Just Breathe

Chapter Nine Gavin

It took everything in me not to kiss Bailey until we were both breathless. When I walked through the front door of Momma B's Grill and saw her standing there, all flushed cheeks and pouty lips, looking so damn irresistible, all that was on my mind was tasting her again. The moment I got closer, I could tell from her tense posture that she would not have been happy with me if I had attacked her lips in front of her co-workers and clients. So my next best idea was just holding her close and pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, which was the right move since she melted right into me.

Having lunch with Bailey and Logan was as amazing as our dinner date the night before. The only difference was that when it was just the three us Bailey seemed a lot more sure of herself. She joined in on the conversation and she would laugh out loud. She would flirt with me and when I would touch her in any way, she would practically melt. Bailey out in public with me, it was as if we were back to square one. She was much quieter, observing me and Logan and not engaging much in conversation. When Id reach out to hold her, shed practically pull back like I burnt her. That shit was not sitting well with me, she agreed last night that she was giving me a chance. There is no fuckin way I'm letting her go back on her word.

I pay for our lunch after a bit of a fight with Bailey over it, but thanks to Ash cashing us out, I win in the end.

"Hey, Gavin, can I check out the drawings you put on people?" Logan turns to face us, as we step out onto the sidewalk. Before I can answer him, Bailey jumps right in.

"Bubba, Gavin has to work, so we cant be in his way. Plus, we have a date at the library, remember?" She reminds him.

"I almost forgot. What about tomorrow?"

"Tomor" I cut her off before she can say more.

"Tomorrow is a school night bud, but I'm gonna figure out a day that works with your mom so I can give you a tour. How does that sound?" He gives me a little pout, but for the most part, seems content with that answer. I walk them to her truck and help Logan get settled in his car seat before I make my way to Bailey.

"Did I do something wrong?" I come flush with her chest again, and straight to the point. I don't want any confusion about where my feelings stand.

"Not that Im aware of." She answers with the most adorable, confused look ever. Her brows are drawn in together and her lips are slightly parted. All I wanna do is kiss this woman.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're trying to push me away?" I whisper in her ear. She lets out a little moan that I would have missed if I weren't this close. Glad to know I affect her just as much as she affects me.

"Umm... I'm not." She stutters, locking her eyes on my lips. Fuck, I won't be able to hold off from kissing her much longer.

"No? Then how come you were so quiet in there, and when I tried to hold your hand, you pulled away?"

I figured she would come up with some bullshit excuse or deny it, but when she locked those damn green eyes that just suck me in, I knew she wasn't bullshitting me with her next words.

"I don't want Logan to start asking questions, or assume things when we've just started hanging out". She takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I wasn't lying about giving you a chance, Gavin. But you also need to understand that I have a child that comes first, and the last thing I want is for him to get used to having you around and then having to explain to him why you're not. There's a lot you don't know about me, and maybe when you do, you might change your mind about us." She whispers the last sentence, and all I want to do is shake the shit out of her and tell her there is nothing in her past that could prevent me from wanting her and Logan. But I don't.

"You're absolutely right." I watch the disappointment in her eyes once those words are out of my mouth. The silly woman thinks I'm gonna back down.

"I don't know a lot about you and Logan, just as you don't know a lot about me. This is why were giving this a chance, so we can get to know each other. I know Logan comes first, but so do you, beautiful." I slip both my hands around her neck and press my lips against her forehead before stepping back and watch her get into her truck. Once inside, I notice her taking in a deep breath, and then she rolls down her window and calls out.

"Would you like to come over for dinner tonight? Umm if you're not busy, that is?" I notice the light shade of pink spread over her cheeks as she waits for my answer.

"What time babe?" She gives me a half-smile and licks her lips before she answers. Fuck me this woman is gonna kill me.

"It's Sunday, I try to get Logan in bed by 8:30 PM, so 6:30 PM? I'm not sure what time you're done work at..."

"Babe, you're really cute when you ramble." I say, as I lean my elbows on the drivers side. She doesn't respond, except for that shade of pink on her cheeks growing darker.

"I'll try my best to be there for 6:30PM. I have two clients this afternoon, both finishing pieces. If I see I'm running late, I'll give you a call. Can I have your phone so I can put my number in?" I pull my cell out from my back pocket, and when I look up at her I notice she still hasnt pulled hers out, and is now looking more unsure than ever.

"Umm... I well... I don't have a phone." She looks everywhere but at me. Hunters voice pops into my head about her being on guard. Something tells me that the reason she doesn't have a phone has to do with her past.

"Tell you what beautiful, if by 6:30PM I'm not knocking on your door, it means I won't be there until 7:00 PM, sounds good?" I see her visibly relax back into her seat, as I don't question her about not having a phone. She looks over at me and grants me one of her shy smiles.

"Sounds good." She places the truck into reverse but before I let her pull away, I reach back into her space and place one more kiss on the corner of her mouth, and let Logan know I'll see him later tonight for dinner.

As I make my way to the shop, all I'm thinking is how tonight I can get some alone time with Bailey so we can finally have a conversation about one another, without the little man overhearing or interrupting us. Her past is a big part of her, and if I'm being honest, I'm thinking it's in a bad way. Tread carefully Gavin. For her to talk about her past, means you have to let her in and tell her about yours. Shit, am I ready for that? I guess I'll find out tonight. Besides, I'm not expecting her to tell me everything off the bat. I just want her to get used to me being around and to know she can trust me. Everything else will fall into place.

With that in mind, I spend the rest of the afternoon doing what I love to do, and anxious to get back home to spend the rest of my evening with a green-eyed beauty and her adorable little boy.