Always (Always Series Book 1) Page 6

  What she does next, I’m not expecting.

  She buries her face into my chest and starts laughing. Laughing!

  “Joes, are you alright?” I ask slowly, not knowing why she’s reacting this way.

  “Travis, I’m more than alright.” She looks up at me, her chin resting on my chest, smiling so big with her eyes bright.

  “Then why are you laughing?”

  “Because I was going to ask you to come over tonight, but then I remembered that you are living at my house right now.”

  I feel my own smile pull at my lips as I look down at her. I can’t believe this is happening right now. Holy fuck. This. Is. Happening.

  “You know, Ollie and Tatum will be at their dad’s this weekend.” She smiles as she traces a finger over my pec through my shirt.

  “Is that so?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Just you and me in the house tonight then.”

  “Yep.”

  “Damn, I was really hoping to go out with Ollie tonight.”

  “Travis!” She yells as she smacks me, scrunching up her face. She’s so fucking adorable.

  “I’m kidding,” I laugh as I grab her face and kiss her on the nose.

  “We should get going then. I don’t want you to be late for work.”

  She pulls away and starts gathering her things to leave. When she bends over to pick up her briefcase, I can’t help but look. I bite my lip to keep from attacking her as I take in the sight of her ass. I bet she’ll be sexy as fuck with that naked ass in the air. I groan, cover my hard-again dick and walk to the door, opening it for her to leave.

  “I’ll definitely take this place,” I say matter of fact as I pull the door closed behind us. “It already has amazing memories inside.”

  * * *

  I usually love going to the garage to work, but today dragged ass. All I wanted was to be done so I could get back to Josie. The second the clock hits six, I’m going to be out the door with a smile on my face.

  “What’s with the big grin, kid?” Roger, the owner of the garage and the other half of the reason why I’m making it through life, asks me.

  “Nothing. Just glad the day is done.”

  “Bullshit. It’s gotta be a girl. Only a girl could put that bright a smile on that grumpy face of yours,” he chuckles, sticking his head back under the hood of the minivan he’s working on.

  “Something like that,” I mutter as I grab my bag.

  “Hey!” Roger yells, lifting out from under the hood again.

  “What’s up?”

  “It’s good to see you smile like that. Whoever she is, I hope you don’t screw it up.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Good man,” he winks, before going back to work again.

  I chuckle to myself thinking about the irony of Roger giving me girl tips. He’s been married and divorced three times, twice since I’ve known him. Roger is a good guy though, rough around the edges but a softy on the inside. He’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it – he literally has with me a few times. He’s been the steady male in my life, and I’ll never be able to give him back what he’s given me in the three years I’ve worked here. I’ll always be grateful for everything he’s done for me, from teaching me skills and a trade to being a constant in my life when I didn’t have many.

  My thoughts turn to Josie when I’m halfway to the house, making my smile grow just thinking about her. I’ve made the drive from the shop to our street so many times I could do it blindfolded, but this time felt so different. I wasn’t just going home or to my buddy’s house, I was going to my girl’s house. Or at least I hope she’s my girl. Fuck, who am I kidding. Josie is anything but a girl. She’s all woman, and I plan on making her all mine. Seeing her let her resolve down was like watching the heavens part. I know we have a lot to work out and I know I need to go slow with her, but God help me, I want her something awful.

  Pulling into the driveway, I grab my bag and try to calm myself as I walk to the door. Stopping for a second before I go in, I take a breath, knowing that from this point on, everything will be different.

  But when I open the door, it doesn’t feel right. All the lights are off and it’s eerily quiet. I look in the garage to double check that Josie is here and find her car parked there like normal. “Josie?” I yell out as I close the door to the garage. I still don’t hear anything as I drop my bag and walk into the living room, yelling her name again as I scan the room for her. Nothing.

  I make my way upstairs, taking them two at a time, yelling her name a third time. I still don’t hear anything, but when I see her bedroom door is closed, I lightly knock on it. “Joes?” I push the door open before waiting for a response. When I walk in, I see Josie curled up on her bed, covered in a blanket, sound asleep.

  I lean against the door frame for a minute just taking her in. Her hair spread out on her pillow, her addicting lips slightly parted. I can see she has on those fluffy socks she wears no matter how hot or cold it is outside. I smile at her lying there before I walk over and kneel beside her. Not able to keep my hands from her much longer, I lightly stroke her hair as I lean down and kiss her forehead. But when my lips touch her skin, she feels hot. I quickly lean back, putting my hand on her face. She’s on fire. And not in the way I’d hoped she’d be tonight.

  Making my way to the bathroom, I find the thermometer and Tylenol. I carry them, along with a wet washcloth and glass of water, back to her. She still hasn’t stirred since I got here.

  “Josie, baby, wake up,” I say kissing her again on the head.

  “Travis?” She stirs, confused.

  “Yeah, I think you have a fever. Let me take your temperature.”

  She shivers as she sits up. “I’m OK.”

  “No, you aren’t. You’re burning up. Let’s check you out.” I lift a brow, letting her know she needs to open for me to put the thermometer under her tongue. She sighs before opening her mouth and closing those full lips around it. I watch as the numbers tick higher and higher before it beeps. Pulling it from her mouth, I look to see what it says.

  “102.3.”

  “No,” she whines, falling back down onto her pillows, sounding more like a kid than a thirty-three-year-old woman. It makes me chuckle and bend to kiss her head again.

  “Here, take these and I’m going make you some tea. Do you want anything else? Are you hungry?”

  “You don’t have to do that, Trav. You don’t have to take care of me.”

  I sit on the edge of the bed now, placing the cool washcloth on her blazing forehead. “Maybe I don’t have to, but I want to.”

  “I’m sure you’d rather be doing something else or hanging with your friends instead of taking care of my sick self.”

  “That’s where you’re dead wrong. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with my girl.” Shit. I probably shouldn’t have called her “my girl,” but damnit if I don’t love the sound of Josie being mine. Her eyes go wide, taking in my words. I’m afraid I just ruined everything, opening my stupid mouth. This is why I usually stay quiet.

  “I’d love some toast with my tea if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not. I’ll be back in a few.” I smile, leaning down one last time to kiss her head.

  I walk back up to her room a few minutes later with a mug of hot tea and plate of toast. I can’t help the smile that pulls on my lips when I see her sitting up in bed now, biting her nails like she does when she’s nervous. She’s so beautiful. Sick and all, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

  “Here you go, pretty girl,” I say, putting the mug and plate on the table next to her bed.

  “Thank you. This is all… unexpectedly sweet.” I swear I see a blush creep into her cheeks as she picks up the plate of toast. “You made me cinnamon toast.”

  It’s my turn to blush now. “You always make it for Ollie and Tate… and me when we’re sick,” I say with a shrug.

  “It’s perfect, Trav. T
hank you.”

  “I’ll let you rest. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”

  “You aren’t going to stay with me?”

  “Do you want me to stay with you?”

  She just looks at me and nods with a sexy little smile on her lips before taking a sip of tea.

  “I don’t know what in the hell I’m doing here, Joes.”

  “I don’t know, either, but if you don’t mind me being feverish and some slight post-nasal drip, I’d like to start with us getting more comfortable just being with one another as we step into this new territory. Is that alright with you?”

  It’s my turn to just look at her and nod, smirking, as I kick off my shoes. “Actually, do you mind if I get more comfortable?”

  Her eyes go big again. “What does that mean?”

  I fist the back of my shirt and pull it over my head. I watch as she licks her bottom lip and her teeth follow, biting into the soft flesh as she takes in my naked chest and abs. My fingers pop the button of my jeans as I watch her eyes trail to where they are about to pull the zipper down. I hear her little gasp as my jeans fall to my ankles, and I kick them off before walking over and climbing into bed with her. The gulp she takes is loud enough to fill the quiet room. Biting the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing, I reach over her, my naked chest rubbing against her clothed one, grabbing the TV remote. It takes all my control not to strip her down when I feel her braless tits harden under her flimsy shirt.

  “So, uh, what do you want to watch?” I ask, sitting back in my own space. Turning on the TV, I start scanning the channels, having not looked over at her since I crawled onto the bed. I’m almost afraid of what I’ll find if I chance a glance her way after my bold striptease. What was I thinking? This is Josie, not some high school chick trying to score with a jock. Shit. I think I just screwed up.

  “Joes, what do you want to watch?” I ask again, this time turning to look at her, but not ready for what I see.

  JOSIE

  Am I hallucinating, or did Travis just give me a striptease? I mean, I know I have a fever, chills and my nose is drippy, but I swear he just gave me the sexiest show I’ve seen in, well, ever. Even being sick and feeling like crap, Travis made my mouth water watching him inch his shirt off over his head. And it’s not like I haven’t ever seen him shirtless because I have. Many times. But it was so very different this time. It was sexy. It was almost sensual. It was all for me. Then when he dropped his pants – I about died.

  I’m pretty sure I haven’t been this turned on since, well, this afternoon when his hands were in my pants. But before then, yes, definitely the last time we kissed. Then there was the time we were “dreaming.” And let’s just say that what I’ve felt through our clothes, and what I just saw outlined in his boxer briefs, is something you read about in romance novels.

  Ohmygosh. He’s getting in bed with me.

  Almost naked.

  Is he reaching for me?

  Is he going to cop a feel?

  No. He’s reaching for something on the nightstand.

  Oh, his chest feels good against me.

  Am I breathing? I don’t think I’ve breathed since he took his pants off.

  Oh, I want to feel that chest against my skin.

  How does he smell so good after he was working on cars for hours? He smells like oil and sweat, soap and cheap aftershave. He smells like Travis, and I want to lick him.

  DO NOT LICK HIM!!!

  He grabbed the TV remote.

  That’s a good idea. We can watch TV and snuggle all night.

  All night?!

  Yes, I want him here all night. I want to wake up with him pressed against me.

  Oh shit, I’m getting all worked up again.

  Am I panting?

  Shit! I think I’m panting.

  Get a grip, Josie!

  “Joes, what do you want to watch?” Travis’s voice breaks through my internal monologue. I turn my head to look at him, and yes, I am panting – or at least breathing heavy.

  “Travis? Am I hallucinating? Or are you naked in my bed?”

  I hear his deep chuckle before he rolls to his side, nuzzling his face in the side of my neck with his hand on my cheek. “You aren’t hallucinating. But I’m not completely naked.”

  “Oh, that’s good.”

  “Do you want me to put some more clothes on? I’m sorry, I should have asked. I just didn’t want to get into your clean bed with my dirty clothes from the garage.”

  Still staring at the ceiling, I realize I definitely do not want him in more clothes. Because a nearly naked Travis curled up next to me is exactly the warmth I need and just what the doctor ordered. “No. You’re perfect. You’re warm, and it feels so good,” I hum as I close my eyes and lean into him more. I can feel his dick twitch on my thigh, and it pulls a smile at the corner of my mouth.

  “Oh, you think that’s funny, huh?” He laughs into my hair, rubbing himself against my leg.

  “Mmmhmmm.”

  “You’re lucky you’re sick, or I’d be pouncing your ass right now. You’ve got me all worked up, Josie.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He pulls away from me slightly then to look at my face. “Why the hell are you sorry?”

  “Because now you’re going to have blue balls.”

  “Josie, I’d have rainbow-colored balls if it meant I got to spend time with you. I hope you know that I want more than just to fuck you. You know that, right?” With his brows pinched together and crass words spoken, I die a little more wanting everything he’s giving me.

  Returning his touch, I cup his cheek and smile. “I know.”

  He kisses me on the forehead before sitting back on his side again. “So, what do you want to watch?”

  “Ever watch Friends?”

  “Not really. But I know you have about a thousand times.”

  “I can’t help it. It’s an addiction really. But it’s so good.”

  “Whatever you say, Joes.”

  “It’s on Netflix. I’m on season three, but we can start at the beginning so you can truly appreciate all that is Chandler Bing. Or should I say Miss Chanandler Bong.” I start laughing so hard I make myself cough. I drink some water and finally settle down; all the while Travis is looking at me like I just grew a second head. “Was that just a deal-breaker?”

  He just shakes his head while he hits play on the pilot episode. “Not a chance, crazy. Now come snuggle with me.” He lifts his arm up and I snuggle – and fit perfectly I might add – into his side.

  I fall asleep on and off as my fever breaks, and I’m feeling better. And when I hear or feel the rumble of Trav’s laughter next to me during some of my favorite parts of the show, I feel my heart fall for him more and more.

  I wake up and the TV still on; looking at the clock, I see it’s 3:46 am. I get up and use the bathroom before turning off the TV and getting back in bed. Looking at Travis sleeping like this, he seems so young, but I know what’s behind those closed eyes. I brush aside the hair that’s fallen over his eye and place a whisper of a kiss on his cheek. “Please don’t break my heart, Travis.” I curl into his side and am almost back asleep when I hear his whispered response. “I won’t break yours if you don’t break mine.”

  Chapter 7

  Travis

  Waking up next to Josie is about the best thing ever. Not able to keep my hands off her, I lightly trace my fingertips up her leg, over her sexy, full hip, and up her ribs, crossing over to run them under her breast. I hear a little hum come from those luscious lips and feel myself get even harder from tracing her curves.

  This woman, damn I want her, but I don’t want to push too far or too fast with her. Trying my luck, I stretch my hand over her stomach where her thin shirt has ridden up, lightly rubbing my way up until I feel the soft skin under her tits. When she hums again, I feel like I’m about to explode. Scooting closer so my body and rock-hard cock are pressed against her, I run my nose up the side of her neck, stopping with a kiss
on her cheek. My thumb stroking under her tit, I take a leap when I move it up to graze her hard nipple. I get another hum in praise, making me smile against her neck as I trail kisses along it and up to her jaw.

  “Morning, pretty girl. You feeling better?”

  “So much better.”

  “Is this too much?” I ask, continuing to kiss her.

  “How do you always make me feel so good?”

  “Like this?” I ask. Chancing it, I rub my thumb over her nipple again and lightly squeeze her full breast the perfect size to fill my big hand. Fuck, she’s perfect everywhere. Josie moans, sending the sound and feel of it straight to my dick.

  “Travis, I want to touch you, but I’m afraid. I don’t know if I’m ready to do everything yet. I’m still scared.” Her voice sounds small, yet husky and sex-laden as she pours out her fears. If I was more of an asshole or was only in this for the piece of ass, I’d push her right now, knowing that she’s so turned on. But I won’t push. At least not with her.

  Pulling her back, I roll partially on top of her until she’s looking at me. “Joes, it’s not a secret that I want you,” I say, rubbing my cock against her to prove my point, “but I’m not going to push you. If you say stop, we stop. If you say go, I say hell yes. But I’m not going to pressure you or anything. You set the pace, OK?” She gives me a small nod as her eyes fill with tears. Leaning down, I place a soft kiss on her lips, then another at the corner of each of her eyes as the tears spill out.

  “Travis?”

  “What is it, pretty girl? Oh shit, are you OK? Do you still feel sick?”

  Her smile is like the sun, and when her hand runs through my hair and she pulls me closer to her, it’s like finding gold at the end of a fucking rainbow when our lips meet. She pulls away slightly, our breaths mixing, our lips still slightly touching when she whispers, “I’m more than OK with you. You make everything perfect, Travis.”

  JOSIE

  My head is swirling, my heart is beating out of my chest and my sex is throbbing from the feel of Travis. He’s so much and not enough at the same time. I know we need to take things slow, but right now I want nothing more than to strip off the thin layers of clothes that separate us from joining together and get lost in him even more.