Just Breathe

Chapter Eleven Gavin

I had kissed Bailey before and it was something out of this world, but having her push her lips softly against mine and just keeping them there was absolute perfection. That initiation told me she had just jumped on the same train as me, and I intend to keep her on it. I debated taking the kiss further but reminded myself this alone time is about getting to know her, and not just sucking her face. I pressed a little harder against her lips before leaning back and adjusting on the couch, where she was laying her head against my shoulder and I could play with her hair. We fell into a comfortable silence until I decided this was the perfect time to share something about each other, and as much as I wanted her to be the first one to share, I knew that wasnt going to happen.

"What made you want to tattoo people for a living?" She whispered before I could open my mouth. Well, I guess she proved you wrong, my inner voice piped up. Hell, I guess she did.

"I've always been passionate about drawing. My mom has always said I learned how to draw before I learned to walk." I whisper as she did, trying not to disrupt the moment. I see the faint smile on her lips and continue.

"In school, art class was the only thing that kept my attention. In my senior year, Mic, the former owner of The Phoenix, was a guest speaker in my art class. It was from his story and presentation of his work that I wanted to pursue tattooing. To be able to share my talent permanently on someones skin is an honor. When someone comes to me with their pain or joy and asks me to express it on their body, it's a feeling that I have yet to find the right words to describe." I explain the best I can to her.

"That's beautiful, Gavin. I'm sure your family is proud of your accomplishments." She whispered. I almost let out a bitter laugh. My parents were far from proud of anything that had to do with me. But I wasn't going to get into that just yet. I didn't want to ruin this progress weve made today talking about my parents' bullshit, well, more my father's bullshit.

"What about you, beautiful? What brought you to Watermount Falls?" If she wasn't snuggled up next to me, I would have never known she tensed up just from that simple question. I didn't know if I should backtrack but figured this was a safe question, but from her reaction, maybe it wasn't. I didn't move nor did I push the question any further. I gave her time to work out in her head how she wanted to answer. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally spoke.

"My mom was a single parent with no family. She died in a car accident." I could barely make out her words. They were just above a whisper. I knew this was causing her pain and wanted to put a stop to it, but she surprised me when she continued.

"There was no reason for us to stay so I packed up our stuff and drove. No destination in mind, just the open road. Once we got to Watermount Falls, we stopped and decided to spend a few nights to rest before getting back on the road again. The first time we walked into Momma B's, she just kind of pulled us in." She lets out a soft chuckle and I lean down to press a kiss on her forehead. I just can't seem to stop touching her, in some way or another.

"She chatted us up, and the next thing I knew, she was offering me a job, helping me find a place to settle into, and accommodating my work schedule to fit around Logan's school time. Even if I wanted to say no and keep moving, I couldn't. So here we are, almost two months later. Logan is loving his new school and friends, and can't seem to wait until the weekends when he can sit in the diner and chat up old Mr. Henderson." At that, I laugh alongside her. Only Logan could put Mr. Henderson in a good mood and not even flinch while doing it.

"Mr.Henderson loves you both. I've never seen him interact with anyone except Momma B, and I think he's polite to her and entertains her conversations because he's scared of her." Bailey lets out a fit of giggles and I can't help but just stare at her like some lovesick puppy. When she laughs her whole face just lights up, her green eyes glisten and brighten, all at once. Shes just beautiful.

"Momma B is pretty scary, but she means well, and she wouldn't hurt anybody." She says after she's calmed down from her laughing fit.

"Don't let her sweetness toward you fool you, beautiful. Momma B is something fierce when it comes to protecting her own." I wink at her. Her response is that damn smile of hers.

"And what about you? How are you liking it here?" I push away a few of her curls behind her ear and watch her think for a moment.

"Since I've been here, I've come to realize that this town goes above and beyond to make it a home for all newcomers. I feel comfortable here; like I actually fit in. Everyone has been extremely welcoming, and I've made some amazing friends like Ash, Momma B, and even Mr. Henderson." She teases.

"What about me? I'm not on that welcome party list?" I tease her and even manage to tickle her a bit before she begs for mercy. She takes a breath and I pull her closer to me once again, but now we are facing each other and I can study her while she answers. I see the soft pink make its appearance on her smooth cheeks and do my best to refrain from kissing them.

"You are on a list all on your own, Gavin." She takes in a few deep breaths before locking her green eyes with my dark chocolate brown.

"It kind of scares me, but not in a bad way." She whispers those words as if they were meant to be a secret. I move my hands around her neck and bring her lips closer to mine before I crash into her. I nip at her bottom lip causing her to let out a soft moan and opening up for me. I take full advantage and slip my tongue into her mouth, massaging her tongue with mine. She takes no time in sliding her fingers through my hair and gripping the ends as she kisses me back, as fierce and intensely as I kiss her. I stopped thinking about going slow and glide my hands slowly down her back, grip her waist, and move her to straddle me. I don't know what I'm thinking, clearly, it's my dick that is doing all the thinking. The moment I have her heat against my dick both of us let out a moan. I grip her neck and push our chests flush against one another and claim her mouth again. She's so lost in the moment that she lets go and begins to grind against my very hard cock. Fuck! She's gonna make me come like a damn teenage boy. Were all lips, teeth, hands, and moans, so neither one of us hears Logan until Zeus lets out a bark. Bailey jumps off my lap and looks over at Logan, standing by his bedroom door rubbing the sleep from his eyes. I, on the other hand, stay seated and try to calm the raging hard-on I have at the moment.

"Hey, bubba, are you alright?" Bailey somehow manages to control her breathing while she's speaking with him.

"I'm thirsty and didn't have any water on my nightstand." He explains in a sleepy tone.

"Sorry bub, I must have forgotten. I'll grab you a bottle of water." She leans down, kisses his forehead, and goes into the kitchen to get a bottle of water.

"Gavin, are you sleeping over?" Logan asks, seeming a little more awake.

"Nah, buddy. I was just about to head out." I say to him from the couch.

"We should do a sleepover one night, and Zeus too." His little chubby cheeks brighten up with his smile.

"I'll work something out with your mom."

"Cool. Goodnight." He slips back into his room as if his mom and I weren't just humping each other like two teenagers.

I finally get myself under control and get up from the couch. I start to make my way to the front door and wait for Bailey. Zeus sits next to me and just stares.

"What? Like you don't know how sexy she is." He just barks back at me. My damn dog knows I don't stand a chance at taking it slow when it comes to Bailey. She emerges from Logans room and makes her way to me. I'm anticipating her putting space between us, so I'm caught off guard when she reaches me and places her arms around my waist, looking up at me.

"I had a really nice time tonight." She gives me a shy smile, then gets on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. Too fucking cute, this woman.

"I had a great time, beautiful. I'll see you tomorrow." I whisper against her lips and make my way out with Zeus, back to my place across the hall.

Tonight had gone better than expected. I've learned that Bailey's past seems much more complicated than what meets the eye. I will need to tread carefully when touching on that subject with her in the future. She opened up some, and definitely took what she wanted when we kissed. Now I need to figure out how I can take her out, just the two of us, and have her spend the night.