18. Dani
Dani
The glow of the Las Vegas Strip outside the window of Gavin’s room is the only thing helping us find our way once inside. Neon light spills across the walls, casting long shadows that make the room feel like we’ve stepped into a moment that doesn’t quite belong in real life.
I pull Gavin behind me, my fingers still laced with his, but I freeze when I reach the king bed in the center of the room. I let go of his hand, suddenly needing space, but I refuse to turn around.
Doubt creeps in fast and uninvited. Is this too soon? I literally just ended things with Sam. The words echo louder and louder. And then there’s his voice in my head, warning me not to trust Gavin. Was that genuine concern… or just jealousy and possessiveness?
My chest tightens as memories surface. Gavin hurt me so badly all those years ago. I’d spent a long time convincing myself I was over it, that the past no longer had a hold on me. But standing here now, I can’t deny how deep those scars once ran. Still, we’re not the same people we were back then.
I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head, physically trying to dislodge the spiral of thoughts before it swallows me whole. I draw in a slow, steady breath, grounding myself. Whatever tomorrow brings, whatever consequences wait on the other side, I know one thing for certain. This is what I want.
Maybe not forever.
But for tonight.
I feel Gavin’s hand on my shoulder. “Dani?”
I turn and meet his gaze. Even in the dark, his blue eyes shine so bright, it lights up my entire soul. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
“We don’t have to do anything tonight. You know that, right? I will spend however long it takes for you to be ready to let me in your life like this again.”
I don’t know if it’s his promise of patience, or the fact I haven’t had sex in what feels like forever, but a sudden rush of need floods through me.
Before I can overthink it, I close the small space between us, gripping the collar of his shirt, and pull him down to me.
My mouth crashes into his, urgent and unrestrained.
His lips are soft and full. Familiar in a way that makes me feel whole again.
He responds instantly, anchoring me to him by sliding one arm around my lower back, while the other cups the side of my face.
His fingers tangle in my hair as his thumb brushes my cheek, the tenderness of it undoing me.
A quiet whimper slips from my throat before I can stop it.
Gavin parts his lips and slips his tongue into my mouth, and I welcome the invitation to get even closer. I lean into him, needing more. Every nerve in my body feels on fire. Kissing shouldn’t feel like this. So consuming, so intense.
Did it always feel this way with him?
We barely break apart as my hands move to his loosened tie.
I tug it free, letting it fall to the floor, then work open the buttons of his shirt.
The fabric opens, revealing the body I’ve caught myself thinking about since that day at the beach.
I shrug the shirt from his shoulders and pull back just enough to take him in.
Strong chest. Tight abs. That light dusting of hair that used to drive me crazy… and apparently still does. My hands glide over him, wanting to relearn every part of him. Gavin exhales sharply, the sound unsteady.
“Dani…”
“Do you want me to stop?” I tease.
He lets out a breathy laugh. “Fuck no. I just think we need to even the playing field.”
Gavin turns me around, pulling my back flush against him, and I can feel his growing erection fighting to get free.
It’s impossible to ignore, and I don’t want to.
He gathers my hair to one side of my neck and uses his mouth to find the other exposed side.
Slow kisses meet my skin, alternating between his lips and tongue.
My arm lifts on instinct, fingers curling into his hair as I tilt my head back, silently offering him more. At the same time, I feel his focus shift, his fingers working the zipper at the side of my dress.
The fabric loosens, then slips from my shoulders, pooling at my feet. I step free of it, suddenly bare except for my heels and thong. The air feels cool against my skin, and I can’t stop the shiver.
Gavin pulls away and turns me to face him. He doesn’t say a word. His expression is unreadable, his gaze intense enough to make my pulse stutter. For the first time since we walked in, I don’t know what he’s thinking.
I fold my arms over my chest and stomach, the confidence I had seconds ago evaporating. Suddenly I’m highly aware of everything—the way my skin feels exposed, the way the air seems too cool. I take a step back from him.
I’ve always been curvy, but I’m not the same woman I was the last time Gavin saw me like this.
My body has softened in places that didn’t used to exist. My breasts sit lower now because of their weight, and I have a little extra on the lower part of my stomach that I’ve learned to hide beneath high-waisted pants and careful angles.
“I should go,” I say, bending to grab my dress before he can stop me.
Confusion flickers across his face. “Why would you do that?”
I huff out a breath that sounds steadier than I feel. “Well… I’m basically naked, and you’re just standing there not saying anything. And I think I can figure out why. So—”
I don’t get to finish.
Gavin moves fast, backing me up against the nearest wall. One hand pins my wrists above my head, the other settles firmly on my hip, grounding me in place. A surprised squeak escapes my lips. He leans in until his forehead rests against mine, close enough that I can feel him practically vibrating.
“You have this completely wrong,” he says quietly. “I didn’t say anything because I couldn’t believe you were standing here in front of me. Like this.”
His hand slides from my hip, fingers tracing slowly up my side, adoring instead of rushed. “You are, and always have been, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I swallow hard. “If you haven’t noticed, things have changed physically over the last decade.” My voice is barely steady. “You don’t have to say that.”
“Dani.” He releases my arms and cups my face with both hands, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I love your curves. Then and now.” His thumb brushes my cheek. “Do you have any idea how crazy you drive me?”
I shake my head, unsure if I trust my voice.
“Well, you do.” A slow smile curves his mouth as he leans in. “So… are you going to let me do all the things I’ve been thinking about since you walked back into my life all those months ago?”
Heat pools low in my stomach. “All the things, huh?”
“Mm-hmm,” he murmurs, already dropping soft, lingering kisses along my neck.
Gavin lowers his head, trailing his lips on my chest, taking my breasts into his hands.
His palms are warm and sure, the pressure sending a rush of sensation all the way to my toes.
When his mouth closes over one of my nipples, his tongue circling with deliberate care, my head falls back and a helpless moan slips free.
“Keep doing that,” I beg.
He smiles against my skin. “I have much better things planned for you, sweetheart.” His voice is thick with promise.
“Show me.”
Gavin drops to his knees and slides the sides of my underwear down my hips. As I step out of them, I try to reach down to undo the straps of my heels.
“Don’t,” he says firmly. “I want you to keep those on for this next part.”
Oh.
He lifts my leg and settles it over his shoulder, trailing his fingers up my inner thigh. With his free hand, he returns to my chest, giving it the same attention that had me unraveling moments ago. I shiver at the contrast, my eyes falling shut as I give myself over to the sensation.
His touch drifts higher, unhurried, until a single fingertip finds exactly where I need it. He gives my clit a little flick, before moving that same finger inside me. The contact makes my breath hitch, my body answering him without restraint.
“Gavin,” I gasp.
“You’re soaked for me, sweetheart.” He grins as he pulls away.
The loss of him is immediate. My leg is still draped over his shoulder, but his hands are gone, and the absence feels almost painful. I ache for him to come back. To finish what he started.
Without thinking, my hips tilt forward, completely giving me away. The movement is desperate. My body answering for me when my mind can’t form the words.
A low chuckle slips from Gavin.
“Are you trying to tell me something, Dani?”
“I…” My thoughts scatter the moment I open my mouth. Heat rushes through me, leaving me embarrassingly undone. I try again, but nothing coherent comes out. Apparently, Gavin still has the ability to unravel me.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he murmurs, his hands returning to my hips as his attention drifts lower again to what I’ve decided is my new favorite spot.
I nod, a small sound escaping me before I can stop it.
Then he stops. Right on the edge of where I want him most. The pause is almost unbearable.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asks softly, his mouth brushing closer, testing my resolve.
“Keep… going,” I pant, my voice barely holding together.
“You mean here,” he says, flicking his tongue against my clit.
“Oh, God,” I yell, my body arching on instinct as heat powers through me. I can’t seem to stay still. Every nerve urging me closer, begging for more. He draws it out, taking his time, and the longer he waits, the more desperate I feel.
I’m aware of how exposed I am. How much he has my attention, and my control. I move with him without meaning to, chasing the feeling, needing it.
“Fuck, Dani,” Gavin breathes. “Do you realize how hot it is when you do that?”
My thoughts are scattered, reduced to plain and simple want and need. “I know you said you had other things planned,” I pant, barely recognizing my own voice, “but I’m really… really enjoying this.”
“Good. Because I want to know how you taste,” he growls.