Chapter Twenty-Three.

Maria continued to stay busy-between the food and the cleanup, she had little time to socialize. The few times our eyes did connect, she appeared irritated and maybe a little distant.

I hoped she didn't think I was ignoring her. I just didn't want to get in her way.

When Sadie approached me with Mikey, Maria glared and my stomach dropped. I'd have to tame the jealous beast later. She had nothing to worry about when it came to that. I guess I needed to make that more clear.

I spent time playing catch and talking with Mikey. He smiled when I told him I was planning to get a dog. I told him maybe one day he could help me pick him out.

"I used to have a dog. My dad got him when he graduated college. Butch was a golden retriever. He got hit by a car the year before my parents died." Mikey kicked his feet in the gravel, and I immediately felt like an a.s.s. I just had to bring up the whole dog thing, didn't I?

"Sorry about that, buddy." I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and pulled him up against my side.

He shrugged his shoulders, and that only made my heartache worsen. I didn't like it when he brushed off his feelings. I just wanted to grip his shoulders and force him to feel-force him to let it out, cry it all out, scream-anything he needed.

When darkness began to set in, I gave him a hug and took him back to Sadie. She surprised the s.h.i.t outta me when she wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you so much for the smiles you bring him. He deserves someone like you in his life," she said, just before stepping back.

She laced her hand with Mikey's as I watched them walk away. He turned to look back, offering me a small wave.

I took a few minutes alone before I went to find Maria. Everything in me needed to be tamed or she would see right through me.

I walked around for nearly fifteen minutes before finding her. She was on a blanket next to Kori and Reed, with Rhett securely tucked between her knees. That little man adored her.

I took the empty spot behind her and leaned over to place a kiss on her shoulder. She didn't turn to face me, and that made my stomach ache.

Scooting in just a little closer, I brushed her hair aside and kissed her just behind her ear.

"You miss me?" I asked, and she leaned forward, pulling herself away.

"Hey," I nudged her side. "What's going on?"

There was a crack, and the first of the fireworks exploded in the sky above us.

Rhett scrambled and dove for Reed, wrapping his arms tightly around his neck. Reed curled his arms around him, tucking him in closer. Kori then leaned in, cuddling up to her boys.

I looked at the sweetest little family. Kori's hand rested on her tiny stomach. A small sense of want filled me that I didn't know existed-the need for a love like that and the desire to have a family that I could call my own.

I looked up to find Maria watching the same thing I was. My heart instantly ached, knowing that my girl hurt too.

I brought myself up behind her, placing one leg on each side of her. She tried to fight me, but I didn't allow it. Her back rested against my chest. I placed my chin on her shoulder, breathing her in.

"You ever gonna tell me why you're mad at me?" I asked. I had a feeling I already knew what was going through her mind.

She only shook her head and continued to watch the fireworks.

I let her sit in silence, but we would be talking this out very soon. I wasn't about to get her fired up in the middle of all these people. I would leave it for later, when we were alone.

The fireworks ended and she jumped up, grabbing for the blanket beneath us.

Once I stood, she picked it up and wadded it in her arms, still not looking at me. She gave a quick wave to Reed, Rhett, and Kori before storming off.

Shaking my head, I tried not to chuckle at her obvious fit. It was hard not to laugh when she got that way.

I finally caught up with her at her car. She must have heard me approaching, because she spun around to face me.

"So is she the reason why you haven't wanted me to go with you, when you go to the boys' home to visit with Mikey?" she asked. "She's pretty, so I can see the appeal."

The moment my eyes connected with hers, I found them glistening. An uncontrollable rush of irritation engulfed me. "You're bulls.h.i.tting me, right? This is some kinda joke."

She looked away quickly, and I tilted her chin up once more. I wanted her looking into my eyes, when I said what I needed to. "I have no interest in Sadie. I haven't taken you because it has taken me all this time to get him to trust me. I wanted Mikey to understand that I wanted this with him, not because you made me want it. You're the one who befriended him in the beginning. I needed my chance to break through his walls."

She stared back at me, with her lip trembling. "Sadie, huh?" she paused. "Well, Sadie looks pretty interested."

I hung my head and let out a frustrated breath. Out of everything I had just said, she was only focused on Sadie.

Before she could say another word, I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck. I covered her mouth with mine, pressing my body against hers. Her back pushed firmly against her car.

She whimpered against my lips when I rolled my tongue over hers.

Pulling back just enough to rest my forehead against hers and, still holding her body close to me, I asked, "What is it with the self-doubt? Have I given you any indication that I want something more than what we have?" Maria shook her head and tried to say something in return. Before she could, I kissed her once more.

"I guess it's my fault, I haven't been honest with you," I whispered, and her worried expression made my heart ache.

"I've held back with you for so long that you really have no idea what you mean to me." A tear ran down her cheek and I wiped it away quickly. "I'm in love with you," I declared. "I've been in love with you. I've just been too stubborn to tell you."

I placed one hand on each side of her face and made her look into my eyes. "I love you, Maria. I don't want any other woman, you are more than enough for me."

Her lip trembled and I kissed her once more. "I want you, only you."

We stood there in the parking lot as I held her close. Her sadness was enough to gut me.

"Do you understand how much you mean to me?" She shook her head against my chest. She whispered 'no.' "I told myself I wouldn't do this, fall in love. I said it was something I would avoid at all cost. But loving you is pretty much unavoidable. I don't want to hold back with you, not anymore."

"I saw her with you on the bench," she stated. "She was so close and touching you. I didn't like seeing that."

I couldn't help but smile. "You being jealous is cute as h.e.l.l. I ain't gonna lie." I chuckled softly. "I promise you, though, that I am not interested in her. And baby, you can go with me to see Mikey any time."

The parking lot was clearing out, and the lights around us were slowly being shut off. Only one street light lit half the parking lot.

"You coming to my place tonight?" I asked hopefully. That was our original plan.

When she said 'yes,' I swear my d.a.m.n stomach tensed.

"I'll follow you," I told her. Kissing the tip of her nose I leaned over and opened her door for her.

Pulling in behind her in my drive, I crawled from my truck. She still hadn't gotten out of her car, so I walked up to the driver's side.

I opened her door and looked down to find her eyes full of tears once again. Kneeling down at the side of her car, I watched her closely.

"Baby, what's going on? Why the tears?" I asked.

"You love me?" she whispered, and I was instantly confused. "I was so worried about the woman from the home that I missed the joy I should have felt from hearing you say that. The first time you tell me you love me, I'm too busy being a jealous girl."

I tried not to laugh at her. I tried so hard but it was pointless. I grabbed for her thigh and turned her to face me. When our eyes connected, my stomach flipped.

"How about I just say it again. What if I spend the entire night making sure you understand just how much I love you?"

"That sounds really good," she said.

Standing up, I pulled her up to meet me and held her in my arms. "Let's go inside."

Chapter Twenty-Four.

"Yeah, more please," she panted. I continued to trail my tongue over her stomach. She shivered beneath me when I slid a finger inside of her. Waking up to a beautiful, naked Maria was the best way to start my day.

I continued to slide my finger in and out while my tongue worked her into a toe-curling o.r.g.a.s.m, one that had her shouting my name and digging her nails into my shoulders. That right there was enough to make me feel like pounding on my chest.

I kissed my way back up her body until I was hovering over her lips. Her eyes were still closed tightly, and her chest rose and fell as she tried to slow her breathing.

Quickly rolling on my condom, I looked up once more to find her watching my movements. She smiled and pulled my face to hers, kissing me with force. Her tongue erotically teased mine.

"I want you inside of me, now," she whispered, and I groaned against her lips.

Entering her slowly, I watched her eyes roll and her back arch. It was one of the most amazing things to watch, undeniably beautiful.

We found our rhythm quickly as she lifted her hips to meet my thrusts. I grabbed her leg, hooking it up over my hip and rotating my hips against her.

I could feel her building with the friction of our connection. It was only a matter of seconds before her inner walls started contracting around me.

Holding off as long as possible, I continued to thrust and roll my hips. My name fell from her lips and our bodies released together.

I held her tightly, while burying my face in her neck.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too," she replied.

Rising up, I rested my weight on one arm and looked down at her. "We need to get in the shower and get moving. Mikey is expecting us at noon."

It has been a week since the Fourth of July party. Today would be Maria's first visit, and Mikey was more than excited that she was coming too. They spent an hour on the phone last night going over what they wanted to do. From the sound of it, we were playing battleship. They would be ganging up on me.

"You gotta get moving before I can." She pushed against my chest. "You beast."

Chuckling, I tickled her side. Her body wiggling beneath me was having the opposite effect.

"You keep moving like that and we're gonna be late." I stated. She immediately stopped and smiled up at me. "If I didn't have a very handsome little boy expecting me in a little over an hour, I would take you up on that offer."

I rotated to the side and she slid out from underneath me, earning a tap on the a.s.s as she crawled out of bed. She squealed and scurried off toward the shower.

I let her start the water and get in before I snuck in and joined her.

Pulling up to the home at exactly noon, Maria giggled and looked over at me. "You do know your shower attack almost made us late."

I shrugged. "Almost."

Taking her hand in mine, I led her in the front doors. They had finally gotten rid of the crazy lady who gave me hives. She was severely scary on her good days.

Now a nice girl in her twenties sat at the front desk with a big smile. She was always so pleasant each time I came.

"h.e.l.lo, Mr. Tennison. Mikey has been really excited about today. He hasn't stopped talking about it."

"We're pretty excited too." I looked over at Maria, and she smiled back at the girl behind the desk. "This is Maria. She is approved for today's visit as well."

I watched as the girl looked over the list in front of her and offered Maria a return smile. "Yes, Mikey told me all about your dance lessons."

"He's a natural, there really wasn't much to it," she replied.

The familiar click of heels against the tile filled the hallway behind us. I looked up to find Sadie approaching-wearing the tightest pair of black jeans I had ever seen and an even tighter red shirt that left little to the imagination.

I felt Maria tense next to me and I pulled her in closer. I placed my hand on her hip and kissed the top of her head.

"Gavin, hi," Sadie smiled. "Mikey has been so excited about today." She stopped right in front of us, never taking her eyes from mine. She purposely ignored Maria, and I knew then she was going to be a problem.

"I think the excitement of today lies in this beautiful woman's hands." I pulled Maria in front of me and Sadie stepped back. "I'm pretty sure Mikey loves this girl almost as much as I do."

Sadie's face fell slightly. Maria rested her body back against mine, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

Sadie still had not acknowledged Maria. It was honestly p.i.s.sing me off, but I held my tongue for now.

Sadie led us to the main room, and I heard my name once the door shut behind me. Mikey came running and leaped toward me. I caught him against my chest and chuckled. "Well, hey little man, how you been?"