He took the fastest shower, rinsing off the days of grime and sweat from being out on the road. He was so fucking tired, but being in Ava’s house, he’d become wired.
She was in the kitchen making him some food.
Clean and refreshed, he changed into some clothes and made his way downstairs. He hung his jacket up beside her coat and held the smelly clothes in his fist.
Ava was frying him some breakfast as he entered. She finished putting the eggs into the pan and turned toward him. “I’ll take them.”
She grabbed the clothes and stepped back, disappearing to her laundry room. He’d forgotten how much he missed this place.
Ava came back. “Have a seat.”
She was no longer in her pajamas, having changed into a pair of sweatpants and a shirt with lots of holes in it. Her hair was tied up at the back of her neck.
To him, she still looked like the sexiest woman in the world. He wanted to tell her so but kept it to himself.
“I hope you enjoy breakfast.” She put out a plate full of tomatoes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and lots of toast.
He glanced over at her plate. She had a single slice of dried toast. She hadn’t even spread it with butter.
“I don’t like this,” he said.
“I’m fine. It’s why I can enjoy a really good lunch.” She nibbled at her toast and he saw she drank a glass of water.
“You’re really content to eat just that?”
“It settles my stomach.” She patted her abdomen. “I’m hoping one day he or she will let me eat something more substantial. I like to start my day with a good meal.”
“This is really good.” He felt guilty for being able to eat, but he shoveled the food in, thankful for something good. On the road, he’d eaten his fair share of greasy diner food, and not all of it was good.
Ava finished her toast and water. “I’ve got to head out to the bakery. I’ll be back later tonight.” She reached into her pocket. “If you’d lock up and hand me back the key.”
“Ava, you’re going to trust me with this?”
“I don’t have a choice. I could kick you out, but that seems mean. Besides, you’re my baby’s daddy. I’m not going to be mean.” She forced a smile. “I hope you feel better.”
Smokey wanted to say something to get her to stay, to talk to him, but once again, he drew a blank. He had nothing good to say and Ava, she needed her space.
The moment he heard the door close, her entire house felt so empty, and he hated it. He finished his breakfast. Cleaned the dishes and wiped down her kitchen. He walked upstairs, and rather than use the spare bedroom, he didn’t even look at it. He went straight to her room. Lying down on her bed, he breathed her in, and for a few short hours, he could pretend she was right there with him.
Chapter Seventeen
“I don’t need anything too big,” Ava said, several days later.
She stood in the baby store with Smokey. They had yet to settle on a single crib. She’d already started to decorate the spare bedroom in her spare time. When her baby arrived, she wanted to be ready. Being a busy businesswoman, she knew how little time she’d have when it finally arrived.
“It’s not that big. What if we have a large baby? You’re going to want room for them to grow.”
“How big do you think this baby is going to be?” she asked, laughing.
“I don’t know.” He reached out as if to touch her stomach and held himself back.
They stood in a store with all kinds of couples around them.
“Do you … do you want to touch it?” she asked.
He looked into her eyes and shrugged.
She chuckled. Ava didn’t give herself time to regret her decision. Reaching for his hand, she placed it on her stomach. The last few days, the weather had been changing between cold and hot. Today was one of the last days of the warm weather and by the end of the week, a snowstorm had been forecast.
Ava tensed up as Smokey’s hand curled around her protruding stomach.
“See. It’s not so big right now.”
Smokey stared into her eyes.
The world faded away.
“Can I help you pick something out?” the sales assistant asked.
“Fuck off.” Smokey growled at the man to make him leave.
She gasped and found it amusing as the man quickly rushed off as if he was being chased by some kind of monster.
The world came back in full focus and Smokey cursed.
“You didn’t need to do that.”
“Do you have any idea how many times I’ve wanted to touch you?”
His words brought the image of him touching her all over. She wasn’t disgusted or hurt. Her body came to life.
“If you want to, all you need to do is ask.”
“I fucked up, Ava, big time.”
She stepped away.
“I don’t want to have to ask to touch you.” He came toward her, resting his palm on her shoulder. “There are days all I can think about is touching you. Holding you in my arms.”
Most nights, she woke up feeling the same way. She didn’t tell him that though. “We need to make a decision on the crib and everything, Smokey.”
He sighed.
They made their way around the store and finally, Ava saw the perfect one. It was an oak crib. Cushions lined the sides and it looked perfect.
Smokey organized everything. The furniture, unfortunately, didn’t come pre-made. Boxes would arrive, which acquired assembly.
They sat down at a café, ordered some lunch, and Smokey smiled at her.
“What?”
“I’ll build everything. You don’t have a problem. We’ll pick a room and get everything set up.”
“I already have a room designed.”
“You do?” he asked.
“Yes.” She told him about the spare bedroom. “Didn’t you see it when you slept there?”
“I used your sofa. It didn’t seem right going upstairs.”
“Oh, okay.” Their food arrived. She’d settled on a salad bagel while Smokey went with cheese fries.
She took a bite of her food, feeling the hunger hit her hard.
They didn’t talk, enjoying their food, and then Smokey paid the bill.
Once outside, Smokey held her hand as they walked toward the car. He opened the door and he settled her inside. Smokey surprised her when he took the seatbelt out of her hand and slid it into place.
“I can do that.”
“I know. I don’t want you to.”
She smiled. She loved how attentive he’d become.
Ava truly believed she could become addicted to his touches.
He drove them back to her house, the radio filling the silence between them. It didn’t feel awkward though. Ava relaxed, staring out of the window. Her bakery was closed for the first time in weeks. Ever since she hired Harlow, she’d been opening it more and more. The young woman fascinated her.
The way she talked all the time and shared her views on recipes. They talked nonstop about cooking. She loved her.
For the first time, she’d found a similar like-minded soul.
Back at her home, she glanced at Smokey. “Do you want to come in?” she asked. “I can show you what I’ve done with the bedroom.”