Just a week and a half away? It was that close? Suddenly, he remembered Hannah’s call and was amazed he’d forgotten it. That was a testament to how right Erin was that he needed to change how he interacted with his ex.
“Yeah. I didn’t realize it was that soon. Dad and I have been talking for weeks about him coming out for a couple days.”
“Oh.”
The way her face fell in disappointment was adorable.
“That’ll be great, because then he’ll get to meet you and your family. Think everyone would be up for another beach party?”
“You know us,” she replied shyly, taking his meaning. “We’re always up for a beach party.”
He leaned down to untie his lightweight work boots. After he’d kicked them off, he set them near the door beside his son’s. If his feet could sigh in relief, they would’ve. “I have a dilemma, however. Hannah called right after you did to ask if she could take Liam on his birthday. I said I’d call my dad to see if the weekend would work better for him.”
Her brows rose.
“Yes, I followed your advice. I was nice to her.”
“Good for you.” She grinned with only a hint of smug I told you so. “So… I guess you need to call your dad.”
“And what if it’s too late for him to change his plans?”
She tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Why are you asking me?”
“I’m asking because just now when you welcomed me home, I felt it.” He stepped close enough to pull her into his arms. He couldn’t be sure if she was testing his dedication to their relationship or if she was asking if he was dedicated to it, so he took her face in his hands. “I’m asking because I have hope that this is the real deal.”
Before she could think too much on that, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her firmly. It wasn’t easy to restrain himself and be satisfied with a playful tug on her bottom lip, but he managed, and the way she reacted—angling her hips into his and curling her hand in his hair at the back of his head—was incredible.
“Now that we’ve cleared up why I’m asking you,” he said huskily, “what’s your answer?”
“Invite Hannah out here. She’s obviously trying if she called you about Liam’s birthday, and that’s a good thing.”
“Don’t you think that’ll be awkward?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he recalled how masterfully Erin had handled Hannah the first time they’d met, in Mendocino. “Never mind. As long as you’re sure you’re okay with it, I will find a way to make it work, too.”
“Make your phone calls, Gideon. The kids and I will finish the pizza.”
He reached down to his thigh pocket for his phone, but it wasn’t there.
Erin laughed. “You left it out in your car again, didn’t you.”
“It would appear so. I’ll be right back.”
She grinned as she kissed his cheek and returned to the kitchen to help the kids put the toppings on the pizza. He didn’t bother putting his shoes back on and slipped outside in his socks. Sure enough, his phone was sitting in plain sight on the passenger seat. He couldn’t even remember dropping it there. Rather than go back inside, he slid into his car and dialed his father’s number.
“How was the shoot?” his dad said, skipping over the standard greeting.
“Long but great. And fun. Hey, I talked to Hannah today, and she’d like to take Liam for his birthday. Is it too late for you to change your plans? I thought she could have him on his birthday, and then we and the McKinneys could have a beach party for him that weekend.”
“I’ve already taken that Monday through Thursday off, and we’re shorthanded as it is right now. There’s no way I can change it.”
Gideon cursed under his breath. “I was afraid of that.”
“I guess she’ll have to adjust her plans for Liam’s birthday, won’t she, since she waited so long to make them.”
Was that how he sounded when he talked to Hannah or about her—sharply derisive? His lip curled. No wonder Erin had suggested he try being nicer to her. “This is well in advance of what she usually does.”
“I suppose you’re right. You’re not thinking about inviting her out there for his birthday?”
“I am.”
“Something happen with you and Erin?”
“Only good things,” Gideon replied with a grin. “She told me I needed to be nicer to Hannah, and she’s right. And until she pointed it out, I didn’t realize how bitter I’ve become throughout this custody fight, Dad. I don’t want to be like that. I want to be happy and to enjoy what I have with Erin. So, as long as you’re not opposed to Hannah being here….”
His father sighed. “I’m not going to say I’m looking forward to it, but if you and your lady can bear it, I will, too.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Erin’s getting you to make some positive changes, it sounds like.”
“Yeah. She is.” His smile deepened. “I like that she isn’t afraid to put me in my place. Makes me feel like she’ll be the partner I always hoped Hannah would become.”
“That’s good, Gideon.” His father laughed. “That’s better than good. It’s great. So, should I bring your mother’s ring with me?”
“I think so.” The words were out of his mouth before he had fully comprehended his father’s inquiry.
Matthew had another call, and anxious to head back inside, he promised he would call later when he had solid plans for Liam’s birthday. He sat in his car for almost two minutes after pondering how quickly and easily he’d answered his father’s question. His response didn’t surprise him. He hadn’t said it yet, but he loved Erin, and he knew it with a certainty that his father—the grand champion of short courtships—would be proud of.
Glancing at the phone still in his hand, he dialed Hannah to extend the invitation. Luck was with him; she didn’t answer. He left a message to the effect that she was welcome to spend a couple days in Sea Glass Cove with the whole family, and if she didn’t like that, she could rearrange her plans and take Liam for the weekend or not at all. He was kind about it, but he was done scheduling his life around her.
He snuck into the house and slipped his arms around Erin’s waist before she or either of the children realized he was back, and the squeal of surprise that descended quickly into giggles brought a smile of pure joy to his face.
“So,” he murmured in her ear, “what was this idea you wanted to ask me about?”
“I thought it would be fun to have a campout in the living room with the kids.” She twisted in his arms to face him. “That is, if you and Liam and Shadow want to stay.”
“Oh, can we, Dad?” Liam asked. “Please?”
He chuckled. “That depends. Do we get to make a blanket fort to sleep in?”
“That’s the plan. I figured we could build it while the pizza’s in the oven.”
“In that case—” He lowered his head to kiss her. “—I’d love to, and I’m sure Liam would, too. We can run back to the cottage to get Shadow and Oliver and an overnight bag after dinner.”
“Thanks, Dad!”
“Yeah, thanks, Gideon,” Daphne replied. “This is gonna be so much fun!”
“Don’t thank me,” Gideon said. “Thank Erin. It was her idea.”
Liam and Daphne hugged her at once, and she laughed. “You’re welcome.”
Gideon stepped away to snatch a pepperoni and watch the trio with fascination. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend his evening after a long shoot. As if it hadn’t already been incredible to focus wholly on his photography and the job and know that Liam was in good hands.
This right here—this was what he wanted for the rest of his life.
Fourteen
Erin smiled, gazing at the two children sound asleep beneath the canopy of their blanket fort. They’d drifted off into the land of dreams almost an hour ago, and she’d tucked the pure, soothing joy of watching them sleep around her as securely as Gideon had tucked the blankets around them. Shifting h
er gaze to Gideon, her smile deepened. He lay on his side with his head pillowed on his arm, curled around his son in such a way that he couldn’t be comfortable, but his eyes were closed, and he looked the picture of contentment. He wasn’t asleep, too… was he?
She nudged him, and he only grunted.
“Gideon,” she whispered.
“Hmm?”
“They’ve been out for a while now.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“You don’t seriously plan to sleep out here on the floor with them, do you?”
“Wasn’t that the plan?”
“It was… but not anymore. I have something else in mind for us.”
His eyes popped open. He was fully alert now, frowning, and he twisted toward her, propping himself up on his elbow to wait for an explanation.
She couldn’t give him one. Admitting what she wanted out loud would kill the shimmer of heat that had been building all evening, and she didn’t want to kill it. She wanted to ignite it.
“Come on,” she whispered.
“They’ll be bummed if they wake up in the morning and we aren’t in the fort with them.”
“We can set an alarm and sneak back in. They’ll never know.”
She rolled out of the fort and stood, waiting for him to join her. After almost a minute of indecision, he crawled out after her and commanded his dog to stay. The black Lab eyed him with a look saying plainly that she had no intention of abandoning her snuggle fest with the kids.
That was nice, too, having a dog in the house, and suddenly, Erin wished she hadn’t decided that she worked too much to have a pet.
Threading her fingers with Gideon’s, she pulled him out of the living room and down the hall to her bedroom. She’d left the mini Christmas lights on her canopy plugged in earlier when they’d dragged blankets and pillows for the fort out of the closet, and their soft light illuminated the frothy fabric of her bed. She took a deep breath and let it out, then turned to Gideon. When she slipped her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his, his brows furrowed again.
“You’re not going to let me talk you out of this, are you.”
“You don’t even know what this is yet.”
He regarded her with a brow lifted. “You’re blushing. And your eyes are….” He shook his head. “What you want is plain as day. Erin….”
“Don’t tell me I’m not ready. I want this, Gideon. And I need it.”
Nervousness shuddered through her as she waited for his response. He searched her eyes, probing deep into her soul, and she hoped he wouldn’t notice how her hands trembled. If he doubted her resolve for even a second, he’d tell her no. She admired and treasured that, but right now, she didn’t want his chivalry. Rebelliously, she wanted to set the whole world on fire with him, to burn away every last agonizing memory of Chaz and the realization of how much she’d come to hate him by the end even before he’d admitted to cheating on her.
Even if making love with Gideon tonight turned out to be an awkward mess, it would close the door on her relationship with Chaz.
Stubbornly, she held his gaze. Seconds ticked by, and he made no reply, but the muscles in his jaw flexed and indecision played out across his handsome face.
“What if I’m not ready for this?” he asked at last.
Her heart dropped like a rock into the ocean, sinking fast as doubt bubbled up. “Oh.”
His lips quirked. “Once upon a time, I could’ve jumped into bed with a woman without a second thought, but those days are gone.” With a disarming tenderness, he brushed her hair back from her face. “They ended when I met you, mi vida.”
That one she knew. My life, he’d called her.
He spoke again before she could begin to work out exactly what that meant.
“There’s a reason we agreed to take it slow, to ease into the physical intimacy. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I don’t think you can.”
“I still only know a couple of your triggers.”
“That’s why I need this—because there’s only one way to find them. I wish I could just tell you, but I can’t because I don’t know.”
“And you think it’s a good idea to throw caution out the window and go crashing forward, to hell with the consequences?”
Traitorously, tears burned her eyes and slipped down her cheeks.
He gathered her into his arms, and she let out a breath. It felt so good right here, wrapped in his embrace with the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart easing the awkwardness. This kind of intimacy was so easy with him that she hoped the rest would be, too.
“I feel totally inadequate right now,” he murmured. “I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all go away for you. But I can’t.”
“It means everything that you want to.” Steeling herself, she straightened and lifted her eyes to meet his. Those warm, dark eyes swallowed her, promising peace and comfort and respect. “But none of this changes my mind. I want to make love to you, Gideon.”
Why did saying those words make her face warm? Why did her throat close up as if trying to prevent her from admitting that out loud?
“I can’t even say that without squirming,” she said with a sniff. Folding her arms tightly around herself, she walked to the bed and sat on the edge.
She was surprised when Gideon sat beside her. She sensed him watching her, but it took her a moment before she could bring herself to look at him. When she did, she inhaled sharply. Understanding was clear in his eyes. He knew why she needed him right now and why she couldn’t put off taking their relationship to the next level.
“Sometimes it’s better to face our fears head on,” he whispered.
She nodded.
“What do you need me to do? How can I make it easier for you?”
“Turn my brain off?”
“Hmm. I think I can do that.”
“How?”
“Lie on your belly, and I’ll show you.”
She did as he asked, slowly, wanting to ask what he was planning, but his smile said trust me, so she swallowed her uncertainty and acquiesced to his unspoken request. As his hands skimmed up and down her spine and over her shoulders, lightly at first but with gradually increasing pressure, she moaned. A massage. Genius. The tension eased out of her muscles beneath his strong and capable hands, and by the time he pushed her tank top up to run his fingers over her bare skin, she was utterly relaxed. She lifted her upper body, bracing herself on her forearms, and he obeyed, slipping her tank top over her breasts and shoulders and then over her head and down her arms. She did the rest, annoyed by the interruption.
She sighed when his hands resumed their pleasant kneading.
And then he lowered his mouth to her neck, and she shivered with pure pleasure as the whiskers of his goatee and his breath tickled.
“How’s that?” he asked.
“Marvelous. Before I completely lose my head, there are condoms in the drawer of the night stand.”
“When did you get those?”
“Yesterday.”
He paused for a moment, and when she craned her head to the side, she noted the frown had returned to his face. Rolling onto her back, too aware of being bare breasted, she resisted the urge to cover herself up. A flash of indecision crossed his face, momentarily darkening his eyes, and for one achingly disappointing moment, she feared he would tell her they couldn’t do this. That he didn’t want to. Then he raked his gaze over her, and after the initial flare of shyness, his obvious appreciation of her body ignited a fire hotter than she’d ever felt.
“I don’t believe I’ve seen you without a shirt,” she said abruptly. “Even on the beach, you’ve always had a T-shirt on.”
Taking the hint, he stripped out of the plain white T-shirt, and the breath sucked through her teeth. He was gorgeous with just the right amount of muscle definition—not chiseled but toned enough to tell anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse that he enjoyed keeping his body in shape. She lifted her hand to
touch him but hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I… I want to touch you.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I am.” She started to say she’d never wanted to touch Chaz, that first her inexperience and shyness and then the revulsion had stopped her, but she refused to let her memories of her ex cast a shadow over this moment. “I’m okay with the more platonic touches—hugging, snuggling, even some kissing, but….”
Unable to put the feeling into words, she sat up and lightly slid her hand over his chest, fascinated. As her fingers slipped over his collarbone and up his neck, her lips curved. God, he had a beautiful neck. And it seemed somehow incongruous that his skin was so soft when the muscle beneath it was so firm.
She wanted his hands on her again as she explored the planes of his body, but she couldn’t find the words to express that, either.
She didn’t have to.
His hands slid up her ribs to caress her breasts, and she grinned triumphantly.
This was going to happen. He wasn’t going to tell her no, that they shouldn’t do this. He wasn’t going to stop, and rather than the fear that usually accompanied the anticipation of sex, this time there was only elation and relief.
She knew what the difference was. He accepted that she had limitations and was willing to work with them. He respected her and respected that she wanted to make love to him and needed to. And that inspired trust. It made her want to not just break her inhibitions but shatter them.
Fifteen
Gideon wrapped his father in a bear hug, glad beyond words to see him again. After a moment, Matthew held him at arm’s length to inspect him. Satisfied, he smiled.
“You look a lot better than the last time I saw you,” Matthew remarked. “Relaxed. Happy. I’m glad to see it.”
“You aren’t looking so bad yourself, Pops.”
“Well, happiness can be experienced vicariously, especially through one’s child.” Matthew craned his head to peer into the living room. “Where’s Hannah? That’s her car in the driveway, isn’t it?”
The Driftwood Promise Page 13