“I think that’s perfect.” And not something I would have clearly thought about. “I’ll clear these empty boxes out of the way, and then I’ll get that moved.”
Payton resumes hanging clothes up in the closet. I stand in the doorway for a moment, just watching her. Her hips sway side to side to the music, and her messy bun bounces. I can even hear her softly singing along. This is the most relaxed I’ve seen her in so long. And knowing that I had a hand in that just does something to me.
Chapter 10
Rhyland
It didn’t take long to transform the room completely into something I didn’t even recognize. When Connie brought Gabby over not long after we finished, she complimented our teamwork for getting so much done in a brief span of time.
Payton and I made a great team, that’s for sure.
Connie declined our invitation to stay for dinner, insisting she had to get home, so it’s just the three of us having our first meal together. Payton refused to let me cook after all I did today, so she ordered us pizza from Tony’s to say thank you. Who am I to say no to fresh tomato sauce and extra cheese?
I wanted Payton to feel comfortable here, so I suggested we sit in the living room to eat, which is how we ended up on the floor with half-empty pizza boxes on the coffee table I pushed out of the way. Gabby is between us, lying on some sort of colorful mat that has a piano on the end. Her little feet have been kicking up astorm, making music. It’s quite different from what I remember about that scene inLady and the Tramp. Not that this is a romantic date, or a date at all.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“It’s the least I could do, especially with all you’ve done, letting us stay in your house.”
When I reach over and take her hand, she startles at my touch. I’m not sure if it’s from catching her off guard or because she feels the electric shock of my skin against hers. I know I sure as shit felt it. “This is yours and Gabby’s home, too.”
I stare at her until her blue eyes finally lift and meet mine. And I swear they are a hue darker than normal. The surrounding air grows thicker with each second we hold each other’s gaze. The slow and steady rise of her chest and her lightly flushed skin make me wonder if her mind has gone to the same place as mine—how easy it would be to just close the distance between us.
It’s only night one, and I’m already thinking of kissing her. I can’t fuck this up, though. She only just got here, and I’m about to send her running for the hills.
Her eyes once again drop to my lips. A man can only be so strong for so long. My resolve cracks, and I’m about to say fuck it when her tongue slowly drags against her bottom lip. Does she realize she’s even doing it?
“Payton.” I say her name and wonder how she would react if I just quickly pressed my lips to hers.Just one taste.As I inch closer, the loudest, most disgusting noise and smell explode around us, snapping us both out of it.
“Oh my God, Gabriella Elliott Taylor,” Gabby scolds as she brings her hand to cover her face. I’m not sure if it’s in shock, embarrassment, or even to plug her nose.
Well, if that’s not a sign from somewhere, then I’m not sure what is.
Did something crawl up that girl’s ass and die, and this is the remains being expelled? How can something so small make such a smell?
The brain fog finally clears for a second to catch on to what Payton said—Elliott—after her late father. He would have loved being a grandfather, and I can only imagine the anger he would feel toward Gabby’s father. I’m sure he would have led the mob with the biggest pitchfork against him.
“What have you been feeding that girl?” I laugh, tears filling my eyes.
“I think someone has been hanging around her uncle Ollie too much,” she jokes.
Payton carefully tilts her daughter to the side, looking like she will roll her over, but winces, scrunching her face.
“Yup, a definite blowout. That’s one way to christen your new home, sweet girl.”
One way indeed. Although I can think of a few other ways that would be more pleasant.
“I’m going to get this girl cleaned up, and might as well start her bedtime routine. After that release, I’m thinking she should be ready to sleep all night.”
Will Payton ever accept my help at night with Gabby? That way, she could get some sleep. I can totally function on just a few hours—been doing it for years. But what good would Payton be if she’s not all there and exhausted? She’s been doing this for so long alone that I want her to know that she doesn’t have to anymore.
“Once I get her settled down, I’ll come back down here and clean this all up.”
I shake my head. “Nonsense. Like you said earlier, you got no sleep the night before, and it’s been a long day of excitement. I’ll take care of this, and you crawl into bed and try to get some sleep, too.”
She doesn’t argue. I’m sure she wants to, but Gabby squirms in her arms. Although I can’t say I blame her. If my pants were full of shit—well, yeah.
“Good night, Rhyland.” Payton smiles as she carries Gabby out of the room and up the stairs. And like anyone who is a glutton for their own punishment, I follow her out of the room and stand there watching her walk away. Thankfully, she doesn’t look back to catch me staring at her ass.
