When he called me wildcat, I immediately thought of our night together and how he couldn’t leave fast enough. I suddenly needed to get some air because this man behind me has the ability to take mine from me with just one look into his greys.
“Running from me, wildcat?” I hear him softly say behind me. I suck in a breath and turn toward him.
“What are you doing, Travis?” I search his eyes for answers, but there are too many emotions between us right now to make sense of it. “I got asee you aroundwhen you left that night. The bed sheets were still warm from your body, for crying out loud. I didn’t hear from you for days until we found out I was Max’s teacher. Then you gave me the coldshoulder after I mentioned Max’s mom, and two days ago, you were acting like a possessive boyfriend after I drunk-texted you. My head is spinning and confused, and I don’t know what you want from me.” I look up at him with my emotions shining in my eyes, hoping he will understand what this is doing to me.
He clears the space between us, and before I can form another thought, his body is pressed up against mine. He threads his hand into my hair and rests his forehead to mine. “I tried to stay away. God, did I try, but I can’t,” he whispers. “I realized that I don’t want to. I know you don’t want to get involved with the dad of one of your students, but I swear to you, I would never put your job at risk. I don’t have it in me to stay away from you any longer,” he breathes.
My heart pounds in my chest as I take in what he’s saying. It’s what I want, too. I just don’t know what I’m up against. “I…I need to know that his mom’s not in the picture anymore. I won’t come between a family. If there’s any chance that you will get back together, I need to know.”
“There’s no chance. I promise. We were over before Max was even born. I’ll tell you everything. I just need…time.” His hands clutch me tighter as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
I bite my lip as thoughts flow through me. I feel like he’s telling the truth about Max’s mom. There’s so much I don’t understand, but the one thing I do know is how he makes me feel. I can’t walk away without exploring what this could turn out to be. “I don’t have it in me to stay away from you either,” I whisper.
“God, that makes me so happy to fucking hear,” he groans before running his tongue along my bottom lip and sliding in to meet mine. He takes his time and savors every second we have right now. I grip his t-shirt and bring him closer to me, wanting to melt our bodies together. It’s been too long since I’ve felt himagainst me, and I need to know he’s real…that this is really happening.
He breaks away, and we both stare at each other as our breaths even out. “Just don’t hurt me, Travis,” I whisper. I’ve never felt this way before, and I know this man has the power to break me.
“I wouldn’t be standing here now if there was any chance of me hurting you. I have a lot to lose by letting someone get close to Max and me. I had no intention of letting it happen. I’ve been blindsided in the past, so it’s me who should be asking you not to hurt us.”
I see the pain and fear in his eyes, and it breaks my heart that someone hurt him and Max. I run my hand over his jaw, and he covers it with his. “I don’t know what happened in the past to put that pain and fear in your eyes, but I can promise you that I would rather die than hurt Max.”
He nods his head and looks away to shield me from what he’s feeling. “We better get back before your brother and your friends think I’ve kidnapped you.” He holds out his hand, and I smile as our fingers intertwine.
We walk back to the restaurant, and he stops before we go up the stairs. “I’m not sure how this is going to play out, but I want to wait before Max sees us as more than friends. For now, can you still be Miss Lane, the teacher, and not the girl his dad is crushing hard on? It’s not that I don’t want everyone to know,” he says quickly. “It’s just that I don’t want him getting confused or more attached to you, and then if something happens…” He goes quiet, and I place a hand on his arm.
“I don’t mind at all. I think it’s a good idea to keep it from him as we get to know each other better.”
He let out a breath he must have been holding. “Thank you.” He squeezes my hand before letting go and following me up the stairs.
When we get back to the table, Ryder is the only one sitting there. “Where is everyone?”
“Dancing,” he says, laughing and pointing to the dance floor. The band is playing an upbeat tune, and Bella and Emma are getting twirled by Noah and Maverick while Jake dances with Max. The song ends, and Seth’s voice goes over the mic.
“We’re going to slow it down now, so grab that favorite person in your life and come up here and join us.” Noah and Maverick immediately start dancing with Bella and Emma getting into their own little world together as they sway to the music.
Max comes running over with Jake. “Did you see me dancing?” His big grey eyes look up at me.
“I did. You’ve got quite the moves,” I grin down at him.
“You should dance with Miss Lane, Daddy,” he says, looking up at Travis. “Uncle Jake says that a pretty girl should never be left alone if a slow song comes on.” Jake starts laughing, and I bite my cheek to stop the grin.
“Did he now? What else has Uncle Jake taught you?” Travis eyes Jake as he holds up his hands and grins.
“Only to treat a lady with respect and kindness. And kindness would be asking her to dance, Dad.” I do laugh this time and glance at Travis seeing the amusement in his eyes.
“Well, I can’t argue with that. How about it, Miss Lane? Care to dance with me?” His grey eyes meet mine, and as soon as I put my hand in his, the laughter is replaced with something much more intense. Sparks fly in the air as my body hums with pleasure.
“I’d love to,” I say softly. We watch Jake take Max back to the table to color while I follow him to the dance floor. He picks a spot away from our table where we are hidden from sight.
He pulls me close, and I immediately lay my head on his chest and breathe him in. His hand goes to my lower back andrests there, bringing me flush against him. I can feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest, matching my own.
“Once the show is over, my brothers leave tonight to go back home. Jake and Ryder volunteered to take Max back with them,” he says softly in my hair. “Stay with me tonight.”
I lift my head and look up at him. His hand comes up and brushes my hair back before his knuckles skim my cheek. “I’ll stay with you tonight.” With the way he is looking at me, I think I would agree to anything right now.
“I really want to kiss you right now. If Max wasn’t here and there wasn’t a chance he could see us, I would have my fucking lips on you, not caring who would see.”
“I really want to kiss you, too.” He buries his face in my hair and breathes me in. I feel his tongue swipe a taste before taking a soft nip. I moan softly and grasp his t-shirt.
