Page 63 of Pinch

We’re both breathing fast, holding each other as we drift down again. Turning my head, I find her mouth, pulling her lips with mine, licking my tongue inside to hers. Her palms smooth my hair back, and she kisses my cheek, my eye.

I’m right with her, kissing her temple, the line of her hair, holding my nose to her scalp to inhale the sweet scent of her shampoo. I want to commit every part of her to memory. I never want to forget this.

When we’ve caught our breath, she slips off the appliance. “Oh…”

Her nose wrinkles, and I quickly scoop up a T-shirt from the pile of dirty laundry. A small sink is in the corner, and I dampen it.

“Here.” I use it to clean her legs, wiping her thigh then kissing her hip.

“Gavin.” Her fingers thread in my hair, and she bends down to kiss the side of my cheek again.

Looking up at her, I can’t deny the pressure in my chest. The strong emotions pulsing on every heartbeat. She’s here. This is real. I don’t know what to do with it.

“We should probably get upstairs.” She looks at the door then back to me. “I’ll go first. Give me a minute or two before you come up.”

Standing, I smooth her hair back from her face, gazing deeply into her pretty, pretty eyes. “I’m really glad to be home, Princess.”

17

Haddy

Lying in my bed, I can’t seem to keep my eyes closed as I think about what just happened with Gavin. My insides are warm and throbbing from his rough invasion, and my breasts tingle from his kisses and sucks.

I’m relaxed from that incredible release, but I can’t seem to sleep.I wish…

My eyes drift to the door, and I wonder if anyone would notice if I sneaked down the hall. Gina usually sleeps late, and I could set an alarm. My heart jumps when the door opens on its own.

A large figure slips into my room, and without a word, he lifts the blankets. His warm body slides into bed with me, and he puts his large, strong hand on my waist.

One inhale floods my senses with his scent of soap and leather.

“Gavin,” I whisper, reaching up to cup his cheek, findingit impossible to keep the smile off my face. “You read my mind, only… we’re really close to Gigi’s room here.”

His warm lips press gently against mine. “It’s okay. Just sleep. I want to hold you.”

He turns me so my back is against his chest, and his arm is tight around my body. I’m not sure I’ll fall asleep with his warm breath at my neck, but soon my eyes are growing heavy.

The next thing I know, I’m blinking my eyes open to the sun streaming through my windows. Gavin is gone, and I sit up, looking around to see Patsy stamping her little feet to be let out of her crate. A message is on my phone.

Gavin

Hope you slept well. You’re beautiful in the sunrise.

My stomach tingles, and my lips part. I don’t know if this is going too fast. I don’t know if I can stop it if it is.

I do know I have a lot to do at the lab today and I need a shower and Pats needs to go out. Throwing the blankets back, I jump out of bed and open her crate.

“Hey,Super P, it’s about time you remembered where your parents lived.” Dad pulls me into a hug. “Where are your cousins this evening?”

“Mav has a game and Gigi is judging a dog show.”

He takes my hand in his large one, and I follow him into my childhood home, a gorgeous Frank Lloyd Wright style concrete mansion in the hills.

I loved growing up here with him and Mom and all ourlittle rituals, the movie nights, the game days, trips south to visit our family.

As we pass through the living room, I spy a football on the couch—no doubt being used for a pillow at some point.

One thing my dad always had in his arms besides me or Mom was a football. When he finally retired, it was a total given he’d take a job as one of those sports guys on ESPN. He’s a natural on television, and with his outgoing nature, everybody loves him.