Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
GAVIN
Irub my eyes with the heels of my hands, tiredness seeping through my body as I leave the studio for the night.
Today turned out to be longer than I expected, with getting ready for our television appearances in LA and coming back to the studio to write with seasoned country music star Patty Douglas.
I probably should’ve declined her last-minute invite to join her and gone home to pack, but something told me to go and I’m glad I did.
We got the first draft of a song done within two hours, which is pretty damn impressive.
I have a feeling the final production of this song is going to smoke the country music charts and possibly the Billboard charts as well.
I believe in this song so much that I even promised her I would continue working on it while in LA.
Some songs you know right away are going to be a hit and this is one of them.
When I get in my car and close the door, I smell that sweet scent that’s been plaguing me all day long.
I inhale deeply, moaning out loud as remnants of Aly’s perfume tickle my senses.
My fingers start twitching at the memory of being inside her warm, slick pussy.
I had no intention of going as far as I did inside my truck in broad daylight this morning, but things escalated quickly when her soft, plump lips touched mine.
Her kisses send me spiraling out of control, and I completely lose myself when I’m with her.
Do these intense feelings scare the crap out of me?
Hell yeah, they do, but despite the craziness of feeling this way over someone I just met, it also has never felt more right.
I start my engine and look at the clock on my dashboard to see it’s past eleven and she might be sleeping.
An overwhelming need to see her one more time before my flight in the morning rocks me.
I can’t stand the idea of not seeing her for three days. I grab my cell phone and call her.
“Hey,” she answers softly, and I immediately smile at hearing her voice.
“Hey, darlin’, did I wake you?”
“No, I was just reading… and maybe waiting up for just a little bit longer in hopes to hear from you,” she admits with a nervous giggle, and my heart hammers in my chest at how fucking sweet she is.
“I’m sorry it took so long, baby. I’ve been thinking of you all damn day though.
How about something even better than a phone call?
Are you up for a late-night visitor?” I ask, hoping she wants to see me as badly as I want to see her.
Seconds tick by without her response, and my hope starts to fade.
“Sure,” she finally says. “But if your plan is to get laid tonight, then maybe you shouldn’t come over,” she states coldly, her voice lacking its usual warm tone.
I draw my eyebrows together in concern at her sudden change in demeanor. Where the hell is this coming from?
“Do you think the only reason I want to see you tonight is to have sex?” I question, my own voice sounding cold.
“No,” she replies hesitantly. “Maybe… I don’t know.” She sighs and I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I’m glad she was honest, because if we’re going to build trust in this relationship, then she needs to always tell me any doubts she’s feeling.
“First off, thank you for sharing your doubts with me. Please don’t ever hesitate to express them.
Secondly, of course I want to fuck you, Aly, but that’s not my first priority,” I tell her in a firm voice, needing to erase any thoughts of me just wanting her for sex out of her head.
“I want to get to know you, and the rest will come when you’re ready. Doesn’t matter how long that takes.”
“Are you really this perfect?” she asks, her question making me chuckle.
“I’m far from perfect. No one’s perfect, and I’m sure I’ll do something in the future to piss you off.
I’m just going to apologize right now for that.
Hope you’ll remember this conversation when it eventually does happen.
” She laughs and I take that as an indication she’s feeling better.
“Honestly, I just wanted to see you one more time before I leave tomorrow. Cuddling and sleeping was all I was thinking about, and it’s perfectly okay if you tell me that I shouldn’t come over tonight. ”
“Cuddling and sleeping sound good to me,” she says in her soft, sweet voice that makes my chest tighten with want.
“Are you sure about this?” I question, not wanting her to invite me over out of obligation.
“Positive.”
“All right, then. Text me your address and I’ll see you in a few.
” We say goodbye and within seconds, she sends me her address.
I put it into my navigation and am pleasantly surprised to see she’s less than five miles away from me.
I put the car into reverse, back out of my parking space, and start driving to her house.
Ten minutes later, I’m pulling into the driveway of a cute, two-story brick house.
The house is located in an older, trendy neighborhood that is close to Belmont University and near Music Row.
Even though this house is small and close to thirty years old, because of the area it’s in, it’s worth a lot of money.
Questions of how she can afford to live here bubble up into my mind while I walk to the front door.
The landscaping is well kept with trimmed bushes and beautiful flower beds.
The front porch looks inviting with potted plants and a swing located to the right of the front door.
Before I can get to the first step of the porch, the outside light turns on and the door swings open.
Aly stands in the doorway, wearing a long-sleeved, pink V-neck shirt and pajama pants with hearts all over them.
Her long hair is down, falling over her shoulders and framing her beautiful, makeup-free face.
“How did you know it was me?” I ask as she moves aside and lets me in. I turn around to face her while she closes the door and locks it.
“I heard your car door shut.” She walks up to me, and I embrace her in a tight hug. We stand like this for a moment, her head resting against my chest, and I have no doubt she can hear the pounding of my heart.
“This place is nice,” I whisper as I take in the Bohemian-styled living room that fits Aly’s personality.
Her cream-colored walls have colorful artwork hanging on them, with a large, round gold-rimmed mirror above her fireplace mantle.
A navy-blue sectional couch is against the main wall with gold-and-white accent pillows on it.
Her hardwood floors are covered in Turkish-style accent rugs that are strategically placed around the house.
She has an open floor plan, so my eyes wander over to the updated white-and gray-kitchen with a small breakfast nook perfect for four people.
Despite the older look of the exterior of the house, the inside has been completely remodeled and updated.
“Thanks, but why are you whispering?” She leans back in my arms and gives me a funny look.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful and wake up your roommate.”
“Roommate? I don’t have a roommate.” My arms drop to their sides in shock, giving her the perfect opportunity to step back and walk around me to the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Hold up, did you just say you don’t have a roommate?” My voice must have come across as angry, because her eyes widen in surprise.
“That’s right,” she says slowly, confusion written all over her face. “I don’t have a roommate. Is there a problem with that?”
“You’re telling me you live in this house all by yourself? Alone?” The idea of Aly being here all by herself every night with no one to protect her in case of a burglary makes my blood start to boil.
“Technically, I’m not alone. I have Apollo.” She bends down and picks up her huge white furball of a cat and scratches behind his ear. The cat starts to purr but continues to size me up with his eyes.
“Cute, but you need real protection.” I walk over to the living room windows and am appalled to see that anyone can see in when she has her curtains drawn open. “How do you feel about a dog?” If she says she loves them, I’m buying her a German Shepherd tomorrow.
“You’re not getting me a dog, Gavin. I have an alarm system and cameras all around the house. I live in a good neighborhood and know all my neighbors. We all look out for each other.”
“I don’t like the idea of you by yourself here.
Anyone can walk in from the street, throw a brick through these windows and they’re in.
” I wave my arm around the living room, hoping she can see my point of view on this.
“I think you need to consider leaving this place.” Aly’s already told me she thinks I’m intense.
If she knew I was entertaining the idea of moving her into my apartment with me, she would tell me I need to be institutionalized.
“I’ve lived here for over four years now.
If anyone is leaving, it’s going to be you if you don’t drop this bullshit.
” She puts the cat down, crosses her arms over her chest, and glares at me with that I’m-done-talking-about-this-and-so-are-you stare.
I clench my jaw in aggravation at her stubbornness, but I’m also completely turned on by how hot she looks when she’s angry.
Not to mention her cursing sounds so naughty coming from that sweet little mouth of hers.
I mentally count to ten before approaching her.
I place my hands gently on her shoulders and squeeze.
“Do you at least have a gun hidden somewhere for protection?” She rolls her eyes and shoves my hands off of her, turns on her heel, and walks to the kitchen. “Answer me, Aly,” I demand when she continues to ignore me.
“You’re really annoying me right now with this,” she tells me with a scowl on her face. “Yes, Gavin, I have a gun, but I hate it and don’t ever want to use it.”