Chapter Thirty-Seven
Gavin
"Just chill." I finished buttoning my shirt as I checked myself out in my bathroom mirror. "You've already slept with her, been on several dates with her, mom loved her... you're good. For fuck's sake, you married her."
I laughed at that and brushed my hand down my face. The shit me and Maddie had been through over the last couple of weeks would forever stain my heart. It was the beginning of what I could tell was going to be a really long love story.
I could almost see myself sitting on the porch with our kids, telling them how their rotten-ass momma sucked half a million dollars out of my bank account before we were even married.
She would roll her eyes, sit in my lap, and twist the tale all the way around. Which was fine. I didn't care, as long as she was in my future.
I'd laid in bed the night before, yearning for her in a way I hadn't wanted anyone. Anger and loss and sadness could fuck off for the time being. I needed a clear head to make sure when we started over again, it was one hundred percent authentic.
Get the tie. The gray one. It looks so good on you, and gray goes with everything. I could hear mom's voice in my head, the words so familiar they felt like coming home.
I walked to the closet and got one of my gray ties before putting it on and checking myself one more time. We could grab something to eat and then head back to the house to talk. Maybe more than talk if she wanted me. I knew I wanted her… so damn bad it hurt.
I got in the car and drove toward her apartment, my heart racing in my chest. Was she being serious at the gravesite the day before? How could she not be?
She was a free woman and had no reason in hell to offer herself up to me. There wasn't an evil scheme or vendetta behind her words. She was laying herself out there for me to accept or reject.
"She's way more brave than you," I mumbled to myself and pulled up into the parking lot at her apartment. I sat there for a few minutes, trying to get my thoughts together.
My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see that it was her. She wanted to know what time I would be there.
I got out of the car and jogged up to her door, knocking softly.
She opened the door, wearing a white cotton dress and flats. Her hair was down, and she wore the same soft colors she wore at our wedding.
I gave her a cocky grin and moved back. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks." She walked out and turned, locking the door.
I reached out and ran my hands down the sides of her arms before stepping closer and leaning down to kiss the soft skin beneath her ear. "Can we start with me apologizing?"
"Not a chance in hell." She turned around and slid her hands up my chest, locking them behind my neck. "We both owe each other a round of apologies, but do-overs don't work like that. Everything that wasn't right is behind us now. All we have is the future and the memory of the great parts of what we just went through."
"Like you sucking me off in the shower?" I tightened my arms around her waist.
"And you renting out the hibachi grill?" She pressed against me, her eyes filled with one thing: love.
"And the way you made my mother light up. She loved it every time you visited."
"And she was proud of you for being the man you are." She pulled me down and brushed her nose by mine. "I'm proud of you for being you."
"Good, but flattery will get you nowhere, Gold Digger." I nipped at her lips and moved back to take her hand. "Dinner and then back to the house for dessert?"
"Depends on what dessert is." She tucked herself against my side as we walked to the car.
"Something with nuts, I'm sure."
She yelped and swatted at me. "Gavin!"
"I meant like peanuts. Jeez, woman. You love peanut butter, right?" I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her to her side of the car, opening the door and helping her into the car.
I walked around to my side, feeling like a million dollars. The woman could have every penny Dad left me if she just stayed by my side and loved me until I left the earth.
"What do you feel like?" I got in and buckled up.
"You." She reached over and ran her hand up my thigh, squeezing my cock as she licked her lips. "Is that on the menu?"
"Sure is." I reached over and slid my hand into her hair before moving toward her. I pressed my lips to hers and made love to her mouth as she squirmed in her seat. The smell of her soap mixed with a hint of arousal had my mouth watering, my cock rock hard. "I don't want this to just be sex between us."
She laughed loudly, surprising me a little. "I think that's supposed to be my line."
"You? No way." I moved back into my seat and gripped her hand to keep her from distracting me too much. "You like sex way too much."
"So do you, Mister."
I glanced over at her. "Hell, yes, I do. But only with you."
"Let's go back to your place and make sandwiches. I don't want to go out."
"You got all dressed up. I'm taking you out."
"I got dressed up for you, Gavin. And I'd like to get undressed for you, now. Don't deny me. Please?" She tugged her hand from mine and reached over to stroke my erection. "We can eat after we make love."
Make love. The sound of it coming from her lips had my insides doing flip flops. I felt like a silly school boy, all wrapped up in what we could become and who she would grow to be in my life.
"Alright, but let's share a glass of wine before you start your seduction games." I smiled over at her as she gave me hell about all of my comments toward her for the rest of the ride home.
By the time we pulled up in front of the house, my body was screaming for release. She'd done just about everything possible to have me aching for her. I half-expected her to crawl over into the seat with me as I parked the car, but she got out and walked toward the house, shaking her fine ass the way I loved to see her shake it.
"What about California?" I got out of the car and leaned against the open door. "You still wanting to hop the next flight out of here?"
"That depends." She tilted her head to the side and took small steps backward.
"On what?" I shut the door and walked toward her slowly, stalking her like she was my prey.
The sexy smile on her mouth had my pulse racing, and I knew we might make love later in the night, but I needed to press her against a hard surface and pound into her tight body for a little while before we slowed things down.
"On you." She turned and walked to the house, stopping in front of the door and turning to face me. "And I want you to take your money back. I'm not taking no for an answer."
I jogged up the stairs and pulled her into my arms. "No means no. Stop telling me what to do. It's only going to end with you naked and laying across my legs."
"With you spanking me?"
"Among other things." I slid my fingers into her hair and tightened my grip on the silky locks, pulling a little as I pressed my tongue deep into her mouth.
She slid greedy hands down my back and cupped my ass, kneading it as she whimpered against my lips.
I pulled back. "You're keeping the money, Maddie. Don't bring it up again."
"And if I do?" She looked like an angel in the devil's disguise.
"Then you don't get any spankings. Period."
"My lips are sealed. Now... take me inside and make me your dinner."
"Yes." I pushed the door open behind her and picked her up, walking toward the kitchen. I put her down and pointed to the dining room table. "Clear it off and get on it. On your back. Naked."