His Love (9 page)

T
he next morning,
when Toni woke, she was grateful to find she felt fine. She felt a little off, but wasn’t hung over. Her last day off. She’d have to go back to work tomorrow, and was already dreading it. All she wanted… thoughts of Gavin flooded her mind, and the butterflies commandeered her stomach. With a little grin, she rolled over in her bed, curling up with the pillow as she replayed moments from the night before in her head. Kissing him… how he’d touched her… the sound of him groaning with desire echoed deliciously in her ears. God, those stolen minutes had been intense, scorching hot. It wasn’t alcohol making that more than it was; it had been unbelievably hot, off the charts hot. He was… wow. He wanted her like she wanted him. He’d been hiding it well. Now that they’d both admitted to it…

A pleased, excited giggle escaped her. The next move was hers to make. She’d relish every bit of it.

He’d be there for about three more weeks. A summer fling? Game on.

She started to mull over the possibilities, the important fine points. On one hand, was she capable of the kind of emotional disconnect needed to have a short affair? And not end up getting hurt, or inadvertently hurting him? She’d done it in Italy a few years ago, sure. But that was her junior year of college. Then again, she hadn’t really been involved with anyone since Mike. Her boyfriend during her senior year of college had done a hell of a number on her head; even now, the thought of her verbally abusive ex was still enough to make her stomach twist. Since Mike, her longest relationships had lasted a few months at best. She usually managed to self-sabotage them somehow.

And, even if they did discuss a no-strings affair, would Gavin be okay with it? At least she finally knew one thing was for sure: he was no shrinking violet. That strong, quiet, assured, brilliant man had blazing fire inside. Now that she’d caught a glimpse of it, she wanted more. The thought of getting busy with him made her whole body thrum with lust and primal need.

She wasn’t talking about a relationship—she didn’t do relationships. She was just talking about some summer lovin’. She hadn’t slept with anyone in over six months… and dammit, she was a healthy woman with needs and wants like anyone else. Gavin had showed he was just as into it as she was. Thinking further on it, she’d bet he had some pent up need, too, if he hadn’t been with anyone since he and Siobhan broke up. She was all too happy to let him get out those months of sexual tension with her.

After Mike and his damaging head games, she’d sworn not to let any man get too close. Up to now, she’d succeeded in that. So the fact that Doctor McHottie was going back to Ireland on August first was actually a good thing. They’d both know there were ironclad limitations from the start. It could only go so far, really; their time was finite. No one would get hurt.

It made perfect sense to her. Why not? Joe was always saying “YOLO”—“you only live once”. Well, this sweet, sexy gift from Ireland would only be here for a short time. He wanted her, and she wanted him. They were both single, healthy…

A sense of giddy anticipation, the feeling that anything good was possible, shot through her veins with a burst of adrenaline. The mixture of desire, excitement, and nerves that swirled through her body made her laugh. Here she was, overthinking the situation, and for all she knew, Gavin might turn her down. She didn’t think he would, but hey, he’d been a little buzzed last night, too. What if… what if
he
was the one who had second thoughts this morning? What if the light of day and sobriety had changed his mind?

The thought twisted her insides.

Then she threw back the covers. Only one way to find out. She got out of bed and headed for the shower.

*

Gavin sat with
Anna on the back deck, sipping water and watching the waves. He hoped he seemed more cool and collected on the outside than he felt on the inside. He hadn’t slept well the night before. After he’d walked Toni up to her room and gone back to his, he’d tossed and turned for hours. Replaying the time with her in his head, the things she’d said, the feel of her… Christ, the feel of her. Finally, the pent up lust unbearable, he’d just taken care of it himself so he could finally fall asleep.

Now, he felt hazy, a strange mix of wired and tired. His mind hadn’t stopped; even asleep, his dreams had been filled with erotic images of Toni. He couldn’t get her out of his head. He’d slept until eleven, Anna until noon, and Joe and Toni were still sleeping. Wren had gone home with Billy again, so Gavin had been outside by himself, cleaning up the mess from the party, until his sister found him. She helped him finish cleaning, then they sat on two lounge chairs to relax—the same chairs that he and Toni had all but attacked each other on just a few hours before. They talked about the party, and Sean and Cassandra and their big news, while the ocean just beyond surged below a glary, gray sky. The sun danced in and out of the clouds, sometimes shining brightly before getting lost behind the wall of puffy grayness again. Seagulls squawked overhead and swooped in the air before dropping to the beach, scavenging the sand for something to eat.

Glancing at his phone screen, Gavin saw it was almost one o’clock already. “They’re sleepin’ like the dead, those two.”

“They’re fine,” Anna said. She’d only had two cups of coffee and wasn’t fully functional yet. “Joe always sleeps late after a party night. Toni’s probably just taking advantage of her last day off.”

Gavin nodded and squinted back out to the ocean. He just wanted to see Toni again; that was the simple truth of it. And to know what she would do. Did she still want to be with him in the light of day? Or had he been right to stop her last night?

The waiting, the speculating, was eating him alive inside.

The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted her. And not just because she was gorgeous and sexy as hell, but because he genuinely liked her. She made him feel at ease, feel plain
good
. He basked in the warmth and sunlight of her personality whenever she was near. She made him laugh, she was quick, she was kind, and she just… he huffed out a frustrated exhale and shifted in his chair, rubbing his hands over his slightly stubbled chin. He had to stop acting like an infatuated teen.
That’s all this is, an infatuation.

Right. Just caught up in being away and in such close proximity with a lively, fun, smart woman… who had some interests similar to his… with a blinding smile and knockout body… Toni was different from any woman he’d met before. So it was a massive crush, that was all.

But, sweet lord, the way she kissed. Just thinking of it stirred his blood.

“I can
feel
you thinkin’ from here,” Anna said, peering at him with her big blue eyes. A ray of sun glinted off the tiny silver piercing in her nose as she studied him. “What’s the story, big brother?”

“No story,” he said, crossing one long leg over the other. “Just enjoying the day.”

“You’re so full of it,” she accused.

“What?” He snorted a laugh. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I know ya.” She stared at him harder, about to press forward with her interrogation, when the glass doors slid open behind them. They turned their heads to see Toni coming out to join them, dressed in her favorite pale pink tank dress. She’d obviously just showered; her long curls were still damp and her feet were bare. To him, she looked absolutely delectable.

“Hi, you guys.” She darted a quick glance at Gavin and bit down on her lip, unable to keep from smiling.

His heart expanded in his chest and started to beat faster.

“She’s aliiiiive!” Anna crowed.

Toni laughed wryly. “I am, I am. Just had a bagel inside. Now I need some more coffee, and I’ll be one hundred percent human again.”

“I’ll get ya some, then,” Gavin offered, rising to his feet. His heart felt lighter just to look at her. “Here, you sit.”

“No, I’ll come back in with you.” Her eyes met his and held, even as she said to Anna over her shoulder, “You want anything?”

“Nah, I’m good.” Anna stretched her arms, then curled up tighter in her plaid blanket. “Actually, I might go back to sleep right here, right now.”

“What time do ya have to be at work?” Gavin asked her.

“Not ’til seven, thank God.” Anna yawned. A warm breeze blew in off the water, caressing all of them. “That feels so nice… aye, I’m just gonna drift in and out here. Don’t mind me.” She pulled her wide-brimmed straw hat down over her face and closed her eyes. “Goodbye, lovelies. See ya in a few hours.”

Toni’s eyes sparkled as she said casually to Gavin, “Well, guess that leaves just us.” She went to the sliding door and shot him a flirty look over her shoulder. “You coming?”

He nodded, suddenly too flooded with excitement to speak. Closing the door behind him, he watched her walk into the kitchen, mesmerized by the sway of her hips and her long hair as she moved. The building anticipation threatened to choke him.

“Is Joe still sleeping?” Toni asked as she set up the Keurig for another cup of coffee. She placed her mug on the little platform.

Gavin cleared his throat, forcing himself to sound as calm and cool as she was. “Aye. He hasn’t come downstairs yet, anyway.”

“And Wren?”

“Stayed at her boyfriend’s place.”

“Aha. Doubt we’ll see her today, then.” Toni hit the button on the machine and turned to him. “So… we’re more or less alone right now?”

“Pretty much.” He ran a hand through his hair, doing his best to ignore the way his body was buzzing. She stood there, her back against the counter, looking at him. The only sound in the room was the water boiling and percolating as it made her coffee.

“Ehm…” He offered her a hesitant grin. “Everything all right?”

“Of course.” She grinned back, but had a strange look in her eyes. He couldn’t read her. “So… let me ask you something.”

“Go on.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited.

She grasped one of her long curls, twisting it around her finger. “How do you feel about summer flings?”

His heart started to beat in thick, heavy pulses. “Seriously?”

“Yup.” Her eyes didn’t leave his. The machine behind her gurgled and steamed.

“Well, frankly, I’ve never had one,” he said.

“Would you like to?” she asked, her voice quiet.

“With you? Hell, yes.” He crossed the kitchen to stand right in front of her. “What about you?”

She chewed on her lip, the nervous gesture endearing to him. “Well… we can’t deny there’s some serious chemistry here.”

“True.”

“Last night was pretty damn hot.”

“Also true.”

“And you’re leaving on August first. That gives us only three weeks.”

“Also gives us a definite end date,” he said.

“Right. So…” Pink crept into her cheeks, but her eye contact held steady. The look on her face was a fascinating blend of determination and nervousness. “I think we could have a really fun, hot three weeks together.”

He edged closer, but didn’t touch her. The pulsing energy between them was almost palpable. “I think you’re probably right.”

She nodded, chewed on her lip again, and put her hand on his chest. He watched her intently, letting her lead. The room suddenly fell silent as the Keurig stopped its brewing. Slowly, he took off his glasses and reached around her to set them on the counter. Their eyes held for a long beat. He lifted his hand and covered hers, holding it against his chest, wondering if she could feel how hard his heart was beating.

“And hey, guess what?” she whispered.

Barely able to breathe, his brows arched in reply.

“I’m stone cold sober.” She winked and a mischievous grin burst through.

“Well, in that case…” He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers, leaning her back against the counter as his fingers threaded through her hair. She responded instantly, kissing him back with matching fervor, wrapping her arms around his neck and letting his tongue tangle deliciously with hers.

Holding her tight, feeling her lush softness against him, tasting her sweet mouth… the sensations all battered him, and he pulled her in even closer.

“Take me upstairs,” she whispered against his lips. “Take me to bed. Now.”

Drawing back, he took her hand and led her up the stairs without a word. Deciding her room would be more comfortable for her, he headed straight for her door.

‡