All I Need (Found love) Read online

  Aaron walked between them holding their hands.

  “Why does he call me Mama?” Trevet asked.

  “He doesn’t know the name Daddy,” she answered simply.

  As the day wore on and when Aaron got tired, Trevet would swing him up on his shoulder. She looked over at Trevet, wondering if he were married. She didn’t see a ring. She was sure a man as fine as Trevet was not without female companionship.

  “You tired of him yet?” Bri asked. Most men shied away from children, and it surprised her how he had taken to Aaron and Aaron to him.

  “No, I’m enjoying this,” he admitted and honestly meant it. It was easy to become attached to the little fellow riding his shoulders.

  They walked for a time stopping often to look at the animals. They ate, and laughed, even Bri chuckled occasionally.

  Aaron was starting to get tired, and when Bri reached for Aaron, he turned away putting both his chubby arms around Trevet’s neck.

  “He really likes you Mr. Holland.”

  “Trevet, call me Trevet,” he interrupted.

  It wasn’t long before Aaron fell asleep in Trevet’s arms; his small head lay on his shoulder while walking back to the car.

  “I’ll take him.” Bri said.

  “It’s okay.” Trevet was surprised at how he was enjoying his time with Aaron and Bri really hating to see it end. For a few hours, Bri let her guard down, even joining in and playing with them.

  He opened the door for Bri and placed Aaron in his seat. Quietly they drove around Asheville in search of an available hotel. It seems there was some sort of convention so rooms were scarce.

  They found a hotel with only one room available. Trevet didn’t hesitate in taking the room. Aaron was so exhausted he didn’t wake even while his mother changed him into his pajamas and laid him in the center of the bed.

  Bri showered, changed, and lay down beside the baby.

  “I’ll sleep in the chair,” Trevet told her.

  “No you can lay down with us,” Bri offered, “It will be alright.”

  “Are you sure…?” Bri nodded before lying back down.

  Trevet went to the bathroom and returning with just his pants and nude chest.

  With his back turned away from them, Bri used the opportunity to observe him. Her eyes roamed down his muscular body. Acknowledging he was all muscle and no fat. His broad shoulders and back tapered to a slim waist that flowed to a nice, hard backside and slim hips with long muscular sturdy legs. When he moved, every muscle rippled. How she would love to sketch him in the nude or to feel the texture of his sculptured body beneath her hands. As if bewitched, Bri quietly rose from the bed and approached Trevet.

  Trevet turned and watched her walk toward him and stop. She reached out to lightly touch his chest her fingers moved caressingly to his carved abs. Trevet stood still quietly watching her. She didn’t know what she was doing to him. He felt himself thicken at her gentle touch. Bri took a deeper breath and Trevet felt his heartbeat quicken. He watched as her tongue slowly moistened her lips. Finally, their eyes met. She gazed deeply into his gray eyes, all conscious thought fading from her head as her fingertips traced the hard velvety planes of his hard chest.

  “I would like to sketch you,” she said softly her heart beating rapidly. She never felt like she did at this moment. The touch of his hot body beneath her fingers made her feel things she never felt before. Things she never felt with Tyrone.

  Trevet liked the feel of her hands on him. Hooded gray eyes looked down at her.

  “If I touch you, will you pull away?” He asked her huskily. Her head rose, and their eyes met.

  Bri heard him, but what he said didn’t register, the longer she looked into his eyes the more spellbound she became.

  Trevet reached out pushing a strand of hair from her face. Bri stiffened, but she didn’t pull away. Trevet’s head lowered and yet she didn’t move. Tentatively his lips touched hers softly. What was meant to be a quick gentle kiss turned into a deep, passion filled soul-stirring event. Trevet fingers threaded through her hair gently pulling her to him. His other hand he placed on her waist pressing her against his throbbing body. He deepened the kiss slipping his tongue pass her lips and into her mouth. Her breath caught in her throat, and she remained unruffled and responsive.

  Bri kissed him back as if she’d been waiting a lifetime to be kissed by a man like him; god knows Tyrone never kissed her like this, if at all. She slid her hands up his naked chest. He had soft lips, and a skilled tongue that intoxicated her senses making her feel lightheaded as her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Bri eased away and sighed. Her fingers touched her lips. As if still under a spell, she walked to the side of the bed and lay down.

  “Goodnight,” she said softly.

  Trevet could still feel her lips against his, still smell her unique scent and feel her small body pressed against him. He stared at her confused yet fascinated. Why did he kiss her he asked himself? More importantly, why did she allow him to kiss her was a better question? He knew then, he had to stay clear of Bri Cleyvon; it would be so easy to fall for this changed Bri. He liked his life they way he was, free of commitment and the drama a relationship could bring. At the age twenty-eight, he wasn’t ready for a long-term relationship; he also knew deep in his heart, that Bri could be the one to usurping his orderly lifestyle.

  Trevet looked at them asleep in the bed. In just a day, son and mother were getting under his skin. Turning away from the beautiful sight, deciding, he had to stay clear of Bri Cleyvon and her son. He is taking them to her parents, and that would be that. What did he know about her anyway? All he remembered was that spoiled rich kid. He has only known this supposedly change Bri for one day. As far as he knew, this new Bri could be an imposter, and when she is reunited with her parents, the old Bri will reveal herself. He frowned. Then why did he desire her so strongly? Granted, she was beautiful, but she still had issues to deal with and didn’t need that sort of drama in his life right now.

  Chapter Four

  Trevet awoke to something pulling at his lashes. He opened one eye, to see a small cherub face looking at him grinning.

  “Mommy.”

  “Good morning, Aaron,” Trevet said smiling at the boy. He looked over at Bri, who was on her side, still asleep softly snoring. “We’re going to have to find you a new name,” he said smiling rising from the bed; Aaron crawled to the edge of the bed, reaching for Trevet.

  “You’re wet, where did your Mom put your pull-ups?” He said picking him up. He looked into a large blue bag finding them.

  “How about a bath first,” he told the boy. “Maybe by then Mommy will be awake and can dress you.” He had no idea how to take care of a toddler.

  Trevet undressed Aaron and carried him into the bathroom. Sitting Aaron on his knees, he filled the tub with water. To his delight, Trevet let Aaron splash and frolicked all he wanted until he took a clean washcloth and begin to bathe his small body. When the actual bathing began, Aaron started singing his alphabet. Aaron stopped singing looking up at Trevet expectantly. “Mommy ting.” Aaron babbled.

  “You want me to sing?” Trevet asked incredulously. Who was he to deny the toddler?

  Trevet sang with Aaron clapping their hands when the song was over. Trevet lost count on how many times they sang the alphabet song and Itsy Bitsy spider.

  Bri awoke to a deep voice singing. She listened for a moment and smiled. Quietly she went to the door of the bathroom and peeked in.

  Trevet sat on the edge of the tub with Aaron wrapped in a towel. After drying him, Trevet lifted the happy, laughing Aaron in the air. When he brought him down, Aaron held onto Trevet face, gave him a wet kiss, and then hugged him. Trevet strong arms went around his little body. Aaron loved Trevet, Bri realized.

  Smiling Bri pushed open the door.

  “Mommy,” Aaron called reaching for his mother. Trevet handed Aaron to his mother.

  “Thank you,” Bri said softly. Their eyes met. Trevet leaned over and kiss
ed her gently on the mouth. Bri head lowered. With Aaron in her arms, she left the bathroom.

  While she dressed Aaron, her head reeled, remembering last night and that unforgettable kiss she received from Trevet. What was wrong with her? Why had she allowed him to kiss her? She was starting to feel drawn to him. It didn’t matter that technically she had known him for years. Back then, she saw him as an old man even though he was only five or six years older than her. She remembered bringing her girlfriends to her father's office just so they could drool over Trevet. At that time, she didn’t see what her friends had seen on him. Now she did. Bri closed her eyes and sighed. She was extremely vulnerable right now to get involved with any man, especially Trevet. She refused to allow herself to become attracted to Trevet; she just can’t let it happen, not now, not ever. She let him kiss her for goodness sake. What was the attraction? He was handsome, no doubt. He was great with Aaron, and Aaron loved Trevet. Maybe the appeal was because of her son. It was good they will arrive in Atlanta today, and after Trevet dropped them off at her parents, she won’t see him again; anyway, she would be returning to Virginia Beach in a few weeks.

  ****

  Four hours later, they pulled into her parents winding driveway. Aaron lay sleeping. Trevet put the car in park. Bri looked over at him.

  “I’m afraid,” she said softly.

  “You’ll be fine, your parents love you,” he said reassuringly.

  Bri lost herself into the gray depths of his eyes, believing him, knowing he was right.

  “Come on Bri,” he said, “I’ll get Aaron.”

  Bri sat awhile taking in her surroundings. Her childhood home hasn’t changed much, she thought. The large white two story antebellum house with its tall colonnades extended around the house. A roof over the colonnade covered the balcony on the second floor. Bri could remember fondly sitting out on the balcony outside the French doors of her bedroom, her legs dangling through the rails. She loved this house and had a happy life here. She didn’t realize how well she lived until she defied her parents, and ran off with Tyrone.

  Trevet took the sleeping child from his seat. Bri joined him, and together they went to her parent’s door.

  The door opened, and there stood, Irene Cleyvon. She was small, elegant woman with classic features; her now graying hair pulled back in a bun.

  Bri fell into her mother's arms and wept. Irene held her close, thanking Trevet while she held onto her wayward daughter. Bri held onto her mother tightly.

  “Oh my baby,” Irene cried holding Bri close. “Come inside,” she invited, with her arm around Bri shoulders. Trevet followed them inside with a sleeping Aaron in his arms.

  They were led to a spacious living room, the living room Bri remembered. Aaron started to awake, looking at his grandmother shyly, his head on Trevet’s shoulder. Bri went to them.

  “Aaron, this is Grandma,” she told the baby. Aaron looked at her for a minute. Then reached for her, Irene took him and held him close, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

  “Mom, how’s Dad?” Bri asked.

  “He's getting better, let’s go see him,” she requested.

  The four of them went to the solarium in the back of the house. Jorge Cleyvon lay back on the lounger.

  “Jorge,” his wife called. Jorge turned to see Bri. His eyes filled as he surveyed his only child. His arms opened to her, and Bri ran to him, hugging him, began to cry anew.

  “Oh, Daddy,” she choked out, “I’m sorry, I should have listened to you and Mom, I’m so ashamed.”

  “No, baby, it's over now, and we’ll speak no more of this.” He raised her face, looking at her intently with love in his eyes.

  “My heart is full,” Jorge said with a smile.

  “How are you, Dad?”

  “Better now,” he said stroking her hair. He looked over at Trevet.

  “Thank you, Son,” he said to Trevet. Trevet nodded.

  Jorge turned his attention to his grandson. “Bring him Mother so I can see him.” Irene put Aaron down, as they walked to his mother and grandfather.

  Bri looked over at Trevet, and smiled, this time her smile reached her eyes.

  Trevet turned to leave. Aaron saw him.

  “Mommy,” he cried running to Trevet. Trevet lifted him. Aaron patted Trevet’s face.

  Bri smiled. “He calls Trevet Mommy,” she informed her parents.

  Trevet knew he had to leave, he hated to. He has grown quite fond of Aaron. Bri went to them and took Aaron from his arms. She looked up at him.

  “I know you have to leave,” she spoke softly, “Thank you, Trevet for everything.”

  He smiled down at her. “I enjoyed the drive,” he replied. “Bye Aaron,” he said waving to the boy. Aaron little face frowned, he reached for Trevet. Trevet took his fingers and kissed them. Turning he left them, and Aaron let out a wail.

  “Mommy!” Aaron cried loudly. Bri tried to soothe him. Trevet heart went out to him, but he knew he had to go. He didn’t look back. He could hear Aaron screaming. When he reached for the doorknob, he stopped. He walked back through the house to the solarium; he could hear Aaron still crying. He saw Trevet and stretched for him. Trevet took him.

  “Sh…,” he cooed, while Aaron held on to him tightly.

  Bri looked at her parents. “He fell in love with Trevet,” she said smiling.

  “I can stay for a while,” he informed them and took Aaron to the backyard. Bri watched from the solarium as Aaron ran around in the yard.

  “Baby,” her father stated, “How have you been?

  “I’m fine Dad, or I will be.”

  “Still painting?” Bri nodded.

  “Sit,” he said, “We need to talk.” Bri and Irene sat across from her father.

  “Bri, I have prostate cancer, I’m going through the treatment, and I feel that I’m getting better, thank God, your mother takes very good care of me. I needed to find you, Daughter, just in case. I didn’t want to leave without telling you, I love you very much.” Jorge paused, “Everything that has happened was not your fault; I handled it all wrong. I never disowned you, I spoke in anger, please forgive me.”

  “Daddy, it's not your fault, I did this to myself. I wanted to come home so badly. I know I hurt you and Mom,” she said taking her mother's hand into hers. “I was ashamed, and Tyrone, well he kept a tight rein on me,” her head lowered.

  “How did you finally get away?” Her mother asked.

  She took a deep breath. “He beat me, many times, and we moved around so much, half the time I didn’t know where we were. Then when I got pregnant, he was violently angry. When I refused to have an abortion, he began to beat me more. I guess he thought to make me miscarry, but Aaron survived. After Aaron's birth, I knew it was time for me to get away anyway that I could, so while he was in his drug haze, I took Aaron and ran. We settled in Virginia Beach. I filed for divorce; the times they located him, he refused to sign the papers, so I will probably be stuck with Tyrone the rest of my life. I haven’t seen him since running away that night.”

  “Don’t worry Bri,” her father said. “I’ll get Trevet to work on it, he’ll get him to sign; he’ll do whatever it takes to get his signature.”

  “I don’t know where he is Dad.” Bri informed him.

  “He’s in Atlanta,” Jorge regrettably told her, “He came here a few months ago looking for you, accusing us of hiding you.”

  Bri was immediately alarmed. “Dad, I have to leave here, at least in Virginia Beach, he couldn’t find us,” she said feeling the fear rise in her.

  “Calm down, baby, he won’t come near you, I saw to that, Trevet will get your divorce, and then you can live your life, you, and little Aaron.”

  Bri hugged her father, knowing he was right, he would take care of everything. She could stay in Atlanta a while longer, just until her divorce was final; then she would return to Virginia.

  Chapter Five

  Bri sat on the balcony outside her bedroom, her legs dangling over the side. She remember
ed the kiss that Trevet had given her. Why did he kiss her? She asked herself, touching her lips. If she closed her eyes and concentrated, she could almost feel the warmth of his mouth pressed to hers. She hadn’t seen Trevet for a few weeks or so. Her father informed her that he was working on the divorced, as promised. Occasionally Aaron would cry for him; it amazed her attached he had become to Trevet. She knew she would eventually have to consult with him.

  She looked up at the stars twinkling brightly in Atlanta sky. She wondered what he was doing; probably on a date, she thought, and admitted to herself that she felt a tinge of jealousy, which was ridiculous. She was only with him that one day; she shouldn’t be feeling any inclinations towards him. She did see him one day in Buckhead Atlanta, hand in hand with a pretty woman. She felt a twinge of jealousy then also. She was expected to see him tomorrow, to see how the divorce was progressing. She was almost excited to see him. She decided to take Aaron, so he could see Trevet.

  Next morning she sat in his waiting area outside his office, Aaron in her lap. The door opened, and there he was. Aaron slid from her lap, and ran to him Trevet picked him up, surprised to see his young friend and Aaron hugged his neck.

  “Hello Bri,” he said over Aaron’s head.

  Bri smiled.

  “Come on in,” he said carrying Aaron with him. Bri followed, noting how different the office looked. Where her father had it traditional designed, Trevet preferred a contemporary look, which suited him. Bri took a seat in the chair in front of his desk. Aaron sat on his lap behind the desk. She watched the two of them.

  “Aaron missed you,” she said softly. Trevet smiled at her. “I missed him too.” Trevet said looking at the boy.

  When Jorge asked him to settle Bri’s divorce, he didn’t hesitate to complete this task. He thought of her often, more than he cared to admit. His declaration of staying away from her out the window, for some reason it didn’t upset him as much as it should have.

  “Bri, you will have to see Tyrone, when we meet with his attorney, to discuss his demands to assure that the divorced goes through. I’ve spoken to his lawyer.” He took a deep breath and continued. “Tyrone is demanding alimony from you; he also threatened to sue you for custody of Aaron.