Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
ROSEMARIE
I woke up warm.
Not just from the cocoon of Gavin’s soft, oversized comforter, or from the heavy arm draped across my bare waist—but warm from the inside out.
His body was a furnace behind me, solid and reassuring, his breathing slow and deep against the back of my neck.
For a moment, I just let myself exist there, in that stillness.
A flicker of soreness pulsed between my thighs, a low ache that was not unbearable but memorable. I shifted slightly and winced—but then smiled.
I wasn’t a virgin anymore. And if last night was any indication of what I’d been missing, then I had been missing out on a lot.
It hadn’t been just sex. It hadn’t even been good sex.
It had been consuming—devastating and charged with years of longing neither of us had dared to name until recently.
Gavin had given me every part of himself last night: the gentle man who’d put everyone he cares about before himself, and the one who’d pinned me to his mattress while he warned me how possessive he could be in bed.
God, I’d been so nervous that my first time was going to be awkward or clinical.
Something to just get over with because it was overdue and I was twenty-seven, still holding on to something most people let go of in high school.
I thought maybe sex would end up matching the rest of my life—quiet, routine, predictable.
But Gavin … Gavin was none of those things. He was big and intense, and when he was inside me last night, whispering things that made my skin burn. I felt alive.
I turned my head slightly, just enough to glance back at him. His mouth was parted in sleep, one arm over my hip with a hand resting on my lower stomach, holding me in place like I might disappear. His hair was a dark silvery mess falling across his forehead. He looked younger like this—unburdened.
And completely unaware that what we did last night meant we really needed to face the music now. Because we would have to tell my parents soon.
My heart skipped a beat thinking about it.
Not just because of what it meant—being honest, ripping the Band-Aid off—but because this was real now.
It wasn’t just teasing glances, stolen kisses, and whatever base that night in the kitchen was.
I had sex with Gavin Miller. My dad’s best friend. A man twenty-five years older than me.
A buzzing sound vibrated through the quiet bedroom.
I blinked, confused. It wasn’t coming from the nightstand. It sounded … lower? Muted and distant, like it was somewhere on the floor or beneath the bed.
Gavin groaned behind me. “If that’s Harry calling again while his daughter’s naked in my bed …” His voice was thick and sleep-rough, and somehow still sexy. “I’m buying a damn lottery ticket.”
I laughed under my breath and slid carefully out from under the covers, wincing slightly as my legs adjusted to being vertical. Definitely sore, but definitely worth it.
I padded across the hardwood floor, goosebumps prickling my bare legs as I crouched beside the bed. Gavin’s phone was vibrating in a slow spin, skittering slightly between his boots and the clothing he’d discarded last night.
I picked it up, immediately recognizing the caller ID image and name as another close friend to the family. “Might be just as uncomfortable as a call from my dad.”
He was sitting up now, sheets pooled low on his hips. Still half-asleep, he didn’t even glance at the screen before swiping to answer.
“Hello?”
I watched his face shift—brows pulling together, lips parting slightly, shoulders tensing.
“Wait—what do you mean, arrested?”
My stomach sank.
He sat up straighter now, leaning forward and rubbing the back of his neck with the hand not holding the phone. His eyes darted to me, but he didn’t say anything yet.
“Uh huh … Drunk tank? Anyone hurt? No charges?” He exhaled through his nose. “Yeah. Thanks, Monson.”
He dropped the phone onto the comforter and let out a long sigh, staring at the ceiling like it might offer an answer.
I moved closer, climbing back onto the bed and sitting beside him. “What happened?”
“Teagan,” he muttered. “Sheriff Monson picked her up last night. Public intoxication. Said she got mouthy, picked a fight with someone. Nothing violent, just … loud. Classic Teagan.”
I didn’t say anything.
“She’s lucky. He could’ve booked her, let it go on record, but he kept her overnight and said he’d consider it a scare tactic. No charges. Just a hangover and a shitty morning.”
“Are you okay?” I asked softly.
“I’m not surprised,” he admitted, voice low. “But I’m disappointed. Again.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, like it might hide the flicker of guilt I saw flash across his expression. “She was at the bar last night. I ran into her. Literally. Like she was some stranger on the street.”
I let my fingers trail lightly across his knee. “You don’t have to carry that, you know.”
He looked at me then. Really looked. “I do. Even if I shouldn’t.”
We sat in silence for another moment before he broke it with a half-smile and a shake of his head. “Come on. Let’s shower. If I’m going to deal with my wild child today, I’d rather smell like soap and not sex.”
I smirked. “Why not both?”
He grinned as he stood, completely unbothered by his nakedness, and reached down to pull me to my feet before tossing me over his shoulder and slapping my bare ass. “Water conservation, Miss Carter. Let’s go.”
The shower was quick, functional, and only mildly sinful. Hands in each other’s hair. Lingering touches down spines and across collarbones. A kiss pressed to the curve of my neck that nearly restarted everything.
We toweled off side by side, our shoulders bumping as we reached for toothbrushes. I didn’t even notice that my travel one had been left here the night before. I liked the way it looked next to his when I finished and placed it in the cup on the counter.
We walked back into the bedroom, and that’s when I realized a slight dilemma. “I have no clothes.”
He raised an eyebrow before walking toward the closet. “I could offer you a flannel, but unless you want to go bottomless in broad daylight …”
I groaned. “So it’s either a walk of shame in the slutty green dress … or you drop me off at my apartment naked.”
“I mean, both sound fun and enjoyable to me,” he said, smirking as he stepped into the closet fully.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
I picked it up, saw Elodie’s name, and braced myself.
Elodie
The bartender’s shift ended early so we’re dancing now!!! SHES SO HOT.
Just saw the Ice Princess. She's giving me the death glare.
I hate Teagan. Haaaaaaate her.
So don’t hate me… but I think I might get arrested.
“What the hell…” I muttered, scrolling fast.
Elodie
So I DID get arrested. BUT! Monson let me hang out in his office all night eating peach rings and banana runts. He still remembers how much I love those from when I nannied for him and his husband.. Bless that man and his candy drawer.
Anyway, no rush but… can you come get me?
Also I hope your P got some of G’s D last night
I snorted and slapped a hand over my mouth.
Gavin emerged from the closet fully dressed—mostly. He was tugging one of his signature fitted black T-shirts over his head, muscles flexing as he yanked it into place. His jeans were still unbuttoned, and that little sliver of skin above his zipper caught my eye again like a dare.
“What?” he asked, suspicious.
I cleared my throat and fought the grin threatening my face. “I think I need a ride, and do you not wear underwear?”
He narrowed his eyes. “To your apartment? And sometimes.”
“Yep. And then …” I held up my phone, flashing the screen at him. “To go pick up my criminal.”
“‘G’s D,’ huh?” he said, smirking and crossing his arms.
I was going to kill Elodie for this, because right now I would definitely like a replay of ‘G’s D.’