Resolution: Exposure (A Resolution Pact Short Story) Read online

  The reason why he ran so fast from my apartment last week makes total sense.

  “I really like you, Harper.” He turns his intense stare on me and my insides clench with the promise I see in them. “But there hasn’t been anyone since…” He pauses. “I need you to understand that she is my first priority and always will be.”

  “I understand that,” I say after a few seconds of silence, letting everything he just said settle in.

  “I really want to do this right with you. Date nights, romance—the way it should be. But…fuck.” His hands cup my cheeks as his lips land on mine. “I need you,” he moans as he begins walking us backward. “Tell me to stop,” he whispers against the skin of my neck. “Tell me to stop and I will. We can do this properly. I’ll be whatever you need.”

  “Don’t stop,” I moan. Before I’ve even finished, Gavin’s hands are on my arse and he’s lifting me. My legs wrap around his waist and his hardness presses exactly where I need it. “Jesus,” I groan, shamelessly rubbing myself against him.

  His moan rumbles through his body, and he continues to carry me through his apartment. I can only assume where we’re heading, but it’s not until we fall down onto his bed that I’m sure.

  “This might be nothing like you’ve been imagining. It’s been over three years, so I’ll just apologize now.” He breathes hard, in a rush. His fingers grasp the bottom of my sweater and in seconds it’s in a pile on the floor, my skirt and boots soon with it. I’m laid across his bed in just my black lace lingerie. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath as his eyes roam the length of me.

  When they find mine, they’re darker than I’ve experienced before and his chest is heaving. His hands come up and thread through his hair, his expression changing to one of panic.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” His fingers drop to undo the first couple of buttons on his shirt before he reaches behind and pulls it from his body. The fabric is dropped to the floor before Gavin starts work on his belt. All the while, my eyes feast on the inches of skin he reveals.

  Squeezing my thighs together, I watch as he pushes the denim down his legs. His black boxer briefs fit him like a second skin and leave nothing to the imagination.

  Before I have a chance to blink, he’s crawling up the bed beside me. His fingers tickle up my leg before they run along the edge of the lace, inches away from where I need them to be.

  He stares down at me for a few seconds, just long enough for me to start doubting what I’m doing. I’m soon distracted when his head lowers and his lips brush against mine.

  His knee finds the little space between my thighs and he climbs over me, his lips never once leaving my skin. They trail across my jaw, then down my neck before he licks across my collarbone and down between my breasts. My back arches, aching for more of his touch.

  “Gavin, please.” I moan his name.

  His hand slips around my back to undo my bra. My nipples tighten as the soft fabric is pulled from my skin. With his eyes locked on my naked breasts, he lowers himself down and sucks one into his mouth. I let out a loud cry of delight, but snap my lips together when it dawns on me that there’s a child sleeping somewhere nearby.

  “She’s a heavy sleeper. Keep going. I want to hear my name.”

  His hot mouth returns to my skin, and I whimper in pleasure as he continues his torture before running his tongue down my stomach and tracing a line across the edge of my panties.

  “How badly do you need me right now?” His voice is deep and rough, and it helps to push me that little bit closer to the release I’m so desperate for. He left me right on the cusp on Friday night, and the last few days have been frustrating, to say the least.

  “Badly. Please.” I beg him again, not caring one bit how I sound.

  “I’d better not deny you any longer, then.” His fingers wrap around the lace at my hips. I lift myself up to help, and he pulls my panties down tortuously slowly. His eyes burn a trail behind them as he takes in every bit of my bare skin.

  Once they’ve cleared my feet, he drops the lace to the floor, wraps his hands around my ankles, and spreads them wide. His tongue runs along his bottom lip as he stares at my center.

  Embarrassment heats my cheeks. But it’s embarrassment mixed with desire.

  “My mouth’s watering just imagining how you taste.” His words make me squirm. “You want to know how my tongue feels inside you, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re going to have to ask for it, gorgeous.”

  “Please, Gavin. I want your tongue on me.”

  I don’t get all the words out before he’s falling forward onto his chest and I feel his hot breath against my sensitive skin.

  “Holy shit. Fuck…” I whimper as his tongue gently teases me.

  The teasing only lasts a few seconds, though. It seems he’s just as impatient as I am, because he parts me and I feel his tongue flatten out against my clit.

  My back arches off the bed and I moan loudly as he slowly drags it up. Fireworks shoot around my body with every movement of his tongue, and it’s only a matter of minutes before I feel the beginnings of my impending release.

  He plunges two fingers deep inside me. I squeal when he bends them and hits the perfect spot. With his tongue still teasing me, I careen into the most all-consuming orgasm I’ve ever experienced.

  “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”

  My cheeks heat because I can’t imagine I look my best right now. But when I open my eyes and see the expression on his face, I lose track of my thoughts.

  He stares at me for two seconds before leaning forward to the bedside table and grabbing a condom. I watch as he rips the little packet open before he sits up and pushes his boxer briefs down his hips. His cock springs out, making my insides clench in anticipation of how he’s going to feel inside me.

  Making quick work of rolling the condom on, his fingers encircle my ankles and he wraps my legs around his waist. With his hand gripping his cock, he teases my entrance.

  My back once again arches as I get just a small taste of what’s to come.

  “Oh, Gavin, please.”

  “My pleasure.” The second the words are out, he thrusts all the way in.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I try to relax at the sudden invasion. Thankfully, he gives me a little time to adjust before he slowly pulls out. Our eyes stay locked as he slides in again. Every muscle in his body is pulled tight and I can tell by the expression on his face that he’s trying desperately to keep control of himself.

  “Take whatever you need.”

  “You deserve more than that,” he whispers in my ear, hovering over me. Resting on one arm, his other hand skims over my breast and down to my hip. “You deserve to be treated like a queen.”

  “We’ve got time for that later.”

  “Oh, really?”

  My cheeks heat. Even in this position, he’s able to embarrass me. “I hope so. So take what you need now and we can do the rest later.”

  “Are you real?”

  “Pretty sure.”

  I expect him to fuck me senseless to find his release. So, I’m surprised when he finds my lips and kisses me while he continues to slowly move inside me.

  I start to feel the tingles of orgasm number two in my lower belly. Gavin must feel it, too, because he sits up and lifts my legs onto his shoulders. The new angle has me moaning as my release edges closer and closer. His hips pick up speed, and just when I start to fall I feel him twitch inside me.

  I cry out his name, and he groans in pleasure. I try to keep my eyes on him, but my release drags me under. It’s not until I’ve come back to myself that I realize I closed them and missed the pleasure wash over Gavin’s face.

  He falls onto the bed beside me, his chest heaving with his increased breathing. The second he hits the sheets, he reaches over and pulls me to him.

  I settle with my head on his chest. The sound of his heart pounding is the only thing I can hear.
That is, until he whispers, “Thank you.”

  Propping my head up so I can see him, I narrow my eyes. “For what?” Immediately, I realize it’s a stupid question. Even more so when he raises an eyebrow.

  “For that, obviously. But also for making me feel like me again. For the past three years, it’s felt like all I’ve been is a dad. It’s nice to be reminded that there’s more to who I am.”

  I’ve got no idea how to respond to that, so instead I press my lips to his and try to show him that what just happened between us means just as much to me.

  “I should go,” I say, sitting up after our second roll around his bed.

  “What? Why?” I can hear the confusion in his voice, and his fingers touch my wrist, stopping me.

  Looking back over my shoulder, I try to remember why I should be leaving, because all I really want to do is crawl back under the covers with him. “Because as amazing as this has been, we can’t forget about real life. You’ve got a little girl in the other room.”

  “And?”

  “And do you want her waking up to find some random woman in her house with her dad?”

  “You’re not some random woman, Harper. I told you earlier, I really like you. I’m not just looking for a fling here. Are you?”

  “No, but—”

  “No buts. I want you to stay, and I’m pretty sure you want the same thing.”

  “It’s not just about us, though.”

  “Stop worrying.”

  “But—” Before I have a chance to argue any more, I’m pulled back to the mattress and pinned down.

  “Tell me what you want, Harper.” His fingers once again tuck my hair behind my ear.

  “I want…” Feeling his erection against my thigh makes me forget how to speak.

  “Harper?” Removing all contact from me, he stares down into my eyes, waiting for the truth.

  “I want to stay,” I whisper, feeling a little vulnerable by putting myself out there so honestly.

  “Thank fuck for that.” His hands return and he sets about proving that I just made the right decision.

  When my eyelids flutter open the next morning, I momentarily panic. Where the fuck am I? It’s not until I look to my right and find Gavin with his head on the pillow, his hair a mess, and a wide smile on his face that everything from last night comes rushing back to me.

  “Morning, beautiful.”

  “Morn—” I get cut off halfway through by his lips. “Morning breath,” I mutter, trying to push him away, but he just presses himself harder against me.

  “Daddy.” I hear faintly in the distance. “Daddy?”

  “Ugh, I’ve never experienced being cockblocked by my daughter before.” I can’t help but laugh at the expression on his face. “Is this something I’m going to have to get used to now?”

  “I think it might be.”

  “I’ll go and get her breakfast. Take your time.”

  With one final kiss to my forehead, Gavin grabs a fresh pair of boxers and leaves the room.

  I smile as I stretch my body out in his bed, but it soon vanishes when my muscles ache. I feel as though I’ve just run around Central Park. I forgot what a workout good sex could be.

  Wait, who am I kidding? I’ve never had good sex like that before. All my past experiences pale in comparison to last night.

  I listen as Gavin makes use of the bathroom before I hear him talking. Evie’s little voice filters through to me as she chatters away to her dad.

  A shot of panic races through me. I’m about to be thrust into their little family. Gavin and I barely know each other, yet he seems to be so serious about the two of us already. It’s not that I feel any different, but meeting his daughter is a huge deal. It is to me, anyway.

  Once their voices are quiet, I wait a few more minutes before dragging my sore body from his bed, finding my discarded clothes, and quietly making my way to the bathroom.

  I find a glittery pink scrunchie on the side of the basin, I borrow it so I can get my hair out of the way, and step into the walk-in shower to freshen up. The last thing I want to do is meet his daughter still smelling like sex.

  Nerves assault me as I stand looking at myself in the mirror. She’s three, I tell myself. There’s no need to be this scared.

  Gavin must hear me coming because the second I step foot into the room, he looks up. “Evie, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

  I hold my breath as she lifts her head from her coloring book. I have to swallow down the huge lump that’s formed in my throat when her familiar blue eyes land on me.

  “Hi, Evie,” I squeak, managing to get it out around the lump. “I’m Harper, your daddy’s friend.”

  “Hi. Would you like to do some coloring with me? You can do the blue.”

  And just like that, I’m welcomed into Evie’s world.

  My eyes sting as I fight to keep my tears at bay. When I look up and see Gavin’s having the same issue, a couple of mine slip out.

  I manage to pull myself together by the time I get to the seat Evie directs me to. I sit, take the blue crayon, and start working on the sky as Gavin makes me a coffee.

  “Make sure she keeps in the lines, Evie.” He laughs, but I don’t miss the emotion filling his voice.

  After placing my coffee on the table, he crouches next to me and takes my hand under the table. “I knew she’d love you,” he whispers.

  The lump that had just disappeared pops back into my throat.

  “I’m pretty sure I could, too,” he adds. He’s gone before I get a chance to respond, intent on making another batch of pancakes like nothing happened. I start to think I might have just imagined those few words.

  As I look at Evie and back to Gavin, effortlessly preparing breakfast, I think about how one simple choice could totally change the path of my life. I only attended that photography course because of what I thought was a stupid resolution pact with the girls, and I almost bailed on the first lesson. If that had happened, I’d still be in my flat, with just Pixie to keep me company. But instead, it seems that I’ve found myself a little ready-made family.

  I never expected this, but sitting here, right now, I couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.

  Looking over his shoulder, Gavin winks at me, and I swear my heart flips over in my chest. I might not have been looking, but it seems I have found exactly what I didn’t know I wanted.

  Three Months Later…

  Walking through Central Park, Evie holds one of my hands while Gavin's fingers are entwined with the other. Everything between us has been perfect since that morning. Evie is the sweetest little girl, and Gavin has done an incredible job raising her as a single daddy.

  Spring is on the horizon, the sun’s beginning to get a little higher in the sky and the trees just starting to turn a little green, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’ve really got something to look forward to.

  With the help of Gavin’s sister and his parents babysitting, we’ve got to know each other and settled into life as a couple. Into life as a little family.

  I couldn’t be happier.

  “Can we go see the ducks?”

  “Of course, sweetheart.” Turning down a different path to head towards the lake, Gavin looks over at me and smiles.

  “What?” I ask, seeing the cheeky glint in his eye.

  “Nothing. Just enjoying myself.”

  We find ourselves a bench. Together, we watch the ducks and the people walking past.

  “Evie, can you get that thing out of your bag?”

  “Yes!” She squeals in excitement.

  Looking between the two of them with my brows drawn together, I wait to see what it is they’re up to.

  She pulls out a little gift bag and hands it to Gavin, who gets up from the bench. He stands before me for a few seconds before he drops to his knees. Evie immediately mimics his stance as best she can, and I can sense the excitement running through her from here.

  “What’s going on?” There’s a qu
iver evident in my voice.

  “We need to ask you something.”

  “Okay?”

  “Harper, not only have you made me whole again, but you’ve completed our family. Evie and I would love for it to be official. Would you move in with us, become a real part of our family, and…will you marry me?”

  Lifting his hand, I spot a little black box with a diamond ring in the center, glinting in the sun. My hand comes up to cover my mouth. Not once have we talked about any of this. Sure, we’ve been acting as though we live together, and I only go home to work. Even Pixie has settled into Gavin and Evie’s apartment quite happily, although I think that’s got more to do with Evie than Gavin, who she’s still not all that fond of.

  I haven’t even thought about what our future might hold. I’ve been too happy and content living as we have been.

  “Harper?” Gavin asks after I’m silent for a little too long.

  When my eyes come back to meet his, I see panic in them. Shit, he thinks I’m turning him down.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  Evie squeals, jumping onto my lap.

  But Gavin stays exactly where he is. “Yes?” he asks, like he must have misheard.

  “Yes, Gavin. I’d love to become an official part of your family…and your wife.”

  He’s up off the ground in seconds, somehow managing to lift both me and Evie into his arms. His lips find mine and he’s kissing me. Evie squirms between us, breaking us apart.

  When I look from Gavin to her little face, I swear my heart explodes. That is, until she speaks.

  “I’m so excited that you’re going to be my mommy.”

  The second she’s finished, I burst into tears. Gavin pulls me into his arms and I feel his shoulders shake, too. Evie wraps her arms around our legs, and we stand in the middle of Central Park, smiling through our happy tears.

  I think back to New Year’s Eve, when all this started with Stacy’s message. I can’t help but think she was right. This is our year.

  Thanks to an amazing group of authors and friends it seems that I’m writing these more and more frequently these days. But I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to write these little collaborations. Each project challenges me and gives me the chance to write something a little different. I love creating these shorts, they’re so much fun. They’re becoming a little bit of an obsession of mine.