Chapter 21
“Nothing fancy. Maybe some pasta, ground beef, and spaghetti?” Gavin recited our meal for the evening over the phone.
“What, now you finally have me, you’re done wooing with the Korean dishes?” Maybe I could guilt him into introducing me to another Korean meal.
“Maybe.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I like spaghetti and meat sauce.”
Friday night couldn’t come fast enough. I sneaked little kisses in between classes, but we were both on the go. Even after Composition earlier today, he had to meet with some trumpet major he accompanied on piano.
Swanson greeted us at the door, and I leaned down to give him a few good belly rubs. Sweetest dog ever, yet ugly as sin.
“I still feel bad for his mom. What were they thinking?” Swanson particularly liked rubs behind his ears.
“She ended up doing fine with the births. Had two others in the litter.”
I tsked because even though Chihuahuas and Labs are the same species, some breeds shouldn’t mate. Although I guess it could have been worse, like say a Burmese Mountain Dog and a Chihuahua. Or a Mastiff and a Mini-Dachshund, or an Akita and a Toy Poodle, or...
Before I had the chance to think of any other unfortunate dog breed pairings, Gavin swooped me in his arms, and seized my mouth with his. He expertly walked us backward toward his couch.
“You have no idea how much I have missed you.” He practically growled.
“You have?” I missed him too.
“I about lost my shit when the Valley-girl twins came in for tutoring again. Visualizing you naked kept me sane.” He ran a trail of kisses behind my ear, down my neck, and back up to my mouth.
“Aww, that’s sweet, Gavin. I wish I could say the same about you.”
The kisses stopped, and his mouth curled down, revealing a pout I had yet to see from him. “You didn’t miss me?” he asked. He lingered above me, while I reclined lengthwise on his leather couch.
“I think I’m officially done missing you because it got me screwed with Haven. She was not impressed.”
“She’ll forgive you.” He kissed me again, and flutters ignited in my stomach like fire burning through my entire body. I leaned back against the couch and relished the weight of him on me, loving the feel of his mouth on my neck. Loving how he darted his tongue against my skin down toward my chest.
“I hope she does,” I said.
He lifted my shirt toward my shoulders.
“Or else,” I managed. My breath caught as he hovered over my bra, creating another quiver heating my body. My pulse quickened, and I knew I’d always want his touch.
“Or else what?” Gavin pulled the material back, licking my nipple, while his eyes centered on mine.
“Don’t know, forgot. Please don’t stop what you’re doing.”
Sucking replaced his chuckle. He danced his tongue across my bud, causing it to harden. One thing’s for sure, practice had made him nothing short of genius with his mouth.
He reached down toward my shorts, unbuttoning and pulling down the zipper, all the while giving equal attention to my other breast. I tangled my fingers in his hair and gasped when he gripped my hips, pulling me closer.
Gavin slid a finger inside and I swore, as another bolt of energy erupted, making me even more slick. He added a second finger, probing my coveted spot as I spun out of control, grinding against him, building pressure until I came undone, over and over again.
“You’re lovely when you make those sounds. I could do this all night, if you’d let me.” He planted a kiss against my lips and pulled out of me. My eyes widened as I watched him lick his fingers.
“Does it taste bad?” I blurted out, not sure if I wanted to know. Moot point seeing as it was too late to take back.
“Fuck, no. I love your taste. Musky and sweet.”
“Really?”
“Really. Stop obsessing.” He leaned down to give me a kiss. I mashed my lips together and turned my head to the side. “But you—”
“Hmmm?”
“Because me kissing you would be like me going down on me.” My brows furrowed as Gavin chuckled.
“I’d pay to see that. How flexible are you?”
“Not ever going to happen. Ever.”
“That’s a shame.” Gavin kneeled between my legs and pondered. “I wonder if those chicks from Cirque Du Soleil could do it.”
“And, this conversation is over.”
Apparently not for Gavin. “Being able to taste you, and then kiss you? That’s hot. For me at least.”
“Well, I’ll think about it.”
And he smiled, wide, reminding me of how well his dental upkeep paid off over the years.
“Did you ever have braces?” I blurted out. Clearly not winning any awards for sexiest girlfriend or hottest bed talk.
“Random, Lou.”
“True. You do have nice straight teeth though, and it popped in my head, and I didn’t have time to filter. You know.” Dentists probably made molds of his teeth.
“Never had braces. Lucky genes. You?”
“Nope, me neither.” I smiled wide, showing off the luck of genetics revealed by my own straight teeth.
“Well. This conversation is scintillating. Maybe we can continue our in-depth analysis of orthodonture in the kitchen while we prepare dinner?” He offered his hand, though not before he stole another kiss, navigating a quick tour of my mouth with his tongue.
“Hey.” I could not believe he kissed me when I not so clearly stated I wasn’t sure if I welcomed kisses after he, um, tasted me. Confused me, too.
“More than terrible?” He guided me toward the kitchen, a smug smile coated his face. “Now it’s over and done with, next time it won’t be such a big deal.”
“Easy for you to say.” My mind still processed the reality guys would even want to do what Gavin did.
Sure, I read about it in my romance novels, but those stories were pure make-believe. At least I thought it was. Now I wasn’t entirely sure.
I paused for a moment. If Gavin was into half of the things I’ve read about over the years, I would need to brace myself for some interesting times in the bedroom, and um, pretty much any place and surface we could sample. Or maybe I got ahead of myself, seeing as I hadn’t even had sex yet.
I hadn’t even done anything for him either.
“I feel like I should be returning the favor for you.”
“They’ll be plenty of time. Trust me, I’m enjoying myself. Immensely.” He filled a large pot with water.
“If you say so. I still want to give back, you know.”
“When the moment’s right, and you’re ready, you won’t find me protesting.”
Before he had a chance to put the pot on the stove, his phone rang. He pulled it out of his front pocket and glared. Shaking his head, he swiped the phone, abruptly ending the ring tone.
“Anyone important?” I asked, more out of curiosity than anything.
“No. They can leave a message.”
“Oh, Okay.”
Gavin placed the pot on the stove and turned the gas burner to high. His phone vibrated again. He pulled it out of his pocket again and read the text. No doubt someone needed to reach him.
“Hold on, let me send a quick reply.”
I decided to be more helpful by frying the meat in the skillet. The smells reminded me of summer days BBQing burgers in the backyard. Even during my days as a vegetarian, I still loved the smell of grilled beef.
Gavin enclosed his arms around me and clasped his hands together against my waist. I startled a little, still jittery around my stomach. I was safe, yet I wondered how long it would take for me to finally let go of this protective ache.
I controlled my breathing and heard Gavin’s cell ring again. He released me and tended to his phone for a third time. This person clearly needed his attention.
“Why don’t you answer it? Sounds like they’re not going to leave you alone until you do,” I suggested.
“I think you’re right. Hold on, this won’t take long.” He answered the phone and disappeared to the living room.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I can’t tonight. How about tomorrow night? Listen. No, I’m with someone. Yes. No, I can’t. Hey . . .”
Once the water boiled over, I dumped the contents into a colander. Next, I poured the sauce into the skillet of meat, covered the sauce, and turned the burner down to simmer.
“No, please don’t talk like that,” he implored.
Unable to resist, I angled my head to get a better view of Gavin. He paced back and forth, his fingers rubbing his forehead.
“Fuck.” He stood with the phone in front of him, staring at the screen. And I knew. I knew what he’d do, and my lips sealed together.
Placing his phone back into his pocket, he joined me in the kitchen, putting the pasta in a glass container. The skillet rested on the stove.
I backed out of his way and clenched my hands behind my back. He gripped the counter by the sink, his arms outstretched, and his chest bent forward. “I have to go.” His words directed toward the sink.
“Who is she?”
“She’s a friend, and I can’t ignore this. I need to go.”
And I need you to stay, to choose me first. Instead I nodded, though he couldn’t see, since his back faced me.
“You can stay here. I wish you would.” He fumbled over his words as he extended the invitation. His back still faced me, I might add.
“It’s fine. I’ll call my roommates and have them come get me. No big deal.” Gavin’s frame seemed to momentarily fold inward before he straightened up, turned around, and grabbed his keys from the counter. As he made his way out the door, I willed my lips to rise.
He pleaded one more time. “I’d still like for you to stay.” He searched my face, but my silence pretty much told him everything. Resigned he headed for the front door. “Can you lock up before you leave?” The door slammed shut.
“Sure.” Did I imagine the way my voice echoed in the kitchen? My legs suddenly felt like all the muscle had disintegrated, and I found myself on the floor, leaning the back of my head against the cabinet.
A new cavernous pain festered in my stomach. The pain stole my breath and refused to give it back.
It pained me having to dial Matt, knowing I couldn’t stay here. For extra pleasure, I had to act like it was no big deal, otherwise Matty would cut off Gavin’s fingers, and probably castrate him. As much as Gavin hurt me right now? A part of me still wanted to be with him, defeating me even more. Because based on his history, it implied an inability to reciprocate love, confirming why I avoided relationships in the first place.