Gavin carried her to the bed and spread her against the pillows. His lips teased the hollow of her throat kissing her with increasing urgency.
Jill moaned, her body rocking in an earthy rondo.
“Come for me,” he murmured, catching her nipples in his mouth, while his hands played her like a toccata and his tongue held her captive. He devoured her, whipping her into an inconsolable frenzy with the confidence of a virtuoso until she cried out against the succession of tiny shocks that migrated across every molecule of her body.
Then he held her, rocking in a harmonic interlude until she could catch her breath. When she calmed, he stroked her thighs, his movement as reverent as if he were playing a pastorale. “Tell me you love me.”
“I love you,” she whispered it so softly, she wondered if she'd spoken at all.
“I hope to God you do, Jillian because I love you.”
“Come here,” she invited. He didn’t hesitate. She claimed his lips and tugged at the buttons of his shirt, favoring him with a trail of kisses from his chest to his trousers. When she released the clasp of his trousers, he groaned and lifted her so that he could kiss her lips once more, kicking off his remaining clothing. “More,” she breathed.
His mouth hovered over the flat of her belly, then lower still.
Jill arched her back in euphoric ecstasy when he slid his hand between her legs, and his mouth over her, persuading her body into one rhapsodic crescendo after another, all the while whispering words of love.
In the moments that followed, he said, “There is no music without you.”
As they lay naked together, Jill stroked him until every part of his long body stretched, poised like an orchestra awaiting permission to play the opening note. “Now,” she invited.
He entered her slowly, allowing her body to close around him until she knew him once again. At first his movements were slow, bold, but she sensed his desire to increase the tempo and like a well-rehearsed duet, her body let him know she was ready. Together, they climbed the complex harmonies of major and minor chords until they achieved a canon-like effect, their bodies answering one another until the first light of dawn crept across their pillows.
****
Gavin awoke first and watched her sleep, memorizing her every curve. The sheet covered most of her body, but one shapely leg had kicked free. His hand ached to stroke it.
She loved him.
He couldn't resist brushing his fingers against the hollow of her throat. She stirred. He pressed a kiss against her ear, feeling predominantly awake.
Jill sighed, turned, and flung the sheet from her body. She murmured something in her sleep, but didn’t stir again.
Gavin propped himself on an elbow and smiled at the disheveled mass of wavy hair that spread itself all over her pillow—and his. He took in her slender arms and well-defined shoulders. His eyes slid to the deep valley between her breasts then travelled further to the curve of her hips, the flat of her belly, and once again to her legs. He would give anything to be inside her, but for now, he’d let her sleep. He closed his eyes, and was surprised to feel her hand close around him.
“You give up too easily,” she accused, her fingers eddying the head of his penis.
Within seconds, he found himself drowning in a sea of long dark tresses as she gave him a deep-throated kiss and settled herself around him like a siren who intended to ride the slow tide home.
Much, much later, they lay in the aftermath of their lovemaking, as peaceful as the fresh February snow that continued to fall outside.
“I've been thinking,” he said, watching the snow’s mesmerizing descent.
“Me, too.” She rubbed her belly. “I've been thinking I'm starving.”
He raised his best Gavin-style eyebrow. “Hungry? After all I've done to satisfy you?”
“Coffee, orange juice. And maybe some bacon.” Jill got out of bed, taking the sheet with her.
Gavin caught the edge and whipped the sheet out of her grasp. “Too late for modesty, now,” he teased.
“I was cold.” She pointed to the window. “It’s snowing.” She scrambled back into bed, taking control of the covers. “And you do seem to know how to keep me warm,” she added agreeably, taking his ready body into her mouth.
Later, he said, “It almost killed me, you know.”
Jill leaned across him to set down her coffee cup, and curled back against his chest. “What?”
“Being away from you. I couldn’t sleep at night because the sea called your name. The loneliness quite literally chased me home.”
She placed his hand over her left breast. “I’m forever grateful to that sea. Although as the years go by, I somehow think you’ll be telling a different version of the story.”
Gavin chuckled. “You mean the one that goes something like, “There I was, getting my head together and this pest of a wench sent me a text begging me to come home.”
Jill pulled away. “Wench?”
“Makes for a good story,” he said, grinning
She got out of bed and placed her hands on her hips. “You can tell that story any way you wish, but I’m pretty sure everyone will believe my version.”
His eyes crinkled when he grinned, enjoying the sight of her naked, hair tumbling in every direction. “Oh? And how will yours go?”
“You showed up at my door unannounced on Valentine’s Day, hauled me up in your arms despite the fact that I beat your chest, and yelled for rescue. In short, you kidnapped me.”
“And I suppose I plied you with diamonds.”
She grinned. “Makes for a good story.”
“Come back here.” He crooked his finger and patted the bed.
Jerking her chin, she flounced her hair and turned to walk away.
But he leaped out of bed and caught his hand in her hair, persuading her to return to the bed. “I see things much clearer when you’re here next to me.”
She sighed. “You make me sound like an ophthalmologist.”
Inching his way inside her, he chuckled. “I have a responsibility to see to the matter of you, love.”
A loud rapping at the door accompanied by the sounds of the shower awakened him. Through the door, he heard a muffled, “Room service.” Gavin pulled on his trousers, opened the door, and waited while the water rolled in an elegantly laden cart of food. He gave the waiter an insanely large tip, stripped out of his trousers, poured two glasses of juice, and walked to the bathroom to join Jill in the shower.
“You’re insatiable,” she accused, splashing water at him.
“Are you complaining?”
“Right now, I want orange juice almost as much as I want you.”
“No reason you can’t have both.” Gavin whipped open the shower curtain and handed her a small glass of freshly squeezed orange. “Maybe that will sweeten you up.”
“And eggs. I want eggs, too.”
“They’re in the warming tray on the cart. Waiting their turn.”
“Their turn?”
He took the glass from her hand and grinned. “I got here first.”
His hands grazed her belly and continued their descent, gently invading the soft folds of her body as he moved inside her amazed to realize this woman moved him even more than music.
Chapter Thirty
Jill took a bite of bacon.
Mid-crunch, he said, “Come with me to Whitesands Bay. Now. While you’re between terms.”
She set down her bacon. “Drop everything and go? Just like that?”
He grinned. “Everything but me.”
Jill wiped her mouth with her napkin and studied him. “You’re saying just up and go.”
Gavin pushed away the cart with one hand and pulled her onto his lap, kissing the corner of her mouth.
“Hey, maybe I wasn’t done with that,” she objected, stretching her fingers toward the cart.
“Is it so hard to be spontaneous with me?” he murmured into her hair.
She started to laugh.
�
��You’re laughing at my invitation?”
She shook her head but couldn’t stop laughing.
He blew out his breath. “You say no, but you are clearly laughing at me. Why?”
Still laughing, she held up her hand. “Wait.” She gave in to another round of laughter. She went in search of her phone, found it, and handed it to him.
He glanced down, frowning. “What’s this?”
Laughter bubbled up once again. “Look. Text message,” she managed.
Gavin’s eyebrows furrowed and then arched as his mouth widened with amusement. “You have an email from Delta confirming your flight to Pembrokeshire leaving tomorrow.”
She nodded, pleased to have the upper hand for once.
“You were coming to me.” He crowed. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
She waited, no idea where he was headed.
His eyes crinkled and his body relaxed as he swaggered around the room. “My story just got a whole lot better. Not only did the wench pester me with text messages, she followed me halfway around the world.”
“Technically, Wales is not halfway around the world from here,” Jill pointed out in a calm tone.
Gavin shrugged, grinning like a boy. “Makes for a good story.”
She crooked her finger.
He threw himself onto the sofa, catching her up in his arms and taking her with him.
“All I have to tell people is that you were waiting on the other side of my door with a very bad line about my shoes. They’ll know whom to believe,” she said, as she brushed the faultless cut away from his brow.
“Enough.” He gave her backside a playful pat. “Let’s get down to business. About that flight you’re taking. The first thing we’ll do is upgrade you to first class.”
“You say that like there’s a second thing.”
“Well, I either better get over there ahead of you, or get on the same plane. Because I’m sure not letting you go there without me. Do you have any idea what Welsh men are like?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Well, if they’re anything like your Uncle Raleighand what do you mean, you’re not letting me?” Her body stilled. She flattened her palms against his chest and pushed away.
His hands tangled in her hair. “Don’t argue with me, love. You’re not getting away from me again.”
Jill bit her lip. “Wait, we’re forgetting something.”
“What?”
“Olivia.”
He frowned. “What about Olivia?”
“She shouldn’t be without you, Gavin.”
“Liv is fine,” he said, capturing her hands.
Jill shook her head. “No, Gavin. You can’t leave her alone right now.”
He gazed down at her. “Don’t do this, Jillian. Don’t make this into a problem.”
“But” She struggled to sit up.
Gavin cut her off. “You haven’t seen her in four weeks. You can’t know whether she can handle being without me.”
“No, and I’ll grant you that there’s a possibility that”
He leaned over and kissed her. “Have we learned nothing?”
“Well, I was granting the possibility that”
He kissed her again. “Nothing?”
“But she”
“The truth is, Liv’s a little tired of me, if you can believe that.” He grinned. “But when I go home and explain that you and I are going away for ten days”
Jill’s eyes widened. “Ten days?”
“—because you’re on winter break for the next month—ten days will go by in a flash—and that her grandmere and grandpop will be with her every moment. If she’s not okay with our taking some time away, you have my word that I’ll drop the entire thing—for now.”
“Yes, but you don’t know” Jill snapped her mouth shut so hard, her teeth hurt.
He circled an arm around her and placed a finger on her lips. “Thank you. And for the record, I know my daughter.”
****
Late that night, Gavin called. “She was gleeful.” His voice resonated through the phone.
Jill emptied tea leaves into the trash and rinsed her cup. “She wasn’t.”
“She was. I’m feeling a little rejected.”
“Gleeful?”
“Could we focus on me for a moment? What will you do to console me?”
Jill hung up the phone, chuckling and went into the bedroom to pack, knowing sleep would be elusive.
Just after midnight, she sent Gavin a text.
Are you asleep?
No. Can’t sleep.
Me either. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Airport @ 9 AM. Don’t be late.
****
Jill awoke with a start, horrified to see the clock blinking eight-thirty-two. She’d slept through her alarm. She flew around tossing a few personal articles into her make-up case, stuffed it into her carry-on, and ran a quick brush through her hair. Thank goodness, she’d done most of her packing the night before. She called for a cab.
“Sorry, Miss,” the dispatcher told her. “We’re running long today. It’ll be at least a forty-minute wait but if you can get to a taxi stand you might have better luck.”
The nearest taxi stand was about three blocks away. Panicked, she burst out the door straight into the arms of Baines.
“Baines.”
“Good morning, Dr. Cole. If you’ll be good enough to come with me, please.”
Thank God. Baines would find a way to get her there in time.
But Baines drove in the opposite direction of the airport, his accent tightly clipped. “The maestro’s been trying to reach you since before five this morning.”
“Is something wrong?” Jill groaned, remembering that she’d put her phone on vibrate for the gala and had never turned the ring tone back on.
“That is for him to say. You’ll find caramel rolls and a decaf double tall, non-fat, extra-dry cappuccino with an extra shot of non-fat in the warmer.”
“He’s not at the airport waiting?”
“Our destination is Shadow Hills.”
Never an easy one to read, she could have sworn she detected a hint of twinkle in the butler’s eyes. Jill dug out her phone and called Gavin. “You have some explaining to do. Why am I on my way to Shadow Hills instead of the airport?”
“I have some explaining to do? Why aren’t you at the airport? You would’ve missed the flight.” His voice vibrated with exuberance. “Now, I have to warn you. At first, you’re not going to like any of this.”
“Like what?”
“Never mind what. Just know you won’t like it at first. So, I want you to promise me that no matter what, you’ll trust me and not interrupt until I’m done showing you my surprise.”
A niggle of worry gnawed the pit of her stomach. She eyed the back of Baines’ head but as usual, the man appeared relentlessly remote. She’d get nothing out of him. “You have a surprise for me?” The question eased out smoothly enough. Likely he wouldn’t notice just how much she hoped whatever he was up to wouldn’t upset the new and rather tenuous balance they’d worked so hard to achieve.
“Oh, baby, do I ever. And, after my surprise, there are one or two things I want to talk over with you.”
“Is your surprise better than a trip to the U.K.? Because if not, I have one or two things to talk over with you, too.”
He laughed. “You talk pretty tough for someone who would have missed our flight.”
“How do you know? You’re an hour away in Shadow Hills.” Her gaze locked with Baines’ and narrowed.
“True, but I’ve had Baines camped outside your door since six-thirty this morning. I told him to let you sleep in, since we weren’t going to the airport. But if we had been, I would’ve had Baines pound on your door or break it down, if necessary”
“You are a brute.” She couldn’t help the smile spreading her lips.
“I thought I was all ‘piratey’.”
She chuckled.
“Yo
ur favorite coffee, caramel rolls, a swanky ride—yes, I am the very definition of brutish. But seriously, I’ve been up since three—hurry up and get here.”
“Which explains your lack of coherence. Experts will tell you seven-to-nine hours of sleep are essential to meet”
“And I’ve known since three that we weren’t getting on that flight.”
“your basal sleep need for optimal performance”
“And since you weren’t answering your phone”
“and maintain a coherent state”
“the only option left to me was to send Baines.”
“Who’s apparently been sworn to silence. I barely got a ‘good morning’ out of him.” She winked at Baines in the rear view mirror.
Gavin swung her out of the Bentley almost before they’d come to a complete stop and half-dragged her through the front door and down the hall. They stopped just outside the closed door of the music hall. He studied her intently. “Remember. You promised.”
Mesmerized by the fire in his eyes and the energy of his spirit, she agreed. “I’ll remember.”
“You’ll want to object,” he warned.
“Are you trying to talk me out of this,” she asked, wondering if she had been unwise to make such an uninformed promise.
“Just tell me one more time that you will see this through.”
“I promise I will see this through.”
He smiled and bent to brush her lips. “That's good enough for me.”
Gavin threw open the door and called out, “Liv, sweetheart, look who's here.”
Olivia's head jerked up and her face creased into smiles. “Dr. Jill.” She jumped off the piano bench and ran over to give Jill a hug.
Conflicting emotions warred for Jill’s attention. What was Olivia doing at the piano? Oh, how good it felt to see the little girl happy and openly affectionate. Jill couldn’t help it. She gave in to the warmth of Olivia’s eager hug.
“Okay, darling, it's time. Do what you've been doing. You understand?”
Olivia nodded and returned to the baby grand.
Oh no. Jill’s heart lurched and her stomach knotted. No matter what she’d promised Gavin, from an emotional standpoint she didn’t know if she could sit through another one of Olivia's musical disasters. As a scientist, she couldn’t imagine what he hoped to show her. She had to stop this. At some point he had to understand that to put Olivia through repeated disasters of this nature was synonymous with abuse. She half rose, certain she needed to stop what surely would happen next, before everything became so badly derailed there would be no setting things right. But seeing the way Gavin looked at Olivia stopped her in her tracks.
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