Chapter 65 Plans
Dina's P.O.V.
"We're just having lunch right now," Gavin says. I risk glancing at him, and he winks at me, making my heart flutter uncontrollably. How can a man that size be so sweet and gentle? Even Noah isn't scared of him. Of course, I think part of that is because the cute little blonde beside him has all his attention. He copies each bite she takes of her pizza. When Dakota notices what he's doing, she slows down to give him time to chew.
"Can I come down here to play with Noah sometimes?" Dakota asks. Most kids don't understand Noah and ignore him because he doesn't speak much and gets agitated easily.
"You can come and play with him whenever you want. We're here all the time." I answer her. She smiles and begins eating again. I look at Gavin, and he's watching me. I haven't been with a man since Ben left. Being with a man was the furthest thing from my mind because I had Noah to think about. However, sometimes the unexpected happens. Like a man looking for salmon at the same time I was.
After eating, I clean everything up with Gavin's help. Dakota wipes Noah's face with a paper towel and helps him out of his seat. They walk hand in hand back to the living room and sit down to look at a book. Can I hire her?
"Dina?" Gavin says softly. I turn to look at him, and he's so close.
"What Dakota said got to you, didn't it?" Crap, what can I say?
"A little. Noah doesn't know his dad, and I've never had a man come to my apartment." I try to dodge the question as best as I can.
"You went to their places instead?" I look up at him and shake my head.
"No, there have been no men since my divorce. Even before then, Ben and I were practically separated once I had Noah. He didn't want kids, and when we had Noah, he was looking for an excuse to leave. A child with special needs was all it took. I came home from taking Noah to an appointment one day, and he had packed all his things and left. In a way, it was a relief. Even as a baby, Noah screamed when Ben was around, as though he could feel how much he didn't want him." I look at Noah, and he has a small smile while he stares at Dakota. She's reading a book to him, and I don't know if she just knows the words from memory or if she's actually reading. With her, I wouldn't be surprised either way. Gavin pushes my hair behind my ear, and his hand lingers on my cheek. I didn't realize how much I missed the kind touch of a man.
"A man like that doesn't deserve to have the title of dad. Some men would be honored to be with a beautiful woman and have a son, no matter what disabilities he has. He doesn't deserve you or Noah." I stare into his eyes as his hand continues to stroke my cheek. I want to kiss him, but it's way too soon. We just met. However, when his thumb gently rubs my bottom lip, I know he's thinking the same thing. I glance at Dakota and Noah, grab Gavin's hand, and pull him into the kitchen where they can't see us.
Gavin's arms are around me, and his lips are on mine before I can say anything. I wrap my arms around his neck and slide my hands into his short hair. I open my mouth and moan when his tongue plays with mine. I pull back when I can barely breathe and glance around the corner at the kids. They haven't moved. Gavin pulls me back in for another kiss. Desires that have been dormant for a long time begin to wake up. I want him.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself." He says, still holding me in his arms.
"Don't apologize. I was two seconds from taking it further. It's ridiculous, isn't it? I just met you and haven't been with anyone in a long time. I swear I'm not desperate." Gavin kisses me again and kisses along my jaw down to my neck. My eyes roll back in my head, and I bite my lip.
"I haven't been with a woman in a long time either. I've been waiting to feel a connection with someone. I feel it with you, Dina. Please give me a chance to show you how a man should treat a woman." I should say no, that we need to slow down, but I don't want to. I want to feel again. Even if this doesn't last, I want Gavin.
"Can you come back tonight? I put Noah to bed between seven and eight." Is he going to think I'm going too fast?
"Are you sure? We don't have to do anything; we can just talk if you want. I'm not expecting anything else, and I don't want you to feel rushed." I place my hand on his cheek. If something feels so right, why wait? It may be irresponsible of me as a single mom of a child with special needs, but this doesn't feel wrong.
"We can talk, but plan on spending the night. I want to do more than talk." Gavin pulls me against him and pushes my back against the wall. His mouth is on mine even more aggressively than the first two times. When he pulls away, he sucks on my bottom lip slightly, and I moan. Damn, I'm in trouble.
"You can trust me. I'm not going to break your heart if you give me a chance to mend it for you." Oh, yeah, I'm in big trouble. How can he say such sweet things? When we walk around the corner, Dakota is standing there with her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised. Why is my face getting hot like I just got caught by my teacher when I was kissing my boyfriend behind the bleachers? I look past her and don't see Noah.
"Where's Noah?" I ask her, reminding myself she's only four.
"He was falling asleep, so I helped him." She turns, and I follow her down the hallway. Noah is lying in his bed, sound asleep. She had even covered him up. Taking a nap is usually a fight with him every day. Seriously, can I hire her?
"Is that okay?" Dakota asks.
"It's perfect." I squat down and hug her. "Thank you for being his friend."
"You're welcome. If you need me to come back, you can call Gavin, and he'll bring me." I look up at him, and he smiles.
"Yep, anytime you want." Gavin gives me his number. He whispers to me before they leave.
"See you tonight." Yes, my heart is fluttering again. I can't wait.