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Lifting my burger I take a huge bite and chew slowly while I debate telling him the truth. Instead, I shrug a shoulder and wink.
“Believe me Trav, you don’t really want to know.” I sass before taking another big bite. The burger is amazing! I had forgotten how wonderful food could be and I’m getting spoiled by the dining out and having him cook for me.
His voice is a low rumble when he responds. “Try me, sweetheart," he challenges.
Now I’m in a pickle. I can either brave it out and just say it or I can back off and maybe even stop with the constant teasing. Sucking in a deep breath I reach for my glass of iced tea, giving myself a moment to form my words.
“It’s nothing.” I finally say setting my glass down and pushing it away. I’m happy when he doesn’t push for more but gives me a soft smile and returns to his food. I do the same, determined to stop teasing him so much
and to just let what is going to happen unfold naturally. Feeling better, and slightly less crazy, we finish our dinner in companionable silence.
The server brings our check and Travis reaches for his wallet.
“Do you want dessert or anything?” He asks me. He never misses an opportunity to offer me food. Right now it’s endearing, but if I’m not careful I’m going to end up gaining more weight than I should.
“Yes please. Could I get a piece of the chocolate cream pie to go?” I ask the server. She nods and hurries away while Travis chuckles. It’s probably a good thing that he keeps dragging me to work out with him.
It’s the first evening that we have gone straight home after dinner. Travis has been taking me back to the office so that he can work on cases, while I read on the e-reader that he bought me. I can’t help but admire his dedication. It’s just one more facet of his personality that draws me in. So far, the only thing I don’t like is his stubborn ability to keep me at arms length.
“Want to watch a movie?” I ask as we walk in the door. Max greets us with happy wiggles before running out into the dark to take care of his business.
“Sure, Sweetpea. Why don’t you go find something while I wait for Max.” he says, standing just inside the open door.
“Ok.” I sing out, “But don’t be upset if I pick something Disney.” I can’t help it. I love Disney movies. I always have. Even now, they are my guilty pleasure.
“It’s not like I haven’t ever watched a Disney movie with you,” he responds with a laugh. It’s true. I’m sure he must have almost died of boredom when I was ten. I must have made him watch Lilo and Stitch a hundred times that year. It’s still my favorite so I turn on the tv and look for it. He has it saved on his DVR! Yay! We are so going to watch it. For old times sake. Pausing the movie I snuggle into the soft cushions of the couch to wait and pull the fuzzy blanket off the back to cover myself against the slight chill in the room.
“Cold?” Travis asks a couple minutes later as he comes into the room and crossing to light the gas fireplace. The dim glow of the flickering flames casts dancing shadows across the floor cozily.
“Just a little,” I tell him scooting closer to him as he sits down and props his feet up on the coffee table. With a smile he wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me against his side and tucking the blanket more snugly around me. Contentment floods through me making me oddly sleepy. Yawning, I press play on the remote and feel his laugh vibrating in his chest when he sees what movie I picked.
“You have it saved on your tv,” I defend my selection.
“Yes, baby, I do. It was your favorite movie.”
Pleased that he remembers that I turn my head and kiss his bulging bicep where it’s holding me and settle more heavily against his warmth to watch my movie with another wide yawn. His chin rests lightly on the top of my head and I can feel his whiskers catch on the loose strands of hair. This is the best feeling in the world. Warm. Safe. Cherished.
I wake up later to the sounds of the movie credits as I’m being lifted into strong arms. I don’t remember much of the movie, so I must have fallen asleep pretty early on. It’s all the food and exercise. I never sleep so much.
“I missed the whole thing,” I complain quietly, looping my arms loosely around his neck as I cuddle closer to his wide chest.
“You did,” He agrees, dropping a quick kiss to the top, of my head.
“Sorry about that,” I mumble, a little embarrassed, but not sure why.
“It’s ok. You need your sleep,” he murmurs softly. The click of Max’s toenails follows behind us like a quiet sentinel. It’s amazing how safe I feel knowing that Max is watching me whenever Travis can’t be by my side. Becca has told me all about him. She loves dogs as much as I do and even has two of her own. Travis thinks she’s crazy to have two, considering that she lives in a school bus that she has turned into a tiny house. I haven’t seen it yet, but she has promised to have me over once we get back from taking Ana to Vegas. I think she is going to be my friend and that makes me happier than I can really express. I’ve lived such a solitary life for so long that realizing that I can make friends for the first time in my life is a heady feeling.
Bubbling with happiness, I tighten my hold on Travis as we reach the top of the stairs. He glances down at me with a small grin, showcasing that dimple again. I want to kiss it so badly so I screw up my courage and do it. His stubble rough against my lips making them tingle from the slight abrasion. It feels so good. Without thinking I rub my soft flesh against him savoring the contrast of our textures.
He groans at my caress, the sound primal and deep. I do it again, nuzzling him with my lips as I part them slightly and let the very tip of my tongue explore the sexy little divot. I have been wanting to do that for way longer than I will ever admit.
Another deep rumble of approval vibrates against my breasts, pressed firmly against him in my efforts to get as close to him as is humanly possible. My nipples tingle and I feel them harden under the tank and sweater that I’m wearing. Closing my eyes with a whimper, I lift my face, offering my mouth to him. My heartbeat throbs in my veins. I can feel the flush crawling up my throat and cheeks when he doesn’t make a move to take what I’m so clearly offering to him.
Another long moment passes and shame washes over me. Clearly I’ve been reading everything wrong. Opening my eyes my gaze clashes with his sapphire blue one before skittering away.
“I’m sorry.” I mumble, pulling away and squirming to be let down. It’s no wonder I read him wrong, I haven’t ever been close enough to a man to know anything about this attraction stuff. And if I’m honest, even if there had been an opportunity I wouldn’t have done anything about it because I was stupidly saving myself for this man. The one I can’t seem to stop acting like a fool around.
“Let me down Travis.” My voice shakes with the effort it takes for me not to cry. I’m humiliated by how badly I have misread this entire situation. Even if he did kiss me. Twice. And told me he loves me. Maybe that was just the heat of the moment. The newness of finding me. Now that things are settling down he’s not made one move toward me. Not one kiss, not a single touch that could be construed as anything other than friendly.
