Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Raelynn
When they discharged me from the hospital, Gavin drove me home. I’d already called Lacey and let her know what happened, and she told me to take all the time I needed.
Gavin followed me inside my cabin and helped me settle in, but I couldn’t help noticing him constantly checking the time.
“Do you need to get back to your office?” I sat down on my couch while Gavin spread a blanket over my lap.
“No. I need to pick up my kids by five o’clock.”
My head snapped up quickly. “You have kids?”
Gavin sat down next to me and took my hands in his. “I didn’t have the chance to tell you yet. But of course, I was going to. I’d never hide my kids. If we’d gone on a proper first date before our first kiss, I would’ve told you all about me.”
“It doesn’t change my feelings for you, Gavin. If anything, it makes you sexier.”
Gavin laughed. I loved the grumbly, rumble sound. “Really? Having kids makes me sexier?”
“Yes, you hot single dad, you. Wait. You are single, right?”
He laughed again, and the sound filled me with joy.
“Yes. I moved here a couple of years ago after my ex no longer wanted joint custody of our kids. She terminated all rights to her children. I used the hurt and anger I felt, turned it into a get-shit-done attitude, and moved here for a better life for my kids.”
I scooted closer to him. “You’re a good dad, Gavin.”
“Thank you.”
“I doubt you hear it enough, but you are. Any father who would make sacrifices like that for his kids is a good dad in my book. So what are the little rascals’ names?”
“I have an eight-year-old daughter named Marley and a six-year-old son named Matt. They’re great kids. They’re my whole world.”
In the short time I’d known this man, I’d grown to admire him so much. Having kids only added to his greatness. Especially with the way he loved them.
“I’d love to meet them one day.”
“And I’d love for you to meet them. But let’s start with that first date, yeah?” He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips before letting go of my hands and standing. “I’ll call you in the morning. Get plenty of rest. And come by the office tomorrow so I can check on you.”
I bit back a playful grin. “You just want to kiss me.”
“Maybe that too. Have a good night, Raelynn.”
“Night, Gavin. Or Dr. Walker, that is.”
He grinned, blew me a kiss, and left.
First thing I did? Swoon really hard.
The second thing?
I called Nina and told her everything.
A few days later, I returned to work. The pharmacy staff have called several times, apologizing profusely for their error. They offered me coupon after coupon, but I wasn’t sure I’d ever step foot in that pharmacy again.
Anxiety ate me up inside, and when I told Nina, she suggested I talk to someone. When you almost died because of someone else’s mistake, it was hard to overcome the fear that it might happen again.
For now, Gavin, who I was officially dating as of today, would pick up my birth control for me and make sure it was correct.
We’d gone on two dates so far, and we had another one planned for tonight. Yet this one was a bit different since I was headed to his house for dinner, and I’d be meeting his children. I told him I’d wait until he felt comfortable, but Gavin said he already did.
I replayed our conversation from last night’s date. We had dinner together at the diner, and then he drove me to the top of the mountain, where we parked his truck and looked out at the starry night sky.
“I know this is crazy, Rae, but something inside me keeps shouting you’re the one.
You’re the one for me. I look at you, and I see so much love and warmth.
I know you’d be an amazing mother to both my children and ours together.
We’ve known each other a week, and I know without any hesitation that I’m madly in love with you. ”
My heart raced, and my pulse roared in my ears. It was crazy, and it was fast, but I couldn’t deny it either. I felt the same way.
I climbed over the middle console and straddled his lap while wrapping my arms around his neck. I kissed him hard and deep, unable to get enough of his taste, and when we broke apart, I whispered against his lips, “I love you too, Doc.”
His sexy, rumbly chuckle sent tingles up my spine, and I ground my hips, the bulge growing beneath his pants hard to miss.
“I don’t want to fuck you for the first time in my truck.”
“Why? I don’t mind.” I dragged my lips away from his mouth, over his scratchy beard, to his earlobe where I nipped it gently with my teeth. His skin broke out into goose bumps, and it drove me wild with desire.
“You deserve to be fucked properly. After that, it’s game on.”
Heat flooded between my legs. “Okay, fine.” I dragged the word out and moved back to the passenger side. His large erection was on full display beneath his pants, and I licked my lips, trying to imagine what he tasted like.
“Come over tomorrow night for dinner and meet my kids. After they go to bed, we can have dessert.” He winked at me and started the engine of his truck.
“Please tell me I’m dessert.”
“No spoilers. I think I’m a decent cook, according to my kids anyway, but I probably should stick to medicine. I’ll grab some pizzas for us.”
“No!” I said with a giggle. “I want you to cook.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! You can’t be that bad.”
“Alright, how do you feel about spaghetti and meatballs?”
“Sounds perfect.” I leaned over and kissed the man I wanted to spend my life with. The man I didn’t even know existed a week ago.
The grumpy doctor I couldn’t get enough of.