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.