Chapter 11 #2
Gavin nodded. He took his sweet time, and she appreciated every second.
His hands seared fire through her as his large palms ran along her lower back, then made their way beautifully to her upper back.
Next, he slowly rubbed them along her shoulders and then moved them tenderly up her neck.
She noticeably quivered, and he gave her a half of a smile before cupping her jaw and cheeks with his palms.
“Was that okay?” he said in that same husky whisper, making her want to melt into him.
“That was … perfect,” she got out, panting for air. “Great research. Thank you.”
His eyes trailed over her face in such a tender and longing look that she found herself leaning up toward him. She needed to keep taking this slow, make him want her as much as she wanted him, but she didn’t know if that was possible.
“What next?” he asked quietly.
“Um, well …” Next, he should lean in and kiss her, but her boldness was running out.
“My arms are kind of trapped, so I need to maybe bring them around?” She slid her hands down his chest and then underneath his arms, bringing them around from behind to cling to his solid biceps like she’d had characters do.
“Oh, I like that.” Her heart was hammering so hard she was afraid he could hear it.
“Your biceps are amazing, but then I knew that from the therapy pools.”
He let out a grunt of laughter, but then his eyes softened as they looked at her. “I’m doing okay, then?”
“Yes, thank you so much.”
They stared at each other. His gaze was a sexy smolder she’d only written about, and it was lighting her up. Her pulse was racing and she was hot all over, but she didn’t want to have to tell him to make the next move.
“What next?” he asked.
She wanted to kiss him so badly she could hardly stand it, but she didn’t want to instruct him on it. She felt heady and warm simply being close to him and inhaling his Tom Ford scent, but how did she tell him he needed to be the man and claim her lips with his?
The silence stretched into awkwardness. Kari finally forced herself to mutter, “Thank you so much for helping me with the research. I think I’ve got it. I’d better go write it all down now.”
His jaw dropped and his brows drew together. His arms also loosened around her, which she hated, but it was her fault. Why did she keep dropping these stupid, stupid lines? She was a horrible heroine and was failing at her own life story.
Kari felt like she had no choice though as she slipped out of his arms. She made it one step before he grabbed her hand. She spun back to face him, filled with hope that this was their moment.
His dark eyes were sparking at her like a thunderstorm. “So bringing me in here, asking me to …” His voice went low and gravelly. “Touch you. It was all for your books, for research?”
Kari’s heart pounded out of control. He looked hurt and mad, and she’d never intended that. “No,” she squeaked out.
“No?” His gaze had her hot and cold at the same time.
This was it. This was her chance to step up and live what she’d only lived through her characters, though her characters were their own people and she didn’t want to live their lives vicariously.
For the first time, she definitely wanted to live her own.
“I …” She licked her lips, and the way his eyes dropped to her mouth had her taking a long gulp of air before saying, “I like you, Gavin.”
“You do?” His gaze flew to hers again, and what she saw there made her want to right his every wrong. He’d been hurt badly and was still vulnerable, and she was just the woman to help him heal. She hoped so, anyway.
“Yes.” She nodded vigorously and waited. This was his moment to admit that he’d fallen for her, he adored her, he didn’t want her to leave tomorrow. No, that would all be rushing him too much. Slow it down, girlie, the voices in her head cautioned.
Gavin eased in a little closer. “I like you too,” he said softly.
Kari let out a squeal and bit at her lip.
Gavin almost broke into his full smile. She loved each of his smiles, but his full one was the best. “So why did you have me do all of the … research?” He arched one eyebrow up.
“Because …” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m so awkward.”
“You’re awkward? I would never call you awkward.”
“Thank you, but I live in my head with my characters most of the time—no, pretty much all the time, except for on Sunday, when I don’t work.
I go to church with my parents, eat dinner with them, and then read or go on walks until I can finally fall asleep early Sunday night and wake at four a.m. Monday morning to get back to my characters’ lives again. ”
His eyes were wide with surprise. “I knew you were into your writing, but …”
“I know. It’s pathetic. I also take breaks to run, and sometimes to eat.
” She lifted her shoulders and splayed her hands.
“So I haven’t been around a man in a long time, and meeting you and Austin has been delightful, beautiful.
I’ve loved every moment. I had no idea real people could be so incredible. ”
Gavin blinked at her. “Thanks, I think.”
She put her hand on his arm. “No, I mean it. You’re amazing and I love little Austin.”
“Thanks,” he said again, this time softer.
“So me asking you to touch me for research was my awkward attempt to break the ice and get you to … Whew.” She clenched and unclenched her fists. “This ‘real people’ stuff is kind of hard sometimes.”
He gave her his full smile, and her knees almost buckled. He waited, but then prompted, “You were trying to get me to …?”
Kari drew in a steadying breath and tried one more time to give him a hint. She trailed her tongue along her lips. His dark gaze changed from wary to warm and irresistible, and it made her entire body tingle. Dang! Real people stuff was better than what she wrote. Who knew?
Gavin didn’t say anything. He slowly approached, his gaze steady on her and his lips soft and appealing. She wanted to forget about letting him be the hero and kiss her. She wanted to tackle him and kiss him then and there.
He suddenly lifted her off her feet and pinned her against the wall. She gasped in surprise and pleasure. He gave her a smoldering look and muttered, “Maybe this will give you some ‘real people’ stuff to write about.”
His lips came down on hers, firm and yet tender.
The way his lips moved and the way hers burned with unimagined bliss was so beautiful, she thought angels must be singing.
Gavin Strong knew his way around a kiss.
The passion pouring from him was incredible, and unexpected.
She’d thought he’d be this stoic, unbending hero, but his kiss was nothing like that.
He was indeed strong as he held her firmly, maneuvering her lips in an increasingly passionate pattern.
He kissed her better than any of her characters had ever been kissed, and that was saying something, as she’d written some doozies over the years.
He eventually released her lips and straightened. They were both panting for air.
Finally, Kari rasped out, “I can’t write any of that.”
“Why not?” He gazed tenderly down at her, trailing his fingers along her jaw and making her crave many, many more of those kisses.
“It was too incredible,” she murmured. “No words could ever do that kiss justice.”
Gavin’s eyes softened, but his lips turned up in a smile that had her quivering. “Well, let’s keep trying and see if any words come to mind.”
Kari pulled him in tight. “I love that plan.”
Gavin gave her his full grin and lowered his head.
The kiss this time was gentle, imploring.
When he tenderly deepened it, she sighed and felt light-headed.
Gavin smiled and then came back for more.
She knew time passed as they shared kiss after kiss, but who knew how long?
Truly, who cared? Time meant nothing when you were in the arms of Gavin Strong.
His phone buzzed, and he drew back sharply. “Austin.” His eyes looked panicked. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”
Kari nodded. She didn’t want Austin to be alone, and from what she understood, his mom couldn’t leave his dad for very long. “Sorry I kept you.”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “See you in the morning.” He grabbed his coat and rushed out the door before she could even return the parting.
He had responsibilities with Austin and his mom. She understood that, and it made him even more appealing. Yet a selfish part of her wanted to keep him close by her side.
She got ready for bed and snuggled in, replaying different moments of those incredible kisses in her head.
Rogue thoughts kept sneaking in that she didn’t want to deal with: she was leaving in the morning, and Gavin hadn’t asked her to come back.
Also for the first time she could remember, she had no desire to write.
She simply wanted to replay his kiss and keep those beautiful memories all to herself.