice.
“Think I can come in for that massage? You kinda owe me one,” I smirk.
She laughs and looks over to me.
“If you weren't such an ass, I would have finished.”
“Fair enough. We'll make plans this week. You okay with that?”
“Okay, yeah.”
My stomach drops and my ears pop as we take a big dip down and I hear Normani suck in a breath.
I put my hand behind her head and the other under her chin and turn her face to me, crashing our lips together.
She wasn't expecting it, but she quickly adjusts, dipping her tongue inside my mouth, her hand going to my thigh. Her other hand wraps behind my neck and she pulls my face closer to her, taking the distraction my mouth offers.
Her lips are soft against mine, the taste of her Chapstick invades my senses. Sweet and fruity. I never thought kissing could be this sensual, this arousing.
I take her bottom lip into my mouth between my bottom lip and suck. A soft moan drips from her lips and she moves closer across our seats towards me.
Her lips wrap around my tongue and she sucks, and I swear the whole plane could hear my groan as I picture those lips sucking my cock.
“Dammit darlin’. Do you know what you're doin’ to me?” I pant.
She nods and launches at my lips again and I pull her closer almost on my lap.
I move my hand down her back to the top of her ass and she reaches behind us, moving it down further.
“Grab it,” she whispers.
I groan and squeeze her ass, turning my head to the side, wrapping my tongue up with hers, feasting on her. I'm a starving man in a jungle and this is my only meal.
A throat clears from somewhere in the vicinity and we break apart breathlessly. Normani's cheeks are pink and a sly smile tips my lips.
“We landed like five minutes ago, you horndogs,” Lacey says amused from the aisle.
I look behind me and Richie isn't in his seat anymore and half the plane has emptied. Normani turns to face the window and shakes her head but I can see a small smile form on her face. I lean forward and whisper in her ear.
“You better not have given me a fake number darlin’. We're makin’ plans for that date and you're gonna text me when ya get home.”
“Whatever you say, caveman.”
She smirks and we stand. I go out in the aisle reaching above us for her bag and handing it to her as she walks in front of me.
“I can't figure you out, Gavinwood. Are you a gentleman or a caveman? You demand my number but then let me walk ahead of you.”
“I like the view from behind darlin’,” I say next to her ear.
I feel her shutter against my lips, and I laugh as she shakes her head.
“Southern gentleman my ass,” she grumbles.
Chapter 4
Devin
Devin: You get back okay?
Normani: Who's this?
Devin: Funny. You better be jokin’.
Normani: Or what?
Devin: Or I'll switch your baja tacos I plan to bring you for lunch tomorrow with shrimp.
Normani: You wouldn't dare.
Devin: We shall see. Sweet dreams darlin’.
Monday
Normani: You seriously might be my favorite person in the world right now.
Devin: Sorry I couldn't deliver them personally, last minute meetin’.
Normani: Thank you for your kindness, holdin’ the shrimp. It did not go unnoticed.
Devin: Glad I could be of service Ms. Jameson. Enjoy your day. Call you tonight?
Normani: Yes please. Thanks again caveman.
Devin: I don't know how I feel about that nickname.
Normani: No? Which would you prefer then, because we both know you ain't a gentleman?
Devin: I'll think on it. Later darlin’ ;)
Tuesday
Normani: Coke or Pepsi? Your answer to this question will set the course for this relationship...no pressure.
Devin: Coke. Your answer depends on it too, don't tell me you're a Pepsi girl.
Normani: Thank God, you were kinda growin’ on me. I may wanna keep you around a little longer.
Devin: How did I manage to snag a woman with brains, beauty and an infectious sense of humor?
Normani: I'm still tryna figure that one out myself.
Devin: Let me add impeccable sarcasm.
Normani: Such big words for an athlete. And they say jocks are unintelligent.
Devin: Note to self: Do not have that chocolate devotion pie delivered to DPPT tomorrow.
Normani: Devin Gavinwood do not joke around about chocolate devotion pie.
Devin: Later darlin’ ;)
Wednesday
Devin: Favorite color?
Normani: Really? Couldn't think of a more original question in that pretty head of yours?
Devin: Did you just call me pretty?
Normani: Sorry. Damn spell check. I meant to type fat.
Devin: That's nowhere near the same as pretty?
Normani: Purple. Favorite color is purple. Yours?
Devin: Blue. Nice save. NOT. I think you have a pretty head too ;)
Normani: Ignoring you…
Devin: Favorite holiday?
Normani: I have to choose just one?
Devin: Let me guess...Fourth of July.
Normani: How the hell could you possibly know that?
Devin: BBQ is your favorite food behind Tex Mex and you like fireworks.
Normani: Observant Sherlock. What about yours?
Devin: Christmas. Can't wait to see you for it.
Normani: Smooth transition. Break is over. Call me later?
Devin: Always. Later darlin’.
-----
I pace around the kitchen at my mama's house twisting my hands in knots. I don't do this shit. What is this woman doing to me?
Ever since getting back from Vegas, I haven't been the same. I've been glued to my phone, texting back and forth with Normani and the occasional phone call before bed.
All. Fucking. Week. I cannot get her out of my damn head.
We've stuck to everyday conversations, getting to know each other but nothing intimate and it's driving me insane. I want her.
I'm chalking her brazenness on the plane up to her fear of flying, but I'd be lying if I said I don't hope for her to be like that back on land.
“Get that Dev,” my mama calls from the kitchen interrupting my thoughts.
I walk to the front door and Jackson, my Aunt Savannah, Harrison and Tucker come in, exchanging Merry Christmases and hugs.
“Doesn't Lace usually wake up with y'all today?” I ask.
Changeup (Double Play Series Book 4) Page 5