17. Lennon
Chapter seventeen
Lennon
Tonight, has been the best night. I know Hayes wasn’t entirely happy that he had to bring Rosie with him, but I would have been mad when I found out about her reaction and if he still brought her to his sister. We still went to the same Italian restaurant, and we had a great time. I love watching Hayes be a dad. I remember him being the patient one between him and Cash when they were teenagers, but that doesn’t come close to how he is with his daughter.
I had him stop back at Cash’s after dinner so I could pick up the Bronco and follow him home. I didn’t want to move too quickly for Rosie. I wasn’t lying when I told Hayes that it may take her a little while to get used to sharing her dad. Not that I expect him to blow her off to spend time with me. That wouldn’t sit right with me. And I think he knows that. I hope he knows that.
We are now back at their house and Rosie has again requested that I am the one that gives her a bath. Hayes tries to tell her that he is giving her the bath, but I quickly step in and let him know that I don’t mind. I don’t say that to placate her, I really don’t mind. I love being with the little girl, and if she likes my attention, I will continue to give it to her.
“Your hair is so pretty, Lennon.” She reaches out and gently touches a wave. “Thank you, Rosie. But your hair is pretty, too.” I sense movement behind me. Turning around I see Hayes’ shadow standing right outside of the bathroom. “It isn’t. It’s ugly. Why is it so bright? I get picked on. That’s why Crosby keeps getting in trouble. Kids make fun of me, and he protects me.”
It makes my heart melt to hear that my nephew is protecting her, but I am upset that this is continually happening. I hope that I am not overstepping with this conversation, but can sense that this is why she wanted alone time with me. “Oh, Rosie. You are beautiful, inside and out. Everyone is different. Different hair, different body shapes, different skin color. While you are so, so beautiful, it’s what the inside that really matters. And you are one of the sweetest, creative, little girls that I have ever met.”
Rosie quickly stands up in the bath and hugs me, soaking the front of my dress. Hayes rushes into the bathroom, picking up her towel, and wraps Rosie in it. “Time for bed, Ro Ro.” I follow behind the two into Rosie’s bedroom, where I find her pajamas and help get her dressed. She snuggles into bed where Hayes and I read a book a piece. We sneak out once she has fallen asleep and I go into his bathroom to change. While alone, I take a minute to send my brother a message.
You are raising your son right, bub.
Bub
Uhh...thanks?
Bub
I appreciate it, but why do you say that?
Ro Ro just told me how much she gets picked on, and that Crosby protects her.
She broke my heart a little.
Bub
Hell…I didn’t know it was that bad. He was born a protector, I don’t think I did anything.
Sounds like someone else I know. Love you, bub.
Bub
Love you too, sis.
After I am in some dry clothes, I head into the kitchen where Hayes pours me a glass of wine. I love how he took notice of my favorite Pinot Grigio, and always has a bottle when I am over. I don’t need expensive gifts or dinners, I just need someone to see the real me.
“Thank you.” I tilt my head in confusion. I don’t know what he would be thanking me for. “Thank you for saying those things to her. I didn’t know she was being picked on so much at school. I should have known. I guess I’m not doing as good of a job as I thought I was.” He hangs his head, running his fingers through his hair. I can feel his tension from across the island.
I set my wine glass down and move around the island until I am standing next to him. I gently place my hand on his cheek, loving the slight stubble. “Hey, none of that. You are an amazing dad. And one of the teachers should have told you. As a matter of fact, you should have been called every time something like that happened. I think I might go down there, because that is unacceptable.”
I barely get the last word out when I’m lifted onto the counter. Hayes peppers kisses along my neck, and when he gets to the spot under my ear, I let out a small moan. “Let me hear you, sunshine. God, I love your noises.” I’m disappointed when he pulls away too soon. “Grab your wine and let’s sit outside for a bit. I have something to talk to you about.”
The walk from the kitchen to the back deck doesn’t do anything for my nerves. I play back every word spoken and every interaction with Rosie in my mind before reaching the Adirondack chair. I’m surprised when Hayes sits down and pulls me into his lap.
“Don’t look so nervous, sunshine. What’s wrong?” I can’t seem to look him in his eyes. This is where he tells me that he doesn’t want to try to have a relationship with me. He’s too busy. I’m not enough for him. I don’t deserve him. I don’t deserve Rosie. Putting his fingers under my chin, he gently lifts my face, so we are looking at each other.
“What’s wrong, sunshine?” My time of panic is over, I know I need to tell him. “I’m just nervous that I did something wrong tonight. That you are upset with me. I’m sorry if I did something wrong.”
With a slight shake of his head, he plants a kiss on my forehead. “Sunshine, you did nothing wrong. You are perfect. My sunshine. I could kill the man that made you think that you are not worthy. I wanted to tell you about the lunch I had today.”
I instantly relax in his arms, loving how safe I feel in them. “What happened at lunch?” I think back to our text exchanges, but I don’t remember him telling me anything about a lunch meeting today.
“I met with Pete and Stretch for lunch. I signed a one-year lease for the building, and after the year is up, we will meet and discuss if I want to buy the building or continue renting for another year. Pete owns the additional land, so he is including that in our agreement.”
I’m surprised when a squeal of excitement escapes me. I quickly stand up and sit back down, this time straddling Hayes. “Hayes! That is amazing! You should have told me sooner!” Kissing Hayes feels like all my dreams have come true. Like this man, that I have known since childhood, has been put here to put me back together.
I slightly pull back, and kiss down his neck until he quickly stands up and starts to carry me inside. “Hayes! I can walk! What are you doing?” I don’t actually want him to put me down, but I love that I am able to be playful with him. It’s been so long since I have felt like this, since before I went to college. I feel light…free.
Hayes gently sits me on his bed, before kneeling down in front of me. “The things I want to do to you, are not going to happen outside. At least for the first time I taste you. Feel you. But not until I ask some questions first.”
I find myself nodding my head, ready to agree to anything just to feel him against my body. I’ve only been with two people; I decided that I needed to lose my virginity before I went to college, so somehow, I found the other last eighteen-year-old virgin and we had a sloppy experience, a week before leaving for school, and the second being Connor. Connor was attentive at first, but as the years went on, my pleasure was not something he thought of. Towards the end, we weren’t even intimate. I’m sure he was getting it from someone, I was just glad it was no longer me.
“First thing, I want to build a life with you. Me, you, and Rosie. I know it’s fast, but I know that I can’t live without my sunshine. Rosie and I need you in our lives. Second, I would like to talk about what you have gone through. But not until you are ready. And third, if this is too fast for you, that’s fine. We can turn on Netflix and call it a night. ”
Tears are threatening to spill after that proclamation. I have been overthinking things with Hayes. We want the same thing. He wants me…even my broken pieces. He has seen me at my worst and he still wants me. “I want all of that with you, Hayes.” It only comes out as a whisper, like my voice is scared to ruin the moment. It was loud enough for Hayes, because he starts kissing me like he is starved.
“God, sunshine. I need to see you.” I nod my head, words not forming. “I need your words, Lennon.” I lick my lips and clear my throat. “Yes, Hayes. I want to see you, too.” That’s all he needs to hear before he takes a step back from me and slowly unbuttons his shirt and shrugs it off.
I could spend the rest of my life staring at this man.
The mysterious V that I only read about in romance novels really does exist.
He steps back to me, grabbing the hem of my shirt. He waits until I nod before hurriedly taking the fabric off of my body, like it somehow offended him. “Jesus, sunshine. You are perfection.” I roll my eyes and lightly chuckle because has this man looked in a mirror? What I felt for him in high school doesn’t hold a candle to what I’m feeling now. Want. Need. The desire to lick his abs. He gently unclasps my bra and lays me down on the bed. I take the opportunity to run my fingers down his chest. The clear shiver I see lets me know that he is just as affected by me, as I am of him. A gasp turns into a moan when he wraps his mouth around my nipple, lightly biting down. “Oh. Fuck.”
“You are still wearing too many clothes, sunshine.” I shimmy out of the lounge pants I put on after Rosie soaked me during her bath. Once I kick off the offense pants, I find Hayes staring down at me. “Fuck it. I need a taste.” He doesn’t give me time to process his words before he quickly stands up, takes off his jeans, and he is back in the bed before I could even blink. He starts kissing his way up my leg until he gets to where my body is begging for relief. With the first swipe of his tongue, I feel like I shoot off the bed. My hands find his hair, so I hold on, hopefully not pulling too hard. With the appreciative noises coming from him, I don’t think he minds.
He teases my entrance before sinking a finger inside. After a few minutes, he adds another finger, while still giving my clit the attention it deserves. And I lose it. I fall over the edge into the abyss, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this. “Hayes!” He gives me a minute to come back down to earth before reaching into his nightstand and pulling out a condom. Once he is sheathed, he deeply kisses me. I break the kiss, ready for what is coming next. One look into his eyes, I know that he is waiting for me to say that I want this. I know without a doubt, if I were to tell him that I wasn’t ready, he would give me a kiss, pull me into his side, and we would go to bed. He would never force me to do something that I didn’t want to do. But I want this. No, I need this. Need him. “Please fuck me, Hayes.”
He doesn’t waste another minute before thrusting into me, causing me to scream out. The way he fills me completely has me digging my nails into his back. I match his eager thrusts, all while listening to the words coming out of his mouth. He cherishes me. I’m his home. It’s never been this fucking good. He brings a hand between my legs and starts circling my clit, while his other hand cups my cheek, our foreheads touching. He slightly angles himself differently and I explode. Stars behind my eyes. I seriously think my soul left my body for a minute. This is the type of sex I thought that I would only read about. With one more thrust, we are calling out each other’s names.
We stare at each other, trying to catch our breath.
“Sunshine. Lennon. That was…everything. Stay there, I’ll be right back.” I instantly miss Hayes when he pulls out of me and climbs out of bed. I watch his naked back…okay his ass, as he walks to the bathroom. He comes back a minute later with a washcloth in his hand. I blink away the tears that are threatening to spill over when he gently cleans me and walks the cloth to the hamper. A moment later, he climbs back into bed, pulling me to his side. I waste no time throwing a leg over his midsection.
“Goodnight, sunshine.” I tilt my head up to deeply kiss him. “Goodnight, Hayes.” I drift off to sleep shortly after that with a smile on my face.
Please don’t let tonight be a dream.
Waking up for the second time today, I can’t believe what happened last night. And this morning. Hayes woke up early to work in his shop here before he took Rosie to breakfast and then to school. I offered to take her, but he said he wanted breakfast before he started his day…I was his breakfast. My new favorite way to wake up is with Hayes between my legs, bringing out every ounce of ecstasy from my body. He told me to sleep in and come to work whenever I wanted. Or to stay in his bed all day and be waiting for him, my choice. While the second option is very tempting, I need to get up and get started with my day.
I have a principal to go talk to.
I take the longest shower, loving the hot water on my muscles. Muscles that went unused for too long, but Hayes woke them up last night. I know I don’t have a lot to compare to, but somehow Hayes knew exactly what to do to my body to light me on fire.
Once I am finished getting ready, I make the bed and head downstairs with my stuff. There is still a part of me that believes that this is too good to be true, so I can’t bring myself to leave anything here. Instead of walking to the front door, I take a detour to the kitchen, finding a note on the island.
Good morning, sunshine. Last night meant everything to me. Make a cup of coffee before you leave. You know you need coffee before starting your day. Hayes
Smiling, I turn and find a mug already next to the machine. Pulling out my phone, I select a pod and wait for the heavenly liquid to brew.
What is the school principal like?
Shelby
Umm…why?
Because I am going up there to discuss the bullying Rosie has had to endure.
Shelby
Who is this? This can’t possibly be my best friend and sister-in-law, Lennon.
In the third grade you cut off one of Morgan’s pigtails because she made fun of me.
Shelby
Shit, you haven’t forgotten about that yet? And she deserved it.
Shelby
The few times that I have seen the man, he has seemed indifferent to everyone and everything around him.
Ok, thanks.
Shelby
Please record this meeting…I think we all need a good laugh later.
I quickly drink my cup of coffee, washing and drying the mug before putting back in the cabinet, I head out, locking the door behind me. Realistically, I know the school probably won’t tell me anything. I’m not a parent of a child there, but as an aunt and whatever I am to Rosie, I feel like I should be able to voice my opinion.
I give myself a pep talk during the short drive and before I know it, I am walking into the school. I quickly walk into the office, with my shoulders back and my head held high, requesting to speak with the principle. I am escorted into the office by the receptionist, finding a man looking upset by the interruption.
“How can I help you, miss?” He makes no effort to shake my hand, so I take a seat across from him. “I wanted to speak to you about the bullying problem in your kindergarten class.” He looks at me, clearly unamused. “I take it your child is being bullied. I think five-year-olds are a little young to be labeled as a bully.”
This man just cemented the fact that I know he won’t be doing about the issue. “Well, I believe that you can be a bully at any age. In this case, I do believe that there is an underlying issue. My nephew is in the class, as well as my significant other’s daughter, who is the one getting bullied.”
The principal stands, motioning towards the door. “While I would love to assist you, seeing as you are not a parent or guardian of a child at this school, I cannot discuss this with you.”
I’m so angry at the man’s dismissal, I storm out of his office, murmuring how helpful he has been. I can’t wait to tell Hayes about this. I’m sure he would have had a completely different conversation with the man. I’m halfway into the driver’s seat when I notice something on the windshield that was not there when I went into the building. Stepping back out of the vehicle, I reach for the single white rose, with a shaky hand.
No. This can’t be from him . It’s just a coincidence. Hayes saw the Bronco here and left it to surprise me.