Page 73 of Fixed Up Ever After
“Fuck, this isn’t going like I planned.” Javi ran a hand through his hair and for the first time, he felt shy around her. He hated that she had thought she lost him and felt guilty.
“How was it supposed to go?” Lola asked softly. When he looked up, he saw that she was only a breath away from him. He needed her in his arms. Except he needed to get out what he had to say before he made the situation any worse.
“I was going to show you the book.” He gestured toward his old copy ofThe Giving Tree.
Lola made an adorable, scrunched face that was supposed to convey her anger but just made him want to kiss the wrinkle in her brow.
“You got me the book I hated?” she asked skeptically. “That was your grand plan?”
“No, it’s not for you, it’s for your store. And I have been thinking about this book a lot. How could anyone hate a seemingly innocent book? And I think it’s because you are the tree.”
Lola blinked once. “I’m…a tree?”
“Yes.” He cleared his throat, thinking back to his sister’s analysis of the book. It sounded so smart when she said it, being a former English teacher and all, but he didn’t think he could mimic her words but hoped they made sense.
“You have given up so much of yourself to others to keep the peace. Your heart is the best thing about you and you never expect anything in return. When someone shows a genuine interest in you, it scares you because you’ve had to live in a flight or fight mode for a long-ass time. I understand the need for caution, but I don’t want you to continue to give your time and heart away while gaining nothing in return.”
“Like the tree.”
“Like the tree,” Javi repeated and this time cupped Lola’s face in his hands. Their eyes met and he searched hers, finding something akin to hope in her expression. It gave him the confidence he needed to continue.
“Lola, I know you wanted time and I gave you that. If you ask me to leave now, I will. But not without telling you what you mean to me. It stopped being about the money the second I took you out on our first date. You remember how nervous I was?”
Lola shook her head the best she could with him holding her. “You looked so confident when we went to the bingo hall.”
“I’m glad it came across like that, but I was nervous as hell. It had been so long since I wanted to impress anyone and I wanted to make you smile. I wanted to hear you laugh and I lived for the moments you smacked my arm when you got excited.
“Falling in love with you was easy. I think I loved you the moment I saw you reading with Camilia because that was the first time my daughter ever gravitated to another person that wasn’t family. My feelings only grew stronger during our week in Colorado and I wanted to tell you so many times I loved you, but I never knew if it was the right time until it was too late.”
Tears rolled down Lola’s cheeks now, leaving tracks where her makeup had once been. Even a crying mess, his girl was the most beautiful in the world. Javi was surprised to feel his own eyes burned with unshed tears.
“Lola, I love you. I’m a single dad who works too damn hard and I’m sure I have a lot of other things against me. But I’m hoping you can look past that and consider being mine—”
“Yes!” Lola didn’t let him finish his speech before she threw herself into his arms. “I want you. I want your stubborn, workaholic ass coming home to me. I want to read with you and Camilia every night. I want you, Javi and I know you and Camilia are a package deal. If you’ll both have me, I want it too.”
Nothing could convey the way her words made him feel. No words captured this feeling of rightness that engulfed him the moment she agreed to be his. He let his actions do the talking for him and he swooped down to capture her lips in a heated kiss. He was met with the same intensity he was giving.
“I can’t believe your big gesture is bringing that damn book here and comparing me to a tree.” Lola giggled, pulling back slightly to speak. Her lips still brushed against his when she spoke.
“I brought tostadas too.”
“Fuck, that’s so hot.”
Javi laughed and backed her up against the counter, caging her in with his body. He saw the moment the humor left her eyes, replaced by desire. He felt his body heat at the thought of her and how long it had been since he last made his girl come.
He needed to remedy that. Even if he still had one last surprise for her. That could wait until later.
“I want you, Lola,” he said, his voice growing gruff. His knee nudged its way between her thighs and she spread for him. “Preciosa, I need you now.” He needed to feel himself inside of her, remember how her pussy gripped his cock. He wanted it hard and fast, to claim her properly.
Lola whimpered and her hands flew to her jeans. They were far enough into the store that no one walking by would see them. Not that he cared about that right now.
Lola peeled off her skin-tight jeans, scrunching them up on the floor before kicking them away. Part of him wished they were back at his home or hers, but right now he just needed to feel their bodies connect. Judging by the hunger in Lola’s eyes, she needed that too.
Javi reached into his pocket to grab his wallet. He had a condom in there, but Lola stopped him. “I can’t wait. I started taking the pill shortly after we left Colorado. Please, Javi.” The sweet sounds of her begging made his cock stiff. Fuck, he needed her now.
“Are you wet for me, Lola?” he asked, moving his hands between her thighs. He felt the dampness seeping through her panties and knew she was aching for him even before he pushed a finger into her. He moaned, feeling her wetness on his finger.
Then he made sure she was watching before he slid his finger back out and brought it to his lips. He sucked his finger into his mouth, tasting her eagerness.
