Ainsley

I close the door behind me and rest my back against it, closing my eyes and savoring the tingling sensation on my lips. My mind is still reeling from that kiss.

That freaking kiss.

It was easily the best kiss of my entire life. The way our lips melded together as if they were made to do that, like my body instincitvely knew it belongs to him. I smile to myself, thinking about it when Rory's voice suddenly cuts through the quiet night.

"Good date I take it?" He asks and I jump at his intrusion into my thoughts. I give him a mischevious smile and he chuckles, resting against the doorframe of my living room.

"Not good. Great. Amazing. Fantastic!" I say, twirling in a circle and doing a little dance towards him. He chuckles and wraps me in a hug. Since Sarah's death, his arms is the only place left that I feel at ease. Like I can let a little of the weight of the world go because my big brother is there. He gives me a gentle squeeze before he releases me.

"I had Scooter check him out." He says and I roll my eyes.

"Leave your police buddies out of my business." I say firmly and he shrugs, looking away from me and taking a swig of his soda.

"It was just a little background check. You wanna know?" He asks and I sit on the couch, kicking my feet up.

"I'm sure if it was bad you wouldn't be acting so calm about the whole thing." I say, waving my hand at his relaxed posture. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"You should be a cop. You read people better than anyone I know." He says and I smile at him. "The guy was telling the truth. Squeaky fucking clean. Not so much as a noise complaint." He says grabbing his shoes to slip them on. Even though I didn't ask him to check into Billy, with how much Willow is growing attached to him I'm glad for the added assurance that he doesn't have a scary past. I remind myself I still need to tread lightly with him. This is new territory and I refuse to rush it just because my hormones are in the driver's seat.

"Thanks again for watching Willow." I say, following Rory towards the front door.

"Of course. If she tells you we had cookies and hot chocolate for dinner she's lying." He says with a grin that tells me she would be telling the absolute truth, but I'm on cloud nine from my date so I decide to let it slide.

"That's fine. I may just have some myself." I tell him with a mischevious smile. I shut the door and lock it behind him before floating up the stairs. I stop outside of Willow's room and peer in. Her sleeping form seems to calm my anxious mind. I walk in quietly and pull her blanket up further over her shoulder, leaning down to kiss her forehead. She stirs a little, but doesn't wake. I smile, tucking her hair away from her face before leaving the room quietly.

I wander down to my own room, changing into pajamas and brushing my teeth. I go to plug my phone in to charge and see a message from Billy. My heart starts to pound as I open it.

I get a silly smile on my face as butterflies take flight in my belly.

:)

I send back and put my phone down, curling into my covers with no doubts that if I do dream, they will be sweet.

The next morning there's another text waiting for me from shortly after five in the morning.

Another grin splashes across my face as my heart flutters with affection. I've never been on the recieving end of good night and good morning texts, but I could definitely get used to them.

I ask him. I'm not a morning person, so this is information I need now.

I get up and make Willow some breakfast. We only have a few days left before school starts and I plan to use every one to the fullest. We spend most of the morning outside. Willow loves to help me in the garden and learning about the way food grows. Shortly before lunch, my phone goes off and I smile when Billy's name flashes on my screen.

"Hello?"

"What are my favorite girls up to today?" He asks and my heart does that little flutter every time he calls us that.

"Just about to clean up and head to the zoo." I say and I hear him gasp.

"Seriously? The zoo?" He asks and I chuckle a little at his enthusiasm.

"Yes. Willow loves animals and it's a good learning opportunity." I say and Willow starts bouncing with excitement, dirt on her nose and a smile on her face.

God I love this child.

"Would it be ok if I tag along? The zoo is seriously my favorite. I take Ellie so often she's getting tired of it." He asks, his voice so hopeful. Willow hears his request and nods enthusiastically, wanting him to join.

"Sure if you want to, but you don't you have to work?" I ask, looking at the time. It's barely even noon.

"Hey, Jax!" I hear him shout. "You care if I bust out of here early? Got things to do." He adds. I hear Jaxon's muffled reply before he addresses me again.

"Boss man's cool with it. Meet you at your house?" He asks and those pesky butterflies start flitting around my stomach again.

"Sure." I agree and hurry Willow inside to get clean and changed.

Barely an hour later, Billy is giving Willow a piggyback ride into the zoo. She looks so small, spread out on his broad shoulders. I feel myself oddly jealous of her. I'd love to be the one clinging to him. She's laughing and squealing with joy as he makes horse noises and a little seed of dread burrows into my gut.

What if things don't go any further than this? What if he decides it's too much for him? What if he breaks her heart? Me, I can deal with it. But Willow has already lost so much. I don't want her to feel pain ever again. Not if I can help it.

But then Billy gives me a warm smile and holds his hand out for me to take. My breath gets caught in my throat and I twine my fingers with his relishing in the calm his touch seems to be able to bring me.

"Come on, Mom! We want to see the penguins!" Willow calls out and I nod smiling at her, unable to form words around the emotion welling up within me.

Moments like these it's so easy to imagine that we're a family.

"You alright, Ains?" Billy asks with a worried frown. I nod and squeeze his hand.

"I'm great. This is perfect." I say and his face lights up, showing off those sinful dimples.

Hours later, with Willow passed out cold in her carseat, Billy is driving us home when his hand snakes over to rest on my thigh.

"This ok?" He asks and I nod giving him a shy smile. "Thanks for letting me tag along." He says quietly, watching to see if Willow wakes.

"I'm glad you could come. It was fun." I say, looking out the window. He must see something on my face because his hand leaves my leg to grip my chin gently, turning my head to look at him.

"What's going on in your head?" He asks and I shrug.

"Nothing exciting." I say with a small smile. He nods, but doesn't look like he believes me.

When we get home, he carries Willow inside for me, resting her on the couch and pulling the blanket off the back to cover her up. He smiles a little as he watches her and my hopeful heart hurts at the sight. He walks back towards me and grabs my hand, pulling me into the kitchen.

"Ainsley, did I do something wrong?" He asks and I look up at him with furrowed brows, pulling my hand away and crossing my arms over my chest.

"No. Why would you say that?" I ask and he runs a frustrated hand through his blonde curls. My eyes track the motion, my fingers aching to do the same. He let's out a sigh and my mind refocuses on our conversation.

"You just seem... upset." He says and I shake my head.

"No. Just... nervous. Willow is getting attached to you." I say and he gives me a little smile.

"Just Willow?" He asks, walking towards me and putting his hands on my arms. I can't stop the small blush that splashes across my cheeks.

"Not just Willow." I admit quietly. His warm chuckles reverberate through the small room and he leans down to kiss my forehead gently. I close my eyes, soaking in the affection. He traces kisses down my cheek to my ear.

"I'm getting attached too, Ains." He whispers and I shudder a little, taking a step forward to press myself against him. I wrap my arms around his waist, his warmth seeping into me. His arms tighten around me and I sigh in content.

"I only have good intentions, Ainsley. I swear. Could you just... give me a chance to prove it?" He asks, pulling away. I look up into his eyes and see nothing but honesty shining back. I reach up to run my fingertips along the stubble on his cheek and I nod.

"I think I would always wonder 'what if' if I didn't" I admit quietly.

His responding smile is blinding and in the next moment his lips are on mine. Warm, soft and demanding as he slips his tongue out. I open for him, allowing him to explore me. He groans into the kiss, taking a step forward until my back is against the countertop. I cling to him, my fingers clenching the fabric of his soft t-shirt as we explore each other. I push up on tip toe to gain some leverage, my hands going from his waist to around his neck so I can thread my fingers in his hair, pulling him even closer to me. He chuckles as he pulls away and I lick my lips, savoring the taste of him. His eyes watch my tongue and I feel my body heat under his scrutiny.

"Can I see you Sunday?" He asks, his voice husky and deep making tingles spread through my body.

"Do you have an aversion to Saturdays?" I ask, almost embarrassed by how breathless I sound. He chuckles and cups my cheek, running his thumb along my bottom lip before pressing his forehead to mine.

"The shop is open on Saturdays. It used to be open everyday until Jax and Ems got together, which I take partial credit for." He says with a smug grin.

"How do you figure that?" I ask and he laughs a little, pulling my body in until I'm flush with him.

"I said some shit to Jax about wanting to ask Ems out. I only did it to piss him off. They were still using the 'We're only friends' line and Ramon and I had a bet. I made him jealous, then he made a move on her." He says with a shrug and I chuckle, shaking my head at him.

"And now I get Sundays off. But I could come over Saturday. After work if you want? Dinner and a movie with Pippy?" He asks and I nod excitedly. He chuckles and leans down to peck another kiss to my lips before he leaves, eyeing my longingly as if he would stay if he could.

I sigh as I watch him go, wanting nothing more than to never let him go.