First Comes Love

  “Right…eight-fifteen then?”

  Hedging toward the bathroom she nodded. “Sure.”

  “I look forward to it, Katherine.”

  After Kat helped Mia in the bathroom and cleaned her up, Tyson came into the kitchen and sat at the table with them.

  “This may sting for a second,” Kat said as she wiped Mia’s splintered finger with a tissue dipped in peroxide.

  “Ouch!” Mia yelled and started to cry as Kat blew on her injured digit.

  “I’m sorry, honey, but we have to get it out.” She picked up the tweezers and held Mia’s finger. Mia squirmed and tried to pull her hand away. She started to cry again as Kat plucked at the splinter.

  “Ouch! Don’t!” Her hand plunged into the protection of her lap.

  “Here, why don’t you hold her on your lap while I get it,” Tyson offered.

  She moved Mia to her lap and held her as he looked at the splinter.

  “This isn’t so bad,” he told her in a gentle voice. “I get splinters all the time.” He tenderly cradled her hand inside his large palm as if it were a baby dove.

  “You do?” Mia sniffled, a big crocodile tear rolling down her cheek.

  “Sure. The trick is to shut your eyes and think of your favorite color while someone pulls it out.”

  “I like pink,” she said watching Tyson.

  “Okay. Shut your eyes and think of all the pretty things that are pink while I fix your boo-boo. No peeking until I say so. Okay?”

  “Okay.” She braced herself and squeezed her eyes shut.

  He picked up the sewing needle from the table and held Mia’s tiny, pudgy finger between his thumb and index finger and gently plucked at her soft skin.

  Kat was speechless. Other than herself, Mrs. Bradshaw, and Jade, Mia wasn’t this comfortable with other adults. She couldn’t look away from the way he held her daughter’s hand. Her throat was suddenly tight as she rubbed Mia’s knee, soothing both their nerves.

  “I like pink cotton candy best. Well, that and bubblegum,” Tyson softly told Mia as he continued to work out the shard.

  Kat kissed the back of her head and whispered brave words of encouragement.

  A few minutes later, Tyson said, “There. Good as new.”

  Mia opened her eyes and he placed a kiss on her boo-boo. She inspected the finger and smiled, suddenly jumping off her lap and throwing her arms around Tyson’s neck. “I love you, Tyson.”

  Kat’s heart sputtered in her chest as her eyes met his over her daughter’s shoulder. His strong arms around her little body as he whispered, “I love you too.”

  Overwhelmed with sentiment she wasn’t prepared to feel, she jerked her gaze away and focused on gathering the items they used to remove the splinter. The tender moment touched her someplace deep in her heart. Mia loved him? Perhaps love wasn’t such a strong word to a three year old. Shaken, she frowned and returned the items to the medicine cabinet.

  This was the rapid attachment she feared. If Tyson’s life suddenly got too busy for them, Mia would be devastated.

  She wouldn’t be the only one.

  That night Mia was so exhausted, she didn’t even make it through the first two pages of her bedtime story. Kat covered her, kissed her forehead, and shut out the lights. Shutting the windows and locking the doors, she left the hall light on, and reluctantly grabbed the phone.

  As soon as she changed into her pajamas the phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Katherine?”

  “Hi, Dawson.”

  “How are you? Am I catching you at a better time?”

  “Perfect. I just got Mia off to bed and she’s sound asleep.”

  “Good.”

  She pulled back her covers, thinking this conversation wouldn’t last more than a few minutes. It was really just a courtesy call. “Things were so chaotic today, I don’t remember if I thanked you for the flowers. That was very thoughtful of you.”

  “You’re welcome. I guess it’s hard, sometimes, doing everything by yourself.”

  “It is, but Mia means the world to me, so I don’t mind too much.”

  “She didn’t seem too fond of me.” He laughed.

  “No, you caught her at a bad moment. She’s usually friendly to everyone. Please, don’t take it personally.”

  “What was she painting?”

  “Oh, she was helping our neighbor paint a doghouse for his new puppy.”

  “Tyson, right? He seems to be around a lot. Are you that close with all your neighbors?”

  Nope. “We have a couple of neighbors we’re friendly with. Mia’s very fond of Tyson.” She quietly crawled into bed.

  “And what about you? Are you okay with them being so close?”

  Her hand paused as she reached for her glass of water. “Why wouldn’t I be? He’s great with Mia.”

  “I mean,” he paused and obviously reconsidered his question. “What’s your relationship with him?”

  None of your business. “We’re friends.” She’d yet to define their relationship in her own mind, so she could hardly explain it as more than that, even though it definitely was. Other friends didn’t pin her to the closet wall and grope her. She wasn’t complaining, of course.

  “Okay.” He let the topic drop. “Are you free Tuesday night?”

  Her eyes closed as she considered ending this charade and disappointing her mother. She’d never hear the end of it, but how much longer was she supposed to entertain this guy? He was good looking and nice enough, but she couldn’t see past the fact that he was a colleague of her fathers, which stifled any possible attraction. Besides, her attention was elsewhere.

  Make an excuse.

  “Um, I don’t have a sitter. Going out on weeknights can be a bit confusing for Mia.”

  “Oh. I asked because I have tickets to the ball game. Club seats. Do you like sports?”

  “I haven’t been to a game since I was a little girl.” Hopefully he didn’t buy the tickets for her.

  “It’s quite an experience. There’s an open bar and a buffet of fresh seafood and appetizers.”

  “That sounds nice, but like I said, it’s a little difficult to get a sitter on such short notice and on a weeknight.” So he wouldn’t think she was blowing him off, she lied, “But I could try. What time would you want to leave?” So long as her mother believed she put in a valid effort she could get out of this.

  “The game starts at five. I was thinking I’d pick you up around four so we arrived a little early. It’ll probably last three hours, so I could have you back by eight-thirty, nine o’clock.”

  She was quiet. Kat rambled when she was uncomfortable and there was a good chance she’d ramble herself right into a corner.

  “May I make a suggestion?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  “Why don’t you ask your mother to take Mia overnight? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if she knew I was treating her daughter to a night out.”

  “Um, that’s an idea.” Did he know her mother at all? Vivian did not do sleepovers. Perfect. “Why don’t you let me get back to you tomorrow with an answer?”

  “Sure,” he sounded quite confident. “And just so you know what to expect, the guests in the box are usually a little more formal than fans sitting in the stadium seats.”

  “So leave my big foam finger home?”

  He didn’t laugh. “Whatever you’d wear to a bar should be fine.”

  That gave her a chuckle. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t go to bars.”

  “Ever?” One would think she admitted to kicking puppies by the shock in his voice.

  “Nope. I went to one on my twenty-first birthday, but that was it. I really don’t have much of a social life, what with Mia and all.”

  “Where do you go on dates?”

  Silently laughing, she rolled her eyes. “I don’t. My date with you was my first one since I had Mia.”

  “You haven’t dated since you had Mia? How’s that possible?”

  Tha
t was her—the social butterfly of the new millennium. “Oh, trust me, it is.”

  “Well, I’ll have to deliver a good time then.” His voice dropped an octave, taking on gravelly quality he didn’t usually have.

  Her unsure laugh filled the silence. Let’s see if Vivian even agrees to babysit—

  “How long has it been?”

  Her motions stilled. Was he asking when she had sex last? No. “How long since what?”

  “Certainly not since Mia…”

  She gaped. Definitely asking about more than bar hopping. Literally speechless, she tried to think of a response to such a question.

  “Don’t worry. We can take it slow.”

  Take it slow? What happened to politically correct Dawson Price? There was nothing to take! “Um…” She was at a loss.

  He gave a husky laugh. “Well, I’ll let you get your rest. Call me tomorrow after you talk to your mother. And Katherine?”

  Thank God this conversation was ending. “Yeah?”

  “Sweet dreams.”

  She inwardly groaned. So. Weird. “Goodnight.” She quickly ended the call.

  Sunday, right on schedule, the luxury Mercedes SUV pulled to the curb and Kat walked Mia out the front door to greet her mother. Once she had Mia buckled, she reluctantly sighed and prepared to do something she hated—ask her mother a favor. Well practiced at telling her no, Kat didn’t expect much. “Do you think Mia could spend the night at your house on Tuesday?”

  Her mother’s manicured eyebrows lifted as far as the Botox would allow. “Well, that depends. Where will you be?”

  “At a ball game.”

  “A ball game with whom?”

  The woman does nothing without somehow serving herself. Through clenched teeth, she smiled. This was where her plan fell though. “Dawson.”

  Vivian’s face lit with approval. “Really? Well, that’s wonderful. I knew you two would hit it off. I suppose Mia could come for a visit. Will you be dropping her off?”

  Resigned, Kat muttered, “Yes, around three o’clock.”

  “Okay, dear. I’ll arrange my schedule. I’ll have to postpone my appointment at the salon.” She never agreed to anything without letting Kat know there was a sacrifice.

  Tyson was in front of his house. She had to force her face to remain placid as her heart kicked up a beat. Time to go, Mom. Kat blew a kiss to Mia. “Bye, babe. Be good for Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “Well, I won’t keep you. I’m sure you want to go shopping for your date. You run along now.” Vivian beamed and she wanted to remind her it was a date and not a betrothal, but her mother’s expression suddenly tightened, her gaze on the rearview mirror. Tyson was walking in their direction.

  “And Katherine…” her mother said, before she put the car in drive. “Lock your doors.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  As her mother’s car disappeared around the corner, Tyson approached. It was ridiculous how excited his presence made her. The closer he came the more she admired his swagger. “Alone at last,” he said, leaning in to brush his lips across hers. She was taken off guard as he hugged her tight, but Mia wasn’t there so she guessed it was okay. “Was that your mother?”

  Shivers raced up her arms as he released her. “Yup. The one and only.”

  “She’s not what I expected. She’s pretty.”

  She laughed. “You imagined my mother was ugly?”

  “No, I guess I just didn’t picture such an attractive woman, but that was dumb, considering you’re her daughter and how pretty you are.” Her cheeks heated as he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Did you have coffee yet?”

  “Yes, but I could use some more. Want a cup?”

  “Sure.” He followed her into the house and her belly did cartwheels the entire way there.

  Chapter Ten

  Suds rolled over her hands as she washed out the coffee pot while Tyson wandered around her living room checking out books and DVDs.

  “We could watch a movie,” he suggested. “Is this all you have as far as movies go?”

  “I usually keep anything that isn’t PG in my room. What kind of movie do you want to watch?” She really did have errands to run, but a movie on a Sunday sounded so tempting.

  “What do you have?”

  “Go look. They’re on a rack next to the dresser.”

  He disappeared down the hall. “You alphabetized your movies?” he shouted from the bedroom.

  “Shut up!” She laughed.

  He returned holding an action flick and a romantic comedy. “Your room’s pretty. Which one?” He held up two DVDs.

  “Thanks.” She considered his movie choices. “Oh, well, that depends. Do I want to be a good hostess and choose the movie with explosions I know my guest would probably prefer, or do I want to be selfish and choose option B, which happens to be one of my all-time favorites?”

  “This is one of your favorites?” he asked, holding up the chick flick. “I never saw it.”

  “Absolutely. Makes me cry every time.”

  “Oh, God.” He rolled his eyes and made a terrified expression.

  She laughed. “Surprise me. You choose.”

  She put away the mugs, returned the coffee pot to the machine, and filled the filter trap with grounds for the following day while he fiddled with the television. After drying her hands she join him on the couch, fluttery butterflies abuzz in her belly.

  He pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. The sensation of being held was so novel and cozy, the guilt of selfishly loafing around set in and she tried to think of something else. She rarely took time like this for herself. As they got comfortable she pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and covered her legs.

  “This is soft. Where’d you get it?” His long, dark fingers dragged slowly over the blanket.

  “I made it.”

  “Really?” He sounded genuinely impressed.

  “Yeah. When I was pregnant I taught myself to crochet. I can make you one if you want.”

  He kissed her head, and she drew insurmountable pleasure from the simple act. “I’d love that, but you don’t have to. You’re already busy.”

  The DVD menu came on the television. She recognized it right away. “My favorite!”

  He hit play. “But you’re not allowed to cry.”

  “I won’t if you don’t,” she agreed and he snorted.

  The steady thud of his heart beating slowly against her ear coupled with the sound of Christmas carols playing from the television filled her with a new yet nostalgic sort of bliss. “I love Christmas,” she sighed.

  “Me too.” His fingers idly toyed with her hair, sending an occasional chill down her spine.

  She loved how strong and tightly knit the family was in this movie. She always wished that she were a part of a big family like that. It was hard not having any brothers or sisters. It upset her that Mia would probably grow up as an only child as well and someday have the same longing for family.

  Tyson was a good cinema buddy. He didn’t chatter the way her usual movie companion did, and he never did egg beaters across the couch when the plot slowed. She’d forgotten how peaceful a little grown up time could be. Two hours later, as the last scene cut away, she sniffled into the blanket and wiped her eyes.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  “Yeah.” Her struggle not to ugly cry turned her voice into a croak. But wailing into a pillow would be completely unacceptable. So she fought back her tears. They should have watched the action movie. She was more emotional than usual for some reason and this movie put her over the top. She could not cry in front of Tyson.

  “Hey, Hey, come here.”

  Her face pinched as he tenderly pulled her close. She wasn’t sure if it was the sad ending to the movie or her joy that he’d come into her life that undid her, but either way, she lost the battle.

  “Aw, kitten, don’t cry,” he soothed, as he held her tight.

  “I’m sorry.” Damn it, she
couldn’t stop the snot and tears from leaking from her face. So much for keeping it classy. “I’ll be done in a minute. Just ignore me.” She hiccupped. “Cover your ears and look away.”

  A deep chuckle rumbled through his chest. “And this is what your favorite movie does to you? You’re a mess!”

  “It’s a great movie! They all love each other so much.” She managed a tear filled laugh. She was making an ass out of herself. Glancing at his shirt, she moaned. “Oh… I got boogies on your shirt.”

  “That’s okay. They’re boogies of love.” They both laughed. “Come here.”

  Tyson adjusted their position so he could see her face. His eyes were sympathetic, but his mouth pursed, smothering another laugh. She was never a cute, little delicate crier. Nope, she usually broke out in hives, got a red runny nose, and bloodshot eyes the moment the first tear fell.

  Tucking her hair behind her ear, he kissed the tip of her red nose. Bunching his shirt around a finger, he wiped her eyes. He was so kind and gentle with her.

  Without thinking Kat leaned in and pressed her lips to his. She feathered one slow, soft kiss after another over his mouth and breathed him in. He remained still as she played and experimented, tilting her head to shyly slide her tongue along the seam of his soft, full lips.

  “Mmm,” his voice rumbled as he chuckled.

  Knees supporting her, her palms pressed into his shoulders. He was so strong and sturdy. Licking over his lower lip, she hummed as his chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath.

  The weight of his hand pressed into her ass, sending shock waves of pleasure to her core. His head tilted and he took control of the kiss, her body firing to life. The gentle tug of his fingers sifting through her hair sent chills down her spine.

  She pulled his ears between her fingers as her lips worked their way from the corner of his mouth to his strong jaw. The scent of his shaving cream made her sigh. He smelled so good, clean and male.

  Since she loved when he kissed her ears and neck she attempted to repay the favor. Her lips closed over his lobe and he moaned, hands tightening on her hips as he settled her more over his lap, dragging her sex across the bulge pressing at his zipper.