I’ve never believed a sentence more. He does have me; in every way a person can have someone.
By the time Trevor’s got us clean, dry, and bundled back in the bed, sleep comes for me like a thief in the night. Quick and easy.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TREVOR
Making love to Beau changed something between us irrevocably. The way Beau had shivered at my touch, trembled when I told him I loved him, will be burned into my memory forever. Just those simple words along with the lovemaking seemed to settle something inside of Beau that had been restless. Maybe a small part of him will always expect me to run away, but leaving Beau now would be akin to ripping my own heart out of my chest. Leaving will never be an option again.
“Ready?” Beau asks from behind me, startling me from my introspection.
Turning around, I find Beau in dark jeans, a T-shirt that hugs every beautiful inch of his chest, and camel dress shoes that I didn’t even realize he owned. Keys to the Chevy dangle from his fingers as he cocks his head, trying to figure out what I’m thinking. One day I know he’ll be able to look at me and just know, the very thought comforts me.
“Ready.” I stride towards him, only coming to a stop once I can loop my arms around his neck. Pressing up on my toes, I kiss his forehead, then let my lips linger on his mouth just long enough to steal his breath.
“Sweetheart,” Beau murmurs softly, tone heart-achingly tender.
“Aw, I got you.” I drop down to the soles of my feet and send him a cheeky wink.
Beau’s cheeks darken just enough to make me smile. “You could take it easy on me sometimes.”
“No fun in that,” I tease.
His lips quirk to the side. “Guess not. Let’s go. Mama probably already has her trademark dip out and I’m sure Colby is already there eating it up.”
“Not if Eli can distract him as easily as I can distract you,” I sing as we make our way out to the Chevy.
Beau opens the door for me, then carefully buckles me in. If anyone else tried to care for me the way Beau does, I’d probably start a world war. But with Beau it feels too much like love to let it rile me. The night air is cool as we roll the windows down. I toss my hair up in a haphazard bun just so that I don’t have a million knots by the time we arrive at our destination.
“You’ll take it back down once we get to Mama’s?” Beau asks loudly, over the rushing sound of the wind through the windows.
“Whatever you want, Beau.”
Beau rolls his eyes, but a sweet smile twitches his lips under the dark shadow of his beard. Leaning my head against the headrest, a contented smile makes my cheeks ache. Beau parks in front of his mother’s house, the one I remember from all those months ago. I was here for sadder reasons before, and tonight feels full of joy in comparison.
The beautiful sound of Eli’s laughter fills the house as we make our way inside, hands tightly grasped between us. The soft murmur of voices leads us to the kitchen. Beau’s hand is a steadying weight at the base of my spine. The sight that greets us is Colby devouring the dip at the table, Eli tucked against his side, with Andy at the head of the table fighting Colby for the dip.Beau’s mom stands at the stove, chuckling at the antics of the adult children at the table. The atmosphere is so cozy, so warm, sohappy, that I remind myself that this is what a home should feel like. This is family.
Eli’s gaze pings to me and he grins wide. “Hi!”
I shyly wave at everyone. Beau’s mom turns around, grinning when she spots me. With a cock of her head, she invites me over to join her at the stove. I head that way with a curious look over my shoulder at Beau. The man just shrugs in answer.
“Do you like chicken and dumplings?” Cindy questions, glasses slipping down her nose giving her the aura of a sweet librarian.
“Never had them.”
Cindy whistles softly. “You’re missing out. They’re the ultimate comfort food. I always made them for the kids when they needed just a little extra love. Help me with the dumplings?”
Cindy has a way of making me feel so comfortable, even when it’s something I don’t understand. I help her whisk all the ingredients for dumplings in a metal bowl. Then she shows me how to spoon mix, then drop into the savory smelling thick soup. Chicken’s been torn apart, vegetables look mushy, and when I eye the mixture critically, Cindy just chuckles.
“I know it looks unappealing, but I promise it tastes amazing. You’re doing great with the dumplings, honey.”
Butterflies take flight in my chest at her sweet praise. “Yeah?”
A soft smile turns her lips up. “Great job, I promise. How’s my son treating you?”
I glance over my shoulder at Beau to find him competing with Colby for the dip on the table. Andy smacks Beau’s hand and he pulls it away with a deep frown.
“I love him.”
