CHAPTER 17
“Don’t go far, Dax,” Elaine called. “Travis will be here any second to pick us up.” She grabbed a very full trash bag from the bin, tied it and hauled it out. She’d have just enough time to run it to the dumpster before Travis arrived promptly at four. He was never late.
The late July heat beat on her neck as she walked the distance to the dumpster. She simultaneously loved and dreaded every afternoon. She’d been surprised to discover she enjoyed the analytics of voter identification. Because of her work, Travis’s first piece of mail was about to be sent out to targeted residents across the county. It felt good, knowing she was making a difference. But it didn’t quite make up for the ache at the base of her throat that sprang up when she occasionally snuck a glance his direction.
It was for the best, their enforced distance, even if it felt awkward when they were alone. She could tell that Weston was doing his best to act as a buffer, staying for dinner every night. Even going so far as to offer to run her and Dax home. But one thunderous look from Travis and he’d backed off, allowing Travis to continue making the nightly trip.
An SUV she didn’t recognize pulled up, and Travis leaned an elbow out the window.
“What’s this? Did something happen to Weston’s truck?”
Travis shook his head and grinned. Her stomach tap danced right up to her heart. He didn’t smile nearly enough. But when he did, she couldn’t help but smile back. The hard planes of his face softened, and even though they were obscured by his aviators, she could tell his eyes sparkled. “Nope. Thought it might be time to retire my beat-up Chevy. Drive something more sheriff-like.” He hopped out of the car and opened the passenger door. “And check this out.” He gestured for her to look in the back seat. “Built-in booster seats.”
She leaned in, enveloped by new car scent. Sure enough, the middle of the back seat was folded down, and she could see how the seatbelt had been adjusted. “Sweet. Dax will love this. I don’t think he’s ever ridden in a new car.” Neither had she for that matter.
“Do you like it?”
She backed out of the door and shut it, turning to study him. There was something in his tone of voice that pulled at her. Was he looking for her approval? “Sure. I think it’s great.”
He seemed to relax. “Good, good.” Putting his hands on his hips he scanned the picnic area. “Where’s Dax?”
“He was here a second ago. Let me go find him.”
“No need.” Travis took off before she could stop him, calling back over his shoulder. “He’s probably on the swings.”
Elaine bit back a sigh. The view was just as gorgeous from behind as it was from the front. His worn Wranglers molded to his ass and cut into the back of his thigh. The man filled out a pair of jeans perfectly. She could keep her libido in check, but it was the sight of Travis and Dax returning together, hand in hand, that made her go gooey on the inside and had her fighting to find air. Dax was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing when he walked. The last time he’d bounced was the afternoon the tornado hit, when she’d given him a few dollars to get candy at the Five ’n Dime, and he’d bounced out of Dottie’s without a care in the world. Thanks to Travis, she was seeing a glimpse of her little boy again.
Not trusting herself to talk, she hurried around the front end and settled in, awed by the electronics and buttons on the dashboard. She’d relaxed into the very comfortable seat by the time they pulled to a stop at the end of the drive. Dax launched himself out of the back seat and made a beeline for the porch, shouting as he ran.
She hurried to catch up. “What’s this?” she asked when Travis reached her. Propped up against the porch was a brand-new bicycle. It was obviously for Dax, but she couldn’t understand why.
Travis shrugged, avoiding looking at her, instead watching Dax with a small smile. “He seemed bored inside. I thought he might like to learn.”
Elaine shook her head vigorously, staving off the panic that fluttered at the edge of her consciousness. She couldn’t be indebted to Travis like this. He’d done so much for them. Too much. “That’s so kind of you. But we really can’t–”
“Of course you can.” The tightness returned to his mouth. “Every kid needs to learn how to ride a bike.”
“But what if he falls? Gets hurt?” If anything happened to him, she’d never forgive herself.
“Elaine.” Travis turned, clasping her shoulders. “You’ve got to stop treating him like he’s porcelain. You have to let him be a kid.”
His touch warmed and comforted her. But not enough to let it go. Her throat caught. “But Warren died keeping him safe.” She shut her eyes, fighting the tears that sprang up at the thought of Warren’s sacrifice. She still couldn’t think of him without crying.
Travis pulled her into an embrace. She sagged against him, letting herself lean into his solid strength. Maybe it made her weak, that she needed his reassurance. But she couldn’t help it. She’d nearly lost her son. She couldn’t risk losing him again.
His hand came to her head, fingers massaging her scalp. “Warren did die protecting your son. And that is as wonderful as it is awful. But you have to let Dax be a little boy. If you teach him to stay afraid, he’ll go through his whole life that way. You can’t do that to him. I know you don’t want that for him.”
She nodded against his shirt, eyes wet.
“He’ll be okay. Even if he falls and scrapes a knee.”
She nodded again, taking a big shuddering breath, his masculine scent setting her head buzzing. Travis’s arms tightened around her and the air between them shifted. Became tense with sexual energy. Heat surged through her, setting her skin tingling and dropping with an ache to her core. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought the butterflies that had taken flight in her stomach. With a small sigh of defeat, she pushed on his chest and stepped out of his embrace. But not before the lust in his eyes licked through her in another surge of awareness. She wanted that look. Wanted what came after a look like that. The kisses and caresses. And God help her, she wanted his cock. In her hand, in her mouth, pushing into her and filling her up six ways to Sunday, putting a glorious end to the tension that strung her out like a junkie.
Tearing her gaze away, she turned to the bike. “You have a helmet?” Her voice didn’t sound like her own.
“On the porch.” Neither did his. His words came out strangled. Tight.
She could do this. Act like there was nothing there. Be professional. Forcing a smile to her mouth, she called to Dax. “Let’s get your helmet on, kiddo.”
Dax grabbed the helmet hanging on the lintel and put it on his head. “I know how this works.”
“Let me help you snap it under your chin.” Travis moved to the bike and bent, securing the helmet. “Okay buddy, you can use the bike and go anywhere in the yard, but don’t use the pedals yet, got it?”
“Why not?”
“You’ve got to learn to balance first.” He gave Dax a fist bump.
Elaine cocked her head in wonder. “That’s very clever.”
“It’s how I learned. It doesn’t take long at all. Sometimes just a few hours. Did you learn with training wheels?”
She shook her head, shame prickling up the back of her neck. Yet another example of her pathetic childhood. “Never learned,” she said with an offhand shrug, hoping it came off like she didn’t care. There’d barely been food in the cupboards, let alone money for something as extravagant as a bike.
A muscle ticked in Travis’s jaw as he shook his head and he stalked around the corner of the house. Her insides burned as she watched him disappear. Was it that bad? That she’d never learned to ride a bike? She bit the inside of her cheek, focusing on the sharp pain instead of the dull ache in her chest. At least Dax had opportunities.
“Here, have a try.” Travis returned with an adult sized bike.
“Are you kidding?”
That hint of a smile was back, doing funny things to her insides. “Does it look like it? Never too late to learn.”
She crossed her arms. “Oh, no. I’m too old.”
“C’mon. I promise I won’t let you fall.”
Of course he wouldn’t. He’d stand right next to her, a protective tower of testosterone. And she’d fall over, not because she couldn’t balance, but because all she could think about was rubbing herself against him. A nervous giggle escaped. “But you don’t have a helmet.”
“Didn’t wear one when I learned. And you’ll be fine here in the yard.”
There was no getting out of this. She could tell by his determined stance. Opening her hands, she gave in. “Fine. Teach me how to ride a bike.”
The smile he gave her pulled at something deep inside her. He looked as excited as Dax. “Okay, same rules as Dax. Hop on and I’ll adjust the seat.” He held onto the handlebar and stood aside so she could swing a leg over the seat.
She covered his hand with hers, just for balance, of course. And stood still while he squatted down and ran a hand up the side of her leg. She was pretty sure touching her thigh had nothing to do with adjusting the seat, but she wasn’t about to complain. Not with the waves of electricity shooting up to rest at her apex. She clenched her thighs, but that did nothing to stave off the sweet ache. Only one thing would do that, and it wasn’t in the cards for them.
Travis’s voice was husky in her ear. “There. That should be better. Sit back.”
She settled on the seat and discovered she could easily keep her feet flat on the ground.
He nodded his approval. “Great, now walk the bike around in a big circle. Get a feel for how it moves.”
It was awkward going, at first. The backs of her legs hit the pedals. But she widened her stance and the bike moved more easily.
“Travis,” Dax called. “Chase me.”
His grin returned. “Duty calls. Will you be okay?”
“Of course.”
He jogged to where Dax was scooting across the yard, waving his arms and making monster sounds. She laughed out loud. If her camera hadn’t been in her purse, she’d have taken a video. She’d gone crazy over the last few weeks, taking pictures and videos of Dax, entertaining them both. She didn’t have any baby pictures of him, so she wanted to make up for lost time.
Elaine continued scooting around the yard, keeping half an eye on the pair. What would happen if she gave a hard push? Sticking one leg out, she pushed with the other. The bike wheeled forward with a little wobble. She tried it on the other side. Still a wobble. Stopping, she made sure her weight was evenly divided and pushed again. This time the bike went a little further with no wobble. Confidence surged through her. She could do this. Giving a harder push, she tried a little turn. The bike tipped. Down came her foot. Okay, not ready for turns. But balancing was coming.
“Mommy, look!” Dax called from across the yard. Travis gave the boy a push and he rolled across the yard, feet sticking out to the side before the bike wobbled. He’d gone about three feet, but it was a start. “Good for you, honey,” she cheered.
The proud smile on his face spoke volumes. “Your turn, Mommy.”
She gave a push, imitating Dax, and getting almost as far before the bike wobbled.
“Good job, Mom.”
She couldn’t help the happy laugh that bubbled out of her. “I’m getting there.”
“Here,” Travis’s gravelly voice slid over her. “Let me give you a push. On three.” He counted off and sent the bike flying, feet crunching close behind. Elaine kept her feet out as long as she dared, laughing at the pure joy of it. He was right there, wrapping an arm around her shoulder once she’d rolled to a stop. “I knew you could do it.”
She warmed at the pride in his voice. Wanted to wrap it around her like a blanket. Letting out a sigh of pure contentment, she leaned her head against him. “Thank you, Travis. This means so much to me.”
He stiffened, dropping his arm. Clearing his throat, he stepped back, a scowl on his face and all business again. “Time to head in.” He turned and marched back to the house without a backward glance.