Gavin’s heart squeezed when Regan didn’t say anything further. He didn’t want to push her when it came to her parents. He knew how complicated family could be and remembered hearing how demanding hers were when they were younger. “We don’t have to talk about it,” he murmured, wondering how they’d landed on the topic of her parents in the first place.

She squeezed his hand in return, but didn’t open her eyes. He would have thought she’d fallen asleep if not for her breathing.

Making a quick decision, he turned toward the lake. He wasn’t ready to take her home, not to her grandparents’ little clapboard house with the air mattress on the floor. Not yet.

When he got to his destination, he put the truck in park and waited for Regan to stir, a smile tugging at his lips. He wanted her to laugh, to see her as carefree as she had been with her friends while watching the game. He wanted to be part of that.

It didn’t take long for Regan to open her eyes and stare at his house. “I thought you were taking me home.”

“Do you want to go home?” He shook his head at her silence. “I’ll take you home if you want. I just thought we’d be more comfortable here. I want to spend more time with you, Regan. Just you.”

“I thought that’s what we were going to do when you woke me up in the middle of the night, but then you dragged me out to watch a football game in the mud and the snow.” She popped her door open and climbed out. Decision made.

“It’s tradition,” he told her, grabbing her hand and steering them through the garage into the darkened house, bypassing all the common areas. The air was still cold since he’d had the heat turned down while he was gone, so he paused in the hallway to adjust the thermostat. Even though she’d been to his house before, this felt different. More intimate and right somehow. And he wanted more than this casual relationship they’d fallen into.

Even more, he wanted her to feel the same things he was feeling. He wasn’t exaggerating when he told Mitchell that Regan was freaking out about him. She’d had her life blown up by the one man she trusted. She didn’t want the same thing to happen again. While he understood that, he was no longer willing to sit back and wait for her to come to the same conclusion. This thing between them was too strong, too hot to ignore. Too much to simply hold back and let play out on its own. It was time he took charge.

He wasn’t sure when he’d come to this decision. It didn’t matter. They were here now and he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.

Once they reached his bedroom, he paused to look at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and rapid breathing. “Are you okay?” he asked, tilting his head. “With this?”

The corner of her mouth lifted and she gripped his hand a little tighter. “I am so okay with this,” she told him before she pulled him closer and reached up to capture his mouth with hers. After a few seconds she wrenched her mouth away and took a deep breath. “It’s my turn to play.”

He pulled her flush against his chest and walked them backward into the room. Her hands were everywhere, pushing his jacket from his shoulders and tugging his shirt up so she could touch his skin, sending him into a frenzy of his own. Gavin reached over his head to rip his shirts off so she could reach him without the wet cloth in the way. His skin was cold, her touch hot, and he couldn’t get enough.

Regan gave him a shove that had him falling back onto the bed. He obliged by scooting backward and propping his head up in his hands. She was taking charge and he watched, lust overtaking him, as she started stripping.

Her jacket hit the floor next to his. Then the thermal shirt he’d insisted she wear, followed by the long underwear. Regan caught his eye and laughed as she stood in just the thin tank top she’d been sleeping in when he arrived at her house earlier that night. How had he forgotten that she wasn’t wearing a bra? How had he not noticed that when he woke her up? “This isn’t much of a striptease,” she told him. “We’ll have to try it again when I’m not wearing so many layers.”

His mouth went dry as she bent to untie her boots, the tank top gaping and giving him an unobstructed view of her breasts. “I’m completely onboard with that plan,” he said thickly, watching her hop on one foot to tug the boot off. Have mercy, he might not make it through tonight if he was this turned on without her making any effort at all. He’d never survive a real striptease. His jeans were tight, getting tighter by the second.

Once she’d finally wrestled herself free of her footwear she straightened, eyes going straight to the bulge straining his wet denim. “That can’t be comfortable,” she whispered.

“No,” he whispered back, afraid to voice what he wanted her to do. Afraid she wouldn’t fulfill the promise he could see lurking in those eyes.

Regan sucked her bottom lip back between her teeth, just a bit. Enough to make his balls tighten even more before she responded with a full smile. “I think I should help with that.”

Gavin watched while she quickly removed his boots and slowly began to crawl up his body. The heat from her skin sizzled against his, causing an interesting hot/cold, push/pull coil in his gut. It took everything in him to just lay back and let her take her time, nibbling here, licking there. He was going to go up in smoke if she didn’t hurry up.

She found the tattoo on his side and settled in to explore it with her tongue, sending shock waves rippling through him. Every nerve was standing at attention begging for her touch, anticipating where she’d kiss him next. He’d never been so aroused, even when he was a teenager. This, with Regan, couldn’t be described so he stopped trying and simply closed his eyes to heighten the anticipation even more.

When he felt her shift, he cracked his eyes open. She was enjoying the control he was giving her, that was apparent by the twinkle in her eye and the smug smile on her face. Little did she know he’d happily hand her the reins any time she asked, and they weren’t even to the main event yet.

“You’re not falling asleep on me, are you?” she asked, her voice thick with desire, causing his cock to jerk. Damn, he was going to lose it before he ever got inside her if that was just the reaction to her voice.

“Never,” he assured her. “I’m just enjoying the ride.”

Regan laughed, a warm puff of breath stoking his chest just before her tongue wrapped around his nipple. Holy fuck. His toes curled and his hips lifted despite his attempt to let her continue at her own pace.

She was torturing him in the sweetest way possible. There was no other way to describe what she was doing to him.

He felt her hand caress his chest while her teeth gently nipped at him. Then her fingers pinched the other nipple while she applied suction to the first. Sweat beaded along his brow as he fought to remain still. Gavin gritted his teeth and let out a shuddering breath. Forget torture, she was going to kill him. Flat-out dead.

The next thing he knew, she was right there, straddling him. His jeans were unbuttoned, but still on. She was still wearing her panties, but she was settling in, right where he wanted her. Almost before that thought completely registered she leaned over him, her mouth hovering right above his.

“Thank you,” she whispered, the words light against his lips.

His eyes searched hers, looking for a clue of what she meant. You’re welcome just didn’t seem like the appropriate response after what she’d just done to him. He should be thanking her. Wanted to thank her.

But before he could respond, she leaned forward to capture his mouth again and the only thing he could do was reach up and bring her to him.

Regan felt Gavin’s hand skim up her jaw before his fingers plunged into her hair. She was a heartbeat away from him, every part of him. And despite everything she had done before, this felt completely new. She and Gavin had had sex before, but that had been fast and hot. Consuming. This was something different. Something stronger.

She let him guide her to his mouth and despite their positions, there was no doubt that he was now in complete control of this kiss. He’d allowed her time to play, to get used to him, but that time was over and he was about to consume her as only he could.

The kiss deepened, his tongue clashing with hers as his other hand came up to frame her face, holding her exactly where he wanted her. Not that she minded. Gavin was a master of making her feel cherished. Loved.

The thought made her pause. She’d done love before—or thought she had. Was she prepared to do that again? To give herself over to another person and trust that they would cherish her heart in the way she cherished his?

Much to her surprise, yes. A resounding yes screamed in her brain as Gavin rolled her over and took charge, lowering himself so he was spreading kisses along her jaw and over her collarbone. She pressed open-mouthed kisses along his neck as well. He finally stripped her of her tank, his hands instantly replacing the material, covering her as completely as the cotton had.

Goose bumps spread over her as he continued his exploration, drawing his fingertips over her in a pattern clearly meant to seduce.

“Gavin,” she gasped when he gently stroked over her hipbone, heading even lower.

“Hmm?” He was clearly more interested in gripping the edge of her panties and tugging them down than he was in anything she had to say, but Regan wasn’t going to give up. Not for something so important.

“Gavin,” she started again, pausing to catch her breath when she felt his tongue stroke oh so close to where she wanted his touch. “I should tell you something.”

“Later.”

Reaching down she gripped his hair this time, determined to make him hear her. “Now.”

She didn’t think he was going to respond at first since he was exploring the small hummingbird tattoo he’d just uncovered on her hip, just as thoroughly as she’d explored the markings she’d uncovered on his skin. Payback was a bitch, she thought helplessly, drowning in the stroking and kissing, the echo of each movement resonating through her entire body.

Finally she wrapped her legs around him and gave him a tug, which sent him sprawling over her. She couldn’t help but laugh at the astounded look on his face when he reared up to look at her. “I was trying to talk to you.”

“I was busy,” he responded, laughing with her now.

“This thing,” she started before he could distract her again, “between us. It can be scary.”

His expression changed as he settled against her. “Yes,” he started slowly, drawing out the word as though he was trying to figure out what he was going to say next. He dragged his fingertips over her shoulder, along her collarbone and down her chest. “Everything about us is hot and fast. Instantaneous. Combustible. That’s not a bad thing, Regan.”

“No, it’s not,” she admitted, her senses still screaming to let him continue building her up toward the pleasure that had been a sure thing as he was stroking her. “But it’s still frightening.”

Gavin’s smile was gentle as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Would it be easier if it wasn’t so intense? Happening slower?”

“I’ve only been home a couple of weeks,” she started, but was stopped by him shaking his head.

“And I’ve known you for fifteen years, Regan. You can’t go much slower than waiting fifteen years to make a move.”

Regan gave his shoulder a little shove, but he didn’t move. She would have been disappointed if he had. Despite her desire to lay her feeling bare she was having trouble concentrating with his body pressed against her. He was moving against her, restlessly, insistently. When he dipped his head to kiss the tender spot behind her ear she let out a sigh. “You didn’t even know me back then,” she said breathlessly. “Those years don’t count.”

“I knew you,” he breathed, continuing his journey along her throat. His hands were joining in, leading the way and awakening her senses. “You were off limits to me as Gwen’s friend, but I knew you. Noticed you.”

I love you. The words stuck in her throat, the emotion making it difficult to speak.

Regan’s eyes flared at the thought, but Gavin didn’t give her a chance to respond. Not that she knew what to say. And all because he’d noticed her? He tugged her earlobe between his teeth and her eyes rolled back into her head. Her arms wound around him and pulled him even closer, letting her body say everything she wasn’t able to voice.

To hell with the consequences. Shifting, she managed to slide herself down, lodging herself more firmly under him, lining her face up with his throat and applying her own pressure there, licking and gently biting the tendon that was straining. His groan made her smile against his skin.

Sliding her hands across his back, she couldn’t resist grabbing his butt and squeezing it. “What are you waiting for?” she purred.

Before she could blink he was gone, dumping items from the nightstand onto the floor until he found what he was looking for. He caught her eye.

Without breaking eye contact he held the condom for her. The question he was asking silently was clear.

There was no doubt in her as she took the condom from his hand and rolled it down his length.

Regan didn’t let go of him once he was in her hand, instead giving him a long stroke, thrilled when his cock gave a jerk in her hand. She’d never felt so powerful.

One more stroke was apparently all Gavin could take before he pushed her back and slid into her with one swift motion.

She wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in her throat. Instead, she could only hum her pleasure. Gavin’s mouth was working her neck again, and his hands seemed to be everywhere, stroking her into a frenzy. Once more, giving herself over to the tide building within, Regan tilted her hips up, meeting each thrust with her own.

“Gavin,” she gasped, overwhelmed by the emotions that were suddenly flooding her while the pleasure continued to build.

“I’m right here. Go ahead and let go, I’ve got you.”

With that assurance, her pleasure exploded.

Later—much later—they moved to the living room, where Gavin started a fire. Wrapped in blankets, they lounged on the floor in front of the fireplace, nibbling on the frozen pizza Regan had found in the freezer and baked. Snow started falling again, shrouding the night in a peace that could only be found in the mountains.

Feeling like they were the only people in the world, Gavin wrapped an arm around Regan and settled her against his chest. Something had shifted tonight. Something profound. He could feel the tension in Regan as she wrestled with whatever it was. He couldn’t help but wonder if he should have kept his mouth shut about being aware of her when they had been younger, but she had to have known. He never would have hooked up with her that night before she left Sapphire Creek if he hadn’t known her and cared for her.

She had to know that, right?

“Gavin?” Regan’s soft voice stroked against his skin.

“Hmm?”

He felt her turn her head against his chest to look at him, but he kept his gaze toward the window. His emotions were so overwhelming he didn’t risk revealing them without being sure what she was feeling.

“Tonight is wonderful. Thank you.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “You’re very welcome.”

She jabbed him in his gut. “I’m being serious here.”

“So am I,” he assured her, dropping his gaze to look into her face. “I’ve enjoyed every second of my time with you. And I want to spend more time with you.”

“You do?”

He dropped a light kiss on her lips and whispered, “I know it’s happening fast, but I want to spend as much time with you as you’ll let me.”

Regan went still in his arms. “What are you saying?”

Hell. He hadn’t planned on declaring himself, but he might as well. “I want as much time as you’ll give me, Regan. I love you.”

“You can’t,” she blurted, jerking away from him. “It’s too soon.”

“I know it’s soon, and I’m not proposing,” he told her quietly, watching her like one would watch a wild animal. That was how she looked. Spooked. Ready to bolt at any moment. “I’m just asking for a chance.”

“A chance at what?”

He moved to his knees in front of her. Not touching her or reaching for her in any way, but settling in so they were eye to eye. “A chance to know you. To love you.”

Her eyes were wide and her breathing coming in pants. It took everything he had not to reach for her. She was so beautiful with her hair in disarray around her shoulders and the firelight dancing across her skin. The fact that she was so completely unaware of her appeal made her even more attractive to him.

“But I’m not staying. I can’t.” Her gaze beseeched him to understand. He nodded to show he heard, but didn’t say anything else. This wasn’t a decision he was going to talk her into. If she decided to take the leap, it had to be because she wanted to.

Finally, she relented. “You deserve more, Gavin. More than I can give you. I’m still trying to figure out who I am, what I want. I’m planning on where to go next, what training courses I might want to take that will lead me to my next adventure. You should be with someone who knows what they want, at the very least.”

His heart damn near broke at that and he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for her. She willingly came into his arms, wrapping herself around him. He stroked her hair, trying to think of how to tell her what was in his heart without scaring her even more.

“Regan,” he began softly, framing her face with his hands. “You are everything I could ever want.” He shook his head when she opened her mouth to protest. “Just listen to me,” he said. “I’m not asking you for anything you don’t want to give. I just want to participate in your life.”

“But your life is here.”

“It is,” he admitted. “And I hope you’ll think about the opportunities available to you here. But if you decide to leave, that’s okay. I’m just asking you to let me know your decision, so I can make my own decision. Okay?”

With a sniffle and nod, Regan launched herself at him, taking them both to the floor. She rained kisses over his face and chest. As she moved lower, Gavin closed his eyes. He didn’t know exactly what it was he said to elicit such a response from her, but whatever it was, he was damn glad he said it.