Nothing would ever be the same again. She was back.
• • •
Gavin let himself into the house, unleashed Merle, and dropped the mail on a table. Macy hadn’t responded to his note, and her rental car wasn’t in the driveway. Unless she’d skipped town without saying good-bye, she’d be coming home and wouldn’t have a chance to hide in her bedroom without at least giving him a chance to talk to her. But standing around wouldn’t make waiting any easier, so he toed off his shoes and went to his dad’s empty bedroom, pausing outside the closed door. He’d been avoiding opening the door since he’d had the room cleaned out. If he’d scared Macy off, he’d have to move out, and if she let him buy the house, he couldn’t live upstairs forever. It was time to face his fears and start to move on, one way or the other.
Bracing himself for the grief that would surely wash over him, he stepped inside. But instead of sadness and emptiness, there was nothing but a blank slate. Memories of his father would always live on, in the hearts of Gavin and his brothers, in the company Jack Cooper had founded, and in the town that he’d loved. His personality and values were infused in the house, but Gavin knew that whoever lived there next would be free to start a new life, a new chapter, without being weighed down by the loss. If Macy sold the house to him, he would move into the room and start living the life he wanted. No more waiting for things to fall into place on their own.
Footsteps in the hallway broke his train of thought. Macy stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
She shoved her hands into her jeans pockets. “I’m surprised to find you in here.”
“I thought it was time.”
Her shoulders dropped and she pulled herself off the doorjamb. “Listen, I got your note, and I’m sorry that I didn’t call you today.”
Though he’d been clear about his interest in her, she stepped tentatively into the bedroom to join him in the middle of the room. She was close enough that he could feel the warmth of the lingering sunshine on her shoulders, could smell her fresh, flowery perfume. Without a word, she slipped her arms around his waist and fitted herself against his body, tucking her head under his chin. He wrapped his arms around her, taking a moment to memorize the embrace, the way she fit perfectly in his arms. If it was good-bye, he’d want to remember every detail, from the way her hair caught in his early evening stubble to the way her thighs brushed against his. She squeezed, then relaxed against him. He pressed a featherlight kiss to the top of her head, and she tilted her face until their lips met.
He expected her to pull away. But once their lips touched, any trace of trepidation disappeared, as though a switch flipped inside her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she pressed her body against his. He breathed her in, luxuriating in the softness of her skin, her firm lips, the taste of her mouth. A tiny sound escaped her throat, and he deepened the kiss, not wanting it to end.
She ran her hands down his chest and took his hands in hers. “Take me to your room.”
Chapter Ten
Gavin practically dragged Macy up the stairs, and she hurried behind him, struggling to keep up. It had been so long since she’d been with anyone, and while she expected to feel nervous, there was nothing but pure anticipation zinging through her. He threw a rakish smile over his shoulder as they reached the top of the stairs, one that promised an experience that wouldn’t disappoint. A thrill skipped down her spine as they hurried through the hallway and fell onto his bed together. Though he was clearly eager, he took a moment to slow things down, stretching out beside her and running his hand over every inch of her body.
Gavin pulled Macy close, fitting her against him, and rested his hand on her hip. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, wanting this.” He punctuated his words with a soft kiss on her forehead. “Wanting you.”
He followed the flutter of a kiss with more, moving across her face gently as he dropped sweet kisses on her cheeks, until his lips met hers. He cupped the back of her head and drew her closer, his breath hot against her mouth, and deepened the kiss. Macy fell back against the deep comforter and pulled Gavin with her, drinking in the details. His warm scent surrounded her, sending her swirling into need and desire, and she matched his enthusiasm with her own. Their lips and tongues moved together like they’d kissed a thousand times before, like nothing was more right.
Gavin pushed himself up off her enough to unbutton her shirt, taking his time as his fingers trailed across her skin after each button gave way. His light touch burned a trail across her body, and her hands itched to pull him toward her so his lips could follow. He pushed the shirt aside and ran his gaze up and down her body, unashamed in his enjoyment. Warmed under his adoration, she ran the back of her hand down his cheek, memorizing every detail of his face. From the dark brown eyes that twinkled with possibility to the strength of his chiseled jaw and full lips that promised sweet words and delicious sin, Macy saw everything she’d ever wanted. With another deep kiss, she gently pushed against his broad chest, rolling over with him, until he was on his back. Straddling his hips, she pulled off her shirt and tossed it over the side of the bed before leaning over and indulging in another kiss.
She pulled away only because she was so desperate to undress him, to run her fingers across his skin, to finally see what waited beneath his clothes. She sat up and unbuttoned his shirt. Unable to take her time and savor the moment like he had, she fumbled with each button, releasing it as quickly as possible to move along to the next. Once his shirt was finally unbuttoned, she pushed her hands beneath the fabric and reveled in the toned, soft planes of his body. He groaned, deep in his throat, and unbuttoned her jeans. She quickly slipped out of her pants and tossed them to the floor while he wriggled out of his own. Seating herself on top of him again, with only her lacy panties and his cotton boxers separating them, she shivered when she found him rock hard beneath her.
His eyelids fluttered half-closed, long lashes stark against his skin, and he cupped her breasts, his warm hands sending electricity shooting straight to her core. She bit her lip and arched her back, pushing against his hands and rocking gently against his hips. When he trailed his hand down, skimming over her hip, to rest between her thighs, warmth flooded her cheeks. Locking eyes with her, he slipped his fingers beneath the flimsy fabric and stroked her sensitive skin. It had been ages since she’d been intimate with anyone, and no one had ever looked at her the way Gavin was. His focus was unabashed, intense, and incredibly hot, overriding her natural inclination to look away. Any hesitation she felt dissolved in his hands.
As her desire rose to a fever pitch, he finally pushed her up enough to roll out from under her. She quickly shimmied out of her panties as he shoved his boxers to the floor and whipped open a drawer in his bedside table. He pulled out a foil packet and ripped it open before falling back to his place beside her. He rolled on the condom and held her hips as she swung her leg over his body to straddle him once again. Macy looked down at him, struck not only by how handsome he was, but how his expression conveyed emotion without holding back or trying to hide anything from her. Somehow Gavin managed to make physical attraction insignificant compared to the depths of true intimacy he offered.
With deft fingers, he unhooked her bra and slid it off over her arms. “I’m crazy about you, Macy.” He pulled himself up until he was sitting beneath her and buried his face against her neck. “I want to be inside of you.”
His words whispered across her skin, gliding on hot breath, and sent a shock of pleasure through her. Sweet but sexy, loving but dirty, Gavin was irresistible. She couldn’t wait any longer, and crushed her lips against his as he fell back onto the bed and pushed himself inside her. The perfection of their fit overwhelmed her for a moment, and she paused to allow the bliss to wash over her.
Gavin plunged his fingers into her hair and peppered her face with desperate kisses, whispering to her, “You are everything.”
They move
d together in delicious rhythm as she pushed up onto her arms until she was stretched above him. Gavin ran his hands up and down her sides, his eyes hungrily taking in the view she offered before pulling her down to bury his face between her breasts. He sat up, pulling her onto her knees, and held her hips steady as sensations rolled within her. She grabbed his shoulders, delighting in how strong and solid he was beneath her as he whispered to her how beautiful she was, how good she felt, how much he wanted her. His words, his touch, the raw animal pleasure he offered mesmerized her. He was pure magic, and though she wanted the moment to last forever, her climax rolled over her. He held her tighter as she came undone, driving into her, kissing her neck, telling her things meant only for her, until she collapsed, shattered and utterly satisfied.
Gently, he moved her onto her back and ran his fingers over her skin, leaving a sizzling trail in their wake. Unable to open her eyes yet, knowing that he was looking at her with something close to love and not sure she could take any more, she basked in the glow of his touch. Lowering himself over her, he gently pushed her thighs apart so he could enter her, and she opened her eyes. She was right. His gaze was hungry, intense, and open, and yet she was unafraid. She pulled him into her arms. He offered her the freedom to explore what could develop between them without the need to protect herself. Gavin was solid, a man who didn’t play games with emotions, even when they weren’t pretty. He didn’t toy with people. He told you how he felt, and damn the consequences. And tonight he powerfully demonstrated to her how he felt. She arched her back to meet him, losing herself in his embrace. Too soon, he finished and collapsed beside her.
As their breath slowed, he held her in his arms, kissing her hair and tracing lazy circles on her skin with his fingertips. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Words were inadequate for the swell of emotion she felt, but she eventually spoke. “I think I could happily spend the rest of my life in this bed with you.”
“We’ll have to settle for the rest of the night.” She could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke, the bass timbre rumbling beneath her ear.
“I’ll take it.”
He ran his hand down t her arm and entwined his fingers with hers. “You know, when you didn’t call me or stop by my office today, I worried that I had scared you off last night.”
Should she tell him that she had planned to leave earlier? The truth was that he had scared her a little, but he wasn’t the problem. Her fear of commitment and intimacy had pushed her to hide, not him. Admitting that she almost ran out wouldn’t help anything, though, and the experience they’d just shared would be dampened if she brought it up.
“There was a time when I couldn’t have handled the intensity of what we share, and I definitely would have run away from it.” He squeezed her hand. “Something happened today, and it made me realize what I want.” She curled herself around him, wanting to be as close as possible. “Things are different now.”
“What happened?” He sounded curious, but his voice was still lazy with satisfaction, and she imagined a future filled with nights at his side, snuggled together.
“Mr. Procter had a heart attack, and I filled in for him with his teen group. His daughter tracked me down and asked me to meet with them so they wouldn’t be on their own. I thought it would be weird, and it kind of was, but after a few minutes everything was fine.”
He tensed beneath her, breaking the spell. “Oh no, is he okay?”
“I called the hospital after I left the school, but there hasn’t been any change. They’re only allowing family to visit right now, so I haven’t seen him. He’s in critical condition in the ICU, and we’re all hoping for the best.”
“It’s a good thing you met the kids already. I’m sure it was nice for them to have you there to help out.”
“It helped me, too. I sang with them.” Her throat tightened, and she swallowed. “I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I didn’t want to let them down. It was the first time I’ve sung in years, and it was scary as hell, but it’s time I stopped holding myself back.”
He shifted, moving away from her enough that he could prop himself up on his elbow. “Wow. I know you said you don’t perform anymore, but you haven’t even been singing to yourself or with friends? How was it?”
She grinned, giddy with the excitement of getting her mojo back and glad that he realized how major it was. “It was amazing.”
He trailed the back of his hand gently down her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear. “That’s incredible.”
“It’s because of you.” Her words came out as a whisper. “Being with you has unlocked something inside me.” Everything was so new between them, but she wanted to let him know. “You’ve made me feel important, like the future was one of possibility instead of a dead end.”
Singing with the kids made her realize that she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life hiding. Her guilt over Tori’s death might never go away, and the loss might never stop hurting, but she didn’t have to stand still forever. There was a chance for her.
“You are important, and your future is full of possibility, but I didn’t do anything.”
“You took a chance on me. Even though I avoid everything and everybody that might make me feel anything, you tried. It made all the difference.”
He pulled her close again, and she settled against him, enjoying the warmth of the perfect fit and breathing in his clean, masculine scent. “I’m pretty sure you had it inside you all along, but I’m happy to take credit, if it means I get to hold you like this.”
“I could stay here forever.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Me, too.”
Eventually, Gavin untangled himself. Macy took the opportunity to enjoy the sight of him as he pushed up off the bed, stretched, and walked all the way around to the other side of the bed to reach the bathroom,. Strong muscles moved beneath his smooth skin, his hair was pleasantly ruffled, and his smile told her that he was feeling everything she was. He pulled on boxer shorts and leaned over the bed to kiss her again. His eyes fell to a spot on the floor, and his brow furrowed as he leaned over to pick something up.
It was the note she’d left. They must have knocked it to the floor earlier. Her heart sank. After everything they’d shared, the words she’d written earlier seemed unbearably flippant and cruel. The woman she’d been earlier in the day, the one who’d blown off such an incredible man, seemed like a stranger.
“Don’t read that,” she blurted. Which was exactly the wrong thing to say if you wanted someone not to read a note addressed to them. With her heart in her throat, she rubbed her temples as he read. His relaxed expression tightened and benign curiosity gave way to confusion as his brow furrowed. His jaw clenched, and he crumpled the paper a bit before looking at her, his eyes pools of disappointment.
“You were going to leave town without even saying good-bye?” His hand fell to his side, and the letter fluttered again to the carpet. He scraped his hand over his face, then yanked his shirt off the floor and pushed his arms into the sleeves as he shrugged it onto his shoulders.
Macy pulled the blankets up to her collarbone, tucking them around her body, and sat up. “I’m sorry. I wish I’d never written that, and I hope we can get past it. I just want to forget I ever thought about leaving. That was then, and things are different now.”
“How? You were going to leave, with only this note to explain yourself, and it couldn’t have been more than eight hours ago. How can things be that much different between then and now?”
His voice had risen, but he wasn’t shouting. Worse, he was not completely surprised by her actions. She deserved it, she knew it, but there had to be a way to turn it around. “I was afraid. After you kissed me last night, I ran because it’s so hard for me to admit that I have real feelings for anyone.”
“You don’t disappear on someone you have real feelings for, Macy.” He found his jeans and pulled them on.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I wish I could ta
ke it back. Can you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. You don’t owe me anything, and you’re free to come and go as you please. I’m just glad I found out that you don’t know what you want sooner rather than later. Probably saved me a lot of heartache.”
“I do know what I want, though. I want you. I want us.”
“You can’t possibly mean that for sure, Macy. If you think I’m fine with being walked out on, that I would kiss you like I did last night and it wouldn’t mean anything to me, then you don’t know me.”
“I do know you.” She wrapped the sheet tightly around her and moved to the end of the bed, raising herself up on her knees. Reaching out, she traced a light scar above his eyebrow with her fingertips. “I know that you got this when Gage lost his grip on a baseball bat. I know that you always prefer the book over the movie, that you take your coffee black, and that you decided to become a vet after your first dog died. I know that you smell like sunshine and your kisses make me weak. You’re the kind of guy who saves kittens and buys his employees flowers. I know you.”
He ran his hand over her hair, stopping to gently squeeze the nape of her neck, and kissed her gently on the forehead. “Then you know that I don’t do things halfway. As much as I like you, it won’t work if I can’t trust that you’re a hundred percent certain about me. I think you need some time to think about this to be sure.”
With a sad look, he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving her alone. As usual.
Chapter Eleven
A few days later, Macy sat in an oversized leather chair at the huge walnut conference table in a generic meeting room, watching rivulets of condensation trail down her glass of water. Her agent and the show's producer went back and forth about scheduling, compensation, marketing, and other details about the new show she was being considered for. The opportunity was a perfect fit, and she would’ve been ecstatic to jump-start her career revival if things hadn’t ended so badly with Gavin.
Sweet Texas Kiss (Sweet Texas Secrets) Page 13
