Gavin

Nothing good is going to come from her taking this job, but if I try to stop her, she’ll probably hate me and mark me as the enemy.

This Aiden guy has a hidden agenda. No one, especially a man of his caliber, hires some Joe Blow off the streets to be his personal assistant. He wants her, and if buying her is the way to get her, consider it mission accomplished.

I just hope Niki doesn’t get pulled under. That she goes into this with eyes wide open and sees him for what he truly is.

For me, I can’t do a thing. Fighting for her will only push her away. Confessing my feelings when she isn’t ready to hear them will send her running. Niki will eventually see what we have, but for now, I’ll take these stolen moments, branding them to memory.

I lie awake, watching her sleep, counting down the minutes until she has to leave. Her hair is sprawled over the pillow, her breaths deep and shallow, a whisper of a snore escaping her parted lips. Her tank top is riding up, resting underneath her breasts, and her legs are curled around mine.

I could stay like this forever.

Dozing off myself, I’m quickly awakened by the alarm I set. Prying myself away, I get up to start the coffee and finish packing her things. Everything is laid out; I just have to get it in the two bags, and by looking at the piles, that could be a tad bit of a challenge.

Not a problem.

Niki

“Hey sleepy-head. Time to get up.” Gavin’s voice seems a little too chipper for just waking up.

“Just a few more minutes.” Keeping my eyes closed, I reach around for an extra pillow to shield my eyes and quiet his demands.

“No can do. Time to get going.” I feel the side of my bed dip. “Here, drink this.” He hands me my spill proof mug. “Spare some lives, why don’t you?” He chuckles.

“Shaw, back the fuck up! Why are you so chipper?” I reach for my phone, noticing the time. “Is this some kind of joke? In case you forgot…I never…I repeat…NEVER get up this early unless I have a meeting or it’s…” Realization sets in. “Oh, shit, Gav.” I fly up out of bed, thankful for the spill proof mug. “I have to get ready. Oh, my God. I still have to pack.”

Running to the closet, I pull out the outfit I had laid out and head to the shower then run back. “Gavin, I don’t know what to do first? Do I get ready or pack?”

“Breathe, kid. Look.” He points over to the door. “Done.”

Taking a long gulp of my coffee, welcoming the burn, I try to decipher what he’s saying. “I’m afraid you need to translate that. I’ve only had one sip of coffee. I get smarter as the day goes on.”

“I woke up a couple hours ago and packed your bags.” He sits there casually, like it wasn’t a big deal, but he packed my bags. My bags. A woman.

“But we have…things,” I tell him awkwardly.

“You practically had everything laid out or, well, thrown everywhere. Plus, you forget; I have a sister, and I’m pretty familiar with you, so those things were taken care of.”

“You sure about that?” I stare him down, eyes squinting while I walk over to my nightstand, opening the drawer. “Noooo, you didn’t,” I gasp.

“Yes, I did. Three weeks is a long time.” He lifts his hand up, rubbing his scruff. “I do have to wonder though. Does it count as cheating when you have so many?”

“Gavin Taylor Shaw!” I reach over, grab a decorative pillow and toss it across the room. “Stay out of my nightstand, and NO, it’s not cheating. And I don’t even need all of them.”

“Nik, it’s totally cool. Actually, it’s sexy as hell to find your stash. I mean, I knew you had it, but keeping it in your nightstand? That’s such a cliché thing to do and not like you at all.”

“Whatever…it’s just…I’m not exactly the girl everyone thinks I am. You know.” I’m suddenly embarrassed that it’s been a while.

“You don’t have to explain to me. I know exactly who you are.” He’s up and crossing the room, taking my coffee. “Go. Shower, and I’ll make one of these for you to go.”

“What would I ever do without you?”

“Kid, I don’t ever want to find out.”

Another moment passes, left untouched.

Rushing around, I’m ready in record-breaking time. I opt for a black wrap dress and heels, loose bun and minimal makeup, with the exception of the classic red lip.

“I think I’m about ready.” I grab my cell phone and head into the front room where Gavin is still shirtless, sitting at the island, going through my stack of magazines. “You ever going to put on a shirt?” I’m only half joking.

Seeing his bare chest does things to me. Things I would never admit to anyone but my three friends in the nightstand.

“I’ll put one on after you leave. I thought I had an extra shirt over here, but I guess I took them all home the last time you did laundry.”

“What happened to the one last night?”

“Hello? It smelled like scotch. You wanted me to take it off so you didn’t have to smell me,” he says, which jogs my memory.

“That’s right. Anyways. I just received an alert that the driver is close.” I throw my bag over my shoulder and head toward the door.

“Hey. Don’t you think you are forgetting something?” Gavin’s arms are open wide.

“Such a girl.” I shake my head and go back to give him a hug goodbye.

“Don’t get me wrong; the hug is nice, and I may have been a little pissed if I didn’t get one before you left, but I was meaning your coffee.” He brings the yummy goodness between us. “I know how you get.”

“Oh. Yeah...thanks.” I back away, a little embarrassed.

“Who’s the girl now?” He does a little dance while throwing his fingers in my direction. “You!” Then, he nods toward the window. “Well, kid, looks like your ride is here. Your driver looks a little irritated.”

“Shit! I gotta go.” Throwing the door open, I wheel my bags behind me.

“Let me get those.”

“I got them.” I keep trucking along.

“I know you do, but I want to help.” He takes both bags, throwing the handles of one around his neck, and carries both suitcases to the car. Leaving me standing there. Speechless.

All my life, I felt I had to do it all. Take care of everyone. Prove myself to anyone who ever doubted me. Sometimes I forget it’s okay to take a step back and let others take responsibility. Gavin, he lets me do exactly that.

Tossing the bags in the trunk, he opens the back door of the car, I’m sure upsetting Tony. “Please, be careful. Text me when you get to the airport, when you take off and land and when you get to the hotel.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“I’m serious. Check in daily, or Aubrey and I will send a search party out for you.”

“Shit, I haven’t even told Aubrey. I’ll call her tomorrow and fill her in.”

“Miss Sanders, we need to leave now, or we will miss the flight,” Tony interrupts, trying to keep us on schedule. “Mr. Alexander waits for no one.”

“You heard Tony. I have to go.”

I reach up to give Gavin a peck goodbye, but as I stretch up, he begins to say something, so his lips are parted. We connect. It was supposed to be a meaningless kiss. One that would show him he would be missed, but this…it felt different. Both cautious not to move, standing still for mere seconds, but the moment feels like a lifetime of unspoken promises. Scared of the emotions, I break away first and slide into the backseat.

“Miss, we really have to go,” Tony says as he shuts the door.

Rolling down my window, I see Gavin standing there. Still.

“I’ll text you in a few.” I reach my hand out for his, but Tony pulls off, and Gavin remains there, slowly fading until he is gone.