I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and Sutton rests her head on my chest.
“I want to make sure she understands what dating and girlfriend means.”
Sutton’s head snaps up, and she stares at me. “Am I your girlfriend?” Her eyebrows furrow in the cutest way.
“Well, you’re the only person I’m seeing. I plan to see a lot more of you. And I want this.” I reach for her hands.
“I want this, too. I like you, Gavin. I know you experienced something terrible, and I’m grateful you trust me.” She tilts her head, and her eyes crinkle as she smiles.
“I like you, too.” I lean forward and kiss her. “Even if you make me dance in public,” I say against her lips before kissing her again.
“Hmmm,” she sighs and holds me by the neck. Sutton gets on her knees so she can reach better, our tongues moving together.
I reach for her thighs and bring one over me, so she’s straddling me. When she lowers her body over mine, I groan and thrust my hips up.
“Not the best idea unless I planned on doing more than this,” I grumble.
“Shhh…” She presses a finger over my lips. Cupping my face, Sutton adds, “We take our time. I agree this position gives me all kinds of ideas, but we’re in no rush.”
“You have no idea how badly I want you.” I grip her hips. “But I don’t want to fuck you in my truck and leave. It’s a little more complicated with being a dad, but I promise we’ll have time for us.” I thrust up, and she moans. “Trust me.”
Wordlessly, Sutton fuses her lips to mine and kisses me with wild desperation. Her nails scrape the back of my neck. It prickles my skin and drives my desire into full gear. I hold her to me and get lost in the kiss, giving her what I can at the moment.
I make it a point to figure out how to parent and date simultaneously. Maybe Abbie can keep Penny over one night, so I won’t feel so guilty spending the night with Sutton and not being home when Penny wakes up.
Sutton grinds into me. Yeah, I’m gonna have to beg Abbie. I’ll owe her big time. Hell, I’ll gift her the most expensive gift for her wedding if she does this one favor.
My hands move up and down her back, recalling what happened earlier. It’d be so easy to slip my hand in her jeans, but I want to be able to take my time. I’m not a teenager looking for a quickie in a parked car. Sutton deserves better than that.
I take Sutton’s lower lip between my teeth and tug. Dropping a kiss on the base of her throat, I catch my breath. Our mingled breaths fog up the windows. My chest heaving as I think about anything that will distract me from the woman straddling me.
“Intense,” she says, running a hand through her hair and flipping it to the side.
“Very.” I trace the V opening of her shirt. She shivers at the contact, and I smirk. “I should get you inside.”
“Yeah,” she whispers.
I hold her chin and turn her face toward me. “I promise. Soon.”
She pinches her lips in a smile and nods. “I know.” She gives me a chaste kiss and moves off my lap. I sigh and run a hand through my hair, regaining my control, and willing my dick to calm down so I can step off this truck and walk her to her door.
Sutton’s giggles steal my attention. “Feelin’ a little hard up?” she winks.
“You have no idea.” I move my hand down my face and scratch my bearded chin. It’s as if my body already forgot that I came earlier. It doesn’t care what happened a few hours ago when it’s got Sutton near it.
After a few deep breaths, I walk Sutton to her door and kiss her before promising to see her tomorrow. The decision I have to make is if I want to tell Penny about Sutton before we see her or wait until we’re more established in our relationship. The one thing I want to avoid is getting Penny’s hopes up and something happening between Sutton and me.
She will probably have a bunch of questions I’m not sure I’ll have the best answers for. While I’d love nothing more than to believe that our relationship can be flawless, knowing Sutton’s career is so demanding worries me at times. She’s in and out of town, touring and making a name for herself—something I don’t want to interfere in.
We can make it work if Knox and Ainsley can, as well as so many other musicians. We sure as hell aren’t the first couple in this situation. That’s what I tell myself on the drive home. Because if there’s one thing I’m certain of, it is that Sutton Wright is one woman I’m willing to risk my heart for.
Sutton
“Tell me everything.” Kelsey sits on my sofa, cradling a glass filled with cherry-colored wine. She arrived earlier today and has been bugging me with questions about Gavin.
“It’s going really well. We’ve gone out a few times just the two of us, and on Saturday, we went to get cupcakes with his daughter.”
“Does she know you two are an item?” Her eyes bug out.
I shake my head. “Not yet. He wants to give it some time, and I respect that. Penny has gotten close to me in the short time I’ve known her, and I wouldn’t want her to feel upset or confused if something were to happen.”
“What would happen?” Kelsey lifts her eyebrows and gives me an I’m-not-buying-it look.
“I hope Gavin and I work out. I like him a lot, and like I said, things are going great. But
