Waking Up (34 page)

Oh my God– I almost had sex– in my kitchen– on my counter– with Tucker Stavros.  Holy shit.  What was I thinking?  
I still want him.  
What am I still thinking?  Who am I kidding?  I’m still wet and throbbing wishing he would take care of what he started.  I wish I was more like Mick right now.  If I was, I would march up to his room and tell him what I want, but I won’t.

I’ll suffer in silence.  

Oh shit.  I do need to go to his room.  

Tiptoeing up the stairs, I stop in front of his door and place my ear against his door.   Thanking the heavens when I hear the shower running, I quietly turn the knob and open the door a crack.  No sign of him on the bed.  Dear Lord, my heart is pounding so loud I swear he’ll hear it over the water.  I open the door more, praying the whole time that he is in fact in the shower and not here in the bedroom.

The door open enough that I can sneak in, I’m relieved when I see he’s not here.  Small miracles do happen.  Glancing around the floor, I wince when I see no shoes.  The first man in history to actually pick up after himself.  I tiptoe over to the closet and quietly open the door.

I get down on my hands and knees to be as quiet as possible and crawl to the back of the closet where he has his sneakers and boots.  Why the hell did Alex make all the closets so damn big?  Grabbing his sneaker, I quickly look under the tongue for the size.

“Got a shoe fetish, sweetness?”  I freeze with his shoe in hand.  How the hell do I explain why I’m in his closet?  Oh my God, this is so embarrassing.  Wait a minute, I didn’t hear the shower turn off.

“Wondering how you got caught?”

“Actually, yes.”  I’m curious.  I was quiet as hell.  I know he didn’t hear me.  How did he know I was in here?

“First rule of espionage,” he says with a sexy smirk that makes my panties dampen.  “Make sure the bathroom door is closed.”  Now, he belly laughs and I feel it all the way to my core.  Still laughing at me he says, “I have been rather enjoying watching you crawl around though.  Continue on if you want.  Anything you want help finding?  I’ll tell you where to look as long as you promise to stay in that position.”

I know he’s goading me and I shouldn’t respond, but my body does.  I dampen and my mind starts to race with thoughts of him taking me from behind right here in this closet.

“Thanks, but I got what I came for.  You have big feet, Mr. Stavros.  And you know what they say about big feet.”  I stand up and, with false bravado, I walk by him, head held high.  His laughter follows me out of the room.

I don’t know how I managed to not become a complete mess considering he was just in front of me in only a towel.  I wanted to lick every stray drop of water off his chest.  And those tattoos that I only got a brief glimpse at because I was trying to act brave.  Why?  Because I’m tired of him seeing me as a weak mess.  

Now, I’m a horny mess.

Pulling out my cell, I text Alahna:

Size 13

         ********************

Pride swells my chest as I make my way down the stairs.  I have more pep in my step.  I held my own against a God amongst men.  It feels good.  I am woman– hear me roar.

Kale rings the doorbell as I’m finishing up wrapping his muffins.  The three older boys come running in like a whirlwind right into my open arms.  I love them all.  Kale Jr. is getting so tall.  Man, does he look like his dad with those brown eyes and strong shoulders.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I see him wrangle up his little brothers so Kale can give them their hugs and kisses, mature beyond his eight years.  

I take Kaleb from Kale’s arms, loving the way his little arms wrap around my neck.  I know he’s two and doesn’t need to be held, but he’s such a snuggler and I can’t get enough of his hugs.  “Quite the stay-cation this turned out to be, huh?”  I smile at Kale as the boys take turns getting love from him.  “You have meetings, Alahna and I have the wedding Saturday, and Dee’s sick.”

“What’s a stay-cation?”

His voice wraps around me, warming me from the inside out like an embrace.  I hadn’t heard him enter the room around the boys talking, but my entire body came alive the second I knew he was there.  My mind goes back to him sitting on the edge of the bed only covered in a white towel that made his olive skin more prominent. 

I may have had just a glimpse, for only a second or two as I made my great escape, but it was enough to be aware of how amazing his body is, how defined his chest is, how his six pack flows down to a very tempting V that disappeared into that white towel.  It was enough to have me panting and needy in the hallway, wondering how I’ll ever get through the couple weeks he’ll be under the same roof with me.  That man is sex personified.

Turning and peeking at him from under my lashes, I pray I’m not blushing.  He continues walking into the kitchen, over to Kale to shake his hand, his stride so confident.  I watch, engrossed in every step he takes, his long legs taking him across my kitchen quickly.  He moves with a grace few men possess, but it doesn’t make him less manly, it makes him more appealing, more intense.  I wonder if he’s aware of the sexuality that flows off his every movement, if it’s natural or if he’s perfected that over time.

He chats with Kale a second, getting the hellos out of the way, wishing him luck on the big meeting, and makes his way toward me.  Every step in my direction has my heart beating faster, my skin burning hotter.  I feel like I’m his prey, he’s stalking me, ready to pounce, and I’m powerless to stop him.

“Who’s this handsome little guy,” he asks reaching his hand out to Kaleb with a smile on his face.  Kaleb squeals with joy always happy to play with someone new.  He grabs Tuckers fingers and tries bringing them to his mouth, a habit Dee and Kale have been trying to break since he started teething.

“Kaleb, no!”  Kale’s voice is firm.  Kaleb looks at his dad, drops Tucker’s hand and starts wailing.  I wait for Tucker to run for the hills, but he doesn’t.  He looks amused.  “Sorry about that, Tucker.  He puts everything in his mouth.”  

I feel bad for Kale.  He and Dee have tried everything to keep Kaleb from putting things in his mouth, but he keeps doing it.  I see the frustration with them, but I don’t know how to help.

“Have you tried a little Tabasco sauce?” Tucker asks Kale.

“No.  It would burn his mouth.  Why would you even suggest that?”  I want to tell Tucker to shut the hell up and I think Kale is about to punch him in the face.

“Whoa– hold up, Daddy.”  Tucker puts his hands up in front of him.  “My Grams told me I was a chewer as a kid and my mom eventually had to put small amounts of Tabasco sauce on stuff to get me to stop after I swallowed a penny.  It scared her so much that she decided making me eat something hot that really couldn’t hurt me was better than me eating something that could.  It’s just a suggestion man.”

Every time he shares another part of his life, I want to hug him.  He’s not at all what I think he should be.  I know my parents raised us telling us famous people are real people too, but I don’t think I ever truly believed them.  They always seem larger than life, untouchable, different than normal people, but Tucker keeps showing me how wrong I am and how right my parents were.

“Sorry, again.  I go into protective mode with my kids.  I’ll talk to Dee about it.  Speaking of.  Her appointment is at 9:15.  She’ll call you when she gets home.  I’m hoping my meeting doesn’t go too long.”

“I can keep the kids as long as you need.”

“Thanks, Adri.”

“No problem.  Go dazzle the big boys.”  Kale smiles and gives all the boys another kiss on their heads before heading out.  He’s an amazing dad.  I love watching him with his boys because he reminds me of my dad.  No matter how tired he is from working all day, he still has time for his kids.  He plays with them, listens to them, teaches them, and disciplines when needed.  His boys are lucky to have him.

Walking the boys to the window, we all wave till Kale is out of sight.  It’s a tradition Alex, Preston, and I started when we were kids.  We would stand at the window and wave at whoever left first until we couldn’t see them anymore.  It was probably silly, but we thought it was fun.

“Boys, I want you to meet a friend of mine.  This is Tucker.  He’s staying here for a couple of weeks while he’s on vacation.”

“Is he your boyfriend?” Kale Jr. asks me.

I blush at the question, mainly because a major part of me wishes I could say yes.  Guilt instantly swamps me.   “No, sweetie.  He’s just a friend.”  I bring my gaze to Tucker who’s standing there with an amused grin on his face.  He’s been amused around me a lot it seems.

“Tucker this inquisitive guy is Kale Jr.”

“Actually, Lady Adriana, I’m King Stinky and these are my knights from Farts-a-Lot.”  Tucker covers his mouth, trying to cover his laugh and smile, but he fails miserably.  Korey and Konner fail, too.  I can’t help the smile that stretches my lips.

“I apologize, King Stinky.  Tucker, this one here used to be known as Korey,” I say as I point to Dee’s next in line.  He gives me a cute chuckle as I ruffle his hair.  “This one was Konner the last time I spent time with him,” I say as I squeeze his shoulder.  Konner bites his lip to keep from laughing.  

“And this little guy wrapped around my neck,” I say looking at Kaleb adoringly, “I think is Kaleb, but I think I’m going to be corrected on that, too.  King Stinky, would you like to do the introductions?”

Tucker sits in the middle of my living room floor.  I’m not sure why he does that, but I see the boys smile and form something that looks like a circle around him.

“Yes, Lady Adriana, I would like to introduce my knights to you.”  I love this kid.  His imagination knows no bounds and I can’t even get mad that he named his lands after farts even though I know Dee has told him to stop talking about farts and poop.  Boys will be boys.  This will be our secret.

“My youngest knight you have there,” he motions to Kaleb who is tugging my hair, “that is Sir Poopy Pants.”  The other boys start cracking up, making jokes about how smelly his poopy pants are, laughing at each other’s jokes.  Tucker and I try our best to keep a straight face.  No need to further their inappropriateness.

He walks over behind Konner, pretending his arm is a sword and places it on Konner’s shoulder.  “My fastest rider here is Sir Butt Wipe.”  I want to give Tucker a kick when a small laugh escapes him forcing me to laugh, too.  Damn him.  

He looks at me, biting his lip.  I see the humor in his eyes and how much he’s enjoying Kale Jr.’s story.  I wish it were me biting that lip.

Shit.  Where did that thought come from?

Focus on the kids, Adri.

Forcing my eyes from Tucker, so much harder than it should be, I watch Kale Jr. walk over to Korey and repeat the process of touching the pretend sword to his brother’s shoulder.  “This is my most trusted knight, my number two.”  I lose it, all out guffaw.  I’m not sure he meant the joke in those last words, but all the tension I’ve felt the last couple days starts to melt away.

The boys are watching me when I come down from my giggle fest, but I don’t care.  I needed to let loose.  Tucker has his full, megawatt smile beaming at me, both dimples on display.  I have to use all my energy to not put Kaleb down and go crawl into his lap.

I want my lips back on his, my body pressed back to his, and this is the wrong time to be thinking this way.

“Sorry, King Stinky.  Please, continue,” I manage to get out between my final giggles.

Kale Jr. gives me a big smile, his brown eyes lighting up.  He’s going to be such a heartbreaker.

“As I was saying, Lady Adriana, this is Sir Pass Gas and we make up the knights of the Throne.”  I start giggling again.  Tucker joins in when I start snorting.

“The Throne?”  Tucker asks between laughs.

“Yeah,” Kale Jr. says.  “That’s what Daddy calls it.  When he’s going into the bathroom he says he’s going to visit the throne.”

Tucker roars and I can’t help but follow along.  His laugh is a beautiful sound and it vibrates through my body, making me feel alive.  The sound touches me all over my body, igniting small fires that I fear only he’ll be able to put out.

I want to touch him so badly.  Want him to touch me.  The need grows every minute I’m in his presence.  I’m drawn to him.

“Is it true you’re on TV?”  I swing my head in Korey’s direction, surprised he would ask Tucker that.  He’s six so he’s not oblivious to commercials, but I find it hard to believe he would recognize Tucker without the make-up on.

“Yeah, buddy, it’s true.  I’m on TV.  How’d you know that?”  Tucker gives Korey a reassuring smile, one that says it’s okay to ask anything.  I think I understand why he got on the floor now.  He’s the outsider and wanted the boys to be comfortable with him.  If that’s the case, then he’s brilliant.

“Mommy said Adri’s new friend is a TV star.”  Korey looks at the floor, running his fingers in circles.  He’s been a bit shy since he could first talk.  It’s one of the reasons I have such a soft spot for him.  He’s shy, soft spoken, already loyal at such a young age, and the sweetest boy.  His heart is so big, so full of love, and he’s just six years old.  It’s amazing to me how much personality he’s already formed and I’m in awe of what he’ll become.  

I watch Tucker watching Korey’s fingers.  I can see the thoughts running through his mind.  What I wouldn’t give to be a mind reader at this moment.  He could be so many places right now, with so many women, but he’s here.

With me.

Watching my friend’s children.

I can’t stop myself from thinking this is not what he wants to be doing.  He’s a TV star.  He’s been in multiple movies.  I’m sure the last thing he wants is to be sitting on my living room floor surrounded by children he doesn’t know.

Why did I invite him to stay here?

“Something else you want to ask me, Korey, or should I call you Sir Pass Gas?”  The smile that breaks out on Korey’s face is one I wish I could have captured on film.  It’s one of awe and happiness and fear, I think, all rolled into one.  It’s not every day a little boy meets a TV star, gets to hang out and play with them, and this one just called him by his name and his play name.  If the kids weren’t sitting here, I would kiss Tucker.