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“That explains why she ripped him a new one earlier during the reception and why he was fishing for information when we all met up for a drink the other night.”
“He was asking about her?”.
“He was. We grilled him about the club and when he finally answered, he said that there was some unfinished business between them, most of which was his fault and that he regretted it. He also asked us if we believed there was a chance for him to make it right. Of course, I didn’t know what he was talking about, so I told him to just be patient.”
“You used Runa’s advice on him.”
“Well, it’s great advice.” I kissed the top of her head. “Look what it got me.”
Dee’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she rose up and brushed her lips over mine. “Look at what it got us,” she said softly as she caressed my cheek. I tightened my hold on her, pulling her in closer as I savored the feel of her next to me.
This. This was all I’d ever need or want. Dee in my arms and knowing my daughter was happy.
“I love you, Dee,” I whispered against the top of her head. I was too overcome with everything I felt that the words came out. “Is it too soon to say that? Because if it is, I don’t care. I’ve loved you since I first saw you.”
“It’s not too soon, because I love you too, Travis.” Her fingers curled through my chest hair as she snuggled in closer. “I think I have since the beginning, but I’m pretty sure that kiss you gave me outside the stadium clinched it. “I’m sorry I made you wait. I’m so sorry that I left you hanging—” she said, starting a string of remorse that would get us nowhere.
“You don’t have to apologize for needing to do things on your own time.” I kissed her to show her I meant what I said. “Never apologize for needing to pump the brakes.”
“What about gunning the engine?” Her eyes locked onto mine as her hand slipped between us and cupped me. My naughty little minx gave me another squeeze and just like that, I was ready for her again. “Let’s go back,” she said. “Let’s go back to the bed and breakfast.”
“Okay.” I dropped my head and kissed her. “I’ll go anywhere as long as you follow.”
twenty-seven
Dee
Sunbrokethroughthecurtains. I reveled in the early morning light, watching dust motes float through the air. I was surrounded by warmth. Beside me, Travis slept. His soft snores matched the water lapping against the shore of the nearby lake. I lay on his chest with his arm wrapped protectively around me. His heartbeat was steady under my ear and I was happy. Happier than I’d been in a long time. I’d honestly never thought I’d ever be this happy ever again.
Yet, this wonderful, sweet, sexy man broke through those barriers. He didn’t just break the mold. He obliterated it. Not only did he find everything I was sexy as hell, but last night, he’d offered to turn my third wish into a reality. A chance to become part of his family.
We’d just made love for the third time when he’d asked if I was okay with getting to know Amie better. The man was offering me a new chance to have everything I’d always wanted. He was trusting me with his child. Feeling beyond grateful even thought it was several hours ago, I snuggled closer into him as my eyes fluttered shut. I wasn’t tired, even though I’d barely slept the night before. Who could sleep when Travis was determined to give me multiple earth-shattering orgasms and delivered each and every time? Definitely, not me. Being here with him, I just wanted to savor this moment. To finally let go and allow myself to be happy.
“Good morning.” Travis’s deep voice rumbled in his chest as the arm holding me tightened its grip.
“Good morning, yourself.” I tucked my head into his side, trying to hide my face from him.
“Don’t ever hide that beautiful smile from me.” He raised my chin with his finger. “Don’t ever feel like you need to hide. Isee you, Dee Cavanaugh. I’ll always see you.”
“I’m not trying to hide my smile,” I chuckled. “I’ve got morning breath and it’s atrocious.” Embarrassed, I pulled the blankets up, denying him access to my mouth. Travis pulled them back before kissing me deeply. His tongue tangled with mine, drinking from my mouth as if it were a cup filled with the sweetest wine.
“NO!” I managed to pull away briefly before he snatched me to him, pulling me under him so I couldn’t escape. “Stop kissing me! My breath smells horrible!” I tried to push him away again but Travis kept his hold and laughed.
“I don’t care,” he whispered as he brushed his lips over mine before dropping a second kiss upon the tip of my nose. “I want to wake up every morning, just like this. Morning breath and all.”
I stared at him incredulously. The few guys I’d dated had all complained and adamantly stated there would be no kisses until both of us had brushed our teeth. Even Dennis stated that he just couldn’t stand the thought of kissing someone with a dirty mouth. He meant his, but I always felt like it meant me too.
“What if I’m sweaty, smell like a wet dog, and haven’t shaved anywhere?” I asked, testing the man lying on top of me. I needed to know how seriously he took what this was between us.
“Still absolutely lovable, and fuckable. I’m always going to find you sexy, baby.” He kissed me again before shifting so he lay on his side, his head propped up on one arm while the other lay draped across my middle. “Nothing isevergoing to make me not love you,” he said adamantly. “Others might have been put off by stupid stuff, but they don’t matter. All that matters is what I think.I’mthe guy who loves you and always will.”
His sweet words brought tears to my eyes. That was exactly what I wanted to hear. Ineededto know that he was in this for the long haul. I needed that reassurance and Travis gave it freely. No questions asked. No reminders of my insecurities or my complicated history with men. Just pure, unadulterated honesty and the promise to remain by my side, no matter what I threw at him or what came our way.
Travis was it. He was The One. I knew it without a doubt as I gazed up into those warm, loving brown eyes, watching how they drank me in with complete adoration. Overcome with emotion, I responded by grasping his head and pulling his mouth to mine. Instead of words, I showed him what he meant to me.
We made love throughout the afternoon and into the next day, stopping only to eat and sleep. We’d just made love again. Travis held me, my back to his front. His fingers stroked through the strands of my hair, lulling me to sleep. My body was tired from all the physical exertion it had experienced over the last thirty-some hours.
“Dee, baby,” Travis whispered as my eyes fluttered closed and I began to drift off.
