Gavin (A Redemption Romance #3)

by Anna Scott

  Chapter 7

  Dawn

  The weeks following my late night conversation with Gavin, we talked every day and saw each other as much as we could. There had been a few times that he took phone calls or exchanged texts while he was with me and that still concerned me. Regardless of that though, I felt like our relationship was moving in the right direction. If ninety percent of something is wonderful, do you really cut it out of your life, knowing how hard it was to do that before, if only ten percent is possibly bad? I’d say no, at least, not yet.

  Gavin: On my way

  Dawn: Can’t wait, see you soon.

  Gavin: I can’t wait to taste…

  I stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring down at my phone, waiting for what he’d say next. Gavin had become quite flirty with me in the past few days. He was making it pretty obvious that he wanted to move our physical relationship along, though I didn’t feel pressured – exactly.

  Gavin: What did you make for dinner?

  Dawn: Taco Bell, your favorite.

  Gavin: Not funny!

  Dawn: hehehehehe

  Gavin: Be there in 20

  Dawn: K

  Gavin hated, like, seriously hated Taco Bell. I never really understood his violent aversion to the best fast food burritos in the world, but he’d hated it forever. He wouldn’t even stop there for a drink, if that was the absolute only place to stop in a twenty-mile radius. Dramatic, yes, but sometimes, Gavin could be. You couldn’t call him a drama king, not like Marc, he didn’t pitch a fit or act like an idiot, but if he was dead set against something, he wouldn’t do it, no matter what. Also, if he thought someone else was about to do the wrong thing, something dangerous, not just eating at Taco Bell, he’d fight them, even if he shouldn’t. Gavin’s ideals, his belief in what was right and wrong was strict and he didn’t play with that. His convictions were his, maybe they didn’t always jive with actual laws and the protocols of his job, but they were his. I’d always respected him for that.

  When he’d been in high school, he and his football coach had serious issues, because the coach wanted to play a guy who’d been hurt and Gavin knew the kid wasn’t fully healed. He and the other player had been pissed, because in all of his sixteen-year-old wisdom, the kid just wanted to play, but as soon as he got onto the field again and was hit, full force, he was fucked. His shoulder had been damaged even more, causing him to be out for the rest of the season, not just another week. Coach was angry and probably embarrassed, so he didn't say anything to Gavin about it, but I’d heard that he’d gone to the kid’s house and apologized to him and to his parents.

  Gavin and I had not talked about dating exclusively, so I had no right to assume that he wasn’t seeing anyone else, though, that thought knotted my stomach. He hadn’t blown me off again, though, and I felt better about our relationship now than I had a few weeks ago. Each time I saw him, we kissed, held hands and were affectionate, he seemed to always be touching me in some way, but he hadn’t pushed for more. Honestly, it was a relief; until we were in an exclusive relationship, I wasn’t comfortable doing anything else.

  Since I didn’t feel like I had the right, I hadn’t asked him about any of it, but allowed myself to enjoy the new kind of friendship we shared. I had no idea where things would lead, but at that point, I was happy and secure enough.

  I had only been in two serious relationships, both in college and those had been the only guys I’d ever slept with. The first guy had reminded me of Gavin, he was tall, rugged and handsome. The sad thing was, he knew it. We’d dated for almost a year; he’d been my first but I’d made him wait almost six months. When I was ready to move to Austin, we ended the relationship, neither of us were interested in trying the long distance thing. It had been amicable; we’d even stayed in touch for a few months.

  The second relationship was with someone completely different. He was sweet, closer to my height and very smart. He’d been in a few of my business and marketing classes, which was how we’d met. We dated for just under two years, until I found out that he was sleeping with my roommate. I’d caught them, in my bed one day when I came back early. My class had been cancelled and there they were, fucking in my bed. I’d never understood that, why wouldn’t they go to her bed?

  To save on money, I’d stayed in the dorms, which wasn’t ideal, but had made the most sense for me. Hailey had pretended to be a friend, though we’d never been close. Apparently, she’d had a thing for her friends’ men.

  Fortunately, I’d found all this out three weeks before graduation and my move to California. It had actually solidified my decision to go. The funny thing was, I hadn’t been upset, not really. Apparently, I hadn’t cared about him that much. The only concern I’d had was catching something from him, but we’d always used condoms. I got checked out anyway. The whole thing had seriously disgusted me though.

  Gavin was different than either of those guys, he was fun and easy going, but serious about his work. He had an awesome group of friends, who I knew, too, and he was openly affectionate. He was also honest, I knew if I asked him, he’d tell me that he was seeing other women, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. When and if he was ready, we’d move forward in our relationship. Until then, I was okay with what we had, even if the thought of another woman touching him made me sick.

  Pulling the lid off the Dutch oven, I pulled the roast out and sliced it, then returned the meat back to the thick juices and vegetables. Carrying it over, I set it on the trivet in the center of the table. I fussed with the placemats, cloth napkins, silverware and china I had set, making sure everything was perfect. My square, distressed cream table with butcher block top had been set with the best I had. I had been given two pieces of china for my hope chest, when I was seventeen. It was honestly, the stupidest gift I’d ever been given, or at least I’d thought that then. Now, I was glad I had it.

  There wasn’t anything special about that night, but I’d wanted to do something nice for Gavin. He’d taken me out for dinner a few times, for lunch, even for breakfast, but I wanted to cook for him. I knew if I took him out, he’d never let me pay, or actually take him. The green beans almandine was his favorite, and I pulled them out of the warm oven, to rest on the counter as well as the yeast rolls I’d made the day before. His favorite chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting was already finished and sitting on my favorite ice blue cake plate, on the counter. I pulled the pint glass I’d put in the freezer to cool and poured the Guinness in when I heard his truck door close out front.

  I stood in the kitchen, feeling strangely shy and a little embarrassed. Was this all too much? Would he see it as some desperate attempt at pushing him into more of a relationship than he wanted? Fuck, every part of me wanted to toss all of it, while he stood on the front porch and waited. Since he’d swiped my key a few weeks ago, though, I knew he wouldn’t wait long.

  This was Gavin, my friend, my – whatever, he wouldn’t think it was stupid, he wouldn’t think anything, except that I was trying to do something nice. Why was I letting our past, my previous embarrassment, affect my behavior and my confidence now? I wasn’t some weak ass woman, who needed a man’s approval for shit. I wasn’t like that with anyone, except Gavin. Fuck, what was wrong with me?

  Unfortunately, I knew exactly what the problem was, no one else had mattered, not like Gavin did. No one had ever been important enough to me to worry about, I hadn’t even cared that much when I’d broken up with my only two boyfriends; but I’d been devastated when Gavin had gone away, when our friendship had ended, I’d been heartbroken. I knew that my feelings hadn’t diminished, not even a little bit. They’d only grown stronger over the years.

  “Honey, I’m home,” he called from the front door, as he walked in, tossed his keys and phone on the little table by the door and moved farther into the room.

  Holding his beer in one hand, the other on my LBD clad hip, I cocked my hip to one side and smirked at him playfully. “Welcome home, dear. Have a good day?” I use
d the best sultry, come-hither voice I had.

  Gavin’s eyebrows shot toward the ceiling, his eyes focused on my body, and I was pretty sure his tongue lolled to one side. He seemed to take a minute to pull himself together, he shook his head slightly and moved toward me. His stride was purposeful, predatory and so damn seductive.

  “Well, if I had this to come home to every night, -”

  He didn’t say any more, just left that sentence hanging, but I thought it said good things for my future. Taking the beer from my hand, he set it on the counter, grabbed me around the waist and lifted me so my face was level with his. My hands flew to his chest, to steady myself as I began to rise, and the feel of his muscles under his shirt, were enough to dampen my panties thoroughly.

  Gavin’s mouth crashed down on mine, the kiss was possessive, tender, seductive and I wanted it to go on forever. I’d never, not once, been kissed like that, not even by Gavin. Somehow, during the kiss, he’d wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight, firm, protected, it was beautiful, just where I’d always wanted to be.

  When he finally broke the kiss, he held me, allowing me to slide down, slowly. Tipping my head to one side, I asked “so, you like that I can cook?”

  “Mmmhm,” he groaned, sliding his hands from around my waist and took a small step back. “What did you make?” He asked, turning to look at the table.

  The meal was simple, but I’d put a lot of thought into it. I had no way of knowing what Gavin’s favorite foods were now, but I made what he’d liked when we were young. I wanted him to feel welcomed, to feel appreciated, maybe even loved. There was no doubt that I loved him, as a friend if nothing more, but I was pretty sure I’d never really stopped loving him like that. It had always been him for me, no one else had been right, and I had a feeling that no one ever would.

  Turning, I walked into the kitchen to get the rest of the food and brought it to the table, as Gavin was peeking under the lid to the Dutch oven. “You made pot roast?”

  “I did,” replying shyly, and again feeling like maybe my efforts were too telling, maybe it was all too much.

  “I love it, sweetheart, thank you.” His gentle smile was all I needed to settle my nerves again. We settled into dinner, and an easy conversation. I was excited about our upcoming trip to the Gulf, and we talked a little about the trip, places we could go and Gavin told me about the house.”

  “If you cook like this all the time, I’m going to get a gut.”

  Raising an eyebrow, I looked over his torso, inspecting his excellent physique. His muscles were nothing less than perfect. He worked hard and it defiantly showed. He was wearing a tight navy tee, that had been covered by a navy and white striped button up shirt, but he’d stripped that off after he’d walked in. He did that a lot, I'd noticed; if it was at my house or his, he shed the layers of his work clothes, until he was back to just himself once more. The sight of him, the image of his hard, muscular body was enough to make my nipples tighten and my breaths to quicken. Of course, as he noticed just about everything, he noticed.

  Gavin smirked, when my eyes finally met his. “I don’t think you need to worry,” I told him, my voice husky.

  “You like what you see, huh?” He asked, that damn cocky grin on his face.

  “Not bad,” I told him, shrugging my shoulders. I was purposely goading him, and he knew it. We’d always teased each other, it was good to get that back now, but in much more entertaining ways. His eyes were lit with laughter, the chocolate irises, twinkled with veins of gold, made them look almost like they were glowing when he was happy.

  His hand reached across to me, sitting at an angle nearest him and he grabbed my side, over my dress and began to tickle. He’d tickled me when we were kids and I’d secretly loved it, but it had stopped abruptly when my breasts grew. Now, he was relentless, letting one long finger, find that perfect spot, the one only he knew and began to torment me.

  Jumping up, I backed up from the table, doing my best to escape. He snagged me around the waist, as I tried to flee and pulled me firmly onto his lap.

  “Not bad, huh?” He asked, resting his forehead on mine, peering deep into my eyes, and running his hands over me, his rough, calloused hands, gliding down my back, one spanning my waist and the other cupping my ass. Nodding, I looked back, and wondered if I even wanted to try to escape. Really, I probably didn’t.

  Wrapping his fingers around my wrist, he pulled my hand and rested it flat on his stomach, and pushed it up, then down, forcing me to feel just how solidly built he was.

  “You want to point out any areas I should work on?” Damn man, he knew his body was phenomenal. “Do you think I’ve gone soft anywhere?”

  The innuendo was obvious. Especially when he pressed his very not-soft erection into me. Shaking my head in the negative, I was transfixed on his gaze, unable to look away from him.

  He took my mouth in another scorching, life altering kiss, binding my heart to his. If he kept kissing me like that, I’d never be able to get over him – not that I wanted to. Releasing my hand, he allowed me to explore the beauty of his body, while he pulled me in closer, and claimed my mouth in a kiss so carnal, I worried that I’d leave a damn spot when I finally stood.

  Pulling away, just enough for each of us to catch our breath, he rested our foreheads together and ran his nose along the bridge of mine.

  “I made cake.” I whispered, my eyes still closed and enjoying the sweetly gentle embrace.

  The rumble of Gavin’s laughter moved up through his chest, shaking me, as he wrapped his arms tighter, and he buried his face in my hair. I was a little confused by his behavior, but I’d never complain about being held by him like that.

  “Chocolate?”

  “How did you know?”

  “You’ve made all my favorites, so I guessed.”

  Nodding into his shoulder, I confirmed his suspicion, and before I could even take another breath, he’d lifted me from his lap and started to move toward the kitchen.

  “Hey!” I shouted, but he didn’t even slow his stride as he grabbed the cake from the counter.

  The boyishly sweet smile that covered his face melted my heart. Any resistance, I’d convinced myself was still between us, was instantly gone. That smile was the same one I’d seen since we were kids. It was joyful, untroubled and almost innocent but with just enough mischief thrown to keep things interesting.

  Gavin sat the cake on the table, turned his chair so it was angled to the side and pulled me back into his lap. This time, however, he pulled me down facing him, my legs on either side of his. He picked up a fork from the table and cut a huge bite for himself.

  Somehow, he stuffed the entire thing into his mouth, as soon as the flavor hit his tongue, he closed his eyes, let his head fall back and he groaned. Licking his lips, probably looking for any remnants of chocolate, he opened his eyes and kissed me again, though closed mouthed this time. It was quick and fun, I loved seeing this youthful behavior in him again, it was almost like we were who we used to be, only much naughtier.

  He took three more huge bites, then offered me one. There was no way I’d get that big forkful into my mouth without making a mess, so I took a small taste off the tines and backed away. I had to admit, it was good. I’d done a lot of baking over the years, I enjoyed cooking and Tyler had been a big eater, so I’d been able to experiment with food and had a willing victim.

  “You’re the perfect package, you know?” Gavin asked, gazing into my eyes, a strange dreamy quality in his.

  Tilting my head to one side, I looked at him in question, but didn’t ask. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know.

  “You’re beautiful, you’re kind, sweet, sexy as fuck, have a killer rack and legs that go on for fucking ever. Don’t get me started on those shoes you wear, Jesus, they’re so fucking hot, all I can do is imagine looking at them, as I hold your ankles and pound into you.”

  Eyes wide, in total shock, I could feel the heat of my embarrassment covering my face. I looked away
, trying to process all he’d just said. Did he really think all that about me?

  “I’m just lucky you haven’t been snatched up already, I’d have probably just killed the asshole so I could have you to myself, just like you were always meant to be.” Gavin’s whispered words were such a surprise, I didn’t have a chance to respond before his mouth was on mine again.

  The taste of chocolate and lingering hint of Gavin’s own unique flavor was all I needed to get completely lost in him once more. We sat there, on my kitchen chair, groping, kissing and falling further into each other for a long time, before the world began to move. Gavin stood, still holding me tightly, and I wrapped my legs tight around his waist.

  I felt each step he took, as he moved us back to my bedroom. One hand firmly cradled my ass, supporting and arousing me all at once, the other was tangled in my long mess of blonde hair. Using my hair, he angled my head so he had better access to my mouth, my lips, and my neck.

  My grip tightened as he sat on the edge of my bed and I felt the zipper of my dress go down. His fingers moved over the now exposed skin of my back, rapidly spreading the fire burning deep in my core. Pressing myself tightly into his obvious erection, he groaned and spun me, my naked back hit the bed before I could even blink.

  Gavin loomed over me, pulling his tee off, he tossed it behind him and knelt on the floor, spreading my knees. His rough tongue met the sensitive skin of my inner thigh and licked up to my center. With his teeth, he gripped the elastic of my hot pink satin and lace thong and moved it to the side, burying his face in my heat, he inhaled sharply. I couldn’t see him, his entire head was hidden under my skirt and somehow, only being able to feel the dirty things he was doing to me, made it all the more erotic.