Chapter Twenty-Six

Emma

As I dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a cable-knit sweater, I steeled my nerves, preparing myself for anything. Which man was I going to get tonight? The ultra-romantic one who whisked me off in a helicopter to a swanky winery, or the cold, calculating man who took control of my body and fucked me senseless?

Ben saw me to the elevator and then disappeared, going off to do whatever it was he did when he wasn’t at Gavin’s beck and call.

When the door opened, Gavin stood there, all six feet three inches of him, looking delectable in a pair of dark-washed jeans and a white tee shirt. His long feet were bare and the tops were dusted with fine hairs. I’d never seen him so casual.

“Thank you for coming,” he said, ushering me inside.

But I knew one thing for sure. It didn’t matter how sexy he looked, how sweetly he behaved—tonight would not end in sex.

I cleared my throat. “So . . . what’s on the agenda tonight?”

“Since you seemed to appreciate the idea of using the media room . . .”

“We’re watching a movie?”

He nodded. “I figured you’d enjoy some of the classics, based on your love of reading the old classics.”

A Netflix and chill night had been the last thing I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised.

In the kitchen, we each grabbed a bottle of sparkling mineral water, and Gavin led the way upstairs.

His media room would have been the envy of any design magazine. The walls were painted a deep navy, and a brass chandelier hung from the ceiling, giving the room a dreamy ambience. Rich otter-colored microfiber sofas, plush tufted ottomans, and the softest cream-colored carpet I’d ever felt under my feet completed the picture.

But I couldn’t allow myself to fall under his spell just yet. We had a lot of talking to do, and if I had things my way, he had some groveling to do.

As I lowered myself to the couch, I straightened my shoulders. “We need to talk.”

He nodded. “I know. I owe you a massive apology.”

“I’m listening.”

Gavin smirked. “Sending you away after we had sex—”

“Made love,” I said, correcting him.

He cleared his throat as though something was lodged there. “Made love.” The words sounded foreign on his tongue, like he’d never spoken them before. “Fucked, whatever you want to call it.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“It was wrong to send you away after.”

“Then why did you?”

He took my hands in his, turning to fully face me on the sofa. “I’ve never had anything like this. Never felt this connected to anyone before. I’ve been trying to give you more, trying to let you in.”

“Like showing me your childhood home.”

“Yes. That.”

I scooted closer to him on the sofa, softening already. “I appreciated that, Gavin. So much. It helps me understand you.”

He nodded. “I’m trying. I promise you, I am. Just be patient with me, okay?”

“Apology accepted. But . . .”

His eyebrows drew up. “But?”

“I have a few stipulations first.”

Looking amused, Gavin motioned for me to continue. “Go on.”

“If we continue this—seeing each other—I need to know what we are.”

“Like a label?” he asked, looking even more amused.

My cheeks heated. “Yes, I’d like to know what this is.”

“The word boyfriend is too juvenile, Emma. I’m a thirty-four-year-old man. I’m yours, and you’re mine. That good enough for you?”

I nodded. “So, you’re my person?”

“Your person?”

“My person. My plus-one, the person I can count on.”

“Yes, I’m your person,” he confirmed

“And we’re monogamous?”

“Of course. I’m very much a one-woman kind of man. Always have been.”

That soothed my ragged nerves somewhat.

“What else?” he asked. “Any more rules?”

“Yes. Just one more. I’m not asking to stay the night—not yet, anyway—but after sex, I’d like to cuddle. Lie in bed together. Talk. Kiss. That kind of thing,” I added, suddenly feeling shy.

“Okay. But I have one rule of my own.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t want you riding the bus to work anymore. You’ll either allow me to buy you a car or hire a driver for you.”

“Gavin, absolutely not. I can’t allow you to buy me a car, or have someone cart me around.”

He raised his palm to silence me. “I agreed to every one of your stipulations without argument. Give this to me, Emma.”

“We’ll revisit it next month.”

“Next week.”

“Fine,” I conceded.

His mouth crashed against mine, urgent and demanding.

“God, I missed you,” he murmured, peppering my mouth with kisses.

Sweet relief flooded through me. Gavin’s mood changes were giving me whiplash. But despite all that, I was happy. Truly happy.

“Movie time?” he asked, straightening the erection in his jeans.

I could have choked on my laugh if I weren’t so aroused. “Yes. Movie time.”

He read me the choices and we settled on Casablanca. I’d never seen it before, and he said it was one of his favorites. We shared sugary candy and cuddled on the couch while the movie played.

And for the next two hours, it was utter perfection. Everything a date with your person was supposed to be.

• • •

“Give me that mouth.” Gavin groaned, his voice tense, and I closed the distance, sealing my lips over his.

He had carried me to his bedroom when the movie ended. I’d been sleepy at first, but now I was anything but.

Shedding his clothes quickly, Gavin joined me on the bed. Pushing my jeans and panties down my legs, he lowered his mouth to my belly, my thighs, and kissed each inch of skin he exposed.

Moments later, he was pushing inside me, making me cry out.

This was what I’d imagined our first time would be—face-to-face, heartbeat to heartbeat, his kisses at my throat, my hands gripping his powerful shoulders.

It was heaven. Way too soon, I exploded around him in a breath-stealing orgasm.

“That’s it, baby. Love it when you come for me.”

Gavin brought his mouth to mine, treating me to soft kisses while I rode out the aftershocks of my release. Gripping my hip, he lifted my leg around his ribs, angling himself even deeper.

“Fuck. You’re perfect,” he murmured.

He continued pumping in and out in measured strokes, and though I’d already come once, I still wanted more.

I reached between my legs, desperate for more contact, my fingers moments away from finding the spot that so desperately needed attention.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Gavin’s voice was a harsh pant.

I paused, frowning up at him. “I want to come again.”

“Too bad. This isn’t for you. It’s for me.” Pinning my wrists above my head, he slammed home, taking me in one powerful thrust.

I gasped, my lungs heaving for oxygen.

“Just lay there like a good little girl while I take what’s mine.”

Mine.

And I was.

I was totally and completely his.