Chapter 09
“S he’s asleep.”
My head came up, staring at my ex-wife as she came into her living room. I had taken up residence on the couch, my mind racing, trying to think of any way to avoid further contact with this man, his family and mine.
Monica came over, sitting beside me, turned towards me.
“Trevor-” she began.
“Monica. I am sorry-” I said at the same time.
She jerked back, her brown eyes wide with surprise.
“Sorry? What are you sorry for?” she asked.
“I did this. I brought him into my life all those years ago, and now he’s back and-”
“Trevor. Shut the fuck up.”
I stilled, looking at her.
“This isn’t your fault. This is a relatively small city. They went to school together for a year. I’ve even seen him at sporting events. It's not your fault. You’ve been clean for over a decade.” she shook her head at me.
I sighed, leaning forward, the leather on the couch rubbing against my fireman uniform pants roughly. I’d removed the suspenders to hang loosely at my sides and had a white fitted shirt on. I scrubbed my hands over my face.
“Fuck!” I cursed into my calloused hands.
I felt Monica’s tiny hand meet my back, rubbing soothingly. Damn . That felt good.
“I don’t know how, but I promise to keep him and his son away from you all.” I said, sitting up straight again, leaning into her touch, rolling my neck on my shoulders.
Monica leaned in suddenly, wrapping her arms around me tightly. Without a thought I brought my arms around her again, drawing her against me. It just felt right. Like no time had passed between us at all. Her body still seemed to fit mine perfectly. She was everything to me still. She even still smelled the same.
She was curvier and softer though. I found my hands moving along her back again as she snuggled closer, and let out a little sigh.
Shit. This feels too good, flitted through my mind briefly, but I needed it. I’d hold onto her as long as she’d let me. I felt her head move back and she tilted her neck up to look at me.
“Thank you.” she said softly.
I met her eyes, looking down at her. The only light in the room coming from a lamp by the front window casting a soft glow around the room. I reached up, brushing some hair off of her forehead, tucking it behind her ear. I saw her pulse jump in her neck when I made contact with her skin.
“For what?” I asked, my voice coming out gruffly.
“Everything you’ve done for me.”
“I’d do anything for you. Always.”
Her eyes were huge, staring at me. She licked her lips nervously and my eyes were drawn to her mouth. I didn’t think about it. I just lowered my head and pressed my mouth gently against hers. Brushing mine over hers lightly. I felt her sharp intake of breath and stilled, gauging her reaction.
She sighed and her hands clenched my shirt, pulling me closer and pressing her lips firmer against mine. Sliding my hand up the side of her neck gently, I tipped her head further back with my thumb, sliding it under her chin. My other arm stayed firmly around her waist, drawing her closer to me, deepening the kiss.
Whatever she was willing to give, I was going to take. I’d waited years for this. For a second chance. I teased the seam of her lips with the tip of my tongue.
Testing.
Daring.
Their pillowy softness parted on a sigh and I was home. My tongue sliding against hers. It was like the years had never happened.
Kissing Monica felt like coming home.
The pieces of my heart felt like they found their matches and were settling back into place. She hesitantly brushed her tongue against mine and I groaned into her. Then we were lost. Trapped in a suddenly heated kiss where we felt like we couldn’t drink each other in fast enough. Her hands were sliding up over my shoulders, clutching me to her, and I pressed her into the back of the sofa, I could feel her breasts pressing into the hardness of my chest.
I needed to keep my head. This couldn’t go too fast and scare her. Ruin things for both of us. Breaking the kiss, we both breathed heavily. I rested my forehead against hers, moving my thumb soothingly over her cheek as she gazed into my eyes.
Clearing her throat softly, she spoke, “Well, then. That’s new.”
I snorted softly.
“It's been a long time coming for me, Monica.”
“Yeah?” she asked hesitantly.
“Always.” I replied, seriously.
She visibly gulped, and I decided things had progressed enough for one evening. Sitting back I adjusted my painfully hard erection in my pants and ran a hand through my hair again.
“Wanna go on a date?” I blurted out.
Smooth, dumbass.
Monica’s hands flew up, clasping over her mouth, and she fell back giggling.
“Trevor! Our daughter was just in a car accident, after sneaking out of the house and going joyriding with your old drug dealer’s son, and you’re asking me on a date?”
I laughed, staring up at the ceiling, before meeting her gaze again.
“Apparently, Mon.” I said seriously.
She stopped and stared at me. Seeming to take me in, her eyes moving over my face consideringly.
“I’ve never stopped loving you, Mon. I respected you and Paul. I was happy for you all and knew you’d moved on to someone more deserving. But, I’ve always had feelings for you. Always will.”
I’d laid it all out. Nothing held back now.
“If there’s anything the last year and a half has taught us, it's that life is fleeting and we shouldn’t sit around and wait on things.” I continued, nervously, looking away, through the front window and out onto the quiet, dark street.
“Okay.” she whispered.
My head jerked to the side, staring at her disbelievingly.
“Okay?” I asked.
She nodded.
“We can go on a date.”
She spoke so quietly I wasn’t sure I’d heard her correctly. I was in a little bit of shock that the evening had turned out like this after all the drama. I blinked at her.
“Trevor.” she snapped her fingers in front of my face. “You asked me, you goof. Why are you acting so shocked?”
I shrugged.
“I just never thought you’d give me another chance after the way I fucked up.” my throat felt tight. Like I was going to start crying at any minute.
Monica’s eyes softened as she looked at me.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, Trevor.” she whispered, clasping my big hand in her tiny one. “Everyone.”
I gazed into her warm, brown eyes.
“I should probably get back to the firehouse and finish my shift. Call me if you all need anything. I’ll stop by tomorrow morning and check on Lacey.” I stood, grabbing Monica’s hand to help her up off the couch.
“I will. I was so scared tonight. I’m so relieved she’s okay.”
I nodded as she trailed me to the door to lock it behind me.
“Never thought she’d be the type to sneak out of the house though.”
Monic snorted.
“Well you are her father, Trevor.”
“Watch it.” I said, playfully. Grabbing her by the waistband of her leggings and bringing her against me roughly, she gasped. Before she could say anything I ducked my head and kissed her hard, nipping at her lower lip.
“I’ll text you to set up that date.” I said, drawing back and staring into her now glazed eyes as she nodded up at me.
Smirking, I turned and walked out the door to head back to work.