Weekend with her Bachelor

by Jeannie Moon

  Ignoring the mother’s screeching, Gavin eased the little boy onto his back. “Hey, pal. What happened?”

  All Ally heard was a blood-curdling scream. Then the kid’s mother started alternately berating Gavin and the server, who was being tended to by his boss.

  “Ally, I need ice, a few soft towels and some gauze.” Gavin was calmly assessing the child while chaos surrounded him. This was what he did. Who he was.

  Simply put, he was amazing.

  Lars had walked over and folded his arms, his usual arrogant stance. “Hey, Cowboy. Shouldn’t you wait for the professionals to take care of the kid?”

  Gavin rolled his eyes and ignored Lars, paying attention to young Jace instead.

  “Lars, don’t worry your little head. Gavin is a doctor,” Ally responded before turning to the mother, who was enraged. “He’s an emergency physician. Your son is in good hands.” She almost said something snotty about the mother not watching the child, but didn’t think she should add fuel to the fire. Although it was tempting. The woman was not a nice person.

  Cindy had gone to help the server, who had a few cuts that needed cleaning, and by the time the ambulance arrived, the wounds and injuries had been tended to. Jace was splinted with some plush towels, and the server was going to be fine but needed to be checked at the ER.

  The screaming mother was quiet, but didn’t say thank you. Lars had been put in his place, and Ally couldn’t have been more proud of Gavin, or more proud to be with him. It was one thing to know what he did; it was another to see him in action. Most beautiful was the way he handled the little boy.

  He’d be a great father someday.

  Once the commotion settled down, Cindy, the bride, sidled up to Ally gave her a poke in the ribs. “He’s fantastic,” she said referring to Gavin. “What a doll.”

  “He really is.”

  “Lars is dying over there; he’s so jealous. Jasmina hasn’t given him the time of day and you’re with Dr. All-American Boy.”

  “I’m just trying to be happy. Lars isn’t a consideration.” God. Ally was going to go to hell for the lies she was telling. She was thrilled Lars was bothered. Although, since things had changed between her and Gavin, maybe she wasn’t lying quite so much.

  Gavin came up behind her and took her hand like he had every right. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the bride, he led her to a corner table that had been set with a basket of warm muffins and a pot of hot coffee.

  Once seated, Gavin scanned the menu. “I’m starved.”

  She nodded, unable to speak, because she realized she had a big problem where he was concerned. How would she manage without him? She didn’t want to find out, but could they have a future?

  “Me too.” She paused and looked up at him. “You were great with Jace. Really.”

  “He’s a cute kid, but he’s out of control. Mom was telling me they’ve banned the word ‘no’ so he doesn’t feel stifled.”

  “He’s just a little boy.” Ally couldn’t believe it.

  “I told her an occasional ‘no’ isn’t going to stifle anything and will keep him safe. He’s too young to have control. She wasn’t having any of it.”

  “Well, you did your part. That’s all you can do.”

  He nodded. They ordered a huge farm breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon, and Ally settled back in her seat with her coffee to watch the world go by.

  “I... I like kids,” Gavin stammered.

  His statement came out of the blue. She never doubted that he liked kids, so she wondered what drove him to mention it. Jace, possibly, but she had the feeling there was something else. “Okay. Me too.”

  “If you were, you know, pregnant, I think we’d be okay. Once we decided on where we’d live.”

  Where they would live? Ally was overwhelmed and thrilled at the same time. He was offering marriage if their carelessness produced a child. It wasn’t even a question. Maybe the independent woman in her should be offended, but she wasn’t. She just loved him a little more.

  “Gavin, chances are nothing is going to happen. I love that you’re trying to reassure me, but I don’t think we’re going to have to worry about it.”

  “You’re right,” he said on a nervous laugh. “I know that, but I guess I was thinking that I wouldn’t mind it so much. You know, having a baby. With you.” His big hand took hold of hers. “I have no idea what made me say that. I’m sorry.”

  What happened to the quiet, staid alpha guy? The strong, silent type? “You’re confusing me. That’s all.”

  The waiter placed their overflowing breakfasts in front of them. It all looked really good.

  “I’m sure. I don’t know what made me say that. I guess... I don’t know.”

  “Who knows why we say certain things.” She poked at her eggs. “It’s a nice thought, though. Being parents.”

  “Yeah. It is.”

  Gavin lay on the bed in the room, thinking about all the things that had transpired so far that day. Talk about one for the books. Ally was at the location where the wedding ceremony was going to take place, dealing with last minute details. He wanted to talk to her, but he just didn’t know if there would be time.

  She could be pregnant. And what floored him about the idea was that he didn’t hate it. In fact, he liked it. A lot. Mostly because it meant he could keep Ally. Which was the wrong reason for wanting a kid.

  This truly sucked.

  When she rolled back in his life, Gavin never expected Ally to affect him like this. All he wanted to do was avoid complications. There were so many things wrong with their relationship, not the least of which was the distance. They didn’t live in the same place, and unless one of them made a big change, it didn’t look like they were going to.

  The thing was, he was considering it. If she wanted it, he might move to Seattle and get a job there. Gavin just didn’t want to lose her again.

  Outside, the sound of a golf cart pulling up in front of the cabin let him know she was back. It didn’t take long for Ally to fly into the bedroom and fall face first onto the mattress.

  “I am so tired.”

  “Do you have time for a nap?” he asked.

  “Not really.” Scooting herself up on the bed, Ally grabbed a pillow and turned on her side, facing him. “I have to get dressed soon. So much to do. But the bride looks stunning! I saw her a few minutes ago.” She was giddy over the plans coming together. He knew she’d been working hard on this event.

  “I’m sure she’s beautiful.” He paused. “You really love your work, don’t you?”

  She smiled. “It can be very stressful, but yeah. I really do. It’s happy work.”

  He didn’t know if he should do this, but he wanted to know where they stood. “Have you ever thought of basing your business in Montana?”

  Ally froze and looked him in the eyes. “I haven’t, why?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought we might be able to make a go of this if you were closer.”

  “Much of my business is based in the city. I don’t know if it would survive a move like that.”

  “Right. Sure.”

  “I mean I love home, but... it would be a huge change.”

  “Yeah, it would. I guess I just wanted to float it out there.”

  He waited. She didn’t say anything. Didn’t ask him if he would consider moving.

  Her silence spoke volumes. Maybe this was really a friends with benefits arrangement, nothing more, and Ally hadn’t realized it.

  “Are you angry, Gavin?”

  Sitting up, he tried not to react. He couldn’t, because he already felt like a fucking idiot. “What time do we have to be there?”

  “We have a little time. A couple of hours, at least. Why aren’t you talking about this? I didn’t realize me moving was something that had to be considered.”

  “It’s not. Don’t worry about it. I had a thought, that was all.”

  The way her brows furrowed let him know she wasn’t quite buying it. “If you say so
.”

  “It’s good.” He stood and stepped away from the bed. “I’m going to take a shower, unless you need to go first.”

  Crawling across the bed, Ally knelt up and placed her hands on his chest, her lips curling into a kittenish smile. “We could share a shower. Yes?”

  He wanted nothing more than to take her. To bury himself in all that warm, wet heat. But he couldn’t right now. He had to draw the line someplace.

  “If I get you in that shower, you aren’t going to be able to walk later.”

  “There’s some appeal to that, you know? What does that tell you?”

  He kissed her lightly. “That you really like sex.”

  “I like sex with you,” she purred. “Come on, Gavin. Let’s take a shower.”

  She was like a siren drawing him in. Her lips skimmed his jaw, teasing a response, and his sharp intake of breath gave her exactly what she wanted.

  “You’re going to be the death of me, Ally. I swear,” he growled.

  “Nah. This is going to be fun. I can’t wait to hear you scream.” She was a tease of the highest order.

  “I’m not a screamer,” he said flatly. “But you are welcome to try.”

  With that, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, walking the short distance to the bathroom. Ally was already stripping her clothes off as he carried her—her top and bra went first, then she started working the buttons on his shirt.

  Once her feet hit the floor, she went right for the button of his jeans.

  “You are impatient,” he said. As angry as he was feeling, he was at her mercy—whatever she wanted. So if this was it for them, Gavin was going to make sure he rocked her world.

  But Ally was being pretty damn aggressive; she was in nothing but a thong while she yanked his jeans and briefs down. He was hard as a rock, and moaned as Ally stroked him from his balls to the tip.

  “Don’t run away,” she cooed. Stepping back, she leaned into the shower and turned on the multiple sprays. “Now, what should we do first?”

  “You are shameless.” Gavin had never been with a woman like her. The confidence, the knowledge of what she wanted, was a major turn-on. She pressed her body to his, her hands grazing a path down his sides. He was all hers. Even if he didn’t want to be. Even knowing he may never see her after the weekend. He was hers.

  “I want you, Gavin. I want to take you inside me. Feel you move. Be close.”

  “You have me, all of me.”

  The shower jets soaked them as soon as they stepped in the tiled space, raining down on their bodies like a summer storm. The feelings churning inside them were as tumultuous as a heaving ocean, all consuming and wickedly dangerous.

  He kissed her, holding Ally as close as he could, until their bodies almost melted together.

  Gavin never thought much about his heart. He was about his work, about his family. He wasn’t an emotional guy. But with Ally, he felt everything. He wanted a life that had her in it, but if he couldn’t have that, he’d take the now. He’d make her feel what he felt.

  In a move that made her breath catch, Gavin lifted her up, pressing her back to the wall, and slowly lowered her down onto his erection. He watched her face as he entered her, the bliss, the pleasure, washing over her.

  It was beautiful. She was beautiful, and for a little while longer, she was his.

  Chapter Ten

  There was nothing like a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. It was especially nice when the carriage dropped you off at your door after a really great party. Ally was giddy with happiness. The wedding was her most successful yet; the guests had had an amazing time, and the bride and groom had the memory of a lifetime.

  On top of it all, the resort wanted to contract with her to be their official event planner. It appeared Ally would be spending more time in Montana after all, so maybe moving wasn’t so far fetched.

  Now she could crawl into bed besides the most handsome date ever, celebrate with a bottle of very expensive champagne she’d grabbed from the bar, and then fall blissfully to sleep.

  Ally had some details to finish up after the party broke up, and sent Gavin back to the cabin with a kiss and a thank you. Just being with him had made the whole weekend better. Now they had another full day together to sleep late, make love, and enjoy this amazing place before heading back to civilization. She couldn’t wait to tell him about the offer from the resort.

  Lars had asked about the engagement ring before he left the reception, and all Ally told him was that she donated the money she got for the ring to a great charity. She also informed him where he could buy the ring back if that’s what he really wanted. Ironic, that the ring that tied her to another man had brought her such happiness with another.

  She never seen a man in a huff, but Lars stormed off like a hormonal thirteen-year-old girl. It made her giggle a bit. What a jerk. He deserved everything he got. Karma was definitely biting him in the ass.

  Oddly, Gavin’s truck was parked outside the cabin, and for a second she wondered why. Walking up the steps and into the main room, she stopped short, dropping her shoes, when she saw Gavin’s duffle packed and sitting on the couch.

  Going to the bedroom, he was sitting on the edge of the bed in jeans and a soft grey Henley. He wasn’t climbing into bed with her. The truck. The bag. It was obvious: he was leaving.

  “You want to tell me what’s going on?” Shit. Her voice was shaking. “Why is your bag packed?”

  He rose, the look on his face telling her there was no use in arguing. “I’m heading out. I figure with the roads quiet, I can get back to Bozeman in a couple of hours.”

  “Why are you leaving?”

  He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I think you know why.”

  “No, I don’t know,” she snapped. “I have no idea. Obviously you didn’t tell me the truth today when I asked what was wrong. Is that what we’re doing now, playing a guessing game?”

  “I’m not going to cry about my feelings, Ally,” he snarled. “I have some pride. You’re not into this relationship the same way I am. I thought you were, but I was wrong. Fine. We’ll move on.”

  “What are you talking about? I’m not into it? I love you. I love you so much it hurts.”

  He froze at her declaration. Softening for a second, but then seeming to shake it off.

  “We can’t do this long distance,” he said, “no matter how we feel about each other. You know it. But you’re content with the life you have in the city, and that’s fine.”

  “So that’s it. No conversation, no discussion. You’ve made the decision and we’re over.”

  She walked into the living room and looked out the large front window. It was so dark; the sky was a blanket of stars. She’d never have this view in Seattle. Never have it anywhere but home. Gavin’s hands settled on her shoulders. “We never even got started, Al. Isn’t it best to cut our losses?”

  “I don’t understand. Is it because I said I couldn’t move? I didn’t say no. Just that it would be difficult.”

  “That’s true, but you didn’t seem too keen on the idea, and I’m not begging.”

  “Begging. Discussing something is begging now. Okay. You know, Gavin, I didn’t hear you say anything about moving to the city. It was all about me moving back to Montana.”

  “You never asked me to move. I want you as part of my life, Ally. Do you want me in yours? That discussion goes both ways.”

  Boom. Had she really not said anything?

  Never in her life had she felt such pressure in her chest. The pain was so raw, so acute, she could barely breathe. But was she supposed to be a mind reader now? Could he just walk away, knowing she wanted to be with him? Knowing she loved him? If he did, then he wasn’t who she thought he was.

  “Go,” she squeaked out. “Just go.”

  “Ally, I’m sorry, but this is better for both of us.”

  “If you say so.” She didn’t even bother telling him the good news about the resort. It didn’t matter anymore. �
��Drive safe.”

  He didn’t offer any more explanations, or excuses. Gavin placed his cowboy hat on his head, put on his jacket, and grabbed his duffle. They parted when he dropped a kiss on her cheek, but Ally didn’t move. She didn’t even watch him leave the cabin.

  The engine of the big Ford roared to life, and when he pulled away she could follow the tail lights as the truck made its way down the road. Once it had vanished from sight, Ally locked the door and grabbed the champagne, figuring getting drunk was the only thing left to do. But suddenly, the bedroom felt wrong without him there. Empty. Sad. They’d thoroughly enjoyed each other the last few days, and now just like that, it was over.

  “I don’t understand, Gavin,” she mumbled before taking a long sip of the champagne right from the bottle. “You could have told me.”

  Running through the day in her head, she tried to think of the point when their relationship shifted. She remembered when he asked her about moving her business; he didn’t exactly ask her to uproot her whole life. But he was right, she didn’t invite him to be part of hers. She’d never even put that out there.

  He could have mentioned it on his own. Made the offer. But would he have done that without an opening from her? This weekend had been all about her life, her people. Never once had she thought about how, or if, Gavin might fit in.

  Of course, he was charming and fun at the wedding. Everyone loved him; hands down, she always had her best time when Gavin was involved.

  She assumed, foolishly, that everything would fall into place.

  The problem was he was the only one talking about how to make it work.

  “He could have mentioned it,” she said aloud, drinking more. “Men. Pssht. Maybe I’ll just get a cat. Or ten.”

  It was stupid of her to be mad, because Gavin wouldn’t have brought it up. He never would have assumed anything, or pushed a point. He respected her too much to insert himself into her life without hearing from her first that he was welcome there.