by Laura Pavlov
It was better than any fucking thing I’d ever witnessed.
I pulled my hand out from beneath her leggings and slipped my finger in my mouth. Desperate for a taste. I wanted to bury my face between her legs. Bury myself deep inside her.
“Oh my god,” she whispered as she watched me pull my finger from my mouth.
I was using all the restraint I had to move slowly with her.
There was a very good chance that I’d fuck this up before things even got going.
I’d agreed to keep this from Cade for now because she was right, it would cause a shit ton of drama before we even knew where this would go. The truth was… I didn’t want to share this with him because he’d tell me I wasn’t good enough for his baby sister—and he’d be correct. And right now, I just wanted something good in my life. Something that felt right.
And everything about this girl felt right.
But look what I’d already exposed her to over the past few hours. I should leave her alone. Walk away now before we both got in too deep.
But I couldn’t do that right now.
I needed Gigi Jacobs like I needed to take my next breath.
“Let’s get some sleep. It was a tough day. You must be exhausted.”
“Are you going to sleep with me?” she asked, and something in my chest squeezed. The way she looked at me like she had all the faith in the world in me. Like I’d keep her safe no matter what. It made me want to be that guy for her.
“I was planning on it.” I lifted her off the couch and carried her upstairs and she laughed.
“You know I can walk, right?”
“I just like keeping you close.”
I carried her into my room and set her on the bed.
“You want to sleep in here?”
“It feels wrong to sleep in your princess room.”
She shook her head and she smiled. “I don’t care where we sleep, Gray. As long as it’s together.”
She climbed up the bed and pulled back the covers, and I flipped off the light and slipped in beside her. I breathed in all her goodness.
“Thanks for coming here with me,” I whispered.
“I’d go just about anywhere with you.” Her voice sounded sleepy and her head settled on my chest.
Sleep took us both quickly.
It felt completely natural waking up with Gigi in my arms. Like she’d always been there. Maybe in a way she had. Maybe I’d always wanted her there but been too afraid to admit it. But for the first time in my life, I wasn’t trying to get away from a girl that had woken up in my bed. Hell, I wanted to keep her there for as long as she would stay.
“Hey,” she said when her eyes opened.
“How’d you sleep? Did you have any nightmares about thugs and guns and drug dealers?” I teased, but there was some truth in my words. I had no idea who my dad was messed up with.
“No. I had the sweetest dreams that I would be waking up with you again,” she whispered.
So fucking sweet.
Gigi had always been that way. I remember when we were young, she was always baking cakes in her little oven for all the neighbors. Everyone was outside playing, and she was determined to make sure everyone got something. Cade and I used to tease her about it, but the truth was, I always admired her kindness.
She was instinctively good to her core.
“I like waking up with you too. But we should probably get up and head back to school here pretty soon.”
She pushed up on her elbow, one hand tracing along my collarbone. “I was thinking maybe we go and see your sisters and your mom while we’re here. They’d be so happy. Wouldn’t it be fun to surprise them?”
I stiffened at the mention of going home. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see my mom and sisters, but that meant seeing Simon. If he knew I was here to help my dad, I’d never hear the end of it.
Her head cocked to the side, and all that blond hair tumbled over one shoulder. “If you’re worried about them wondering why you’re with me, I can stay here. Or we can just say I grabbed a ride with you because I needed something from home. No one has to know anything.”
She tried to hide the hurt from her tone, and I placed my thumb and pointer finger on each side of her jaw, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Hey, this has nothing to do with you. I have no problem with you coming with me. They all love you. It’s Simon I’m worried about.”
Her eyes softened and she nodded. “Tell him I begged you for a ride to grab this dress. I really did need to get it, so it’s not a complete lie. And we’ll say my car is having trouble and you offered to bring me home. They don’t have to know we came yesterday. We’ll say it’s a one-day trip, and you wanted to surprise them.”
“You sure have the answer for everything, don’t you?”
“It’s all in a day’s work.” She chuckled, and I flipped her on her back and tickled her again.
My dick was unhappy. He’d been taunted and teased more than he was used to. Hell, I had no problem getting chicks, and this was definitely the longest I’d gone without sex since high school.
I’d just need to service myself a little more often to survive until we figured this shit out. Rushing Gigi was not an option. She paused when I pressed against her.
“Oh my,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand. “Do you have a situation down there?”
“You think that’s funny, do you?” I buried my face in her neck and rubbed my scruff against her as she yelled out in laughter.
“I could help you with that,” she said, her eyes searching mine when she stopped laughing.
“Yeah? Have you ever done that before?”
She bit down on her bottom lip and shook her head. “No, because I haven’t wanted to. But I want to now. I want you to be all of my firsts.”
Good Christ, this girl was going to destroy me. My chest squeezed and a lump formed in my throat.
“I like the sound of that.” I rolled off of her and settled on my back.
“Me too,” she said, and her sapphire blues darkened as she slipped her fingers beneath my waistband and pulled down my joggers. I sucked in a strained breath as the anticipation was killing me. This certainly wouldn’t take long.
I chuckled, feeling like a damn hormonal thirteen-year-old. I wrapped my hand around hers as she gripped me, and I guided her up and down my shaft. I closed my eyes and hissed as my hand fell to my side.
Gigi Jacobs was a rock star at all things, and this was no exception.
“Damn, baby.” I pulled her head down and kissed her as her hand continued to move. The combination of her hand on my dick and her lips on mine—was too much.
I moaned into her mouth as I went over the edge.
“Jesus, that was fucking amazing,” I hissed as I grabbed my T-shirt and cleaned up the mess.
Her cheeks were flushed, and she smiled. I pushed up and kissed her hard. “Shower?”
“Yes, please.”
I pulled her to her feet. My new favorite activity was all things with Gigi. Hell, showering was awesome because I got to be wet and naked with my girl. A hand job with Gigi was better than sex with anyone else.
And we were just getting started.
“Oooh, I love Violet’s Floral shop. Are we getting flowers?” Gigi asked when I came around to her side of the truck and helped her out.
“Yeah. I try to bring my mom and the girls a little something every now and again, especially since they don’t know I’m home.” I rubbed the back of my neck because it was Sunday, which meant Simon would most likely be home.
I could handle the criticism, but I didn’t want Gigi to witness it.
The man thought my father was a piece of shit and he was convinced that I would follow suit.
Maybe she’d believe it if she heard the things he said.
“Oh, my. To w
hat do I owe the honors? Gray and Gigi, you are a sight for sore eyes,” the older woman said as she came around the corner and hugged us both. Violet had owned the flower shop for as long as I could remember, and she was a permanent fixture in Willow Springs. Everyone knew her and everyone loved her. “When did you get home from school?”
“I just gave Gigi a ride to pick up a dress she needs for a dance,” I said, patting the fragile woman on the shoulder.
“My sweet girl, you and Addy decided to rush a sorority?” she asked, because nothing got past this woman. Her gaze ping-ponged between us as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.
“Yes. We are both Kappa Gammas.”
“Oh, my word. Isn’t that something. And you two are at the same school. You sure seem to be getting along better than you used to?” She raised a brow and smiled.
Gigi stiffened beside me. Violet was the town gossip.
“Trust me. I still bug the hell out of her most of the time. She just needed a ride.”
“Ah, I see. So what would you like today, Gray?”
“Make it three bouquets of azaleas and two daisy bouquets, please.”
Violet disappeared behind the counter and Gigi turned to face me. “Sorry. I know we’re keeping this between us, and we probably should have thought of that,” she whispered.
“We used to go places together back when you despised me,” I said against her ear so only she could hear. Her fingers tangled in my hair and she smiled up at me.
“I did despise you, didn’t I?” She tugged me close and her lips grazed mine.
“Did you despise me when my hand slipped beneath your panties last night?” I nipped at her ear this time.
She laughed and pulled back as Violet’s footsteps made their way back out.
I righted myself, but my dick was still raging with anger. He’d had a reprieve this morning, but he was sick of me toying with him like this.
I adjusted myself, making sure Violet couldn’t see me from the other side of the counter, but Gigi noticed. She raised a brow, and her eyes went wide before she turned to face the sweet older woman holding up five bouquets.
“Are these okay?”
“They’re perfect.” I handed her my card.
“Do you get them flowers often?” Gigi asked.
“He pops in here every couple months.” Violet gave me my card back and handed me the bouquets. “He started getting his girls flowers since he got his first job when he was sixteen years old.”
Maybe I should have Violet talk me up to Simon as well. This was good PR.
We both hugged her goodbye and made our way out to the truck. I handed her one of the bouquets and she beamed.
“Gray Baldwin, you’re much sweeter than you let on.”
“Only with you, G.”
Gigi was quiet on the drive over to my house and when we pulled in the driveway, she turned to face me.
“I don’t know why I always thought you were just an arrogant asshole.”
“Gee. Tell me how you really feel,” I teased, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“You were always such a jerk to me when we were younger.”
“I think I may have had a massive crush on you for a long time, but I didn’t want to admit it. Hell, I wouldn’t even admit it to myself. But I always wanted to be around you.”
“I’m sorry that I didn’t take the time to see the other side of you before now.”
“Trust me, it was me, not you. You’re the nicest person I know. I gave you good reason to despise me. I messed with you constantly. I was probably drunk around you more than I was sober these past few years,” I said.
“But then you do things like get flowers for your mom and sisters too.” Her hand found mine on the seat.
“Trust me. I’m an asshole most of the time. Yes, I get my family flowers because I love them. And maybe it’s because I feel fucking guilty that I never want to be here because of Simon. Don’t give me too much credit, G.” I jumped out of the truck and came around to open her door.
“I don’t think you give yourself any credit,” she said, setting her bouquet on the passenger seat.
“What? I think I’m fucking amazing.” I laughed. “I mean, I may suck at being a boyfriend, but I know I look good. There are no self-esteem issues here.”
She laughed. “There he is.”
I held the bouquets in my hands, and we walked up to the front door. She didn’t question me when I knocked, because she knew I was surprising them. But even if I wasn’t surprising them, I’d be knocking on the door. This place had never felt like home. This was Simon’s house. Not mine.
Mariana, our housekeeper, opened the door and gasped. “My sweet boy.”
I handed her a bouquet of azaleas, and she hugged me. She turned to Gigi and wrapped her in a hug as well. Gigi babysat for my sisters many times, so they knew one another well.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“They’re all in the kitchen having lunch. Simon’s here.” Her words had an edge. She was more than aware of the tumultuous relationship that I shared with the man, but he also signed her paychecks so she couldn’t say much about it.
Simon wasn’t a bad dude to anyone else. He resented me for reasons that I had no control of—being born the son of a man that he despised. Living with him had been hell. The Jacobs had saved me by opening their doors to me.
Did Simon financially support me in every way? Absolutely. The man was filthy fucking rich, and he loved flaunting his money over everyone’s heads.
Was he a good father to the twins? Yes. I hated to admit that, but he genuinely loved them. And he loved my mother. So, I just stayed away so I didn’t rock the boat.
“Hey,” I said, walking into the kitchen with Gigi beside me.
Pen and Bea jumped from their seats and squealed. They both charged me, and I caught them with ease.
“Sweetheart, what are you doing here?” My mother moved to her feet and came around the table to hug me. I set the girls down and they took turns fawning all over Gigi.
“Gigi’s car wasn’t working, and she needed to pick up a dress for a dance. I offered to give her a ride. We’re heading back now, but I wanted to say hi before I left.”
I handed the girls their flowers and then gave my mother her bouquet. Her eyes were wet with emotion because she always got weepy when I was home.
“Nice to see you, Gray,” Simon said, pushing to his feet and offering me his hand. “How are you doing, young lady?”
“Simon, you don’t need to be so formal. Gigi has babysat the girls dozens of times.” My mom moved to grab some vases, just as Mariana came into the kitchen and took the flowers from her.
“It’s great to see you too.” Gigi smiled and glanced over at me.
Mariana poured us some sweet tea, and Mom asked that we sit with them while they finished up lunch. They offered Gigi and me some food, but we declined. I was anxious to get out of there.
“Gray, are you going to play Barbies with us before you go?” Bea asked as she scooted her chair closer to me.
“Not today, Munchkin. I need to get back to school.”
She pouted and I kissed the top of her head.
“So, did you hear that your dad left rehab again?” Simon asked, pushing his plate away.
“Yeah. I believe he’s on his way back now. How do you know about that?”
Gigi’s hand found my knee beneath the table and it rested there.
“Everyone knows what a screw-up he is. It’s all over town. I figured that’s why you were here? Getting dragged into his world like you always do.”
“Simon.” My mother’s voice was harsh.
That was new.
He nodded. “Just saying. You want to go to law school and make something of yourself, you’re not going to achieve much by following in your dad
’s footsteps. You know that, right?”
My shoulders stiffened at his words. “I’m aware.”
“Like father like son, but it won’t carry you far, Gray.” His gaze locked with mine and I was ready to get the hell out of there.
“Gray got the highest grade in his Law and Ethics class and has been offered a summer internship at the courthouse.” Gigi’s lips were pursed as she stared at my stepfather.
Mariana set some cookies on the table and I didn’t miss the smile on her face. No one had ever come to my defense like that. People rarely stood up to Simon.
“Is that so?” Simon looked back at me with surprise.
“That is so. All right, we need to get going.” I pushed to my feet and Gigi followed me to the door.
I hugged my sisters goodbye and did the same to my mom.
“I’m sorry, baby. He means well,” she whispered in my ear. “He just doesn’t want to see you go down the same path.”
I nodded. “Yep. I’ll see you at Thanksgiving.”
“Will you join us for dinner this year?” she asked, and her gaze was full of hope. The thought of sitting through a lengthy dinner with Simon did not appeal to me.
“The Jacobs invited me, but I’ll stop by for sure.”
When we stepped outside, Gigi walked beside me. “He’s such an asshole.”
“Yep.” I paused when I opened her door. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Always,” she said. And a small part of me wanted to hold her to it. But I knew better.
This couldn’t last forever.
Because nothing good ever lasted forever.
I’d just pulled her into my father’s shit storm, and I knew better.
I knew I needed to end this now because I’d already allowed it to go too far.
Chapter Seventeen
Gigi
I’d arrived home Wednesday afternoon for Thanksgiving break, thankful that the drive to Willow Springs was less than two hours. It made the commute fairly easy. I made my way over to Addy’s house after having lunch with my parents and Cade. We were all looking forward to having our Magic Willows meeting in person versus Skype. I had a pit in my stomach all day at the thought of seeing Gray as it had been almost two weeks since we’d spoken. And my heart was still hurting because he’d literally flipped the switch on me.
