Just Breathe

Chapter Eight Gavin

As I walk through The Phoenix, Hunter is in the reception area and I know he is waiting to pounce, like the little schoolgirl he is, wanting to know about last night. As much as I try to get rid of the smile I've been sporting since the moment I woke up, its just not happening.

Last night went better than I could have expected. After Logan picked out the movie for us to watch and I made sure Bailey sat next to me, the poor kid didn't last more than about forty minutes before he crawled on the couch and placed his head on Bailey's lap. And as she ran her fingers through his hair, he quickly drifted off to sleep, snoring softly. I felt guilty pushing a movie knowing it would most likely put Logan past his bedtime, but I just couldn't let the night end yet. Being so close to Bailey, having her melt at my touch, I just couldn't give that shit up. The moment I knew Logan was asleep, I had to make my move. I made sure there wasn't any space between us as I wanted to be able to touch her without Logan stirring. I pressed my lips to the side of her head and could feel when she suddenly held her breath.

"Breathe, babe." I kissed down her cheek, to her jawline and down to just below her ear, where I could feel her heart pulsating, and I kissed that spot a few times. I wasn't planning on taking it any further but then she slightly turned her head in my direction, and I was a goner. Her plump lips were right there for the taking. I gently pressed my lips to hers just to feel their softness. When she gasped in surprise, I couldn't help myself, I plunged my tongue in and took what I'd been dying to taste from the moment I laid eyes on her. I massaged her tongue with mine and nipped at her bottom lip. She seemed stiff for a second but then she brought her hand up into my hair and all bets were off. Our tongues dueled for dominance and Ive never been so damn turned on from just kissing. She broke the kiss first and I wanted to pull her back in, but when she whispered Logans name I knew we had to stop. I gently pressed my lips to hers once more, then helped her pick him up and walk her to her door. I waited for her to step inside and put him in bed before saying goodnight. With Logan sleeping in his room, we were more at ease and I kissed her without reservation, leaving both of us breathless and her cheeks flushed. I placed one more kiss on her forehead and watched her close her door and lock it. As I said, it went a lot better than I expected.

"From the bounce in your step and that damn goofy smile on your smug face, Im going to presume last night went well." Hunter pounced, just like I thought he would.

"We had a good time." I return, as I make my way to the computer to confirm my schedule for the day. I still have an hour break at twelve and I plan to swing by Momma B's. Bailey's only working the breakfast shift today since it's Sunday, and I know Logan will be there since on the weekends there's no after school program. Yeah, I know how it sounds, but I m not stalking her. Momma B's Grill is located just at the top of the hill, and my tattoo studio happens to be only four shops down.

"You had a good time? Thats it? Dude, I need more than that." Hunter insists as he chomps away on his donut.

"Did you replace your junk with a vagina, Hunter?" I throw at him. At this, he makes a show of grabbing said junk.

"Nah, bro. Still intact. So?" He wiggles his eyebrows. Hunter is relentless, I might as well give him something, or he will spend all damn day at my station, in between clients, asking for details. He's that fucking annoying.

"Like I said, we had a good time. I cooked lasagna, and Bailey was sweet enough to have brought over an apple pie she made for dessert. I almost had a heart attack when Logan asked if I had made mac and cheese for dinner. Its the bestest food in the whole wide world according to him." Hunter throws his head back, laughing.

"Kids the coolest, I tell you." Hunter throws out.

"Yeah, he really is. Thankfully, his second favorite food is lasagna, so I was good. We watched a movie and the kid passed out, not even forty minutes into it. We called it a night, and I walked her to her door." Hunter stares at me, trying to figure out if I'm hiding anything else. Were dudes, we don't kiss and tell. Well, okay, well mention if we've fucked. But Bailey's not some one-night stand, and there's no way I'm ever telling him anything intimate that happens between me and Bailey. That's none of the fuckers business.