ALittleTasteofHome

by AliyahBurke

  “Because, Gavin!” she yelled after him and tears sprung to her eyes as she saw him stop with one foot on the bottom step, “Because.”

  “I told you that wasn’t good enough.” He broke in.

  “I want you here . . . I want you here because,” she began to walk towards him, “because . . . I . . . I. . .” Sanura stopped about ten feet from him and while he still faced up the steps with one hand gripping the rail, he had not continued on.

  “Why, Sanura?” His voice was defeated. Sad. Beaten.

  “Because I love you.” Her words were quiet and the surf almost drowned them out but she knew he heard them.

  “Like you said, those are just words.” He took a step up.

  “Damn you. I love you. I love you, Gavin Montgomery Rawlins. Even with your crazy ass mother I still love you. I have for the longest time. I’m sorry, so sorry it took me so long to say it to you.” Her own voice sounded crushed.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gavin stopped as her words poured over him. He turned back around and found her walking off. Back down the beach. Away from him.

  It took him less than ten steps to grab her up in his arms. He turned her to him and tipped up her chin. “Was that so hard to say to me?” Her eyes had tears in them and he wiped them away.

  “No.”

  “I love you, too.” His mouth found hers and bound their souls together forever. “I am never letting you go.”

  “You may well change your mind when I tell you some things about me,” was all she got out before her body was lowered to the sand.

  “No words out of your mouth unless it pertains to this,” he said, then sucked on her tongue.

  The sand was warm and she arched her body closer to his. Their clothes were gone in seconds as his hands burned her skin. Gavin spread her legs and sheathed himself within her pussy in one stroke. Her legs wrapped around his hips and pulled him in as deep as he could go. His hands grabbed her hips and he began to pound into her. Her hips met his, motion for motion, and her whimpers grew to screams.

  He couldn’t get deep enough and so he slid her legs over his shoulders and slammed into her faster. She locked her fingers around his wrists and screamed her passion into the night sky. Gavin could feel her internal muscles begin to clench and he moved faster. Something primitive and primal had taken over him.

  With a loud shout he drew back for one last plunge and drove himself as deep as he could before he released his seed deep within her. Energy spent, he collapsed on her. He rolled her over and put her body on top of his as they lay in the sand. As they lay together his hands idly stroked her back. Their hearts pounded the same rhythm.

  “I love you.” Gavin twined some of her hair in his fingers.

  “I love you too.”

  “Does this mean we get to spend the whole night together?”

  “If you want.”

  “Oh, I want.” He lifted her and slid her back down onto his pulsing member. “I want this.”

  “What about protection?”

  “Do you want to stop?” He flexed his hips and pushed himself deep within her willing body.

  “Not on your life.”

  They made love two more times on the beach under the moon. It was past midnight when they finally made it up to the house, where she gave him a tour.

  “Is this where you were when I called you and you told some guy to meet you in the back bedroom?”

  “Yep.” She was in clean clothes, as was he, and they had been cleaned of the sand that was in places they didn’t wish to think about.

  “Gonna tell me who he was?”

  “Mike. Thought you knew that.”

  “Mike, Tati’s husband Mike?”

  “Uh huh. He’s a Realtor.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. And I’m beginning to think this whole thing is because of Allison. I think she set me up to meet you. When I got back that day all she could do was ask me what I thought about you.”

  “Remind me to send her a thank-you present.”

  Sanura snuggled against his chest and asked, “Where do we go from here?”

  “Well, I would say the altar, but I think I would scare you. I don’t want to be away from you more than I have to.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “Want a houseguest? A permanent houseguest?”

  She rolled over on his chest, propped her chin on her hands and looked him in the eyes. “You want to move in with me?”

  “Yes.” He was apprehensive as he waited for her response. “I will help out with the bills and everything. Except cook. That would embarrass me.”

  “Do you think it will work?”

  “Do you love me?”

  “Yes.” No hesitation at all.

  “Then I do think it will work. Do you?”

  “I do.”

  He grinned at her. “Remember those words, kitten. I plan on hearing them from you soon.”

  “I don’t know, Gavin. Maybe we should wait on moving in together for a bit.” His body tensed under hers. “I mean, I just got this place. I’m busy with work, as are you, plus I have that new thing working with Harris. Maybe we should wait until things slow down a little.”

  “All right. I can give you that. This is your dream home, and it is only right that you have some time alone in it. Does that mean I am not welcome?”

  “You are welcome anytime. I’ll even give you a key.”

  “Good. Can we go try out your bed now?”

  “Absolutely.” They walked down the hall and soon the house was filled with sounds of pleasure.

  * * * *

  Fall had come to the south. Gavin had pretty much moved all his clothes into Sanura’s house and was helping with the bills, but he still kept his apartment. His days were busy with work and his nights were full of love, passion and the woman of his dreams.

  One day he and Clint went to the diner for lunch. Tati was at the front and she smiled when she saw him. “Good afternoon, Gavin. Clint. Want your usual booth?”

  “Is my woman here, Tati?”

  “No. She won’t be in at all today.”

  As they took their seats he asked, “Where is she?”

  “With Trav and Jake. Didn’t she tell you?”

  “No, she must have forgotten to mention that.” Tati left to get their food and Gavin dialed her cell under the watchful gaze of Clint.

  “Mac’s phone,” a male voice answered.

  “Who the hell is this?” Gavin snapped into the receiver.

  “Who ’dis?” The voice barked back immediately, full of attitude.

  “Where is Sanura?” Gavin heard loud machinery and laughter in the background.

  “Ohh, Sanura. You must be the new man. What’s your name, you don’t sound like Terrance. You shackin’ up with my woman?” the voice taunted.

  “Put her on the phone now,” Gavin growled as his body grew rigid with fury. New man?

  “Can’t, she be busy. She’s busy ridin’ something big and hard. I’ll give her a message for ya. Tell me, what do you think of the tattoo on her luscious breast?”

  Rage filled him as he tried to control himself. “Let me talk to her now.”

  The voice burst out laughing. “I done told ya, she be busy. Who you? I’ll tell her you called. What’s your name?”

  “Tell her Gavin called.” His words were clipped.

  “Ohh, Gavin.” Another round of laughter before the phone was shut off in his ear.

  He slapped his phone down on the table and looked directly into Clint’s amused gaze. “Don’t say a word,” came the low warning.

  They ate lunch with Gavin still steamed. They had finished when his phone rang. It was Sanura.

  “What’s up?” she asked when he growled hello.

  “Where the hell are you? And who are you letting answer your phone?” He heard men’s voices in the background.

  “That was Trav you spoke to. Why? I’m helping with hay.” From the background he heard male laughter
and little phrases like, “Take it off, girl” and “Give it to me again, Mac.”

  “What is going on there?”

  “Nothing. We are heading back to the barn. Where are you?”

  “Just going back to work. Came looking for you at the restaurant today.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me where you would be?”

  “Do you want the itinerary for my life?”

  “Yes,” he growled.

  He heard a screech and same mocking voice came back on. “What you want with my woman, man?”

  Gavin heard a grunt and Sanura snapped, “Shut up, Trav. Gimme back my phone.” Then she was back on the other end. “Look, I gotta go. See you this evening?”

  “I’m leaving tonight.”

  “Where you going?”

  “Back out to San Diego.”

  “Oh, I see. Well, have a safe trip.” In the back came, “I’ll take real good care of her for ya, Gavin.”

  “Right. Bye then.”

  “Bye.” She ended the connection and left him feeling alone.

  * * * *

  Gavin sat alone in the bar of the hotel. He sipped his drink and wished he could be anywhere but here. His mind flashed back to the conversation he had with Sanura. She did say that she was one of the guys. He touched the small box in his pocket. Would there ever be the right time for it?

  The musicians began to play some music and he half listened as he wondered what Sanura was doing right now. The music changed from a light jazz to the beginning strings of country. He recognized the song. It was one from Lonestar. Let’s Be Us Again.

  His eyes stayed downcast on the table as he felt someone touch his arm. He looked up into the eyes of Cathy. She wore a revealing dress, and if he had been attracted to her he would have gone with her in a second.

  “What are you doing here, Cathy?”

  “I missed you. Can you honestly tell me you want her over me?”

  “Yes.” A voice began to sing the words to the song and it stopped his heart. He knew that voice. Gavin focused his eyes on the stage and there she stood. Sanura.

  She wore a black evening gown. Strapless with a slit in the side for her leg to peek through. Her hair was loose around her face and shoulders, giving her an air of intrigue and mystery. He knew she was focused on him, for her eyes held his as the words poured forth from her mouth. The spotlight was on her and followed her through the tables as her supple body drew nearer to his.

  One green eye was visible and there was promise in its depths. His drink and Cathy were forgotten as slender, dark honey-colored fingers reached out to stroke the side of his face. Just the slightest touch from her and he was ready to follow her wherever she wanted to lead. That simple contact was all he got before she turned and walked back through the crowd, entwining herself in each man there with the strength of her voice as the song ended.

  The moment the last tones of her voice faded from the air, Gavin was out of his chair and moving up the stage steps. In front of the entire room, hotel, bar and anyone else who was watching, he claimed the lips of his woman. His love. His life.

  Completely uncaring about the cheering room, Gavin dropped to one knee before her. He pulled out the box that had been in his pocket and opened it so she could see it. Inside the black velvet box lay a large solitaire diamond ring with a titanium band. His words were soft but sure, they echoed throughout the entire room as it had fallen silent the second he dropped to his knee.

  “Sanura. Your beauty, your compassion, your love for others has made me realize how to be a better man. If I were to search for the rest of my life, I would never be able to find a woman that would impact me the way you have. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. I want to see my children growing within you. I want to grow old with you. You are my sun, my moon, my stars, and the very breath I need to survive. Sanura Eryn McKie, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Every person there held their breath. People had crammed the doorways and were waiting on pins and needles for her to answer. Gavin never looked away from her jeweled eyes. He stayed on his knee as the tears formed behind them and began to fall. He didn’t move as she tried to blink them away.

  Her voice trembled as she answered him. “Yes. Yes. I will marry you.”

  He took the ring out of the sable box and slid it onto her waiting finger. With a kiss on the ring and finger, the box fell forgotten to the floor as he rose with one smooth motion and had her completely encircled in his arms. When their lips met the room erupted in cheers, with one exception. Cathy screamed out her denial and was removed from the room by some hotel security.

  “I love you, Sanura,” he sighed against her splendid mouth.

  “And I you, Gavin.”

  Not wanting to let go of her for a second, Gavin bent and swept her up in his arms. Held her tight against his upper body. He walked off the stage and out to the elevator that took him up to his penthouse suite. Never once did he let her down. Her arms wound about his neck and their lips stayed pressed together for most of the ride. Couples smiled as they saw them.

  * * * *

  Once inside the suite, Gavin set her down and cupped her face in his hands. His eyes glowed with love and it warmed her heart. Mama Mona, when you get a chance thank the Lord for me, for this man.

  “What are you doing out here?” His thumbs caressed her lips.

  “Came to see you. I called Harris and asked him where you were staying at. Figured I owed you an explanation for what Trav pulled on you today.”

  “That the only reason? What were you riding that was big and hard?” His tone totally told her how much he had disliked that statement.

  She laughed. “No. I didn’t want to be without you. Is that why you were in such a snit when I called you back? I had no idea what Trav said to you. I was driving a tractor.” The amusement left her voice. “Why was Cathy at your table?”

  “She was up to her old tricks. That crap about us being a couple and stuff.”

  “Was the ring for her?” The question was direct and straightforward, totally Sanura.

  “Not on your life. I bought it for you earlier today. I was trying to find a way to convince you to marry me when I got back to you.”

  “So what now?”

  A gentle smile curved his perfect mouth. “Now we get married. Tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Tonight. I’m not taking the chance of you backing out on me now, kitten.” A kiss that rocked her soul stopped her words for a while.

  A knock on the door moved them apart. When Gavin opened it, he came face to face with a wild-eyed Cathy.

  “You can’t marry her. Do you know what she is?”

  “Cathy, what is going on with you? I love her and I am marrying her. Nothing you say will change my mind.”

  “Really?” She cut evil eyes over to where Sanura stood. There were members of the press behind her capturing this on film.

  “Really. Now go away and leave us alone.”

  Before he could close the door, Cathy yelled, “She is a fucking felon! Did you know that? You’re marrying a criminal.”

  Sanura felt the room spinning around. Her world was at an end. Nausea rose and she felt so sick. Tears began to stream down her face as she realized this was where she could very well lose Gavin.

  “Is that true?” The questions from the reporters came relentlessly as light bulbs flashed. “Is she trying to scam you out of your money? Why would the wealthy bachelor, Gavin Rawlins, marry a criminal?”

  Flames of resentment flared to life in Gavin’s eyes. They began to burn with an unholy light, causing everyone to take a step back. Sanura didn’t know what to make of it.

  “Listen to me. All of you, for I am only going to say this once.” His words fell like chips of ice. “I know all about her past, about her conviction, and I fully believe she was set up. I don’t care what you print, but know this, I love this woman and will protect her with everything a
t my disposal.”

  “As will I,” came the strong voice of his mother as she shoved her way through the group to stand by her son’s side. “Sanura is part of my family now. She is to be my daughter-in-law and to slander her is to slander me. Now, if you would all be so kind as to get the hell out of here so we can conduct our wedding ceremony, I would appreciate it.”

  The small woman waved two other people through—one was a minister and the other was Sanura’s father. Once they entered the room the door was slammed none too gently in the faces of the press.

  * * * *

  Gavin turned and Sanura asked him through the tears, “You knew?”

  “For a long time now, kitten. Bryce told me about it as well.”

  “You don’t care?” She was hugging herself with bared arms, trying to contain her shivers. She didn’t even want her father to hold her, she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.

  “I care you were falsely accused. I care about the pain this has caused you. Other than that, no I don’t. That has no bearing on the woman you are to me. I love you, Sanura. Always have and I always will.”

  She launched herself at him and he held her close until a throat clearing moved them apart. “Perhaps we should get this ceremony over with. I don’t think they are going to be waiting much longer,” Sanura’s father said.

  So with their remaining parents as witnesses, Sanura and Gavin were married in their hotel room. When the minister asked for the ring, Gavin’s mother handed him a band with emeralds inlayed in the titanium band. Then she presented Sanura with a plain band of titanium.

  With strong words they recited vows to each other. When the minister came to the part about obeying Sanura had to laugh and so did everyone else. She was waiting for the words, “You may kiss the bride.”

  When they came, he did. Slid his tongue deeply within her willing mouth. His large hands moved to the small of her back, pressing her body closer to his. The feel of his hands on her skin and her satin dress enflamed her body.

  She barely heard the congratulations coming from the others in the room. They were pulled apart as they got hugs from both parents and the minister. “Welcome to the family,” Gwendolyn whispered to Sanura as she hugged her newly acquired daughter-in-law.