“That could be just north of genius.” His lips quirked up. “Or it could tank.”
“That’s helpful,” she said sarcastically.
“You didn’t ask for my advice, but I like the idea. It’s fresh and new, innovative. But I strongly suggest doing market research to see if it holds water.”
She tried to quell the urge to do a happy dance and said, “Market research. Of course.” She had no idea what kind of market research he meant, but Jana might.
“You’ll need capital to pull off something like that. You should consider rewriting the script as a movie and using that money to fund your theater projects. I can’t make any promises, but I’d be happy to read it when you’re done.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Now, what do you say we rejoin the others before your boyfriend comes to rescue you from the asshole industry rep?”
Her head was spinning, but when Gavin’s eyes locked on hers, one thing became crystal clear, and she said, “Gavin isn’t a rescuer. He’s more of a director.”
“Why is that?”
“He doesn’t fix. He has great vision, and he doesn’t take over or fix people’s problems. He’s like the wind. He nudges and guides, clearing the clouds so others don’t get off track on their path to fulfillment.”
LATER THAT EVENING, as Gavin grabbed Harper’s sweater from the backpack, he thought about the idea she’d shared with everyone over dinner. It sounded like a huge undertaking and a great new direction. He was glad their friends had chimed in, offering to help Harper succeed. He wondered how the woman who had looked like she was going to be sick at the sight of the man she’d chewed out on the plane had found the inspiration, and confidence, to take control of her career in the way she’d described. He’d offered to ask Beckett if he’d consider investing in the idea once she figured out exactly what she was doing, but she’d turned him down. She didn’t want to use familial connections if she could help it.
Once upon a time, Gavin had believed women would always disappoint him. But Harper never failed to surprise him.
Harper stood at the railing with the others as the fireworks began, her dress drifting around her legs, her hair lifting with the bay breeze. Vibrant starbursts exploded in the midnight-blue sky, raining down over the inky water. Gavin helped her put on her sweater and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She leaned back against his chest, covering his hands with hers as they watched the fireworks. She was so relaxed, so in the moment, and he was so into her, he wanted to stay right there forever, in a state of bliss, with their best friends, and world, celebrating around them.
“Isn’t this beautiful?” she said. “It’s been a great day.”
He kissed her cheek. “The day’s not over yet. I’ve been thinking about your idea. It’s going to take a lot of planning, and you’ll need space to do that.”
“I’ll figure it out. I want to talk to Jana to see if she thinks the concept will work, and to Tegan, because I think it would be fun to put shows on at her place, but they’re adult shows, so I’m not sure she will be interested.”
“It’s a brilliant idea.” He turned her in his arms and kissed her softly. She smelled like happiness and tasted like love. An enticing combination he knew he’d never get enough of. “You need an office, I need an office, and my sunroom needs some attention.” He kissed her again and said, “You can’t keep spreading all your papers out on the furniture and floor.”
Her brow wrinkled. “You don’t like my organization methods.”
He kissed her again as fireworks boomed overhead. “I love all your methods.” He kissed her neck. “And later, I plan on showing you just how much.”
She wound her arms around his neck, furtively glancing at the others, who were entranced by the lights in the sky. “Why wait?” she said seductively, her eyes dark and alluring. “Everyone’s watching the fireworks, and you always say I light you up…”
“Are you propositioning me?”
“Yes, Mr. Wheeler, I am. What are you going to do about it?” She arched her sexy brow.
Oh, he’d show her exactly what he was going to do about it.
He took her hand, hauling her into the cabin. He crushed her to him, kissing and groping as they stumbled down the stairs. They came to a lounge area, but Gavin wasn’t taking any chances of someone walking in on them. He threw open one door after another until he found a bedroom. He backed her up against the door, fumbling with the lock as they kissed. She arched into him, and he reached into the slits of her dress, grabbed hold of her panties, and tore them down. She kicked them off, and he dropped to his knees, spreading her legs so he could feast on her.
He lifted one of her long legs over his shoulder, ravenously devouring her. She clawed at his flesh, a string of pleas flying from her lungs. “Yes! Harder. Yourteethyourteethyourteeth!” Her greediness sent adrenaline pounding through his veins. He grazed his teeth over her most sensitive nerves, fucked her with his tongue, fast and hard. She rose onto her toes, gasping one sharp inhalation after another. “Yes! Don’t stop!” Her fingernails dug into his skin, and her head fell back as she cried out his name—“Gavin!”—and surrendered to the fierceness of her climax.
“You,” she pleaded, pulling him up by fistfuls of his hair. “I need you.”
He fished a condom from his wallet, stripped down his shorts, and sheathed his length. He crashed his mouth over hers as he lifted her into his arms and entered her in one hard thrust, and they both cried out. He pounded into her, and suddenly she stilled, her eyes wide.
“Listen,” she said frantically. They listened to the silence. “The fireworks are over? They’ll notice we’re missing. Wait, they haven’t done the grand finale.”
“Neither have we.”
He crushed his mouth to hers as the explosive sounds of fireworks rang out, giving her a finale she’d never forget.
Chapter Twenty
HARPER AND SERENA climbed onto stepstools, holding opposite ends of a shelf they were hanging above the windows in Gavin’s sunroom, which they were turning into an office. It had been a week and a half since their yachting adventure, and in the days since, Harper had been feverishly revising her script to turn it into a movie, discussing her ideas for live episodic theater with Jana and Tegan, and falling deeper in love with Gavin. Gavin had been equally busy putting the final touches on the boutique at Ocean Edge, working on the Wharf restaurant redesigns with Serena, and romancing Harper every chance he got. His thoughtfulness knew no bounds. Last weekend he’d set up a rolling typing stand and chair with an attached umbrella on the dock for her to write more comfortably by the water.
“Does this look straight?” Serena asked as Drake and Gavin came into the sunroom carrying the two sawhorses Gavin and Harper had painted white last weekend. They were going to be used as the base of a large worktable.
“If by straight you mean a straight angle, then yes.” Gavin set down the sawhorse, looking strikingly handsome in running shorts and a dark tank top. He and Drake had gone running with the guys before meeting Harper and Serena at the inn for breakfast with their friends.
Drake grabbed the level and set it on the shelf. “When in doubt, use the tools.”
“We want the room to look shabby chic.” Harper motioned with her chin toward the distressed wooden desk by the back windows. “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Gavin chuckled as he and Drake hoisted the wooden tabletop and set it on the sawhorses. “I always use a level, babe. Lift the left side of the shelf a little.”
Serena lifted her side of the shelf, and after a few adjustments the shelf was up, and they climbed down from their stools. Harper admired the tables the guys were setting up along the walls, which would be perfect for her to spread out her papers when she was editing. They’d also bought a seafoam-green sofa, an ottoman, and two desks. Gavin had the best vision. With the sunlight streaming through the windows, the room was warm, inviting, and inspiring.
Gavin smacked
her butt as he headed for the door and said, “Be right back, beautiful. Let’s go, Drake.”
She watched him leave the room. He glanced over his shoulder as if he could feel her eyes on him, then winked.
“Stop ogling your man,” Serena teased.
“If you insist.”
“I insist. I want to get this done so we have time to go to Common Grounds for dinner. Drake’s going to play his guitar for me at the open mic. I can’t wait to go all fangirl on him.”
Harper laughed. “You’re so cute.”
“Just wicked in love with my man. But you know the feeling. I see the way you get all dreamy-eyed over Gavin.”
Serena picked up the picture of the dock at sunset that Harper had taken. The rowboat was tied to the end of the dock, and the rolling typing stand sat a few feet away. In the distance, the sun cast golden rays across the treetops, spreading ribbons of oranges and yellows across the blue-gray evening sky.
“This is the perfect representation of you and Gavin,” Serena said. “Where do you want to hang it?”
She couldn’t agree more. It gave a sense of privacy, and it reminded Harper of their first date and made her think of how far they’d come. “I was thinking about the wall by the door.” She grabbed the hardware and a hammer.
As Harper hammered in the picture hanger, Serena said, “When you first met Gavin, did you ever think you’d be practically living with him a year later?”
“No, but you know I hoped I’d see him again. I told you about the whole number-in-the-zipper-pocket debacle.”
She hung the picture, and they both stepped back to look at it.
“Gavin told me about the LA offer falling through. Are you okay?”
She’d gotten the call two days ago. It had been a blow to her ego, but she knew she’d made the right decision. “Yes, I’m fine. They want the person who does the rewrites to be on set during production, and that’s the last place I want to be. My career aspirations have changed so much, it would have hindered moving forward in a new direction. I need all the time I can get to rework my script for Trey. Plus, I need to write something new for the theater. I know it’s a long shot, but if he options the script, I can’t use it for the theater. And I really need him to option it so I can use that capital to fund my new endeavor.”
“If anyone can do it, you can. You’ve always been driven, and you’ve got me and the girls to help with romantic comedy ideas. I’m so excited about what you’re doing. I think live episodes will be fun to watch. You said Tegan is all for it, right? Oh, by the way, the article you wrote about her uncle made me cry. It was really good, Harper.”
“Thank you. I was happy with it, and so were Tegan and Jock. As far as my new project goes, Tegan thinks she’s interested. But she’s only here through August, and then she’s going home until the spring. I think she’s a little overwhelmed at the moment and needs to process everything that has landed in her lap. She’s still grieving, too. We’ll see how it all shakes out. I hope it works, but if she decides not to host the shows at her amphitheater, there are other places I can do it. Jana’s talking with her contacts to see what types of research they have, if any. But to be honest, I feel like this is one of those know-it-in-my-gut projects that needs to happen.”
“Like mine and Gavin’s partnership,” Serena said as the guys carried in a desk.
“What about our partnership?” Gavin asked as he and Drake set the desk beside the other one, facing the back windows.
“We knew it was right, so we did it,” Serena answered.
Drake set down his end of the desk and said, “Like our marriage.”
“Exactly.” Serena put her arms around him and kissed him.
Gavin pulled Harper into his arms and said, “How’s this, babe?”
“I love it, almost as much as I love you.”
“I think my cheesy lines wore off on you.” He kissed her and said, “And I love that, almost as much as I love you.”
He and Drake chuckled as they left the room to get the sofa.
“With so many projects on your plate, I can’t believe you found time to shop with Gavin.” Serena waved to the furniture. “Can I just say, wow? I’m a little jealous of this space. I might just have to come here to work sometimes.”
“That sounds good to me,” Harper said. “There’s definitely enough space for two incredible designers. Oh, speaking of designing, I got approval to do an article about the grand opening of the boutique at Ocean Edge. Gavin said Mia was pleased with how it turned out.” The grand opening was next weekend, and they were attending it together.
“That’s an understatement. She’s thrilled,” Serena said as the guys carried in the sofa. “You should be proud of Gavin.”
“I’m always proud of Gavin,” Harper said honestly, earning a sexy smile as he and Drake set the sofa down. “He cares about everyone—his clients, his friends, his family.” She thought about how she was getting to know his family. Gavin’s mother had called Harper to see if she had any ideas about what Gavin might want for his birthday, and they’d had a nice chat. And last week when Beckett called, Gavin put him on speakerphone and they’d all joked around.
She reached for Gavin’s hand and said, “And look what he’s done for me. I don’t even live here, and he’s created this beautiful space for me to share with him.”
He gathered her in his arms with a coy expression and said, “About that little technicality. Isn’t it time we make it official? We’ve been making this house into a home for weeks. Move in with me for real, Harper. We can rent out your cottage, or sell it if you want. I don’t want to play house anymore, Harp. I want this house to be our home.”
Excitement bubbled up inside Harper, and her heart lodged in her throat.
Before she could find her voice, Serena squealed. “Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! I knew it!” She hugged Harper, making everyone laugh.
“You didn’t give me time to accept!” Harper pried herself from Serena, and Gavin hauled her into his arms. Her heart was beating so fast, she could barely breathe.
“What do you say, sweetheart?”
“Yes, of course! I say yes!”
Gavin lifted her off her feet as he kissed her, his smile pressing against her lips.
When he set her toes on the floor, she said, “We can rent out my cottage, but are you sure? This is a huge step.”
“Oh my gosh, shut up and kiss him again!” Serena urged.
Harper did just that, and then she gazed up at him and said, “We’re really doing this?”
“We’re really doing this.” He pressed his lips to hers again.
“Congratulations!” Drake clapped Gavin on the back. “Now we have three things to celebrate. Your new living arrangements, which I think means I’ll be doing more heavy lifting soon, Harper’s new ventures, and Gavin’s birthday. This calls for a night at Undercover.”
“Yes!” Serena agreed. “That gives me two weeks to get the word out. Harper, maybe you can get Colton to have an open-mic night. I’m dying to hear Cree and Brock sing again.”
Harper and Gavin were still gazing into each other’s eyes. She never wanted to forget this moment, the look in his eyes, and the excitement sparking around them.
“Haaarper.” Serena nudged her.
“Yes,” Harper finally said. “Great idea. Would you guys mind if I invited Tegan and Jock? Tegan’s coming to our July book club meeting. It would be a great way for the girls to meet her, and Jock is so nice. He really enjoyed meeting everyone on the Fourth.” She looked at Gavin and said, “I’d love to include them, unless you’d rather we didn’t?”
Gavin laced his fingers with hers and said, “Actually, I think it’s a great idea, but I was thinking we’d invite our friends here for my birthday, grill some food, have a few beers. Nothing big.”
“Here?” Harper asked, knowing how much Gavin cherished his privacy.
“Yes, here.” Gavin’s brows knitted. “Unless you’d rather not?”
“No,
I’d rather. Definitely. I love the idea of having people over to your house.”
“Our house,” he reminded her.
“Sorry, my head is still in the clouds. Our house.”
“I need to sit down.” Serena sat on the sofa. “I can’t believe my ears. Gavin Wheeler wants to host a get-together.”
“I think this qualifies as a current event,” Drake said as he sat down beside Serena and pulled her closer. “Harper should write an article about it since it might be a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
“Gavin, are you sure?” Harper asked.
“Sweetheart, I’ve been certain of only a few things in my life. Telling you I love you and asking you to move in are at the top of the list. My house never felt like a home until you came into it, and a home is even better with friends in it.”
Chapter Twenty-One
THE TWO WEEKS before Gavin’s birthday passed in a blur. With the help of their friends, they’d moved Harper out of her cottage, and next week they were listing it for rent with an agent. They’d had to buy more bookshelves, but Harper’s bedroom furniture was perfect in their second guest room, making their home even more complete. Gavin had picked up a new client, and Harper continued to work like a fiend. In addition to her own projects, she’d managed to write three articles. She’d covered the grand opening of the boutique, which had gone spectacularly well, and a gallery opening, which Gavin had attended with her. They’d also gone to a comedy show in Provincetown with their friends, after which Harper interviewed the comedians. It was a blast.
Gavin grabbed his motorcycle helmet and headed for the sunroom, where Harper was working on revisions. “Hey, babe.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. “Hi. Are you leaving?”
She rose to her feet, and her long salmon halter dress tumbled to the tops of her feet. Her pretty red toenails peeked out from beneath the hem. She and the girls had gotten together last night for their book club meeting. She’d come home with painted nails, ready to rip his clothes off. Apparently book club meetings weren’t all about books, and they were also quite arousing.
Bayside Romance (Bayside Summers Book 5) Page 23
