Sutton: Take your time. I’ll be waiting
Gavin: I like the sound of that
Sutton: Oh yeah?
Gavin: Yup. I’ll see you tonight, beautiful. Duty calls
Sutton: See you soon
I place my phone on the kitchen counter as my body tingles with his words. Beautiful. Unable to conceal my smile, I head into the bathroom to take a shower.
Warmth spreads through my chest as I replay every conversation we’ve had since Tuesday night. Gavin gives me butterflies like I haven’t gotten in years. They buzz wild in my stomach.
I get out of the shower with a couple hours to get ready before Gavin arrives. After drying and styling my hair, I search my cabinets for something to eat.
Pasta, chicken, frozen peas—nothing calls my attention. I could make a dish with what I have, but I don’t have a ton of time to get creative right now, and I don’t want to smell like food when Gavin picks me up.
I turn around in my kitchen and open another cabinet. I could have cereal. I reach for the box and look at it. Not exactly what I want. I could make a grilled cheese. It’s fast and easy.
Distracted, I go into my room to choose an outfit and put a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve silk blouse on my bed. A loud knock echoes through the house as I’m putting on my earrings.
My eyebrows pinch together, and I laugh at my reflection in the mirror. Relaxing my face, I grab my phone and look through the peephole.
“Hey,” I say in surprise when I open the door. Gavin stands before me, holding a box of pizza. I look at my phone and back up at him. “Um, you’re like an hour and a half early.”
His eyes travel down my body and stop at the hem of my cotton shorts.
“Looks like I’m right on time." His brown eyes darken to molten chocolate, and I shiver.
“Come in.” I open the door wider, and Gavin steps in.
“Penny fell asleep earlier than planned, so I figured I’d grab a pizza and bring it over before we head out. She might be up at five tomorrow, but it would’ve been worth it to spend more time with you.” He gives me a crooked smirk, and my insides melt.
“You’re trouble speaking words like that.” I point my finger at him. “I’m starving and didn’t feel like cooking. It’s like you read my mind.” We walk further into my kitchen. While Gavin places the pizza on the counter, I grab plates and a knife.
“Do you want a beer?”
“That’s great, thanks.” Gavin looks around the house. “This place came out really nice,” he comments.
“It’s gorgeous. Averly told me it was hard to leave it,” I laugh. “I’m sure it was an easy decision to move with Eli, though.”
“Yeah,” Gavin nods. “Their relationship was unexpected, and yet they work really well together.”
I walk around the peninsula counter and stand in front of Gavin with a smile. I pull my lower lip into my mouth with my teeth, making a quick decision. Getting on my toes, I put my hands on his shoulders and press my lips to his.
“Hi,” I whisper. His hands are on my hips instantly.
“Hey,” his husky voice washes over me.
“Thanks for bringin’ dinner.”
“My pleasure.” His thumb skims against my hip underneath my long-sleeved T-shirt.
My skin breaks out in goosebumps, and I lean back. “Let’s eat, or we’ll be late.” I wink with a mischievous smile.
Gavin laughs and agrees, sitting on a stool at the counter. While we eat, he tells me about his day at the ranch. I love hearing about his work. It always reminds me of home. I tell him about the announcement One Harbour Entertainment released.
“That’s amazing. Congrats,” he says between bites of pizza.
“Thanks. I’m excited. Oh! And today, I heard my song on the radio for the first time. I also almost hit a family of bears.”
“What?” Gavin almost chokes on his beer. His eyebrows furrow, and the lines between them deepen.
I laugh. “I was driving down a dirt road that Knox taught me that leads me straight here, and suddenly a bear and her three cubs were crossing the road.” I tell him about how it scared me when it caught me by surprise.
“Be careful.” Gavin’s face grows serious.
“I will be,” I promise with a soft smile.
Full from pizza and beer, I stand and collect our plates to drop them in the sink before getting dressed. As I pass by Gavin, he turns and reaches for my waist, stopping me. I turn and look at him with a raised eyebrow.
Lifting a hand from my waist, he grabs the plates and places them on the counter. Then, he pulls me toward him until I’m standing between his legs.
Gavin squeezes my waist before running his hands up and down my back. His eyes lock on mine, and my nipples harden against the cotton of my shirt. My core clenches and lips part in a soft breath as the tension between us grows with unspoken desire.
His hands land on the top of my butt, his thumbs hooking into the band of my shorts. My breath hitches, and I reach out for his shoulders at the same time that Gavin pulls me closer to him.
His dark eyes flicker down my body and back up to my eyes. “Gorgeous.” His hoarse voice gives me chills.
I shuffle my feet even closer, completely encased by his strong thighs. I move my hands around his neck and brush my fingers through the longer strands of hair there.
“And you’re handsome,” I whisper. “Kiss me,” I demand.
The smile that crawls on his face is full of mischief, danger, and adoration. His eyes brighten, and his lips press against mine softly at first, taking his time to explore. My lips meld with his, moving together.
When Gavin moves his hands further down, cupping my ass, my wetness spreads.
I moan, and Gavin takes the opportunity to seek
