Part 10 (2/2)

”Funny.” I fake laugh, turning my back to him to slide my panties on. ”Seriously, though,” I start, my words instantly falling away when I turn and run smack dab into his hard chest.

”I wasn't trying to be funny.” He dips his face down eye level with mine, his tongue darting out across his bottom lip.

At first, I think he's going to kiss me but then he backs away, a very satisfied smile pulling up the corners of his mouth. Apparently, he saw exactly the reaction he was looking for on my face.

Spinning around, he heads to the dresser that sits along the far side of the room. I can't stop my eyes from following him, focused directly on his bare a.s.s as he rifles through drawers. He finally pulls out a plain black t-s.h.i.+rt and a pair of dark gray boxer briefs, sliding them on before turning back around to face me.

While I swear this man would look good wearing a garbage bag, I can't help but feel slightly disappointed that his incredible body is now hidden from my view. He must sense my disappointment because he lets out a small chuckle and shrugs.

”You had your chance.” His smile is enough to make my knees shake slightly just from looking at him.

”This isn't over,” I warn, spinning around and heading toward the door.

Before I can reach it, his arm snakes around my waist and he pulls my backside flush against him.

”Think again,” he rasps against my ear before spinning me back around, laying a hard smack to my a.s.s as he does. ”You're not going out there in that.” He points to my attire.

”Why not?” I question, looking down at myself. His s.h.i.+rt hangs down mid-thigh on me, so it's not like I'm not covered.

”Because I have a temporary roommate, and I am not going to give him the pleasure of seeing what belongs to me,” he growls. ”Pants. Now.”

”G.o.d, you're bossy.” I stick my tongue out at him before picking up my gray leggings off the floor and sliding them on. ”Better?” I huff, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

”What will be better is when you've had a chance to eat and are back in my bed with not a f.u.c.king thing on.” His eyes darken as they trail from my face to my feet and then back up again before he rips the door open and disappears down the hallway.

I can't help the huge smile that spreads across my face, my feet temporarily unable to move as the pure rush of excitement seeps through my body. I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I've spent the last thirty-six hours in Gavin's arms, in his bed.

”Are you coming or what?” I hear him yell down the hall, snapping me out of my momentary haze.

”I'm coming. I'm coming,” I call back, exiting the bedroom.

”Not the first time I've heard that come out of your mouth,” he quips the moment he catches sight of me from the kitchen.

”You're really on it tonight. I bet you think you're really something special,” I tease, sliding up onto the kitchen counter so that when he turns away from the refrigerator I am sitting eye level with him.

He looks at me for a long moment before crossing the short distance between us, sliding the lunch meat and condiments onto the counter before stepping in between my legs, his lips instantly finding my neck.

”Do I need to remind you just how special I am?” he asks, his fingers closing down around my hips as he pulls my body flush against his, the evidence of his arousal pressing into me.

I let out a small gasp before wrapping my hands around the back of his neck and pulling his face up to meet mine. ”I think you might need to,” I challenge, pressing my lips firmly against his.

He immediately deepens the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine hungrily like we haven't just spent the last several hours devouring one and another. I slide my hands down his back, pulling him even tighter against my body, wanting nothing more than to feel him inside of me right here and now.

”I'm going to f.u.c.k you, Harlee. Right here on this f.u.c.king counter.” He nips at my earlobe, coaxing a small groan of pleasure from my mouth.

His grip on my hips disappears seconds before I feel his hand grip the hem of my s.h.i.+rt as he starts to pull upward. I lift my arms but then immediately drop them when I hear the front door open and then slam shut.

I scramble to compose myself, quickly fixing my s.h.i.+rt just seconds before Paxton appears through the half wall that opens up into the living s.p.a.ce.

”Hey.” Gavin nods toward Paxton before stepping out from between my legs, leaving me sitting on the counter as he resumes collecting the items needed to make our sandwiches.

”Hey.” Paxton doesn't seem the least bit surprised to see me here, but I suddenly feel very out of place. ”What are you making?” Both men carry on as if Paxton hadn't just walked in on me and Gavin about to have s.e.x directly on top of the kitchen counter.

”Turkey sandwiches,” Gavin answers, dropping a loaf of bread on the counter next to me. ”You want one?”

”Nah, I'm good.” He shakes his head. ”I got some s.h.i.+t to take care of. Just needed to stop by and take a quick shower.”

”Where've you been?” Gavin questions, laying out two pieces of bread before stacking three slices of turkey on top of each one.

I flip my eyes between the two of them, staying silent as I observe their casual interaction. While Gavin seems completely at ease like he doesn't have a care in the world, Paxton seems kind of anxious.

”I stayed at Dad's last night. We had a few beers with dinner and instead of driving I just decided to crash on his couch.”

I don't know why, but I get the feeling something is off with him. Of course, I don't know him well enough to say that as a fact but if I had to guess, there's something going on that he's not letting Gavin in on. I can't help but wonder what it could be. I make a mental note to find out more about Paxton next time I talk to Kimber.

”Nothing. I like it plain,” I say when Gavin holds up a bottle of mustard and mayo. He scrunches his nose before slathering his sandwich in mustard.

I'm about to make a comment when the sound of my cell phone signaling a new message from the living room grabs my attention.

”I'll be right back.” I slide off the counter.

By the time I reach my purse lying on the couch, Gavin has already moved on to asking Paxton something about his gig at Deviants tomorrow night. Honestly, the moment I see the slew of messages that litter my screen, I stop hearing what they are saying.

There has to be at least twenty messages, all from Bryan...

Where are you?

Are you alive?

You missed dinner.

I'm worried. Will you call me, please?

The last one had come in just moments ago. The guilt that previously consumed me comes rus.h.i.+ng back like a tidal wave, flooding through every part of my body. I look up to where Gavin and Paxton are still in casual conversation before turning my attention back down to my phone, immediately typing out a quick text.

So sorry. I'm fine. I came to Portland with Kimber last night and my phone died.

I hit send, praying that in his attempt to make sure I was okay that he didn't call Kimber to see if she had heard from me.

His response comes back instantly.

Thank G.o.d! I was so worried about you. You missed our date last night.

<script>