Chapter 12 #3
“Tonight,” I say breathlessly, releasing my hold on him so I can start getting control over myself.
“You bet that fine ass of yours tonight,” he growls, giving me one last hard peck on the lips before pulling his hands out of my pockets. He picks up my duffle bag from the floor and then eyes the three gift bags. “What are those?” he asks, pointing to them.
“Surprises,” I say vaguely, giving him a mysterious smile. I pick up the three bags off the floor and shake my head at him when he tries to carry them for me.
“Darlin’, you’re the only present I’ll ever want.” He grabs my free hand and leads me down a hallway to his apartment.
“Well, that’s no fun because you already have me.” I squeeze his hand in mine and we come to a stop in front of his door. He brings our joined hands up to his lips and kisses my knuckles.
“I hope so,” he whispers and softly kisses me on my mouth. When he pulls back, I see a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. It’s filled with tenderness and, dare I hope… love?
Please, God, let him be falling just as hard and fast as I am.
He gives me a reassuring smile and opens the door to his apartment.
He pulls me into his place and lets go of my hand to close the door behind us, giving me the opportunity to look around.
Light-gray paint coats the walls, and the first thing that catches my eye is the floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a gorgeous view of the city.
High ceilings create the illusion of a bigger place than what the square footage actually is.
I walk farther in and look to my right at the kitchen with dark cabinets, white quartz countertops, and stainless-steel appliances.
Two industrial-looking chandeliers hang over the island.
In front of me is the living room with rustic wood beams on the ceiling, a small, black leather sectional couch that Sosie is sitting on, working on her computer, and a very large television hanging inside a built-in entertainment unit on the opposite wall.
“Say hello, Sosie,” Gavin says, his tone sounding like a father reprimanding their child.
“Hello, Sosie,” she mimics, not even bothering to look up.
“Don’t be a bitch,” he growls in anger, causing her head to snap up in surprise, and that’s when she notices me.
“Sorry, I didn’t know she came in with you.
” She pushes her red glasses up her nose and looks at me.
“Hello, Alyson.” I want to roll my eyes but instead bite my lip to keep from reacting.
She might act like she’s hard as nails, but I believe Gavin is right about her and I have no doubt her aversion to me is all an act to protect her heart from possibly getting hurt by anyone she might let in.
“Pain in my fucking ass,” he grumbles underneath his breath, and I want to tell him it’s okay, but I keep my mouth closed. “Let me show you my bedroom.” He grabs my bag, and I follow him across the apartment.
His bedroom isn’t very big, but it does have the same amazing view of the city as the living room. The only furniture in the small space is his king-sized bed in a large, mahogany bedframe, two matching nightstands with lamps, and a ceiling fan overhead.
“Over there is the bathroom.” He nods toward a closed door. “And in here is the master closet.”
I follow him down the slight hallway to the closet and step inside.
It’s almost as big as his kitchen and is customized with shelves, drawers, and cubbies.
I immediately have closet envy and wish mine was as big and as organized as this one.
“I, um… cleared out a drawer for you.” He rubs the back of his neck and casts his eyes downward, appearing unsure for the very first time since I’ve known him.
I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his torso, squeezing him in appreciation.
“Thank you,” I whisper as I lean up on my tippy toes to kiss him.
“I look forward to putting things in it.” I touch my smiling lips to his in what was only going to be a soft kiss, but when his fingers thread through my hair and hold me in place, the kiss goes from soft and tender to hard and hungry in less than five seconds.
It’s always like this with him—this overwhelming feeling to be completely devoured by him.
I love it and am scared by it, all at the same time.
I love this feeling, because it makes me feel wanted, like he can’t get enough of me and always wants more.
I’m scared by it, because what if this doesn’t work out and I never have this feeling for someone ever again? I can’t even imagine finding someone else who makes me feel the way Gavin does.
Soon, his touch and scent make me forget my inhibitions and all I want is him inside me. He pins me against the drawers and hoists me up. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist, and I moan at the familiar pressure that starts to build every time I feel him rub against me.
“So fucking sweet,” he groans before claiming my mouth again with his.
I sigh in delicious contentment, enjoying this moment and only acknowledging what really matters to me—him and us.
“Your animal noises are starting to do permanent damage to my brain! Stop sucking face and let’s get out of here!” Sosie yells at us from the kitchen, snapping us back into reality.
We pull away from each other, but our foreheads touch as we attempt to catch our breaths.
“I think we should revoke her invitation to the game,” he says, and I laugh at his frustration with his cousin as he puts me back down on my feet.
“We can’t leave just yet.” I grab my hockey jersey out of my duffle bag and put it on over my shirt.
“You need to open your present before we go.” I smile up at him as we walk back out into the living room together and see Sosie standing by the door, her bag on her shoulder, ready to go.
I grab the three gift bags and hand one to Gavin and one to Sosie.
“What’s this for?” Sosie asks, holding the handle of the bag with the tips of her fingers as if it’s coated with an infectious disease.
“It something fun for you to wear tonight,” I tell her before turning all my attention to Gavin while he opens up the bag and takes out his jersey.
“Darlin’, you didn’t have to do this.” He flips the jersey over to see his last name personalized on the back.
“Baby, this is amazing.” He puts the jersey on, and I’m happy to see it fits like a glove.
He crushes me into a bear hug and kisses me hard on the lips.
“I fucking love it. Thank you, baby.” I’m rewarded with one more kiss before he lets me go, feeling completely breathless and once again, turned on.
“Why would you buy this for me?” Sosie asks, and I turn to find a look of confusion written across her face as she holds up her jersey.
“Because we need to show support for the home team,” I reply, and she looks at me doubtfully.
“And, it’s always fun to receive presents.
” I shrug. I don’t understand her or why she’s acting so unappreciative, but I refuse to let her put me in a bad mood.
I do make a mental note never to buy her another present again.
“I know my mother taught you better manners than that,” Gavin snaps in anger at Sosie and her attitude. “These jersey and the tickets we got tonight are courtesy of Aly and her company. If you can’t be even a little appreciative, then don’t fucking come with us.”
I squeeze his hand in a silent signal letting him know I’m fine.
I appreciate him coming to my defense, but he doesn’t need to be so harsh with her.
I give Sosie an apologetic smile, but she just stands there and continues staring at me.
“You don’t have to wear it,” I say, cutting through the uncomfortable silence.
“I’ll wear it. Thank you for thinking of me,” she says after a moment, her voice softer than I’ve ever heard it.
I nod in acknowledgement and smile brightly between the two of them, hoping to lighten the mood. “Come on, let’s go have some fun tonight!”
I don’t even bother checking to see if she puts on the jersey. I grab my purse and Willow’s bag off the counter, lace my fingers with Gavin’s, and head toward the door. As long as I get to come home with Gavin tonight, nothing else matters.