Begin Again by Evan Grace Page A

her , Bellamy rejoined them and Journey got up to leave. “We have to get going, it’s getting close to Joey’s bedtime. Bellamy, it was so nice to meet you.” She turned towards his niece and got down in front of her. “It was nice meeting you too, sugar. You’ll get to see Abby again on Sunday, okay?”
    “O-tay. Bye, Abby.” Carrington waved to Journey’s niece.
    “I’ll walk you guys out. Bell, I’ll be right back.” He put his hand to the small of Journey’s back before he realized what he did. He could feel the heat of her skin through her shirt and caught a light floral scent that wafted up to his nose. He tried to stop himself from thinking about how soft and smooth her skin was. The way her body flushed right before she’d come so hard for him. She had been a screamer and had a filthy mouth when he’d fuck her.
    When they reached her car , he took Joey from her so she could get Abby situated in the backseat. He opened Joey’s door and placed Joey in his seat. This time he was able to strap his boy in quickly. Leaning forward, he kissed Joey’s forehead. He felt Joey slap both hands on his cheeks. “Dada, dada!”
    Dylan felt something seize up in his chest, his vision blurred. He called him “dada.” He often thought about what it would be like to hear Joey call him that. Now that it happened, all he could think about was the fact that he had missed so much already. All because he was an asshole and lied about his name. Feeling a tear slide down his cheek, he wiped it away before Journey could see it. He looked up and she was giving him the biggest, brightest smile he’d ever seen. Dylan knew she could see he still had tears in his eyes because her smile turned soft and her eyes warmed. He turned back to Joey, kissing his head again and taking in his sweet scent.
    “Yep , I’m your dada, I love you so much, buddy. Be a good boy for your momma.”
    “Mama-mama!” He laughed and then unfolded himself from the car.
    “Bye, Miss Abby. You be a good girl for your auntie and help with Joey, okay?”
    “I will! Bye, Dylan.” He shut the door and Journey was standing right beside him.
    Dylan stared down at Journey. Neither said anything as he watched her —he loved her lips. Her bottom lip had a little split in it and was slightly fuller then her upper lip. He couldn’t help but remember the first time he kissed her.
     
    Dylan had been reluctant to go dancing, but once he and Journey got to the nightclub he was glad he did. She was a great dancer and they danced and drank all night long. He couldn’t remember a time in the last ten years that he felt so alive. His face hurt from all of the smiling that he did. It took a whole 24 hours since he met her to feel light and free.
    A slow song c ame on over the speakers, so he pulled her out to the middle of the dance floor. She placed her hand in his and the other went around his waist. They swayed to the music as he held her closer. Dylan knew there was no hiding his erection, but he didn’t give a shit. As they danced he stared down at her and when she looked up at him, her smile was dazzling. He couldn’t help himself. He let his hand slide up her back until it reached her neck. Her pupils dilated when she must’ve realized what was about to happen. His face lowered, but she met him halfway. At the first touch of her lips, Dylan couldn’t take it anymore: his lips slammed down on hers. Her mouth opened for him and he thrust his tongue into her mouth. Her tongue touched his hesitantly at first, but she quickly joined in.
    They d idn’t move from their spot as the kiss went on and on. Dylan realized that the music had stopped and people were staring at them. He eased his mouth away from hers. Her breathing was shallow and rapid. She looked around and even in the dark lighting he could tell she was starting to blush. Grabbing her hand he dragged her from the dance floor, out of the bar and into the humid night air.
     
    “Dylan?” Her voice