He grinned. “With your sister and the boys.” My eyes widened, and he laughed. “She was heading to the park and wanted to take Libby so called up and offered. I tried to stick around, but she all but shoved me back in the car. Something about finally being able to have some girl time or something.” He lifted a shoulder. “I just went with it. Your sister can really be a force of nature when she chooses to be.”
I agreed wholeheartedly. She could. It made her marriage and her putting up with Stan’s BS for so long bizarre. But then I supposed marriage could be a pig to get out of; add in a mortgage and of course the boys, and she’d felt trapped. “That was kind of her. How long ago did you drop Libby off?”
He looked at his watch. “An hour, so it’s time to collect her.”
I nodded. “I’ll come too if you want?”
“Always.” He threw me a wink, and my heart fluttered. Tanner gave an exaggerated groan, Marcy sighed happily, and I was certain Jack was now on the scotch and ignoring everyone. Davis didn’t pay any attention to any of it as he stole a kiss, took my hand, and pulled me to my feet. His gaze finally left mine. “Thanks for the run, Tanner.”
My eyes zeroed in on his damp shirt, and I took what I hoped was a subtle sniff. It was probably creepy that I liked when Davis was sweaty. His scent was all kinds of a turn-on. It was a good thing I hadn’t noticed he’d been out for a run until now.
Davis cleared his throat, and my gaze shot to his. Busted. His eyes flared. There was no doubt he knew exactly what I was thinking and doing. He gripped my hand a little tighter, before loosening and running his thumb over my wrist. I closed my eyes, relieved my back was to everyone else. This man’s ability to turn me inside out was impressive, and maybe just a bit terrifying.
“What time shall I bring Libby by tomorrow?” Davis’s voice took me by surprise, and my eyes sprung open.
“Whenever you’re ready, dear. We’ll be here.”
He smiled. “Thanks, will do.”
We headed toward the exit, and I turned before I left, clearing my throat. “Lovely meeting you both,” I directed at Marcy and Jack. Jack raised his half-full glass in my direction.
“You too, Scott. Don’t forget what I said.” She gave me a pointed look, and I was sure I blanched. Carter groaned, and I saw him shaking his head at Tanner’s questioning look.
“Erm, sure, thanks.” I nodded and gave one last wide-eyed stare in Carter’s direction. His smile was soft, and I relaxed a little. It was enough to remind me that so much had changed and that I’d handle this new path I’d led myself on.
My sister was home when we walked back. I doggedly ignored Davis’s questions about what he’d walked into, brushing it off and offering him noncommittal responses in the process. The reality was, there was no way Carter wouldn’t be telling Tanner, which meant Davis would know eventually. I just hoped it would be after tomorrow night.
The thought gave me pause.
“You okay?” Davis whispered.
I nodded. “Yeah.” My voice was equally low so we wouldn’t wake Libby.
Davis didn’t look convinced by my response as he led me out of the spare room where Libby was sprawled out on the double bed, pillows surrounding her to buffer any fall. He pulled the door not quite shut and led me to my bedroom.
“Are you worried about something?”
I swallowed hard and looked at the man before me. “Nope.” I was doing enough overthinking as it was. I did not want to talk this to death. Instead, I’d leave it to play out. And if tomorrow night led to hot and heavy and ended up with us sealing the deal, then I had faith in Davis he’d support me with that and take care of me. My shoulders sagged a little in relief at the thought, and a real smile touched my lips. “So tomorrow, what do you want to do?”
With a lazy roam of my face, he didn’t rush with his response. But I wouldn’t budge and speak any more about the bizarre encounter at Carter’s, allowing him to read whatever expression he found on my face. After another few beats, he took my hand in his, a lopsided grin forming on his mouth. “How about I surprise you?”
I mirrored his expression and nodded. “I’m down with that.”
My phone chimed with a text alert the next morning when I was in bed on my laptop, filling out the never-ending paperwork that went with the purchase of the clinic. It was early, and my nephews were still asleep, the house unusually silent. When I’d woken early, too antsy to sleep properly, I’d switched on my laptop, needing the distraction.
Davis: I’ll pick you up at 6. Dress smart-casual, pack a toothbrush.
My eyes widened, and heat rushed to my face. This was happening, and at six. How in the hell was I going to get through the day?
Me: Okay. Do I need anything else?
Davis: An overnight bag. And just yourself.
Alrighty then. I glanced at the time, and it was barely past six thirty. No doubt he was up with Libby. With another look at my laptop, I angled my neck from side to side until I heard a satisfying click. Work. It was the only option I had to get through my day, and it wasn’t like I didn’t have a heap I needed to achieve.
With my new plan, I got out of bed to make coffee and breakfast for Jenna and the boys. It didn’t take much movement in the kitchen for the stampede of feet to trample down the staircase, followed quickly by chattering.
“Who wants pancakes?” I asked the boys when they entered the kitchen, hair messy and both pairs of eyes springing open in delight at the word.
“Me!” Toby and Hunter answered in unison.
I nudged my head toward the utensil drawer. “Set the table for me, please. We also need juice, Toby, if you can get that from the fridge for me, please?”
The boys sprang into action, liking it when I gave them tasks. I expected when they got older that would change, but for the time being, they like to be treated like big boys.
“Hey.” Jenna’s voice carried over the din of cutlery being dropped on the table.
My gaze flicked to her. “Morning.” She looked refreshed despite the early start and the noise. She was also looking a damn sight happier and more like herself from before marrying her shithead of a husband.
“Morning.” She stepped fully into the room. “Coffee?”
I indicated the pot. “Already done. I’d love a fresh cup.”
Jenna placed a kiss on my cheek, then hugged her boys close and dotted kisses over their heads, causing a riot of giggles before she collected two mugs and poured our coffees. “What’s this for?” She sidled next to me as I flipped a pancake.
I shrugged. “Do I need an excuse to have breakfast with my family?” I side-eyed her and saw her studying me. “What?”
She tilted her head to the side. “Nothing.” She threw me a smile and then made her way to the table when I switched off the stove.
With the pancakes stacked high, the boys’ eyes were as big as saucers. It didn’t take us long to dive in and the boys to be sticky with maple syrup.
“What are your plans for the day?” Jenna asked before taking a sip of her coffee.
“I’m going to be neck deep in paperwork with the sale of the clinic. Everything with the house is pretty much taken care of. I just need to sort through the additional legalities.” It was a tiresome task, and I loved every moment of it since it would mean taking full control of my life and truly starting afresh.
Jenna nodded. “I’m so proud of you.”
Tightness squeezed my chest, the feeling foreign. I took a moment to deal with the surge of emotion threatening to spill forth. This whole process, this journey of finally beginning my life in a way I’d never allowed myself to dream it could be, had been a roller coaster of trials, and my sister being proud of me helped unravel some of the fear clutching my weary heart.
“Thank you.” I reached out and squeezed her free hand lightly. “I’m proud of you too.” I raked my eyes over her sons. “They’re amazing.” I returned my attention to her. “You’re amazing.”
Her eyes were watery when
she sniffed and smiled. After clearing her throat, she waved in front of her face and sighed. “What are your plans tonight? Are you seeing Davis?”
My heart rate spiked at the mention of his name and the thought of our evening. With a nod, I cast my gaze away from her and turned it to my coffee cup.
“Right.” That one word was all-knowing and light. It was also filled with humor.
I met her amused gaze, and rolled my eyes when her lips curved into a grin. “We’re heading out and I plan to stay over.”
Wide-eyed, Jenna stared back at me and remained silent for a beat. “Boys,” she said, her eyes fixed on mine.
“Yes,” Hunter said.
“If you’ve finished, please take your plates to the sink, then head to the bathroom and rinse your hands. Toby, please help your brother.”
A scrape of chairs, the clatter of plates and knives and forks followed closely by the patter of feet filled the space between us. A moment later, the boys raced upstairs.
“Do you want to talk about to—”
“Nope.” I leaned back in my chair and picked up my coffee. “Make that a hell no.”
Jenna pursed her lips together. “Okay, I get that. I’m probably the last person you want to talk to about this.”
I held back a snort. Actually, Carter’s parents had been the last people I’d wanted to discuss my sex life with, but apparently, shit happened.
“But know that I’m here and can talk about hot men whenever you wish.” A smirk crossed her lips and she waggled her brows at me.
This time I did snort. “And while I appreciate that, I’m good, thanks.” The words were out there, and my nerves took but a moment to settle. I grinned. I really was good, better than good in fact. A quiet calm descended over me, one lit with an undercurrent of excitement and formed with certainty that spending the night—and I hoped many more after—with Davis was the right choice. I wanted it fiercely, wanted him fiercely.
I stood with renewed lightness. After pressing a kiss to Jenna’s head, I picked up our empty plates. “I’ve got this. You go and shower. I’ll keep an eye on the boys.” And with that, I turned and busied myself in the tasks of the day while eagerly counting down the hours until six o’clock.
Surprisingly, the day sped by, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t relieved to close my laptop and give my eyes and brain a break. After quickly showering, I dressed and headed downstairs. Jenna was making dinner for her and the boys, while they banged around in the small play area we’d set up for them in a section of the dining room. It was the perfect positioning to be able to keep an eye on them while in the kitchen.
“You look handsome.”
I smiled over at her, kind of relieved she noticed the extra effort I’d put in. I’d been on dates over the years of course, all admittedly with women, and none had I made an effort for. I’d seen no point. While I’d made sure the woman on my arm had a good time, usually with a nice meal and an expensive bottle of wine, that had been as far as I’d gone to impress. It had also been enough to placate my father and to stop any possible gossip about me from forming.
“Thank you.” I brushed down my crisp light blue shirt, pleased I’d selected it. When Davis had said smart-casual, I hadn’t realized how hard that was. I’d decided on a good quality shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Clean shaven, I’d also put on one of my favorite colognes. It was one Davis had previously mentioned liking.
I glanced at the time. It was almost six. “Need a hand with anything before I head out?”
She was already shaking her head by the time I’d finished speaking. “Nope.” She walked over to me and pressed a kiss on my cheek and squeezed my forearm. “Just concentrate on having an amazing time.” When she pulled back fully, she quirked a brow at me. “And stay safe!”
I rolled my eyes at her, hoping it would keep away the heat threatening to hit my cheeks. It didn’t work. She walked away giggling, and called over her shoulder, “Do you have everything you need?” She eyed the bag I’d already left near the door over an hour ago, amusement crossing her features.
Admittedly, I’d been eager packing my overnight bag, and in the past hour there’d been a buzz of energy sweeping through me and following me around. “Yes, thanks.”
Just then there was a knock on the front door, and I jumped. Jenna snorted. I stuck up my middle finger at her and then darted my eyes to my nephews. They were too focused on the blocks to see me flipping their mom off.
Taking a calming breath in an attempt to quiet my pounding heart, I reached out and opened the door. Davis’s bright eyes were the first thing I connected with, and I immediately saw him smile. I followed suit and waved him in. “Hey.” I was impressed my voice appeared clear and normal.
“Hey, back.” He stepped through the open doorway and his lips grazed mine.
While the thumping of my heart eased off at the now familiar contact, a rush of blood traveled quickly south. Only a little of my reaction to this evening was about nerves. Mainly, anticipation swept through me with the force of a tidal wave. I considered prompting him to skip whatever dinner plans he’d arranged and instead for us to make our way straight to his bedroom. I then considered how rare a night sans child was for him, so figured he was looking forward to an adult night away from home.
When he leaned back, his eyes roamed my face, a similar anticipation swirling in his eyes. “That your bag?” He tilted his head to the right but didn’t break eye contact.
Silently, I nodded. Only then did he look away to call out to my sister and my nephews, and a moment later, after kissing Hunter and Toby goodbye, I was swept up in the whirlwind that was Davis. I’d never seen him like this before. A man on a mission, he’d gone through the most basic of pleasantries with impressive speed while remaining polite. Then with his searing hand on my back, he shepherded me out to his car, opened the door for me, planted a firm kiss on my mouth, and then all but raced around to the driver side.
When he finally yanked the door open and jumped into the seat, pulling the door firmly shut, I was angled toward him, wide-eyed and amused as hell. Laughter bubbled in my chest, along with concern that he was acting kind of crazy. “You want to take a breath?”
His eyes flared before he opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. With both hands on the steering wheel, he exhaled loudly.
What the hell was going on? I’d never seen Davis so out of it before.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth when he rushed out those words, and I struggled to breathe for a moment before I remembered what to do. I froze, an amazing feat considering my heart galloped in my chest at such a pace I figured it vibrated my whole body.
“I had this whole corny meal planned at a cool restaurant in the city and had a hotel room booked.” He finally looked at me and concern lit his eyes. I was sure I looked a hell of a sight, sitting, struggling for proper breath, but I wasn’t quite sure if I was beet red or as pale as a ghost. I was too numb to tell as fear vibrated through me. “Hey.” Davis reached out and took my hand in his. He leaned forward and kissed my mouth, a few short pecks, and whispered, “Not about you or us. Never about that.”
Far too wound up to speak and too afraid the vomit that had attempted to crawl up my esophagus would make an appearance, my silence continued, but feeling slowly returned, first in my fingers and then in my tingling lips.
Despite edging back into his seat, his hand gripped mine. I needed the tether while I listened to him and hopefully quickly understood what he was talking about.
“I’m sorry if I made you think I was canceling tonight. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. I just have a shit way of explaining myself; I’m too worked up.” Davis swept his thumb against the skin on my hand. “Let’s go and grab a drink, and we’ll start the night again without me screwing shit up. Okay?”
“Okay.” I managed a nod and a relieved smile, though I was still clueless about what he’d been talking about.
W
ith drinks in front of us a short time later, I debated whether or not to let him clarify himself, ignore his words in the car altogether and do as he said and start again, or simply go ahead and clear this mess up myself. I stared at my untouched drink, needing a clear head and not liquid courage, and made my decision.
“You didn’t want to take me out to dinner or stay in a hotel overnight with me?” I controlled my face as best as I could. He’d already told me he wanted the two of us to work out, but that didn’t explain why he’d changed our plans. The thought of a good meal and night in a hotel room sounded amazing, so I remained clueless.
A chagrined expression took over his handsome features. His usually bright, wide eyes dipped a little, but a small smile played on his lips, though it wasn’t as full or as natural as usual. “I’m sorry.” He brushed a hand through his hair and his shoulders dropped. “Perhaps we should head there now. We’d only be a little late—”
I shook my head. “No, honestly it’s fine. I suppose I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.”
With his eyes fixed to mine, he said, “You never have to figure things out with me. It’s just my shitshow of explaining was pretty impressive.” Davis reached out and took my hand, and while there was the smallest of urges to glance around to see if anyone was looking, I stood my ground and focused on the man I was happy to give my whole attention to. “Would you forgive me if I said I was thinking with my cock?”
A loud snort rushed out of me, scratching my throat and all but echoing around the bar. I laughed loud and long, managing to say, “Okay, so not what I was expecting you to say.” I shook my head. “Care to elaborate?”
His shit-eating grin was back, stirring a thrill of happiness in me. Tension fled from my shoulders at that one natural gesture. “The plan was all set, to wine and dine before the night in the hotel, which was five stars by the way.” He raised his brows, and I pressed my lips together, controlling my laughter. “But then you opened the door.” He shrugged and trailed off as though that was answer enough.
“Huh?”
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