by Rhonda Helms
“You’ll get there,” he said with an understanding smile. “I know how it feels.”
It hit me then, why I had connected with him so quickly. Gavin had a strong sense of pride, but he didn’t let that get in the way of what needed to be done. He wasn’t dropping cash on a bunch of material things like expensive shoes or a sexy car. Money was important to him, but it wasn’t everything—just a means to an end.
He intrigued me.
We changed topics and talked for another hour. He told me a few stories about his childhood, how his sisters used to make him play dolls with them. The affection in his voice made it clear how close they were.
When we finished up our meal, we walked to the car. The ride was quiet but not uncomfortable. I found myself closing my eyes and leaning my head back on the headrest. Something about telling him the truth had taken a weight off my chest.
I needed to stop feeling ashamed and embarrassed about what had happened. I hadn’t done anything to deserve this. She’d wronged me, not the other way around.
“We’re here,” Gavin said a few minutes later then shut the car off.
The car was dark, but I could feel his gaze on me, and my skin grew tight with anticipation. My palms began to sweat; I wiped them on my skirt. I wanted to kiss Gavin right now. Wanted to lean across the seat and taste his mouth. Plunge my hands into his hair.
I couldn’t fight these feelings anymore. And I didn’t want to. Gavin flooded my senses. Intoxicated me.
I was starting to fall for the guy, as crazy as it sounded.
“I…should go in,” I said. I didn’t want to. And I knew he could hear that in my voice. My pulse picked up, and my breathing got faster.
He leaned toward me, his lips far too tantalizingly close. It would be easy to close the gap between us. “Yeah, you probably should.”
It was so hard for me to pull away, but I did. I opened the door and stepped out of the car.
Before I closed the door, Gavin said, “Anna?”
I looked over my shoulder to see his eyes hot and hungry on mine. Oh, God. “Yes?”
There was an undertone of sexiness in his voice that came out with his next words. “I love those heels.”
When I got inside, I went right to my room, kicked off my shoes and dug out my phone. Dialed. “Steven,” I said when I got his voicemail, “we need to talk. Immediately. Give me a call when you get this.”
Chapter Twelve
Early Thursday afternoon, after I got home from work, I sat on the couch, staring at my phone. My heart was so nervous it stuttered. Was I really about to do this? Dump a guy over the phone?
What other options did I have though? Not like I could hop in my car and drive to New York City or grab a last-minute flight out there. And Steven hadn’t returned my call last night, despite the urgent tone in my voice.
My gut twisted as I dialed him again. No answer, just voicemail. Shit. I hung up. Even douchier than breaking up on the phone was to do it in voicemail. I stalked over to the kitchen and grabbed a soda can out of the fridge. Popped it open and chugged. It was a bit too early to go for the hard stuff, so no liquid courage for me.
I knew if there was something wrong—if Steven had been injured somehow—that Fiona would have called me about that. In fact, she’d sent me a breezy text yesterday of her at her country club’s indoor tennis courts.
So why was Steven avoiding me? Maybe he wanted to break up with me and didn’t know how to do it?
I sank into the kitchen chair and stared at the chipped surface. How did that possibility make me feel? Sad, sure. But also…relieved.
And that told me everything. It was time to let go of this relationship. Stop feeling guilty over my attraction and do the grown-up thing. Even if it was bad to dump him in voicemail, at least I’d be putting on my big-girl panties and doing it. Unlike Steven, who was pretty much ignoring me now.
And unlike my mom, who hadn’t even tried to talk to me or my dad before she’d walked out, leaving nothing more than a friggin’ note for us.
I would own this fully, not run from it anymore.
I went back into the living room, grabbed my phone and dialed again. Voicemail.
“Steven,” I said as firmly as possible, “I’ve been trying to reach you since Sunday. You haven’t returned any of my calls or texts.” I dragged in a breath, and my stomach quivered with nervousness. “I’m truly sorry, but this relationship isn’t working for me anymore. I think we should break up. You’re a wonderful guy, and I’m really sorry to do this over the phone. But it’s the right thing, even if this wasn’t the way I’d like to handle it. We’ve been growing apart. If you get this message and want to talk, give me a call. I still care about you and want you to be happy. Um, goodbye.”
I hung up, and a twinge of bittersweet sadness filled my heart. I couldn’t help but wonder about my part in all of this. If I’d told him the truth, what would have happened? Would he have dumped me? Would he have tried to help us out?
I didn’t know. But I was certain I’d still have this deep, compelling attraction for Gavin. Something about the two of us clicked. He got me in a way no one else ever had.
Oh wow, I was free now.
I was ready to take that leap, see what could happen between the two of us. Of course, I was making a huge assumption that, now that I was single, he’d want to date me. Crap, was I reading too much into our interactions?
I chewed on my nail and fought back the anxiety threatening to overtake my brain. Gavin had called me beautiful. Those heated looks he’d thrown my way at the bar, at pizza, even at bowling hadn’t been in my head.
He was definitely attracted to me too.
That got my stomach fluttering in a whole different way.
To distract myself from these thoughts, I dialed Kyle and left him a voicemail, asking for a status on how the search for my mom was going. Then I took a quick shower to get the smell of cafeteria food and cleaners off my body and got dressed in a super-soft cashmere sweater and a flattering pair of jeans.
I put on a neutral eyeshadow, a touch of blush and mascara and slicked a kissably smooth gloss across my lips. Fluffed my hair. God, I hoped I wasn’t about to make a total idiot of myself.
Only one way to find out.
My phone buzzed. I answered—it was Kyle. “Hello?”
“Anna,” he said in his usual brusque tone. “Unfortunately, no updates yet. Thought I had a potential lead, but it wasn’t her.”
My stomach sank. “Oh. Well, I appreciate the call.”
“Something you can do to help. Can you find out exactly when your parents talked on the phone? She was at the airport, right? We can see which flights left around that time.”
“Oh. That’s a great idea. Sure, I’ll ask my dad.” The sinking feeling went away. I never would have thought of doing that—guess it was good I’d reached out to Kyle. Suddenly I felt better about hiring him.
We hung up, and I bundled up and checked the time on my phone. School should be letting out any time now. I was a nervous mess as I hopped on my bike and made my way back there. The cold air bit my face, but I didn’t care.
When I arrived, the parking lot was almost empty. I muttered a curse. Hopefully I hadn’t missed him. But I hadn’t wanted to talk to him while smelling like a food court.
I locked my bike up and made my way through the double doors and into the school. It was quiet. The walk to Gavin’s classroom was long. Anticipation hummed in my veins. I had no idea what I was going to tell him. I just prayed he’d give us a chance.
Because I wanted that so much.
I reached his door and paused for a moment, pressing a hand to my stomach. I drew in a few steadying breaths. My stupid hands were shaking like crazy.
Oh God, I hoped I wasn’t going to look like a total idiot here. If he wasn’t interested in dating, I’d leave the classroom with my head held high. Then I’d bury myself under my blankets for the rest of my life. No biggie.
I smothered a nervous l
augh and peeked through the glass pane of the door. Gavin was at his desk, hunched over and scrawling on pieces of paper.
You totally got this, I said in a frantic pep talk. Just be cool and easy. And for God’s sake, don’t blurt it out.
I rapped on the door with my knuckles, and his head darted up. When he saw me, the heat in his green eyes flared, which made my lower belly clench in response. Those eyes were going to kill me.
He waved me in, and I entered, my hands thrust into my jean pockets to keep from doing something stupid, like ripping off his shirt and licking his chest.
“Hey. I thought you were done with work already.” He paused and took in my outfit, his gaze a caress. “You changed clothes, Anna.”
My nod was wooden. I swallowed, fighting the squeeze in my lungs. “Yeah. I did.” My heart was hammering so hard I could swear he probably heard it.
Gavin stood from his desk and made his way around to me. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, the muscles flexing with his movement as he reached a hand over to stroke the sleeve of my sweater. “I love cashmere.” His tone was husky, sensual.
Another nod. “Me too.”
His eyes locked on mine, and he dropped his hand and took a step back. “What can I do for you?” Now his voice was all professional.
“I broke up with Steven,” I blurted, followed by an embarrassed, “Shit.” I closed my eyes and winced. Nice job, dumbass. Exactly the thing I hadn’t wanted to do.
The room was so quiet I could hear our mingling breaths.
“Why did you do that?” he finally asked. When I looked at him, I saw caution in his eyes.
I sucked in a breath through my mouth. Exhaled. Cast my gaze around the kindergarten classroom, with its neat rows of desks and toys and books. “Because it wasn’t the right thing for me anymore.”
He took a step toward me. His eyes grew hooded as I peered into them. “And why is that?”
Say it. “Because I met you, Gavin,” I said in a breathless rush.
He stared at me for a long, intense moment, and I couldn’t read his face. Then he walked away from me.
My hopes fell, and I sagged. Until I saw him close and lock the door to the room then drop the blinds over the door’s glass pane. When he turned around, the hunger in his eyes was so potent that it sucked the oxygen out of my lungs. I almost grew dizzy; my skin tingled in anticipation.
Gavin backed me against the freshly cleaned chalkboard, cupped the back of my head with one hand, then lowered his mouth to mine. The other hand snaked around my waist, and I was helpless to do anything but cling to his shoulders as his tongue slid along the seam of my lips.
I opened to him. Gasped when he deepened the kiss, his body pressed hard against mine. I was pinned, hardly able to breathe. Our tongues slid together, and I tasted his male flavor, tinged with a hint of mint. My panties dampened; I ground my hips against his. He was hard, prominent, and his pelvis pressed even more firmly against mine.
His hand slid from my waist to my ass, and he cupped me there with a strong grip. I couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything but taste and feel. He jerked away from my mouth and ran kisses along my jaw, down my throat.
“I want to taste you everywhere,” he said. Then he swiped his tongue under my ear.
I shuddered, dug my nails into his back. My whole body was throbbing with a painful ache for him. I licked the shell of his ear, wiggled against him, my nipples beading.
Gavin’s other hand moved from my head to the front of my waist. He stroked my upper belly in slow circles, silently asking for permission.
“Yes, please,” I panted, and his hand skated across my bare stomach before shifting up. I pressed my breast into his palm and sighed in pleasure as he squeezed and then swirled his thumb over the aching tip.
I was so hungry for him. Desperate, even. I dropped my hand to cup his length, and he groaned. His teeth bit my collarbone. The fingers at my breast slid the bra cup off and stroked my bare skin.
My panties were soaked from the hunger careening through me.
Gavin pulled back and looked me in the eyes. His eyes were dark, the green just a thin ring. His lips were swollen from our frantic kisses. “I’ve been aching to touch you since I first saw you.”
My core tightened with need. I felt him harden even more beneath my hand, and I began to stroke him through his pants. Gavin ripped off my sweater, then my bra, and his mouth closed on one aching nipple. I sighed and pressed closer to his hot mouth, his teeth nibbling, his tongue sucking.
Oh God, this was amazing.
Then I felt his fingers at the button of my jeans, and anticipation flooded my senses. His hand slipped beneath my panties and stroked my wet flesh, and he gasped and then brought his damp fingers to his mouth.
As he tasted them, he closed his eyes and sighed.
I grew heady with desire, reaching for his mouth again to capture it in another deep, soul-rending kiss. I detected the faint musk of my own flavor on his tongue. His fingers went back to my core and he flicked, stroked, teased the swollen folds until I felt my orgasm building.
I panted against his mouth, rubbed his hardness. “I’m going to come.”
“Yes, Anna, give it to me.” His voice was so sexy that, combined with those fingers, my orgasm crested, and I cried out against his jaw to smother the sound. I was flying, my body trembling from the heat enveloping me.
As the overwhelming sensation faded, Gavin withdrew his hand from my jeans, drew me into his arms and covered my cheeks with sweet kisses. My limbs were liquid in comparison to his body, which was still a tight line. I could feel the sexual need simmering off him.
I reached down to unbutton his pants, but he stilled my hand. “I couldn’t resist touching you, but I want to do the rest of this the right way,” he said softly.
I bit my lip. “I’d like to make you feel good too.”
The corners of his mouth turned up in a crooked smile. “Then let’s go on a real date. Not as friends. As more.” His eyes smoldered, and he shot me a look filled with promise. “We can see what happens then.”
I swallowed. Already I could feel my sex swelling once more from the tone of his voice. “A real date.”
He nodded. “Say yes.”
“Yes.”
His mouth took mine in another steamy kiss, our tongues stroking, fingers tangling in each other’s hair. Then he backed away and pressed one last lingering touch to my mouth. “Tonight,” he murmured as his lips brushed my chin.
I sighed with pleasure. “Yes. Tonight.” I didn’t want to wait any longer than that. I craved more of him.
“I’ll pick you up at seven. Be ready.” He paused, and his look seared me to the bone. “Oh, and wear those red heels.”
I practically floated out of school.
Chapter Thirteen
My euphoria lasted the whole ride home. Gavin had invaded every inch of my brain. That had been a tremendous orgasm he’d given me—with just his fingers, and in a classroom, of all places. Wow. His lips felt like sin, and his caresses made me want to kiss and touch him for hours. Give him the pleasure he’d given me.
It was crazy, but I didn’t care. I was falling for the guy. And tonight we’d spend time together, baring our emotions to each other now that our romantic interest was out in the open and nothing was in the way. I couldn’t wait.
Dead brown leaves crunched under my bike wheels. For a moment, I kicked my legs out to the sides and coasted. The breeze tore at my hair, chilled my cheeks, and I flew down the quiet street. My heart soared with glee.
I was…happy.
How long had it been since I’d felt this good? I had genuine hope for a real chance at happiness with Gavin. He’d kissed me like no man had ever kissed me before. Like he was drunk on my taste. And I was addicted to him too. I wanted to know everything about him. I wanted to sit up all night, learn the way he breathed when he slept. See his sleep-mussed hair and early-morning grin.
I wanted to feel him inside me, wat
ch his eyes on me as we moved together in mutual pleasure.
I couldn’t wait to talk to Natalie and Bianca about him—not that I’d tell them all the dirty details, of course. They’d probably bust my balls a bit, but I knew they’d be happy for me.
I turned down the street and my feet slowed in their pedaling as I saw a sleek red car parked in front of our duplex. I didn’t recognize the car, but unease worked its way down my spine. Was it someone from New York? My dad’s attorney maybe?
Could it be Mom?
I pulled the bike into the garage then went in the house. My pulse kicked up and roared in my ears. “Dad, are you home?” I flicked on the hallway light and plodded down the hall, peeking in the empty kitchen then the living room.
The air flew from my lungs in a surprised gasp. A massive bouquet of what looked like two dozen roses mingled with baby’s breath was parked on the scuffed coffee table. And right behind the flowers was Steven, sitting on our ugly-ass couch, his eyes wide and excited as they fixed on me.
My whole body went up in flames.
He jumped up and ran over to hug me. “Surprise!”
I froze in horror. His arms wrapped around me and he pressed kisses to my face. When he tried to kiss my lips, I gave an awkward laugh to cover my discomfort and wiggled from his embrace. I could still taste Gavin on my lips and feel the heat of his hands lingering on my body, in my most private places. Anxiety made my hands shake.
Shit. Shit. What was going on here? How had Steven found us, and why was he here?
It finally sank in that he didn’t look devastated from my voicemail.
Dad came out of his bedroom, his smile wide with excitement for me. He had on his painting clothes. “Someone came by to pay you a visit, Anna. I’m heading out to work for a couple of hours, so don’t wait on me to have dinner. You two behave now.” He shot me a wink.
Oh God. I wanted to run in my room and hide until this whole situation went away, but I managed to crack a weak, halfhearted smile at Dad. I hadn’t told him about my breakup since it had just happened. And given the look on Steven’s face right now, it seemed like some major wires had been crossed. “Bye, Dad,” I said as he left.