Reckless Love (Cowboys & Angels 7)

“Trevor, she might need to lay low today. She said she was dizzy.”

My mouth dropped open as I stared at the woman who used to be my one and only best friend during high school and college. I was going to give Chloe Parker that new title.

“Come on, let’s get you some water. There are some hammocks around the trees, away from everyone. We can go rest there.”

“Trevor, I don’t need to rest.”

He led us over to a row of coolers. He opened the first one and reached in, grabbing two bottles of water. Then he started walking off, away from the party.

When we rounded the corner, I saw about four hammocks spread out in the trees.

“How did you know these were here?” I asked as we made our way to the one farthest away.

“James had a lot of parties in high school. I would come back here and lay in these when I wanted to get away, which was often.”

“Really? I sort of pictured you as a party guy.”

Trevor laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, I liked to party, but sometimes I wasn’t in the mood.”

“Speaking of high school, what in the world are you wearing?”

Trevor stopped walking and looked down.

“What? This was my party outfit in high school. Black T-shirt and ripped jeans.”

I let my eyes roam over his perfect body. “Trevor, it looks like you have patches on your jeans. And not just plain patches, striped ones. And you’re in sneakers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in sneakers.”

He laughed. “I was in the mood for a change. Plus, that asshole James said to dress like high school. Dick.”

“I’d say.”

As we started walking, I felt that familiar feeling in my mouth. The one where saliva builds right before you get sick.

“Um, Trevor? I think I may throw up again.”

Before Trevor could react, I turned and threw up. I was surprised I still had anything left in my stomach and the force with which I threw up scared me.

Trevor held my hair back and rubbed my back while I leaned over. It instantly made the nausea ease up.

“Oh God, can you come do that every morning cause you’re making it go away.”

“I’d be more than happy to.”

After a few minutes, it passed, and I stood up.

“Shit, you got it all over…hold on.”

Trevor pulled off his T-shirt and opened the bottle of water, pouring some of it onto the shirt. He then wiped around my mouth and chin.

I closed my eyes and groaned. “Did I have throw up on my face?”

“Yep!” he said with a slight chuckle.

“How embarrassing,” I stated, taking a drink of water and rinsing out my mouth.

“Nonsense. The woman carrying my baby couldn’t possibly do anything that would embarrass her. Come on, babe, let’s lie down.”

I wasn’t going to argue. For one, I still sort of felt like crap. I was suddenly hit with a heavy feeling of tiredness, and Trevor was shirtless and wanting me to lie next to him in a hammock. Not to mention he had just called me babe. I loved when he called me baby or babe.

Loved. It.

Trevor laid down on the hammock then pulled me onto it. I kicked off my flip flops and snuggled up against him.

“Wow, this hammock is big,” I said, throwing my leg over his and letting him pull me up against him. His arm was wrapped around me in such a protective way. His other hand held onto my arm, almost as if he was afraid I’d get up and leave. I breathed in his scent.

“You smell so good.”

His unshaven face scraped against mine, relaxing me even more.

The feel of his bare skin on mine was amazing. This whole thing felt amazing.

It felt right.

I could feel myself slowly drifting off.

I decided to start pulling the wall down.

“Trevor?” I whispered.

“Yes?”

“I haven’t been purposely avoiding you. Well, maybe I have because my emotions have been all over the place.”

He held me tighter and whispered, “It’s okay, baby.”

My heartbeat picked up a bit more. Here we go, time to knock the wall down.

“I want more.”

His body flexed under me.

“More?”

Nodding, I said, “Mmm-hmm. I need you in my life, and I need you to be more than the baby’s father.”

He kissed my forehead. “Nothing would make me happier. I love you, Scarlett.”

With a smile, I replied, “I love you, too.”

“New beginnings, right?” he spoke against my lips.

“Yes, new beginnings. Will you promise me something, though?”

“Anything.”

“Don’t wear those jeans ever again, okay?”

My body shook as he laughed. Kissing me once more, he answered. “It’s a deal.”

Scarlett fell asleep lying next to me in the hammock. I didn’t make a sound, but inside I was doing a fucking Irish Jig. She had no clue how happy she had just made me. When she finally started to stir, I woke her all the way up.