His Love (12 page)

Toni stared at
her computer screen, seeing nothing. Lost in her head, all she saw was Gavin McKinnon. The day before had been so wonderful, it felt like a dream. Hours of lying in bed with him… exploring each other’s bodies like the new, exciting, uncharted territory they were. Then, at his insistence, they’d gone out to dinner. They went to an upscale Italian restaurant, then for a long, leisurely walk on the boardwalk. The conversation was as easy as it had been since they met; if she’d worried for even a minute that maybe it could get awkward now that they’d spent the day naked together, that worry was gone. If anything, they were even more comfortable with each other now. They walked and talked until after dark.

When they’d gotten home, the house was empty. They’d been unable to resist another round of mattress gymnastics, but at the end of the night, Gavin had gone back to his own room. She had to go back to work in the morning, and didn’t want to wake him as she got ready.

Plus, she wasn’t sure of the boundaries now. Yes, they were sleeping together. But did that mean they actually would sleep together, share a bed, at night? She’d told him plainly that she wasn’t playing a game, but had thought it best that they each retreat to their own corners to sleep, to have that space. He had been completely understanding, in agreement, and sweet. He’d kissed her good night, leaving her in her tangled sheets, but stopped at the door and turned back around. “Toni…” His hair was as adorably rumpled as the T-shirt and shorts he’d pulled back on, and his eyes were bright. “I just have to tell you… this was an incredible day. I can’t tell ya how much I enjoyed every single part of it. Of you.”

She’d smiled back at him. “Me too. Really.” She felt like she should say something more, but what? She didn’t know. So she just went with, “Good night, Gavin. See you tomorrow when I get home from work.”

He nodded, but his expression seemed deeply pleased. “Sleep well.”

“You too.”

He grinned at that. “Oh, believe me… I’ll sleep like the dead, I’m sure.” Tossing her a wink, he closed the door behind him.

Toni had settled into her blankets, inhaling the scent of him still on her pillow, and fallen asleep with a big, goofy smile on her face.

She hadn’t seen him in the morning, and hadn’t been able to concentrate on her work all day; she hadn’t been able to think of anything but him. He was sweet and smart and a million times sexier than she’d ever suspected. God, what he’d done to her. No man had ever made her feel like that… the memory of his mouth on her skin, of his hands on her body… a delicious shiver skimmed over her, raising goose bumps on her flesh, and she bit down on her lip with a secret smile.

Her cell phone dinged with a text, and she glanced at the screen. Had he felt her thinking about him, she wondered, her smile blooming.
Hi
, the text read.
It’s Gavin. How’s your day going?

Casual enough, she thought, checking the time. Just past two. Nice timing on his part; he’d given her space all day, but was checking in now so she wouldn’t feel slighted. She gave him a gold star in her mind and texted back,
Hi. It’s dragging. I want to be at home, on the beach. What are you doing today?

Recuperating. ;)

She laughed, charmed, her insides warming.
LOL! Anything else?

Not really. Been sitting out on the deck, reading. Took a swim in the ocean an hour ago. Just relaxing.

Good. That’s what you came to NY to do, right?

Right.
Almost a full minute went by before his next text came.
I hope it was okay to text you. Not trying to smother or anything. Haven’t done this in a while, so I’m not sure of the rules, you know?

Well, that was straightforward. She appreciated that. Smiling, she wrote,
Of course it’s okay. It’s nice to hear from you. Truth is I’m not sure of the rules either. And another truth: I was just thinking about you.

Oh good
, came his quick reply.
On both counts. And funny thing: I’ve been thinking about you too. Nonstop. Yesterday was amazing. YOU were amazing.

Something wobbly unleashed in her stomach, a burst of happy excitement. She wrote,
It sure was. And you were too.
She drew a shaky breath and typed before she lost her nerve,
And I want more.

I was hoping you’d feel that way
, he answered.
So do I. Are you busy tonight?

Nope. You?

Nope. So… what time do you usually get home from work?

Around 6:30. Want to have dinner together?

Yes, that’d be great. Looking forward to seeing you.

Smiling like a besotted fool, she tapped her fingers restlessly on her desk, then jumped in again, texting:
Want to get naked after that?

LOL!!!
Gavin wrote.
And, well… yaaaaasssss
.

Toni laughed in delight, and her stomach did a full out flip. She hadn’t felt this heady in a long time. It was like Gavin had breathed fresh air into her life and filled it with color again, virtually overnight. He was just so easy to be with… she’d let herself enjoy the rush and not think about the clock ticking on their time together.

*

The rest of
the week quickly fell into a pattern. During the day, Toni went to work and Gavin relaxed on the beach or at the house. When she got home in the evening, they’d have dinner together, sometimes with Joe, and the three of them would go down to the Nest for an hour or so before Toni and Gavin would go back to the house together.

The sex was hot, wild, and intense. They couldn’t get enough of each other. It was raucous, the way they’d go up to her room and start tearing each other’s clothes off the second she closed the door. She drank in his need, greedy and consumed, loving the way his mouth felt on hers, the way his hands felt on her body, the way he’d groan out her name when she did something he particularly liked. It was intoxicating, being wanted like this. No man had ever made her feel so desired, or so desirable. The way he looked at her sometimes was overwhelming. There was more there than lust… there was craving in his eyes. And something deeper, and she couldn’t fathom that. Because she felt it, too.

On Friday night, they’d gone out to dinner instead of staying at home, back to the seafood place they’d gone to the night Anna had thrown them together—which she’d admitted to doing now that they were together. “I saw the way you two kept looking at each other, so I tried to nudge ya along a bit. And I’m not sorry. I was right!”

After dinner, they’d gone back to the house. Joe had gone out for the night, Anna and Wren were working, and they had the house to themselves. Without warning, Toni pushed Gavin down onto the living room couch, a devious sparkle in her eyes.

*

It made Gavin’s
heart miss a beat. “What are you up to?” he asked, eyeing her warily.

She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Having my dessert.” Her eyes locked with his as she wet her lips seductively, dragging her tongue across them with slow promise. His blood started to pulse, heating in his veins. Slowly, her fingers crept under his shorts and slid up the insides of his thighs. His breath caught as she ran her hands along his legs, deliberate and tantalizing. He took off his glasses and put them on the cushion beside him, anticipation heating his insides. She lowered her head to drop kisses on his belly, her lips warm as they trailed across his skin, and the muscles in his belly and thighs tensed.

“Oh, mother of God,” he murmured in ecstasy. His heart rate took off as her fingers brushed against the front of his cargo shorts. She gave a satisfied hum, then pressed her palm against the length of him before she reached to his snap and zipper. His hands went out to caress her face even as he lifted his hips to help her remove his shorts. “Toni…”

“Lie back and enjoy.” Her whisper was a sultry command. His hips jolted when her fingers stroked along the length of his shaft, rock hard and straining for her touch. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day. Let me.”

He groaned in blissful surrender and fell back against the cushions. Her hands roamed, her mouth played and teased, and he savored every touch. His eyes slipped closed as her tongue dragged ever so slowly up the length of him… the feel of her soft lips on him made his head reel… then she took him in her mouth, and his whole body roared to life. A ragged moan ripped from his throat as the incredible sensations battered him. Then he sat up just enough to push her hair back from her face; he wanted to watch her. He felt his blood racing through his body as he watched what she was doing to him, this stunning woman kneeling between his legs… his mind spun out, went blank. His hips rocked with carnal need; his fingers threaded through her soft, thick hair and cradled her head.

“You’re amazing,” he whispered hoarsely.

She responded by increasing the pace, faster and harder, and a shudder ran over his whole body. The only sound was his own panting, his own grunts as the feelings consumed him.

“I can’t hold back much longer,” he warned her, his voice strangled.

She glanced up at him for a second, but only worked him harder, without mercy, urging him on. His head fell back, his hands gripping her head tightly as his hips thrust with primal rhythm until he groaned through his release, his mind registering nothing but the amazing feel of her. When he was done, he lay there panting.

“Sweet Jaysus, you killed me,” he murmured raggedly.

She smiled up at him and purred, “I’m glad.”

He looked down into her face. Her cheeks were flushed and her hazel eyes sparkled with seductive triumph. “You’re incredible,” he managed. “A goddess. I can’t… Christ, I can barely talk.”

“Good. That makes me happy.” She clambered up onto the couch beside him. As soon as she did, he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. His arms closed around her as his mouth plundered hers.

“And now,” he whispered, nibbling along her neck, up to her ear. “It’s your turn.”

*

“Oh good,” Toni
breathed, instinctively arching against him when he found the sweet spot behind her ear. “Because I have to tell you… seeing, hearing, and feeling you like that totally turned me on.”

He pulled back enough to grin at her. “Really?”

“Oh, my God, yes! Are you kidding?” She kissed him, adding, “That was
hot
. I am so ready for you right now. But I, um… know I have to wait a bit.”

Gleaning her meaning, the side of his mouth pulled up in a smirk. “No, sweetheart. You’ll not wait another minute.” He pulled up his shorts and fastened them, then stood, pulling her up with him. His mouth took hers in a searing kiss, both hands cradling her face. Then he reached for her hand and pulled her outside to the deck.

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the humid air. Toni went to flip on the deck lights but he stilled her hand, grasping it in his, and led her to one of the long, cushioned lounge chairs. Warm winds brushed their skin as stars twinkled in the night sky, tiny diamonds in a sea of black velvet. In the darkness, she couldn’t see the ocean, but the sounds of it were out there, soothing and hypnotic, a perfect soundtrack for seduction.