by Jeannie Moon
He could feel the chill in the air before he even stepped outside. It was a typical spring morning in the mountains. Not quite freezing, the air would warm as the day went on. It was almost May, and it looked like the bride and groom would get terrific weather for their wedding.
In the crisp morning, delicious aromas from the lodge carried on the air, and Gavin’s stomach really started to yell when he smelled breakfast. He couldn’t wait anymore. It was time to grab Ally and head to the lodge. They had a long day ahead and both of them needed to eat.
Poking his head into the bedroom, he didn’t think he’d ever seen a prettier woman in the morning. Ally was sitting up in bed, covers to her waist, going over her planner. The room was bathed in morning sunlight, and the entire space glowed from it. All he could see she was wearing was a soft pink T-shirt which outlined every curve, and her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. She wore no makeup, and a pair of glasses were perched on her nose. Every nerve ending fired when he looked at her.
Something must have broken her concentration, because she looked up, flashing a brilliant smile when she saw him. “Morning. How did you sleep?”
“It could have been better,” he said entering the room. “How about you?”
“Okay. I never sleep well in strange beds.”
If he hadn’t been an idiot about sharing the bed, they both might have slept better. “Do you want to get some breakfast?”
“Sure. I showered last night, so why don’t you use the bathroom while I get dressed.”
If she was bothered about their conversation yesterday, she didn’t show it, but Ally was always good at hiding her feelings. A problem, in his mind. She shouldn’t have to hide that big heart from anyone. Especially him.
“Okay. Let me get my clothes.”
Ally tossed back the covers and he saw her T-shirt was the only thing she was wearing. It hit at mid-thigh, showing off her long, shapely legs. Gavin wondered what the hell was wrong with him that he hadn’t slept with this woman. Why hadn’t he chased her down years ago, and struggled to make things work?
She stood and stretched her arms over her head, causing her T-shirt to ride up, stopping just before the Promised Land. Ally was either oblivious to him, or she was torturing him deliberately. Either way he was in trouble.
And his dick got hard the minute she stepped into his space.
“Are you all right?” she wondered. “You look, I don’t know, annoyed.”
“I’m not annoyed.”
“No?” She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “Okay. Go get ready. Now that you mentioned breakfast, I’m hungry.”
“Right.” Grabbing his underwear and jeans, he headed into the shower. It was going to be a cold one.
Ally heard the shower go off and thought about Gavin, dripping wet just beyond the door. Her body responded just thinking about him. Last night before they went to sleep, she’d seen him with his shirt off, top button of his jeans popped, muscles defined... she could barely breathe. He was gorgeous, and sadly, her mother wasn’t wrong. She really needed to get laid.
That the only person she wanted to be with wasn’t sure he wanted her was a problem. Looking around the dresser, she couldn’t find her mascara, and remembered she’d left it on the bathroom counter.
Oh, darn.
Wearing nothing but a pretty, lacy, button down tunic shirt over her lingerie, she knocked on the door. Who needed jeans? They were just friends.
“Gavin, are you decent?”
“Yeah, kind of.” Opening the door, he stood there with a towel wrapped around his waist and his face covered in shaving cream. There was a strip of dark hair running from the center of his chest, over his belly and into the towel. How she wasn’t throwing herself at him, she didn’t know. Gavin was more man that Lars had ever been.
“Sorry, but the light’s better in here and I have to do my makeup. Do you mind?”
He looked her up and down, stopping right where her tunic brushed against her thighs. “No pants?”
“Not yet. Is that a problem?”
“No,” he said while stepping back to let her in. “No problem.”
Ally grinned as she went by, happy that it was clearly a problem. Standing beside each other, he shaved as she did her makeup.
Looks passed between them in the mirror. Flirty glances. Grins. Some grumbles from him here and there. Annoying him had never been so much fun.
“That looks like a lot of work,” he growled. “All the paint.”
“It’s not really. I mean, I don’t wear much and I’m used to it, so it doesn’t take very long.”
He nodded, drawing the blade slowly around his chin. Ally had always wondered why her mother liked to watch her father shave, and now as she kept a close eye on Gavin, she understood. There was something very sexy about it. Slow. Steady. Masculine.
When he’d finished, Gavin’s eyes locked with hers as he grabbed a towel and wiped the little remnants of shaving cream off his face. At the same time, Ally pulled out her pony tail and started fluffing her curls.
Surprised, Ally froze when he reached out and took a wavy strand between his fingers and wound it up.
“It’s beautiful,” he said.
Ally’s heart was thumping in her chest, staring at Gavin while he examined her hair. “Thank you. I’ve learned to accept it for what it is.”
“You’re beautiful. All of you.”
She couldn’t help herself; Ally reached out and touched his freshly shaved cheek. His eyes drifted shut as he took her hand, dropping soft kisses on all her knuckles. Then, Gavin opened his eyes, and in them she saw her deepest feelings. Her most secret desires.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?” His large hands were cradling her face now, gentle and strong. Hers. He was hers.
Nodding, she reached between them and undid his towel, letting it fall to the floor.
He was a work of art. Muscular without being bulky. But it was the man inside with whom she had fallen in love. Being able to admit that to herself, even if she couldn’t admit it to him, was a milestone of sorts. If she’d faced it when she was eighteen, trusted in him, they might never have been apart.
He’d been working the buttons on her shirt with his big hands, watching it fall open a little at a time. Once he was done, he pushed it off her shoulders, letting it fall into a puddle next to his towel on the floor.
Hoping they might get here, Ally had put on her prettiest bra and thong. Not taking his eyes off hers, Gavin’s fingers brushed over the swell of her breasts, grazed her ribs, and skimmed across her belly. He touched her gently, thoughtfully.
“You’re perfect, Ally. But do we really want to do this?”
“Let’s not think about anything but today. We’ll deal with whatever comes when we get home. But let’s accept that there’s some kind of magic going on here, Gavin. We’ve always had magic.”
“I know.” In one motion, Gavin lifted her into the safety of his arms, kissing her while he carried her to the warmth of the big bed. A bed they would finally share.
Wasting no time, because they’d done too much of that already, he undid the front clasp on her bra and pushed it aside. The cool air hitting her nipples made them pebble and peak. He smiled and nipped the sensitive tip, making her arch.
“Ah, that’s how it is?” He smiled down at her, so handsome her heart was skipping beats. “This is going to be fun.”
“Fun?” Ally had had her share of great sex. It was pleasurable, and provided release. But she’d never had fun in bed. Maybe that was part of the problem.
“Uh huh. And you remember that screaming my name thing from yesterday? Get yourself ready.”
His hands were sliding over her hips, tugging down her thong. She could only imagine what he had in mind. Gavin hovered over her, fully erect, and Ally had a little bit of anxiety thinking about everything this represented. Sex would change everything between them.
“Quiet your mind, Ally. We�
�ll be okay.”
“We will?”
“Yes.” His mouth came down over hers, taking her away in a kiss that was gentle, sweet, possessive. She cherished the way he made her feel protected. Loved. She tasted his essence, strong and kind.
And as his lips and tongue moved over her body, nipping at her neck and shoulders, teasing her breasts, sucking each until she felt an ache low in her belly, she whispered, “Oh, God...”
He didn’t stop, shackling her hands above her head. “You’re so beautiful, Ally, and I’m going to have you every way I can.”
“Mmm. I sure hope so.”
Kissing her belly, Gavin worked his way down, reveling in the smooth skin and sweet smell. They shouldn’t be doing this, but nothing mattered more than making her happy. And if he got her to scream his name in the process, that was a win.
But Ally seemed to have another idea, as she scooted out from under him, kneeling and waiting for him. She looked like a goddess with her full breasts, gorgeous curves, and long hair curling down to her waist. There was magic between them all right, and it was all her.
Staring at her, he had no idea what she was up to. “Ally, get back here.”
“Hmmm. Make me.”
It wasn’t hard. His hand shot around her, and coming down flat on her back, he hauled her back to him. “Now, I have something I have to do.”
“Gavin. Come on. Please.”
Separating her legs with his hands, Gavin looked up into Ally’s face. She was sitting against the headboard, a combination of apprehensive and eager, and she could see exactly what he was doing. Gavin had every intention of blowing her mind. He didn’t go in with his mouth, but with his fingers. He stroked and teased, watching her body respond.
She was warm and wet, and his finger had no trouble slipping inside her. The penetration surprised her, but the little turn of her lips let him know she was just fine.
Taking advantage, a second finger went in and he worked them, teasing her unfairly. Her hips moved slowly in a steady rhythm, allowing, and when Gavin withdrew his hand, he pressed her knees apart and started assaulting her with his mouth.
He licked her warm folds, sucked her, nibbled, and teased, but no how much she begged and cried out, he kept it up. She was amazing. “Oh, Gavin!”
Gavin’s dick was so hard he thought he might explode. Moving back up her body, the tip teased her, and with each drop of wetness, he was closer to being very embarrassed.
Her hands came down and gripped his hips, bringing him closer. They were both on the edge, and the thought of coming with her wrapped around him proved to be the breaking point. Gavin started to enter her.
“I need you inside me,” she begged.
He pushed deeper, seating himself a little at a time. She was tight and wet, but considering the blissful smile on her face and the mischief in her eyes, Ally was doing just fine.
“God,” she cried out. “More, Gavin.”
“I could hurt you.”
“You won’t...” Ally stroked his face with such tenderness. “I know you won’t.”
With her legs wrapped around him, her hips thrusting so hard, he couldn’t hold back. Finally, Gavin drove into her, making love to the amazing woman he was destined to be with.
“Ally.” She consumed him, body and soul. Made his mind cloud and his heart feel full. There was a primal need overwhelming him, basic and proprietary. Ally was his woman. His match. His mate.
Moving, they instantly caught the other’s rhythm, their bodies in perfect sync. Fearing he might crush her, Gavin slipped his hands under her back and rolled them, so she was on top. Ally lifted her head and smiled.
“Smooth move, Clark,” she teased.
“I got a million of ’em.”
It was Ally’s turn to take control. Straddling him, she started to move. Gavin gripped her hips to steady her as she caught a wave of sensation and brought them both to the edge. Her face was content, beautiful, and her body was lush, soft, warm... a woman’s body. The body of a woman who could be the mother of his children. A woman he wanted to grow old with.
The fever between them built, with Ally moving harder and faster, her eyes closed, her head thrown back from the sensations. Gavin felt the tightness in his groin, the wave as nerve endings fired. He was trying to hold on until she came...
And then she did. Crying out, arching, Gavin finally let go, emptying himself in her. She contracted around him, milking him. Her body, her heart, her soul owned him.
Ally collapsed on his chest, their bodies sticking together, out of breath and shuddering with aftershocks.
“Christ,” was the only thing he was able to utter.
“Mmmm.” She was purring like a kitten. “That was amazing. You’re amazing.”
“Jesus, we’re really good together.” Knowing that now was going to make parting even more difficult. But there was something else on his mind as he thought about cleaning up. “I didn’t use anything,” he said quietly.
Eyes wide, she stared at him. “Damn.”
“I mean, I’m sure it’s fine. You’re on the pill, aren’t you?”
Rolling off of him, Ally laid next to him on the bed. “I’ve been off for about six months. Wanted to give my body a break.”
“Ah. Okay.” He paused. She could be... “We should be fine, right?”
“You’re the doctor. You tell me.”
Ally rose, heading straight to the bathroom, and if he didn’t know her better he would have sworn she slammed the door.
No, she did slam the door.
That made perfect sense. Have mind-blowing sex. Get pissed off.
“Ally?” No answer. “Ally? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Nothing. That was right up there with fine.
“Baby, toss me a towel, okay?”
A minute went by when she finally opened the door. As she stormed by, makeup reapplied, hair fixed, she threw a towel right in his face. When she went for her bra and panties, Gavin grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into bed.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
She struggled as he pinned her to the mattress. “You have no right to do this to me. Let me up!”
“Not until you tell me what’s set you off.”
She turned her head to the side, angry and proud. He couldn’t resist kissing her long, lovely neck. “Tell me.”
“No.” Her voice came out on a breath.
“I can’t apologize and mean it if you don’t tell me.” He kept kissing her, moving to her collarbone. “Please tell me.”
Trailing his lips in a line down her chest, Gavin traveled between her breasts while he laced his fingers with hers. She wasn’t struggling anymore. Instead, her body was moving under the attention he was giving her, inviting him back into her warmth.
“I wouldn’t try to trap you,” she said so softly he could barely hear.
“Oh, Ally. I know that. If anything happens, we’re in this together.”
Freeing her hands, Ally brought her fingers to his cheeks and guided his mouth to hers. This kiss was sweet, loving, beautiful. It was the kiss a future was built upon. Feeling her legs wrap around his waist, Gavin slipped inside her.
There was nothing frantic or urgent about coming together this time, this was him making love to his best friend. The girl—the woman—who had the power to change his life.
Chapter Nine
“So who are the bride and groom?” Gavin asked.
Ally tilted her head to far side of the dining room, where a round table was filled with all her friends from Seattle. “Cindy and Rajiv. They’re in the corner. Cindy is a nurse practitioner and Raj is a software developer. They’re really adorable together.”
She saw Lars at the table, and held Gavin’s hand even tighter. They were the last ones in for breakfast, and considering the two amazing orgasms he’d given her, Ally was amazed she hadn’t fallen right to sleep.
“Is that Olaf’s shield maiden?”
Gavin hadn�
�t given up on Lars’ nickname, and Ally had to admit, it was funny. Next to him was Jasmina, the woman with whom he’d cheated. Thin and willowy, with super-short blonde hair, Ally still got angry looking at her. The only thing in front of her was an apple and a bottle of water. “Yup. That’s her.”
“She looks unhappy.”
“I think she’s unimpressed. Can’t be bothered.”
Gavin spun her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Maybe that will impress her.”
“Hmm.” Ally kissed him again. “I don’t know about her, but it sure impresses me.”
He smiled and the entire room just lit up. Talk about blindsided. With Gavin around, Ally felt like a teenager again. Only better.
Walking through the busy dining room, Ally and Gavin almost tripped over a little boy who was racing around the tables at light speed. He might have been three years old.
Gavin did what came naturally and scooped the little guy up just before he took out an elderly gentleman with a cane.
“Hey there, buddy. You can’t go running around tables like that, you’ll get yourself hurt.”
“Hey! Hey you! Give me my son.” A petite brunette charged Gavin and yanked the child out of his arms. “Who do you think you are, snatching him up like that? He doesn’t know you.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I was trying to keep him from getting hurt.”
“I was watching. He was fine.”
“Oh, you were?” Gavin raised an eyebrow, but realized quickly the woman wasn’t going to listen. “All right then.”
Ally was stunned at the woman’s rude behavior. “Ma’am, are you a wedding guest?”
“Yes. I work with Raj.” She didn’t introduce herself; obviously she was too important for that.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ally Beaumont, the event planner.”
Brunette put her child down and he took off like a shot. This kid was a toddling lawsuit. “I hope the other guests have a better understanding of limits,” she snapped.
But before Ally could tell her to keep her little boy under control, there was a loud crash and a scream. Wonderboy had made impact.
“Jace! Oh, no.” Brunette went screaming at a server who was sitting on the floor, food everywhere, and the toddler was crying hysterically. Gavin was at the boy’s side before anyone else was close. “You idiot! What did you do to my son?”