Page 50 of I've Got You

I nodded. “I’ll come too if you want?”

“Always.” He threw me a wink, and my heart fluttered. Tanner gave an exaggerated groan, Marcy sighed happily, and I was certain Jack was now on the scotch and ignoring everyone. Davis didn’t pay any attention to any of it as he stole a kiss, took my hand, and pulled me to my feet. His gaze finally left mine. “Thanks for the run, Tanner.”

My eyes zeroed in on his damp shirt, and I took what I hoped was a subtle sniff. It was probably creepy that I liked when Davis was sweaty. His scent was all kinds of a turn-on. It was a good thing I hadn’t noticed he’d been out for a run until now.

Davis cleared his throat, and my gaze shot to his. Busted. His eyes flared. There was no doubt he knew exactly what I was thinking and doing. He gripped my hand a little tighter, before loosening and running his thumb over my wrist. I closed my eyes, relieved my back was to everyone else. This man’s ability to turn me inside out was impressive, and maybe just a bit terrifying.

“What time shall I bring Libby by tomorrow?” Davis’s voice took me by surprise, and my eyes sprung open.

“Whenever you’re ready, dear. We’ll be here.”

He smiled. “Thanks, will do.”

We headed toward the exit, and I turned before I left, clearing my throat. “Lovely meeting you both,” I directed at Marcy and Jack. Jack raised his half-full glass in my direction.

“You too, Scott. Don’t forget what I said.” She gave me a pointed look, and I was sure I blanched. Carter groaned, and I saw him shaking his head at Tanner’s questioning look.

“Erm, sure, thanks.” I nodded and gave one last wide-eyed stare in Carter’s direction. His smile was soft, and I relaxed a little. It was enough to remind me that so much had changed and that I’d handle this new path I’d led myself on.

My sister was home when we walked back. I doggedly ignored Davis’s questions about what he’d walked into, brushing it off and offering him noncommittal responses in the process. The reality was, there was no way Carter wouldn’t be telling Tanner, which meant Davis would know eventually. I just hoped it would be after tomorrow night.

The thought gave me pause.

“You okay?” Davis whispered.

I nodded. “Yeah.” My voice was equally low so we wouldn’t wake Libby.

Davis didn’t look convinced by my response as he led me out of the spare room where Libby was sprawled out on the double bed, pillows surrounding her to buffer any fall. He pulled the door not quite shut and led me to my bedroom.

“Are you worried about something?”

I swallowed hard and looked at the man before me. “Nope.” I was doing enough overthinking as it was. I did not want to talk this to death. Instead, I’d leave it to play out. And if tomorrow night led to hot and heavy and ended up with us sealing the deal, then I had faith in Davis he’d support me with that and take care of me. My shoulders sagged a little in relief at the thought, and a real smile touched my lips. “So tomorrow, what do you want to do?”

With a lazy roam of my face, he didn’t rush with his response. But I wouldn’t budge and speak any more about the bizarre encounter at Carter’s, allowing him to read whatever expression he found on my face. After another few beats, he took my hand in his, a lopsided grin forming on his mouth. “How about I surprise you?”

I mirrored his expression and nodded. “I’m down with that.”

My phone chimed with a text alert the next morning when I was in bed on my laptop, filling out the never-ending paperwork that went with the purchase of the clinic. It was early, and my nephews were still asleep, the house unusually silent. When I’d woken early, too antsy to sleep properly, I’d switched on my laptop, needing the distraction.

Davis: I’ll pick you up at 6. Dress smart-casual, pack a toothbrush.

My eyes widened, and heat rushed to my face. This was happening, and at six. How in the hell was I going to get through the day?

Me: Okay. Do I need anything else?

Davis: An overnight bag. And just yourself.

Alrighty then. I glanced at the time, and it was barely past six thirty. No doubt he was up with Libby. With another look at my laptop, I angled my neck from side to side until I heard a satisfying click. Work. It was the only option I had to get through my day, and it wasn’t like I didn’t have a heap I needed to achieve.

With my new plan, I got out of bed to make coffee and breakfast for Jenna and the boys. It didn’t take much movement in the kitchen for the stampede of feet to trample down the staircase, followed quickly by chattering.

“Who wants pancakes?” I asked the boys when they entered the kitchen, hair messy and both pairs of eyes springing open in delight at the word.

“Me!” Toby and Hunter answered in unison.

I nudged my head toward the utensil drawer. “Set the table for me, please. We also need juice, Toby, if you can get that from the fridge for me, please?”

The boys sprang into action, liking it when I gave them tasks. I expected when they got older that would change, but for the time being, they like to be treated like big boys.

---