Incidental Fate Book 2: Incidental Fate, #2 67ox

Contents

Incidental Fate Book 2 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17

Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38

Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Book 3 Preview Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Summer Leigh

Incidental Fate Book 2 By: Summer Leigh

Incidental Fate & Romanoverse® One Family. Two Series. 12+ Books.

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© 2019 Summer Leigh This book was previously titled: Incidental Cougar 2 All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

The world around me was chaos. I was now on my own gurney, after falling, when they tore me away from Gavin, from the man I loved, and the man lying unconscious just a few rooms away. How was it that just hours ago, we were tangled in the sheets, saying I love you on our first Valentine's Day? Now, I was here alone, tangled in the sheets while they stitched up my arm. Gavin didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve the cuts on his face, the broken ribs, or the concussion. I'm the one that deserved all of that. I told him to go- I made him leave. I set the actions into motion. "Sadie?" May's voice broke through the blur I'd been trapped in, only I couldn't quite find the words to reply. "Let me call Grant and have him take you home." I shook my head no, letting the barrage of tears falling down my face answer for me. I wasn't leaving, not until I knew he was really okay. "Well, then, why don't you go upstairs." Upstairs? She couldn't mean- except the look in her eyes told me she did. "I don't need to light a candle!" My voice was back, dry and aching, but it was there. "Prayers never hurt. I suggest you take a walk and get a hold of yourself. You've already busted up your arm, and you're lucky security wasn't called!" "I need to see him! I need to know what's going on." "Take a walk! Light a candle, grab yourself some coffee. If you're not going home, then you're going to have to wait with the rest of them out in the lobby." I shoved past her, trudging out of the room the second they were done with

my arm and walking straight into the waiting elevator, greeting my reflection. It was just like earlier in the hotel, only I wasn't laughing now or batting Gavin away as his hand tried to slip up my bikini cover. This time I was all alone. The doors opened, urging me to go, so I stepped out, high-tailing it down the hallway, shoving through the double doors to the chapel. I slowed, walking the short aisle to the rack of prayer candles illuminating the room. The table was identical to the one at the mission, the one Gavin had scoffed at before disappearing down the aisle. Now I knew why. He had probably lit those same candles, praying for the same thing that I was right now; only his prayers weren't granted. I lifted the candlewick onto another, my flame lighting up before me. My prayer was a simple one, that Gavin would be okay. Gavin... no! Screw what May said, Gavin didn't need me up here lighting candles for him- he needed me with him. I was all he had here. I had to pull myself together. Emotions were what got me into this situation in the first place. I needed to put my wall back up and be a nurse. It was about him now, and no one was going to keep me away from the man I loved. I stormed the elevator, bying my station, sneaking around to the surgical suite, and pushing through the doors. Julia's eyes shot up first, my hand flying up to meet her stare, assuring her I was okay as I continued to the sink to scrub my hands. You need to hold it together, Sadie- if you let your emotions win, they won't let you be with Gavin. If you stonewall, then you can be with him. I took one last deep breath before turning back towards the table. "Status," I asked, as if nothing had happened earlier. "Shoulder's been popped back in," she replied casually, while I sucked in another deep breath, willing myself not to fall apart. "No internal bleeding and will remain on the morphine drip for a while. Concussion, broken ribs-" she shrugged. "How's your arm?" My arm? Like a handful of stitches should even matter right now. "Fine, and I'm sorry for my behavior earlier," I mumbled. "Is he responsive?"

"In and out, concussion and heavy morphine drip will do that to you." They were treating him with no emotion; he was just another patient to them. So I tried to be professional too. I tried to look at him like any other accident victim, but I couldn't. I leaned down, brushing my lips across his scraped-up ear. "Gavin," I whispered. "I'm right here." I discreetly slid my hand to his, squeezing it gently, only to feel an even softer squeeze back. "Gavin!" I whipped my face up over his, hovering, watching his heavy eyelids flutter, then pull open. His dark eyes flashed to mine, his lips struggling to part, opening just enough for his barely audible words to squeak out. "Don't leave me, Baby." Oh my god. He was okay. My tears fell uncontrolled as I shook my head no. "I'm not leaving, not now. Not ever." He squeezed my hand back before his eyelids sank shut- and that was all I needed to pull my shit together and rally for him.

Chapter 2

Gavin had asked me not to leave, I told him I wouldn't- yet here I was staring up at the dark ceiling, legs restless, skin scratchy against my sandy sheets. At least my tears had finally run dry, giving my hair and the pillow under me some reprieve. May was right. They all were right. I wasn't helping; I was hindering. I tried to rein it in- I really did, and I tried not to be emotional, but it was my Gavin lying there, my Gavin. The chills hit again, my body instantly convulsing, teeth chattering, stuck there shivering. I was a mess. I needed to sleep. Gavin was in good hands, and he was going to be okay. He was just sedated for a bit, a little bloody and bruised- all of which would heal, and he had no life-threatening injuries. That's what I needed to focus on! Not the whatif's, not the guilt that this was my fault for making him leave, not the fear of what could have happened, or the fact that he should be lying right next to me in this bed. I buried my head into the pillow, forcing my eyes to close- willing them to stay shut. All of today, from start to finish, was crashing down, my reality becoming nothing but a dark blur...

"Can I fuck you?" Gavin stood in front of me, his dark eyes enchanted by my body, fingers like feathers brushing down my chest.

"Gavin!" I sprung up, panting, dripping sweat, maybe tears- maybe both. "Gavin?" My eyes did a one-eighty, panning the room- my room, at my house- with no Gavin. "Shit." I fell back to the pillow, raising my hand to my shirt, trying to contain the rapid heartbeat. "Gavin!" I sprung back up, smacking my arm over to the bedside table, clawing my phone into my

palm- eight in the morning already- and not one call, not one message from the hospital. "Crap!" I ran for the shower, rinsing for a split second before barreling back out, haphazardly tugging on a dress on my way to the kitchen. No time for coffee- water would have to suffice. I snapped the fridge door open, coming eye to eye with our fortunes from the other night. 'Accept something that you cannot change and you will feel better. Depart not from the path which fate has you assigned.' Oh, fuck that! They knew nothing! I shredded the tiny papers in my hands, tossing this trash- into the trash where it belonged. I was sprinting from the parking lot, through the main entrance, down the halls, finally seeing the station, with Carmela sitting behind it. "Gavin Romano!" I screamed, smacking my palms to the edge of the desk for . "Sorry, sorry." I dropped my chin to my chest, inhaling a sharp breath. "What's the update on Gavin Romano?" "You okay, Sadie?" She looked up from her chair, a little shaken from my outburst. The night shift had obviously kept my business to themselves, for once. "I just, just um, need to see that patient." She nodded, eyes weary as she looked back to the screen, slowly moseying her mouse. "Let me see," she sighed, the keyboard now clacking- painfully slow. "Moved up to room 341." Not ICU- thank god! "What about his status?" "I'm not sure." She shrugged her shoulders without a care, losing interest in me to address her chipped nail polish. Ahh! I bit back the screams, using them instead to fuel my legs, running me straight to the elevator. What was taking so long! I jabbed the already lit button again and again until finally, the bell chimed. Breathe, breathe. I stepped inside, meeting my reflection- although I hardly recognized it. My color was off, both ashen and splotchy, eyes swollen, glassed over. At least I

looked how I felt. The elevator came to an abrupt halt, the door sliding open, welcoming me to my final destination- the one I'd been running to- only now my legs were numb, feet like bricks. I drug one foot after another, the noises fading once again, the hall seeming abnormally white and unbelievably suffocating. There it was, room 341. My arm felt just as heavy as my feet, lifting in suspended motion, fingers curling into a fist, knuckles beating the door like a drum. Silence. What did I expect, really? I lowered my fist to the handle, fingers uncoiling one by one, stretching over the steel, squeezing the levers, hearing the clank, the door in my control now. "Gavin?" I pushed it in a bit more, hearing the monitors beeping and humming before I saw them. I squeezed between the door and the frame, slumping back against the wall, eyes following the noise- to the man they monitored. He laid on the bed, face blocked by machines, only the white sheet molded to his oversized body visible, stopping just shy of his chest that was bound, bandaged up. My selfishness, my insecurities led to this. Once again, I tried to move, slinking away from the wall that ing me and taking one step after another towards his bed. I was getting closer; he was coming into view, first his arms resting at his sides, his neck, and then... "Gavin." His eyes were closed, cuts and scrapes cleaned, even the bruises on his face weren't as bad as they had looked last night- thank god. "I'm here." I slid my hand down the bed rail, finding his fingers, but they didn't respond to my touch. I continued trailing my fingers up his arm, tracing over the new tattoo, my circle. "Gavin-" I leaned down, whispering to his ear. "I need you to be okay. I'll do anything." "Anything?" It was a whisper, a cough, a rasp... Gavin? "Gavin!" My hands instinctively flew to his cheeks, my face diving with no brakes to his, succumbing to the magnetic force we had, mouth on autopilot- clobbering his lips with a rush of everything we had and everything we almost lost. "I, I love you so much!" I kissed his lips, again and again. "I'm so sorry!" He twister away, heaving his chest to suck in a deep breath. "Careful," he wheezed, sputtering out a cough.

"Sorry!" I stumbled back, ripping my mouth and my hands away. "How are you feeling?" He suppressed another cough, forming the slightest of smiles as his eyes locked on mine, irises just as black as his lashes, looking at me with such intensity- not even a blink. "I'm fine, Baby." My eyes started watering again, the relief and the guilt so overwhelming. "I'm so sorry, Gavin, this is all my fault. Please don't hate me." He tilted his chin up, nodding his head just a smidgen. "Kiss me again, Baby, just a little softer." "I don't think that's a good idea." I reached my hand to his cheek instead, stroking his scruff with the back of my fingers. "I acted on impulse earlier." "What happened to I'll do anything?" His voice was the deepest rasp, his weak smile transforming to a devilish grin, and those tired eyes now hooded with a sexy glint. How could I say no? "Tell me if I hurt you." I carefully leaned over his chest, keeping his stare as I closed in- and then our lips hit, our spark igniting on . We were electric, desperate, tongues already entwined- all the emotions that had pulled us apart now melding us back together. "Fuck." His lips slowed, head falling to the side, chest heaving. "You're gonna be the death of me." What? I jerked back, but his hand flipped up, grabbing my arm. "Don't stop, bad fucking choice of words, again." He lifted his chin, gesturing for me to meet him once more, so I sank back down, pecking his forehead instead. A knock hit the door, the sound scaring the shit out of me and making me jump away as one of the doctors I didn't recognize rushed in. "Gavin Romano," he walked straight to Gavin's side, checking the readings on the monitor, then noticing me standing behind them. "They'll be in to string some new intravenous antibiotics and pain meds in a minute. He'll be knocked out for a while."

So they wanted me to leave. "Yeah, yeah. I'll go." "No!" Gavin struggled to lift his hand, stretching his fingers for me. "I'll be back. Get some rest!" I walked towards the door, looking back one last time, seeing his eyes following me out. "I love you," I mouthed once more before continuing out the door.

I had gone home, I'd gone running, I'd tried to occupy myself- yet here I was, sitting back in the hospital parking lot, six hours later. He would have gotten some decent rest by now, and I needed to see him again. So I made my way through the parking lot, straight to the elevator, and to his floor. And this time, when I stepped into his room, he was waiting. "You're awake." "The nurse just left." I hurried to his bedside, reaching immediately for his hand. "You look better." "I ate," he sighed, rolling his eyes to the empty tray on the table. "Not sure what I fucking ate, though." "Oh, you weren't impressed with the hospital chef's cuisine?" I teased, meeting his wry smile. "I missed you, Baby." "You too!" He looked so much better, so alert. "Come here." He tugged my hand, willing me to sit at the edge of the bed. "When I was hit- I thought about you. I saw your face, Baby. I need you close to me right now." I needed to be close to him too. I lifted my free hand to his face, tracing the wounds. "It looks bad. I hate seeing you like this." And I hated that I had a part in it, that I sent him away.

"So make me feel good," he whispered, grin curling at the edges. "I haven't given up on my nurse fantasy." I started laughing, running my hand back up to his hair. "You're not up for anything like that. You can barely stand to kiss me." "I can turn the morphine up," he teased, gesturing back to the machine at his side, hovering his finger over the trigger. "I've got a button right here. It's on-demand." He was serious. I guess another kiss or two wouldn't hurt. "And what would you like me to do, Mr. Romano?" My feet were in motion, walking back to the door, locking it behind me. He raised his bed a bit, watching me intently as I walked back over. "Take your hair down, Baby." I didn't think twice, immediately yanking the tie, shaking my hair over my shoulders as I continued to his side. "Now," his voice a hiss. "What kind of treatment would a nurse recommend?" Someone was back to being his cocky self. "Trauma, broken ribs, concussion, probably zero physical activity for four-to-eight weeks." I watched his hand fidgeting, stretching to my leg, fingers stroking up my thigh. "And it's been less than twenty-four hours." My rational brain was fighting so hard against my irrational heart. He needed to rest and recover, but he also needed me. The bandages, the cuts, the bruising- I would do anything to help ease the guilt that weighed down over me right now. He looked up, dark eyes smoldering. "I thought it was the end for us last night. Then I thought it was the end for me, and now we're here, and I'm not about to waste any more fucking time, Baby." Me neither. I dropped my mouth to his lips, reigniting the spark between us, our tongues stoking the fire. "You should be recovering. I know better than this." I was in a daze; he was medicated, but I was under his spell, and his wish was my command. "We're both irrational." I kissed him again, whipping with his tongue for a split second. "And you're on pain meds- you won't be able to-" I slid my hand under his blanket, expecting to find him limp. "Only you," I laughed, rubbing over his hard arousal. How was that even possible?

"I don't want your hand, Baby. I want you." I looked up, seeing the desire brewing behind his eyes. What! No way! Absolutely not! "No! Gavin, there's no way we're having sex right now! You can barely breathe." "Take your pants off," he continued. "I wanna be inside you- come with you." "No!" "Sadie! I need to know that we're okay- especially after all that shit at your place." "We are. I love you, Gavin!" "I don't trust words. Lies are very fucking easy. I want to feel you, feel this fucking connection- know that you want to feel it too!" This was crazy! I flashed my eyes back to the locked door then up to the clock. No way. But then I looked back at him, the man who usually towered over me, lying there staring up at me now. Words weren't how Gavin connected; he needed to touch, feel. I needed that too. Sex wasn't just his connection- it was our connection. "Climb over me, Baby." I reached over to the heart rate monitor, powering it off before grabbing hold of the bed rail, pulling myself up, carefully lowering my knees at his sides. "I guess you get your fantasy after all." His smile was on me, watching as I bunched my dress, slid my panties to the side, and sank down over his tip. "Oh my god." I bit my lip, biting through the flesh as he filled me, inch by inch stretching me. The intensity was more than I could have ever imagined. He was back; he was safe, he was with mehe was in me- we were one. "Fuck." I grabbed the bed rails, anchoring myself, hips rolling faster, grinding him deeper, hitting every damn spot, over and over again- the connection between us so strong, so powerful. His gasps grew louder, turning to grunts, his breathing ragged- ragged-

Gavin! I opened my eyes, flashing them back down to him. "Are you okay?" His grin was tight, no words. He wasn't okay. It was too much for him. Shit! "Come, Gavin!" I demanded, rocking faster, working him harder, and that was enough to feel the slightest buck and hear the slightest groan. I practically fell from the bed, stumbling to the floor. What the fuck was I thinking! I powered the heart monitor back up, watching it dip then rise steadily. My senses were coming back to me now, the irrational lust dissipating. What the hell were you thinking, Sadie? He has broken ribs and in your own damn hospital. I had officially lost it. Fucking my broken boyfriend at work, unbelievable. I ran to the door to unlock it, then rushed right back, assessing him. He was quiet, eyelids heavy, breathing still ragged. "You okay?" I ran my fingers over his cheeks, his face twisting, pushing into my hand. "What's that?" He choked out, forcing his eyes open wider, focusing on my arm- and the bandage over it. "Nothing." I waved it off. "Let's just say, I was a tiny bit hysterical last night and ended up needing stitches." "Jesus, Sadie." "Go to sleep, Gavin," I whispered, tracing his hairline, running through his strands. That cocky, sexy demeanor from a few minutes ago had transformed back to weak and tired- he needed to rest. "Stay with me, Baby." "I'll be right here." I watched his heavy eyelids finally close. "I love you, Gavin."

Chapter 3

I ran past my station, sneaking into the elevator for Gavin's floor. I had twenty minutes until my shift started, which was just enough time to check in on him. I rounded the hall, finding his door cracked open. I still gave a courtesy knock before pushing through, meeting his eyes- he was awake! "Gavin!" I rushed forward, but his gaze shot to the other side of the room, to a guy in a suit sitting in the far chair- an attractive guy who looked like Gavin, just a tad flashier. "Hello!" The guy hopped up, looking me up and down blatantly, a wicked grin curling up his face. "Good morning." I smiled back automatically. "You lucked out, Fratellino." His eyes were still on me, even though he was talking to Gavin. "Nothing better than a hot nurse tending to you." Oh, god. I straightened my scrubs, fidgeting with the hems, trying to avoid his stare. "Luca!" Gavin snapped, biting at the word. "Sadie this-" "Sorry!" The guy interrupted him with a laugh, walking towards me, still with that salacious grin. "Where are my fucking manners? I'm Luca, Luca Romano. Gavin's older brother and legal guardian. Fuck, I guess not anymore," he chuckled to himself. "It's nice to meet you." I looked over at Gavin, catching him roll his eyes. "You know-" His brother stepped even closer, arching his brow with a tilt of his head while his hand jumped to his wrist, adjusting his watch. "I'm staying here for the night." "Luca!" Gavin yelled, throwing his hand to his scraped-up face, rubbing over his temple. "Back the fuck off."

"Relax, Fratellino." He rolled his eyes back to Gavin, giving him a slight nod before rolling his stare right back to me. "Your nurse will tend to youjust as soon as I'm done with her." Ugh. He was obnoxious and presumptuous- also a bit intimidating. "Luca, enough," Gavin groaned, but his brother was already opening his mouth again. "Maybe this accident was the fucking kick in the ass you needed to get back home!" Home? I started for Gavin's bedside, pretending to check his sensors so I could touch him, graze my fingers along his arm, our electricity sparking my fingertips. This was Gavin's home. I was his home. "At least for Spring Break like you promised," his brother continued. "Maybe this time you won't lose your shit and go fucking mad." I looked down at Gavin, feeling him tense under my touch. My curiosity was killing me, but neither elaborated on the story. "So, when did you arrive?" I asked, trying to change the subject so Gavin would at least relax. "This morning, took a red-eye." I was about to ask if he took a private plane, like the one Gavin had used, but I held my tongue. Gavin hadn't introduced me for one reason or another, and I didn't want to cause him any more stress. "We have an excellent cafe downstairs," I hinted to his brother. "I can wait here if you'd like to run down and grab some breakfast." My shift started in fifteen minutes, and I didn't want to leave Gavin like this. "Nah, I'm good, just gonna hang tight here." He drug a chair to Gavin's bedside, dropping into it as a knock hit the door. I automatically jumped back, keeping my distance as Raul from the delivery service walked in with a bouquet. "No flowers!" His brother snapped, raising his flat palm to Raul, then snapping his fingers, pointing him back out the door.

"Flowers for Gavin Romano," Raul mumbled, looking between us all. "From the emergency floor downstairs." "No flowers!" Luca repeated, standing from his chair, stalking over to Raul. "My brother can't stand flowers, and I don't want these or any future deliveries in here. Capisci? Understand?" No flowers? "Are you sure?" I followed him to the door, reaching for the bouquet. This made no sense, Gavin had spent hours in my garden, and he'd never said a word. "I shouldn't have to fucking explain myself!" He spat, causing us both to back away. "It's okay," Gavin grumbled. "Relax, Luca." "No! He's a ticking time bomb. Get these out before he's hurling them across the fucking room!" He was gesturing wildly while Gavin cursed under his breath. "I'll go ahead and take them back down to Emergency Raul." I gave him my best silent apology before grabbing the flowers from his hands. "Thanks, Sadie." He took off, practically racing away. "Sadie," his brother repeated, brows furrowed. "Wait! Sadie!" A devious smile took shape, eyes flashing from Gavin to me. "As in where the fuck are you, Sadie? Gav, is this her?" Shit. I bolted out the door, taking off down the hall. I didn't have time to deal with this and poor Gavin. "Sadie!" His brother's roar echoed off the walls, forcing me to stop. "I thought you were his nurse!" I turned around, shrugging up to him. "I didn't know if you knew who I was." I met his dark eyes, so incredibly similar to Gavin's. "And it wasn't my place to tell you." He closed in, towering over me just as Gavin did. "I didn't know, but Gav

was raging through my place yelling your name, so I put two and two together. Damn, you guys should have said something!" "Here, take this." I handed him the bouquet. "Give me five minutes alone with him." "Good call, make it ten; he needs a little extra happy ending after all this." What... "Excuse me? I'm going to talk to him." "Oh," he let out a deflated sigh, looking almost disappointed. "Whatever." "And-" what was his name? "Luca, if you head down to Emergency, there's a woman named May who'd appreciate those flowers." I left him in the hall, returning to Gavin's room, finding him just as we had left him, lying up in his bed pissed off. "So that's my brother." "Lucky you," I teased, leaning down for a kiss. "I'll be back on my break. Get some rest. I love you, and your brother's an interesting one." He laughed under his breath, throwing his hand to his ribs as he did, cringing. "Fuck, it hurts today." Oh no. "I'm so sorry." "Maybe you could make me feel better before you go." A laugh burst from my chest, then another. "Nice try." I took the elevator back down to my station, finding Gavin's flowers sitting atop the desk. Gavin didn't like flowers? Another mystery to add to the list. "Sadie!" May called, eyes flashing up to Luca beside her. "This is Luca, Gavin's brother." "Yes." I smiled back, trying not to laugh as she winked. "We've met." "Oh, so he, you two."

"Yes, he knows," I laughed. "So," she started flirting. "He'll be here for the next few days until Gavin's discharged." How did she even know- wait- what! "When is he being discharged?" "Wednesday." In two days! That couldn't be right. He was far from a hundred percent; heck he wasn't even at fifty percent. "You should get back to him, Luca." I pointed him to the elevators, and he took off. "Two days!" I shot back the second he was out of earshot. "They're weaning him off the pain meds as we speak," she sighed with a shrug. "There's nothing more they can do for him." Nothing! "He's barely alert and his ribs. Ugh." "Trust me, girl, I'd keep him here, especially if it meant his brother stopping by, but it's out of our hands." "His brother," I huffed, rolling my eyes. "That's a good gene pool," she grinned, sending her elbow into my stomach. "That man is beyond fine!" "And he knows it! Seriously, May?" "What?" She chuckled, giving me a cheesy wink before taking off down the hall. Good lord- that was not what I meant when I told him to give her the flowers. I grabbed my charts while setting my alarm for my break. Only a few hours and I could hop back up to Gavin. I started my rounds, working on auto-pilot until my alarm finally buzzed. Then it was go time, racing into the elevator, and up to his room. His door was closed, so I gave a light knock before pushing it open. "Gavin?" I took a step in, my heart aching from the sight. He was sitting

up, hand over his face, cringing, wincing. "What's going on?" I rushed over, checking his vitals on the monitor. "I'm fine," he grimaced, dropping his hands as he fell back against the bed. "They're taking away his pain meds!" Luca huffed, startling me, making me whip my head over to the corner of the room where he was pacing. "They're swapping the drip for pills, which Gav's refusing to fucking take." Gavin grabbed my hand. "I want to be done. I don't want to wait till Wednesday. I want out now!" Now? He was just in a serious accident. He couldn't go home, not alone at least. "Are you staying after he gets discharged?" I asked Luca while reengaging the drip. "A little more to help with the pain." "I'm trying to get him to go back to New York with me, where he belongs. He can take his classes online, or we can mail his work in." "Back to New York?" I stole a glance at Gavin, seeing the immediate relief spreading over his face from the pain meds entering his system. "I'm not going back, Luca," Gavin called over, already looking so much better. "I'll figure it out." "I'm leaving tomorrow, and you're coming with me!" Luca shot back, demanding it. "It's fine," I stepped in. "I'm off Thursday and Friday." It was my fault, so it was only right that I take care of him. "Why don't you come home with me." He squeezed my hand, hazy eyes studying me. "Will you be my personal nurse?" A grin took over his face, his pained expression turning playful. "Sponge baths, kiss everything- make it better." "Gavin," I mouthed, shaking my head, before glancing over at Luca, hoping he'd get the hint to get out. "I'll go grab lunch," Luca chuckled, rolling his eyes as he walked out the

door; at least he was perceptive. "Don't say that stuff in front of your brother!" "I want you to take me home today, Baby." His smile turned mischievous, fingers stretching to my stomach. "Nope! You need this time to rest, and I have to work anyway." His fingertips hit my shirt, trying to bunch it. "I can't wait to get home and really fuck you." "GAVIN!" Oh my gosh! I looked to the door, making sure it was closed. "It's the morphine talking," he sighed, raising his hands slightly in surrender. "This shit's pretty good." At least he wasn't in pain anymore. "And you'll be resting when we get home," I assured him, although it didn't look like he believed me. "Really resting!" "Luca said you were hot," he grumbled, voice trailing off. "My fucking brother was trying to hit on you, and I have no fucking energy to kick his ass." "Only you would bring this up while lying in a hospital bed!" I bent over, giving him a peck on the forehead. "Life doesn't revolve around fucking and kicking ass." I teased, peeling his fingers from my shirt to hold his hand. "Says a non-Italian," he chuckled, voice strained. "Luca wants me to go to New York for Spring Break." "You should go." I brought his hand to my lips, kissing his scraped knuckles. "Only if you go with me!" He insisted. "I don't want to be that far away from you again, Baby." The medicine was taking him down fast. In a few minutes, he'd be back sleeping off the pain. "I want you to go with me, meet the rest of my family."

Meet his family. "I can't just leave, Gavin. I have work." Spring break with my twenty-two-year-old boyfriend. Reality was setting back in. "Please, Sadie." His dark eyes were on mine, struggling to stay open as his breathing relaxed. "Alright, I'll try to make it work, at least for a few days." I placed his hand back at his side, watching his eyelids shut. "Goodnight." I snuck out of the room, stepping into the hall while closing the door behind me, then turning, running right into Luca, waiting against the wall. "Do you have a minute?" He pretty much demanded, already gesturing me towards the small waiting room. "Sure." I followed him over, taking a seat beside him. "Gav's okay- everything looks good?" He was jittery, shaking his watch, then his cufflinks. "Yeah, I mean it could have been much worse." His stare drifted off, lost in thought. "That's what I was fucking afraid of." He studied the room, foot anxiously tapping. "I can't fucking stand hospitals." He sniffled, straining his glassy eyes while clearing his throat. "Sorry, these fucking allergies." He shook it off. "Gav, tell you I took him in when he was twelve?" That I didn't know, I shook my head no. "I was in my twenties- you have no idea how crazy it is raising a kid like that when you're so young." I didn't, huh. "I can only imagine." "But Gav's fucking smart, been handling some of my clients since he was sixteen." Raised by his brother, working since he was sixteen. "That explains his old soul."

"Nah," he gruffed, shaking his head. "Gav was always an old soul. What other fucking twelve year old goes to his parents' graves every damn day and night?" "Night? You let a twelve-year-old go to a cemetery at night?" Poor little Gavin, spending his days and nights at his parents' graves. "What was I supposed to do? He thought that two stars were our parents-" he shrugged, rolling his eyes. "He'd wait for them to come out every night, then come home." I knew he'd lost his parents, but I never thought about what happened after that. Luca abruptly stood, shaking out his coat, adjusting his sleeves. "He said he'd only come home for spring break if you came too. Make that happen." He wasn't asking, and he didn't look like a guy who took no very well. "I told him I would try." I stood too, following him out. "I'll be up before I leave tonight." I wanted to race back to Gavin's room right then and there, throw my arms around him, but I had to wait another six hours.

My shift was finally over, and I rushed to the back to grab my stuff before zipping to the elevator. I couldn't wait to see him- to kiss him one more time tonight. I threw his door open, practically sprinting in- surprising the group of guys around his bed. Oh shit. I recognized the Dan guy immediately and the two others from the cafe. Shit, shit, shit. Gavin's smile immediately dropped to a flat line, eying me before flashing his eyes up to the clock. Ugh, I felt like an intruder, out of place and awkward. I started backing out, one step at a time, praying they'd go back to whatever they were talking about. "Hey!" The Dan guy yelled over, so he ed me too. "Aren't you Grant's mom?" Great. "I, yes, I am." Suddenly reality was crashing back down- hard. "I'm also a nurse here."

"Total MILF," one of the other guys cackled. God, I hated that phrase and the idiots who used it. "Enough," Gavin snapped as his eyes zeroed in on me. "Dude," the guy grinned back. "She's your nurse?" I gave Gavin one final look, but he was expressionless, no smile, nothing. Yikes. I turned for the door, hoping to escape before Luca came back in. "I'll be back tomorrow," I called over my shoulder, awkwardly ducking out of the room. "They're discharging me tomorrow," he shouted back. "Tomorrow?" I stilled, turning to meet him. "Yeah, tomorrow I'll be going home." He meant home with me, right? His tone was so casual in front of his friends that I couldn't tell if something had changed or what he meant by home. Maybe Luca was staying. I started away again, walking out the doorway, hearing Gavin talking to his friends, loud enough for me to hear. "I'm going home to my girl, so you fuckers better not be bothering me. I've got a lot of time to make up for." Oh jeez, I smiled to myself. Gavin would be back with me tomorrow. Tomorrow!

Chapter 4

It had been another sleepless night, tossing, turning, anxiously checking my phone every hour, and by the time my alarm finally went off, I was dressed, already heading for the hospital. I knew he was okay, but I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe he wouldn't be. I shot straight up to his floor, knocking on his closed door, praying he was alone so I could steal a kiss or a touch before my shift started. "Yes?" A woman's voice answered from the other side. A woman? I pushed the door open, seeing and hearing a giggling nurse Gloria standing in front of an almost naked Gavin- what the hell was happening! He was in nothing but his boxers, arms out for Gloria, who was holding a fresh gown in her hands. Fuck, it was hot in here, and my shirt was itchy. He brandished a smile before looking back at her, her sleazy eyes, of course, on him, her smile- flirty, then her witch fingers started grazing his shoulders. Fuck, nope, fuck- it was so fucking hot. Why, why was she touching him? Why was she looking at him? Why was he looking at her? Why was she here? Why was she hired in the first place! She was unprofessional! I never liked her! She looked over her shoulder, giving me a polite smile before turning to focus back on him. "Hi, Sadie." "Gloria," I barked back at her. Don't hi Sadie me, get your hands and your eyes off my fucking man. "What are you doing up here?" She called, not even bothering to turn back around. Nope, her eyes and hands were still on the gown around Gavin, touching his skin. "I, I." Shit. I had no reason to be up here other than to report her for gawking at a patient. We saw half-naked bodies every day. Why was she so into his? I looked back over to his tall figure, that broad, strong chest, those

arms flexing as she slid the gown over them. Even the cuts on his face somehow made him look sexier. God, he was so damn sexy. How could you not be into him? "I've got to walk this patient, Sadie, get him ready for discharge," she cooed, flirting up to him. I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling another immediately form in its place. Breathe, Sadie; she's just his nurse. Then her hands crept around his waist. "Turn around so I can tie you up." Oh, hell no! What the hell did she think she was doing? And why the hell was he just in boxers? Could no one have brought him pants? Surely, he had some flipping pants. My skin was burning, clothes too tight, my top strangling me. I had to get out of here! I stormed out the door and into the hall, throwing my back against the wall for . His body wasn't for Gloria's eyes! I didn't care if she was his nurse. And that stupid lovey-dovey smile plastered across her face. I could only imagine what was going through her mind, and now she was going to be touching him, guiding him down the halls. No. Nope. Not happening. I'm the only one who gets to touch him, and I'd be damned if I let her get her hands on my man. I marched right back into the room. "I've got it, Gloria." I wedged myself between the two of them, already feeling Gavin's searing smile on me as Gloria stumbled back. "But you're E.R., Sadie, what's going on?" Inhale, exhale. "This is- my boyfriend." The ission was horrifying yet gratifying at the same time. "I'll help him around the floor before my shift starts downstairs." Gavin's eyes went wide, locked on me like lasers. "Oh," she sighed, but I refused to acknowledge her, just as she had done with me. "I had no idea, Sadie. Sure, just let me know when you're done with him." "Like hell, I will," I muttered before realizing I said the words aloud. "Of course, I will," I corrected myself, hearing her footsteps, then the creak of

the door. Gavin immediately started chuckling, that smug smile covering his face. "What!" I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. He had some nerve. "I didn't think you wanted anyone here to know ." "Well, she was pissing me off, and I, I don't care anymore." "She was pissing you off?" He teased, sliding his hands around my back, curling me in closer. "I-" I hated itting when I was jealous. "I didn't like seeing her with you. You're practically naked and-" "And?" He continued chuckling. "And she was touching you. Are you happy now? I was jealous." "Very happy." He lowered his lips to mine, grazing them left to right. "But now you have to take me out on a walk. I need to build up my stamina." His deep voice traveled deep between my thighs. What was happening to me? I wriggled out of his hold, legs taking the lead and walking backwards to the door, locking it without a second thought. "How am I supposed to walk if I can't get out?" He laughed, eyes darkening, knowing good and well what was coming. "I can think of a few ways to build up your stamina right here." I continued towards him, taking his hand and leading him to the corner chair, sliding his gown right back off before pushing him down to the seat. "This body is mine." I squeezed between his legs, reaching my hands to his biceps, stroking my way to his chest, following the lines of his muscles right down to the tent pitching it his boxers. "I'd like to take him for a walk." I slid my hand under his waistband, gasping at , his dick pulsing in my palm. "Fuuck, Baby." He dropped his head back, sinking his eyes shut as I began stroking. He was perfectly content with my hand, but I needed more. I kicked off my scrubs, making his face roll right back up, watching me undress, watching me mount his lap, watch the disappearing act that his

dick was the star of. "Oh, god!" I grabbed his shoulders, grinding my way down. Fuck... he felt incredible. I rose again, fell, thighs working double time, up and down, up and down, the pressure turning explosive. "Fuck." His hands pinched my sides; his faint grunt filled my ears- his release filling me, my climax following. "Gavin!" I fell against him, feeling his immediate jolt. "Baby!" He gasped, hands smacking me away. What? I tipped my face up, meeting his grimace. "Shit!" I sprung off of him, panic replacing the pleasure. "Fractured ribs, ," he chuckled, throwing his hand to his chest. I looked around the room- to the locked door, to the naked man sitting in front of me, grasping his chest. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me!" "Well, I know what came over me, rather who." His sexy smile was back, while I, on the other hand, was mortified. What the heck was wrong with me! What was I thinking! I grabbed my pants from the floor, yanking them back up as I watched Gavin slither his gown back on. I had lost my mind! I was running on fumes, and those fumes were making me crazy. "Help me up," he asked through a cough, holding his hand out for mine. So I stepped back over, wrapping my hand over his while reaching my other to his back, helping him from the chair. Then his arms swung around me, caging me against him. "And you said nurse fantasies weren't a thing." "Don't remind me. Come on- I have ten minutes to take you on a walk," I laughed, breaking free from his hold, only to hold him now instead. He took a sharp breath as we started forward, his nose scrunching as he worked his legs. "I'm stiff." "Again! We just-" "Legs, Baby!" He chuckled. "I've been laying down for days."

Of course... duh... stiff legs. "But." He leaned his face down, lips heading for my ear. "No, Gavin!" I teased as we stepped out into the hall. And then, reality slapped me in the face. I was going public with him right after fucking him in his hospital room. So this was my life now. I dropped my arm from his back, getting back into nurse mode as we entered the public space. All eyes shot to us as we walked; no, all eyes were on him, on the tall, halfnaked, dark-eyed man. Why were so many women here? And why weren't they focused on their job? My arm was suddenly around his back, staking my claim. I got on him for being possessive, and here I was, doing the same damn thing. "I'm okay, Baby," he whispered as we ed a huddle of giddy nurses, including Gloria. Oh man, there was that heat again, that jealous rush, the fumes fueling my crazy. I jerked him to a stop, grabbing his gown with my fist, tugged him down, and smashed my lips to his surprised ones.

Chapter 5

Today was officially the longest day of my life, each minute feeling like an hour, and I still had thirty minutes left on my shift. I'd spent most of the day dodging all the curious eyes and all the questions that arose from my jealous fit- making out with Gavin. He was hot, sexy, and everyone knew his agewhich was all they could talk about. Surely, I was just in it for the sex, that they felt entitled to know every explicit detail about- as if my sex life, let alone private life was for the world to know. It was my fault, kissing him in public like that. It was so out of character for me. Heck, everything about the last few months was out of character for me. "Mary!" I hurried to the station, waiting while she finished clacking on the keyboard. "Can anyone cover my shift tomorrow? I'll even swap for a night shift this weekend." I wasn't about to get Gavin home and leave him the very next morning, nor did I want to walk back into this gossip mill. "I'll see what I can do!" She smiled a little too long. Oh god, I needed to get out of here. "Thanks." I watched the clock as it hit seven, prepped Jan from night shift, then started upstairs to Gavin's room, walking in as Luca walked out. "Good timing." He dropped a bag down to the floor. "I'm leaving. The nurse has Gav's discharge papers, and I brought over some clothes from his place." "Thanks, Luca. It was nice meeting you." "You too, Sadie." He moved in for a hug, but Gavin's cough immediately flared behind us, sending his brother two steps back. "I'll see you two soon," he emphasized, staring at me. At this point, I'd have to go. "I'll see what I can do." "If not-" he wheeled around to face Gavin. "Then maybe a trip out for

Gav's birthday?" His birthday- "Gavin's birthday?" "Next week, big twenty-three," Luca roared on his way to Gavin, patting him on the shoulder before heading out the door. Next week? How did I not know about this? Here I was announcing us to the world, and I didn't even know his birthday. "Why didn't you say anything!" "Why didn't you ask?" Gavin teased back, throwing his blanket off as he sat up in the bed, reaching for the pile of clothes next to him. "So-" his face twisted up wickedly. "Should I call the nurse in to dress me?" "Sure." I nodded back, more than happy to play his game. "I think I just saw Kirk walk by anyways." "You think you're funny," he growled. "Just wait till I get you home." "No, Mr. Romano, just wait until I get you home- to rest." I met him at his bedside, grabbing the shirt from the pile, sliding it down his raised arms. "You're doing much better today." I took his jeans next, his eyes sharpening as he watched me bend down in front of him, slipping his feet in one leg at a time. "I missed this, Baby." He leaned back, watching me pull the jeans up his muscular legs, meeting his boxers- my path suddenly blocked by the growing arousal. "Gavin!" "I can't help it," he rasped, eyes still hooded. "Maybe he needs some mouth to mouth." This man, I swear. "Your nurse will be here any minute!" I looked over my shoulder for emphasis. "Later then." He slid his legs off the bed, standing to adjust the arousal and zip his jeans.

Then the door flew open behind us, my heart thumping wildly, imagining the possible scene his nurse could have walked in on. "I've got your discharge papers, Mr. Romano," the nurse announced while pushing in a wheelchair. "You're free to go." He shook his head. "Not in that," he balked. "I'll walk." "Hospital policy," I laughed, gesturing for him to get in the chair. "I'm not fucking getting in that thing!" He fought back, shaking his head like a man. "Mr. Romano," I snapped, pointing my finger to the chair. "Get in the damn chair. I want to get you home." He rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath while reluctantly dropping into it. "This is ridiculous." I helped him into the enger seat, listening to him grumble about that too before climbing into my side. "I'm happy you're okay." I took his hand, holding it as I started the engine, leaving it idle for a minute. "I'm sorry I told you to leave, Gavin. I'm sorry I caused all this." He pushed his hand under my chin, tilting my face up to his. "You didn't cause this, Baby. I don't blame you." I was the one who set it all in motion, though. "But-" "But- I have you back now. That's all I care about." He sank his lips to mine, that spark, sizzle, warmth flooding me. We drove back to my place, hand in hand, but the excitement of getting him home was waning, replaced by reality. He was okay- everything else around me was not. The accident had distracted me from all the realities that were now coming back to the surface. He was bruised, fractured, car demolishedwhile I had an arm full of stitches. Not to mention our secret was out at the hospital, and the biggest reality- Grant, who I hadn't spoken with since that night. I pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine, staring ahead at my house,

where Gavin would be temporarily staying. "Welcome back." This time it was me rushing to open his door to help him out, grab his bag and get him inside. "I don't need help, Sadie. I'm fine." He ripped the bag from my hands, walking it to my door. "Gavin, you need-" "I can handle shit. I don't need to be fussed over. Lock the door, Sadie." I looked behind me, automatically swinging my arm back and twisting the deadbolt- only to look forward, meeting Gavin's heavy gaze and his body that was now inches from mine. So... safety was not his concern with the lock. "Rest," I insisted. "Until your fractures heal." "I'm fine. I don't give a shit about the fractures. I want you, Baby." He started tugging at his shirt, yanking it up over his head. "Gavin!" I went to shove him playfully, but he grabbed my wrists, pinning me back against the wall. "I'm serious, Gavin." "I've had to sit there, let you do all the work, watch my fucking brother creep on you- just fucking helpless in that bed- after the shit I went through here. I'm back now, ready to start where we left off." He fell against me, molding his muscles to my curves. "I want to fuck you up against this wall." He was crazy! There was no way he could my weight! He couldn't hold me and fuck me too. "Let's compromise," I insisted, attempting to break free from his grip. "How about I bend over?" I grabbed at my shirt, doing as he did- tugging it off. His hands relented, letting me free as he stepped away. I wiggled my pants off, calling him over, taking his pants to the floor next, then bending to remove his boxers. "I can stay on my knees," I offered- he shook his head no. Okay… I stood, then bent over the table, feeling his hands slide over my ass. God, I had missed his touch too. "No," he groaned, giving one cheek a light slap. "I want to see your face, Baby."

"We have all night." I arched my ass higher, willing him to take me from behind. "No! I want to see you, Baby." He clasped my hips, flipping me around, keeping his eyes on mine as his hands traveled down my stomach to my thighs. He was still trying to lift me, to have full control. He couldn't- not yet. I took his hand instead, walking him through the bedroom to the bathroom, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "You can see me now." I bent over, watching his face in the reflection, his eyes ravenous, hands back rubbing over my ass, then under, pushing two fingers inside me- flashing his eyes to mine as he fingered me. "Fuck," he grunted, eyes rolling back while his fingers rolled out, running straight to my hips, digging in. Then he was inside me, pounding, thrusts intense, controlled. His face the same, locking with each jolt. I rocked back, his fingers in turn clawing into my waist- telling me to stopmaking it clear he wanted to be in control- that he was fucking me. So I gave into his control, his dominance- pushing everything out of my mind to focus on the pleasure, to focus on the dick, sending my nerves spiraling, making my legs trembling. "Gavin, I-" He started thrusting harder, driving himself deeper, hands gripping my ass as he fucking unleashed. Holy shit. "Gavin!" I dropped my face to the counter, unable to hold myself up, his last bucks sending me over the edge. There was silence, nothing but my staggered breaths and his labored breathing. "Gavin?" I used all my strength to push myself up, meeting his still body behind me. "Let's get you to bed." He nodded, not fighting me a bit. "Lay with me?" "Of course." I got him to the bed, crawling in after him, running my fingers through his thick locks, listening to him curse the pain under his breath. "What do you want to do for your birthday?" I whispered, trying to distract him from the pain. He took a minute to steady his breathing. "The guys want to take me out to some bar, and I want you to go with me."

"The guys from the other day? Dan?" "Yeah." There was no way in hell I was hanging with the MILF guys- students at Grant's school. "I'll ." "Then I'll tell them no." "No, Gavin, go. You already have it planned." "I want to spend my birthday with my girl, not at some fucking sausage fest." He twisted his head, nuzzling his face against my shoulder. "How about I celebrate you before you go out? Then when you're done drinking, you come home to me." His eyes shot up, finding mine. "Are you sure, Baby?" "Yeah! Have fun, get wasted- just promise me you won't drive or do anything stupid. Because I mean this with all my heart Gavin, I never want to see you in my emergency room ever again." He laughed under his breath. "Should be easy enough considering I don't have a fucking car. Damn, I'm gonna need a favor." "Anything." I continued weaving my fingers through his hair, trying to relax him. "I need to run by the school. Can you take me to my place and then over to the campus?" My hand froze, replaying his request. Take him to the campus... together. It was a simple request, yet at the same time was the hardest one he could have asked me for. What if Grant saw us, or even Dan? I'd run into him too many times now; he'd start getting suspicious. Or what if Dan mentioned seeing me in Gavin's hospital room. I doubt Grant even knew about the accident yet. "I can get a cab, I guess."

"No, no, it's fine. I just-" needed to get over this, move past my issues. "You know I've never seen your place before. Will your dorm mate be there?" Taking him to a dorm, then to school. Kill me now. He sputtered a laugh. "I don't have a roommate, and I don't live in a fucking dorm, Baby."

Chapter 6

I rolled over for the tenth time, falling to Gavin's side, watching his chest rise and fall peacefully, his perfect lips parted slightly, eyes still sealed, lashes dusting his cheeks. "Gavin," I whispered as quietly as I could. I didn't want to wake him, but I'd been up for almost two hours. I'd barely slept last night even though he was sleeping right next to me. My dreams took me to too many bad places, leaving me gasping for reality and afraid to close my eyes again. I stealthily slid out from the sheets, padding out of the room to the kitchen. I needed music to help clear my head. I usually cranked up the volume, but since he was sleeping, it would be a concert for one. I dug around for my earbuds, popping them right in. I pranced to the coffee maker, spun to the fridge, twirled to the mugs, humming along as I haphazardly poured my brew. Next up, cereal, oh yeah, I spun again- slamming into a rock- a six-foot-tall rock. "Oh my god!" I ripped the earbuds out, trying to catch my breath as I looked up at the stone wall in front of me. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" I backed up; he stepped closer, raising his thumb to my jaw, tilting my face back, while he pressed a kiss to my nose. "Good morning, Baby." His voice was scratchy, raspy. "Why didn't you say anything!" I hated being caught by surprise, especially when I looked ridiculous, and double especially when it was by a gorgeous half-naked man. "I did," he chuckled, black hazy morning eyes searching mine. "I know, I know. This music is awful." He had told me more than once. "But it makes me happy!" He shook his head no, trailing his hand to my shoulder, brushing over it. "That's not what I was thinking." He kept our stare as he slid his fingers down my arm, meeting my hand. "I was thinking how fucking amazing it would be to wake up to my girl like this every damn morning."

"To- your girl dancing around her kitchen at seven in the morning?" He tsked, giving me a teasing smirk as he tilted his head. "Bouncing around in tiny lingerie with bed head and that cute ass smile you get when you listen to this shit." He swung his arm over, grabbing my phone off the counter, rolling his eyes at the title of the paused song. "Well, I typically don't wear tiny lingerie. It's usually leggings and a tshirt." "You're sexy in anything." His fingers jumped to the silk nightie, my nipples perking to meet his touch. Then he reached behind him, pulling over a chair, sinking into it while taking me with him, right between his legs, fingertips gliding up my thigh while his lips stretched to the silk-covered nipple in front of him. "I see why you'd want to wake up to me like this," I teased, sending my fingers to his hair, running through the wild waves. "I, however, would like to shower." "Would you?" His breath soared over my wet breast, my thighs instinctively squeezing. I knew better. Last night had wiped him out. "You'll be too tired if we do." I leaned back, pulling my nipple from his teeth. "Let's get all your stuff done, then we can come home, and you can have your way with me." "Such bullshit." "Me?" "No, Baby. You're right. This is just bullshit. I don't get sick. I don't get hurt- this is not my fucking style." "Well, you can fuck me any style you want tonight and then promptly out!" He rolled his eyes, bouncing his shoulders with a laugh. "Shower?" "Me first!" I insisted, taking two steps away. "You'll want to throw me up

against that wall- and I have no willpower against shower sex." "Really?" His smile was right back. "Good to know." "Like you already didn't know?" I laughed, giving him a curt wave before continuing to my room.

I showered with one eye on the door, thinking he would try to me at any minute- he didn't. So I shut it down, tossing a towel to the floor before wrapping one around my chest. "Gavin?" I walked out to my room, no answer and no Gavin. This was so unlike him not to try to me or at least watch. Oh no! "Gavin!" I raced out of the room, finding him still sitting in the chair. "Are you okay?" I grabbed his wrist, feeling for his pulse. "What's wrong, Gavin!" "I'm fine," he chuckled, flipping his palm to capture my fingers. "I was just thinking." He looked off, eyes distant. "About what? You're making me nervous. Are you having a hard time breathing?" "No," he half scoffed, nestling his face back against my chest. "I was serious about how fucking amazing it would be to wake up to you every day." Oh god. "So we can have sex in the kitchen?" "No, it's not just about the sex." Said the man kissing my breast. "You're right- it's the sex, accident, and the meds still in your system talking. You get to wake up to me for the next week or so. Come on!" I stood back up, tugging him up too. "Do you need my help getting dressed?" The second I said it, his arousal popped through his boxers, creating a bridge between us. "You're supposed to be broken." "Broken? I'm Italian, Baby." His hands were suddenly under my towel, eyes on me as his fingers inched up my thighs. "And apparently made of steel."

I hit the gas, reversing down the driveway while he fastened his seat belt. "So, where do you live?" He flung his hand up, pointing down the street. "The high rise past the university." The college had a high rise? "I'm not familiar with any of the high rises, only the Wilx in La Jolla." It was the only building I could see from work, and rumor had it some celebrity or another lived there. "Yeah, that's the one." He nodded back- straight-faced. Ha. I looked over, giving him a sarcastic laugh. "Very funny." He rolled his eyes while digging into his pocket and pulling out his wallet, sliding a card out, flashing it at me- the bold Wilx label all I could see. Holy shit. "Aren't those places crazy expensive!" "I don't know." He pushed the card and his wallet back into his pocket. "I'm not sure what qualifies as expensive in San Diego." Of course he didn't, because he wasn't paying for it. Or maybe he was just a renter. "Valet," he instructed, waving me to the building's private driveway, lined with very expensive-looking cars. "Valet my car?" I started laughing, veering towards the street instead. "Valet, Sadie!" He snapped, reminding me of his brother, his hand waving me towards the driveway, so I relented, rolling right up. The valet was immediately at my door, opening it before racing over to Gavin's side. "This is- fancy," I called up to Gavin as he hit the curb, charging for the lobby doors while I tried to keep up. He took off to the elevator, leaving me in the dust... so very unlike him. He didn't even look back, just jamming his finger against the call button. Did he not want me here? Shoot, was I supposed to wait in the car? I looked around, seeing a club chair. "I'll just wait down here." He wheeled around, dropping his head back, exhaling as he rolled it back

up. "Come on." "No, I'm fine," I assured him, sinking into the chair. "You don't seem like you want company." The elevator chimed, springing him into motion, stalking over and snatching my hand, leading me through the opening door. "Gavin? Are you in pain? Did I do something?" He looked pissed for some reason. He started to say something then stopped. "Nothing," he finally grumbled. "I'm fine, Sadie." Sadie? Not Baby. He clearly was not fine. The elevator door opened, with him beelining out, once again taking off in front of me, pushing through a door in the distance, and disappearing behind it. I followed his path, swinging the door open- wow! I gasped, looking left to right at the sweeping ocean view that spanned the entire glass wall of his spotless condo. "Whoa." This was his place? It was stainless steel and granite, slate and white furniture, nothing like what I expected. I continued to the glass, in awe at the blue waves crashing just across the street. Incredible. I felt Gavin coming out of nowhere, stepping up beside me, looking out just as I was. "This is so beautiful! Why are you coming to my place when you have this?" "It's too fucking quiet up here sometimes." "And Luca got this for you?" I looked over and up at him, but his gaze stayed on the view. "I'm gonna get my stuff." He turned on his heels, disappearing yet again. "Are you sure you want to go back to my tiny place?" I yelled over my shoulder. "Why?" He called back from the other room. "You don't fucking want me

there anymore?" "What? Of course, I do. I'm just messing with you!" I turned around, starting back for his room, only to spot a cluster of picture frames from the corner of my eye. I walked to the sofa table, bending down to see them. The largest frame held a photo of a smiling couple, and I knew without asking that they were his parents. Those genes were strong, he and his brother looked just like their dad, and Giorgia was the spitting image of her mom. Speaking of his mom, she was pregnant in the photo, and my hunch told me it was with Gavin. I picked up the next frame, a family photo with a little adorable Gavin. He must have been about five, smiling ear to ear with a few missing teeth, surrounded by his siblings, all almost double his height- and all beautiful. Heavy footsteps started rumbling the floor, my eyes flying up, seeing Gavin walk out- his eyes on me, then to the picture in my hand. His cheeks instantly paled, his gaze sinking to the floor. Oh, this was why he was in a mood. His parents. He didn't know that Giorgia had already told me, and for some reason, he didn't want me to know. That was fine by me, I knew what painful questions felt like, and I dreaded them, looking just as he did now. So I set the frame back down in its spot, spinning on my heels towards the kitchen. "Do you have any water?" I asked casually, walking straight to the fridge. Hoping he'd get the message that I wasn't going to ask any questions about the pictures. "Yeah," he mumbled back. "Oh shit, no, Sadie, wait!" Too late, I reached for the fridge door, meeting my own face- my 4x6 face covered in barbecue sauce, looking like a teenager with that stupid smile. What was this? Why did he have this on his fridge! I ripped the photo out from under the New York magnet, but his hand sprung from behind me, snatching the photo away. "Why do you have that up? It's hideous!" I jumped, trying to get it back. He laughed off my attempts, arm up, holding the photo way above my head. "It's the only picture I have of you." Why did he have any photos of me? "How did you get a copy like this?"

"You think I'm incapable of pressing and print?" He looked down at me, waving the damn picture over my head- enjoying this unfair fight. "I meant, what would possess you to print that out." "Does it matter?" He chuckled, staring up at the photo. "It's a cute fucking picture." "Oh my gosh, throw it away!" I jumped up against him, trying to finagle the photo away. "I don't want anyone ever seeing this!" "Relax, no one comes here." He threw an arm around my back, locking me to him. "Luca was here!" "And you care what Luca thinks?" He rolled his eyes. "When I see this, it makes me fucking smile." He leaned down just as I jumped up, our lips colliding, his tongue like a dart, except I twisted my head away, trying to weasel that damn picture back. He huffed, suppressing a condescending laugh as he tossed the picture on top of the fridge, then sent his now free hands to my waist, fingers snapping into my skin. "You can't, no lifting!" I reminded him, knowing exactly what he wanted to do. "Did you get all your stuff?" "Uh.. huh." His lips smacked my neck, leaving a trail of wet nibbles. "Let's go." "And you're sure you don't want to stay here tonight? I mean.." I gestured around us to his sleek place and that incredible view. "I wanna be with you tonight," another hiss, another nibble. "You'd give up all this for my rinky-dink hut." He was crazy- he had prime oceanfront property. "I'd give up anything to be with you, Baby."

I was back to being, Baby. "I could stay here too if you wanted." "Maybe," he shrugged, lips finally dragging away from my neck, those glazed-over eyes now in front of me. "I mean-" I tugged at his shirt, forcing him to lower his face to mine. "I do like glass walls." He grunted, taking a step forward, making me stumble back, finding myself pinned between his body and the counter. "You against the glass is a much better view." His lips came in for the kill, attacking my neck once more. "We can't." But we should. "Later." "Ughh." He pulled his face away, giving me one final look before stomping off to grab his bags. Damn... I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm. We couldn't- he needed to rest- right? Yeah, we couldn't. I followed behind him as he pushed the front door open, letting me go by first, making it one foot into the hall- only to be yanked back in. His hands owned my waist, twirling me up against his wall, letting the door slam beside us. "I've dreamed about having you here, Baby." He leaned down, breath his my face, my neck. "I'm not about to let you walk out that fucking door untouched." Then touch me. I kinked my neck, giving his lips room to play. "How have you dreamed about having me?" A dark chuckle vibrated across my skin, his breath introducing his whisper. "On my bed, for now." He kept his hands on my waist, walking me to the room, lying me over the white comforter- not wasting any time. "You're not ready for this. Let me be on top." I started to roll up, but his hand shot out, palm pressing my shoulder down. "I'm stronger than you think, Baby-" he pulled up on top of me, kicking his jeans off. "And I'm tired of not being in fucking control. If I want to fuck my girl, then I will." His fingers hit first, diving inside me- ohhh- god. But it was just a scouting mission, making sure I was wet- which I was. So his

fingers disappeared, his hips bucked up against mine, and he jabbed inside me. "Look-" his pace quickened. "At-" he grunted. "Me-" he thrust again, this one hitting just the right spot. "Me!" He groaned, forcing my eyes to find his. Except I didn't see a cocky smile- I saw pain, stubborn determination, wince after wince. I lost it, the climax tapering away, his pain my sole focus. His ribs couldn't him like this. I can't believe I had this gorgeous man fucking me, and I, for the very first time with him- had to fake it to get it over with. "Ohhh, Gavin, your dick!" His eyes shot up in surprise, his hips suddenly furious, thrusts fuller. "Fuuck," he drawled out, releasing and promptly collapsing over me before rolling over onto the sheets beside me, clutching his chest. "Where does it hurt?" I sprung up, nurse on duty, pressing against his chest. "I'm fine." He smacked my hand away while opening his arm for me. "Come here, Baby." I lowered back into his hold, his arm immediately curling over my side. "Gavin, you need to let your body heal. Let me take the lead for a bit while you recover. This can all wait." "Will you just keep faking shit if I don't?" "What?" Crap. Was it that obvious? "You never talk dirty or with an eighties porn voice." "I didn't. Wait, have you watched eighties porn?" "No," he chuckled, chest rumbling my cheek. "And I also know how you come, Baby. How you feel." "I didn't want to see you in pain," I itted. "It's not worth this." "Yes, it fucking is," he sighed. "I love you, Baby."

Chapter 7

I drove slow to the university, internally battling the right thing to do. A good girlfriend would go in and grab all his stuff for him- so he didn't have to do the walk. But I didn't know Grant's schedule. It was too risky. "Can you park in the front, Baby?" He pointed me to drive forward. "I don't wanna have to walk so far." Of course... front and center at school… no problem. I pulled into the front spot, watching the students shuffle around us. I had parked in this same spot only six months ago, dropping off my son, and now I was dropping off my lover. I was about to watch the man I'm fucking go off to class to get his homework. I hated these reminders of his age- it was one slap in the face after another. "Have you talked to him?" Gavin was staring out the windshield, fingers locked over mine. "No." I had text Grant once, no reply. "Does he know about the accident?" He looked over, watching me. "I don't know." I shrugged back. "What happened after I left?" That night seemed so long ago, yet it had been less than a week. "He was upset- very upset." I tried to shake away the memories. Grant had never talked to me like that before, and I was afraid of what he might say now. "And?" He waited, knowing there was more. "And he gave me an ultimatum." He jerked back, eyes narrowing on me. "What the fuck does that mean?"

"He told me I had to choose between him or you." His eyes shot left, then right. "And you chose me?" He asked to clarify, almost in disbelief. "I didn't choose. I don't do ultimatums." I wasn't going to choose between them because they were different loves, and my heart needed them both. "He left after that. Then I left and then your accident." He pulled my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "But I need to talk to him again. I can't leave it like this." Grant was still my son, my number one over Gavin- he had to be. "And what if he gives you that ultimatum shit again?" I shrugged, dropping my face towards the window. I could never lose Grant- I was his mom; he was my son. "Let's hope he doesn't. Anyway, I should go grab your things. Where do I go?" "I got it," he huffed, elbowing his door open. "I'll be right back." He slammed the door, stalking away into the crowd while I slumped in my seat, avoiding the many faces that were walking past my car. I blasted the music, letting it drown out the annoying thoughts that spun through my head while I scrolled aimlessly on my phone- until a shadow cast over me, blocking out the light. "Shit." You had to be kidding me! It was official- I was a magnet for bad luck. Grant gestured for me to get out, so I elbowed the door open, squeezing out and shutting it quickly behind me before he could see Gavin's bag. "Hey, Grant." I felt so awkward with him, my own son. "Hey, Mom, what are you doing here?" He stayed a few feet away, eying me wearily. "I, I didn't think you had classes this early." "I don't." He shrugged his shoulders, shoving his hands into his pockets as he rocked on his heels. "I had breakfast with Berkeley and was heading

back to my dorm. You're parked right in front of the food hall." Of course, just my luck. But this was my chance- this was the universe giving me a sign to tell him the truth. Just do it, Sadie. "I was- leaving. I brought a check by." "Oh," he mumbled, staring down at the foot he was kicking. "I heard what happened to Gavin. I wonder if it's serious?" "No, he's already back-" Shit. "He's already out of the hospital." "You're not still seeing him, are you?" His demeanor changed, those accusatory eyes flashing to mine. "How did you know he was out?" Because he's staying with me, Grant. I realized it was a mistake kicking him out- we're in love- I'm not leaving him. "Because I work at the hospital, Sweetie." "I'm serious about this! It's either-" "Grant." I threw my hand up to silence him. "Not here. Can we meet for lunch, maybe next week?" "Fine." He kicked his foot back against the pavement. "Hey." I reached for his hands, bringing him into a hug. I hated lying to him, but the truth was just too hard right now. "I love you." "Love you too." He wiggled out of my hold, waving as he continued towards the dorms. A rumble broke my stare, my car shaking under me before the enger door slammed shut. Good timing. I slipped back through my door, crashing into the seat, starting the engine without a word. "What did he want?" Gavin tossed his books over to the backseat, keeping his body turned towards me. "We're meeting for lunch next week," I answered automatically, eyes on the road as we started home. "I need to make this right." Grant needed to know

the truth before I got caught again. He huffed, flipping back to face forward in his seat. "He needs to get over it! I'll talk to him." What! Him? "No! I don't want you talking to him!" Was he crazy? That would make this ten times worse. "I already chose you, Gavin! I'm here with you. I'm up in your condo fucking you, and you're staying at my house. How do you think that makes me feel? I should be choosing him- he's my child. Instead, I'm lying to him, bating my time while I figure out how to fix this. I don't want to lose either of you, but I know I can't lose my son." "What does that mean? You choose me, but you can't lose him?" "You are my breath Gavin, while Grant is my soul. I can't breathe without you, but I'm empty without him." I felt his gaze turn away, his face towards the window now. Why couldn't anything ever just be easy for me? I finally made it home, pulling up into the driveway- Gavin's hand sliding over the cup holders to find mine. "I understand." He leaned over, forcing my attention. "It's not fair to Grant to lose his mom. I know how much that fucking hurts." His gaze drifted, breaking our stare. "It sold." "What?" I looked behind me, following his eyes to the neighbor's for sale sign and the big 'sold' sticker now plastered over it. "Oh." "Sadie." He tipped my chin up towards his, resting his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry if I've been a dick about Grant. I get it." "Just give me time to figure it all out." I started for the front door, waiting while he gathered his books and his bag, following me up. "I'm tired," he yawned, dropping his stuff on the table. "I'm gonna lay down." He continued into my room, leaving me alone, which was the last thing I wanted. I was two steps after him, crawling up into the bed and scooting right into his open arm.

He cleared his throat, burying his mouth into my hair. "My-" he started whispering, keeping his head steady so I couldn't turn to look at him. "My parents were in a bad accident when I was twelve. It was a blizzard. Giorgia came by the night before to watch me and ended up staying over because the storm was so bad." His arm tightened. "My parents had an event that night. I begged my mamma and papà to stay home, but she insisted- It always snows in New York, she said. She would be okay- they would be okay. Not a big fucking deal." I wrapped my hand over his, pulling it to my chest. "I never saw them again. They weren't okay. After that, everything changed. It was like this never-ending fucking circus of lawyers, meetings, moving- seeing my parents' faces on the news as if they were still fucking alive." He sniffled, pausing for a breath. "I never got to say goodbye. They walked out the door, and then suddenly they were just headstones." His tears hit my hair. "I lost everything that night- my parents, my home, everything I knew, everything I loved. I don't want to lose you too, Sadie. I've spent years fucking running, trying to drink and fuck away all the bad memories- you changed all that, Baby. I don't feel that hole in my heart anymore, at least not as much." I didn't know what to say. Gavin wasn't a vulnerable guy, and this was the first time he'd really opened up to me. "Gavin, your parents-" "No," he mumbled, sucking in a deep breath. "I don't wanna talk about it anymore- it hurts too much. It takes me to a bad fucking place. Even the good memories are painful. I just wanted you to know."

Chapter 8

"I have to run to the hospital today." I rushed into the kitchen, tossing my phone into my purse. "Do you want me to grab lunch on my way back?" Gavin closed his laptop, looking up at me from the table. "Why are you going to the hospital?" "I'm getting my stitches out this morning," I called back, waving my bandaged arm at him on my way to the door. "I'll go with you." He pushed out of his chair to standing. No. The last thing I needed was to prance in with him. He was still the hot topic, and the last few days of work had been nothing but questions about last week. "No, it's fine." I walked over, pushing up on my tip-toes for a kiss. "I'll be right back." "Baby!" He reached for my hands, walking me towards the door. "I wanna go with you." Ugh, great. "Fine, but you better be on your best behavior, no matter who we run into. I'm serious, Gavin!" "I've been on my best behavior all week." His arms seized my waist, caging me to his strong chest. "Although I can't promise anything about tomorrow." "I'll give you a for your birthday," I teased up to him. I had caved and bought him the one thing I told myself I'd never get- a sexy nurse costume. It had arrived yesterday, and it definitely did not warrant best behavior. "You promise to be polite! To whoever we run into!" "Mmhm," he hissed, lowering his face to my neck, humming up to my ear. "How about we go back into the bedroom, and I get all my bad behavior out of the way."

"No!" I started laughing, batting him away as I swung my arm for the door, yanking it open. Two seconds more, and we'd be back in the sheets, just as we'd been all week. Not that I was complaining.

We drove to the hospital, Gavin taking my hand in his the second we walked through the doors, entwining our fingers so tight that I couldn't wriggle out of his grip. He knew me too well. May was the first one I saw, her mouth forming an O as she looked at our locked hands. "Hey!" She called, now smiling ear to ear. "Hi, May," Gavin called back, making her blush. And within seconds, a handful of nurses had gathered around, all appraising us, waiting to meet Gavin. Here we go. "Gavin, this is Lane, Pat, and Carrie." "Nice to meet you." He smiled, causing all of them to swoon. "Follow me," May shouted, leading us down the hall and straight into a room. "Dr. Phillips will be right in." "Dr. Phillips?" I knew every E.R. doctor here and, he or she, was not one of them. "Oh, girl!" May squealed. "This is his second day. Just arrived from the Bay, Area and he is gorg-" she paused, eyes going wide, flickering over to Gavin. "He's- going to be right in." She left as I sat on the bed. Gavin sank onto the chair beside me, keeping my hand locked in his. "You know..." he whispered, sending his free hand up my thigh. "The last time we were in a hospital room." "No!" I swatted his creeping hand away. "No more hospital hookups!" "Come on, Baby," he teased just as a knock hit the door, causing my hand to furiously smack his away.

Whoa. Some guy walked in, almost in slow motion. He was tall, one hand brushing his sandy blond hair back as he smiled, lips meeting deep dimples. He looked like the leading man in every Christmas movie I'd ever seen. "This must be the infamous Sadie Jones!" "Infamous?" I giggled unwittingly, staring up at him as he walked over. I was hardly infamous. "I've been here forty-eight hours, and yours is one of the few names I already know." "Oh, well, don't believe everything you hear." "Just from looking at you, I know the half of it is true, at least." He flashed another smile, eyes locked on mine. "Huhu, huhu." There was a weird sound beside me, almost a grunt, growing louder every ing second. Not to mention, my hand was starting to throb. What the heck? I looked down, seeing a hand giving mine a death grip- Gavin- Shit! Gavin! I straightened, blinking a few times to clear the haze. "This is, Gavin." I looked over, meeting the eyes of a dragonscorching the hell out of me, and the doctor hunched in front of me. Dr. Phillips gave Gavin a once-over. "Hey, buddy." Oh, shit. Gavin's grip was disintegrating my hand, finger by finger going numb. "Gavin!" I whispered, snapping my arm back, but he wasn't letting go. "Nice to meet you," Gavin choked on the words, eyes flashing to mine as he bit his tongue. Dr. Phillips, however, didn't reply. He was too focused on my arm, his careful fingertips gliding across my skin, assessing the sutures. Then he reached to the tray beside him, taking the scissors to pull the sutures, and snipping the threads with ease. "Almost done," he assured me. "In a few months, you won't even this happened." what happened? I broke from my trance, instinctively looking

over at Gavin, who was staring at the doctor's hands on my arm. Gavin. I don't think I could ever forget the accident, even if the physical scars faded. I had almost lost him. His scraped-up face was almost clear now, except for some of the deeper cuts. And his ribs seemed to be fine; that was evident in the shower. I smiled at the memory. It had been a very good week. "There you go, good as new!" Dr. Phillips beamed. I shook the dirty thoughts aside, focusing on my arm instead. "Thank you." He started packing up the supplies while wheeling his stool back. "Are you working this week, Sadie? Will I see you again?" "Day after next," I answered automatically. "Well then, I'll see you later," he smiled again before standing up and walking out the door, leaving it open behind him. "What the FUCK was that!" Gavin immediately hopped up, shouting. "Shhh!" I pointed to the open door, sliding my feet off the bed. He stepped back, eyes wide. "I don't give a flying fuck about the door!" Dammit, Gavin! "Best behavior," I reminded him. All my co-workers were right outside that door. "Please!" I reached for his hand, he recoiled, scoffing down at me before storming out the door, straight out the hospital exit. I hurried to follow him out, ignoring May and the girls who were waiting in the hall. The second I hit the parking lot, he spun around, eyes livid. "Who was that asshole! And why the fuck were you looking at him like that!" "What are you talking about?" I grabbed my keys from my bag, unlocking the car doors, gesturing for him to get in. "He was removing my stitches! And I wasn't looking at him!" He scoffed again, slamming his hand against the car door. "He fucking hit on you right in front of me and that 'buddy' bullshit, really?"

This again? "You think everyone is always hitting on me, they don't, and he didn't!" "Jesus Christ! I'm not fucking dumb, Sadie!" He spat the words, throwing the car door open. "Get me the fuck out of here." "I told you not to come." I knew something like this would happen; either he'd make a scene, or I would. "What?" He huffed, watching me circle the car. "Nothing, just get in." I started the engine, driving away in silence, neither of us bothering to reach for the other or glance at the other for that matter. This was silly! I didn't do anything. "Are you going to give me the silent treatment for the rest of the day?" I grabbed his knee, teasing him as I pulled into the driveway. "Or can we kiss and makeup?" "I'm gonna take off for a bit," he spoke to the window, still seething. "Take off? You don't have a car." "Fuck." He dropped his head against the headrest. "I'll take yours." Mine! "No, you're not even cleared to drive." "I'm perfectly fine." I saw him roll his eyes through the window reflection. "I've done more strenuous things this week." Yes, he had. Very strenuous things. "How about we continue your physical therapy inside?" I dropped my hand to his leg, tickling his thigh, only to have his hand swoop down and smack mine away. "You're not gonna distract me with sex!" He finally looked over, staring me down. Well, that was a first. "Fine, you're right. Calling you buddy was a little ridiculous." It was, but I didn't know the doctor. Maybe he called everyone

buddy. "What about you?" He demanded, meeting my eyes expectantly. Me? "I was giving our new doctor respect. Nothing more and nothing less." He had no reason to be mad. I wasn't looking at Dr. Phillips in any way. I mean, yeah, he was attractive, but not sexy like Gavin. I was perhaps a little distracted, but distracted and flirting were two completely different things. "That better be all you fucking give him!" I snapped my head back, his words hitting hard. "Excuse me!" I was so over these jealous trips of his, and insinuating that I would cheat crossed a line. "You're really saying that right now? After everything the last few weeks?" I finagled my house key off the keychain while kicking my car door open. "Leave!" I took off, marching right up to my front door. Then the car rolled down the driveway, speeding away. He actually left. I couldn't believe it. I thought he was just bluffing. But this figured because every time we left our comfort zone, stuff like this happened. We had just spent a great week together, morning, noon, and night with no drama. Then one outing, and bam, everything falls apart. And how dare he say that crap to me. Did he really think I would hook up with someone else? After everything we've just been through together? How could he think I was that type of girl? Why? Because he's twenty-two, Sadie and you slept with him just a few days after meeting him, that's why. Welp, now he was gone, with my car, and I had no idea when he was coming back. On top of that, I still needed to drive over and pick up the other part of his birthday gift for tomorrow. I guess the drug store wasn't that far away, I could easily run there, and a run would be good for me too. I set my bag on the table, going straight to my room to change into my running gear before stuffing my credit card and house key into my sports bra. Then I took off, making it as far as the daisies before turning right back around and into the house, sending Gavin a text that I was going running.

The crisp air hit right away, smacking all the nonsense out of my head, making me run faster, just to get smacked harder.

I got lost in the movement, the repetitive pace- arriving at my destination much too soon. Damn. I slammed to a stop, bending over, resting my palms on my knees to catch my breath before stepping inside the store. All I needed was a silver picture frame that matched the sleek design of his condo and his other frames. I looked on aisle after aisle, finally finding what I wanted and taking it to the cashier to grab the rest of the gift. "I have a photo order for Jones as well. Just a single photo." I informed the cashier, who returned a minute later with a thin envelope in hand, which I immediately opened. We took this picture on the balcony of our suite on Valentine's Day. We looked so happy and in love. Plus, I looked much better in this than the barbecue-covered face on Gavin's fridge. I slipped the photo into the new frame while she rang me up. "Thank you." I grabbed the bag, tucking it under my arm, and starting the run back home. I hated that Gavin was mad, especially now as I held this memory. He was right, I looking at the doctor a bit more than necessary, but it didn't mean anything. Now all I wanted to kiss him, wrap him up in my arms, and get over this nonsense. I eventually made it to my street, feeling deflated from the sight of my empty driveway. I'd been gone for almost two hours, and I was hoping he'd be back. In that very instant, I heard the familiar crackle of my engine coming from the opposite end of the street, seeing my car come into view. Gavin! I started running faster, keeping my eyes on the car as it parked and then seeing him rounding the back, propping himself up against the trunk, watching me run. "Where'd you go?" I yelled, slowing to a jog, then a walk, trying to catch my breath. "To buy a car." He pushed his back off the car, starting for me. "Funny." I choked out a breathless laugh. "No, really?" "It'll be delivered tomorrow." He was serious, not a hint of a joke. "What? That was so fast. Delivered? What did you get?"

"A Ford GT Supercar." "Ford." Very sensible for him, not as flashy as the convertible he had driven. "That's economical." He started chuckling, giving me his mischievous grin. "I guess." He stretched his hand to my hip, fingers sweeping my bare stomach. "Did you have to go running right now? You couldn't have fucking waited?" "I didn't know when you'd be back," I shrugged. "And I needed to pick something up." "What?" He cocked his head to the side, eyes finding the bag. "What was so important?" "Nothing." I tucked the bag tighter under my arm, turning towards the house, but he tore the bag from my grip. "What is it?" He teased, already pulling the frame out of the bag. "I haven't even wrapped it yet." I watched him look it over for a minute before sliding it right back into the bag. It hardly compared to getting a new car. Then he stepped in closer, closing the space between us and bending down, dropping his hands to my thighs, gripping them with all his mighthoisting me up. "Don't hurt yourself, Gavin!" I wrapped my arms around his neck, our lips even, that magnetic force too strong, sending us crashing together.

Chapter 9

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" I popped up from the couch, happy he was finally awake. "Happy Birthday." He yawned, stretching his flexed arms up over his head, causing his flannel pants to slide even lower off his hips. Damn, I was getting a birthday present too. "What time is it?" He rubbed his eyes before sliding his hands through that thick black hair. "Almost noon." "Shit, why didn't you wake me!" Because I was planning for tonight. "I wanted you well-rested for later." "Get ready, Baby! We've got to go." He spun, taking off right back into my room. "Go where?" I had planned on staying in bed all day. "My place!" He yelled from the bedroom. "They're delivering my car soon. Then I thought you could stay the night." "But you're going out tonight." "And I want to come home to you, at my place." That was not in my plans. Everything I'd fantasized about doing took place here. But, it was his birthday, and he did have an amazing view, and that glass wall. Oh, the glass wall, that's why he wanted me there. He had his own birthday fantasies. Fine by me. I followed him into the bedroom, wrapping my arms around his back, letting my hands dip over his pants, finding his morning arousal. "Shall we start your birthday now, Mr. Romano?" I weaseled my fingers under his waistband, seizing the pole breaking through his pants, stroking him from

base to tip. "Ohh fuck, Baby," he growled, his back falling against my chest as I pumped him, faster and faster. "Shit, I'm com-" He burst, warm streams trickling over my hand. "I've already showered, but give me a minute to pack up." I had to pack up all my stuff discreetly for tonight- I wanted him to be surprised! It took him two minutes to get dressed, then he was gone, giving me the time to throw all my stuff together and get dressed. "Ready!" I walked my bag to the front door, catching him leaning against the kitchen counter, holding the picture frame I'd given him. "Come here, Baby," he insisted, nodding me over. "I thought we had to go," I teased, pointing to the door behind me. "Just one kiss." When was it ever just one kiss with Gavin? But it was his birthday, so the word no, was off the table. "I love this picture." He leaned over, smudging a kiss to my nose. "Me too! And now you can trash that other one!" "What?" He crinkled his nose, looking at me like I was crazy. "No, that's staying put- and you better not fucking move it tonight when I'm gone." "We'll see." I teased. "Shall we get going?" "Yup!" He grabbed my bag, I grabbed the door, and we were off, speeding to his place.

"Valet," he demanded, guiding me away from the street parking, as he did last time. So once again, I pulled my car up, laughing under my breath at how out of place it looked. "It's already fucking here!" He yelled, barreling

right out of the car, rushing up to a man in a suit. I stepped out after him, taking my bag and thanking the valet while searching for a Ford- that I couldn't find. Gavin was still talking, so I took a seat on the bench, waiting and watching as he talked animatedly with the man. Then he looked over, calling for me. "Let us know if you need anything else, Mr. Romano. Have a great day and enjoy your new ride." "Thanks, man." Gavin shook his hand, and the man nodded to me before taking off. "This is it!" He waved to the car beside us- that definitely did not look like a Ford. It looked like it belonged on a race track, not a city street. "This is a Ford?" "Fuck yeah." He ran his hand over the door frame. "It looks- expensive. How much did you get from insurance?" His eyes were lost, drifting over the car. "Oh, that shit's not even settled yet. I just needed a car. This is a birthday present." I got him a picture frame and a nurse costume, while someone, I'm assuming Luca, bought him a race car. He continued running his hands over the intricate design, his eyes just as dark as when he was running those hands over me. "I never drove in New York. This is another perk about being on the west coast- you get to fucking drive everywhere." He pulled the enger door open for me before taking off for the driver's side. "Let's go, Baby." "I should probably put my stuff away." I lifted my bag, gesturing to his lack of backseat. "Hey," Gavin called to the valet. "Tell the doorman to send this up to my place. Now get in, Baby!" "No convertible?" I teased as he climbed in next to me. "Not this time." He pushed the ignition, the engine roaring to life, vibrating

the entire car while he revved the gas. "Fucking amazing!" "Where are we going?" I latched the seatbelt, watching his hazy eyes roam over the dashboard. "It doesn't matter." His foot hit the gas, sending us flying. "I just wanna drive." "It's your day. Whatever you want to do." "Whatever I want to do?" He repeated as I slid my hand to his thigh, nails scratching his jeans. "Whatever you want, birthday boy." "Hmm, in that case. I want to fuck you in here." I had a feeling, and it wasn't just the vibrations of the car warming me up. "You want me on top of you?" I inched my fingers up his thigh, rubbing over the bulge between them. "Or do you want my head in your lap?" "Jesus Christ, I want-" His black eyes were on the road ahead of him, dilating in thought. "Or would you like both? A birthday fuck and a blow job?" "Both, fuck." He veered off the main road that second, pulling onto P.C.H. and right into an empty beach parking lot, leaving the engine running, waiting for me to start his too. So I slid my seatbelt off, bending over the center console, unzipping his jeans, meeting his erection head to head. I licked first, tongue circling his tip in one stroke, lapping up the salty pre that was dribbling from his head. "Jesus," he groaned, hands flying to my hair, slightly more aggressive than usual, bobbing me down. I slurped him up- if he wanted suction, then that's what he'd get. I dove up and down, filling my mouth with all of him, exaggerating each bob, knowing he was watching the show as well.

His gasps turned to labored moans, his seat suddenly reclining more, and his hands pushed my face away. "Get on top, Baby- hurry." I tugged my leggings to my knees, mounting right over him, hands to his shoulders, his wet tip sliding up inside me. "Happy Birthday Gavin." I dropped down hard, riding him fast, fingers clawing his shoulders as I rolled my hips, grinding him in. "Fuck!" He gasped, stilled, released. "Sorry, Baby." He laughed to himself, but I knew it'd be fast. "It's your birthday." I smiled back, lifting off of him and flipping back into my seat. My orgasm was not a priority today. We dressed, and once again, he hit the gas, taking off, both of us getting lost in the views, cruising for hours. He was in his element, revving the engine, speeding up and down the coast, his hand never leaving mine. He looked so sexy behind the wheel too. I couldn't stop stealing glances at him, wishing he would pull back over into a deserted parking lot so I could really have him. But it was better this way. I needed him wanting me later, and we'd both need our energy. We eventually pulled back up to his building, both of us happy, smiling, and I stepped out to meet him, taking his hand to start for the lobby. "Wait, where's the picture?" Gavin looked at me, but I just shrugged. "I think you tossed it aside once you saw your new car," I teased, and he immediately turned back around to the valet, calling him over. "Romano," Gavin instructed him. "Can you check the front seat for a picture frame?" "Gavin. it's not a big deal." I tugged his hand, pulling him away. "I can get it later." It seemed a little ridiculous to send someone out to fetch a 4x6 photo. "I want my fucking picture!" He leaned over, pressing his lips to mine. "That was my birthday present, and I want it."

Just wait until you get your other birthday present, want, might be an understatement. "See," Gavin chuckled, pulling me out of my thoughts as the man ran back up to us with the frame in hand, and he swapped him some cash for the picture. "It's almost sunset, Baby. Let's get upstairs." He pushed his front door open, the setting sun greeting us, lighting up the dark sky with beautiful hues of pink. Wow. I walked to the glass wall, watching the colors dance off the dark sea. "Wine?" Gavin stepped to my side, hand outstretched, holding a glass. "I was going to make you dinner tonight-" My entire plan for tonight had been derailed. "But I don't know what you have here." He laughed, giving his kitchen an arbitrary glance. "I haven't been here for a while, so I have wine, beer, water, and you." "Me?" I gulped, feeling that desire stirring. This needed to happen now. My body couldn't wait any longer. "I can go downstairs and grab something," he offered. "There's a Chinese place next door. You can get your fortune and lucky numbers." "No!" I snapped a little too sharply. I never wanted to read a fortune again. They were too easily misconstrued. "Something else." "Okay, burgers?" Ugh, I wasn't really a fan, but I needed him out so I could get ready. "Sure, and why don't you go now since it's already getting pretty dark." "What do you want?" His voice tapered to a rasp, the lust clouding his eyes. He wanted to have me now, but I couldn't give in. "Whatever you're getting," I rambled, taking a step away, encouraging him to go. "I'm starving." "Oh, okay. I'll be right back, Baby." He looked dejected, shoulders slouched

as he turned for the door. I waited until I heard the lock click- then it was go time! I hurried to the kitchen, grabbing the wine bottle and taking a long swig. This was not a one glass kind of a night- I was going to need the whole damn bottle. I raced back to the bathroom, sliding the sexy panties on, buckling the garter to the thigh-high tights before forcing on the two sizes too small red push-up bra. I could barely breathe, the cleavage was up to my neck, but it was so worth it. I caught a quick glimpse of my reflection, good lord! I grabbed the wine bottle, taking another hearty swig before grabbing the nurse costume out of my bag. Here goes nothing. I slid the dress up my arms, attempting to zip the front, but it wouldn't budge over my chest. It was a little too small- everywhere. Which meant it was perfect for my greedy birthday boy. The clock was ticking faster now, so I rushed to the mirror, slapping on the bright red lipstick I'd bought for tonight. Then I took another long sip of wine, finishing off the bottle, the anxiety slowly fading to anticipation. I didn't recognize my reflection and surprisingly didn't feel as ridiculous as I thought I would. I felt sexy, uninhibited, and I couldn't wait to see Gavin's reaction. How had I gone so many years without these feelings and desires! I had been dormant for so long, and now I was in the middle of some crazy sexual reawakening. I stepped into my stilettos next- the same ones I had worn in Vegas. They were synonymous with sex now. I strut out quietly, making sure he wasn't back yet, continuing into the living room, finding it lit up perfectly by the moon and the city lights below. No need for lights tonight. Now, I walked to the glass wall, dragging my finger along it just as the key rattled in the lock. Gavin! I stilled, watching the door swing open, with Gavin shuffling in, dropping the bags onto the counter. "Baby?" He hit the light switch, the room illuminating, his eyes scanning, moving past me- stopping- slowly returning. "Holy fuck." He stood there, motionless except for his eyes that were raking up and down my outfit furiously. "Holy fuck." "Mr. Romano," I purred, trying to be as seductive as possible. "I heard you needed a nurse."

"I, thought, fu- fuck," he stammered, shaking his head. "You." His eyes were still raking over every inch of my body. "You, didn't want to." "Just for tonight." I smiled back, striding towards him, running my hands up the dress, enjoying the struggle he was having with his mouth- trying to close it, but those lips just hung. "I hate to sound like a fairy tale, but at midnight-" I waved over my outfit. "This all disappears." "I, um, fuck." He pointed back over to the food, although his eyes stayed focused on me. "What's wrong, Mr. Romano?" I stepped over, pressing my chest to his. "You seem at a loss for words. Let me assess you." I grabbed his hand, dragging it across my cleavage before flipping it over, pressing my fingers to his inner wrist. "Your pulse is racing." I slid his hand back down, letting it trace my curves as it fell. "Let me check your heart." I unbuttoned his shirt, peeling it down his arms, dropping it to the floor. "Now-" I ran my fingers over his broad chest, and he flexed, his muscles tight- begging to be kissed, so I did. I bent down, kissing his flat nipple, licking the salty skin around it, making my way to the other. "Your heart is beating a little too fast. Do you feel hot, Mr. Romano?" I kissed my way up to his neck, his Adam's apple bobbing in rapid-fire, tightening that rough skin my tongue was lapping up. "Happy birthday!" I reached behind him, hitting the lights back off and strutting back to the glass wall, letting the moonlight sweep over me. "I like your view." He nodded, chest still flexed, hard lump stretching his jeans. "Yeah, it's pretty fucking incredible right now." Suddenly he pounced, a blur of man bolting forwards, his hands slapping my sides, face crashing to mine- lips just as deadly. His kiss was greedy, tongue whipping, fighting- his lips smothering, suffocating. I had been waiting for this moment. "I fucking love this, Baby, but I'm not gonna last much longer. I'm already hard as fuck." My hands were in motion, destroying the zipper, ripping his jeans, taking control of his dick, revving his engine. "What would you like?" I stretched my tongue, licking my lips. "I want to fuck you, Baby, fuck, just like this, with all this shit on."

My leg shot out, hands rubbing over the buckles. "I need to take these off first." He sank to the floor, thick fingers taking control of my thighs, followed by his lips, nipping between me as his fingers unhinged the belt. Oh fuck. I wasn't going to last much longer either. He straightened back up, only to sink back down, sending his hands right up under the tight dress, hooking onto the panties, tearing them away, then sliding those fingers inside me. "Sh-it," I drawled out, reaching for his hair, his fingers fucking me that much harder. "Gavin, it's your birthday, not mine." I was empty, wet fingers retreating, sliding down my thighs, gripping them hard- and I was up, legs wrapped around his waist, the two of us stumbling forward- my back banging the glass- his dick banging right into me. "Ahhh, ohh." I held on, his body hard, muscles rippling, hips rocking faster, hammering me up and down the glass. "Gavin." I was bouncing, bangingmy body under his control, my pleasure at his mercy. "Look, at, me, Baby." Grunts, groans, heaving breathing hitting my ear. His head, butting mine, forcing me to look up, meet his eyes. Our eyes locked, the intensity taking the sex to the next level. "Gavin." I dug my fingers into his skin, using it as an anchor- fucking him now, only to make him fuck me back even harder. "Fuuck, ohh, fuck." He tensed, hard rams, body slamming against mine, both of us succumbing. Then he was stumbling backwards, holding me tight, staying inside me as he fell back onto the couch. "I'm canceling tonight," his voice was a squeak, strained like his breathing. "I want this all fucking night, over and over again." He dropped his face into my cleavage, biting at my chest. "No, Gavin, go have fun with your friends. I know you were looking forward to it." "Fun," he scoffed, dipping his face right back into my dress. "Nothing will ever fucking compare to this. Fuck them!" I sat up, letting him slide out of me before standing to adjust the dress.

"Sorry, this is too tight." I tugged the bra off, tossing it aside, releasing my breasts from the too-tight hold. "Much better." And here we go. His wicked grin curled up, matching those dark, mischievous eyes. He grunted, hand dropping to his lap, stroking his firming arousal. "This time, Baby, I want you bent over, with that belt shit back on." "Mr. Romano, it seems you're feeling much better," I teased, crawling back onto his lap. "Baby, you have no fucking idea how much better I'm feeling." "Well, I need to put the panties back on for the belt." He relaxed his grip, so I backed up off his lap, walking towards the glass, bending over seductively to grab the belt and buckles from the floor. His eyes were a solid black, watching me pull the panties up, then the belt, clasping the buckles together before stepping into my stilettos. "Walk into the bedroom, Baby," he demanded, his tone just as dark as his eyes. I reached my hand for his, but he shook his head no. "I want to watch you," he hissed, clutching his arousal in his hand, still stroking. I was good with that. I strutted away, letting him enjoy the view, suddenly feeling him rush up behind me, pressing his hand to my shoulder, nudging me onto the bed, face up. I stretched across the sheets, he climbed over me, immediately unzipping the dress just enough to free my breasts. "Cazzo! Fuck!" He growled, and in that same second, he was ravaging mehands, lips, tongue all working me. "Hands and knees, Baby." He gripped my hips, rolling me over, his hands hastily running over my thighs, rubbing over the tights and buckles, his grunts and groans filling the room like a wild animal- causing me to grab for the sheets instinctively, bunching them tight, bracing myself. "I love you so fucking much, Baby." His fingers dipped under the panties, pulling them aside, and with a bang, he was inside me. "Oh! God!" I grasped the sheets, holding on as he pounded, hitting the

deepest of nerves. "Fuck." His slap hit my ass, his hard thrusts following- sliding me up the bed. "Gavin, Gavin!" It was too much, too intense, the orgasm coming too fast. My arms buckled, face falling into the sheets, screams muffled, body trembling, overwhelmed by the pleasure. He thrust once more, both of us coming, rather exploding together. "Are you okay, Baby?" He pulled out, dropping next to me on the bed. "Sadie?" Okay? Okay. I was in heaven. "Uh, huh, need a minute." My eyes involuntarily shut. "Just give me a minute." The bed dipped, his body landing next to mine, his arms sliding under me, pulling me against him. "Fucking you is my favorite fucking thing," he whispered. "You have no idea how good you fucking feel." He flexed his arm, locking me in place, my body giving up the fight. I, was, done.

Chapter 10

"Baby, we need to book the flight," Gavin whispered over me, but I didn't want to wake up. Wait, what? "Book a flight where?" "New York, Baby." Why was he thinking about New York right now? I could barely think, period. "You still want me to go?" I closed my eyes again, sinking my head into the pillow. "Of course! I want you to meet my family. I'll book our flights!" "I don't know if I can get the time off. Send me the dates so I can check." "In two weeks." "Two weeks!" Well, now I was awake. "Yeah, it's already spring." Time was going too fast. I hadn't even thought about New York, and now it was two weeks away. "When are you leaving tonight?" I asked to distract him, needing to buy myself some more time. "They're picking me up downstairs at 9, and I'll be back by 11:45." "That's specific," I laughed up to his sexy grin. "Why 11:45?" "Because this," he chuckled, running his hand down the curve of my dress. "Expires at midnight." "Then I'll rest up." I gave him a cheesy smile as he slid his arm out from under me, sneaking away to the shower. Naptime for me...

I awoke with a start, springing up- in the empty bed. "Gavin?" I slid my hands over the sheets, nothing. "Gavin?" I rolled off the bed, walking to the living room and flipping the light switch up, scanning for him. He wasn't here. What time was it? I looked over to the oven seeing 2:27 am lit bright2:27! He said he'd be home by 11:45. The pit of my stomach churned, the hairs prickling on my arm. Why wasn't he home? I rounded the counter for the fridge, seeing a note pinned to the door along with the horrendous picture of my face. 'Goodnight baby, food's in here. Love you.' I tugged the door open, grabbing out a water before looking back at the time. 2:27! Where the hell was he? What if... what if something happened again. I started running, racing back to the bedroom for my phone- diving for it and swooping it up- no missed calls, no messages. Maybe he was just having that much fun with his buddies. Yeah, nothing bad, just too much fun- at the bar- drunk. It was fine really, I mean it was his birthday. Ugh… 2 freaking 27. Well, if he wasn't coming home, then I wasn't going to stay in this all night. It was past twelve, and I had warned him this would expire at midnight. His loss. I continued to the shower, smacking the lever on before stripping off the costume. I showered, half-listening through the glass, nothing still. I toweled off, threw on a nightie- his place growing eerily quiet. Hmph, I tapped my phone screen, still blank, the phone just goading me now, daring me to call or text him. Nope! I yanked the bedside drawer open, ready to lock my phone away- except the drawer was full, stuffed to the brim with unopened mail. I glanced to the doorway, double-checking before sifting through the envelopes. The larger pieces were from the Romano Trust, others from the Romano Estate, and the rest from various investment companies. Why hadn't he opened these? A boom, pound, banging knocks against the front door - scaring the shit out of me. Shit! I slammed the drawer shut, stumbling off the bed. Then I heard the rattling of a key in the lock, followed by more rowdy pounding. I hurried to the front door, eye smashed against the peephole, just as

Gavin's fist struck the door once more. Finally! I swung it open, meeting a piss-drunk Gavin, too drunk even to hold himself up. "Sadie, Baby, I'm, so, fucking sorry." He stumbled through the door, reeking of alcohol, the pungent odor seeping from his pores. "You have fun?" I teased, watching him stagger in. He squinted his eyes, trying to focus on me, finally zeroing in, raking his eyes up and down my body. Then he leapt, pounced, throwing my back against the counter, caging me against his strong chest with drunk sloppy hands. "Baby." His lips smacked my chin, haphazardly smacking away until they landed on my lips. "Gavin." I pulled back, his face just sliding to my neck, lips nipping. "I'm, I'm, so fucking sorry, Baby." His hands shot out, flailing across the counter, slapping the new picture frame right off- glass shattering at our feet. "Gavin!" But he didn't even flinch, instead, his eyes locked on my nightie, his face twisted like a rabid animal, hands seizing my dress, tearing it away, catching my nipples with his teeth. He was wild, sloppy- ravaging every inch of me, pleasure on the verge of pain. "Fuck, Baby, mi dispiace, I'm sorry. You know how bad I want you- every day for the rest of my life, just you, just to be fucking you. This body, these tits, your beautiful fucking face, smile, legs." His words were trailing off, mouth dropping to my stomach, sucking in bites, healing them with kisses. "You love me, right?" I reached for his cheeks, pulling his face back up to mine, pressing my lips to his. "I love you." "God," he spat, flinging his head back. "I'm such a- fucking idiot." He was so wasted, not making any sense. "What are you talking about, Gavin?" I rested my hands over his biceps, stroking in long runs to calm him. "I, uh, never, gone, out, fuck, you, nurse." He looked over to the microwave,

and I followed his gaze- seeing the time. Ahh, he was upset I had changed. "Is this because you said you'd be back earlier?" I laughed up to him. "It's your birthday; it's no big deal. Seriously, not a big deal." I grabbed his hands in mine, pushing them over my perky nipples, dragging them down the curve of my bare hips. The nurse costume was off, but I could still keep him entertained. "Why don't you wait for me in the bed. I'm going to grab you some water." He nodded yes before clumsily staggering towards the bedroom, bumping into the doorway on his way in. Good lord. I could only imagine how much he'd had to drink tonight. It took a lot to make a guy his size that drunk. I grabbed the water then followed him in, only to find him halfway on the bed, ed out, already grumbling in his sleep. "Alright, birthday boy, I guess we're going to call it a night." I tugged him over the sheets before crawling up next to him, leaning over to kiss him, but he swatted at my face, trying to slap me away. "Okay, no kiss." I rolled over instead, giving him some space while trying to fall back to sleep myself. I only had a few hours before I had to drive back home and get ready for work.

I heard the incessant beeping infiltrating my dreams, pulling me from a dead sleep. No. I peeled my eyelids open to the still dark room. Why? It felt like I'd just fallen asleep. I rolled over, finding Gavin in the same position I'd left him in, still snoring while dripping sweat even in this frigid temperature. "Gavin?" Nothing, not even a flinch, so I skipped the goodbye kiss, tip-toeing over to grab my stuff instead before sneaking out his bedroom door. I stepped into my pants as I continued to the front door, catching the reflection of the moonlight on the shattered glass, but I didn't have time to clean it up- it was Gavin's mess anyways. The valet was quick to grab my car, and I was even quicker driving home, changing and barreling right back out the door. No sleep, no coffee- today was going to be fun! I hurried into the hospital, swinging the door openonly to bump right into someone who was also rushing out. "Sorry!" I apologized automatically, blowing right past them. "Sadie." It was a man's voice bringing my feet to a stop, wheeling around to

meet Dr. Phillips's dimpled smile. "How's the arm?" He called over. "Oh-" I looked down at the faint scar. "Fine." "So, you're a day shifter then?" He continued smiling. "Mostly." I checked the watch I wasn't wearing, knowing I was late. "I'll see you later, Dr. Phillips." Talking to a gorgeous doctor who just spent his night saving lives while Gavin was at home puking his guts out from a night of binge drinking, probably wasn't the best idea. He started away, then twisted right back. "Watch out for, Gail, I think it is," he laughed to himself. "She's already cornered me about the gala." "Gail? Oh, Gwen." "That's it! She's on a rampage finding presenters and volunteers for the hospital's gala." Of course, she was. "And you just started," I teased, trying to frown. "I guess no one's safe! Thanks for the warning." I waved goodbye, hurrying down the hall, right to the station and an awaiting Gwen. Oh great. "Sadie!" She shouted, waving me over. "I need you to present at the Spring Gala, and I won't take no for an answer." I rolled my eyes to Debbie behind the desk, begging her silently to help me. "Don't look at her," Gwen cackled. "She's also signed up." "I'm not sure I'm even going to attend." It seemed like it was one thing after another lately, and I was still weeks behind it all. "You have to!" She insisted. "All our major benefactors will be there- this is our biggest event of the year!" "Alright..." I gave in, nodding in agreement because I didn't have the energy to fight it. "What would you like me to do?" "I need you to introduce our newest doctors, Dr. Wells, and Dr. Phillips."

"Sounds good." I smiled, nodding my head yet again as I walked away- and as if I needed anymore on my plate, my phone buzzed- with Grant's name flashing. He wanted to have dinner tonight, so I text back 'sure'. Now I had twelve hours to practice the speech I was going to give Grant.

Chapter 11

"May!" I screamed in her direction, stopping her before she disappeared again. She sank her hand onto her hip as that mischievous smile of hers crept up her face. "Ready to tell me some naughty Gavin stories?" "No." I laughed, giving her a playful shove. "I need advice. I'm talking to Grant today, and you know how well that went last time." She shrugged, biting at her smile. "Tell him you're having the best sex of your life, and you're not ready to give up your twenty-two-year-old lover." "Twenty-three!" I corrected her. "His birthday was yesterday." "Ohhh and-" "And I want to talk about Grant." "Tell me about Gavin, and I'll talk to you about Grant." Dammit, May. "Fine." I relented, nudging her over to the corner of the hall. "For his birthday I, dressed up as a-" I took another quick look around us before whispering, "as a sexy nurse." She squeezed her lips tight, trying not to laugh. "I know," I cringed, shaking my head. "But it was his fantasy, and he wouldn't shut up about it." "Girl, I can only imagine the kind of night you must have had." "You have no idea." Although it could have been much better. "Did I mention his brother bought him a new car, and we-" "We... what?" She grinned expectantly.

"God, I'm too old for this." "What!" She insisted, yanking at my arm. "We christened it at the beach." I threw my hands up to cover my face. Doing something, and itting to doing something were two very different things. "Oh, I need to get me a boy toy too!" Really. This was the exact reason I didn't tell people about Gavin. "Not a boy toy May, a boyfriend." "Men our age don't have the stamina to be doing that all day and all night," she teased. "He's like an energizer bunny." "Just because your ex didn't have the stamina doesn't mean all men are that way," I assured her. "Oh, and I also might need your help covering a shift. I'm heading to New York to meet his family." "What!" She jumped to my side, landing an inch from my face. "We're going for, for, um, spring break," I cringed again, watching her face light up before laughing. "Spring Break, huh. But for real, this is a serious step, Sadie. Is he going to propose?" "No! It's not like that. His brother wanted him to go home and see the family. But after the earthquake and his accident, Gavin insisted that I go too." "Okay," she sighed. "I need to know what your secret is. How did you find him?" I didn't. "He found me." "Then that's what you tell Grant. Sadie, look, you're glowing, and you're having fun. Grant just needs to get over that his stepdaddy is only four, I mean five years older than him."

"We're not getting married, May!" "Then what does it matter to Grant." "You're right, plus Gavin graduates in May. I think that'll help." Her smile started creeping back up. "We should all go to his graduation, cheer him on, meet his friends. Is there cougar seating?" "Shut up!" I shook her away, ignoring her laughs as I started down the hall. "Hey, wait up," she called, shuffling to catch up. "What did you think about Dr. Phillips?" "He seems nice." Gavin, on the other hand, hated him. "I'm presenting him at the gala." "Ohhh," she squealed, pacing faster to meet my stride. "Will you be my date. Or are you bringing Gavin?" More questions, more decisions. "I haven't thought about it yet." It would be fun to play dress up with Gavin but he didn't seem like the dancing at a gala type of guy. Not to mention Dr. Phillips and Kirk would be there, and the entire nursing staff. "I'll get back to you." I ran off to check my phone, seeing Gavin's name on the screen and a few missed calls, as well as three texts- I love you. I'm sorry. I'll be by after work. Bought the plane tickets. Why was he still apologizing? He must have been really bummed about missing round two; I laughed to myself as I typed back- Can't, seeing Grant tonight. I tossed my phone back into my bag for the day.

My shift flew by, and I was sailing out the door, ready to tackle the next thing- telling Grant the truth. I headed straight for the cafe, pulling up to the curb and reaching into my bag for my phone to text Grant I was hereonly to see a string from Gavin. Why? Can we talk?' He had sent these earlier, but I still replied- Can't. I'm already here. Later or tomorrow. Then I caught Grant from the corner of my eye walking up the sidewalk, so I silenced my phone, tossing it back into my bag as I kicked the car door

open. "Grant!" I walked up, throwing my arms around a reluctant Grant. "Hey, Mom." He gave me the weakest of smiles, so unlike him. I hated thiswe never had this distance between us or these weird vibes. "Hungry?" I hooked my arm through his, leading him into the cafe. "Two, please, private booth if possible." No one needed to hear what I had to say, and no one needed to hear Grant's reaction. I kept my arm in his as we followed the hostess to a back table, finally releasing him to take our seats. I missed him, seeing him. "How are you? How's Berkeley?" "We're good!" He seemed to relax a bit. "Heading to L.A. soon for spring break. Berkeley's really excited." He was suddenly smiling, his mood shifting for the better- good. Maybe he would take my news that much better. "That sounds fun." I folded my napkin in my lap, all the while taking one deep breath after another. "Let me know if you need anything for the trip." "Have you broken things off with him yet?" I wasn't expecting that question, at least not so abruptly. But, it was time. "Um, no." Grant and Gavin both deserved the truth. "We're still together." "What!" He shot the word out, his tone turning bitter. "Mom! Why? This is ridiculous!" "I don't know what to say, Grant, it's complicated." I forced myself to keep eye , because I knew how easy it'd be to lie if I looked away. "Why him, Mom! I see the way guys look at you and talk to you. You could be dating anybody- why him!" I didn't know! Gavin did something to me- he made me a new woman. The sex was one part, but there was so much more- he gave me everything I never had: protection, love, safety. Grant didn't understand what it was like to always have to be in total control, always stressed, always scared, always having to be the strong one. "He makes me happy, and he loves me."

"Ha!" He burst out a laugh, throwing his head back, looking at me like I was the child. "Are you sure about that?" A knowing smile twisted up into his cheeks. "Yes." Gavin's love was evident. "Huh," he suppressed a laugh. "Well, he wasn't in class today. He was hungover." God, this college town was too small; everyone knew everyone's business. "He's twenty-three. He's allowed to drink." He nodded, shrugging. "Dan said they all went out for his birthday, and Gavin got super trashed and hooked up with Lola." Hooked up... Lola... I replayed his words in my head. "What?" "Lola," he repeated with the haughtiest smile. "This hot blonde at school. Gavin and her hooked up last night." It was an immediate twinge, the pit of my stomach feeling emptier than it ever had. Grant was lying- he had to be lying. Gavin wouldn't have done that. Dan was lying. Somebody was lying! I slid my eyes to the bench, to my bag, to the phone lying inside it- and the apologies he'd sent. Shit, all those drunk apologies. How was I so naive to think all that was over the costume! Oh my god. My vision clouded, my hands trembling. "He's not who you think he is. He's using you and I don't want him making a fool out of you anymore." Grant gave me a twisted smile, so proud that he told me so. "I don't believe you; maybe they just said that." Only I did believe him. "And he's not making a fool out of me!" Only he had- car sex, nurse costume, waiting in his bed while he was with her- I was a fool. No. Gavin wouldn't do that. Not after the accident, not after everything. He wouldn't, right. I pulled my phone from my bag, looking at the texts just as another popped up- Need to see you. My fingers were typing a reply before my brain could respond- Tell me why you keep saying you're sorry. I waited a minutethere was no reply. Fuck you! I hit send, slamming my phone back into my bag.

"Can I take your order?" A waitress was at our table, looking between Grant and me. "No! I'm leaving!" I stumbled out of the booth, swiping the tears flooding down my cheeks. "Mom!" Grant stood up after me, but I wasn't waiting. "Stop, Grant! I can't do this right now. Two men I loved made a fool of meyou included!"

Chapter 12

How could he have done this! I fell into the driver's seat, letting the barrage of tears break free. I had trusted him. For the first time in forever, I trusted someone, and this is what it got me! I cranked the engine on, brushing my tears back with my hair. I didn't want to go home- I didn't want to go anywhere that would remind me of him. So I just drove. I had dressed up for him, took care of him, he was living at my house for God's sake, and he had the audacity to get wasted and hook up with someone else. Oh my gosh- what if she wasn't the first? Who the hell had that kind of stamina! And to think I was waiting for him, sleeping in his bed. Driving aimlessly had finally landed me back on my street; only my driveway was taken- by a black sports car. I was tempted to keep driving, and if I weren't so exhausted, I would have. All I had to do was get inside and lock the door. I parked on the street, ignoring his car, ignoring his door opening, ignoring his footsteps chasing after mine as I rushed up to my door. And I stuck the key in, spinning to meet him head-on. "Why were you so sorry last night?" I yelled, wiping the stray tears. His eyes sank shut for a second, shoulders deflating. "Fuck, it's not what you think," he bellowed, dark eyes pleading, but the guilt was strewn all over his face. "Were you out with other women while I was asleep in your bed?" He sighed. "Yeah, but-" I lifted my hand, palm up, stopping him. "Was a girl named Lola there?" "You don't understand, Sadie." I pushed my hand forward, gesturing him back even farther as I opened the door behind me. "Did you hook up with her? Did you hook up with

someone else while I was at your place, waiting for you in your bed Gavin? Tell me!" He shook his head, rolling his eyes before meeting my stare once more. "She kissed me." I felt the sting, the pressure swelling under my cheeks, behind my eyes. His lips were on another girl last night. I stepped back through the doorway, holding the door in my hand, blocking him from following. He leapt forward towards the door. "I swear to fucking god, Baby- she kissed me. I was so fucking wasted, and I thought for a minute it was you. Then I realized it wasn't, and I pushed her off." "So you kissed her back?" I was being gutted, visualizing him kissing another woman. How could he have done that! "I trusted you! I thought I, I thought you loved me! I was wrong!" "We didn't fuck or anything!" He shouted back. "Oh, well, in that case, come right in!" I slammed the door on his face, but he threw his hand out, catching the door seconds before it closed. "And what if she had pulled you into the bathroom, and you thought it was me." I continued yelling, disgusted by the man I saw in front of me. "Don't fucking play the what-if game! I know I fucked up, but it was just a goddamn kiss. I get that you're mad. I saw the picture shattered on the fucking floor." What! "You did that Gavin! You knocked it off the counter when you got home. You were that drunk. You also weren't the one who told me about last night." "Then how the fuck- oh shit." "Grant told me. My son told me how he was tired of you making a fool of me!" I blinked away the tears. "I told him we were still together, and how you loved me and he tells me that you hooked up with some other girl last night."

"God, Dan's a fucking idiot." "No, Sadie's a fucking idiot." I grabbed the edge of the door, pushing it to close. "It was just a fucking kiss, Baby. Listen to me, dammit! I was so fucking wasted. All I was thinking about was you, and then out of nowhere, she kisses me and for a split fucking second, I thought it was you. I swear! I was blindsided. Please, I'm sorry." "How do I tell my son that I'm okay with this? That I'm okay with you kissing other people. He thinks you're an asshole already, and I'm not sure what I think right now." "I don't give a fuck what he thinks about me, and I'm not leaving here like this. Look what happened last time." Oh, he was not flipping this around on me. "Don't fucking guilt trip me into letting you stay, Gavin. You embarrassed me in front of my son, you kissed another woman right after you were with me, and you left me alone in your condo all night!" I was yelling, not caring about the scene we were making. "I just don't understand. I never thought you were the type who would cheat. I don't know why- I just thought you loved me too much." My heart was shattering, unraveling with the tears that were streaming. "I didn't fucking cheat, Sadie! Don't even fucking say that!" He groaned. "She kissed me, and I was beyond trashed. How many times do I have to tell you? You're not listening- I didn't choose to do that! I didn't want to do that! She blindsided me- don't cry, Baby- stop!" It might have been just a kiss to him, but it had been my fear from the start. I would fall hard for him, and he would do something like this. He was in college, this is what they did, and I was kidding myself, believing he was some old soul. "Why were girls there anyway?" "Because we were at a fucking bar- that you were invited to, by the way." "You don't have the right to raise your voice to me. I didn't do anything. In fact, all I did yesterday was try to make you happy."

"Sadie," he pleaded, reaching his hand through the door to grab mine. "I'm sorry. Please, Baby, just let me come in. Please." "No. Go home, Gavin, go back to your place. You're not welcome here anymore." "No!" He shook his head, not moving an inch. "This wasn't my fault. The second I kissed her I knew it wasn't you, Baby, and I ran- pushed her away and fucking ran to a cab." "I'm really tired, Gavin. I just want to go to sleep." He pushed his arm in, cracking the door open wider. "Then let me sleep with you. Please, Baby. Don't be mad, don't cry. Let me stay." I wanted to slam the door in his face. I wanted to scream at him, and for some ridiculous reason, I wanted him to stay with me. "I'm too tired to fight, do what you want." I walked away, straight into my bedroom, peeling my clothes off on my way into the shower. I didn't want to talk; I just wanted to stand here, under the burning water, boiling everything away, water mixing with the tears. Gavin, I'm sure, was somewhere in the house, maybe even my room, but I didn't care. My body, for the first time, was unresponsive to him. He was such a hypocrite. Always bitching and moaning about guys coming onto me while he sat there letting someone kiss him. Letting some other woman's lips touch his- maybe even her tongue. I felt a blast of cool air, then hands curling over my hips- my body stiffening from the cold touch. "Sadie." He twisted me around, dipping his head down, so it was even with mine. "Please, Sadie, don't make this bigger than it is. I hadn't drunk like that in a while. I was crazy fucking wasted after the first few rounds of shots." His hands started up my back, gliding with the water. "She came out of nowhere, said happy birthday or some shit, and then I was swatting her away." His hands continued up, sliding over my arms, up to my face, cupping my cheeks. "Baby, I swear to fucking god it was just a kiss. I would never do anything like that to you. You know how much I fucking love you. Please believe me, Baby. Look at me- I love you- I don't even fucking look at other chicks."

I met his eyes, keeping his gaze. "What if someone kissed me?" "What?" He snapped, dropping his hands from my face. "What if I told you that someone kissed me. That I was wasted and another man sunk his lips onto mine, and I kissed him back, thinking it was you." His face tensed, chest flexed, fists tightening at his side. "Why would you even fucking say that!" "Would you be upset with me, Gavin?" He kept his eyes on mine, his brows furrowing, body relaxing. "No, not at you, but I'd kill whoever fucking touched you." "You wouldn't be upset with me?" I asked again. "No, because it wasn't your fault. But," he huffed, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. "I'd be fucking pissed that it happened." "Yeah." I shrunk back down, taking the slightest step back. So he took a step closer, dropping his forehead to mine. "I'm really sorry, Baby." He slid his arms around my back, curling me against his chest. "Let me stay here with you tonight." "I hate that another woman got to kiss you, and I hate that everyone knows about it, even Grant." I stretched my hands to his waist, wrapping my arms around his broad back. "I know, Baby." He sank his lips onto mine while his hands fell to my thighs, fingers gripping in the same spot they always did. "Never again." He hoisted me up, my back hitting the stall. "You believe me, Baby?" His hips pinned me back, his tip hard at my entrance, waiting for my okay. This was how Gavin fixed things. This was his proof of love. He didn't do flowers or cards- he fucked- he needed to feel. Sometimes I just needed to feel too, sometimes words weren't enough. I nodded. "Never again."

His lips plowed into mine, desperate, roving kisses capturing my mouth while he thrust into me, rocking with slow- steady bursts. His usual roughness replaced with restraint. He was apologizing the best way he knew how, showing me he was sorry. "I love you," he groaned, thrusting once more, finishing, alone. "Fuck." He dropped his forehead back to mine. "We're okay- right?" "Yeah." I hit the lever off then grabbed for my towel. "I bought the plane tickets, by the way." He took my hand, guiding me out of the shower. "We leave in two weeks." Great. Just what I wanted to think about right now. "Okay." I walked past him to the bed. "You ate with Grant tonight, right?" "No. I stormed out after he told me about you. He wanted me to choose you or him, and how was I to defend you after what he told me." "Fuck," he grumbled. "At least eat something, Baby." "Goodnight, Gavin." I crawled into the bed, turning off the light and pulling the heavy blankets over me. Then I felt the mattress dip and his arm swinging open for me, but I rolled to the other side.

Chapter 13

Once again, my alarm was going off way too soon. Why? I threw my hand over the blankets next to me, finding the bed empty. "Gavin?" I sat up, getting a whiff of… bacon. Bacon? I crawled out of bed, grabbing a shirt and pulling it on while I walked out my door- seeing Gavin place a bowl of bacon down on the table. "What are you doing?" I yawned, continuing towards him. "You're never awake this early." "You didn't eat last night, and I knew you'd probably only have some coffee this morning. So I made you breakfast." He pulled out a chair, gesturing for me to sit. "Thank you." I was starving! I immediately started piling the bacon and eggs onto my plate. "I never thanked you for my birthday gift," he grinned over as he filled his plate. "You are so goddamn amazing, Baby. Don't think I don't know how lucky I am." I continued eating, focusing on the empty ache in my belly. There was a part of me that wanted to slither over onto his lap while another part that wanted to cry and slap him for being an idiot. "You're still going to New York, right? I have the tickets, and I'll book the hotel today, or we can stay with Luca." I hadn't even had my coffee yet. "How much were the tickets?" And are they refundable? "Doesn't matter," he shrugged. "Gavin, don't waste all your money on this trip." He chuckled, pushing a glass of orange juice to his lips. "It's fine." I'd already told May and Debbie about the trip, which meant if I canceled,

then I'd have to explain why I had, and I really wasn't up for any more embarrassment. "So then you're still coming?" He clarified, waiting. "Yes, but Gavin, I never want to be in this position again." "Fuck I know, Baby. Trust me, I know." He stretched his fingers, entwining them with mine and pulling them to his lips. "And Gavin." "Yes, Baby." "The eggs need more salt," I teased over, and he yanked my hand, forcing me from my seat to his. "You should never insult an Italian's cooking," he chuckled, digging his fingers into my sides. "I have to get ready for work." I laughed, trying to wriggle away from his tickling. "Just one more minute, Baby." He smacked his lips to my mouth. "Do you have anything else going on today?" "Just work and trying not to get kissed," I laughed to myself as I started towards the room. "That's not fucking funny, Sadie. Don't start with that revenge shit." "It was a joke," I called over my shoulder. "Not when you're heading to work with that doctor and Kirk. I'm seriousI'd wreck any guy if they tried anything." "Hypocrite much? Dr. Phillips has been working the night shift anyway." I tugged the dresser drawer open, lifting out a pair of fresh scrubs. "How do you know that?" He was in the doorway, eyes on me.

"Because I bumped into him yesterday, literally." "Go take your shower," he rasped, lunging over to slap my ass. "And Baby." "Yeah?" I ripped the shirt back off, tossing it to the floor on my way to the shower. "You need to go shopping for New York." It took me a minute to process what he said. I had expected a quip about work or sexual innuendo- shopping was the last thing I expected to hear. "Why?" "It was forty-two degrees yesterday, and I don't think you own a coat, like a real coat." A real coat, he was so serious all a sudden. "I've never had to buy winter clothes." I teased, pretending to put on an invisible coat. "I'll go out this weekend." "Now-" his smile turned sinister."I've been trying to keep my hands off your tits, but if you keep jiggling like that, then I'm going to have no fucking choice but to throw you back down on the bed." I looked down, immediately starting to laugh, making my chest bounce even more. "I can't help it!" I threw my arms up to hold them down. "Now, what did I just say, Baby?" "I'm going. I'm going," I giggled, trying to jump away. "It's too fucking late, Baby."

Chapter 14

I drove up the empty driveway, searching the street for Gavin's car, which wasn't there. The house was dark too. This was a first. He'd been home every night when I got home from work, either studying or waiting for me. Maybe he was ready to go home. Or maybe... it'd been a week, yet I still couldn't stop thinking about that girl kissing him- what if he couldn't stop thinking about it either. Ugh. I walked to the front door, pushing it open to a dark empty house. I should be used to this, so why was my heart sinking because he wasn't here. There was no note on the table, so I checked my phone, nothing there either. So strange. Oh well, I tossed it to the table on my way to the shower. Gavin would be going home soon- this would be my new normal. I dunked my head under the water- showering alone would be my new normal. Focus, on the bright side Sadie, at least I didn't have to worry about Grant showing up and finding him here, although why would he since we weren't speaking. He didn't want to apologize, and I wasn't just going to sit back while he disrespected me, laughed at my suffering. I'd given him the world, sacrificed mine for him, now he thought he could talk to me anyway he pleased, no respect necessary. I smacked the shower lever, standing for those final moments as the water tapered off, then dabbed a towel to absorb it all. The house was still quiet, and it was almost eight. What did I use to do before Gavin? Ah yes, drink wine and out- and that didn't sound too bad. I started for the dresser, spotting one of his shirts draped over the hamper beside it- my hand automatically reaching for it, pushing it to my nose, smelling his spicy scent. Gavin. I slid it on, the scent engulfing me now, instantly easing my worries. It fit good too, just like my sleep shirts. Next, wine! I twirled to the kitchen, feeling a thousand times better- which was so silly because it was just his shirt. I stopped twirling, but the floor was still shaking under me- no! Earthquake! Then the headlights lit up my windows- not an earthquake, just Gavin's car. Gavin!

It all came to an abrupt stop, then his car door slammed, and a few seconds later, the front doorknob was jiggling, but I'd locked it. What was wrong with me- of course, he hadn't left. I swung the door open, meeting a sweaty, wild-haired Gavin wearing his basketball shorts and a sleeveless shirt, glistening muscles and all. "Hey, Baby." He dropped his bag to the floor while I stepped back, giving him space to walk in. "Where were you?" Not that I didn't have my guesses. "Met Dan at the gym." "The gym?! Gavin, your ribs!" He started chuckling, that devilish grin curling up into his cheeks. "Funny, you never mention my ribs when I'm throwing you up against the wall, Baby." His hands captured my waist, drawing me into his embrace. "That's different," I half-laughed, feeling the burn under my cheeks from the blush. His fingers took a nosedive, gripping my ass now. "I'm working on getting my strength back." He flipped his fingers under the shirt, swallowing a grunt when they collided with my bare cheeks. "Wait, is this my shirt?" I looked down, suddenly ing- oh god, how embarrassing. It was his dirty shirt too. "Yeah." I started fidgeting with the hem. "I, I didn't know if you were coming back, so, I-" I shrugged, rolling my eyes back up to meet his. "I just saw it, and it made me think of you." He was smiling, a big sweaty-faced smile. "I like it." He leaned down to kiss me, only to recoil. "I need to shower, Baby. I'll be right back out." Oh, no invitation today. "Alone?" He started chuckling, throwing a hand up to his unruly locks. "I'm wiped out, Baby." Which he must be because he never denied sex. That meant he was

probably hungry too. "I'll make dinner." I started towards the kitchen while he turned towards the bedroom. We'd eaten takeout almost every night, so I didn't have much here. I guess it'd be chicken and potatoes. I grabbed the packages from the fridge, hearing the shower start in the back. He was in there... naked... steamy... A little peek wouldn't hurt. I padded into my room, peering around the corner into the bathroom, seeing him standing under the water, his arms up, flexed, hands running the shampoo through his hair. Then he dropped his head back, water pouring down his strong body. His eyes were closed, hands running up and down his neck, chest, and then his hand dropped to his dick, stroking it. And I was naked, his shirt flying in the air behind me while I stepped in behind him, no clue how I'd gotten here, and no control over the arms sliding around his waist, spooking him. He stiffened, gasping, my hand falling right to his limp length, stroking it for him. "Baby?" He twisted his face over his shoulder while I pressed in behind him, sliding my other hand up his chest, fingertips gliding over his wet muscles before falling back down to his biggest one. Suddenly he spun, his erection front and center. "Baby, I told you I can't lift you." I was mesmerized, his body, the water streaming down his jet black hair, the matching eyelashes. I didn't want to be lifted- I wanted to be on my knees. So I sank down, tongue jutting out, licking the water droplets from his tip, lapping him up before kissing him, sliding my lips down, and then down some more. "Fuck, fuck." His hands fell to my head, guiding my full mouth. But I didn't need his guidance; something had taken over me- I was ravenous, thirsty, licking, sucking, hand working his base while my mouth worked my way down, fuck breathing- I wanted to inhale him- every last inch. "Fuuck, Baby, I'm-" He jerked his hips, streaming into my mouth, holding my head tight with each burst, filling me with his... ohh- filling my mouth with- ew. The trance broke, the taste waking me from the sex daze, and I was gone, ripping the towel from the rack as I sprinted for the sink, spitting.

He was laughing, rubbing a towel across his chest with the biggest smile. "Not the dinner you were expecting." "Nope." I plucked his shirt off the floor, shaking it right back on before heading to the kitchen to make the food. I warmed everything up then set the table, placing the chicken down just as he walked out of the room. "I made chicken and mashed potatoes." "Whoa, you made all that just now?" "I technically heated all this just now." I shrugged with a smile. "I'm not the greatest cook- I'm more a preparer," I laughed, but it was the truth. My life was always chaotic, so cooking, and cleaning were always last minute. "Working twelve hours, getting Grant here and there, then homework. Time was never on my side, so it was usually, take out, or heat up. "Sorry, I'm not a good cook." "This is perfect!" He plopped into the seat, grabbing up his fork and digging right in. "Who cares if you can cook when you're so fucking good at more important stuff." He gave me a cheesy wink before taking another bite. "So, when are you thinking about going back to your place?" "Never." He shrugged, stabbing into the chicken. "Gavin," I insisted, waiting for a real answer. He dropped his fork, smiling over at me. "You do that shit in the shower and then expect me to leave?" He shook his head side to side. "I'm not in a hurry." "I know, but-" He couldn't just stay here. We had to get back to reality. "I'll be working the rest of this week before the trip. It might be a good time for you to head home." "Home?" He grumbled, smile vanishing from his face. "Okay, if that's what you fucking want."

I didn't know what I wanted, but playing house was getting a little too cozy. "Let's talk New York. What should I expect?" "I don't know." His eyes drifted away, lost in thought. "I guess we'll see. Wanna watch a movie?" He stood up, sliding his empty plate away while reaching for my hand. "I like you in my shirt, Baby. It's sexy." We walked over, dropping to the couch, my face instinctively finding its spot on his chest. "You think everything is sexy." I tilted my face up, meeting his dark eyes, and a second later his lips crashed to mine.

Chapter 15

"All packed? We need to get to the airport, Baby!" Gavin yelled, his heavy steps pacing around the living room. "Almost!" I yanked the carry-on handle up, rolling it out of my room and meeting a very antsy Gavin in the entryway. "Let me do one final check!" I walked back to my room, straight to the suitcase sprawled across my bed to run through my checklist again: my new coat, jeans, sweaters, boots, new lingerie. "Do I need a bathing suit?" "High of fifty-two," he called back. So that was a no. That was it, I guess. I zipped up my bag, wheeling it out. "I'm ready!" He reached for the bag, stilling to appraise me, eyes drifting tediously slow down my sweater. "You look sexy." He leaned down, gifting my nose a chaste kiss. Sexy? "In a ponytail, leggings, and oversized sweater?" I laughed as I ed him out the front door. "You're sexy in everything, Baby." He called back on his way to the cab's trunk. "Let's see if you feel the same way when I'm rocking that giant coat in New York," I teased, watching him slide into the seat next to me. "A coat, Baby," he whispered, leaning over to my ear as the car drove away. "Gives me places to hide my hands. You know there's fog in New York too."

The car pulled up to the terminal, and Gavin paid the driver while I stepped to the curb, waiting for him to grab our bags.

"Ready, Baby?" He popped the handles up, wheeling both our bags towards me while completely ignoring my outstretched hand to help, veering straight to the airport doors instead. "I can push my bag!" I reached again, but he swung his face my way, giving me that smirk of his. "I'm sure you can." He half laughed, keeping a tight hold on both bags. I'd just been at this airport flying to Vegas with May, and now I was flying to New York with Gavin- on a six-hour flight. That tickle started churning my stomach again, six hours up in the sky. At least Vegas was up then down. This flight would be in the air across the country. "Do you have my ticket?" "It's on my phone," he called back without a worry, completely missing the fact that I wanted it. He'd booked, he'd planned, while I was in the darksomething I was not used to. "Well, can I see it? What seat am I in? Aisle? Window?" "You're next to me," he chuckled, knowing good and well he was driving me crazy. "Very funny- give me my ticket!" I held out my hand as I walked to the check-in counter line, stopping at the end- while he, on the other hand, kept walking. "Gavin!" He continued past me, bying the line entirely and walking into a ropedoff section while I hurried to follow, straight up to the counter. "Romano, JFK 7:20," he called to the ticket woman on the other side, already wrestling out his wallet and sliding her his license- so I did the same. "Welcome, Mr. Romano," she greeted him- and only him- even though I was standing at his side. "Gavin Romano," she verified with the flirtiest of smiles. "And-" she rolled her eyes to me, finally. "Sadie Jones, correct?" She emphasized the Jones more than necessary, two different last names, no ring- which her eyes were searching for as we speak. I had forgotten the attention Gavin always commanded, all the sly stares, all the flirty smiles. Well, she could go-

"Yes," Gavin answered for me while tossing the bags onto the scale and then tossing his now free arm around my back. The gesture threw her, as did the kiss he was currently pressing into my hair. "I have two first-class tickets," her voice was flat now, all business. "Seat 2A and 2B, and how many bags will you be checking today, sir?" Wait, what- sir? First-class? I flashed my eyes up to Gavin's, waiting for him to return the gaze, but he wasn't. "Just these two." He pointed to the bags on the scale, and she grabbed them, placing the first-class JFK stickers on each one. "Here are your tickets and your baggage claim stubs. Have a wonderful flight." He finally looked down, gesturing me with his free arm towards security. "Um, first class?" I had never flown first class! "Of course." He smiled down at me, handing me the ticket. I slowed, reading it to make sure I'd heard everything right. "First-class?" I mouthed up to him. "This is too much, Gavin! You should be saving your money. It's a whole different world once you graduate." Oh my god- did I really just say that! It was the same speech I had given Grant. "I think I can handle it, Baby," he chuckled, pulling us away from the main security line I'd automatically started for and into the first-class line. Everyone was suddenly looking our way, scoping out our line, stares lingering on both Gavin and me. Then the security guard started up, stopping in front of us- here it was- reality check sending us back to the main line. "Shoes off, jackets off," the guard announced before turning and yelling the same thing to those in the line next to us. Why did this feel so weird? I felt like an impostor, some other version of Sadie that I didn't recognize- standing with my first-class ticket, next to my hot as hell boyfriend, on our way to New York- this wasn't me.

Gavin's arm brushed against mine, the touch pulling me back to reality, watching him place his belt and shoes on the conveyor belt then start for the body scanner. "Jacket off, miss." The guard was back, looking at me, pointing to my oversized sweatshirt. Shit. This was not a jacket! I didn't plan for this. I wore lounge clothes for the long flight. All I had underneath was a white spaghetti strap tank and, of course, no bra. "Jacket off!" He repeated, anxious trigger finger waving at me. Crap. I pulled the sweater off, tossing it onto the security belt- leaving me in the almost see-through skin-tight tank. Then I bolted forward only to hear the guard screech. "Shoes too!" "Sorry!" I bent over, unzipping my boots and stepping out of them one by one, flipping each up onto the counter before popping back up- catching a glimpse of Gavin's fallen jaw and his darkening eyes. "What?" I walked through the scanner, meeting him on the other side. He snapped his mouth shut, nostrils flaring as he shot sharp glances around us. "It's not even seven in the morning, Sadie! You're gonna give half these guys a heart attack and the other half the perfect end to their morning wood." I automatically reached for my boots coming out of the x-ray box, bending over to put them on- only to have Gavin huddle over me. "Jesus Christ- sweater first!" He barked, grabbing my sweater off the belt and pushing it over my head. "Gavin!" I half-laughed, half yelled, ducking my head and arms into the sweater he was forcing over me. He was so over the top sometimes. "You're too damn sexy for your own good!" He huffed to himself, yanking at his belt while I finished my boots. "And you're too grumpy," I teased, flashing him a smile as he grumbled under his breath. "Is this what happens when you don't get laid for a few days?" We hadn't seen each other in days. We'd been kept apart with work

and school since he'd moved back to his place. He dipped his face to mine, lips finding my ear. "Don't worry. I'm gonna remedy that." "We have six hours until New York," I reminded him, but his body stiffened at my side, his hand sneaking under the back of my sweater. "After that fucking show, you're lucky if I wait six minutes." His fingertips hit my back, the touch like a turn of the faucet, soaking my thong. He wasn't the only one whose body was having withdrawals from not being touched in days. He slid his hand out from under my shirt, jumping it to mine, weaving our fingers together, and guiding us forward, pushing his lips back down to my ear. "I'm hard as fuck, Baby- all I want to do is pin you to the fucking wall." I turned my head, lips brushing his. "I'm wet, and all I want is for you to pin me against the wall." And suddenly, we were running, sprinting to our gate, hearing the terminal speaker crackling over us. "First-class enger boarding." Gavin was back at my ear, his lips grazing the lobe, inducing a shiver down my spine. "Listen, Baby, we're gonna board at the end of our group, right before the main cabin. I want you to go straight into the bathroom. I'll put our things away and meet you there." Bathroom. "What? Gavin, we can't!" Airplane sex! No, no, no. "I can't go six fucking hours with you next to me like this." He took my hand, leading me to the end of the line and discreetly rubbing my hand over the rock under his belt. Oh god. I couldn't go six hours knowing that was there either. "You don't want to wait until we're in the sky, isn't that the whole point?" "I don't care about ing some fucking club, Baby." His grip on my hand tightened, leading me forward. Sex on a plane.

The walk down the jet bridge seemed suspended in slow motion. I was the only one privy to what we were about to do, and I was trying to look casualnot give anything away. Then there was Gavin, that wicked grin curled up into his cheeks, his eyes dark as night- probably matching his thoughts at the moment. "And, Baby," he leaned down, whispering. "Take your sweater off while you're waiting- I want full access to your tits." Breathe in, breathe out. Squeeze thighs, squeeze tighter. We finally reached the cabin, my hand shakily handing over my purse while I looked to the floor, ignoring the faces around us as I snuck into the lavatory. My heart was racing, checking the lock once, twice- then tearing my sweater off, adjusting and plumping my breasts up, forcing some more cleavage. Then the handle on the door shook, my hand instinctively stretching to the lock, sliding it to unlock- the door screeching. Gavin squeezed in, locking the door behind him- his eyes black, locked on my chest- and the hard buds fully visible through the stretched tank. He bolted, slamming me against the sink, teeth ripping at my shirt, yanking it down until his lips hit my nipple. "Fuck, fuck, fuuuckk." He talked into my breast while kicking his jeans to his knees. "Are you still wet, Baby?" His hands clipped onto my leggings, yanking them down- then hoisting me up, propping me on the edge of the counter. "I-" I started, but his fingers already found my entrance, his guttural grunt breaking in his throat as his fingers swirled in the forming pool, diving right into the source- two fingers shoving inside me. Ohhh. I bit my lip, sucking the moan back in. I had missed his fingers, but, I dropped my palms to the counter behind me, arching my chest while bracing myself. Thick fingers turned to a thick dick penetrating me- oh, fuck, fuck, ohhh. His arm curled around my back, my legs curled around his, locking him tight, forcing his hard and heavy strikes even deeper. "Fuuck." Another hard plow, filling me to the brim. "Baby, fuuu-" He smothered that spot- my end all be all- this is the point where I screamed-

instead, my lip was bleeding from the teeth cutting into it. His hands slid under my ass, lifting me, fucking harder, faster, jerking in quick bursts. "Fuck, fuckk." One, final, thrust, nailing me into the counter before he dropped me back to the counter, dick slipping out. "Fuck," he panted, the stream smacking my face. "Sorry, Baby. I'll make up for it in when we land." He pulled his pants right up, latching his belt. "It's okay," I breathed back. "I'm good." I didn't finish, but I was contentI needed to feel him, and I felt all of him. "I'm going out now." He stepped to the door, watching me tug the sweater back on. "Lock this the second I step out, then count to twenty and follow me." He disappeared, and I locked the door behind him, catching my messy, rosy-cheeked reflection in the mirror. Who was this woman in front of me? This Sadie had had more sex in more places in the last three months than she had in the past decade, no, in her entire adult life. I splashed some water over my face, waking myself from this sex daze, then smoothed my ponytail back. Now you walk out, pretending like nothing happened- easy enough. I pressed my ear against the door, hearing the roaring commotion of engers loading, so I opened the door, sliding into the marching crowd. Gavin was sitting in his seat, staring at me approaching, all smiles, of course. "You look even sexier now." He reached for my hand, entwining our fingers as I took the seat beside him. "Do you think you can control yourself for the rest of the flight?" I teased, meeting his arched brow. "Actually," he whispered back. "I think ing that club might be nice." "No," I blurted out, right as the stewardess walked up. "Sorry." But she just stood there, eying the two of us. Oh shit, she knew. This was it. I dropped Gavin's hand, taking a deep breath, forcing my eyes up to hersseeing her- smile. "Can I get you two anything before takeoff?" Oh jeez. It felt like a pin had struck me, deflating the fear that was

ballooning. "Wine," I blurted out again. I needed wine. "Sadie," Gavin continued laughing. "It's only seven." "Coffee then." "With Bailey's?" She offered. "Yes, thank you!" Spiked coffee- even better! "I'll just take some water," Gavin ordered, waiting for the stewardess to leave before laughing again. "Stop it!" I swatted his arm, and he grabbed my hand, wrapping it back up in his. "Why are you so nervous, Baby?" "I'm not." Except for the fact that I just had sex for the first time on a plane. Oh, and I'm flying for the first time across the country, and I'm meeting your family! "I just have a little anxiety over all this." I gestured towards the lavatory. "This flight, the trip. And Grant doesn't even know I'm here." Grant and I were still treading on thin ice, and I knew this would be a breaking point. "Fuck, maybe you should have some wine," he teased, lifting his arm to wrap over my shoulders. "Just relax." I tilted my face up to see his. "And did I mention this is the longest flight I've ever been on. I've only flown to Vegas, and that's like thirty minutes in the air." "Sadie." His hand slid under my chin, thumb dusting my cheek. "I'm here, Baby." He lowered his lips, I closed my eyes... but nothing happened. "Gav-" I opened them, seeing his eyes up on the stewardess that was staring at me and my puckered lips. Nice. I straightened in my seat, staring straight ahead as she handed me my coffee. Not awkward at all. "You've ruined flying for me," Gavin grumbled, causing me to look up yet

again, see his teasing grin. "Why?" "How am I supposed to fly now without you next to me or waiting for me." His hand dropped to my thigh just as the plane jerked, starting to taxi. "You ready, Baby?" The plane turned down the runway, the pilot's voice crackling through the speaker. "Ladies and Gentlemen, our next stop will be New York, where the weather has dropped to a cool thirty-nine degrees, and an unexpected March snowstorm is on its way." Gavin's hand started strangling mine, his face rigid, body stiff. The two of us staring ahead, stuck against the seats as the plane accelerated, wheels lifting, ascending.

Chapter 16

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Gavin muttered, eyes focused on the window. "What's wrong? Did you forget something?" I lifted my hand to his back, feeling his body go rigid from the touch. "Gavin?" He rolled his face over, sunken eyes roaming my face. "I knew this was a bad fucking idea. Shit!" He sunk his head back against the seat, his chest rising and falling dramatically. Two minutes ago, he was fine; now his cheeks were pale. "There wasn't supposed to be snow!" He continued, shifting again in his seat. Snow? That's what he was mad about? "It's not a big deal. We can buy snow boots there. I did bring a coat!" I elbowed his side, trying to get him to smile. "I don't mind staying indoors, and I've been in snow a few times- it's nice." He whipped his head over, eyes wide and raging. "You think a blizzard is fucking nice, Sadie? That shit is dangerous! I checked every goddamn forecast. It was supposed to be sunny and cool." He was mad at me now. "I think you're overreacting, he said it's just a snowstorm." "Jesus Christ!" He smacked the tray table in front of him. "A snowstorm is a fucking blizzard." His foot started tapping the floor, knees shaking, eyes flashing to the window, watching the clouds we were soaring through. How did a New Yorker not like snow? Why was he acting like it was the end of the world- oh, god. His parents. I stretched my hand to his, resting over his rough knuckles. "It's okay," I whispered, slowly interlacing our fingers. "If you don't want to go out in the snow, then we can sit inside the entire trip. I'm here for you, so I'm fine with whatever you want to do."

He nodded, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he swiped my spiked coffee, downing it himself. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "There's still a lot of shit that goes through my head." "I bet, especially after your accident, but we'll stay inside. You'll be safe." He gave me that look again, wide, raging eyes. "Me?" He scoffed. "I don't give a shit what happens to me- you Baby, I care about what happens to you. I don't want to put you in fucking danger." He was serious, sincere- of course, he was. He worried way too much about me. I nestled my face against his shoulder, trying to soothe him. "Would it help if I met you in the bathroom again?" A quick laugh burst from his chest. "No, yes, but no. Just let me hold you, Baby." He stretched his arm across me. "Grant doesn't know you're going to New York?" "No, I haven't really talked to him since your birthday." "What if something happens?" "If he calls me, I'll tell him." I didn't want to keep these secrets, but also didn't want to flaunt our relationship. "But-" his voice tapered off, suddenly barely audible. "What if something happens to you?" "I'll be fine," I assured him. "And you wouldn't let anything happen to me." I felt his kiss on the top of my head, then heard his whisper. "I love you, Sadie." "I love you too." I cozied into him, resting there while we soared through the clouds. "I have a car picking us up at JFK to take us to Luca's if that's okay. If you prefer a hotel, just tell me."

I had wanted to stay at a hotel, but I knew Gavin would insist on paying, and now I'm glad I hadn't said anything, seeing that he bought these firstclass tickets. "Is there anything you wanna do there?" He continued. "If it doesn't fucking snow." What didn't I want to do? It was New York! I'd only ever dreamed of going there. "I've always wanted to see The Plaza, Tiffany, the Macy's from the parade, Empire State Building, Central Park, the memorial..." He chuckled under his breath, his tense body relaxing with each ing minute. "So basically every fucking tourist trap in New York. I'm surprised you didn't mention shopping on 5th Avenue." Shopping in New York! "Oh, 5th avenue! Maybe I can find a dress for the gala!" Something regal, fancy. "What gala?" He bumped me off his chest, forcing our stares to connect. "Just the hospital's Spring Gala." He crossed his arms over his chest, slouching back into the chair. "When were you gonna tell me about it?" Good question- when I decided if I wanted you to go or not. "I didn't think I was even going up until a few weeks ago. I was asked to volunteer- so I'm technically kind of working, and tickets are really expensive." His dark eyes narrowed, studying me. "Do you want me to go with you?" I tried reading his expression to gauge what answer he was looking for, only I couldn't. "Do you want to go? I didn't think fancy galas would be your thing." I tried picturing him dancing, mingling- that wasn't Gavin. He puffed his chest, letting out the slightest scoff. "You didn't think seeing my girl all dressed up would be my thing?" He rolled his eyes. " I've been to a handful of galas, Sadie. They're a staple in New York. So, to answer your question, yes, I wanna fucking go."

"Okay. I'll see if I can get you a ticket." "I'll handle it," he insisted, as he always did. "And for the record- I want to go any event with you, if dates are required, or fucking optional- I want to be by your side. It shouldn't be a fucking question." "Okay." We'd gone from low-key to front and center so quickly. "Maybe we can find you a suit in New York too." "Breakfast." The stewardess appeared at my side, placing the trays on our tables before scurrying back off. I picked up my orange juice, tapping it to his. "Here's to New York."

Chapter 17

New York was cold, like a cold I'd never experienced before, and I didn't realize how bad I was shivering until the heat from the car hit me. "Get in, Baby!" Gavin practically shoved me inside, immediately dropping in next, his arm automatically wrapping over my shoulders. "I forgot how fucking cold this place is, and it's fucking March." "At least it's not snowing," I chattered back to him before turning to look out my window as we drove off. New York was just as I'd expected. The buildings we ed growing taller and taller as we drove deeper into the city and the concrete giving way to vibrant trees lining Central Park. It felt unreal being here, in a place I knew so well, yet only through photos and movies. The sedan finally came to a stop in front of a tall discreet apartment building directly across from the Park. "Welcome to Manhattan," Gavin whispered, giving me a quick kiss as he elbowed the cab door open, pulling me right back out into the frigid wind. He grabbed our bags, wheeling them to the front, meeting a man approaching us, arms out to help. "Gavin Romano, as I live and breathe!" The security guard yelled over. "How's it going, Arnie!" Gavin was suddenly so happy; his giant natural smile lit up as he shook the man's hand. "This is my girl, Sadie." "Hi, nice to meet you." I smiled back, shaking his hand, and feeling oddly out of place. No one knew me here, I was on Gavin's turf, and I didn't need to hide anything. "Sadie," he repeated, flashing his eyes back to Gavin. "What are you doing with this riff-raff?" He chuckled, gesturing for us to follow him into the

building. "I've known Gavin since he was a little guy. Now he's taller than me." "He's taller than most people," I laughed, looking up at my giant Italianthen looking up at the lobby we were entering. "Whoa." The brick exterior was so deceiving. It looked outdated and dull, yet inside was a brightly lit two-story lobby, complete with an breathtaking crystal chandelier. "This is where Luca lives?" "Yeah, this is where I lived too for a while." Gavin was still smiling, raising his hand to Arnie's shoulder, the two of them sharing a moment before Gavin took my hand, leading me towards the elevator in the back. "What about our bags?" I looked over my shoulder, searching behind us. "Doorman will bring them all up." Doorman, not a security guard. "Of course." Gavin typed a code into the elevator keypad and the door slid open. Then he whirled me in. "You know," his voice was a hiss- matching the snake eyes raking over my body. "I've always fantasized about having my girl in this elevator." He backed me into the corner, holding me captive. "You and your fantasies!" I teased, trying to hide the fact that my heart was instantly racing. "I'm sure you've had many girls in this elevator." "But not my girl, not someone I wanted to make a memory with." He pressed his hard chest against my soft one, his body overpowering minetaking control- my favorite version of Gavin. "You know I've never introduced anybody to Arnie," his voice was even lower, tickling my neck. "And it felt really fucking good." Speaking of feeling really fucking good- suddenly a chime rang out, with the elevator crashing to a halt, breaking our trance. Then the door opened, right into an apartment. Gavin charged out, walking towards Luca and the woman next to him, the stunningly beautiful woman standing next to him. He opened his arms, embracing her while Luca came for me, arms raisingGavin smacking them right back down, pushing Luca away.

"Welcome," Luca chuckled, rolling his eyes at Gavin. "Sadie," Gavin ignored him, leading me to face the woman. "This is my sister, Sofia." God, how was this family so beautiful? She looked like she had just stepped off a runway- maybe she had. "Nice to meet you." I smiled back, eyes drifting to her pencil straight hair, her long pencil tight skirt and thigh-high boots- then to my leggings and baggy sweater- leaving me feeling very underdressed. "So nice to meet you, Sadie!" Her stare was so intense that mine was flashing to the ground. Not only was this family beautiful- they were intimidating too. "Lei è bella," she continued, and I looked up, seeing her eyes on Gavin. "Lo so." He grinned back, leaning down to kiss my cheek while draping his arm around my waist. Since when did Gavin speak Italian? He had said he was Italian, not that he spoke the language. "Lei è troppo per te, lo sai," Luca cackled, tilting his chin to Gavin. And for some reason, I knew they were talking about me. I should have changed! I lifted my hand to my hair instinctively, smoothing out the ponytail. "Fottiti! Fuck you!" Gavin chuckled back, pulling me in closer to him. Then Sofia waved the boys apart, all the while keeping her eyes on me. "We're all going out tonight! Everyone is so excited to see Gav and to meet you, Sadie! Why don't you two rest up and change. The car will pick you up downstairs at eight." The elevator chimed, and the doorman stepped out, rolling in our bags. "We'll see you at eight," Gavin called, grabbing our luggage and gesturing for me to follow. "Nice to meet you, Sofia!" I waved goodbye before following Gavin down the long hall and into a bedroom decorated almost identical to his condo. "Gavin?"

"Yeah, Baby?" He closed the door behind us, parking the bags against the wall. "What were they saying about me out there?" I sat at the edge of the bed, tugging off my boots. "Why was Luca laughing?" Not that I had to guess. "What?" He looked down, watching me fidget with my sweater, and then my hair. "Oh fuck, Baby, no! They weren't saying anything bad about you!" He bent down, kneeling in front of me. "Sofia said you're beautiful, I said I know, and Luca was saying you're too good for me," he cracked a smile. "Shit I already know." Then he lifted his hands to my thighs, palms flattening over my leggings. "I didn't know you spoke Italian." I reached my hand to his face, brushing his bristly cheeks. "I only speak a little, just the good shit." My fingers trailed to the edge of his mouth, tracing across his bottom lip. "The good shit?" I repeated, lowering my back down to the sheets- his body like a magnet- rising and falling right over mine. "Like-" his hissed. "Ho voglia di te, voglio fare sesso con te." He started nibbling at the hollow of my throat while his body revved over mine. Oh god. And I thought Gavin couldn't get any sexier. "It means," he continued, sending his fingers under my sweater, then curling under my leggings, give them a strong rip, tearing them down my legs. "I want you, and I want to fuck you." "So fuck me." I spread my thighs and tugged my tank down to expose my chest- giving him access to anything and everything. "Fuck Baby, you have no idea what's going through my head right now." And I didn't care. I wanted him. "Gavin! Hurry up." His lips sealed, curling wickedly at the ends, his eyes doing one last lap over my body, and then he towered over me, one hand gripping his belt, the other on his zipper- the anticipation killing me. Then his hand was on his dick, stroking as he lowered over me- his tip slipping right inside. Ohh. I sank my

head into the sheets, eyes rolling back. It never got old, it never was routine, and it always took my breath away. "I, can't, believe, I'm fucking you here." He was going easy, long dives, plowing his whole body into me- but I knew what was coming, that this was just the calm before the storm. "You owe me for earlier, on the plane." I snapped my legs around his back. "I don't want you to go easy- go hard." His chest flexed, muscles rippling- ready for attack. Then a hand hit my upper thigh with a hard slap, his body arching up- coming in for the kill. He bucked, banged, fucking for sport, faster and fuller, fingers clawing into my legs, then my ass, then my breasts. "Baby-" His face dropped to the side of my head, teeth biting at my ear. "How-" He sat up, flipping my legs against his chest while flipping my hips up. "-hard do you want me to fuck you?" "I-" Suddenly, I was tumbling over, palms and knees bracing the sheets- his dick ramming inside me from behind. "Shit, Gavin, oh, shit." I said fuck me- not destroy me.. One twinge, another, one tremble- my body engulfed in heat, both inside and out. "Fuck, Gavin!" A tidal wave knocked me out as his hand yanked my hair with his final pumps. I collapsed face first, his length sliding out, leaving me throbbing. "Are, are you, okay, Baby? Your chest is heaving pretty bad." I didn't answer. I wanted to, but my senses still weren't in working order. "Sadie?" "I'm recovering," I whispered before resting my eyes. "It was really good." "You never say fuck." He slid his arm under me, rolling me to my back. "I didn't say that? Did I?" "You did, Baby." His kiss hit my forehead. "I like this. You being here in my room, meeting my family in New York."

"Good." Everything went dark, darker.

I awoke with a start, eyes flashing around the strange room before rolling over, seeing Gavin fast asleep next to me. That's right- we were in New York. "Gavin," I whispered, nudging him. "Hmm," he mumbled, throwing his arm over his eyes. "What time is it?" I asked, he didn't reply, so I looked around the room, spotting my bag on his bedside table. I reached over him, digging out my phone- 7:10 pm! "Gavin!" I shook his arm, forcing him to wake. "I need to get ready! The car will be here in less than an hour! Where's the shower?" "Relax," he yawned, rubbing his eyes and giving me that grin. "I tried to wake you earlier, but you were out, Baby." I jumped from the bed, knocking my luggage to its side to unzip it. "I'm assuming dinner or a bar?" "Both." He sat up, shaking out his hair before throwing the covers off his naked lap. "Shower's right over there." He stood, but I refused to lookthere was no time for another round. "Come on," he called over, pushing a door open to an ensuite. "No funny business, Mr. Romano. I need to get ready." I walked past him, averting my eyes from his happiest of trails. He threw his hands up, giving me a not-so-convincing nod of agreement on his way into the shower, powering it up while I followed in behind him. He rinsed off in a flash, already scooting past me to the door. "Baby, I'm gonna get ready and head out to Luca. Meet me out there, and the car will be here at eight." He kissed my shoulder, and then he was gone. So I stepped under the water, letting it pour over me. I would be meeting his entire family tonight, his entire glamorous family. Which meant I had to look good, really good- and I had no time!

I hurried out, drying off haphazardly as I ran to my suitcase, lifting out one of my new dresses. It was a perfect mix of sexy and glam, fastening around my neck, clinging skin tight to my chest before cinching at the waist, and hugging every curve from my hips to my thighs. Next, hair! I didn't have time to blow dry or straighten, so I pulled it all up into a slick high bunwhich worked perfectly with the choker-style neck of the dress. Then I added a bit of a dramatic eye and some heavy lip gloss. I hadn't felt this sexy since Vegas, no, Valentine's Day. I gave myself one last appraisal, so much better than the leggings and ponytail. I started out to the main room, hearing Gavin and Luca raising a ruckus. "Ready?" I called over, both of them turning my way, each giving me that same smile as they stared. Luca then raised his glass to his lips, taking a slow sip as Gavin's face broke into his notorious wild-eyed grin. He looked really good too. He'd slicked back his hair and had changed into black slacks and a dark navy dress shirt. He walked over, lowering his face to my shoulder, pressing a chaste kiss to it as he reached for my hand, weaving his fingers with mine. "You look fucking incredible, Baby, but you're gonna be cold." I figured, but this was worth it. "I only have a big bulky jacket." And I was not about to cover all this up. "Wait," he insisted, releasing his hold on my hand before disappearing down the hall. "Fratellino's done well for himself," Luca smirked, eyes raking me over with such intensity. "Heard he got a new car too. He's never gonna wanna leave the West Coast now." Heard? "I thought you bought him the car?" "Me?" He repeated with a huff of his chest. "Why would I need to buy Gav anything?" "Here you go!" Gavin called from behind us, so I turned automatically, instantly cringing at the long black coat in his hands. "Just until we get to the restaurant, then I'll check it." He pushed it into my hands, forcing me to wear it.

"Shall we?" Luca walked over to the elevator, tapping the call button. "Hey-" I turned my back to Luca, whispering discreetly up to Gavin. "I thought Luca bought you that car?" He shrugged, hands finding the buttons on my coat and fastening them for me. "I never said that." "You said it was a birthday gift," I reminded him. "It was a birthday gift- to me." He spun my hips towards the elevator, pushing me forward. To, what? How the hell did my twenty-three-year-old boyfriend afford that sports car? "The car's waiting," Luca called, snapping his fingers for us to hurry over to the opening elevator door. Luca stepped in first, then me, then Gavin. And I stared at the fuzzy reflection in the door, little me between these towering men- handsome menin New York. Who the hell was I? We fled the lobby, once again getting smacked by the frigid air as we walked out of the building. "Fuck!" Gavin groaned with a shiver. "I don't miss this shit at all." "Ah," Luca roared, slapping over Gavin's shoulder blade. "You'll get used to it once you're back home." He ushered us into the awaiting car. "Back home," I mouthed to Gavin before climbing in. He had never mentioned moving back here, but he would be graduating in just a few months. "No," he mouthed back, squeezing my hand as the driver sped off.

"Here we are!" Luca announced just as the car came to a stop.

"Are you ready, Baby?" Gavin whispered, hurrying us out and through the restaurant doors. "Depends," I teased. "Are we walking into the lion's den or a happy homecoming?"

Chapter 18

I shook off the coat, handing it to Gavin, who handed it to the woman behind the counter. Then he was whisking me inside, antsy feet rushing us to the back of the bar. "Did I tell you how fucking amazing you look tonight, Baby? I've never seen you with your hair up like this." He shot me a quick look, that smile of his stretching even wider. "Luca! Gav!" Someone yelled out, beckoning them over, and Gavin rushed us over to Luca's side, the center of attention amid the large group. "Sadie, this is my brother Stefano." "What's up," his brother greeted, eyes flashing to Gavin with some knowing smile. He was just as handsome as Gavin and Luca, same dark eyes and thick jet black hair. He was just as tall too and built. The three of them standing together looked like a magazine ad. "Nice to meet you." I clung to Gavin as he stepped to another guy. "And this is Adam. Adam, my girl Sadie." Gavin's gaze was locked on me, completely oblivious to the Adam guy's sleazy smile and lingering eyes. "I'm available once you're ready to upgrade from this putz," Adam cackled, and I immediately looked up to Gavin, waiting for him to tell him off, but he didn't. That was a first. I sunk back into Gavin's chest, his arms automatically tightening around my waist as I met the creep's stare. "I thought upgrade meant newer model?" I served him right back, feeling and hearing Gavin's laugh, as well as the group's chuckles around us. Then his brother Stefano raised his drink towards Gavin. "I like her." "So do I." And with that, Gavin spun me around, walking me towards the

group of girls, two of which I recognized immediately- Giorgia and Sofia. "Sofia, you met at Luca's place, and Giorgia, you met in San Diego." Giorgia stepped forward, all smiles, then she stilled, eyes widening. "From the restaurant?" "Yes," I answered awkwardly, praying she wouldn't suspect my psycho motives that day. "Were you two together then?" She asked, eyes turning inquisitive. "And these are Giorgia's friends!" Gavin swung me around, veering me away from Giorgia. "Maria and Stella. Ladies, this is Sadie," Gavin continued, but the girls never looked my way. They were too busy staring, rather gawking at him. Then I caught Sofia and Giorgia from the corner of my eye, both of them watching me, whispering to themselves. I could only imagine what they were saying- I didn't really fit in with them- I was just Sadie. "Andiamo! Let's eat!" Luca's boom echoed across the bar, everyone around us turning towards the voice. And just as he had earlier, he raised his hand, snapping his fingers, directing our group to the main restaurant. We followed everyone in, ending at a long table that waiters were already circling, filling the many wine glasses. Gavin pulled my chair, seating me next to Stefano before dropping into the seat at my other side. "Thank you," I mouthed to the waiter, taking the glass right from his hand. The party had all been drinking, which meant I needed to catch up. "What do you think of Giorgia's new boyfriend?" Stella asked over to Stefano. "Che cosa? What new boyfriend?" He yelled back. "Yeah, what new boyfriend!" Luca straightened in his seat, suddenly towering over the table. "Laurence!" Giorgia scoffed as if she were offended.

Then her friend bumped her shoulder, drink wavering in her hand. "He's older, got to love an older man!" She laughed. "He's sexy too." "Excuse me!" Giorgia squealed, swatting her friend's arm. "He is! Older men know their shit." "He is sexy," Giorgia gushed, smiling ear to ear. "They're just less drama. Laurence is very mature." "And where is this mature Laurence now?" Stefano sat back in his chair, eying her. "Afraid to meet la famiglia?" "He should be!" Luca barked, slamming a fist to the table. "Dead man walking." "He's stopping by later," she smiled, lifting her drink to the table. "To older men," Stella sang, raising her drink to meet Giorgia's and Maria's raised glasses. Then their eyes were on me, so I lifted my glass to meet theirs. "Salute." Gavin's fingers sprung free from mine, shifting his hand and his body away. "Gavin?" I looked up, meeting nothing but a seething glare. "Now, Sadie," Sofia called. "I want to hear about you. How did you and Gav meet?" Oh, my son brought him home from school. "We met in, in San Diego." I looked at him for backup, but his eyes were focused elsewhere. "I heard you're a nurse," Stefano added. "Yes, in the emergency department." "And are you from San Diego?" Sofia continued. "No, I'm from Arizona." "Arizona?" Giorgia gasped. "I don't think I've ever met anyone from Arizona."

"Who thought they had women like that in the desert," Adam roared, elbowing Luca next to him. "Well, you two make a beautiful couple," Sofia raised her voice, drowning out Adam's. "Thank you." I tipped my face, hoping to meet Gavin's for a kiss, but he rebuffed me again. "Are you okay?" He rolled his eyes. "Just, fucking, fine." "Are you still planning to come home after graduation, Gav?" Giorgia asked, drawing the attention of the table. "No," Gavin snapped at her. "Fuck, I don't know. Leave me alone, stopadesso basta!" Okay, something was obviously wrong. "Can we go talk somewhere?" "Later." He focused on the waiter rounding the table with the dishes. "Gavin? What's wrong?" I tugged his shirt just as the waiter landed at us, placing our dishes down, and Gavin grabbed his fork, digging in without answering me.

Chapter 19

Gavin pushed out of his chair abruptly, following Luca and Adam's lead. "Are we leaving?" I tossed my napkin over the plate, scooting out of the chair to meet him. "Going next door," he answered robotically, taking off to the guys. So, I guess that's a yes. They all started walking in their little cliques, leaving me in their dust, like the outsider I was. Again, what was I doing here? I kept following the group, lingering in the back while they grabbed their jackets from the coat check. Why the hell was he a jerk? I hadn't done anything, he was smiling and giddy before dinner, now he was distant and pissed. "How was your meal?" A deep voice asked beside me. I turned, meeting an older man in a suit, standing there like he ran the restaurant. "Excellent, thank you." "I haven't seen you in here before," he continued, dropping his hands to his stomach with a chortle. "And I'm guessing you're not from New York." "Why do you say that?" I guess I didn't just feel like an outsider- I looked like one too. "Because you smile too much, New Yorkers aren't that happy." He had no idea how right he currently was. "Let's go!" Gavin barked just as a jacket dropped over my shoulders, and I spun, catching the faintest glimpse of him storming out the front doors. I gave the gentleman a polite smile before heading for the doors, seeing Gavin waiting against the building wall, giving me the glare of death.

"What the fuck was that about?" He spat as he stepped to my side. "Excuse me? I was going to ask you the same thing?" I kept marching, following the group ahead of us to the bar next door. Stefano hung back, holding the door open, and the second we stepped inside, Gavin took off with him, disappearing into the crowd- leaving me behind- again. "Great." I stood there a minute, debating if I bail. But I had nowhere to go. So I shook off my coat, handing it over to the girl across the counter. Maybe I should leave... I stepped towards the door just as it flew open, some guy barreling in with it, bumping right into me, sending me stumbling back. His arm shot out, grabbing mine to keep us both from falling. "I'm so sorry," he apologized, dropping his hands from my arm and shaking off his own jacket. "It's okay." I adjusted my dress, smoothing it down. "At least you weren't holding a drink." "True, it could have been worse. Speaking of-" he nodded his head towards the bar. "How about I buy you an I'm sorry drink?" Yeah, my asshole boyfriend would love that. "No, but thank you." "You sure?" He chuckled dryly, giving me a half-smirk. "You seem like you could use one." He had no idea. "A long night with Italians will do that to you." Or perhaps just one Italian. "I was just thinking the same thing," he mumbled to himself. "I'm Laurence, by the way." I knew that name! "I'm Sadie. I think we're sharing said Italians tonight." I laughed, swinging my head in the direction of the bar, finding every one of their eyes locked on the two of us. "We should get over there." He walked at my side, dipping his face down with a whisper. "You sure you

don't want to take me up on that drink?" "Ask me again in five minutes." "Laurence!" Giorgia squealed, rushing over, jumping right into his arms as I continued to Gavin, hoping for a similarly warm welcome. Nope. He just downed a shot, dropping it back to the counter while standing in line with his brothers. Okay then. I grabbed the next shot he picked up, plucking it straight from his fingers and downing it in one swallow. "That's Laurence. He seems nice." "He's a fucking dick," Gavin barked, speaking above me. "Why the fuck was he talking to you?" "Because she's hot," Adam cackled next to him. "Who wouldn't be fucking talking to her?" Her? I was right here. I rolled my eyes up to Gavin's, tugging his shirt to force him to look at me. "What is up with you tonight! Did I miss something?" He shrugged, eyes distant, treating me like a nuisance. "He had his fucking hands on you- and you're giving me shit. He's disrespecting this family." Oh god. He was talking just like the guys around him- not the Gavin I knew. "He bumped into me, apologized, not a big deal." "He knew what he was fucking doing," Stefano scoffed, handing Gavin another drink. Why did it feel like it was me against this firing squad? "Not everyone thinks like that." Their eyes all rose in unison to something behind me, so I followed their stares, twisting back, meeting Laurence's smirk. "Sadie!" He held out a drink, pushing the glass to my hand. "I figured I didn't have to ask." "You know her, do you?" Stefano stepped forward as Gavin pressed up behind me, hand wrapping over my hip- claiming me.

"Thank you," I mouthed to Laurence, giving him a polite smile before twisting back around. "Who the fuck does that guy think he is!" Gavin belted out, speaking over me yet again, eyes on his brothers. "Let's go!" "Where?" We'd just gotten here. "Not you," Gavin replied, dropping his hand from my dress, no emotion in his face or his body whatsoever. "We're going outside to smoke." "You smoke?!" Whoa- what! Who was he? "No, but they do." He walked away, all of them stalking out, leaving me alone at the bar. What the hell was happening! This was not the Gavin I knew. I chugged the drink Laurence had given me, immediately raising my hand to the bartender for another. "Romano pride at work again," Sofia slid in next to me at the bar. "What now?" "I literally don't know! Is this how they are? Assholes?" Oh shit. "No offense, I know they're your brothers. I'm just ready to walk out the door!" "No offense taken," she laughed under her breath. "Is Gav not like this in San Diego?" "Like what? An ass that ignores me- no." Well, on occasion, he had been. "I didn't do anything..." "Giorgia," Sofia yelled over her shoulder. "Can you explain the Romano pride to, Sadie." Giorgia stepped over, Laurence in tow. "What? You don't have high-strung Italians in Cali?" She laughed sarcastically. "Shots all around! On Luca's tab." At least his sisters were nice and understanding. The bartender placed a rack of shots in front of us, and each of us grabbed one, downing them in unison. And in that same instant, an arm curled around my waist- the audacity! "Are you sorry?" I tilted my face back,

meeting his black eyes. "I have nothing to be sorry about," he replied, so damn smug. Are you kidding me! "What is this then?" I reached to his hand, pushing it off my waist. "You're claiming me but still being an ass for some unknown reason?" I was too old for this shit. I came all the way here for him, had worked my ass off to get here, and being ignored was not part of my plan. "Maybe your friend was right- I do need an upgrade." "What the fuck is that supposed to mean!" He snapped, hand seizing my arm as I ed him. "It means that I didn't come all the way to New York to have you treat me like shit all night! If you want to be an asshole with the guys then go aheadbut I'm leaving! I'm not a fan of New York Gavin, and I am not going to put up with this!" He started charging away, dragging me with him, not stopping until we were in the far corner of the bar. "You were toasting with my sister, cheering to older fucking guys, and then Giorgia's fucking boyfriend brings you a drink as if I'm not fucking there." "Well, you haven't been there- you've been ignoring me! And what toast are you talking about?" I ripped my arm out of his grip, stepping back to put some space between us. "At the restaurant," he huffed with a flick of his wrist. "All that shit about older guys. I know how you feel about my fucking age and all the shit you think you're missing." I was too drunk for this. "What are you talking about?" "You think I don't know that you could have any fucking guy here, and you're constantly bitching about my age, then sitting there- toasting to older men. You didn't have to be so happy earlier." "Happy?" He couldn't be serious, yet he was. "I didn't realize our age difference bothered you-" too. I had always figured my age was bragging rights to his buddies. Not that he felt inferior because of it. "I was being

polite to your sister earlier. What would you have had me do? Say no? Tell her that I can't imagine anybody fucking me the way her little brother does? That my toes curl just thinking about how he makes me come? That I think about sex more than I think about breathing these days because of how good it is- how good you are? Or that just the thought of fucking you is enough to make me come undone and scream out your name right here. Is that what I should have said to your family? I was trying to be polite- it was important to me that they like me- but what does that matter now when you don't like me! Treating me like shit out there." He didn't reply, eyes unreadable in this dark bar, then he leapt, lips crashing against mine, knocking me over from the intensity, arms catching me before I fell. "Gavin-" I twisted out of his kiss. "You can't ruin the night because of the shit in your head Gavin. You know how much you mean to me." "You're one to talk." He spoke against my lips. "I got dressed up for you. I came out tonight to be with you, and you're the only one in this place not eye-fucking me." I ran my tongue across his bottom lip, licking the whiskey from it. "You're drunk," he whispered, striking his tongue out to dance with mine. "And just so we're fucking clear, I've done nothing but look at you at all damn night." "So then let's go back to the bar, spend this night the way we were supposed to- with me by your side, drinking with your family or your famiglia. Leave asshole Gavin behind, or Sadie leaves." He rested his forehead against mine while his hands slid down my arms, our fingers lacing. "I really fucking love you, Baby." "Then start showing it!" I demanded, giving him a nudge back towards the crowd. He led us back to the bar, taking a seat on a stool, pulling me between his legs. "Another round!"

His fingers tickled my back as we drank, circling up and down, goosebumps prickling from the touch. He was back to being my Gavin. "Sadie," Giorgia sang, pushing her way over with Laurence. "Is this your first time in Manhattan?" "Yeah." I tried to focus on her, but the more I tried, the blurrier she became. "And what do you think of New York?" "It's freezing," I replied, causing the group to burst out laughing. "But beautiful, I mean, I've only really seen the apartment and Gavin's bed." "Gav," Stefano shouted, smacking his shoulder. "That's a true Romano!" Huh? Oh god. "For sleep," I laughed, although it was a half-truth. "I fell asleep." "Where are you two going tomorrow?" Giorgia looked between us, settling her stare on Gavin. "She wants to do all the tourist shit," he mocked me. "Because I am a tourist!" "We can you," Laurence offered. "No," Gavin shot back before I could reply. "Just wanna spend the day with my girl, showing her my hometown." "I can you," Adam's gritty cackle broke through the noise. "Let a real man show you a good time." He was a piece of work! I automatically looked up to Gavin, watching him roll his eyes but do nothing more. He would never tolerate this back home. Well, I guess that meant I had to handle it. So I pushed out of Gavin's grip, seductively turning to face him, wedging myself back between his thighs, pressing my body tight against his. "We should finish that kiss..." I smacked my mouth hard over his lips, kissing a little more dramatic than usual-

putting on a show for the assholes around us. Only our touch was too powerful, our connection too hot. And the kiss turned dirty real fast. "I'm gonna take my girl home!" Gavin popped up, arms wrapped around my waist- holding me close against him and his hard pants. Then we were racing, grabbing our coats, rushing out of the bar, straight into the awaiting car. It was freezing outside, but I was burning up inside.

Chapter 20

Gavin raced us through the lobby, tapping the code for the elevator, spinning us right inside. " what I said about the elevator, Baby?" His tongue shot out, flat against my neck, licking up to my jaw. Yes, yes. I rolled my eyes up, catching the flashing light of the security camera- no, no. "There are cameras." His warm breath took a nosedive, steaming down my dress, nipples perking to meet his incoming lips. "No one monitors that shit." You know better, Sadie. "We can wait another minute." The chime rang out at that very second, door sliding open to the empty apartment. Gavin had one hand rushing me out while the other ripped the coat down my arms. "I want you so fucking bad." He towered over me, broad chest stretching the buttons on his shirt and eyes just as black as his hair. I wanted him too. I squeezed his fingers that were laced with mine, giving him a tug towards the hall, but his feet stayed planted. "Let's go to your room," I insisted, tugging again. "No one's here, Sadie." He freed my hand, crossing the dark room to one of the chairs and dropping into it, intent eyes on me. "Take your hair down, Baby." "What?" It was starting, that trance I fell into, that churning in the pit of my stomach, the way my senses took over- kicking my brain to the curb. "Take your hair down," he repeated, and on his command, I reached up, un-twirling the tight bun- waves falling down my back. "Fuck, you're so damn gorgeous, Baby. Now the dress." "The dress?" I looked around the expansive room- a room with no privacy. "Here?"

"Yes, take your dress off." His tone was commanding, stern. And once again, my hands were reaching, this time to my neck, unclasping the delicate buttons, trailing my fingers over the high neckline, gathering the top in my hands, dragging it down inch by inch, exposing my bare chest. His lips parted, jaw falling in slow motion- I guess he expected a bra. He pushed those lips back together, composing himself, that menacing smile taking shape. "Shoes," his voice wavered for a second, ending just as firm as his lap. Shoes- there was the easy way- a simple step out- or- I bent at the waist, legs straight, chest arching with my plummet, gliding my hands down my thighs to slip each heel off. I stayed bent over, flipping my face up, breasts dangling. "Next?" He was gone, eyes smoldering coal, body stiff, jaw set. "The rest of it," he demanded, hands folding in his lap. So I rose slow, giving him time to enjoy the view. "I need help," I lied, twisting my hips to emphasize the zipper running up the center of my ass. He stood without a sound, circling me, his arousal hitting my back as he molded his body to mine, one hand tugging at the zipper. The dress unraveled, his hands sliding with it, over my hips, fingertips gripping into my stomach, shoving my ass back against his erection. "I want this ass, Baby." "I want you," I whispered over my shoulder, vodka and ecstasy turning this reality into a dream. "Your turn to undress." I spun, landing against the rock breaking free from his belt. "Shirt." I reached to his collar, releasing the top button. "No, Baby, tonight is about you." He captured my wrists, commanding my arms. "I want you to know that my age doesn't mean shit." A nibble enveloped my ear while his hot breath assaulted it. "I want to fuck you so hard that you scream my name loud enough for all of the fucking upper east side to hear." "What if your brother comes home?" It was barely a faint whisper- I was

too consumed with his lips playing on my neck. "Fuck." His fingertips swept over my skin, latching to my nipples. "My bed." My breaths rolled out like waves, his touch churning every nerve inside me. "I highly recommend pinning me up against the wall." "Don't worry." He sank to his knees, rough fingers spreading my thighs apart. "I know what to fucking do." "But." I looked towards the elevator clearly in view- feeling the strike of his tongue like a whip-cracking between my thighs, lips kissing lips, spreading me - tongue dipping inside. Ohhh fuckk. My eyes rolled back. "Ah!" A finger slipped inside me, working with his tongue- a perfect duet- until a second finger crammed in. "Uhhh-" shit, fuck! His fingers knew where to aim- where to destroy. "The, what, if, oh god." His mouth slowed, coming up for air- fingers retreating as well. Noo. Suddenly he was sprinting, dragging me behind him, throwing me onto his bed while kicking his door shut. Then he dropped again, hands curling under my ass, sliding my spread thighs to the lips he was licking. "Oh, Gav-" I bunched my fingers in the sheets, reveling in the tongue showing no mercy to my clit, whip after whip, and the head buried between me, roving and rolling- anchored by those muscle laced arms tearing through his shirt. "Gavin! I want to see you." He let out a deep hiss, my thighs instinctively clamping from the intense pleasure. "You don't need to see me, Baby," he spoke into me, words tickling with his tongue. I didn't- I did. "You think eye fucking is just for guys? Gavin, you have no idea how incredibly sexy you are." His face popped up from between my legs, his body rising with it, hovering over me- relenting and stripping his shirt off, one sleeve at a time. Then he started on his belt, but I sprung up, slapping his hand away- and that hand came curling around the back of my head, guiding my face to the arousal my hands were unleashing. "Fuck!" He grunted, fingers gripping my hair,

his hips arching- pushing that wet tip to my mouth. "Just a taste, Baby." I opened my lips on his command, forcing my mouth wider and wider to take him, all of him. He was nothing but grunts above me, hips working with his hand, doing the work for me. I loved tasting him, making him whimper, curse- but I was aching, burning. I needed to be touched. I dropped my hand between my thighs, his eyes flashing open from the shift, catching the motion of my fingers- hand immediately falling from my hair, his body bucking mine back to the sheets, and his dick claiming the path my dainty fingers were starting for. And I was up, flying, legs wrapping automatically around his waist as he charged for the wall, pinning me against it- then letting me fall- right down his soaked erection. "Shit!" I gasped, squealed, cried, moaned. "Is, this, what, you, want- Baby?" His bumpy arms flexed, back tight, groaning as he rammed me up and down the wall, the friction against my back only intensifying the friction between my thighs. "Fuck." Every muscle he had was rubbing against me, deeper, harder, louder. "Oh god!" Oh, ahhh. "Gavin! Gavin, I-" My hands were to his neck, clawing anything I could. "Gav-" I broke, orgasm rippling from my toes to my hair- no nerve left untouched. I was suddenly off the wall, still in his arms, being carried back to the bed, falling to the sheets, quivering with aftershocks. "How was that?" He was half out of breath- yet smug, proud- as he should be. "Okay," I lied, and he knew it. "You may need to try to prove yourself again later." "You think you're funny tonight, huh?" His hands shot to my sides, digging in. "No Gavin! No tickling!" I tried to block his hands, but he grabbed my wrists. "I will happily prove it to you all fucking night, Baby."

Chapter 21

The sun infiltrated my eyes, lighting my dark dreams, slowly waking me. I was face down against the pillow, cuddled under a heap of blankets. I rolled over, reaching for where Gavin should be, only to find the bed empty. "Gavin?" I sat up, scanning the room, spotting his shirt from last night on the floor next to me, so I lunged over, swooping it up. Last night had been a very good night! My dreams had been even better, and hopefully, this morning would put them both to shame! I slid his shirt on, not bothering to button it, just letting it hang over me. "Gavin?" I pushed the door open, stepping into the hallway. "Out here, Baby!" He called back. I pranced down the hall, strutting into the main room. "Good morning sexy-" I purred- to Gavin- and his brothers. "Oh my god!" I flung my hands to the shirt, furiously yanking the sides tight across my chest. "Good morning to you too," Luca called back, speaking directly to my legs. Oh god. "Haven't seen a good walk of shame since college," Stefano chuckled. "More like walk of fame in this house," Luca shot back, still staring at my thighs. "Cazzo," Gavin sighed, leaping from his chair and rushing over to me, standing to block his brothers' view. "What are you doing?" "I don't know," I mouthed back, slowly turning on my heels. "I'm going to go get ready." This wasn't happening. "Give us a minute," Gavin called over his shoulder before wrapping his arm around my waist and ushering me back down the hall. "A minute, what a chump," Stefano quipped, the two of them chuckling

behind us. "You insult the Romano name, Fratellino." "A fanabla!" Gavin shouted back, immediately looking down at me. "Go to hell." What? "Excuse me!" He suppressed a laugh as he pushed me through his doorway. "A fanabla means go to hell in Italian, Baby." "Oh. That was so embarrassing. I thought we were still alone. Why didn't you warn me!" He smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "I didn't expect you to come out halfnaked." "Oh god." I looked back up at him, realizing he was fully dressed in jeans and a sweater. "You're dressed? What time is it?" "Eleven." "What!" I dove for my phone, flipping it over to read the screen. "We're three hours ahead here, Baby." "Ugh, that's right. Give me twenty, and then we can head out!" I slipped his shirt off, tossing it back to the floor. "I've gotta get out of here!" He covered his eyes, taking a step backwards towards the door. "I'll be out in the living room. Please only come back out when you're fully dressed, Baby." He disappeared while I hurried to shower, changing just as quickly into my jeans and fitted sweater, and stomping into my boots on the way out his door. I took a deep breath, adjusted my sweater, and walked back out to the main room. "Good morning again," I greeted with a smile. "Ready?" "I liked the other outfit better," Luca quipped.

"Stai zitto," Gavin snapped back. "Shut up." I walked towards the elevator, waiting for Gavin, who finally stepped to my side, eyes narrowing as he looked me up and down. "Where's your coat?" He demanded rather than asked. "It doesn't look too bad out there?" And this is a new sweater that fits my body perfectly- unlike that giant puffer coat. "It's cold, Baby," he moved aside, pointing me to the hall. "Grab your coat." This was a losing battle. So I stalked back to the room, reluctantly grabbing the heavy jacket and shrugging it on. Gavin demanded me naked last night, but now he was afraid I'd get the slightest bit cold. Then I returned to the main room for the third time this morning. "Now I'm finally ready." "Don't forget- everyone's coming over tonight!" Luca spoke directly to Gavin. "Don't be late!" The elevator doors opened right then and Gavin wasted no time, ushering me in, swinging me right into his arms. "You look beautiful this morning, Baby." "Thank you!" I lifted on my tip-toes, meeting his face that was lowering. "What are we doing today?" I pecked his lips once, then again. He swept his lips across mine, our noses brushing too. "I wanna take you by Central Park, see the Plaza, and," he paused, shooting out his hand to find mine, then slowly entwining our fingers. "I want to introduce you to some friends. They're gonna meet us for lunch. Is that okay?" I nodded, smiling. "Of course." I'd never met any of Gavin's friends- as his girlfriend that was. His smile broadened, walking me through the lobby with that glint in his eyes and ease he didn't normally have. He seemed genuinely happy, making my heart melt. Then we walked out the doors to the bustling street- and that ice-cold air, instantly freezing me.

He led the way, his hand tightening over mine as we approached the street, holding on to me for dear life like I was some child he was afraid to lose as we ed the rows of cars and headed into the park. It was incredible to have this expanse of dense trees and nature in the middle of concrete sky rises. "There's a zoo right over there," he teased, giving me a cheesy wink. "No way!" I laughed back. "No more zoos for us!" I wiggled my fingers free, hooking my arm through his instead. "I have a lot of memories here," he reminisced, eyes distant, roaming the park around us. "Used to play here with my buddies when I was kid, hide and seek, that kind of shit. My parents used to take us to the lake, the Boathouse, ice skating." I slammed on the brakes, repeating what he had just said while picturing my six-foot, broad giant- ice skating. "You? You went ice skating, you?" He was too, too Gavin for ice skating. "I did," he chuckled to himself. "Everyone did." "Not me." It'd always been a dream, though. "I've never gone ice skating. Always wanted to." "Never?" He repeated in disbelief. "It's ninety degrees in winter." "Next time, I'll take you." Next time? He pulled my hand up to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "We're almost up to 57th." I whipped my head back, then forward. "Up, I thought we were walking down?" This park was so confusing. "No, Baby-" he turned me towards a sign, pointing to the directional

arrows. "We're not even in the heart of the park. We're heading towards The Plaza." "The Plaza!" I was giddy, my smile stretching off my face. We continued walking until trees gave way to streets, and I spotted The Plaza towering across from us. "It's incredible! One day I'm going to stay there." "We can stay there now." Gavin was watching me, but I couldn't take my eyes off the building. "No." I was content just standing here, just being close to something that always seemed like a pipe dream. "I'm sure a night costs as much as my paycheck. Next time." We crossed the street, Gavin instantly pulling me to a stop, his hand cupping my chin, turning my face away from the hotel and to the front of us. "Here's Tiffany and Co." Ohh. My smile hurt, too big for my face. Wow. "Why are chicks so fucking into Tiffany?" He stepped up beside me, looking at the display of diamonds in the window. "Why are they into jewelry?" I teased, rolling my eyes up to meet his grin. "Why are guys so into sports cars? Oh my god, look at that ruby necklace!" In the midst of the diamonds was the brightest, boldest ruby necklace. "That red one?" And I was rolling my eyes up to him again. "Yes, Gavin, that red one," I laughed. Men. "Ruby is my birthstone." I gave it one final look, cementing it to memory before pulling him forward. "Come on." "You're not going in?" He slowed, gesturing back to the door. I shook my head no. "If I go in I'll want something," I mumbled, more to myself than him.

"And?" "And I don't-" Have money to waste on expensive jewelry. "I want to keep looking." "Okay, Baby." He kept walking, arm now draped across my back. "Whatever you want." "When are we meeting your friends today?" "We're on our way, actually. They're meeting us at a cafe up the street." He leaned down, nudging a kiss to my hair. "I've known these guys for a long ass time, so this is kind of a big deal." We walked into a small cafe, dropping our coats at the front while Gavin searched for his friends, smiling the second his eyes landed on a table in the back. Two men in suits stood, arms up for Gavin as we approached, throwing him into a hug and both giving me a polite, welcoming smile. "This is Sadie!" Gavin beamed, smiling with his entire face, proud to introduce me. "Baby, this is Jake and Martin. We grew up together." "Nice to meet you." I shook their outstretched hands. "I'll go order!" Gavin pulled a chair out for me. "The usual, Baby?" "Please." And with that he took off for the counter while I sat, facing his friends on the opposite side of the table. "So," the Jake one started. "How long have you and Gav been together?" Forever. It felt like an eternity, but in reality, it had just been just a few months. "Not very long." "Well, I'm happy he's settling down, and he better choose me over Luca for his best man," he laughed. Settling down- his- whoa- "Best man? Oh, oh, no. We are far from any of that!" I looked back towards the counter, needing Gavin to rush that order.

"Really?" Martin chimed in, throwing a look at Jake before their stares fell to me. "Does Gav know that?" "Does Gav know what?" Gavin heckled, dropping into the chair next to mine. "Nothing," I insisted, grabbing the tea he'd just placed on the table, taking a sip to distract him. "That I better be the best man at your wedding!" Jake laughed. Suddenly I was choking, coughing, banging my hand to my chest to clear my throat. "Sorry," I coughed again. "Strong tea." Wedding- they were talking about weddings- Gavin's, mine"You start in on that shit the second you meet her? Jesus, we haven't even talked about that." "Okay, Okay." Jake threw his hands up in surrender. "I'm just saying if she's put up with your crazy ass this long, then she's probably the one." The one. "Fuck off," Gavin spat with a smile. "Go back to Wall Street!" "Only if you come too," Martin laughed. "Heard you're going to take over the company soon- I bet Luca's pissed." "What?" I dropped the cup, focusing on Gavin instead, watching his eyes roll. "I don't need that fucking stress." He talked to them across the table, ignoring my question. "And what about you Sadie," Martin asked, all their attention now back on me. "Heard you're a nurse at the local hospital." They'd heard- so Gavin had told them about me, more than just my name. "I am."

"Do you enjoy it?" He continued. "It's stressful, but fulfilling. Got me where I am today." "And where's that?" "In San Diego, buying my first home, sending my-" I stopped short, almost letting Grant's name slip, but Gavin smiled down at me, hand sliding to my knee. "Sending her son to school," he finished for me. It was the first time we had talked openly about Grant with others, and Gavin didn't seem fazed by it. "You have a kid?" Jake repeated. "I do. I've been a single mom for a long time." "Single mom and a nurse. Well, Gavin can't complain about stress when you're doing all that," Jake sighed, rolling his eyes at Gavin. "Where's the father? Still in the picture?" Martin asked, then apologized. "Sorry to pry." "It's okay." I was used to it. "No, he's not in the picture. It's better that way." "Like not in the picture at all?" He clarified. "Surely you get child ." Not a dime. "No, but it's fine. I preferred severing all ties with him. He wasn't a good guy." Perhaps the understatement of the year. "But we're fine. I worked my ass off, and now we're in California, living near the beach, can't complain." "Salad and Pastrami on Rye!" They screamed from the counter, and Gavin pushed out of his chair, starting over. "I have a one-year-old at home," Jake started. "And I can't imagine Emily handling him alone and working."

"It is what it is." I shrugged, fiddling with the cup of tea in front of me. "It's easier now that he's older. It was nice not having to worry about him when I was working the extra shifts to make this trip happen." "Gav, had you work extra shifts?" Martin scoffed, eyes raising over me, following Gavin. "He didn't have anything to do with it." Gavin was back, placing the plates down as he sank back into his chair. "Your girl worked extra shifts to get here, Gav?" Martin scolded him. "You couldn't have helped her?" "She worked to get the time off. I bought the fucking tickets." "Probably to pay me back for paying for our first date," I teased him, leaning in for a kiss- which he happily bestowed. "What?" Martin screeched, shaking his head at Gavin. "She paid for your first date?" "Gavin forgot his wallet," I continued teasing, cuddling into his shoulder. He dipped his face to my hair. "I didn't hear you complaining after you bought that ice cream," he teased back. "Gavin!" I snapped, sending my fingers pinching his side. "So tell me everything I need to know about him?" I laughed over to his friendsfinding them both smiling, staring between Gavin and me. "He's a good one," Martin replied matter of fact. "I already know that." I tilted my face up, meeting Gavin's wry smile. "And he's slightly crazy," Jake laughed over at Gavin. "The whole family is." "I already know that too." I was laughing now. Then Gavin raised his arm behind me, wrapping it over my shoulders,

curling me in closer. "I love you, Baby."

We finished lunch, laughing our way to the door and giving some final hugs goodbye. "It was nice meeting you guys." "You too, Sadie." Jake looked to Gavin, addressing him eye to eye. "Don't do any stupid shit, she's a keeper." "I'm happy for you, Gav." Martin pulled him in for another hug. And I couldn't help smiling to myself from hearing the compliments coming from his good friends. This had meant a lot to Gavin, and we had all gotten along so well. Then we all went our separate ways, with them hailing a cab while we continued up the row of shops.

Chapter 22

I stopped dead in my tracks, staring at a boutique's window we were ing. "That dress!" A mannequin was draped in a black silk gown, fitted to accentuate all her fake curves, tight and tapered, strapless, elegant details. They made something so simple look so regal. "It's incredible." Stunning, actually, and something you'd only see in New York. "Get it then," Gavin immediately turned for the door, reaching to open it. "No," I answered automatically, veering him and my eyes away from the gown. But he wouldn't move. "Why aren't you going into any of these stores? I thought you liked to shop." "I do-" I looked back at the gown in the window. "But I can tell most of these boutiques are way out of my budget, and I can only imagine what that dress costs." "Who cares." He shrugged, once again turning for the door. "If you like it, then buy it, Baby." Who cared? I'd been on a strict budget for the last eighteen years, and frivolous spending was not in my DNA. Shopping at the mall was one thingshopping guard protected boutiques on 5th avenue was another. "It doesn't work like that in the real world Gavin. Just wait; you'll understand once you graduate and have bills, a mortgage, and have to pay off your student loans. I can't just buy whatever I want- so walking in just to fall in love and then have to face reality and walk right back out isn't so fun." He scoffed under his breath, matching the half roll of his eyes. "I think I understand the real-world, Sadie. I'll buy it for you then." He didn't have the money to be wasting either. He didn't shop. He had no clue what these price tags probably looked like. "No, you've already done

enough. Now come on, there's still lots to see!" "Baby-" his voice was stern, hands clasping over mine, pulling me to his chest. "I can get you the dress. I want to. I can buy you what-" I shook our hands to stop him. "I want to keep looking," I insisted, guiding him away. "Plus, it's already getting late, and I'm chilly." I released his hands to grab his coat instead. "But I appreciate the offer." We stood chest to chest, and he wrapped his arms around my back, hands falling over my ass while his lips brushed against my mouth, letting out a warm whisper. "How about I hail a cab and take you to the Empire State Building." "Okay!" I nodded back and he leapt away to the curb, shooting his hand up in the air before flashing his eyes back over at me. He looked so incredibly sexy right now- that smile, that jacket- New York Gavin was hot. I started over to him, but he pushed me back from the curb, holding me behind him protectively as the taxi pulled up. "Empire State Building," he called, taking my hand to help me into the backseat. Then the taxi sped off, and he lowered his face back to mine, lips tickling my cheek while his hand crept under my coat. "We're in a taxi," I giggled quietly against his ear. "Baby, it's New York," his voice was a rasp, lips sliding to mine, hands sliding between my thighs, rubbing down my zipper, and the seam that followed. Oh god. "Gavin," I whispered- demanded, only the word made his fingers churn harder, rubbing deeper. His lips drifted to my ear, parting, sending a wave of heat straight to my core. "Yes, Baby?" Oh damn. I twisted my face to the window, trying to act nonchalant while he turned his body towards mine, leaning over as if he was looking at the same thing I was out the window. Only, his hand was snaking under my sweater, fingers stepping up my stomach, digging under my bra, pinching my already hard nipple.

"Ah!" I gasped, twisting my face back even further. I tried to keep my composure, trying to be coy in the backseat, but the window fogging up was giving me away. His touch was like a detonator, each one causing a small explosion inside me. "Look, Baby, an ice cream parlor," he hissed, sending his hand diving under my jeans, forcing its way down- his body scooting closer until his fingers hit my entrance, curling inside me. Shit. It was a hundred degrees in here. I bit my tongue, holding back the whimpers as his fingers teased and toyed. Breathe, but I couldn't- his fingers knew my weakness, and he was relentless- jabbing away. Then he leaned in even closer, pointing out the window with one hand as a distraction while plunging deeper, thumb now owning my clit. Ohhh, shiiit. I dropped my head to the window, feeling the rush, the surge. "Excited, Baby?" His lips buried into my neck, nipping up to my ear. Holy shit. I pushed my hand to my face, blocking the moans threatening to escape. "Gav-" I squeaked out, body tightening around his fingers. "State building!" The cab driver shouted, slamming to a stop while Gavin's fingers slammed once more inside me, making me come right then and there. "Perfect timing," he whispered, giving my ear one last kiss as his fingers retreated, sliding their way out of me, out of my jeans, and out from under the coat. Oh my gosh. I sat there, head smashed against the foggy glass, panties soaked and thighs trembling. I just came in a taxi. "Baby?" Gavin laughed, reaching for my hand with his clean one, pulling me up and out of the door, then holding me steady on the sidewalk while I recovered. "Now, if I could just find time for that train ride," he teased, snapping me a sexy wink. "Let's go, Casanova." I tugged his arm, the two of us heading into the

towering building in front of us. He raised his hand, emphasizing the two fingers that were covered in me, gross. "I'll be right back," he arched his brow as he nodded towards the restroom. "Please!" I can't believe we had just done that- that I had just done that. He was back out in a flash, leading me straight to the ticket counter and then right past the long, winding line to a private entrance in the far corner. "Welcome," a woman greeted us as we walked up, welcoming us into the waiting elevator. We walked right in and Gavin's arms wrapped over me immediately, his lips back at my ear. "We have eighty-six floors to cover, Baby." The guide then stepped in with us, facing us directly, ending all of Gavin's elevator fantasies. She began telling us the complete history of the building, and the speech continued until we hit the eighty-sixth floor. "And here is our open-air observatory," she announced, waving us out. "It's the closest you'll get to the stars here in New York." The stars. I rolled my eyes up to Gavin, hearing Luca's words, he thought two stars were our parents. Gavin stepped out first, eyes looking distant again. "I haven't been here in a while," he sighed to himself. "I'm happy we came." I lifted on my tiptoes, trying to reach his cheek for a kiss. "Technically, Baby, only you came." I smacked his arm, laughing as I drug him away from the elevator. "It's like I'm in one of my favorite movies." "You're not gonna wanna reenact any of that shit, are you," he chuckled. "No." I spun to face him, looking up at those brown eyes and that perfect

smile. "I already found you." He draped an arm around my back, guiding us out. "Too bad the stars aren't out yet," he lamented while flashing his eyes to the sky. "Maybe next time." We walked to the edge of the open-air deck, gazing out at the bird's eye view of Manhattan. "This is incredible, Gavin! I would be up here every day if I lived here." He snuggled in behind me, arms loose around my waist. "Central Park is over there." He pointed out to the large green space. "Luca's apartment is behind that white tower, and then two buildings down from that is where I grew up." "You grew up across from the park?" I spoke over my shoulder. "Yeah." I couldn't see it, but I could hear the smile in his reply. "Now that I'm thinking about it, we should reenact some scenes since we're here and all," I joked. "Whatever the fuck you want, Baby." He tightened his arms around me, locking my body to his. "Did Luca bring you up here a lot?" "Luca?" He scoffed. "No, Giorgia did. Luca would have kicked my ass if he knew I was coming up here." "Too far?" I scanned the skyline for Luca's building. "No," he grumbled. "He didn't give a shit where I went. It's more why I went." I waited, wanting to see if he would offer me more of his story, but he didn't. "So," he continued. "We saw the park, The Plaza, Tiffany and Co, and now

this. I think we've covered most of the tourist shit on your list." Hardly. "There's also the memorial, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, Statue of Liberty." I had an entire list. "Of course," he chuckled, chest rumbling behind me. "We should take a picture!" I rummaged through my bag, plucking out my phone as he whirled us around, so our backs were against the view. Then he grabbed the phone, holding it up high. "Smile," he teased, staring at our reflections on the screen. We smiled, he snapped, and then he handed me back the phone. "I'll buy you a new frame when we get back home, and I'll swap this picture into it." I had been meaning to do that for the last few weeks but had never gotten around to it. "I already got a new frame, Baby, and I like that picture, just get another frame." "You did?" I had no idea. "And no, you don't need any more frames, I was just thinking-" "I want both up at my place," he interrupted. "The pic of us in San Diego and the pic of us New York, both my homes." He had a thing for pictures. And now he'd have three of me up at his house. "What about your place?" He stepped in front of me, meeting my eyes. "What do you mean?" His lips pursed, eyes heavy. "You don't have any pictures of us at your place." "Why do I need a picture when you've been staying there?" I teased up to him. "Plus, Grant comes over, and he'll be back home soon." "Back?" He repeated. "He'll be moving back home when school's out. He can't stay in the dorms

over summer." His eyes went wide, feet taking a step back. "That's in a month! Why didn't you fucking mention that earlier?" Me? "You should know, he goes to your school! You knew he lived in the dorms. Where did you expect him to go?" He shook his head, rolling his eyes as he huffed. "I didn't think about it." "Neither did I." "How the hell am I supposed to see you?" He crossed his arms over his chest, serious Gavin coming out to lecture me. "You need to talk to him." "I tried, - your birthday shenanigans got in the way." Memories of that horrible night started playing through my mind, instantly weighing me down. "You need to talk to him again!" He demanded. "If he's there, then you're always gonna be going home to him, and I won't be able to stop by." He was right. I reached for his hand, pulling him back to me. "I'll figure it out, don't worry." His eyes grew wide again, smile forming. "Come stay with me for the summer, Baby, live at the condo." Whoa. "And what would I tell Grant? I can't just leave him alone at the house." He shrugged. "Then he can stay at my condo, and I'll stay at your place with you for the summer." What? This was the last thing I wanted to be thinking about on my vacation. "You're not serious." "I don't give a shit if it means I get to fall asleep and wake up to you every morning."

"We can talk about this later, Gavin. Let's not waste this view." I led him forward, walking him around the deck. "Wait, can you take a picture of me?" I released his arm, stepping back against the railing while he backed up. "Tell me when to smile." I posed, flashing him my biggest smile. "I love you," he called over. "Love you too." I smiled even bigger. "Did you take it?" "Yeah," he mumbled, still holding up his phone. "How does it look?" "Utter fucking perfection." "Oh god." I walked up to him, pushing my face up to his phone- laughing. "What are you doing, Gavin?" I grabbed the phone away, looking at the screen. "Video!" I yelled, meeting his laugh. "Seriously." I rolled my eyes, handing him back his phone before stalking back to the railing. "For real this time!" "Smile," he instructed once more, and this time, he lowered his phone right away. Then he marched over, pinning my back to the railing. "We need to head back. I want some time with you before the party." "Oh really," I teased, avoiding his lips that were coming for mine. "And how would you like to spend that time?" I looked up, locking eyes with his. "Gavin, would you like to fuck me?" "More than you know, Baby."

Chapter 23

Gavin bolted to the curb, arm up hailing a cab. "Can we walk instead?" I pleaded, stretching my hand to his coat, tugging him back. "I don't think I'm up for anymore taxi cab confessions tonight." His eyes shot left to right before he shrugged. "I guess, but it's getting dark, and it's fucking cold out here. Are you sure?" "Yes." I hooked my arm through his, turning us on the sidewalk. "It's starting," he groaned, flipping his palm up towards the dark sky. "What's starting?" He pulled us to a stop, twisting my hand, so my palm was up. "The fucking snow." I felt the tiniest bit of wet hit my palm, and I couldn't help the laugh that burst. "This is nothing!" "That's how it starts," he sighed, flipping our hands together, fingers weaving automatically. "You sure you don't want me to grab a cab, Baby?" "No." I kept moving. "It's fine, and kind of romantic." "Romantic?" He tsked, feet dragging behind me. "Well, I'm not a romantic." Oh, but he was- in his own little way. "Of course you are! Valentine's Day, the Mission, the necklace, our photos up at your place." I smiled up at him. "Although for an Italian, you could probably up your game a little." He suppressed a laugh. "I don't know how to do all that shit," he mumbled. "Are you disappointed?" His tone was suddenly serious.

"Gavin, I'm just messing with you. We had a very romantic day, and we're about to have a very romantic night." I gave him a cheesy obnoxious wink. "How many more blocks until we're back?" "Too fucking many!" He groaned and chuckled at once. The snow flurries continued as we walked through Manhattan, eventually reaching Luca's building, but I pulled him to a stop before we hit the door. "Thank you for today. It was wonderful." "It was." He smiled back, leading us past the doorman and into the building, straight to the elevator. "Baby-" he tightened his grip on my hand. "I really need you to talk with Grant when we get back. I'm not fucking ready to give you up. I wanna see you every damn day, not wait around for you to sneak out. I can't do it." "Don't worry!" I assured him. "I don't want to be away from you either, Baby." He threw me into the elevator, caging me in the corner. "I love when you fucking say that." He was wild, arms flexed at the sides of my face, heaving chest butting mine. "Say what?" I teased. "Don't worry?" "Baby, it sounds so damn sexy when it comes from your mouth." He leaned in, just as the elevator door slid open behind us. "Dammit," he huffed, releasing me and guiding me out, straight down the hall to his room. Then he kicked the door closed, smile lighting up with his eyes. "Why don't you move in with me, Baby!" This again. "I told you I'd work something out." I tossed my jacket down; he did the same. "No, not just for the summer Sadie. I want you every damn day. I don't wanna have to drive or plan shit anymore, and if you don't like my condo, then I can get a different place." He started pacing, smiling, planning for something I hadn't agreed to. "I have a place, Gavin, one that means a lot to me. It took me a long time to

get where I am, and I don't want to leave my little house." Not to mention this was moving too fast- we'd only been together a few months. "Then I'll move in there-" he threw his hands up. "I don't fucking mind. I can sell the condo." Whoa, whoa, whoa. It was too soon even to have this conversation, let alone actually moving in together. "Slow down. That's a big step." "We see each other all the time anyway. What's the big fucking deal? I stayed there after the accident. It's time, we-" "Stop! That was temporary, Gavin." I couldn't do this right now, and I knew there was only one thing that would get his mind off of it, so I stepped back, pulling my sweater over my head, watching his eyes as I unclasped my bra, letting it fall to my feet. "You're not playing fair," his giddy voice was now low, husky. "And you're not playing dirty." A quick grunt escaped his throat before his mouth fell to my breastslicking, sucking, his tongue whipping the cold buds as his hands fell to my zipper. "I need to take my boots off first." He immediately dropped to his knees, sliding the boots off, then running his fingers up the jeans, tugging them down- my bare legs eye level with him. One kiss to my inner thigh, another, his breath his my center. "This could be every night, Baby, or morning if you prefer." He flashed his eyes up to my face, keeping my stare as his tongue dipped between me. Oh shit. He watched me, I watched him, his eyes up as his hidden mouth went to town, voracious and hungry, wanting to prove a point- my favorite kind of Gavin. My head rolled back, eyes sinking shut, moaning on repeat, each of which made his fingers tighten around my thighs. His tongue licked deep, exploring all of me... only to pull away- forcing my head to roll forward,

meeting him as he stood, towering over me now. "Do you want me, Baby?" He kicked off his jeans, fingers commanding his erection, stroking it against my center. "Yes, now!" I fell backwards, hitting the sheets, his body falling over mine. "Do you love me, Baby?" He nestled his hips deep, lining himself up slowly, tip teasing my entrance. "Yes, dammit, Gavin!" A jolt, a bang, a fullness I'd been craving. "I, love you, so, fucking, much!" He screamed, pounding, showing no mercy, bodies thrashing, hips grinding for more- harder and harder- just the way we both liked it. The auras flared, the quakes rumbling, tingling taking over, the pressure immobilizing. His dick hit the target harder, harder, harder. "Gavin!" I shattered, one crack after another. "Gavin-" "I know, Baby." He slammed, breaking me. "Baby-" He hovered over my face, forcing my eyes to open- which was no easy feat at this moment. "I'm serious," he continued. "I want you to move in with me. We can have this anytime we want it." I sank my eyelids back down, trying to enjoy the tapering orgasm. "It's too soon, Gavin." The bed started shaking with the floor, a boom hitting the door next. "Gav!" "Shit," Gavin sighed before yelling back to Luca. "We're getting ready!" "Get your ass out here!" "Give me a minute!" Gavin yelled back, and the footsteps retreated. "Party's starting." He rolled off me, grabbing his pants from the floor while pulling his phone from the pocket. "It's already nine." I sat up, pulling my purse over and digging for my own phone. "Will you

text me that picture from earlier?" I asked, and he nodded back, scrolling for a minute, then I saw the 'G' flashing on my screen. "Thank you!" He leaned over, eyes on my screen. "G? Wait- you don't even have my fucking name in your phone?" I swiped the notification away, opening the picture he'd sent. "I just haven't gotten around to updating it. I didn't want Grant to see your name if you messaged." "Or anybody else for that fucking matter!" He barked. "Gavin, it's not a big deal. I'll change it right now." I scrolled through my s, finding his number. "Are you still fucking embarrassed by me?" His entire demeanor was changing, his body rigid, jaw set, eyes blazing with his bitter tone. "Haven't we been through enough shit that you can have my name in your phone or a picture of us at your place? Jesus Christ! Your pussy's full of my cum, and all I get is a fucking 'G'!" "What? No, it's not like that. It's just Grant." I finished typing his name and hit save. He threw his hands in the air, groaning dramatically. "God, I'm so fucking sick of the Grant shit!" He yelled, smacking his fist down on the dresser. "Well, he's not going anywhere, so get over it. He knows now and-" I flashed him my screen, showing him proof of his name before continuing. "And I'm not embarrassed by you! Why would I be?" He grumbled under his breath, haphazardly yanking his pants back on. "Can't fucking believe I was just a 'G' in your phone. I'm asking you to move in with me- and you don't even have my name in your fucking phone." He slapped his shirt on, aggressively fastening the buttons. "You're overreacting, Gavin!" I stood up, debating if I move closer or not. "Let's just get ready. I'm excited to hang out with your friends." He walked straight into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Point

taken. So I continued over to my clothes, grabbing a dress just as the bathroom door flew back open. "I'm going to get ready," I called to him, carrying the dress with me towards the bathroom. "I'm gonna head out. Meet me out there when you're ready." He spoke to the wall, not bothering to look at me. "Gavin." This was ridiculous. I walked over, resting my hand on his arm. "Don't be mad about this. Don't ruin the night over a simple misunderstanding." "Don't tell me how to feel, Sadie- I don't fucking hide you. Your face, your name is everywhere. I'm nowhere. You're so fucking ashamed-" "Gavin!" I snapped, jumping my hands up to his cheeks. "I love you! And I'm not hiding you. Everyone at work knows , Grant knows, everybody knows!" He nodded to himself, escaping from my hold and slipping right out the door. Great. Our perfect day was ending like this. I tossed my phone to the table, making my way to the bathroom. I showered, dried my hair, added more makeup than necessary, then stepped into my dress, watching it seal to my skin. It was a little more revealing than I ed, but perhaps that would work to my advantage tonight. Gavin had a hard time being mad when my cleavage was in his face. Then I slid my feet into the boots, giving myself one final appraisal in the mirror. Good, better than good- and quite sexy.

Chapter 24

I heard the commotion now, the drunk yells and heavy footsteps flooding the apartment, and I followed the noise down the hall, spotting Gavin standing next to Luca and that sleazy Adam, the three of them deep in conversation. Then I felt the eyes on me, meeting a few of their stares, the guys looking up and over, one right after another, until Gavin finally looked over, eyes locked and loaded on me as I made my way to him. "Hi." I watched his face, waiting to see which mood I was getting. "This is my girl, Sadie." He waved his hand around. "Sadie, the guys." He wasn't smiling, nor was he touching me. Luca stepped forward. "Sadie's a nurse at the hospital Gav was laid up at," he roared as Adam met his side, giving me another look over. "Ten to one, every doctor at that place tries to hit it, right," Adam cackled. "The fucking prized nurse, I bet." "Excuse me!" I looked from him to Gavin, waiting for something, but Gavin just stood there- not saying a thing. "I'm proud of you, Gav," Adam continued, tossing his hand to Gavin's shoulder. "She could have a man who saves lives every day, but she's slumming it with you- what studying for finals?" He cackled again, rou the guys who were cackling with him. I shot my eyes up to Gavin's that were on the guys around him. He still wasn't reacting, and I was seconds away from going off. I didn't want to come across as a bitch, but I wasn't going to play complaisant. "Gav's our own fucking Adonis. What do you expect!" One of the guys in the group shouted back, distracting me from the rant I was about to lay on Adam.

Adonis, huh, I could see that. I swung in front of him, hands latching to his belt. "Should I call you Adonis now?" I teased, trying to break the tension between us. "Oh, please." Adam scoffed behind me. "And," I raised my voice, looking back over my shoulder at the guys around us. "Gavin's the only one of you with a woman draped over him. Perhaps he could give you all some pointers." The guys started laughing while I focused back on the brooding face above me. "Come here," I mouthed up to him, walking him away from the group until we were out of earshot. "Why do you hang out with that guy? He's such a jerk." "Who, Adam?" He finally spoke- finally. "Uh, yeah!" He shrugged, face still flat, no emotion whatsoever. "He's like a brother. I've known him forever." "A brother? He's horrible! Does he always act like that?" "It's New York, Sadie; everyone's an asshole. He's just messing around." "He's being rude to you and me. Don't you hear what he's saying?" "Him?" He rolled his eyes down my dress. "What do you expect coming out here with your tits on full display like this. Of course, he's going to say shit." "My tits on display," I repeated. He wasn't serious right now. "He's talking crap, demeaning you and me, and you're okay with it because of my dress? Is that really what you're telling me?" "You're too goddamn sexy," he spat the words like it was a bad thing. "You liked sexy ten minutes ago," I reminded him. "It's true anyways," he huffed, eyes staring past me.

"What's true?" "Guys at your fucking work chasing you, he's right." He was replying to me, but he was still staring off. "So it's okay to talk about me like that- like I'm a prize? A piece of meat? I don't even know him!" And at this moment I didn't know the guy standing in front of me. "You have guys always fucking after you, and who the fuck am I? A fucking 'G' in your phone. Gavin Romano is just a fucking 'G' in your phone!" He ripped out of my grip, marching right back over to the group of jerks we just left. Why couldn't he just be reasonable! I changed his name to Gavin. It really wasn't a big deal. I followed him back over, slinking in next to him, hearing Adam going off. "So you wouldn't come back unless she went too?" Adam was cackling again, elbowing Luca. "Pussy." I shot my eyes up at Luca who was laughing just as hard, then I looked at Gavin, his eyes sinking shut, chest rising with the breath he was holding in. "I had to fucking beg her to come out just to get his ass home!" Luca roared, sending Gavin's eyes flashing down to mine. "What?" His face tensed, eyes narrowed. "Fuck, nurses go the extra mile in Cali," Adam's eyes were back on mewell, my chest, giving me that sleazy grin. "I think I'm feeling sick." He laughed again with the rest of them. "Sadie!" Gavin snapped, leaning down so no one would hear. "Luca told you to come to New York?" "Yeah, you said you wouldn't come out without me," I reminded him, and his face went pale, lips sealing tight. Then he shook his empty drink in his hand before taking off, leaving me there alone as he stalked to the bar for a refill.

He stalked right back over, taking his place next to me without a word. Completely ignoring me. "Sadie!" A familiar voice yelled, and I swung around, seeing a smiling Laurence waving. "See," Adam goaded. "Girl's like a fucking magnet." I squeezed Gavin's hand, but he didn't react- his eyes solely focused on Laurence. So we were back to this again, acting like a jerk for no good reason. No, he had a good reason- my dress, apparently. This was ridiculous. "Hi, Laurence!" I yelled back, walking away to greet him. Knowing good and well, it was going to piss Gavin off. "Where's Giorgia?" "Not here yet," he laughed to himself. "And it's pretty awkward here without her." "Awkward is exactly how I'm feeling too!" I gestured him towards the bar. "Care for a drink?" "Lead the way." I walked over, pouring him a drink before pouring one for myself. "I don't understand this family." I pushed the drink to my lips. "At least the men, Giorgia and Sofia, are wonderful." "I am quite fond of Giorgia!" He smiled down at me. "Which one are you with again? The one that told me he was going to kill me or the one that currently looks like he's going to kill me?" "The second," I laughed, not even needing to look behind me. "He's giving me the silent treatment right now." He chuckled, looking behind me before meeting my eyes. "I'm sure talking to me isn't helping." "Nope, but it beats the heck out of being ignored while his friends make condescending comments about me. Is his brother always such an ass?" "I don't know. I just met him the other day. Although he hasn't said more

than- I'm gonna fucking kill you," he started laughing just as the elevator chimed, the door sliding open, releasing Giorgia and Stella. And Giorgia immediately saw us, rushing right over, throwing her arms around me. "You look beautiful, Giorgia." "So do you! Where's Gav?" "Over there." I looked over my shoulder, seeing Luca and Adam cornering Gavin once again. "Just like the old days," she sighed. "Luca and Adam always dragging Gav around." She promptly turned back to Laurence, letting him scoop her up in his arms, kissing her like crazy. While I looked back over at Gavin, wishing he'd scoop me up the way Laurence had, instead, he was throwing back yet another shot with the guys. Ugh. I swallowed my pride and walked back over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "What!" He huffed, shaking me off. What the hell! "What?" I repeated, tugging at his shirt to get him to look down at me. "You done with Laurence?" His tone was so cold and indifferent. "Okay- enough! What's going on." I couldn't handle another night of this New York Gavin. "Why are you acting like this again!" "Me?" He scoffed, eyes rolling up- so condescending. "You're disrespecting me..." Oh my god, I was done with this disrespecting shit. "You've been giving me attitude since I walked out and the way you're letting Adam talk to you- to me!" "I told you he's just messing around, Sadie." He was still looking over me, refusing to meet my eyes. He was cool Gavin, didn't give a damn, Gavin. "They're being jerks and getting inside your head!" Why couldn't he see that? "Either you say something, or I will!"

"Relax!" He spat, shifting away from me. "Gavin," I pleaded, trying to herd him towards me. "Kiss me, wrap your arms around me, something." He swung an arm around my waist, stiff and forced, but I leaned into him anyways. "Don't ruin the night again. If this is about my phone, then I'm sorry." Two new guys pushed their way over to the group, and Luca waved Gavin over for another drink. And once again, I was reluctantly trailing him, just as I'd been doing all night. "Gav, you Ted and Liam," Luca boomed. "And that's Gav's girl Sadie." "What's up," Gavin greeted them coolly. Luckily they continued walking but not before I heard Adam calling over to them. "Gav's fucking San Diego Barbie." That was it! I yanked Gavin's arm, demanding he look at me. "Gavin! Why aren't you saying anything? I give you full permission to knock him out." He ignored me, walking away to the bar, pouring yet another drink, then walking back over, handing it to me as if I needed it. "Let's get out of here," I begged, ripping at the edges of his shirt. Being here was toxic. "How about the Empire State Building. We could look at the stars!" Something I said pained him, causing him to snatch the drink back out of my hands, downing it himself. "Then what about we sneak back to the bedroom? Are you up for proving yourself again?" I teased, hoping sex would be the remedy. But his eyes went even colder, narrowing to slits. "I don't need to prove shit." His tone was venomous. It was like normal Gavin had been switched off and asshole Gavin had taken his place. "What do you want, Gavin?" I lifted my hands to his arms, rubbing to calm

him down. "Stop whatever it is that's going through your head! Talk to me!" "My head?" He scoffed, rolling his face back to the bar. "I'm gonna get another drink." He took off, calling over to the guys while I stood alone in the corner. I watched him across the room, but suddenly Adam blocked my line of sight, staring at me, then looking over his shoulder right at Gavin, then back at me, striding over. "Where's Gavin?" He asked, obviously knowing the answer. "Grabbing a drink." Which you already knew because you were just looking at him. "That little shit has cleaned up nicely," he chuckled. "But don't let Gav fool you. He's still a fucking pussy. Always was, always will be," he bellowed, talking right into my cleavage as he swirled his drink in his hand. "I mean, who the fuck gets the coordinates to their parents' headstones tatted on their arm and those two fucking stars, Jesus," he screeched. "He's a real fucking piece of work sometimes." I looked to the floor, picturing Gavin's arm and the numbers on his bicep. "Those coordinates were for his parents?" I had no idea. Suddenly Adam was moving in closer, uncomfortably close, that sleazy grin even creepier, and then he swung his arm around my back. Shit. A shiver shot down my spine, my body instinctively stiffening, locking me to the floor. "You'd fit better with someone like me, a real fucking man," his whisper broke the fear, my body coming back under my control. A real fucking man, huh. I'd been around real fucking men like him, and I wasn't about to let him touch me. I leaned into him, making sure no one could hear. "Get your fucking hand off of me, and you can go to hell." I started to pull away but stopped, leaning right back over. "And if you talk about Gavin like that one more time, I will personally fucking destroy you in front of all your friends- I don't give a shit who you are." I ripped out of his grip, rushing away.

I gasped, skin-crawling from his touch, hands shaking, heart racing. I needed Gavin. I scanned the apartment, finding him, his eyes darting between Adam and me. He had seen everything, so why wasn't he storming over! Why wasn't he as irate as he usually was! Why wasn't he about to destroy Adam? More importantly, why wasn't he protecting me the way he always did? I hurried to him, watching as he downed the drink in his hand. His expression unreadable. "Gavin!" I threw my arms up, but he stepped back. "What the fuck was that?" He demanded, eyes focused over me. "Seriously! Gavin he-" I reached for him, only to have him roll his face down, eying my hands with disgust. "What the fuck were you whispering to him, Sadie? And what the fuck were you smiling about!" He started shaking his head, scoffing, accusing. "I knew it, I fucking knew it. They were right." "What? Who was right?" What was happening! He was still staring over me, talking to himself. "And letting him put his arm around you like that, in front of everybody!" Letting him? "You think I let him touch me? Do you hear yourself right now? Gavin, look at me." The tears were building, wetting my lashes. He rolled his eyes dramatically, landing them right on mine. "I'm sure you fucking enjoyed it. Done with me anyways." He yelled, drawing attention from around the room. "How can you say that to me!" I searched his bloodshot eyes, reaching for his hand- that he yanked away. "Jesus Christ, Sadie, you think I'm fucking blind. I saw the way you two were whispering and the way you fucking looked at Laurence. I should have fucking listened before losing everything, again." His eyes were black, stormy, staring right at me but still not seeing me. A tear escaped, followed by a rush of anger. He wasn't listening to me. I was alone here, having to deal with him and Adam with no one to turn to. "I

don't understand. I don't know what you're talking about! Why are you doing this? Stop whatever it is that's running through your mind!" "Shut, the fuck, up, Sadie!" He screamed, hurling the words like glass, while I flinched to avoid them. "Just shut up!" I was stunned, speechless, standing there, eyes brimming with tears, feeling every stare in the room on us- on me. "Gavin?" He shook his head, raising his hands, making me flinch again. "I'm tired of this mind fuck! You, what they're saying, everyone fucking gawking at you, and I don't trust you not to-" He trailed off, eyes roaming the room. "You don't trust me not to what?" "Just go to my room," he scolded, waving me off like I was nothing. "I'll be in later, go." "What!" I didn't recognize the wild anger in his eyes or the way he hurled those words at me with no remorse. He was cold, blinded to the fact that he was screaming at me in front of everyone, including his family. He threw his hands to his face, bolting away, leaving me in the center of the storm- meeting all the eyes that were on me. I'd never been so embarrassed. I wasn't this girl- not anymore. My feet were in motion, maneuvering through the room to the back hall. No! I couldn't be here at all! The air was stifling, toxic. I rushed to the elevator, palm smacking the call button, door opening a second later. I stumbled in, barely able to stand, forced to face my fuzzy reflection in the closing door- a distraught beautiful woman with tears streaming down her cheeks. I didn't recognize her. The door opened again and I stepped out into the lobby, trying to keep my tears at bay as I rushed past security and the doorman. "You forgot your coat, miss," one of them called as I ran. "I don't need it!" My blood was boiling.

"It's snowing out there- and it's almost midnight. You can't go out there like that!" He continued yelling. "I just need some fresh air. I'll be back in a minute." "Miss, you can't-" His words were but a whisper as I flew through the doors. "Miss!" He screamed after me, but I kept on running. It was dark, the streets quiet, snow flurries hitting my face as I ran across the slippery road, straight onto the trail leading into Central Park. "You're not going alone, are you!" I didn't turn back, continuing into the park, walking as fast as I could.

Chapter 25

My feet were numb, teeth chattering from the cold as I continued walking the dark, murky paths, ignoring the catcalls and scoffs from the other midnight park patrons as they ed me. I could only imagine what they must be thinking about the woman crying in a dress- walking the park at midnight. I was trapped in some alternate reality. Away, from the beaches and the protective man who worshipped me. Instead, I was escaping from that same man who was now indifferent, cold, screaming at me. This was a sign, another sign that I wasn't listening to. I was delusional to think this could be a real relationship. I didn't even know Gavin, at least this version of him. What had gotten into him tonight? I needed him, and he accused me of being the perpetrator! Then his screaming. I had dealt with this before and wasn't about to deal with it again. Who knew that his tantrum last night was just the prelude for tonight. Maybe I had built him up to be something he wasn't. Blinded myself by the amazing sex and ignoring everything else, like the fact that he was only twenty-three. He hadn't even graduated college yet. A deep chill shot through my body, the shivering now uncontrollable, shaking me. It was freezing out here- I should have grabbed my coat. I started walking faster, but instead of warming up, I only got colder, while the sky seemed to only grow darker, the trees denser, the walkways turning ominous. I needed to find my way back. I continued down the barely lit sidewalk, shivers turning to convulsions under the heavy snowfall. The anger and embarrassment dulling only so the anxiety and fear could creep in. Which way was back? I looked up for a landmark or a sign, anything to point me in the right direction, except all I saw, were trees. This park had seemed so well marked earlier, now nothing made sense. I was lost. Every breath was like a cloud of smoke, and I couldn't stop the tremors quaking down my spine, reminding me of how cold it actually was. It was

pitch black, freezing, and I was alone. My chest tightened, straining my lungs, breaths forced. Why did I walk so far? This was a bad idea- A very bad idea. All the trees and trails looked the same, especially in the cover of this light snow. Where was the freaking exit? I felt the hysteria, the buildup of everything tonight, and now being lost in this maze. This was stupid. I shouldn't have run. What the hell was I thinking! I should have just gone to a bar! There had to be police somewhere, right, someone who could show me the way out of this park. Or a stranger, one of the faces lurking here in the dark. But every stranger that ed felt more ominous than the last, all eying the woman walking through the falling snow in a damn skimpy dress and boots. This was not a good look for midnight in a park. I had to get out of here- I couldn't breathe, my chest was growing tighter by the second. Shit. I took another haggard breath, then another. The maze of trails finally opened up to a plaza- that was clear, no dense trees to hide scary shadows. I ran over, falling to the edge of the large fountain. I was freezing, scared, and now wet. I had to just suck up my fear and ask the next person I saw for directions- I had to. I was stronger than this. Pull it together, Sadie. You've been through worse. I stood back up, walking towards the main path, fighting the frigid wind that was trying to knock me off my balance. "Ex, cuse, me," I called to a woman rushing by, my teeth chattering uncontrollably. "How, do I, get back to the upper east side?" "The Upper East Side?" She repeated. "Terrace will take you there," she instructed before scurrying away. Where? And what the hell was Terrace! Shit! Don't cry, Sadie, don't cry anymore. I saw another man approaching in the distance, but even from here I could see him looking me up and down. Shit. I hurried back to the fountain, sitting on the edge once more, pulling my legs up, getting them out of the wet snow. Don't cry, Sadie. This is your fault. You chose to walk it off in the park. You could have just gone to the room like Gavin yelled at you to do. I was smarter than this. This wasn't me. Making stupid, rash, and irrational decisions was not me! Getting yelled at by my boyfriend was not me! I

wasn't this girl. I was strong and independent and took no shit from anyone! The tears burst, streaming down my frozen cheeks. I felt like a helpless, lost child, frozen and scared.

"SADIE!" I scrambled to my feet, searching for where the scream originated and seeing the tall figure in the distance, charging for me, stopping just short of knocking me over. Gavin! "What the fuck were you thinking!" He screamed again, his voice echoing off the fountain, making him seem even louder. "Do you have a fucking death wish! I was about to call the fucking cops. You don't have your goddamn phone, your purse, nothing!" He threw his hands to his hair. "Fuck, don't you understand what the hell could have happened to you out here!" He was still yelling at me, screaming as if I didn't realize what the fuck could have happened. His eyes shot down to mine for a split second before flashing back up towards the sky. "Arnie came up and told me that you took off to the fucking park in the middle of the fucking night by yourself without even a goddamn jacket. Fuck! What were you thinking! This isn't San Diego, Sadie. This is New York, New Goddamn York- shit happens here. You can't just fucking take off like that. Fuck! I've been searching this goddamn park for over an hour!" I lost it, too much yelling, too much fear, too cold. I couldn't hold it in, the tears bursting from my eyes, streaming down my frozen cheeks. I just wanted to go home. "Plea-se-stop," I begged, raising my shaking hands to my face, hiding the tears. "Jesus, Sadie, you're freezing." His jacket fell over my shoulders, then his hands slipped under my knees, scooping me up, cradling me in his arms. "Are you okay?" He asked, curling me tighter to him. "Did anything happen?" "I'm, okay." I pulled the jacket over my face, burying deep into it, feeling his chin pressing against my hair, his chest rising against me as he breathed

me in. "Fuck," he groaned, and for a second, I thought I heard him cry. "Fuck, it's okay, Baby," he sighed, finally not yelling. "It's okay. I've got you." He carried me in silence for what seemed like an eternity, but soon enough, I heard the cars and bustle of late-night pedestrians around us. Then I was hit with a gust, followed by a blanket of heat, ahh. I twisted my face over, seeing the chandelier in the lobby. Thank god. Then I heard the elevator chime and a minute later Gavin stepped into the apartment, carrying me towards his room. "Put me down." I cleared my throat, pulling my face away from the jacket. "Let me get you to the bed, Baby. You're freezing." "Please put me down, Gavin!" I insisted, wriggling free, so he reluctantly lowered my feet to the floor, my body shivering the second he let me go. I backed up, pushing the door open behind me and stopping in the doorway, blocking him from following. "I want to sleep alone tonight." His eyes went wide, hands flying up, gesturing wildly. "What! Are you fucking crazy? Do you know the shit I went through tonight!" Him? Him! "No, Gavin! Do you know what shit I went through tonight!" I tried to control my rising anger and the rise of tears threatening to break free again. "You have been yelling at me all night! I came to you because your creep friend was not only getting a little too comfortable with me but talking shit, and what did you do? You screamed at me- told me to shut the fuck up and go to your room." I wiped away the escaping tears. "How could you do that to me? Why did you do that to me!" I cried. "You embarrassed and demeaned me in front of your family and friends. You chose that jackass over me, and you told me to shut up, Gavin. Did you bring me to New York for this? To berate me? To break my heart?" "You-" he started, hand rubbing his face. "I left." I finished for him. "I needed fresh air, and it was a stupid and scary decision. But I had to leave. I couldn't be around you anymore. I have nobody here, Gavin- just you, and you abandoned me. You've done nothing

but ignore, scream, and hurt me all night! You were the one man I trusted, the one man I finally let in, and this is what happens." "I thought you-" he started again. "And I thought I knew you, but I don't know this New York Gavin." I took another deep breath, trying to control the hysteria. "I'm scared, I'm sad, I'm broken, and I'm freezing. I just want to go to bed and wake up tomorrow." "Let me hold you at least," he groaned, reaching for my hand. "I was scared too." "No!" I smacked my cheek again, wiping the tears that were rolling down before looking back up- directly into his eyes. "You are what I'm scared of." I slammed the door, locking it behind me, rushing into the bathroom, and locking that door as well before starting the shower. I stood under the hot water for far too long. Listening to his pounding at the door eventually fade into knocking which eventually faded to footsteps shuffling away down the hall. I would leave first thing in the morning.

Chapter 26

I flipped my phone in my hands, ignoring the messages from Gavin, focusing solely on the time, 7:01 am. It was only 4 am back home, but I was wide awake. I hadn't slept a wink, instead, I tossed and turned, fighting the tears that flowed all night. At least it was finally a decent hour, and the sun had risen, which meant I could leave. I grabbed my jeans on my into the bathroom to start the shower. I stood in there for a while- just as I had last night, letting the water pour over my swollen eyes. In just a few minutes, I'd be saying goodbye to Gavin and finishing this trip alone. I got dressed, packed up, and wheeled my suitcase to the door, reaching for the knob just as someone knocked on the other side. He must have been waiting. I pulled the door open, meeting Gavin's bloodshot and swollen eyes that immediately dropped to the suitcase in my hand. "You're leaving?" His voice was weak, scratchy. "I am." His eyes rolled back up, meeting mine. "But the flight's not until tomorrow." "I know. I'm going to stay at a hotel today and head to the airport tomorrow." I was trying not to cry, although I'm not sure there were even any tears left. "You can't just fucking leave," he groaned, eyelids sinking shut while his shoulders caved in. "I'm so sorry, Sadie, you have no idea." "I can't be here anymore, Gavin. I don't know who you are, and I don't want to be around these friends of yours. The way you let them talk about me and then the way you talked to me." I felt the tears brewing again. "I trusted you- I loved you."

"I know!" He bellowed, hands out for mine. "Fuck, I know. I'll never-" "Stop." I raised my hand, pushing the suitcase out in front of me. "Sadie, I'm sorry. I love you," he pleaded desperately. "No, Gavin, you don't know what love is. Love isn't letting someone berate your girlfriend. Love isn't letting someone touch her and then blame her for it. Love isn't leaving her alone and then blowing her off when she needs you the most, and love sure as hell isn't screaming at her!" The tears were falling heavy now. "I need to leave, Gavin. My heart can't be here right now- it's broken into a million little pieces. Shattered, actually." I pushed past him, racing down the hall to the elevator. "Where are you going?" He called, turning to face me but not moving any closer. "I don't know." I had no idea where I was going, only that I had to get out of here. "I'll figure it out." "It's still snowing. Do you at least have your coat?" The elevator door slid open, so I stepped inside, not bothering to answer him. And before I knew it, the door was sliding back open, releasing me to the lobby. Now what? I continued out to the street, looking up, then down. I wasn't sure if I should hail a cab or just trudge through the snow. I didn't even know where to go. The only hotel I knew was The Plaza, which was way out of my budget. I started walking, grabbing a mocha on my way, and sitting at the shop's outside table, staring across at The Plaza. Maybe I should take the plunge, a silver lining on a disastrous trip. It couldn't be much more than I'd have to spend at any of the other hotels nearby anyways. So I crossed the street, walking up the infamous red steps, through the doors, and into the grand lobby- smiling for the first time since yesterday. The hotel was everything I imagined it would be, and I walked straight to the check-in counter. "Are there any rooms available today?" "Let me see," the woman replied, typing away into her computer. "Yes, we do have some availability. Can I get your name?"

"Sadie Jones." "Welcome, Ms. Jones. I have your reservation right here, for one of the Edwardian Suites." My- no- "Suite? No, I definitely can't do a suite. Do you have any regular rooms?" "Your reservation was already confirmed and paid. Are you sure you want to switch rooms? This suite is lovely and faces the Tiffany building." What? "I'm sorry, my reservation?" "Sadie Jones, with an address in San Diego, California?" "Yes, but I-" Gavin. "Does it say when the reservation was made?" "Twenty minutes ago, ma'am, as well as an upgrade for early check-in." Of course it was, but how did he know I'd come here. I didn't want to take the room, especially since he paid, but you know whatit was the least he could do. I showed the woman my driver's license, and she, in turn, handed me a room key while pointing me towards the elevator. "Thank you!" I took the elevator up, stepped out onto the floor, and walked to the room, sliding the key in- opening the door to an expansive suite. Whoa! I dropped my bag in the main room, continuing past the bedroom door to see the view. The Tiffany building was right across the way. Thank god, too, because I don't think I could've handled staring out at the park. I walked into the bedroom, falling back onto the fluffy bed. I'd just rent a movie and stay in all day. No! I was not going to waste my last day in New York moping! There was still a list of places I wanted to see. I wasn't going to let Gavin nor the snow bring me down- at least not today. So, I rolled right back up, taking my coat with me on my way out the door to the lobby. The doorman held the door, waving me outside, and I walked out, stopping on the top step to pull my coat on before starting down the steps. "Sadie." The voice was calm, the man below rising from the bottom step he

was perched on, sheepishly meeting my eyes. "Will you give me an hour? Then I'll bring you back here." This was the problem with the room- he knew where to find me. "How long have you been out here?" "Just walked up." "And what if I never came out?" "I would have left. I don't wanna force you to hear me out. But I would like to take you somewhere." I could see the remorse in his face and hear it in his voice. "Okay, but Gavin, I'm still coming back here. I'm not going home with you." The damage had been done. "I know." He threw his hand up to hail a cab. "Where are we going?" The cab pulled up, and Gavin held the door, urging me to get in first. "4902 Laurel Hill Boulevard, Woodside," he called to the driver as I settled into the seat opposite him. How was it that just yesterday, less than twenty-four hours ago, we were intimate in a taxi, and now we sat against opposite windows, in silence? He didn't tell me where we were going, other than the address, which meant nothing to me, and the drive was longer than I expected, not to mention that I had to close my eyes as we went over an unexpected bridge, taking us away from Manhattan. Then I saw the graves lining the drive beside the large mausoleums as we pulled into the cemetery. The car stopped, so I opened my door, meeting Gavin, who gestured for me to follow him. "Give us an hour," he instructed the driver while handing him some cash. We walked a winding sidewalk before Gavin finally stopped, turning to face two headstones. "Sadie, these are my parents Eleanora and Vincenzo Romano." He bent down, even with the graves. "I haven't been here in a

long while. I'm sorry," he whispered to them as he cleared the snow and debris away from their headstones. "Come on," he mumbled back to me, straightening and walking over to a nearby bench. I sat next to him, watching him stare ahead at his parents. "I saw them one day, and the next they were here," he started. "I was just a kid in my first year of middle school. My mamma was amazing. She cooked dinner every night, and we were the only family in the building that didn't have a fucking nanny. She did everything. My papà had his own company, but he was still around all the time. He was a good guy. Giorgia had gone off to NYU when I was ten, so I was basically an only child the last few years before they died." He paused, taking a moment, looking around the cemetery, then down to his hands as he continued. "Luca took me in, became my guardian. He had to, and I'm sure the money I came with persuaded him a bit, but regardless he took me in and bought that apartment, so I could stay near my friends and my school. But he didn't know what to do with me, fuck I don't even think he wanted me." He looked over at me then back to the graves. "Luca and Adam grew up together, both Wall Street assholes. So many fucking women, drugs, drinking. I was too young to be around all that shit. One night when they were drunk, Luca told them all about how I still came here and how I watched the stars. I was just a fucking kid. They told me what a pussy I was, that I needed to man up and get over it- I was a chump. My parents weren't coming back, grow up." He swiped a tear from his cheek. "I was only twelve, Sadie. My whole world had just been fucking ripped away- my family was broken. I had nobody- literally nobody." He shivered, rolling his eyes back up to the sky. "Luca and Adam took me to bars, clubs, taught me investing and day trading. I was their underdog, their fucking minion. I got older, their girls started noticing me, I was fucking killing it in the market, and Adam didn't like that. I didn't really realize that until last night. I just," he paused, taking a deep breath. "After my parents died, I had this huge fucking emptiness, and all I had for a while were Luca, Adam, and their buddies. Luca's the closest thing I have to a father, and I learned a while ago to keep my mouth shut around them." Luca had raised him, Luca, and those shitty friends. I'd been bullied before, and I knew how that stayed with you. How when you let the fear in, it could easily take control. Gavin had grown up in a frat house. No wonder his communication was so physical. All he ever saw was a revolving door of

women. He never saw relationships- only sex. And he always saw the women leaving. He pushed his face down into his hands, continuing. "They were saying some shit to me last night, fucking with me, about you leaving, and the thought that they were right, and that I'd lose the one thing I loved- really fucked with me. I'm sorry, Sadie. I'm so sorry I couldn't block it out. I let all my fucking insecurities take over. Fuck, the thought of going through losing you was-" he squeezed his hands tighter against his face. "Last night when Arnie told me you ran into the park- I, I can't even fucking begin to tell you how scared I was, or what was going through my head. Then when I saw you- I know I was saying more fucked up shit, but I was just so mad at myself and scared and fucking relieved." He lifted his face up, his eyes meeting mine. "When you said you were scared of me, shit, it fucking destroyed me. But you were right, all the shit I let slide and then, fuck, I don't even want to think about the rest. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. To have the one person on this fucking planet that I wanna protect, tell me she's scared of me." He turned his face away, looking toward the sky, hiding the tear rolling down his cheek. "I fucked up, no excuses." He cleared his throat, discreetly trying to wipe the tears. "Um, thanks for coming here with me. I'm usually up here alone." "Gavin, why are you so afraid of losing me? I don't understand. You have everything." "What's your definition of everything?" He looked over, studying my face. "Why wouldn't I be afraid of losing you? Grant's giving you ultimatums; you hate that I'm so much younger, and I have to pretend I don't know you. I'm constantly fighting to have all of you." He looked so strong and arrogant. Everything from his face, his body, those dark eyes, the tattoos, and his dirty mouth screamed cocky. I never thought he'd feel insecure. "I chose you over my own child. Why would I do that if I didn't love you with everything I had? We can't go down this path every time you feel like this. You can't hurt me because you're afraid I'm going to hurt you first." I looked him right in the eyes. "You either love me enough to deal with your insecurities, or you respect me enough to break it off now and spare me from any more of this."

He stood up abruptly, brushing off the flurries from his jacket before wiping his tears away. "The hour's almost up. Time to get you back."

Chapter 27

Gavin was quiet on the drive back, staring out his window, lost in something while I sat on the opposite side. We were two strangers sharing a ride, nothing more. The cab finally pulled up to the hotel, a doorman immediately swinging my door open. I wasn't sure what to say, or what to do so I just got out. "If I call you later, will you answer?" He asked. I nodded back. "Yes." "I have some shit I have to handle. I'll call you tonight." "Okay." He reached for my hand, the touch sending a current through my veins. "If you need anything, call me. And Sadie, please take a cab. Do not attempt the fucking subway." I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Okay." I stepped out of the car, watching as they drove away. I had the entire day left to tour New York alone, so I jumped to the curb, raising my hand just as Gavin had and hopping into the first cab. "Nine Eleven Memorial, please."

The flurries and clouds from the morning had given way to the sun and now that had started to set. Today had been good. I'd toured the memorial and museum, walked to the Brooklyn Bridge but didn't actually step foot on it, and ended at Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. Then I decided to pop into a cafe across from the park to watch the sun set over the water. It was the peace I needed after such a crazy night. In fact, this entire day had been what I needed, clarity after the storm. I was still conflicted about Gavin, hating him for what he put me through

last night- the pain he inflicted. But the thought of saying goodbye to him was just as painful. He had a complicated heart- a complicated life, one I'd never understand because I hadn't lived it. I pulled out my phone, checking for his call, nothing yet. The sky grew darker, another reminder of last night, one I wasn't ready to , so I hailed a cab. "The Plaza, please." I ducked into the seat and we took off into traffic, skyscrapers lining the streets, illuminating the dark sky. The city was so bright, even at night. "Excuse me," I called to the driver. "Is the Empire State Building still open?" "Yup, till two A.M.," he called back. "Can you take me there instead?" I bet the view was beautiful tonight, and another distraction would be nice. He continued up the city, eventually pulling to the curb in front of the tower. "Thanks!" I stepped out, making my way into the building. It was empty tonight, barely a line for tickets or to get to the main elevators. And I was soaring up the building and exiting the elevator before I knew it. I walked straight outside, breathless from the beauty of the city. I'd gone from being lost in the maze down there to standing in the clouds above it. I walked the perimeter of the deck, dragging my hand along the railing. All of New York was lit up, street lights, sky-rises, apartments, businesses, stars, everything. My path ahead was blocked by another lone soul hunched over the railing, head up towards the sky while he flipped a phone in his hands... wait! No! It couldn't be. It was. I slunk back, watching him, his head falling to his hands, then flipping back up, staring off in the distance. He was just as calm as he'd been at the cemetery. Then he rolled his face back up to the stars, sinking his eyes shut. I moved closer, that pull between us too strong to resist. "I didn't think we were going to re-enact any movie scenes." He jumped, stumbled, phone flying, head whipping, face like a ghost, staring at me in suspended motion. "Sadie?" He bent to the ground,

scooping up his phone before fumbling forward, blinking his eyes like he was making sure it was me. "What, what, are you doing here?" His eyes were locked wide, just staring. "I was on my way back to the hotel, thought I'd come up and see New York one last time. What are you doing here?" I asked without thinking. You could see every star in the sky tonight. He wanted to be close to the stars. "I came up here to think," he sighed, rubbing the edge of his hand over his swollen eye. "To get some guidance, try to figure out what to say when I called you, how to fix this." "Did you figure it out?" He shook his head no. "But you showed up. How's that for fucking guidance." I turned away, grabbing for the railing, staring out at the skyline. "What did you do today?" He stepped up next to me, staring just as I was. "I had to take care of some stuff. Fix some shit and say my goodbyes before I left." "Do you want to know where I went?" "No," he mumbled. "Sorry, I don't wanna think about you out there without me today or what I missed." He suddenly dropped his hand over mine, his touch searing my skin- forcing me to fight every urge to spin around and wrap my arms around him. "I didn't plan on having a fucking breakdown on this trip. I thought it'd be partying and you in my bed. But as shitty as it was- it was good for me." His eyes were on me, waiting for me to acknowledge him, so I did, tilting my face up to meet his. "I'm so sorry, Sadie. I don't want to lose you. You have no idea how much I love you, how much you mean to me- regardless of my shit last night. I don't know what to do- I've never loved anyone before- I've never been in this situation. Whatever you want- I'll give it to you. What can I say to make this better? Please, anything!" He pleaded, his strong grip on my hand wavering with his words. "I don't wanna spend another night alone. I'll sleep on the couch. I don't fucking care as long as I know you're there with me."

I didn't want to be alone either. "Well, you paid for the room." "I paid because you didn't plan on staying there, and New York's fucking expensive. It was the right thing to do. If you don't want-" I placed my other hand over his, entwining our fingers. "You can come back with me." He let out the heaviest, most dramatic sigh I'd ever heard. "Sadie, Baby- I wanna kiss you, please." I nodded, keeping my head up, watching his face as he lowered it to mine. "I take back what I said earlier," he whispered against my lips. "I don't wanna sleep on the fucking couch."

Chapter 28

We took the elevator down, our hands entwined, yet souls still distant and each of us quiet. He led the way out, guiding me to an awaiting taxi, holding the door for me while I slipped in, then he followed. "The Plaza," he instructed the driver before setting his gaze on me. "I've never actually stayed there." I smiled up at him, meeting the uncertainty in his eyes. "Then I guess you get to play tourist too." I scooted closer, resting my head against his arm and feeling his head drop against mine. The taxi pulled up, the doorman once again opening the door for me- only this time Gavin followed me out. I caught a glimpse of the park across the street, the trees, and their shadows- my skin instantly prickling. Then Gavin's hand was enveloping mine, whisking me away from the view and up the steps into the hotel lobby. We were quiet, walking in silence to the elevator, even quieter as he followed me down the hall to the room door. "This is it." I pushed the key in, and his arm shot out, holding the door open for me, so I walked inside, shaking off my coat while watching him tour the room. "It's nice." He folded his jacket over a chair he ed. "Yeah," I called back automatically. "And it overlooks the Tiffany building." He turned to face me, continuing over to the couch and taking a seat on the table in front of it. "Sit, please." He pointed to the cushion across from him, keeping his eyes on me while I followed him over, knees knocking his as I sat. "Sadie," he sighed, staring at me with deep, dark eyes. "You have no idea how sorry I am. I don't ever want you to feel like that again. I love you more than anything in this whole goddamn world and would do anything to rewind this trip. I don't want you to have any of those fucking memories. I

keep thinking about everything I said and what I did and didn't fucking do, and it kills me. I'm so sorry." He reached for my hands, grasping them tight. I knew he was sorry. It didn't erase or negate what had happened, but at least now I understood the why, and he was sincere. "I forgive you, Gavin, but I never want you to hurt me like that again." I leaned in until our faces touched. "And I love you too." "I don't wanna push you tonight," he whispered, eyes averting mine. "If-" He apologized, I forgave- but they were only words. He needed more. He needed a guarantee, to feel that our connection was still strong. It wasn't a reward for how he treated me, and it wasn't a win- it was an apology, a promise that he loved me, and a hope that I still loved him too. "Gavin, take me to bed." His arms wrapped around my back, sliding me over and onto his lap. "Are you sure, Baby?" I looked up, nodding yes- his hands immediately gripping my thighs, keeping me tight against him as he stood up, carrying me to the bed. Then he lowered me to my feet, fingers already bunching my shirt, carefully guiding it up my arms, dropping it to the floor, and starting for my jeans, but I slid my hands under his sweater- gasping from the . I fiddled with the hem, lifting it- only his arms swooped down, tearing the sweater up his chest and over his head. My hands were shaky, fingers dusting up his muscles, tracing his stomach, his chest, his shoulder, drifting down his bicep to his ink, to the stars, then the coordinates. "Why didn't you tell me what these represented?" He shrugged, flexing his arms inadvertently. "I didn't wanna sound weak." He lifted his hand to my fingers, tracing the tattoo with me. "I got them before I left for San Diego, so I could take them with me." "Why would you think this made you weak?" He gave me a knowing look. Adam. Luca. Idiots. "They are hardly qualified to tell you what makes a man. This," I assured him, tracing them once

more. "Is incredibly sexy." He smiled back, hands drifting over me now, fingertips gliding their way to my back, unhooking the bra, guiding it down my arms. I saw the flinch in his pants, his arousal getting feisty. Normal Gavin would have already been inside me- but tonight, he was slow, taking his time. I liked it. "I didn't think I had any fantasies," I whispered up to him. "Like you with the nurse thing and the elevator. But this, this has always been a fantasy. Staying here, about to get in bed with the man I love, this is my fantasy. Right now- this moment." His grin relaxed, his hands growing braver, stepping up my stomach, inching their way to my chest. "What else is in this fantasy?" What else? "Well," I teased, feeling my real smile finally breaking through. "You would have walked in with a box from Tiffany." "I can arrange that." "I'm teasing." I looked up, enjoying his smile. "You would just tell me that you loved me- no- you would show me that you loved me." His thumb started circling my nipple, stirring more than just the sensitive bud. "I'll tell you how much I love you every damn day for the rest of my life, and as for show-" He stepped forward, making me step back, walking me to the edge of the bed, arms holding my back, lowering me down to the sheets, and hands hooking right over my pants, sliding them down in one swift move. Then he stood, hovering for a minute, sighing. "God, I'm a fucking idiot," he groaned, kicking his jeans down, stepping out, and climbing onto the bed over me. "I love you, Baby. I promise never to hurt you again." He was careful, his arms bracing the bed, entering me tediously slow, one gentle thrust at a time, all the while dipping his face, pressing his lips to my mouththe power of it all suddenly so overwhelming. It was different. We were different. Our kiss grew stronger, his tongue sweeping my mouth, dancing with minethe sex growing with it, his thrusts aiming deeper, filling all me, our bodies

becoming entwined, skin rubbing skin- no space between us. We weren't fucking for pleasure, and we weren't fucking to mask pain. We were, making love, absorbing each other to become one, reconnecting. I had all of him, and he had all of me. He dropped his face to my neck, breathing me in as he rocked, sliding his body over mine in rhythmic waves, grunting at the end of each thrust. "I, love, you." His hands searched the sheets for mine, molding to them. "Baby." His grip stiffened, chest rigid, hips rocking faster- crashing his lips back to mine as he came. And I cried. I didn't expect the tears, and I didn't expect it to be so powerful, but it was. His eyes finally opened, glancing at me, immediately lifting away. "Are you okay? Were you not ready? What's going on, Baby?" "It's nothing!" I shook my head, wiping the tears as fast as I could. I lied. It was everything. There was so much ion between us, so much need, so much that I couldn't explain- but knew I couldn't live without. He sat up, scooting against the headboard, pulling me up too, twisting me to face him. "You were wrong, you know," he whispered, fingers brushing my cheek, wiping away the remaining tears. "I know what love is, Sadie, and I also know what it feels like to lose everything you've ever loved. It's the scariest- worst fucking feeling, and you're never whole again. Loving you should be easy, it's not- I worry all the fucking time about losing you. And it felt too real this time. I let that panic blind me. It took me to a fucked up place, and I was selfish, trying to protect myself from the pain. But then seeing what I did to you, the shit I let slide, not being able to find you, and realizing I inflicted that shit- you have no idea." He tilted his head back, staring up at the ceiling before rolling his face back down. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I let it get that far." I nestled my face back against his chest. "I know." "Are you hungry, Baby?" His fingers started drawing circles on my back, lulling me to sleep.

"Not really." "I am. I'm gonna order some room service." He lunged for the phone, immediately listing off way too much food for two people, ending the order with a bottle of wine. "Wine?" I was hardly in the mood to drink. "I'm already pretty tired." "Who said the wine's for drinking?" He whispered, running his fingers down my chest now. "I'm about to upgrade your fantasy." "While we wait for that, I think I'm going to take a shower." A long hot shower. He stayed in bed, so I crawled off, making my way into the shower. I had hoped he would me, but he didn't, so I climbed out, cinching a towel over my chest. I walked back out, finding the room empty. "Gavin?" I continued out to the main room, seeing the white draped room service table with way too many silver serving dishes sitting on top of it. "I guess you were hungry," I laughed to myself, catching him from the corner of my eye. He walked over in boxers slung low around his waist, and a bottle of wine in his hand. "I plan on working up an appetite," he growled, and suddenly it felt as if all the heat in the room was directed right at me. Then he grabbed the knot in my towel, giving it a yank- sending it falling to the floor, my nipples immediately perking from the exposure. "Jesus." His eyes raced up and down my body, his hand captured mine, then I was being towed to the bedroom. "I don't do flowers to apologize- I can however, give you something else." He circled my naked body, appraising every last inch before stopping behind me, raising the wine bottle to the crook of my neck. I shivered, swallowing a gasp. "It might be cold, Baby." He tilted the glass over my shoulder, wine streaming over my collarbone.

"Shit!" I gasped again, arching back against him while his hot, heavy breathing streamed against my neck. He stepped in front of me now, clasping his hands around my hips, anchoring as he sank to his knees. I bit over my lip, waiting in anticipation as I watched his eyes up on me, and that tongue shooting out, lapping up the wine dripping down my thigh- dragging up my stomach, finally landing on my breasts, sucking each nipple dry. "Oh god." I trembled- the cool wine, his warm tongue, both colliding against my skin- the sensations becoming too much. "Gavin." He stood, watching me as he raised the bottle over my shoulder, tipping it over my back. "Shit." I stilled, feeling every drop of the liquid running down. "Turn around, Baby!" He twisted my hips, turning me towards the wallwhile he dropped behind me. His tongue smacked the back of my leg, licking its way up my thigh, fingers digging into my hips, steadying me from the writhing I didn't realize I was doing. He was getting close- I stiffened, waiting- feeling the slap of his tongue on my ass, dragging up the cheek, continuing up my back. "Gavin." I was quivering, trembling. He spun me, dipping me right onto the bed, pulling my thighs apartpushing his face between them- looking up at me while shooting his arm over, picking the bottle back up, oh damn. And he tipped the bottle over me, wine streaming down my center. "G- avin." Oh god. It was an avalanche- the wine, his tongue, his lips- that mouth. Licking me up and down, lapping the wine, sucking me dry- a feeding frenzy. "Shit." I slammed my eyes shut, writhing, arching my hips against the pleasure he was unleashing, against his tongue begging for forgiveness in the best possible way. "Gavin!" Shit, shit, I, oh fuck. I frantically grabbed at the sheets, thrashing, ripping- trying to free myself from the eruption that was two seconds away. His fingers dug back into my hips, trying to hold me down. Fuck, it was too much. "Ohhh, fuck, fuck."

He grunted, hot breath shooting through me like a lightning bolt. "Fuck, Baby-" he sprung up, rising over me, his erection in full view- then disappearing- slamming inside me. "Shit." My hands flew from the sheets to his back, nails clawing mercilessly as the orgasm exploded, twinges ricocheting nerve to nerve, shutting my whole body down. "Fuck!" He thrust once more before collapsing against my chest. "I wanted you to come from my tongue, Baby. You can't scream fuck like that- you have no idea what it does to me." "Sorry," I mumbled, enjoying the tiny sensations rippling through my core. "I didn't know I said it. I wasn't quite all there." He rolled over, pulling me into his arm, so I nestled into his chest, feeling his heart beating, rhythmically and soft. "We should eat." He rose, taking me with him. "Dinner's waiting." He bent over, grabbing his shirt from the floor and handing it to me. "I have my stuff here, ." I pushed it away, starting for my bag. "My suitcase is right over there." "I know, Baby, but all I've been thinking about is when you came out in my shirt the other morning." He handed it to me again, insisting, so I took it, sliding the sleeves on and pulling the shirt over my chest before following him out to the couch. He sank down, immediately throwing the lid off one of the dishes and digging into it while I sat down next to him, watching. Then he powered on the TV, staring at the screen, but he must have felt me looking because he turned to me with a smile. "What, Baby?" "I was just thinking about where we'd be right now if I hadn't stopped at the Empire State Building on my way back, or if you hadn't been there. I'd probably be here, in bed alone- none of this might have happened. We might not have been okay." I fluffed up the pillow next to me, snuggling into it. He set his fork down, thinking for a moment, smiling over. "I guess the stars

must have aligned."

Chapter 29

"Baby, Baby," Gavin's voice, whispering while shaking me, then lips smashing into my mouth. "Wake up, Sadie." I blinked, waking to Gavin's face inches above mine. "It's time to go. We don't wanna miss our flight!" Huh? I looked around the room, not ing anything after the couch last night. "Did I out?" "Yeah, you were tired," he sighed, stroking my cheek, brushing the loose hair aside. "I was." I yawned, rolling up from the sheets. "Sorry." "I was tired too, Baby. I finished eating and carried you back. You didn't miss anything." He stood, hand out for mine. "We have to get going. I still have to swing by the apartment to grab my stuff." Ugh, the apartment. I had no interest in ever going back there again. Especially today, the memories were too fresh. "I don't want to go back there, Gavin." I hesitated giving him my hand, leaving his suspended between us. "Only for a second, Luca won't be there- he's at work." "It only takes a second for the memories to come back, and I'm trying hard to block them away. I don't want to hear what those walls will remind me of." It was too late though, the memories unleashed, his scream echoing behind my ears. "Okay, okay." He captured my hand, lifting me from the bed. "I'll just run in. You wait in the car."

We were in the cab for what felt like only minutes before pulling up to Luca's apartment building, and Gavin took off, racing past the doorman, who looked back to the car, noticing me. So embarrassing, he must think I'm such an idiot. Who would have thought that the older I got, the more drama I'd have. He waved, making his way to the car. Great. I really wasn't in the mood to explain or relive anything. He bent down to my window, tapping the glass for me to roll it down. "Glad to see you're okay, miss." "Yeah, sorry about being rude to you the other night." "It's okay, haven't had a wild night like that in a while. It was a treat seeing Mr. Cohen get pummeled." "What? Mr. Cohen?" "Oh yeah, Gavin knocked him out something fierce." Gavin knocked him out. "Who's Mr. Cohen? Adam?" "That's right-" he rolled his eyes. "I've been waiting years for someone to put him in his place. I'm just glad it was upstairs and not down here- would have lost my job for letting it happen." Gavin rushed out behind him, racing to the car. "See you later, Arnie!" He tossed his suitcase into the trunk, shook Arnie's hand, then dropped into the cab, giving the driver the okay to take off. "Gavin, what happened after I left the other night? Before you went to the park?" "I don't wanna talk about that shit right now, Baby," he grumbled, sliding his hand to my knee. "What happened with Adam?" I demanded. "Why are you asking? Did Arnie say something?"

"Gavin!" "He got what he deserved," he shrugged, rolling his face towards the window. "Fuck, it was only a piece of what he deserved. I shouldn't have hit him- I know, but I was pissed, and he wouldn't let up." "Is that what you handled yesterday?" "I had to handle a bunch of shit, Baby. We can talk about it later. The memories are hard for me too." "Gavin-" I rested my hand over his. "You shouldn't have hit him, but I'm really happy you did." He laughed, throwing his arm over my shoulder, squeezing me into his side. "Now tell me all about your day yesterday, Baby." We talked for the rest of the drive, up until the cab stopped at the departures terminal. This was it. We were finally heading home. Gavin wheeled our luggage in, exchanging it for our tickets, before leading me to the security line. "You're wearing something under that jacket, right?" He teased, eyes playfully roaming my body. "Yes, I ed." "And what about.." He lowered his face to my hair. "Starting our flight like we did last time?" I thought for a moment. "How about I just kiss you?" He stared, waiting to see if I was joking. "Kiss?" He repeated, disappointment etched across his features. "Of course, Baby." Maybe I should have elaborated on where I was going to kiss him. We ed through security, ing the first-class boarding line at our gate. "Same plan as last time," I instructed, and he nodded yes.

We continued down the jet bridge, and just like last time I snuck into the lavatory while he continued to our seats to drop our bags, and seconds later, I heard the handle rattle. I unlocked, he pushed in, hands up to grab my face, but I twisted my head away. "I said I was going to kiss you." My hands curled over his zipper, tugging and rubbing his hardening length. "Wha-" his eyes followed me down, watching as I kissed his tip. "Holy fuck." He stiffened, surprised. I kissed his salty head, licked his smooth skin up and down, thoroughly soaking him before I plunged, sucking all of him into my throat. "Shit!" He gasped, hands flying to my hair. "Oh shit, Baby." He came, spurt after spurt, filling my mouth. That was fast, and this was gross... ew... I pulled myself up, tugging out the mini toothpaste and toothbrush from my back pocket. "No!" He laughed, shaking his head as he zipped his jeans. "You didn't!" "What? I'm not going six hours with this-" I motioned to my mouth. "I don't need to be filled with you literally head to toe." "I don't mind," he kept laughing, leaning in to kiss my nose before moving to the door. "Baby, that was fucking amazing." He disappeared while I finished brushing my teeth and counting to twenty, slipping out the door too. I took my seat, immediately fishing my phone from my purse so I could power it off- seeing a notification from Grant. "Grant text me!" I opened the message. Home early, going to come by tonight miss you mom. He missed me. Okay, you too. I hit send, pressing the phone to my chest. I missed him too, and we needed to talk. "What's going on?" Gavin asked, smirking at the phone over my heart. "Grant's coming by tonight!" I powered the phone off, stashing it away for the flight.

"Is he staying the night?" "I don't know." I shrugged as I rested my head against his arm. "Six more hours, and we're back to reality." "Yeah," he mumbled. "I've got finals and senior week coming up before graduation." I tried not to cringe at his words. That wasn't the reality I was talking about. I hadn't thought about Gavin and school this entire trip. Now here it was, a slap in the face back to reality.

Chapter 30

The cab turned down my street, parking at the curb. Home. I'd never been so happy to see my little place. I elbowed the door open, stretching my legs, thankful to be off that plane and out of the cab. "I'm gonna head to my condo." Gavin stepped out behind me, stretching his arms over his head on his way to the trunk. "Call me as soon as Grant leaves." "Okay." I started up the sidewalk, digging for my key- just as the front door swung open- with Grant bounding out. Oh shit! "Mom!" He jumped over, all smiles. "Where have you been?" Not again. "I, I, thought your message said you were coming by tonight?" He laughed. "I sent that text last night. Campus is still empty, and Berkeley stayed back with her dad." Then his gaze shot up behind me. "You've, got, to be kidding me! You're still seeing him!" Gavin set my suitcase at my feet. "Hey, Grant." Grant's eyes started flashing around like crazy- my suitcase, the cab, Gavin. "Wait, did you go somewhere with him? Didn't you hear anything I was saying to you! Or do you not care that he's going to bars and hooking up with other chicks!" Gavin snatched my hand, holding it tight- surely to be ive but it was the last thing I needed right now. "Get your hands off her, you creep!" Grant shouted, squaring off against Gavin. "I'm getting really sick of finding her with you!" "Grant." I wiggled my hand free from Gavin's, stepping between the two of them.

"I'm gonna go." Gavin stepped in, placing a kiss on the top of my head. "What did I just say!" Grant snapped, charging at Gavin, smacking his chest. "Stop, Grant!" I knew if he pushed Gavin too hard and Gavin hit back, then that would be the end. Thankfully Gavin just retreated, heading for the car. "How would you feel if your friend was fucking your mom!" Grant yelled. My head whipped towards Gavin as he swung around, fists balling at his sides. "I'm not your fucking friend," he spat, tearing the car door open, then slamming it shut after him. "Get in the house, Grant!" I herded him in, throwing my suitcase against the wall. "Why the hell would you say that! Gavin's mom died years ago! Do you realize how insensitive that was? Not to mention your language!" "Ah," he laughed. "He's got mommy issues. Now it all makes sense." "Knock it off, Grant. It's not like that." "How do you know? Or maybe you don't care, just like you didn't care about what he did behind your back." "Just stop, Grant! I've had a long week." "A week? With him? This is unbelievable. I came here to spend the last days of spring break with you, and you're out with him." I walked to the kitchen, swinging the fridge open for a water bottle. "We went to New York to spend time with his family." Even though we barely spent any actual time with them. He marched in after me, getting right in my face. "His family?" "Yes, Gavin's not going away, Grant. I love him, and I think it'll be much

easier for all of us once he graduates." "Graduates!" He bellowed, hands gesturing wildly. "Do you hear yourself? I want you to be happy, but he's not going to make you happy. You're just convenient for him now. What do you think is going to happen when he graduates and moves away or starts working and meets other older chicks?" I hadn't thought about that, but Gavin and I were different. Our love was different. "It's him or me! I'm serious this time. I hate that you're with him. I hate that I have to see him in class knowing, he's just been with you. Him or me!" He demanded, getting right back in my face. "If I let bullies force me into ultimatums, then you wouldn't be here right now, Grant!" The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I threw my hand to my mouth, shocked I'd let them slip. He stood there, color draining from his face. "You're, you're lying." I shook my head no. "I'm sorry. I never meant to say anything about it to you." He huffed, pushing past my shoulder, opening a drawer only to slam it shut. "What, he'd break up with you if you had me?" Luckily he wasn't looking me in the eye because I wasn't ready to give him the whole truth. "It- it was a little more serious than that. Your dad was not a good guy. When he found out I was pregnant he, he didn't take it very well. I left for Florida, stayed with my cousin until you were born. Then I brought you back to grandma and grandpa's house." He turned around, still not meeting my eyes. "Did he know about me? That you had me?" I had blocked this part of my life out so long ago, but the memories were still crippling. "I don't know, probably not. I made sure to stay away from him and his circle. I think he'd moved on by the time I moved back."

He walked past me without a word, taking a seat at the table, kicking the chair across from him to push it out for me to sit. "I didn't introduce you to any of the men I was seeing while you were growing up because I didn't trust that anyone was good enough for you." I sat down, resting my arms on the table. "I know this is weird, but Gavin's a good one. I've waited a long time to be this happy, and we can work something out. You don't have to see him." "Are you sure he's a good guy? Are you sure you're not just making yourself believe that?" "He's complicated but good." Which is exactly what I was too. He stewed there, scratching at his fingers. "Are you working tomorrow?" "I am." I had to make up for my time off. "Can we have dinner after work?" He finally smiled, that same smile he'd had since he was a baby. "Maybe you could cook like old times?" "Of course." "Want to watch a movie and just hang?" He looked hopeful for the first time in a while. "I'll make the popcorn!" I hopped over to the kitchen, grabbing a bag and my phone from my purse, powering it back on. "And," Grant called over. "Can we not talk about Gavin for the rest of the day!" I tossed the popcorn into the microwave, setting the timer. "Sure." I turned my back to him, typing quickly to Gavin. I'm sorry about what Grant said. We're spending the rest of the day together then dinner with him after work tomorrow. Call you tonight. Love you.

Grant decided to sleepover, and it was 10:30 pm by the time I got into my

room to call Gavin. "Hey, Baby." His voice was raspy. "Are you sleeping?" "No, just laying down." "So you're sleeping," I laughed. "I'll call you tomorrow." "No. I'm awake. Did he leave?" "No, he's staying over. Using his room for once." "Hmm, of course, he is." "I'm sorry for what he said to you earlier. We had a long talk, and I think maybe we made some progress." "What did you talk about?" "I told him about New York and that I wasn't doing an ultimatum." "Did you tell him everything about New York?" "No." Then I realized what he meant. "Oh god no, he would despise you, and I'd look stupid for staying-" The line went quiet. "-I'd look stupid for staying since he doesn't know the whole picture." "Can I see you tomorrow?" "I'm making dinner for Grant after work. He wants to spend some more time with me." "This is exactly what I was fucking talking about! The second he moves back in, I'll be out." "That's not going to happen, Gavin, we've just spent the last week together, and I haven't seen Grant in a while." "I'm tired, I'll call you in the morning."

"Okay, I love you." "Love you too, Baby." It wouldn't be like this when Grant moved in, would it? Of course it would be. There was no way I could have Gavin here with Grant in the next room or even in the same room, and the thought of them sitting together on the couch was almost comical. But there was no way I was about to give up Gavin for the summer. It was hard enough lying in this empty bed right now. I grabbed my phone back up, typing. Yes. And the second I hit send my phone was ringing. "Hello?" "Yes? As in I was right?" "Yes, as in I'll stay with you this summer or at least part of it. I want to be with you just as much as you want to be with me, don't forget that." There was a moment of silence, and I thought maybe we got disconnected. "Gavin?" "I'm here, Baby. This makes me really fucking happy." "Me too. I'll call you tomorrow. Love you." "You too, Baby."

Chapter 31

I snuck out of the house so I wouldn't wake Grant, subsequently leaving earlier than normal, which meant I had time for coffee- or- I could stop by and surprise Gavin. I told him I couldn't see him tonight- I didn't say anything about this morning. It was early, but I don't think he'd complain. I skipped valet, parking on the street instead and hurrying over to his building, taking the elevator up to his floor. The arrival chimes sent a gang of butterflies swarming the pit of my stomach. I'd never surprised him like this. My hand was up, hesitating for a split second before knocking. I waited, pushing my ear to the door, hearing nothing on the other side. He was a heavy sleeper, and he wasn't expecting me. "Gavin!" I knocked harder, hearing a squeak and rattle- behind me. Crap. I turned to the opening door, and a scowling older lady giving me the evil eye. "I'm sorry!" I whispered over, apologizing for waking her before the sun had even risen. "He's not home anyway, never is," she bellowed. "I think he's just sleeping- I forgot how early it was." She shook her head no, not believing me. "He went out about midnight. Trust me, I hear everything that goes on in this hall. He'll be back this afternoon for a bit before he heads out again." "Oh, okay." He went out at midnight? "Thanks, and sorry to wake you." She closed her door while I gave Gavin's one final knock. He really wasn't home. I thought he was tired last night. And what guys? Last time he went out with the guys, he kissed another girl. This was so weird. He lived two lives, one with me and the other at school with his friends. Did he always go out when he wasn't with me? I reluctantly started for the elevator, looking back over my shoulder every

few seconds. Why was this bothering me so much? He didn't need to tell me everywhere he went, and he knew I was going to sleep. Whose bed did he sleep in? Did he drive? What if he got in another accident and was at the hospital right now? Why hadn't he messaged me! I should call- ask him- but what if he didn't tell me the truth... I grumbled my way out of his building, driving on auto-pilot to the hospital, hustling through the doors, and seeing May in the distance, giving me a chirpy wave. So he obviously wasn't here, good. "Sadie!" Dr. Phillips waved, veering my way. "I need some help!" He threw his hands up, laughing to himself. "I've taken the wrong turn three times. Where is the cafeteria?" I having that same question when I started here. "First floor, east wing, kind of tucked away." "The last hospital I was at was half this size. I've spent twenty minutes walking in circles!" He strained his neck, looking in both directions before giving me a crooked smile. "I'll buy you breakfast if you walk me there." "No, sorry," I answered automatically, only to see the clock on the wall above us. I still had forty-five minutes to kill and hadn't had coffee this morning. "Actually, sure, I could use some coffee. This way." I led him from hall to hall, keeping a few steps ahead so it wouldn't be front-page news. "Here we go!" I held the door, welcoming him into the tiny eatery. "I'm presenting you at the Gala!" I followed in the line behind him, ordering my coffee while he grabbed a premade breakfast plate and paid. "That means you're going then." He pointed to the front table, sitting opposite me. "I guess so." I clasped my hands over the coffee mug, breathing in the steam. "Can't believe it's already here." "My old hospital was smaller, so they never had any kind of a gala. I'm excited, though. It'll get me out of my hotel room." "Hotel?"

He shrugged, picking at his plate as he continued. "I'm staying at a hotel for the time being until I get settled down here." "Room service and maid service- can't complain!" I teased, watching him as I lifted the mug for a sip. "My old hospital outside of Tucson was smaller too. This place can get overwhelming, but they do a lot in the community, and the new Hope Center is going to be incredible." "That's exactly why I'm here!" He smiled, dimples and all. "There's more opportunity, more involvement." "I heard all the major benefactors and community leaders will be at the gala. It'll be good for networking." "Is, Is your friend going? The one who was with you when I stitched you up." My friend? Oh. "Gavin? Yes, at least I think so. I'm not sure if he bought his ticket yet." "What about your friends here? May and the one who runs the desk." "Debbie, and yes, both going." He started chuckling. "That May's a funny one." "Yes, she is, and she's single if you're looking." I was her wing woman even outside of Vegas. "She made that known my first day here." I laughed with him. I could only imagine what she had said. "Just wait till the gala! She'll be playing matchmaker between you and every girl there." Every event at this hospital turned into a matchmaking service. "Every?" He repeated. "Yes- every, then it'll be all that's talked about for the next few weeks." "Some things never change, regardless of the hospital size."

"Nope!" I noticed the clock, not realizing how fast the time had gone. "I better get moving. My shift's starting soon." "If I don't see you around, then I'll see you Friday at the Gala." "Thanks for the coffee." I waved goodbye- suddenly being hit with a wave of guilt. It was only coffee and small talk, small talk that lasted thirty minutes. "Sadie's in!" May's yell echoed down the hall. "Sadie's in what?" I called back, parking my feet at the edge of the girls' huddle. "Girls night tomorrow!" May declared. "No excuses!" "I don't think so," I mumbled, reaching behind her for the folders on the desk. "I'm working the next morning." "Come on," she groaned. "Take a break from Gavin. I'm sure he still makes time for his boys." She was right, and the timing was perfect. "I'm in!" "That's what he said! Hey- oh!" "Funny." I bumped her shoulder, laughing at her ridiculous joke. "I'll pick you up at nine!" She bumped me back before taking off on her way.

The clock hit seven, and I was zipping out the door. It was just like old times, rushing home to make Grant dinner. Only now I had another worryGavin. I looked at my phone, only one text from him. A simple miss you Baby. That was it. We hadn't talked at all since last night, and all I get is one lousy message. I had to push him aside, focus on Grant first. I drove him, the routine all too familiar- rush to change, rush to the kitchen.

"What are you hungry for?" I asked, peering around the corner at him on the couch. "I can make your favorite casserole." "What about spaghetti?" It was so innocent, and yet it took everything inside of me to stop myself from laughing. "No, no spaghetti." "Fine, casserole," he shrugged, lounging back. Perfect and easy! I dumped all the ingredients in the pan and popped it into the oven. "I'll be right back out!" I closed my bedroom door behind me, dialing Gavin. "Hey, Baby." "Hi." "How was work?" "Good, how was your day?" How was last night... "Same ole, same ole. Some school shit, but that's about it." Huh. "What are you up to tonight?" "Not sure yet. But I can't wait to fucking see you tomorrow." "Oh shit, I can't do tomorrow." "Grant again? What the-" "No- girls night with the nurses." "Seriously?" He scoffed loud enough for me to hear. "Yeah, I haven't gone out with them in a while." I was hoping he'd say something about his guys' night, but he didn't. "Three fucking nights without you."

"Hey, did you ever buy a gala ticket? It's Friday, and I wasn't sure if you still wanted to go." "Of course I do. It's already taken care of." "Oh, okay." "Call me later, Baby. I'm gonna go grab dinner." "Sure." He hung up. Okay. Where was he grabbing dinner? Who was he grabbing it with? Not that I cared... I trusted him...

Chapter 32

I had two hours until May was knocking at my door to pick me up. Tonight was all about the girls- I was not going to waste another night thinking about what Gavin was up to without me. I'd been wrapped up in only him for too long, and this mini-break was needed- especially after New York. Now, what to wear? I sifted through my closet, finding all my standard stuff, except for, that. I grabbed out the black sleeveless bodysuit, the one I had called a bathing suit to the young salesgirl, and was so embarrassed that I ended up buying it. This thing had been hanging in my closet for months, tags still attached. It was way too sexy for a bar, yet absolutely perfect at the same time! I squeezed it on- barely. It was like skimpy second skin, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. My skinny jeans were next, followed by my heels. Quite the transformation from the scrubs I'd been in all day. I started for the mirror- whoa. The deep plunge of the suit seriously left nothing to the imagination- my breasts were spilling out the middle- not to mention my nipples that popped right through the tight material. But I didn't feel bad. I felt sexy. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to show off my chest a bit more. So I swept my hair up, tying it into a messy high ponytail. If Gavin could see me nownot that I'd want him jealous or anything... not, at, all. Headlights flooded the house- May was here! I ran out, jumping right into the enger seat of her car. "Ready?" She screamed, turning the music up. "You have no idea!" All I'd been thinking about this week were Gavin's midnight rendezvous, and I needed to drink those thoughts away!

May pushed through the crowded bar, taking us to Debbie and Julia. "Shots first, drinks later," she shouted, waving over the bartender.

"You haven't come out with us since Vegas!" Julia threw her arm around me, giving me a half hug. "We've missed you!" "Well I'm back!" I grabbed a shot off the bar. "Cheers!" "Ladies," the bartender called, placing another round of shots down. "From the guys at the end of the bar." "Cheers again," May laughed before we downed the new drinks. It felt good to be out with them. I needed to do this more often. "I want to go say thank you to the gentlemen down the bar," May insisted, leaning back to check them out. "We'll need more booze!" I waved at the bartender. "Another round, please!" "You ladies celebrating or something?" He chuckled, pouring the bottle down the row of shot glasses. "No," Debbie laughed back. "Well, maybe that Sadie finally ed us." "Very funny! Cheers." I downed the next shot- my feet suddenly light while the room became a rainbow blur. "Here," the bartender shouted over the noise, placing more drinks on the ledge. "Vodka tonics, on the house." "Thanks!" I grabbed the shot, holding it to my heart. He was so sweet! Free drinks! I raised it towards him, thanking him before sucking it down. "How was New York, Sadie?" Debbie was at my side, swaying slightly, or maybe that was me. "Good," I giggled- why was I giggling! "For the most part." "And what about his family?" "Good," I giggled again... why couldn't I stop giggling. "For the most part." This was fun. Why didn't I go out with the girls more often?

"Is that you that keeps vibrating?" She laughed, leaning into me. "Must be Sadie because I left my vibrator at home," May roared, all of us busting up beside her. "Is it Gavin?" "I don't know who it is." I lied- it was likely Gavin. "I-" shit, what was I going to say. "I, shit, forget it." "You ladies good?" The bartender rushed by, too fast. "Another round!" I shouted back, losing my balance at the same time. "Crap!" I latched on to the bar, finding my balance again. "Sadie, answer your phone!" May yelled, smacking my purse. "That poor man." Fine. I dug for the phone, watching the colors flash on the screen... almost in sync with the music at the bar... then the colors came into focus- Gavin's face. "He-s, so, gor-geous!" I said it aloud, hearing the laughing roar behind me. May ripped the phone from my fingers, answering it. "Hey, Gavin!" "May!" I swiped the phone back, pushing it to my ear. "Hey- Baby." "Why haven't you been answering?" Why hadn't I been answering, hmmm- his voice was sexy- deep. "Wait, what?" Shit, what did he say? "Why haven't you been answering my calls or messaging me back?" "Ohh, umm," I giggled- why was I giggling! "Because, it's, girls night- not Gavin night." I watched the bartender drop the shots on the counter in front of us. "Thanks!" I grabbed one up, downing it. "They don't even burn anymore!" "Sadie! Sadie!" I looked back down at my phone, realizing Gavin was still on the line.

"Hello?" "Jesus Christ, Sadie! Are you drunk?" "No," I giggled some more, turning away from the bar to find a quieter spot to talk to him. "Not, even, close. Girls I'm going to- fuck!" My foot hit the leg of a barstool; I was falling, stumbling, phone flying- hitting a group of guys walking past us. "Oh, my, god. I-m so sorry, so sorry." The guy in front picked my phone up off the floor, handing it over to me. "No worries, here you go." "Sorry- again." "But good aim, Sadie, I'm May," May yelled, pushing her way next to me. "Can we buy you ladies a drink?" "But I hit you." That wasn't right. I should be buying him a drink. "I'm not about to let a pretty girl buy me a drink," he insisted. That was sweet. "What the fuck is going on! Sadie!" I flung my head around the bar, searching for Gavin- hearing the girls laughing hysterically around me. "He's on the phone, Sadie!" Julia pointed to the phone in my hand. "Still?" I flipped the phone over, seeing his name- he was still on the phone. "Hello?" "How much have you had to fucking drink? Fuck. Where the hell are you!" "I don't know." I had no clue where we were. "A dark bar with a really nice bartender?" "You've got to be fucking kidding me right now." "Here you go, ladies!" Speak of the devil! He placed yet another round on

the counter. "Baby, Baby?" "Yeah?" "Don't drink anymore, okay." Ha! Who the hell was he to tell me what not to do! It wasn't like I- "Don't worry, I'm not drunk enough to let anyone kiss me, yet." It was stupidsome other petty Sadie said it, not me. "Are you fucking serious right now? Where's that shit coming from?" "Why didn't you tell me you went out the other night? I, I came by to surprise you in the morning, and you were gone." "I told you before if I'm not with you, then I'm usually out with Dan and the guys. Why didn't you tell me you came by?" "Oh, okay, got it. Now I gotta go." The new guy smiled at me, handing me a drink from the counter. "I'm Zack, drink?" "Don't take the fucking drink, Sadie. Tell me right now where the hell you are." "I said- I don't know what the name of this bar is!" "Devil's Shade," the random guy called back. The phone went silent, so I looked at my screen, seeing only the time. When did he hang up? Oh well, I tossed the phone back in my bag, squeezing in between May and Julia. "I really like your hair like this," Julia shouted at me. "Like what?" I flung my hand to my head, feeling the high ponytail. "Oh yeah, trying something new." "What'd Gavin say?"

I thought back, a lot of 'fucks' I laughed to myself. "I don't ." May leaned into me, nodding over. "What was his name again, Sadie?" "Gavin." "No, that guy you were just talking to." "Oh, I don't know. Jeez, did he tell me his name?" "I'm gonna go talk to him, back me up?" "No, no, I'm out, Julia can." I grabbed Julia's arm, flinging her over. No guys for me. May and Julia started talking to the guys while I rested against Debbie. "Debbie- how long do you think, driving, it takes to get from La Jolla to here, how long?" "Ten minutes." She shrugged. Ten minutes. I pulled out my phone, opening my recent calls, trying to focus on the time. "How long ago was this call?" I flashed her my phone, tapping Gavin's name. "Fifteen minutes ago." "Fifteen minutes ago?" I repeated. "Sixteen minutes now, why?" She laughed while I looked through the crowd, straining to see the doors. There was no Gavin- good. I walked over to May, stealing the drink out of her hand. "Did you guys meet Sadie yet?" "Hi!" I gave them a quick wave, just as Debbie pushed in between May and me. "Maybe twenty minutes," she giggled. "Gavin-" she gestured her head towards the front of the bar, and I swung my head back, scanning, seeing him push through the middle of the room, eyes finding mine. And he looked

pissed. I'd seen that look before, many times. "Damn!" May squealed, elbowing my side. "I forgot how fine he was!" "He is fine!" I felt my smile getting ridiculously big. That man was fine, and he was mine! He stopped in the middle of the bar, pointing his finger at me, beckoning me to come over. "You better get going, girl," May teased. "He can come to me! It's girls, night." I pointed back at him, whipping my ponytail back and forth as I shook my head, calling him over with my finger, but he stood firm, shaking his head no. Fine by me! I raised my glass in the air before turning back around to the group. "I don't know why you're playing like that," May sighed. "If he was mine, I'd already be in the backseat of his car." "There is no backseat." I looked over my shoulder, finding Gavin an inch behind me. "Hi!" I spun around, meeting his fiery eyes, then his gaze fell right down my cleavage. "Let's go," he demanded, stealing my drink and setting it on the counter behind me. "Why is it that you're always crashing girls' night?" I slid my arms around his tense back, pressing the tits he couldn't stop staring at to his rock-hard chest. "Girls' night?" He scoffed. "You're piss drunk and there are guys everywhere." He smelled good. "I've missed you, Baby!" I clung to him, holding him as tight as he usually held me. He was here, he was so sexy, and I had missed him. "How much have you had to drink, Sadie?"

"She's a big girl Gavin!" May answered for me. "So I've been told," he groaned, rolling his eyes down to me. Was his hair always so black? Was I giggling? Shit- I think I was giggling. "Fuck," he mumbled, twisting his face back towards the bar. "Can I get a water bottle!" "I want one too!" I shot my hand up, but he grabbed my wrist, lowering my hand. "The water's for you, Baby. Can we talk?" "We are talking." "In the back, alone." Alone? "But it's-" "Girls' night, yeah, I fucking know." He grabbed the water, then we were off, somehow ending up at the back of the bar, in a back hall- and I was backed up against the wall with my man towering in front of me. He looked so serious, angry even, and I tried not to laugh at his temper tantrum- but I was laughing. "Fuck," he grumbled again, eying my top. "Why do you have to wear this shit?" "This shit?" I looked down, not a bad view. "I like it. It's sexy." "Of course it's fucking sexy! That's the problem." "Someone's a litt-le huffy tonight." I ran my hands up his arms, scratching him softly. "My girl's hammered and I could hear guys offering her drinks. Then she makes some shit ass comment about getting kissed. Damn right, I'm a bit fucking huffy."

"You're a bit fuckin' sexy too." Really, really sexy. I slid my hands down his chest, his abs. "Jesus," he chuckled, opening the water and handing it to me. "Here, drink." "I don't need it." "Just drink some," he insisted, pushing it towards me once more. "Fine." I took a small sip, handing it right back. "You look really cute tonight. I've missed you, Baby." "Why didn't you tell me you went out?" "Because it wasn't a big fucking deal. I didn't think about it. I always go out with them." "I don't even care, really," I mumbled down to the floor. "Obviously," he chuckled. "I like when you get jealous, except this revenge shit. You know how I get, so I don't know why you have to fuck with me like this." "I wasn't trying to make you jealous tonight-" Please! "And revenge? Ha." "If you wear shit like this to places like this, then you know I'm gonna get fucking jealous." "I didn't think you'd see it." "Really?" He barked. "That's not what I meant." "Really? You don't wear this shit for other guys, Sadie." "You don't get to tell me what to do! If-" I lifted my hand to my top, trailing my finger down the deep plunge, over my tight nipple. "I want to be sexythen I'm going to be fucking sexy."

He pressed in against me, caging me to the wall. "You know what it does to me when you say shit like that." "I do," I whispered up to him. "And I've been waiting all fucking week to scream your name." "Fuck." His face crashed into mine, lips smacking hard. "I want to get you home, Baby, or in my car, or any fucking where." I pulled my lips from his, meeting those hungry eyes. "But it's girls' night." "Not any fucking more. It's Gavin night."

Chapter 33

We sped up to his building, his car zipping into the valet, his door flying open, mine next, and his antsy arms ripping me from the seat. "Hold on!" I tried to find my balance, only for a giggling fit to take over. "I can bare-" His hands flung out, gripping under my arms, hoisting me up in front of him- my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, holding on for dear life as he hustled through the lobby. "This works too." "I'm not wasting any fucking time." He nipped at my bare shoulder as he elbowed the elevator call button, smacking it repeatedly. "So, is this going to happen every girls, night?" "There won't be any more girls nights, Baby." "Oh yeah?" I dipped my face to his neck, dragging my lips over his bristly skin, then parting them, sucking that rough skin right between my teeth. "Fuck, come on!" He yelled at the elevator, shoving us through the barely opened door. "I'm not a fan of you being this fucking drunk without me." He plowed to the corner, my ass hitting the handrail. "Especially in this fucking shirt." "Why? All I can think about is you. How sexy you are, how your eyes drive me crazy, how I'd destroy any woman who tried to touch you." He flung me up and out again, charging into his hall and through his door, taking us into his moonlit condo. "Gavin-" I tickled his lips with mine. "I never want any other lips on yours. Your lips belong to me, understand?" I was suffocated, breath stolen, his lips sealing with mine- hard kisses attacking me, tongue sweeping my mouth, claiming every inch. Shocking me for a split second- then I fucking attacked back. He was too sexy, I was too

drunk, and I hadn't been fucked in days. "Fuck me!" I begged against his lips. He immediately tore his face away. "I'm going to, Baby. In a minute." He carried me over to the glass wall, finally releasing his grip, letting me slide down until my feet hit the floor. Then he backed away, his smile turning sinister in the shadows, and his hands at his sides- not on my body. He liked to stare, but I liked to be touched- my hands would have to suffice. I slid my fingers down the suit, caressing in waves until I found the zipper, pulling while I wiggled my hips free. "Fermare- stop!" He took a long step forward, hands swatting mine away, then diving under my jeans, guiding them down my legs, removing my heels first. "What the fuck is this?" He drove his hands back up my legs, his body following, studying the top as his hands explored it. "It's a bodysuit." I met his hands, tracing my own curves. "Holy shit- this is so goddamn sexy, Baby." He stepped to the side, continuing to circle me. "But how do I get it off?" He was in front of me again, waiting for direction. "Like this-" I crossed my arms over my chest, hooking each thumb under the opposite strap, flicking the sides over my shoulders, seductively dragging the suit down with my arms, exposing my breasts, my stomach. Then I dipped my thumbs under the waist, shimmying the rest of the suit down my legs. "That's how you get it off." Once again, he was just standing, breath like steam, eyes the darkest shade of black I'd ever seen, and his chest rising and falling like an animal ready to attack. "Now you- luckily I know how to get it off." I stepped forward, yanking at his belt, knuckles hitting the bulge under his zipper, his tip soaking through his boxers already. "I guess I'm not the only one wet..." "Fuck!" He tackled, throwing my back up against the glass, his face diving to my breasts, hands clutching my ass, and his hard dick humping my thighs, my stomach, anywhere but the pussy that was throbbing for it. "Gavin-" I arched back, sealing to the glass, hips rolling over his waist, my hands traveling his arms, jumping to my neck, reaching to my ponytail, twirling the strands in my fingers, yanking it- making myself gasp.

"Oh fuck..." He spun me away from the wall, carrying me back, the two of us falling onto his chair- but he lifted me off and to the floor. "I wanna watch you, Baby." His hands gripped my hips, turning me to the face the glass, and my faint reflection, while he leaned in behind me- a kiss hitting my ass, and another. Ohhh god. Then his hands were guiding me down over his lap, his dick straight up, infiltrating me, stretching the tight wallsthrowing my body into a panic- gasping, trembling, nerves going haywire. "Fuck, oh god." Was he always this big, this deep, fuck. A slap hit my thigh. "Come on, Baby!" I flashed my eyes open, catching my reflection in the glass- my face, chest, stomach, his thighs under me, my thighs straddling his, and his dick deep inside me. I rolled my hips, seeing the faint reflection do the same. "Fuck," I whispered to her, watching her hands glide up her sides, cup her breasts while those hips rocked back and forth, side to side, thighs rising and falling, pumping, pussy plummeting, grinding him in- ecstasy suffocating me, trapping me. The room slowed, quickened- my body lost in the haze. "Baby, flip around. I wanna see you." His voice, his hands creeping up my sides, clasping my fingers that held my breasts. "Now, Baby!" I watched the glass, the reflection barely visible now as the woman lifted, revealing him and his hand that was stroking his dick under her, waiting for her. I turned, spreading my legs once again, straddling his thighs- now I only saw him- her I could only feel. "Kiss me!" He commanded. I obeyed- pushing my lips to his as I sank back down his slippery erection. Fuck... Our lips locked, bodies locked, my hips riding his lap, burying his dick deep inside me. It was too slow. I pulled away, straightening up, bouncing, fucking him hard- my hands just as rough- squeezing my breasts, clawing them- destroying them the same way his dick was destroying me. "Fuck." Sensations overtaking me, pressure, pleasure, panic- squirming as I smacked my pussy harder over his lap. "G-ga-ga-" Fuck, fuck, fuck, ohhh. "Gavin." It was dark, my neck limp, head falling back, insides erupting, quaking, tingling. My arms fell next, dangling at my sides- too heavy to lift. And the only thing I could hear was my ragged breathing.

Then there was a force, a bar pushing my back forward, landing me against a hard wall- no- his chest. "Cazzo, fuck-" His heavy breathing was now filling my ears. "Fuck." I was warm, his arms wrapped around my back, fingertips like a feather dusting up my spine. "When did you eat last, Baby?" A whisper at my ear. This felt good, trapped here in his arms, skin glued together, the tingling still coursing through me with him still inside me. "Baby?" He was whispering again. "You can't drink like that on an empty stomach. You're a fucking nurse- you should know this." I didn't want to talk about food. I just wanted to enjoy this. But he lifted up, taking me with him, leading me to the couch and lowering me down while he disappeared. "Lights," he yelled, so I closed my eyes, still feeling the sting from the brightness lighting up the room. Shit, was it always this bright in here? "What do you want? A sandwich, or a sandwich," he laughed from somewhere. I sat up, waiting for the room to stop spinning before trying to stand. "I guess I'll try the sandwich." I teased, finally rising from the couch, only to bend for the floor, reaching for the bodysuit. "No fucking way, Baby! You need to eat- and I need to recharge. If you put that back on, then I'll have to carry you right into the fucking bedroom." I looked over to the kitchen where he stood, bag of bread in hand. "Do you prefer I walk around naked?" He shook his head no with a laugh while pointing towards his bedroom door. "Grab a shirt from my room." I walked in, flipping on his bedroom light, spotting two new picture frames

on his bedside table. What are these? I continued over, taking a seat at the edge of his bed to see the pictures facing it. They were us. The picture from Valentine's Day and then just me, at the top of the Empire State Building. Nice. Now time for clothes. I looked over to his dresser. "Shit, Baby! Get out of there!" Gavin's voice echoed off the walls while his stampede rattled the floor- but it was too late. "Gavin?" I walked over to the dresser, eying the two boxes neatly stacked on top- one a large Tiffany blue box. He swung into the room, almost slamming into me. "Shit," he grumbled. "I didn't think you'd be over this week. I wanted to surprise you for the gala." He pulled a drawer open, grabbing a shirt out, while I lifted my arms, letting him slide it over me. "What are these, Gavin?" "Here!" He suddenly had the biggest smile, handing me the Tiffany box first. I stepped backwards, resting at the edge of the bed, tracing the white ribbon before tugging the knot loose, lifting the top of the box. "Oh my god!" Sparkling rubies- the necklace. "The one from the window in New York?" I ran my fingers over the delicate chain. "When did you get this?" "On our trip." He stood in front of me, watching me. "Because you felt guilty?" He shook his head no. "Because you lit up when you saw it, and I wanted to see you light up again." He grabbed the unmarked larger box next, handing it to me. I pulled the top off, seeing the black folded gown from the boutique inside. "Gavin, this is too much!" Way too much. "I want you to wear it to the gala. I bought a black suit to match." "What? You bought a suit? I didn't even think you had a ticket yet."

"I told you I took care of it." He gave me a wry smile as he sat down next to me. "I- I- am I still drunk?" I laughed. "Did I out?" "So you like them then?" "Of course! I love them. I just, they're expensive. I don't think-" He draped his arm across my back, holding me. "You deserve all this shit and more, Baby. I'm sorry I haven't stepped up, bought you more. This is all new to me." "More?" This was more than plenty. "I don't know what to say. I could never buy you anything like this in return." "Baby, what you've given me is priceless," he smiled sincerely, leaning his face to mine, giving my forehead a chaste kiss. "Come on, let's eat." Eat? "You expect me to eat with a Tiffany necklace and a designer gown next to me? I want to play dress-up!" "Save them for Friday!" He insisted- he was crazy! "I wanted to surprise you at the hotel before the gala. I was trying to do some romantic shit," he chuckled as he stood, reaching for my arm to pull me up. "You need to eat." "Fine," I whined, giving him my best pouty face while letting him drag me away. I looked over my shoulder one last time, to the boxes then the frames on his table. He hadn't expected me to come by, which meant the photos of me weren't just for show, and the boxes had probably been stacked on the dresser since our trip. Why had I cared so much about him going out when he was still coming home to this, to me. "Baby-" I cooed, wrapping my arms over his. "I love you." "Ahha," he chuckled. "So if I buy you expensive gifts, then you call me Baby." "No," I teased. "If you give me an amazing orgasm and expensive gifts-

then I call you Baby." He chuckled, dropping my hand at the counter. "Eat," he demanded, sliding a plate in front of me on his way around to the opposite side of the counter. "I want to try the gown on when I'm done eating!" And wear it all night long! "I," he countered. "Want you to wait and show it to me on Friday." "Why do you want to wait? It's not like it's a wedding dress, and I'm going to be walking down the aisle." Shit... I didn't mean to say it, and I didn't want him to read into it. He smiled back at me, setting his sandwich down on his plate. "I like it when you take my breath away. Fuck, that sounded lame. I don't know how to fucking explain it," he mumbled. "Like when the groom sees the bride walk down the aisle, and he can't believe how beautiful she is, or how fucking lucky he is- that's the same shit I feel about you all the time, and I like that feeling. Even tonight-" he grinned. "I was so pissed off, but when I saw you at the bar with your fucking hair like that and your cute ass face giggling at me. Fuck, I don't know, it's just a good feeling- a really good fucking feeling." Damn, he wins. "Then I'll save it for the gala." "Now, mangia!" He demanded again, pointing to the sandwich. "Eat!" Mangia. Why was he so dang sexy right now? "Say it again." He chuckled. "You had way too much to drink tonight." "Please!" I begged, hands clasped and all. "Mangia!" He repeated. Damn. I watched his lips, then his neck, then his bare chest tightening as he laughed, and those biceps flexing as he lifted the sandwich to his mouth, tearing into it. I was hungry- but not for bread. I stepped away from the counter, following it around until my hands hit that broad back. He tossed his food down onto his plate, twisting his face over his shoulder, looking back at me. "Si, amore mio- yes, my love?"

Oh- fuck. I leaned into his arm, kissing the circle tattoo on his bicep. "I thought you didn't speak Italian." "Am I gonna have to hand feed you?" I stretched my arm across the counter, dragging my plate over next to his. "I don't want to be so far away from you." I dropped my other hand from his waist, stepping to the side to face my plate. But then his hands were wrapping around my waist, lifting me from the floor, plopping me down onto the countertop in front of him. "You are relentless Baby," he chuckled again. I wrapped my legs around his waist, trapping him. "No, I'm in love." I smiled tight, holding in the butterflies that were fluttering again. "Ti amo, Baby." His lips parted- and I knew what would happen next. "I love you too."

Chapter 34

I studied the meat on the plate, then studied the meat my legs were still wrapped around. "How am I supposed to eat when all I can think about is you and how sexy you are, Gavin?" I licked my lips, still tasting the kiss we'd just finished. "I promise if you take me back to your room, then I'll leave you alone." "Hmm, I don't wanna be left alone." His hands slid under my ass, hoisting me back off the counter, keeping my legs around his waist. "But I do wanna eat my fucking sandwich." He grunted, relented, and carried me away from the kitchen. "And I want to wear that necklace." "Right now?" "Yes-" I whispered, nibbling at his ear. "While you fuck me." "Jesus." He slid me down, my feet hitting the floor. "Turn around, Baby." He went for the box while I ripped the shirt off, turning my back to him. I shivered from his touch, his fingers dusting my collarbone, draping the necklace around my neck. "How does it look?" He scanned the necklace, then my chest. "Sexy." He took my hand, lying me down while simultaneously kicking his boxers off. "That was a good investment." His growl hit the nipple his mouth was salivating for. "But I can't see it." He grumbled, lifting his head from my breast to scan the room, instantly climbing off of me, leading me up and over to the bathroom. "Now-" he placed me in front of the mirror. "You can see it." He stood towering behind me. "Take your hair down, Baby." I straightened the necklace first, iring the glistening rubies, then raised

my hand to the ponytail, yanking at the elastic, the waves cascading down my shoulders. "Baby," he hissed, eyes on mine in the mirror while his hands slipped around my sides, cupping my breasts, thumbs rolling over the tight buds. "How do you want me to fuck you? In here? Against the wall? On the bed?" "On the bed," I replied automatically, taking a step forward, feeling him follow, keeping tight against my back. I crawled up onto the sheets, rolling flat on my back, body splayed before him- then the mattress was dipping, his heavy frame climbing over me. "Necklace looks good against your tits." "Ah!" He was inside me, tearing up the sensitive nerves that were still recovering. And this time, he was on top- he was in control- and he was merciless. "How, hard, do I, have-" His palms slapped over my legs, binding them to his chest. "-to, fuck you, to make you satisfied?" The internal alarms were blaring, nerves waving white flags, his hard rams pushing me to the edge- succumbing to the hot and cold - ecstasy explodingclimax crippling. I was so close. His grunts turned to screams, my screams turned to yelps, his hips buckingtoo fast- he was about to come. "Gavin- finish- here." I clasped my breasts, presenting them to him. "What?" He huffed, stopping mid-thrust. "Shit-" he whipped out, sliding up, his dick slipping between my breasts. My rubies- his dick. He pumped faster, fucking my cleavage until the shots fired, coming over me. "But you?" He panted, hovering. "Did you? You didn't." "No, but-"

"I don't half-ass shit!" His hand was sliding down my stomach, two fingers plunging inside me. His arm powering them faster, digging them in, curling until I gasped- he found the spot! "Shit, it's okay, Gavin, it's shit, shit." I tore the sheets under me, ripping my hips left to right, the climax I'd left hanging now rippling. "Gavin- Gavin!"

"Baby." I sprung up, sucking in a deep breath. Gavin? "Water!" He pushed a glass to my lips. "Huh?" I took a sip. "Oh god, I'm so thirsty!" I ripped it from his hands, sucking it down, handing it right back over. Then I reached to my neck. "The necklace!" "I put it away, Baby." "What? When?" I sat up, realizing I was back in Gavin's shirt, and he was wearing his flannel pants. "I fell asleep?" "Yup, and I finally got to eat in peace." He laughed. "Are you hungry, Baby? Your food's still out there." "What time is it?" "About one or so," he shrugged. "Ugh, I have to be up in a few hours for work." "Fuck, that's right, and I have to drive you back." He didn't seem so happy about that. "I can get a ride." "Don't be fucking ridiculous." "I," I yawned, relaxing back down to the pillow.

"Go to bed, Baby. You're going to have a real fucking headache in the morning."

I heard the beeping, felt the immediate throb from the jackhammers pounding at my temples. "No." I forced myself up, spotting the blue Tiffany box. Holy shit! It wasn't a dream! I snuck off the bed, swiped the boxes, and snuck right out the bedroom door. They were real. I opened the lids, feeling the chill from the extravagance of the gifts in front of me. They were too much, too fancy for me, but they were so amazing. The door creaked behind me, Gavin shuffling out, yawning. "What are you doing?" "Wanted to make sure this wasn't a dream." "Do we have to get going now?" "Yeah." I stood up to meet him. "Let me get dressed." I walked over, picking the suit and jeans from the floor. "No, Baby, I can't handle that shit right now. Just wear my shirt with your jeans, or we're never gonna get out of here." Fine by me. He didn't need to see me try and wriggle that thing back on. I tossed the suit before stepping into the jeans- suddenly dizzy, losing my balance, stumbling back to the couch. "Jesus," he chuckled, walking back to his room. I was spinning, lightheaded, an ache growing in my stomach. "Ready, Baby?" "Yeah." I tried to stand again, crashing right back down. "Shit, Sadie!" He ran over, bending down in front of me. "Are you okay,

Baby." "I need to eat something, anything." He rushed away, hurrying back with a plate. "Here, it's your sandwich." I laughed, lifting the sandwich from the plate. "Why didn't you offer me this last night?" I teased before taking a bite.

Chapter 35

I couldn't move. Piss drunk two night ago, on my feet all day yesterday, ed out the second I got home last night, and still wasn't recovered- but it was almost noon, which meant Gavin would be here any minute to pick me up. I drudged my way into the shower, dunking my head under the warm water, missing the man who usually stepped in after me. I dropped my back to the wall, picturing his hands sliding to my thighs, slamming me against the stall, banging me up and down. I opened my eyes, the fantasy becoming too realI was actually vibrating- there was banging. Shit! Gavin! I grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my chest as I raced to the pounding, swinging my front door open. "I've been out here for like ten fucking minutes!" He huffed, walking right past me with a stack of books piled in his arms. "What were you-" His eyes dropped to the towel, barely cinched at my chest. "Sorry!" I closed the door behind him. "I was wet." He dropped the books to the table, meeting my eyes- instead of my dripping body. "I think it's time I get a key." "A key to what? My heart? It's already yours." He rolled his eyes. "To your place! I'm here all the fucking time anyways." No. "How about I promise not to lock the door while I'm taking a shower." "Really? I'm serious, Sadie. I want a key! And I want you to add my number to your security system." "But they already have Grant's number." "As if I could fucking forget," he grumbled, rolling his eyes yet again. "I want them to call me too."

"But we're always together," I repeated his words with a smile. I wasn't ready for all this, especially not before my coffee. "Gavin, a key is a really big step." "And?" "I, I have to think about it." "I'm not gonna just show up if that's what you're worried about. It'd be for shit like this or like last night when you blew me off." Blew him off? "I was tired. I literally ed out after work." "Exactly, I could have come by earlier and let myself in so I'd be here when you got home." And that's exactly why he didn't need a key. It was a big deal, and what if he showed up when Grant was here. I had already agreed to stay with him over the summer. Why was he wanting more? "What about a key to your place?" I countered smugly, hoping he'd recoil. "I'll get you one this week." He wasn't even phased. "I can take your key too if you want and make myself a copy." Ugh. I needed a diversion. I snapped the towel, dropping it to the floor. "Miss me?" "This makes me want a key even fucking more," he chuckled, stretching his fingers to my chest, fingertips grazing. "Why are you always so hesitant, Baby?" "I'm not, it's just-" "Don't fucking say Grant," he bellowed. "That, and I'm not ready to share my place. I don't like feeling that I'm not in control, especially in and of my own home." "Well," he rasped, raising his other hand to my chest. "I'm more than willing to let you be in control."

"I'll think about it, okay." Sometime in the very distant future. "The alarm shit too! At least that way, we'll have advance notice if Grant decides to show up." I cringed at the memory. "Fine." "Now go get dressed." He swatted my ass. "Unless, of course, you want to play topless tutor." Nope, tutoring was not on my new list of fantasies. I stepped onto the towel, mopping up the floor as I walked back to my room to get dressed. "What's this?" Gavin looked up the second I walked out, twirling a small piece of paper in his hand. "That's my lottery ticket!" I pulled out the chair across from him, holding my sundress as I sat down. "Be careful- I'm pretty sure that one's a winner." "Is it," he laughed. "How about instead of trying your luck every week with shitty odds of winning- you invest what you have and get a guaranteed return." "I don't know anything about investing. It seems risky. I do have a savings ." He scoffed. "Probably with a shit annual percentage yield too. What about your retirement ? What does your portfolio look like?" He was questioning me as if I had any idea what he was talking about- who was he? "Um, I have a 401k, but I've never really looked into it." "So all these years you've spent money on these tickets, but never looked into actually doing anything with the money you already had." He straightened in his chair, staring at me. "I've, I've been busy. If you recall- single mom, working my ass off. I was however, financially savvy enough to be able to buy this house."

"Which you should be very proud of, Baby!" He smiled sincerely, reaching his hand for mine. "How much extra cash do you have each month? I can set up a portfolio for you, conservative at first until you get used to it." Uh, what? First a key, and now he wanted to know my finances. He hadn't even graduated college yet. "You?" I laughed. "The guy with the textbook in front of him." "Hmm," he groaned. "This is my job, Baby. I've been running investments for a long time. Don't fucking wait to be a one in a million winner- take control now. I can help you. I want to help you." Who was this guy? He had the same sexy eyes as Gavin, his shirt tightened around his thick, inked-up biceps just like my Gavin- but he was different, and I liked it. "I don't have much extra," I itted. "Maybe five hundred a month, which I put into my savings." He nodded to himself, eyes narrowing, staring down at the table- thinking. "Alright, I'll draw up a twelve-month and a five-year investment plan. That way, you can see the trajectory. We'll set up an automatic monthly transfer to fund it, maybe two-hundred-fifty for the first six months, then five hundred after that. Whatever you're comfortable with." He spoke with such ease like this was second nature to him. He was smart. "What? Why are you giving me that look, Baby?" "I'm surprised, I guess, and I have a lot of questions." "Surprised by what? I told you this was my job." "No, you didn't. I think you said you worked, but I've never seen you actually work. I didn't think you were serious about the investing." I thought back to the mail I had seen in his bedside drawer from all those investment companies. He leaned over the table, dipping his face level with mine. "You don't think much of me, do you, Sadie? You were shocked I even printed out a fucking picture! Trust me I know what the fuck I'm doing with money. I've been handling my own shit for a very long time." It wasn't that I didn't think much of him. I just didn't think about it, and I

never asked. "That's not it. I wasn't shocked you were able to do it. I was shocked you actually did it. You're younger and wiser than me. It's supposed to be the other way around." "Only in this," he assured me. "There are only two things I do well, finance" he rose from his chair, circling the table to me. "And you." "You know this investment talk is just as sexy as the Italian talk," I teased up to him, scooting back just enough for him to see the dress I was wearingand the easy access it granted him. "I like hearing intelligent Gavin." "Excuse me!" He balked with a laugh. "You know what I mean." "So words like prospectus turn you on?" He teased. "Um, wait," I laughed, rising to meet him. "Is that Italian or investing?" He laughed back, hands clasping my waist, turning me towards my bedroom door, pushing me towards it. "I thought you had a lot of shit to do!" I looked up over my shoulder, meeting his sexy grin. "I do, and you're a major fucking distraction." "See, I'm too distracting. Therefore a key would be a bad thing." "By tonight, you'll be begging me to take your key." Is that so. "Now, Mr. Romano, what were you saying about my portfolio and your trajectory?" "Why are you so damn cute, Baby? I'm not gonna get shit done today." "Well," I whispered seductively, dropping my hands to his jeans. "What can I do to help you focus?" That devilish grin curled up his face. Why did I even bother asking? I unzipped his jeans, taking his boxers down with them. Damn. That was quite the trajectory he had.

I liked this business, Gavin. He was intimidating. Incredibly sexy. I sat on the bed, parting my lips for him to enter- then flashing my eyes to his while reaching for his hands, pushing them to my head. "Cazzo- Baby." His grip tightened, locking my head into his palms, thrusting my mouth down his dick. He started rocking, moving my head to match his hips, my tongue lapping, cheeks sucking until they were hollowed. "Oh fuck, fuck," he gasped, fingers tightening in my hair, coming so soon. Then he released my head, stepping back to pull out. "Damn, Baby." I scampered to the bathroom, brushing my teeth before returning to the room- the empty room. So I continued out, finding him already at the table. "That was fast." "You're good at what you do." He shrugged, snapping me a wink. I laughed, taking my seat once again. "That's not what I meant." I watched him reading, missing the days he stayed here. "I'll miss you tomorrow." "You too, Baby, but I'll pick you up Friday, as soon as my exam is over." "Okay." I smiled, pretending I didn't just hear the word exam from my boyfriend who was studying at my table.

Chapter 36

The bellhop loaded our bags onto the cart while Gavin took my hand, heading for the hotel lobby to check in. "Romano." He tossed his ID and credit card to the woman behind the counter. "Welcome!" She batted her lashes, blushing up at Gavin. I was so used to seeing him every day that I forgot how handsome he actually was. "Love you," I whispered, draping my arm across his back. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my hair. "Love you too, Baby." She slid Gavin's cards back over. "I've got you and Mrs. Romano-" Whoa. No! "Actually-" I started, but Gavin silenced me. "Thank you!" He grabbed the envelope with our keys. "Room three-twenty-one," she continued. "Elevators are across the lobby on your way to the ballroom." "You didn't put my name on the reservation?" I asked, whispering up as we started for the elevators. "Why would I have needed to?" He hit the up arrow for the elevator. "Now she thinks I'm Mrs. Romano!" Mrs. Romano - it was so strange saying it aloud. First moving in together, then wanting my key, now hearing my name as if we were married. It was too much, too fast. "And?" He snapped, stepping into the elevator. "Is it that big of a fucking deal that a stranger in a hotel we're staying at for one night calls you that?" "No, it's just weird." I followed him in, pressing the button for the third floor.

"Weird?" He repeated, grumbling under his breath. "I can't believe you're offended that she thought you were my fucking wife." How was he so casual about this. He should be the one weirded out. It was just like Vegas and the marriage thing! But the last thing I wanted was Gavin in a bad mood tonight, so I snuggled into him. "It just caught me off guard." "Uh, hmm," he grumbled, stepping right back out of the elevator and onto our floor, walking straight to the room door and elbowing it open. I stepped in, turning right back towards him. "It's beautiful!" He cracked a smile, walking in behind me. I'd never stayed at fancy hotels until Gavin- I had no idea what I was missing- well, maybe I did. I pushed the balcony doors open, getting an immediate whiff of that salty ocean air. "This is-" I spun around, finding Gavin at the desk on the phone. "Bellhop," he mouthed, so I stepped back out, staring at the bay in front of us and the ocean in the distance. This was amazing, and tonight was going to be incredible. "I have to leave soon." He walked over to meet me, sinking his face over my shoulder. "I'll be back before it starts." "I'm excited to see you in your suit!" "Oh really, Miss. Jones," he smacked a kiss to my neck before pulling away. "You know that bed over there looks awfully lonely." I lifted up on my tiptoes, reaching my arms up around his neck. "Bellhop will be up in five minutes, Baby. Let's wait for tonight." "So you're refusing me?" "No, I'm waiting for you." He leaned down, lips almost to mine just as a series of knocks hit the door. "What did I tell you!" The bellhop wheeled in our garment bags and suitcase, hanging my gown right next to Gavin's suit. Mrs. Romano, it was suddenly all I could hear.

"Alright, Baby. I'll be back soon. I love you." And with that, Gavin disappeared with the bellhop. It was time to turn this pumpkin into a princess. Gavin had waited to see me in the dress tonight, and I wanted to take his breath away. I removed the gown from the bag, carefully stepping into it, the silk clinging to my curves. So Gavin knew my size. I zipped it up, adjusting the top of the strapless gown. It fit like a glove, creating the perfect silhouette. The necklace was the last piece, and I carefully opened the box, stringing it around my neck, the rubies sweeping over my cleavage. I waltzed to the mirror, the reflection making me smile, making me squeal, even making me a bit teary-eyed. I didn't own gowns like this, I didn't have jewelry like this, and I'd never felt this beautiful before. These moments had been stolen from me- dres in gowns, going to prom, dances. But tonight- it made up for it. I curled my hair in long waves, painted my lips the same bold red as the necklace, and did up my eyes just as dramatic as the dress. The reflection was unbelievable. I was ready. I emptied my bag, setting up the room before grabbing my phone. The gala started in ten minutes, and Gavin's suit was still on the hanger. Where was he! The minutes kept ing, the gala already started downstairs, yet no Gavin. I couldn't wait any longer. So I tucked the phone into my clutch and started downstairs. I hit the lobby, feeling my phone buzzing in my bag- finally! He sent a single text- Sorry baby, leaving now, will meet you downstairs. Good! I'd go in, find the girls, and Gavin would be right behind me. I continued down the long hall, through the double doorway into the ballroom. The silence of the hallway turned to thunderous laughs, talking, everyone dressed up, mingling, and I stood there a minute scanning, finally spotting May and Debbie. "Wow!" Debbie called, watching me approach. "You look stunning, Sadie!"

"You too!" Everyone looked amazing tonight. "Where's Gavin?" May asked, handing me a champagne flute. At school, taking a final for one of his classes. "He had to- handle something. He'll be here soon." I took a long sip, hoping to avoid any more questions. "Well, you look hot, girl! he better get here before Kirk finds you," her laugh turned to a squeal. "Oh damn!" She focused on something behind me, so I followed her gaze, looking over my shoulder- immediately losing my breath. Gavin stood in the middle of the room, adjusting the fitted suit jacked that molded to every muscle he had. Then he threw a hand up to his slick black locks, perfectly gelled. Holy shit. Gavin was always hot, but tonight he was beyond gorgeous. He started walking, eyes searching the room, suddenly flickering to minehis body stilling as that devilish grin took over his face. I shoved my glass back to May, taking off, walking- dashing, gown sweeping at my feet as I raced over, reaching for his outstretched hand- the touch shocking us both. "Fuck, this is everything I imagined and more." He pulled my hand up to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "You look breathtaking tonight, Baby." Who cared about me right now. "You, in this suit- I'm adding another fantasy to my list!" Tonight was going to be fun. "This is a good feeling, especially you wearing these-" he slid his hand under the necklace, resting it against my cleavage, the touch igniting a string of goosebumps. "The gifts I bought you, this feels good." "Well, the dress is a little snug," I teased, arching my chest under his hand. "No." His gaze shot down to my cleavage. "It's perfect. You are perfect."

I closed what little space there was between us, staring up at the most handsome man in the room. "I love you." His sexy smirk turned natural, his smile so sincere- falling to mine, lips pushing a chaste kiss to mine. Then the room around us seemed to fade into oblivion, leaving only him and me. We had too much ion between us. His chaste kiss quickly escalated, his tongue seeking mine, our lips like magnets, his hands sliding across my back, sealing me to his chest. "Baby-" He broke the kiss, keeping his lips resting on mine. "Everyone's staring." "And-" I reluctantly pulled back, breaking the spell I was under. "I guess we should find your seat before it starts." "I'm at table three." He draped his arm over my back, guiding me towards the front. "How do you know?" I weaved through the tables, ing table three and leaning to read the place card in the center. "Why does this just say Romano?" "Because it's my table." He stepped up beside me, scooting out a chair. "Wait, the whole table? You bought a table?" I knew how much they charged for a whole table and couldn't believe he'd spend that kind of money for a couple hours of dinner and dancing. "I told you I bought my ticket." "Ticket and table are two different things, Gavin! Tables are crazy expensive!" He shrugged. "It's for a good cause, and I didn't know if you wanted to sit with your friends or not. This was just easier." It was easier- he spent thousands because it was easier. "Gavin, you-" "It's for a good cause, Sadie," he repeated, voice stern. "You shouldn't-"

"That necklace cost more than this table-" he lifted his hand to the chain. "Should I return it?" I inadvertently smacked his hand away. "No." "Baby, why are you so worried about my money? Let me do what makes me happy." He was right. It was his money- why did I care so much? "I guess I'll go tell May and Debbie that we have new seats!" "But first-" he lowered his face, sliding his mouth to my ear. "That dress is driving me fucking wild." I glanced around, making sure no one was close enough to hear. "I was just thinking the same thing about your suit." I squeezed his hand before leaving to round up May and Debbie. Our CEO Elizabeth walked onto the stage while we hurried into our seats. "That's us!" Debbie whispered over, nodding for me to follow her. "I'll be right back. I have to present." I followed Debbie to the side of the stage, listening to Elizabeth. "Now," she continued. "I'd like to introduce one of our beloved emergency department nurses, Sadie Jones." Shit, that was me. The room broke out in applause as I started up the side of the stage, the clapping turning to playful whistles and silly catcalls from my team. "First" I adjusted the mic down. "I'd like to thank everyone again for their generous of the Hope Center." I waited for the clapping to stop. "Now, I'd like to introduce the newest additions to our team. Dr. Keegan Wells and Dr. Patrick Phillips."

Chapter 37

Dr. Phillips hopped up the stage, walked towards me with a smile, opening his arms- oh no- and giving me an unexpected embrace. "Sadie." He held on a little too long before heading to the microphone. "Keegan would have loved to meet you all, but he's on duty tonight." I looked down at the tables, trying to spot Gavin through the bright stage lighting. Hopefully, he wasn't over-thinking that hug. "I can't say enough good things about this hospital and what they're doing for the community," Dr. Phillips paused, smiling to the audience. "Sadie and I were just talking over breakfast the other morning about how lucky we were to be here." And then his hand flew up, falling to my bare shoulder. Shit. Shit. Shit! I searched, squinting to spot our table in this goddamn blinding light. I forgot to tell Gavin about breakfast, breakfast with a man he despised- the man who had just hugged me and was now resting his hand on my shoulder. He continued, but his words didn't . I was too busy weighing the pros and cons of running off the stage. The crowd finally erupted in applause- giving me the green light to run, hustling down the steps towards the table, seeing Gavin's empty seat before meeting May's eyes and her head that was shaking no. Shit! He was gone. I whipped my head around, catching a flash of Gavin's back as he charged out the doors. I followed, every step growing faster, slamming through the doors into the hallway, seeing him storming away. "Gavin!" I yelled, hurrying to catch up. He stopped, keeping his back turned towards me. "What!" He slowly wheeled around, furious tight lips matching his glare. "I'm sorry!" I finally caught up to him, taking a second to catch my breath and calm my shaky hands. "I forgot to mention that." He flashed his eyes down to mine, sucking in a deep breath. "You forgot to

fucking mention that you had breakfast with him," he spat. "And I had to find out while he fucking grabbed you up there in front of everyone." "Gavin." I reached for his hand- that he instantly jerked away. "I didn't go to breakfast with him- I had coffee." "With him?" His tone was flat. "Unfuckingbelievable." "I went to your place to surprise you that morning, you weren't there, so I ended up getting to work early." I reached for him again- he took a step back. "He was lost, asked me to show him how to get to the cafeteria. Then I grabbed some coffee with him. I meant to tell you- then it was girls' night, and I just forgot. I'm so, so, sorry." He laughed condescendingly. "He was fucking lost?" He dropped his head back, scoffing. "You don't honestly believe that shit do you? I'm trying to keep my fucking cool, Baby, but you have to see shit through my eyes. You don't want me having a key to your place- I have to watch you fucking cringe when they call you Mrs. Romano- and then I have to watch him, of all fucking people, touch you while he talks about your fucking date." "No-" I shook my head, pleading for him to hear me out. "It's not like that, and it wasn't a date! He's just a coworker." "Was it just the two of you, Sadie?" "It-" Shit. "Yeah." His hands suddenly clasped my waist, backing me up to the wall- his body falling against mine. "How could you have done that, Baby? You lied to me. You know, he fucking wants you." He lowered his face, hovering an inch in front of me- then his lips crashed, smothering my mouth- kissing rough, hard- spinning me in his arms- carrying me down the hallway to the elevator. "Where are we going?" I kissed him back, fighting for his tongue, but he twisted away, dragging his lips down my neck, sucking too strong. "Our room, Baby." He swung me into the elevator, and seconds later, we were flying down the hall, with him kicking the door open.

"Gavin?" He whirled me in, meeting my lips for a second before releasing his hold of me completely. "Turn around!" I turned to face the bed, his hand flattening over my back, bending me forward- until my palms smacked the comforter. The quiet in the room suddenly loud with his reckless speed- the metal on his belt clanking, his zipper hissing, his fast fingers bunching the hem of my dress, sliding it up my legs, over my ass, his feet stomping to get closer, skin slapping skin as his strong thighs pressed up behind me. "Ah!" He shoved in hard, each thrust more deliberate than the last, his hips ramming my ass- driving himself as deep as possible. "Oh god." I held on to the sheets, my body slamming up and down from the force. He was going hard, my nerves on overdrive to keep up, orgasm coming whether I wanted it to or not. I frantically grabbed onto the pillow in front of me, burying my face to muffle my moans. But the screams only fueled him, his hands capturing a fistful of my hair, yanking it back, forcing my face away from the pillow. "I, want, to, fucking, hear you!" He groaned, hands rough, pulling my hair tighter into his grip, holding it as he pounded me with rhythmic, hard thrusts. Fuck, fuck. "Fuck!" I succumbed, coming, body giving up, trying to collapse, but he held me up, railing into me one last time, then pulling out, letting me fall to the sheets. I laid there a minute, face down in the pillow, biting back the tears. No I love you, no I want to look at you, no kisses, no cuddles- nothing. He brought me up here to fuck me- an angry, loveless, possessive fuck. I scrambled to my feet, rushing into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Shit. I gripped the edge of the counter, hands shaking with my erratic breathing. How could he. I looked back up at the mirror, the same mirror I was twirling in front of earlier, waiting for tonight. I ran my hand over my face, smoothing my makeup and fixing my dress. I still had to go back downstairs. So I walked back out, eyes on the floor as I ed him, making a beeline for the door.

"Hey," he called- I refused to acknowledge him. "You okay?" Was I okay? Really? I dropped my hand from the door latch, turning back around to face him- as he casually zipped up his slacks. "Don't ever use sex to show me you're mad, or to teach me a lesson, or to claim me, and never use it to punish me!" "What?" His eyes went wide. "Did I hurt you?" "No. But you were aggressive. You didn't want to look at me, Gavin, and you always want to see me- I want to see you too." A tear ran my cheek. "That wasn't my Gavin- that was a controlling, manipulative man who needed to show me or to show them. I'm not property- do you understand!" "What?" He was shaking his head, face going pale. "That's not-" I turned my back to him, facing the hall mirror to adjust my dress once more, ignoring his eyes on my reflection. "Tonight was my first real event, real dance- you ruined it. I only get one first." "I'm sorry, Baby- I didn't fucking realize. I thought-" I met his stare in the glass. "I'm sorry I didn't mention breakfast the other day- that's on me. I meant to tell you, just slipped my mind. I'm also sorry about the key and the Mrs. Romano stuff. But you can't spring all that on me and then get mad at me for not giving you the answer you want right away. That's not how I work! I don't make snap decisions, I don't like ultimatums, and I don't like being rushed!" "Fuck, I-" He threw his hand up to his temple, and I turned back one last time, making sure he was seeing me. "I didn't want to be fucked tonight, Gavin- I wanted you to want to make love to me. Tonight was supposed to be special. I felt like a princess- you don't want to know what I feel like now." I reached for the door, pointing back with my other hand to the small table in the room. "I'm going back downstairs to try and salvage this night. Your key to my place is on the table. I wanted to surprise you with it later, but-" I shrugged. "There it is." I walked out, hearing his footsteps rushing up.

He ran in front of me, blocking my path to the elevator doors. "I didn't realize. I don't know what came over me. I was so pissed off, and I hate that fucking guy, Sadie. And-" he sank his eyes shut, dropping his chin to his chest. "Oh fuck. Fuck, I'm so sorry, Baby." "You don't get to own me- that's not what sex is for! Fucking me hard should never be a punishment." His face paled, eyes sunken, head shaking no. "That's not, never. I'm so sorry. I wasn't expecting that shit down there. It really fucked me up for a minute. I don't know what happened- shit. I would never- I love you." The elevator doors slid open so we stepped in. "Please believe me, Sadie, I didn't mean it like that. Can we please start over, Baby? I don't want to ruin this for you." I nodded yes, following him out and into the ballroom. "Sadie!" Dr. Phillips was right at the entrance, waving. "Is everything okay?" He looked from me to Gavin. No, we were not okay. "Dr. Phillips, you my boyfriend, Gavin." "Call me Patrick!" He insisted- with the worst possible timing. "Nice to see you again, Gavin." "And we're fine," I assured him. "Just forgot something up in the room." "Okay, I'll catch up with you later." He took off into the sea of tables. "I swear to fucking god Sadie if I ever-" "Stop!" I snapped, forcing his attention. "Start over or leave. I can't do this again, Gavin." I walked away, not bothering to wait for him as I wove through the tables back to ours. May and Debbie were staring, watching me. "It's fine," I mouthed over to them while Gavin pulled out my chair. "You two make a beautiful couple," Debbie cooed.

"Only because of her." Gavin looked at me- I could feel the heavy stare, but I didn't look over. "Sadie's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." Then he scooted his chair back out. "Come on." He held his hand out for mine. "Where?" I wasn't about to go back upstairs. "They're going to be serving dinner soon." "I want to dance with you, Baby." From that man upstairs to this man- wanting to slow dance. I stood on my own, reluctant to hold his hand. "Sadie, please." He walked at my side, leading us to the dance floor. "Look at me!" His hand fell to my waist, his other outstretched, begging for mine. "I'm sorry, Baby. Let me try and make this night everything you wanted it to be." I gave him my hand, and he clasped me tight against his chest, feet already gliding. "I didn't think you danced." "I told you I did." He twirled me in his arms before squeezing me tighter to him. "Can I ask you something?" "Yeah," I whispered back up to him as we swayed in sync with the orchestra. "Why were you so upset when she called you Mrs. Romano?" His eyes locked on mine. "Oh." It was not the question I was expecting. "I don't know." "Haven't you ever thought about marrying me? I mean, isn't that the shit girls do." "No, I never have." It was the honest truth, but that truth made his smile falter. "Not because-" I can't believe I was itting this. "I wouldn't want to, someday. I, I've never loved anyone the way I love you, Gavin. You're the only man I have ever loved like this, and that scares me- especially because we're so different- in such different places in our lives. I've worked hard to be self-sufficient and content alone. I'm afraid that if I get too lost in the

dreams that I'll wake up and realize they were just that, dreams." My cheeks burned. I'm sure the blush was more than obvious. I had never opened up about that to anyone. "You don't need to be scared, Baby. I'm not going anywhere." "Funny," I whispered back. "I tell you the same thing." He rested his lips against my forehead, letting the kiss linger. "Thank you for the key, Baby." "You're welcome. Just don't show up unannounced." "I meant to your heart," he chuckled. I rested my head against his chest, inhaling him as he led me across the floor. It was times like this that made me forgot about times like earlier. The song ended, the room immediately erupting in applause for the orchestra, and the dance floor started to empty.

Chapter 38

We'd danced for the last thirty minutes, only stopping because we had to for dinner. "What'd you get, Baby?" Gavin leaned down, eyes roaming my plate. "Maple salmon. Want a bite?" He nodded yes, so I cut a sliver, pushing it to his parted lips- hearing May coo from across the table while she gave me googly eyes- but her gaze shot up to something else. "Hey Patrick," she shouted, causing Gavin to choke on his food. "I heard you made quite a donation tonight." He continued to her side of the table. "I thought they were discreet about that." "Yeah, of course, they are," she laughed while winking. "Save me a dance, ladies," he said to the entire table before walking away. "Oh, I'm getting that dance," May laughed. "He looks gorgeous, and that donation! He's fine- he's a doctor- he's the epitome of a perfect man! But," she whined. "I heard he's seeing Agnes from the seventh floor." "See," I whispered up to Gavin. "He's not after me." "Give me another bite!" He opened his mouth, running his tongue along his bottom lip. So I brought my fork up to his mouth again, watching his lips fold over it. "Want to try mine, Baby?" "Yes." I was still focused on his lips, suddenly having a loaded fork pushing up to my face, snapping me out of my daze. "Oh, no thanks. I'm not big on steak." He gave me a funny look, shrugged, then devoured the forkful himself just

as another server stepped to the table, champagne bottle in hand. "Maybe-" Gavin was at my ear. "I should bring one of those bottles back upstairs with us." The memories from that night at The Plaza were still so vivid- I could almost feel his tongue licking my skin. I pushed the glass to my lips, gulping the champagne in a very unladylike manner before finishing the last few bites off my plate. Then the music roared back up, with Gavin once again nudging my side. "Dance?" "Okay." I mean, I was wearing a gown and all. He slid his arm around my waist, guiding me to the dance floor. "Baby, you look so fucking beautiful tonight, and I don't blame everyone for lookinghow could they not." "I think they're looking at you," I countered, glancing around at the women who were eying him. His hand fell to my hip, so formal. "I want to be closer," I demanded, clasping my hands around his neck instead while he wrapped his hands over my waist. "This is the first time I've actually liked my fucking partner," he chuckled to himself. "What do you mean?" "I had to do cotillion and then a few lame galas and balls. I was always told who to dance with." This was a first for me. "I've never slow danced like this. This experience and memory belong with you." He got quiet, swaying me without a word. "I'm sorry I ruined it for you." "It was just a bumpy start." I rested my face against his chest, feet moving smoothly with his.

We danced silently through two more songs, my head never leaving the ridges of his chest and his arms never letting me go. "What are you thinking about?" He dipped his face to touch mine. I was exhausted. My thoughts were very shallow at the moment. "Honestly?" "Yeah." "How good your body looks in this suit and how good your body looks out of this suit." If he'd asked me an hour ago, my answer would have been very different, but all that anger had melted away. "I'm not much of a deep thinker when your arms are holding me this tight." He choked out a laugh. "I expected some deeper shit." "I've done enough thinking tonight. I just want to enjoy now." I smiled up at him, tickling his neck with my nails, feeling him shiver from it. "How long do we have to stay here tonight?" "Well, they're about to serve dessert, which is my favorite part, so maybe after that. And maybe one more dance since I probably won't have another moment like this until the next gala." "Or until-" His mouth clenched like he was debating whether or not to say something. "Or until? What?" I laughed. "You want to go slow dancing somewhere?" "No," he huffed. "Fuck no. Only rare, special occasions." The servers started paraded out the doors behind us. "Dessert!" I dropped my arms from his neck, whisking off from the floor. May saw us approaching, waving me over to her, so Gavin let go of my hand, continuing to his seat while I walked to the opposite side, sitting next to May. She started going off about somebody or something while my eyes strayed to the handsome man across the table. He caught my stare, grinning

back in response before puckering, blowing me a kiss. Maybe I could indulge in the fantasy of being Mrs. Romano. Gavin was too young to get married anytime soon, but maybe one day. Maybe one day we'd be at this gala, and I'd have a ring on my finger. Sadie Romano. No, I shouldn't even start this dream. It'd be too hard to recover from when I woke up. "Anyways, I'm pretty sure he's single." May yanked my arm, waking me from my reverie. "Yeah, yes, totally." I nodded, agreeing to whatever she was saying and noticing the servers heading for our table. "They're almost to our table with dessert! I'm going back to my seat." "I could look at you all night, Baby," Gavin whispered as I took my seat beside him. "What were you thinking about over there?" "You're very curious about my thoughts tonight, Mr. Romano." I was thinking about being your wife, getting married, being Mrs. Romano. "How handsome you are." "Ha," he chuckled. "Sure." An arm dipped in front of me, the server setting a plate of chocolate cake on the table. "My favorite!" Then he placed a bowl of vanilla ice cream beside it. Vanilla ice cream- just like the beach on our first semi-date, the ice cream cone, the fog, the sand, Gavin's fingers. And I was tingling, crossing my thighs to quell the rising burn. Gavin picked up his spoon, a devilish grin perking up as he stuck it into the ice cream. Apparently, he hadn't forgotten either. The tingle turned to deep twinges, my thighs trembling under the table- and then he lifted the spoon, lips parting, the tip of his tongue striking in slow motion. "Put the fucking spoon down!" I snapped- he whipped his face my way, eyes wide. "I'm ready to go upstairs now." I scooted the chair out, sending it screeching as I abruptly sprung up, yanking Gavin's arm with me. "I'll see you ladies Sunday!" "Wait-"

I heard May, but I wasn't stopping. "What about your dessert, Baby?" Gavin's voice was deep, the vibrato prickling my spine, prickling everything for that matter. I looked over my shoulder, damn. I dashed back, plucking the plate from the table. "Gavin, grab the ice cream." We zipped through the ballroom, Gavin rushing ahead of me to hold the doors. "Thought you wanted to dance," he teased, grinning as we hurried down the hall. "Oh, I do." Just a different kind of dancing. He smacked the elevator button, the motion stretching his already tight suit over his muscular arms. "You look handsome tonight. I mean, you're always handsome, but tonight you're-" "Do not say boy band hot," he chuckled, whirling us into the elevator. We shuffled down the hall, pushing right through the door, setting our dishes down as we entered the room. And then my feet came to a stop- ing the Gavin who brought me up here earlier. "You do look like a princess tonight, Baby." His hands snuck over my waistinducing a gasp. "I want you to feel like one too." He dipped his face until his eyes were level with mine. "I want to kiss- want to taste every inch of you." His hands clamped over my sides, guiding me to the bed, sitting me at the edge while he bent down in front of me, lifting my foot to slide the stiletto off. "I love you so much, Baby." A kiss to my toe, my ankle- hands sliding up my calf while his lips trailed behind. I watched his face, his fingers bunching the dress higher for the lips brushing up my thigh. Then his kiss hit the damp lace of my panties, his exhale hissing its way inside me. Good lord. I rested back on my elbows, tilting my head back so the moans could easily escape. Then the mattress dipped at my side, his arm bracing my back, lifting me off my arms- so he could hold one, stretching it across his chest, kissing my fingertips. Shit...

His lips continued to my shoulder, his head nudging mine to the side, tongue taking over, licking up my neck to my ear, teeth grazing my earlobe. I gasped, breathing erratic- stuttered, my thighs shaky- the need overwhelming me. "Baby-" His heavy whisper filled my ear. "I have never seen anyone as fucking beautiful as you. Utter, fucking, perfection." He rose from the bed, lifting me right in front of him, his mouth falling immediately to the hollow of my throat, only inches from my heaving chest. "Baby-" he growled again, tongue tracing my cleavage. "I need more skin." He took control of my hips, spinning me, fingers snatching the zipper, freeing the dress from my skin, leaving me in only the lace panties. "Now, it's time for dessert." He took the few steps to the table, plate in one hand, bowl in the other as he turned back. "Lay down, Baby." I rolled my back down the sheets, watching with anticipation as he perched himself beside me, stirring the spoon in the bowl. Then he lifted the silver spoon, my eyes flashing to his lips- waiting- instead, his hand was falling to my chest, the ice-cold spoon gliding over my nipple. "Fuck!" I arched off the bed, that spoon rubbing over my painfully aroused bud. "Oh my god!" I choked out, nipple hardening even tighter from the chill, goosebumps springing up across my chest. His hand retreated, spoon back to the bowl, stirring, raising, lowering to my other breast, letting the ice cream fall from the spoon. "Hahh." I cringed, nipples razor-sharp, unbearably tight. He hovered, black eyes staring, dilating- then face plummeting, mouth sucking in an entire nipple, slurping off the ice cream, whipping my breasts clean, one right after the other- the heat of his mouth meeting the chill of the dessert. His hands ed in, squeezing, caressing- both having their way with my breasts. "Gavin." He sank back, nibbling down my stomach, spoon back in the bowl- then cold spoon pressing to my clit- "Oh, oh, oh!" I jerked away, but his palms slammed my hips back down, his face buried between me, tongue inside me. "Gav- gav- fuck." His tongue was on the assault- showing no mercy to my clit- no remorse, stabbing, jabbing, flicking, whipping, lapping, swirling up and down, all of me victim to his mouth- to his lips, to the hot breath hitting

my wet pussy. "Shit, fuck." I threw my hands down, ripping at his hair- the climax like an avalanche. "Gavin... I want you- fuck me, fuck me..." He wouldn't stop- more cold, more ice cream, more tongue, more lips... fuck, fuck. "Gavin- Gavin- Fuck! fuck!" I bucked, I arched, I quaked, I succumbed.

Chapter 39

"Fuck." It was all I could manage to say and the only word to possibly describe how I was feeling right now. He slid over me, face hovering, licking his lips- wearing the proudest smile across his face. "It's time for your dessert, Baby." "One more minute. I'm not capable of anything quite yet." It was a whisper, a squeak. He slipped his arm under my back, lifting me, so I was sitting up, then swinging his arm to the table, presenting me a water table. "Take a drink," he insisted, so I parted my lips, and he tilted the bottle to them, thumb sweeping across my bottom lip. "Are you hungry yet, Baby?" His hand drifted away, down to the plate, finger swiping across the chocolate ganache glaze on the cake, raising right back to my lips- pushing his finger inside my mouth. "Are you hungry for me, Baby?" I licked the frosting, sucking the chocolate from his finger. "Yes." He stood, broad and towering over the bed, hands reaching to his neck, unknotting his tie, popping the buttons down his shirt, sliding the fitted sleeves down his arms, shaking the shirt to the floor. I wanted to be the one undressing him, but this show was too enticing. He was shirtless, chest flexing as his hands grabbed at his belt, yanking the clasp free, kicking the rest of his clothes to the floor- standing there completely naked now. He smirked- olive skin slightly blushing, dark eyes nearly solid black, gelled hair messy from being shoved between my thighsthen there was that body. Muscles engraved across his chest, abs- his arms nothing but lines of muscles. And the trail leading to the arousal that his thick fingers were stroking while he waited for me.

I used all my remaining strength to stand, immediately raising my hands to his biceps, tracing each muscle. "I love you." He dove- I stumbled- his hands slapped around my waist to hold me up- my hands bracing his arms- while his mouth engulfed mine. We were nothing but skin, frantically holding on to the other, lips messy- kisses so urgent, stumbling together to the bed, falling as one. "I love you too, Sadie." He kissed me, chest flattening against my breasts, thighs entwining with mine under his, his arousal teetering at my entrance, slowly breaking in, hips thrusting with his body, taking his time to fill me completely. It was slow. It was powerful. Our lips locked, holding on to the kiss- our bodies locked, moving as one- his thrusts growing more powerful, fueling our connection. The pleasure was searing, sensitive nerves overreacting to every hiteuphoria gradually building. Then his kiss broke, his face lifting from minestaring down at me with such intensity. And he kept staring, eyes sinking shut with each thrust, jaw clamping, groans escaping. Shit, it hit me, the orgasm- the pressure. "Gavin." My eyes shut, ecstasy infiltrating my veins. "Look, at, me, Baby-" I forced my eyes open to his eyes above me. "Tell, me, again, that, you, love-me!" His thrusts turned to strikes, hips pacing faster. "I love you, Gavin" "Fuck, I love you too!" He collapsed over me, keeping us as one for a bit longer. "Baby-" He nestled his face into my chest, kissing a breast. "Did you still want to go back downstairs? You said you wanted another dance." Could I even walk? Let alone get out of this bed. But, I did have such a beautiful dress, and who knew when I'd get to do this again. "Yes."

He climbed off me, helping me up next, steadying me on my feet before walking over to my gown, holding it for me to step into. "I'll be right back." I waited while he finished with the zipper then took off to the bathroom to clean myself up. "I was-" I stepped back out, brushing out the tangled waves in my hairlosing my train of thought when I spotted him half-dressed across the roomslacks on, dress shirt on, yet unbuttoned, hanging open- giving me a peek at his muscles. "I-" I couldn't even what I was going to say- all I could focus on was how sexy he looked right now. He flashed me back a weak smile, continuing to button his shirt in silence. "Everything okay?" "I'm fine, Baby," he replied unconvincingly. "Gavin?" He expelled a heavy sigh, gazing up at the ceiling before returning my stare. "I don't wanna fuck tonight up for you. I already fucked up once- and I just wanna see you happy tonight." "What?" I looked to the bed we'd just rolled out of. "This, that was incredible," I gushed. "I don't want to get pissed off down there. I know you want me to be a bigger fucking man and ignore all that shit, but I can't help it- it's ingrained in me- sometimes I can't fucking control it. You have no idea what it does to me, and if that- if he tries to talk to you-" I continued over, lacing my fingers through his. "I just wanted another dance. I don't need an orchestra or an audience. I just want to be in your arms." I started for the balcony doors, nudging him along with me. "One dance." We stepped outside, his arms bracing me while I rested my hands over his shirt. "You know," I teased, swaying my body to the sounds of the bay. "There's one thing that could make you sexier tonight." "Oh yeah?" He chuckled, flashing his eyes back down to mine. "And what's that?"

"A little Italian." "I just gave you a big Italian," he grinned, arching that brow. "A few words, complete the fantasy- please," I begged with puppy dog eyes. "The memory will keep me happy for a very long time." His hands tightened around my waist, his chest rising heavily under my fingers while he sucked in a deep breath, locking his eyes with mine. "Voglio are il resto della mia vita con te. Mi vuoi sposare?" It was so sexy, his eyes were so deep- yet I didn't have the slightest clue what he was saying. "Hmm," I laughed up to him. "You said- you'll , you need rest, and your voice is sore?" He suppressed a chuckle, embracing me stronger. "You need to work on your Italian, Baby."

A tickle hit my nose, rousing me from a deep sleep. "Good morning, Baby." Gavin. I blinked a few times before finally smiling back up at him. "Why are you up so early?" "Because I was dreaming about you all night, then realized you were right next to me." He scooped me up, bringing me to his side. "I already ordered breakfast. I'm fucking starving after all that." Me too. "How long were we dancing outside?" "A long ass time," he chuckled. "Hours." "And then how long were we dancing inside," I teased. "Hours." I lifted my face from his chest, looking over the mess of the room, our clothes were strewn everywhere. "I think I'm going to shower. Want to me?"

"Yeah, no, fuck, the room service." "Suit yourself." I hopped from the bed, seductively scampering into the bathroom. I heard the rumble and the door shaking the room- food! I stopped the water, toweling off on my way back out. I was starving! The table was set up, food trays already open, only Gavin was sitting on the bed, aggressively spinning his phone. "What's wrong? They forget something?" "I have to go to New York to handle some shit after I graduate. They're requiring me to be there in person." I walked over to the bed, and he tossed his phone aside, clasping me instead."Who's they?" I asked, sinking onto his lap. "How long will you be gone?" "Will you go back with me, Baby? We can stay at The Plaza, whatever you want." My head was shaking before the words spit out. "No. I'm not ready to go back." I wasn't about to rehash those memories. "Fuck!" He dropped his forehead against my shoulder. "I assumed I could handle all this shit via email and fax. It's the 21st fucking century." "How long?" "Probably a week," he mumbled. "Fuck, I hate this." "It'll be fine. Grant will be home. I can spend the week with him and not feel guilty about leaving when you get back. This works out well." He twisted my torso to face him directly. "I won't be able to fly back like last time, Baby." "You won't need to," I assured him. "It'll only be Grant, work, gardening. I'll even lock the door and everything."

He nodded, sighing. "I guess I'll fly back with Giorgia and Sofia then." "When are they coming out?" He hadn't mentioned anything about them coming to visit. "For graduation, it'll just be you girls." You girls? "Me?" He couldn't be serious! There was no way I was going to his graduation. I didn't need to see him walk with other students. That was way too much reality for me! And all his friends would be there, other parents, not to mention it was at Grant's school. "You never said you wanted me to go. I, I can't. I might have to work and-" "Sadie!" He popped me off his lap, eyes up on mine as he entwined all our fingers. "I need you there, Baby. Everyone will be there with their fucking parents. I need you there so I can focus on you." No, no. "I just, what about Sofia and Giorgia." "Please, you have no idea what I went through at my high school-" I threw my palm up to stop him. "Don't finish that sentence." I wanted to be selfish. I wanted to suggest he not even walk. I wanted to ignore his pleas and not face the embarrassment and shame I knew that day would hit me with. Except I couldn't. I loved him, and the pain and anxiety were already radiating behind his deep eyes. "I'll, of course- of course, go." What a way to end this weekend. "And I shouldn't be in New York too long. It's just some signatures and a quick meeting with the judge." "Judge?" "Don't worry, Baby. He just has to sign off on shit." I waited for a little more explanation, but he didn't offer, so I started for the table, spotting my key next to the plates. "I guess you won't be needing this then," I teased, snatching my key off the table. "Since you won't even be around."

He leapt from the bed, stealing the key right out of my hand. "Nice try." He immediately pulled out his key ring, maneuvering mine on with a smile. "Now, can we eat?" I sank down, fork at the ready. "French toast, one of my favorites!" I cut off a big chunk, stuffing it into my mouth. So good! "Can we talk about New York?" Gavin was serious again, studying me. "I'm not going, Gavin!" I snapped another bite- so damn good. "No, I mean about while I'm gone." "While you're gone?" I repeated, rolling my gaze over to him. "Will you promise- I mean, will you try not to go out drinking with your girls or get hurt. And make sure you lock your door and set the alarm. By the way, did you call and get my name on that shit?" Was I really hearing this? "Excuse me?" "I don't wanna leave you, Baby. I don't even want to think about it- will you just fucking indulge me, so I don't work myself up." This man sometimes. "Gavin, you have to relax! You're going to give yourself a heart attack and drive me crazy!" "But when you get trashed, you get-" "Oh my gosh! I get like that because I'm with you," I laughed. "Please don't do this right now Gavin. I know you're anxious, but don't piss me off after such a good night. It's only a week- I'll be okay." "I know, Baby, but-" I shoved my loaded fork into his mouth, effectively shutting him up.

Chapter 40

Gavin took one last look around the room before giving the bellhop the okay to roll the loaded cart down to the valet. This had gone by too fast, and I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the bay, to my dress, to this dreamy existence. "Ready?" Gavin was waiting at the door, back propping it open. "No." I glanced around, making one last memory. "We still have the rest of the afternoon." He swung his hand to catch mine, the two of us watching the door close behind us. We stepped off the elevator, Gavin instantly trying to turn us around. "Jesus Christ." He groaned, glare on something dead ahead. I followed his line of sight- straight to Dr. Phillips, who was heading for us. "Gavin, relax." "What happened to you all last night?" Dr. Phillips was chipper, smiling at the two of us. "We," I emphasized. "Decided to call it an early night." "Work?" He asked Gavin. "Gavin, right?" "Yup," Gavin replied flatly. "May mentioned you bought a table, very cool of you. The Hope Center's going to be incredible. We appreciate your donation." "Oh yeah-" Gavin shrugged, looking down at me. "It's a good cause." I stepped forward, tugging Gavin with me. "Are you checking out too?" "Nope," he sighed with a shrug. "I'm currently living here! Not for much

longer, thank goodness." I was about to say that's right, that he had mentioned that to me- then thought better of it. "Well, we better get going. I see our car already." Dr. Phillips followed my gesture, his jaw immediately dropping. "The GT?" "That's right," Gavin beamed, his grin spreading across his face. "What's the horsepower?" I couldn't help but smile at Dr. Phillips talking with Gavin. Maybe this would finally calm Gavin down. "Six-hundred, forty-seven," Gavin gushed. "Only two in SoCal, that's one of them." "Puts my RAV4 to shame," he joked. "Anyway, nice catching up with you two. Will I see you tomorrow Sadie? Or Monday?" "Both." And thanks for the reminder. Not only was my weekend almost over, but I was working two days in a row after it. "We'll see you later then." Gavin gave him a quick head nod before continuing us towards the doors. "See!" I elbowed his side with a laugh. "See what?" He huffed, swapping cash for his keys with the valet. "He's not a bad guy- he even likes your car." I slipped into my seat while he circled the car to his. "Everyone fucking loves my car." And who the heck was everyone? "I'm just saying, you don't need to hate him so much." "Okay, Baby." He leaned over, waiting for my lips, the two of us swapping a peck before he hit the gas. "A fucking RAV4," he chuckled to himself. "Baby-" He sped out of the roundabout, veering onto the street. "Can you

make sure your schedule is clear for the graduation and the night before? Sofia and Giorgia want to have dinner." Graduation. I twisted my face towards the window, watching the city zoom by. The last time I saw Giorgia, I was storming out of Luca's apartment. Sofia hadn't been there, but I'm sure she heard all about it. Now I had to relive that night, right before sitting amongst a bunch of parents cheering on their graduates- while I was cheering on the one I was sleeping with. "What are you thinking about?" He asked, sliding his hand to my thigh. "Nothing," I lied. "Just tired." "You know, we should go somewhere to celebrate!" "Celebrate what?" "That I'm done! All this school shit and my obligations are met. I know you don't wanna go anywhere because of work, but maybe Vegas for a few nights? Fuck, I can't wait to get you back there." That did sound good- Gavin, hotel, flashing lights. "I just have to figure out how to handle this with Grant. I haven't told him about this summer yet, and he has to be out of the dorms the day you walk. I'll tell him this week, so he has time to process it. Maybe Berkeley can stay over a few days or some of his friends." "No!" He balked, head whipping side to side. "I don't want any of his friends over when you're there." Excuse me. "Not your house- not your decision." "No, Sadie- they all think you're hot." "And," I laughed. "His girl friend's think you're hot. What's your point?" "You're so frustrating!" He spat at that windshield. "Me?" Me! "Plus-" I hid my smile. "I'll just be gardening when they're over-"

The car slammed to a stop, sending me flying forward, palms to the dashboard- while Gavin's face whipped my direction. "Sadie! I swear to fucking-" "Oh my god!" I started laughing, cracking up. "I was joking!" He looked over, shaking his head before hitting the gas again. "So damn cute but pissing me off since day one." "Oh really?" Again- me. "Pissing you off? Please tell me more about how I pissed you off." "Always fucking waiting for trouble," he both grumbled and laughed. "Napping half-naked outside, leaving your door unlocked, walking- and running alone at night, forgetting your fucking phone all the damn time, now wanting all Grant's creepy friends over." Wanting, huh? "You were one of those creepy friends," I laughed, playing with his fingers resting on my thigh. "And I don't know why you're mad about the other stuff. We weren't even together back then." "I knew the second I saw you that I wanted you- and not just to fuck you. You were different. I pictured your smile all night. Then went by the next day, almost fucking losing it seeing you lying in the grass on full fucking display for everyone walking by." "That's a tad dramatic- especially coming from a stalker." His smile cracked into his cheeks. "Sometimes you're too independent for your own good." We were already back at the condo, with Gavin slowing up the driveway to the valet. "What do you want to do the rest of the day, Baby?" I looked beyond him to the blue waves peeking through the other side of the lobby. "Want to walk on the beach?" "It's not foggy enough," he teased, tossing an arm around my back. "No, it's not." I spun, landing chest to chest with him. "It's hot, though. Which means we'll probably get sweaty and need a shower. And-" I lifted

on my tiptoes, tilting my head to reach his lips. "I've never showered with you at your place." "I do love firsts, Baby." We crossed the street, following the path to the beach. "I should have brought my suit. It's such a nice day." The water was crashing, the seagulls were squawking, the sand was shimmering under the afternoon sun. "We have all summer, Baby." That's right. Oh my god! I'd be living here- across from the beach- every day. "This is why I moved to San Diego, to be on the beach. I think it's my happy place." I inhaled, filling my lungs with that salty ocean air. "Would you ever leave?" Gavin stopped, doing a one-eighty to face me. "Maybe to another beach city. I love that I can wake up and be at the water." "After a twenty-minute drive." True, but only twenty minutes. "Well, if California wasn't so darn expensive. I'm lucky I only have a twenty-minute drive," I laughed back. "Maybe one day I'll have a little place on the water, be able to wake up and step right outside for a run." "My condo's right across the street." He tilted his head towards the high rise so completely out of place. "It's a condo. You have no outdoor space, and it's so, so serious." "Serious?" "Gavin- you have a valet, elevator, lots of steel, and no garden. You have New York in San Diego." He shrugged. "That's all I know." He ushered me forward, down the breezy sidewalk. "So you don't like my place?"

"I think your place is perfect for you." "But not for you?" "I've been cooped up in apartments and condos my whole life. I like space, indoors and out. I don't mind staying at your place over the summer, though. I'll miss my house, but I'd miss you more." I hooked my arm in his, walking towards the sunset. "I'll miss you when you're in New York." "I know." He dropped a kiss to my hair before pulling me off the sidewalk, down to the sand. "No, Gavin!" The beach was way too crowded and bright today. "Relax," he laughed. "I only want to sit." He dropped to the sand, tugging me down between his legs. "Sadie," he whispered, chest tensing under me. "What do you think- or what would you think if-" "If you didn't go to New York?" I twisted my face back, smiling up at him. "No, fuck, let's go back to my place. I'm getting into my fucking head out here." "Don't overthink it, Gavin." I sat up, pushing myself right back up to my feet. "Don't overthink New York." "That's not-" He rolled up to standing beside me. "I-" "I-" I finished for him. "Didn't realize how hot it was out here!" I flicked my wrist, pretending to fan myself from the sun and the gorgeous Italian in front of me. "I think I'm ready for that shower- care to help me get wet?"

Chapter 41

Gavin would be here to pick me up in an hour, and I still hadn't showered. Shower. I was still living off the memories of our shower session after the beach the other day. We played in his shower for a very long time. A symphony started playing, adding music to my dirty daydreams- wait, music? My phone! I snapped it off the table, pushing it to my ear. "Hello." "Hey, Mom, are you off today?" "Um, yeah." Technically. "Can I come by? Or are you hanging out with him?" "Well, we were-" "Jeez! He's always with you! You never have time for me anymore." "Grant, that's not true. You'll be moving back in just a few days." "Can you cancel with him?" "Oh, why, Sweetie? What's going on?" "Berkeley and I broke up." Shit. "Oh no, okay, why don't you come over." "Thanks, mom!" No Gavin today. It'd only been a few days, which seemed like nothing but felt like everything. But there was no choice; Grant had to come first, especially right now. I dialed Gavin. "Hey, Baby. I'm leaving soon."

"I have to cancel today." "What?" "Grant called, and he wants to hang out." "Are you fucking kidding me!" "Him and Berkeley broke up." "You work tomorrow, and then I've got to be on campus for ceremony shit." "Come by after that. I'm off next week when your sisters get here." "Next week?! So I get what a day with you before I leave for New York." I hated the sound of that too. "He broke up with his girlfriend. Imagine how you'd feel." "Fine. Fuck. I miss you, Baby." "Miss you too! I'll call you later."

The second I hung up, I heard a knock, a key rattle the lock, then Grant pushing the door open. "Why'd you knock if you were just going to use your key?" I walked up, embracing him whether he wanted the hug or not. "The one time I didn't knock- well." He rolled his eyes- while I cringed at the memory. "Anyways-" He walked over to the couch, dropping into the cushions. His curly hair was wild, his eyes slightly puffy. Poor Grant. "What happened?" "She actually broke up with me on Spring Break. That's why I came home early."

"Why didn't you say anything?" All this time, and I hadn't even thought to ask about her. "I don't know." He shrugged. "Because he was here, and I don't know. I guess I thought we'd get back together." "I'm sorry." I sat down next to him, opening my arm for him to fall into. "What happened?" He threw his hands up with a quick rise of his shoulders. "I don't know! We were in L.A. with her dad and then she just broke up with me out of nowhere." Crap. I hoped this had nothing to do with Gavin and me. "Look at the bright side- you'll meet plenty of girls this summer and next year." He scoffed, shifting in his seat. "I loved her!" Oh please, they were eighteen. "Sweetie, you two were only together what six months." "And?" He swiveled back to face me. "You've been with Gavin less time than that, and you said you loved him." It was different. "I'm older. I know what real love feels like." "And what about him?" "We're different." I couldn't explain it- we were just different. "You knew nothing about her and me! You've never even asked. So don't tell me I didn't love her!" He was right. I'd been so consumed with Gavin that I'd let the other stuff slip. I slid my arm back around his shoulder, forcing him to me. "I'm sorry." Who was I to judge what they had, and he was right- I knew nothing about their relationship. "Everyone I know is going home for the summer, and now Berkeley's gone too." He slumped against me.

"I'll be here!" "Alone? Is Gavin going back to New York?" "For a little bit." "Then you'll be ditching me for him the second he's back," he grumbled. "No, I told him you were coming home." He sat up, staring straight ahead at the wall. "I want to go back to Tucson for a week or two." "Oh." Tucson- it was the last place I wanted to go. And I'd used my vacation days. "I don't think I can go with you, unless..." "I don't want my mom going anyways! I'm going to drive up and crash at Mav's. He's home from Boulder." Driving up alone! Staying without me! "Have you already planned it? Is it a done deal?" He'd only been driving for a year or so, and that was at least an eight-hour drive. "Yeah, a few days ago. I just need to get out of town, see my old friends." I didn't like this. "When are you going?" "When they kick us out of the dorms next week." That was right when Gavin was leaving too. I wanted to scream no, but he was eighteen now. He didn't need my okay anymore. "How much money do you need?" He shrugged. "Whatever you can spare, and maybe when I get back. we can do something or go somewhere like we used to. Just the two of us." Of course, he and Gavin would be returning at the same time. "Sure." He suddenly stood, rushing to the wall- no- the Tiffany box on the table. "What's this?" He grabbed it up, flashing it at me.

Crap. "Oh, that's-" He pulled the top off the box, whipping his head back at me. "Holy crap!" "Yeah." Holy crap was right. "Did he buy you this? This looks expensive." "He did." And it was. "Is that why you're with him? Does he buy you a lot of this kind of stuff?" Seriously. "Grant, knock it off." He dropped the box back to the table. "I don't even want to know what you did to deserve that." "More like what he did," I grumbled under my breath. "Come on, let's go do something to cheer you up. Go see a movie? Beach?"

Chapter 42

I strummed through my closet, searching for something special. I hadn't seen Gavin in over a week. He had a full schedule leading up to graduation tomorrow while I'd been spending any free time I had with Grant. I found myself stuck somewhere in between 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' and 'out of sight out of mind.' Tonight I was finally seeing him, meeting him and his sisters at the hotel for dinner- which meant I had to look amazing. I wanted his jaw to drop and his sisters to forget about what had happened in New York. I kept strumming, finally settling on a sexy little black dress- they never disappointed. I slipped it on, pairing it with the Tiffany necklace and taking the time to curl my hair. It was so strange being scruffy all day running around the hospital then coming home and transforming into this- heels, sparkling rubies, makeup. The drive turned daunting, the pit of my stomach twinging with every mile. I was nervous to see him after so much time apart, nervous to see them- not knowing what they were thinking. And suddenly, I was here, reversing into a spot on the street, stepping out, walking in slow motion into the lobby. The last time I was here was Valentine's Day- tangled in the sheets with him. Speaking of him. I saw the tall man in the distance, towering over the two woman in front of him. He was laughing, smiling, bantering with his sistersthe nervous flutters inside me turning to longing. I had missed him. I continued towards them, watching him smiling so carefree, laughingcasually glancing over his shoulder in my direction- stilling the second he spotted me. He stared back for a second, then he was charging. "I miss-" I started, but his hands flew to my cheeks, palms cupping my face, lips crashing against mine- embers blazing from the speed of his lips, our spark instant. All the pent-up emotions I had from missing him breaking free, making up for lost time with our tongues.

"Baby," he breathed into me, lips slowly recoiling. "You get more fucking beautiful every damn day. I've missed you so fucking much!" "I've missed you too." He took my hand, interlacing our fingers while leading me back to his sisters. "Sadie!" Giorgia squealed, jumping over to kiss my cheek. "You look lovely- and that necklace!" "Thanks!" I smiled back, instinctively raising my hand to the rubies. "You both look lovely too. Hi Sofia." "How are you, Sadie?" She leaned in, kissing my cheek next. "I'm good, really good." Especially now that I was back in Gavin's arms. "Ladies." Gavin gestured us towards the hostess, leading the way with Sofia. But Giorgia grabbed my arm, pulling me back behind them. "I'm so happy to see you, Sadie! I love seeing Gav happy! I wasn't sure after what happened in New York if you were gonna stick around. I know Gav's complicated- we all are." "Complicated might be an understatement," I teased. "Touché," she giggled back. "How's Laurence?" "Wonderful," she gushed just as we arrived at the table. "Baby-" Gavin scooted out a chair out for me before sinking into the one next to it, immediately throwing his arm around my shoulders. "I love you." "You too," I mouthed up to him. "Sadie," Sofia started. "We're sad to hear you're not coming home with Gav."

"I have to work." And I had no interest in going back to that apartment, ever. "She's spending the week with her son," Gavin added. My face whipped towards his automatically, then over to his sisters, who were smiling back. He had told them about Grant. Except- "Actually, he's going to Arizona for the week." Gavin looked down, meeting my eyes, his grip tightening around my shoulders. "He's not gonna be staying with you when I'm gone?" "Nope, just me, myself, and I." He dropped his arm from my shoulders, fidgeting with the menu in front of him before leaning over to my ear. "Why didn't you tell me?" "He just told me the other day, and I hadn't seen you," I whispered back. "It's not a big deal." The waiter stopped at our table, drawing Gavin's attention away while we ordered our food and a bottle of wine, which the waiter returned with right away. "A toast," Giorgia boomed, raising her glass. "To Gav, for finally taking control!" I lifted my glass, looking between them all. "Taking control of what?" "Now that's he graduated, he gets full control of his trust and the estate," she continued. "Graduating was his last stipulation." Last stipulation. "What?" I looked up at him, watching his eyes narrow at Giorgia. "What does that mean?" "We'll talk about it later," he mumbled before taking another sip of his wine. What were they talking about? I grabbed Gavin's arm, pulling him down towards me. "Stipulation?"

"Later," he mumbled again. Giorgia mouthed 'sorry' to me, then Sofia leaned in over the table, studying Gavin. "Have you decided what you're doing with the apartment?" I flashed my eyes up to him yet again, feeling very out of the loop. Did she mean condo? Was he leaving? "That's between Luca and me." He gave a stern warning, causing her to retreat, straightening back in her chair. "Gavin?" I insisted, tugging at his sleeve, needing some clarification- on everything. "Later," he repeated. "So, how's work, Sadie?" Sofia continued, brushing her long, slick back hair over her shoulder. "Busy." Always busy. "And how long will you continue working there?" She eyed Gavin before rolling her eyes back to me. "Umm, for a while. I like the team, but who knows, I might transfer to a different hospital someday." She laughed, shaking her head no. "I meant will you continue working- in general?" "Basta! Enough!" Gavin snapped at her. "I think I'll always be working," I laughed back. "I've got a mortgage to pay." She'd probably never worked a day in her life and didn't realize working was not an option for most people. "Unless, of course, you win the lottery," Gavin teased. "Which is going to happen any day now," I teased back, leaning into his arm, feeling his chin drop onto my hair.

"I hope you feel that way," he whispered, and I didn't quite understand his meaning, but then again, I didn't understand much tonight.

"We'll see you tomorrow, Sadie." Giorgia pulled me in for a goodbye hug, followed by Sofia doing the same. "I'll be right back," Gavin called to them, draping an arm around my back. "I'm gonna walk my girl out." He led me away from the restaurant, lips immediately at my ear. "I've wanted to touch you all fucking night." Suddenly his feet came to a stop, he swerved- landing in front of me, both hands sliding over my waist. "I hate being away from you. I can't wait until you're coming home to me every night, and I'm waking up to you every morning." "It'll be a fun summer," I flirted, and he pulled me in closer. "Fuck-" he rolled his eyes. "Give me a second, Baby." "Why? Are you okay?" I watched him grimace, taking one deep inhale after another. "I'm fucking rock hard," he laughed, discreetly sliding his hands to his pants, adjusting himself. "He missed you too." He shook his pant legs, finally stepping aside to continue walking, straight towards the valet. Nope. I yanked his arm, tugging him towards the main doors. "I'm parked out on the street." "Are you fucking serious? You parked on the street?" "I'm not going to valet my car. It's not nice enough!" He drove a race car- I drove a four-door, way too old mom car. "And it's expensive!" "I swear to god Sadie." He rolled his eyes, huffing, and puffing as I led him down the dark street. "So, you told your sisters about Grant?"

"Yeah-" he nodded. "I wanted them to know everything about you." "Everything, huh?" He leaned down, dipping his face towards mine. "Except for the boy band shit, that's irredeemable." "Ha," I laughed in his face. "What did they say about Grant?" "Nothing," he shrugged. "They didn't care, and it's not their place to say anything. I just wanted them to know because I'm tired of trying to who knows what and who doesn't. I love you and everything you come with." "And what were your sisters talking about in there? The stipulations and Luca?" "Nothing, Baby. I don't even know what's going on yet. That's why I've gotta get to New York." "But what-" I automatically clicked my keys, unlocking the car we were stepping up to. "Later," he insisted. "Now-" he pressed my back against the door, lowering his face to mine. "You look really fucking good tonight, Baby." His fingers started tracing down the outline of my curves until they hit my bare thigh. "Come back to my place." "I thought you were staying here with them?" "I'm gonna see them for the next fucking week, and I'm not ready to let you leave tonight, not like this." His touch grew stronger, fingertips moving from feather-light to demanding. "I'm going to see you tomorrow," I whispered against him, drawing his lips to mine. "You're still staying over tomorrow night, right?" "Meet me at my place, Baby." His fingers continued up my thigh, sliding under the dress. "I'm gonna go say goodnight to my sisters. Then I'll be right behind you."

I glanced around, debating if I should yank him into my car. I hadn't had an orgasm in a week, and just the thought of his hands, his mouth, his- "Okay, I'll meet you there." He leaned in, dragging his lips to my jaw, nipping their way down my throat while his hands continued up under my dress. "Fuck," he groaned, taking the words right out of my mouth. Then he fell against me, erection rubbing between my thighs. Oh god. I dropped my hand to his zipper, palming that pipe. "No." He twisted away. "I've waited an entire fucking week, Baby. I don't want your hand. I want your pussy." Holy shit. I was on fire now. "My place!" He pulled the door open behind me, giving me one final kiss before softly shoving me down into my seat. "And Sadie- you better fucking valetno street shit." He shut the door, leaving me trembling, tingling- my body so desperate that the seat was exciting me. I dropped my hand to my legs, sliding up my dress, my fingers dancing down my center. I needed relief- but he was right. I didn't want my hand- I wanted him.

Chapter 43

I cursed out every red light I hit before finally pulling up to his building's valet- hearing the obnoxious roar of an engine right behind me. No way. How the heck did he get here so fast? The valet opened my door, reaching an outstretched hand for mine. "Good evening." "Good-" Gavin's hand swooped down, blocking the valet's and whisking me away. "-Evening," I called back over my shoulder. "God, I hate those fucking guys." Gavin rushed us into the building, straight towards the elevator. "I left before you; how are you already here?" I had a solid ten-minute lead. "Baby, you drive like a snail, and I've got a lot of fucking horsepower." "Yeah." I flashed my eyes up to his. "I've been missing your horsepower." We hurried into the elevator, anxiously waiting for it to unload us- then sprinting down his hall, through his door- to his bedroom. His hands attacked my dress, destroying the zipper, ripping the dress to the floor- gasping- taking a step back. "You didn't wear a bra or panties tonight." His eyes were raking double-time down my naked body. "Nope," I mouthed back to him. "I didn't want to waste any- fucking time." His eyes went black, eyebrows heavy, cheeks flushing- the hunger visible. "Grab on to something, Baby." "What?"

He pounced, sending me backwards onto the sheets, his body falling over mine, hands rubbing my stomach as he unzipped his pants, freeing his erection, humping against me while his hand dove between my thighs, fingers sweeping from clit to entrance, two plunging inside me, curling with heavy thrusts. "Oh shit!" I waved my hands across the sheets, fingers searching for something to hold. "Fuck!" He yelled, whipping his wet fingers out of me. "I can't wait any longer! I want you too damn bad! Grab on to something, Baby!" He bucked, erection shooting inside me, striking hard- the force sending me arching up and off the sheets. My nerves were screaming, his dick filling me wall to wall, stretching with each pound- my thighs clamping to control the pressure. "Oh, fuck, Baby." He bumped up, fiery eyes on me, watching my lips as I moaned, my breasts as they bounced with each thrust. Then he rolled over, taking me with him, flipping me on top, sinking down for what felt like miles, taking his dick to new depths. "Fuck Gavin-" I swiveled my hips, rocking over him side to side, carving him into me, working my hips to hit every last nerve. "Fuck me just as hard as I fuck you, Baby!" I dropped my palms to his chest, lifted my hips, sliding him out- almostthen plummeting down. Fuck. I rode harder, up, down, rolling my hips to fuck him faster, force him deeper. "Oh god." The walls imploded, nerves disintegrating- strikes hitting harder. My thighs bounced faster- working triple time to grind him into that spot, that magical fucking spot. "Gav-" The surge hit, fire, and ice. My head fell back, mind distant, sitting over him as the waves of euphoria hit. Damn. I had really missed him. "Maybe all this time apart isn't such a bad thing." "Hmph." It was a grunt, his hands lifting my waist and lying me on my back beside him. "This will be the last time we're apart, Baby."

"New York." I reminded him, and he pulled me into his arm, bicep locking over me as I snuggled him. "I need to get going soon." "Stay," he whispered, tightening his hold. "Grant will be home, and he leaves tomorrow morning." "Stay!" He repeated. I wanted to- but. "I can't tell him that I'm ditching him the night before he leaves." "I'm fucking leaving too!" "But I have one more night with you!" I knew without seeing him that he was rolling his eyes. "Will you walk me to the door?" "I'm gonna walk you downstairs. I don't want those valet guys trying shit." I laughed. "You mean the guy that was doing his job?" I sat up, leaning over him. "Look, Gavin, if I'm going to be staying here this summer, I need you to-" I paused, then smiled. "Meet some stipulations." "Oh yeah," he chuckled, sending his fingers running through the waves in my hair. "You have to relax on the jealousy. It's okay if another man opens my door, especially when that's literally his job. It's okay if another man talks to me at work, and it's okay if I talk to them too." "Mmhmm," he huffed. "Anything else." "Talk to me." "What?" He sat up to face me. "Don't shut me out if you get mad, talk to me. Don't let it escalate." He smiled, nodding in agreement while his hands fell to mine. "Well, then, I also have some stipulations for you."

"Let's hear them," I laughed, meeting his wide grin. "Never leave without your phone, and-" he squinted, looking up as his grin turned to a mischievous smile. "And never shower alone. I'm big on water conservation, and California's in a drought." "Alone? So if the valet-" I started laughing, and he flipped me back down, digging his fingers into my sides. "Stop!" I squealed, jumping away to free myself from the tickles. "Baby." He called, naked body splayed over the sheets. And I took off, tripping over my feet to get out his bedroom door. I couldn't say no to that- and he knew it. I stepped back into the dress as I walked into the main room, flipping the light on, spotting a large box on his table- with a graduation cap and tassel on top. Oh my god. I walked over, looking through the clear plastic top of the box, seeing the folded graduation gown inside. "I forgot to hang that up." He walked out behind me. Grant had just worn a similar cap and gown this time last year at his high school graduation. I felt sick. This was the part of Gavin I couldn't handle. It was like this dirty little secret that was now right in my face. "Baby," he sighed, hand catching mine, pulling me away. "Next week, it'll be over. I'll be done with all this, and we can start our next chapter." I nodded automatically, glancing back over at the cap and gown. Tomorrow I'd be there. Watching him with all the other students graduating. "Walk me out." I turned away, bolting for the door.

Chapter 44

I stood at the front door, watching Grant collect his things. "Drive safe and call me if you need anything!" I held up my arms, and he leaned into the embrace as he shuffled out the door. "Bye, Mom!" He gave me one final wave before tossing his bag into the car. "You have enough gas?" I yelled over. "Call me when you get there! Love you!" "Love you too!" He ducked into his seat, driving away. I was still in my pajamas, trying not to give away the fact that I was heading to Gavin's graduation- which he'd be picking me up for any minute. I jumped back inside, locking the door as I raced to the bathroom. I shimmied the tight pencil skirt up, shrugged the blousy tank over my head, and stepped into my heels. I didn't want to look like a parent, but I also didn't want to look too sexy. Then I grabbed my lip gloss, puckering at the mirror. "I'll take that kiss!" "Shit!" I dropped the wand, seeing Gavin's reflection creep behind me in the mirror. "What the hell are you doing!" "It's time to go, Baby. I'm gonna be late." "Wait, I locked the door." I swung back, meeting his wry smile. "How did you-" He dangled his keys at me. That's right. "Give it back!" I placed my palm out expectantly, but he grabbed my hand instead, tugging me towards him. "You look sexy, Baby."

"You always say that!" I looked up, ignoring the tingles that were starting to fire. "I've never seen this skirt before," his voice was a rasp as he slid his hands over my ass. "Don't we have somewhere to be, Mr. Romano?" "Fuck, yeah, let's go." He released my ass, waving me out. "Where are your sisters?" I grabbed my purse on the way to the door. "They're meeting us at the field, only two seats in my car." He shrugged, swinging the door open, waiting for me to step out first. "I could have walked. It's just down the street." He rolled his eyes with a smug chuckle. "Of course you could have Baby- in your fucking stilettos and tight ass skirt." He followed me out, locking my door and rushing ahead of me, opening the enger door. We parked, and Gavin stepped out, lifting his cap and gown from the trunk. Ugh. I tried to look away, tried to ignore him draping the gown over his arm. My boyfriend was graduating. He reached for my hand, but I swatted him away. "Not here, ." "Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "So, Baby, I mean Sadie. My sisters are going to meet you right over there at that gate, and then when the ceremony's over, I'll meet you all back there." "Okay." He shook his head, still grumbling. "I can't even fucking kiss you, can I?" "Later." He took off in the opposite direction while I headed for the gate, spotting Sofia and Giorgia walking towards me. "Isn't this great!" Giorgia shouted as they closed in. "I've only been to NYU

ceremonies. This is so warm and beachy." "Yeah." Warm, beachy, and miles of parents. "Let's take our seats, shall we," Sofia insisted, smiling as she adjusted her oversized and expensive-looking sunglasses. She started into the crowd while I followed, inhaling one deep breath after another. "Here," Giorgia called, turning down a row and taking the three end seats just as the music roared. The graduates then started marching in at the front. "There's Gav!" Giorgia screamed, pointing up to the large screen that Gavin's face was amplified on. Her voice was immediately drowned out by the whistles and screams that were echoing across the field. "But he's 'R'? Why is he walking in so early?" He was before the majority of his class. "Summa cum laude," Sofia mused. "They walk in first before the general graduates. See the gold sash." "What does that mean?" I hated having to ask these questions, although I hated not knowing even more. "Graduating with the highest honor," Sofia continued. "Did Gav not tell you?" "He didn't." Nor did I ask any questions about school or this graduation. "Was that one of the stipulations?" "No," Giorgia laughed. "That's just Gav. You know how intense he is; he doesn't half-ass anything." "Gav is extremely intelligent," Sofia added. "Always top of his class." Gavin was graduating with honors. Why hadn't he told me- why was I so shocked to hear it? Why did I think he was anything less? He really didn't half-ass anything.

The first speaker stepped to the stage, welcoming the graduates into adulthood and the real world. Adulthood, my boyfriend, was being welcomed into adulthood. I tuned the rest of her speech out. It was either that or make myself sick. More speakers came up, then the university staff, all going through a bevy of speeches and acknowledgments, causing the crowd to move in and out of applause until it was finally time to introduce the graduates. Gavin's row stood, my eyes locked on the large screen, watching them march up onto the stage. Jesus, he looked so young grouped in with the others. "Gavin Romano," the presenter announced, and the camera zoomed in on his face, causing a roar of screams, whistles, and claps. Sofia and Giorgia started clapping as well, while I just stared at the screenstaring at the young guy with his cap drawn over his wild jet black hair and a long black gown covering the ripped body underneath. It was like I was seeing this side of him for the first time. He grabbed his diploma, smiling at the camera, making the cat-calls start up again. And I wasn't jealous- I was cringing. I sat silently for the rest of the ceremony, clapping when others did, smiling when I caught Giorgia or Sofia watching me. I would never be able to get that image of him in his cap and gown out of my head or the speeches about becoming an adult heading into the real world. Hours ed, and finally, the crowd broke out in a final giant round of applause, everybody standing, including his sisters, so I followed. Then I saw him in the distance, easily a head taller than the guys around him, and I nudged Giorgia in his direction. He was scanning the area near the gate, gaze landing on me and his sistersinstantly rushing over with the biggest grin plastered across his face. He wasn't slowing, running right up to me, whisking me up in his arms, lips plowing mine. "Gavin!" I twisted away, smacking him to let me down.

"Shit-" he cringed, realizing what he'd done. "Baby, I wasn-" "No fucking way! Grant's mom!" I whipped my head around, catching Dan raising his fist to bump Gavin's. And Gavin turned back to face me, mouthing an apology. Too little too late. "I can't believe you're-" Dan yelled, but Gavin rushed over, shutting him up, whispering in his ear. I knew it. I knew something like this would happen! Gavin returned without Dan, and Giorgia ran up to hug him, congratulating him while insisting on a picture. "I'll take it for you," I offered, holding out my hand for her phone, trying to distract myself from what had just happened. I snapped a few pictures, handing her phone right back to her. "Now, you two," she insisted, waving for me to go to Gavin. No! I didn't want a picture of this. I didn't want to be here, let alone this! This version of Gavin didn't exist in my world. "I'm good, I- I'm going to head to the restroom." I knew how lame I sounded, and it was a weak excuse- I just couldn't do it. Gavin was so happy today, and I knew he needed me, but this was too much. I couldn't be what he needed me to be right now. I couldn't congratulate him on becoming an adult, not after just sleeping him. I was in my thirtieshe was in a cap and gown. Dan ran back over while I averted my eyes. "Hey, we're all headed to Bar None to celebrate." "Excellent!" Giorgia clapped. "Gav?" I looked up, watching his eyes roam the families and hoopla around us. "Yeah, let's get the hell outta here." He gestured everyone to get going, with Sofia and Giorgia veering to their awaiting car while I started for the parking lot, hearing Gavin's footsteps racing up behind me.

"I'm sorry, Baby," he called up. "I was just so fucking happy to be done." I knew he didn't mean to kiss me for any other reason than excitement. I had seen the pure joy in his eyes. It was just, as it always was, bad timing. "It's fine," I called back. This was a special day for him, and I didn't want to ruin it with my crappy mood. "I'm-" shit, do I say, proud of him? "Congratulations, on, graduating." "Uh, thanks," he chuckled behind me, and I slowed, glancing around first to make sure we were alone before turning back around to face him. "Can you take that off?" I pointed to the cap and gown he was still wearing. It was just too much. "What?" "Your gown and the cap." I willed myself to picture him without it, to see past it. He immediately unzipped the gown, shaking it off with the sash on his neck, then removing the cap. "Better?" "You didn't tell me you were graduating with honors." I nodded towards the sash in his hands. "It's not a big deal- not that fucking hard." He opened my door, waving me in before closing it behind me. Then he climbed into the driver's seat, leaning over, tipping his forehead against mine. "Thanks for being here today, Baby. I thought about you and that sexy ass skirt the entire fucking time." I was such a shitty girlfriend. He was thinking about me up there- on such an important day- while I was cringing below. Why couldn't I just move past this! "What's wrong?" He lifted his hand to my face, gliding his finger down my cheek. "Nothing," I lied. "Today was just a little harder than I thought it would be."

"It's over now. No more school shit." "Yeah." Except for some reason, that wasn't helping. "Maybe you could just drop me off at my place and then meet me later. You go celebrate with your friends, have some fun." "Are you fucking kidding me? What about my sisters? And Me!" "And all your friends who are going to be at the bar! You kissed me in front of Dan, who knows who else saw." He threw his hands into the air, slamming his back against his seat. "Who fucking cares, Sadie! You'll never see any of them again. They're all seniorsthey're gone. Are you really that fucking embarrassed to be seen with me!" "In a room full of college students and their parents, yes!" Shit. I didn't mean to snap at him. "I hate being a spectacle!" Story of my fucking life! "Gavin, please don't get upset. I don't want to ruin today. I'm sorry. I just, it's hard for me. You know that." "Here we fucking go again." He yelled at his window. "And you snap at me for getting in my fucking head." He was right. This had to stop. I had to move past this. I was bringing him down on a way too important day. "You know what, you're right. Let's go, let's go to the bar." I stretched my hand to his, curling over his fingers. "And Gavin-" I waited until he looked over. "I think your parents would have been really proud of you today."

He slowed, pulling up against the street to park while rolling his face in my direction. "If you want, you can wait out here, and I'll just run in and tell my sisters and the crew we're not staying." Yes, please. "No, I'm fine now. Really." I lied. I'd be fine once I had some alcohol. I needed to focus on the man next to me and nothing else. Or. "It's getting dark- we could go find an empty parking lot." "Nice try," he chuckled, elbowing his door open. "We won't stay long. Then

we'll have all night to ourselves." "Okay, but Gavin." "Yeah." "How about I go find Sofia and Giorgia while you go hang with your friends." I stepped out, meeting his side, trying to keep my hands to myself, but he insisted on holding one. "I love you, Sadie." He looked down, giving me his devilish grin. "Why are you so fucking sexy, Baby- I mean, for someone soo much older." "Aren't you funny!"

Chapter 45

The bar was full of rowdy graduates downing shots, and screaming back and forth celebrating. I walked in first, searching for Sofia and Giorgia, spotting them at a back table. So I started down the bar, ignoring the glances and stares. "Whoa!" Some guy spun on his barstool, flinging himself off, landing right in front of me, and blocking my path. "What's up!" "Excuse me." I side-stepped him, squeezing by. "Let me buy you a drink, beautiful! We're celebrating!" "No thanks." I continued forward, yet he jumped in front of me again. Then a hand wrapped around my waist, followed by a hard body pres behind me. "Back the fuck off, Chris!" "Oh shit!" He screamed, drawing the attention of the entire bar. "Is this the chick you're banging, Romano?" No, why! So much for sneaking away. I tilted my head up to Gavin's, watching him glaring back at the guy. "Fuck off!" He barked again, veering me away. "Gavin!" Dan shot up, waving him over. Gavin dropped his arm from my waist- thank you- only to grab my hand, locking it in his- what the hell was happening. We went from I don't want anyone to suspect anything to claiming me in front of everybody. Gavin continued to Dan, pulling us to a stop. "Sorry," Dan apologized to me. "I only know you as Grant's mom." Oh my god, did he really just scream that out!

"Dan," Gavin chuckled, flicking his hand between us. "This is Sadie, and, Baby, this is Dan." Baby- Baby! Really! "I , hi Dan." Could this day get any worse? Dan looked between Gavin and me, shaking his head with a satisfied smirk, then his gaze rolled to something behind us. "Oh shit," he groaned, flashing a knowing look to Gavin. "Maybe with your girl here, she'll back off." She'll? I looked over my shoulder, following Dan's stare to two blondes who had just walked in, making their way down the bar, searching- the front one looking our way, locking her gaze on Gavin. His eyes rolled to the floor, sheepishly rising back to meet mine. It was her, the girl from his birthday, and she wasn't as ugly as I had wished. "Sorry, Baby. I didn't think she'd be here." I was wrong- this day could get very worse. Her sights were set on him, walking our way, smiling. "Gavin!" Bitch! I wanted to scream, slap her, slap him. Gavin stepped behind me, twining his arms around my waist, locking me against his chest- causing her to stop in her tracks. Her stare suddenly a glare, flashing from him to me. Dan pushed forward. "This is Gavin's girlfriend, Sadie." Her eyes widened, looking me up and down before promptly turning on her heels, stomping back to her huddle of girls. "I shouldn't have come," I muttered under my breath. "I'm going to go sit with your sisters." I looked at the two of them- letting Gavin know I was not to be fucked with right now. "Baby-" I ignored him, continuing to the table in the back and climbing onto the

empty barstool. "So," Sofia started the second I sat down. "Which ones are Gav's friends?" Oh. I honestly had no clue. I never hung out with his friends. I never even cared who he hung out with. I had literally shut out this entire portion of Gavin's life. "That one, Dan. I'm not sure about the rest." "Sadie," Giorgia sighed, glancing quickly at Sofia before focusing back on me. "You're not wearing any jewelry." "I-" what? It was an odd thing to say, but I was thankful for the change of subject. "No, I don't really wear much. I wore the Tiffany necklace last night." "And no rings," Sofia observed, flashing me her fingers, loaded with giant diamonds. "Don't you feel so bare?" "Um, no. I don't even own any rings. It's usually just these hoops," I laughed, pointing to the cheap earrings I'd worn for years. "This ring is from Cartier! Try it on!" Giorgia insisted, already sliding the ring off her finger and pushing it towards me. "You'll like it." She practically shoved the ring onto my finger. "Diamonds are a girl's best friend!" I wiggled my fingers, flipping my hand side to side. It was very pretty, although I'd hate even to think about what it cost. "It's nice." "And looks like we're the same ring size," she squealed with a clap of her hands. "When you come back to New York you have to come over so we can play dress up." Back to New York, ugh. "Sounds good!" I slid the ring off, handing it back to her, watching her eyes rise. "Gav!" She screamed, clapping again. "We're so happy for you!" He placed a drink in front of me, which I took and downed. "Thanks!" He called back to her before dunking his face to my ear. "Can we talk for a

minute, Baby?" I nodded yes, scooting the chair back while taking Gavin's hand. "I need to use the restroom first." "Then meet me on the patio," he instructed, releasing my hand for us to part ways. I pushed through the bathroom doors, heading into a stall, hearing the main door swing open again, a group of loud, boisterous voices suddenly filling the restroom. "Did you see her! She's not even that hot." "Right! What? She can't get a guy her own age, so she steals one of ours. How desperate can you get?" "Gavin will be done with her soon enough. You know how he is. Just like his cars- a new one every six months." "I heard her son's a freshman here or something." "Shut up! That's so pathetic. Can you imagine having a cougar as a mom! Hitting on all the guys at your school!" I was immobile, standing behind the door while they talked about- me! Me! And I just stood there, listening to the vitriol they were spewing. "Gavin's gross!" "Don't say that! She's the one who's gross." Unbelievable! I couldn't listen anymore. They were awful and didn't know anything about Gavin and I. These were my Adams and I wouldn't let them get to me the way he had with Gavin! I sucked in a deep breath, smoothing my skirt and adjusting my top. I pushed out the door, waltzing straight to the sink next to them- their eyes whipping back and forth to each other in silence. Then I turned to face the one from earlier, her- staring at her dead on while she raised her beer to her

lips, trying to avoid my eyes- so I just moved closer. "Excuse me!" I smiled big and polite. "Are you the pathetic, desperate girl who keeps chasing my Gavin?" She didn't reply, but her eyes shot over to her friends. "Well, you can keep trying, but just know that while you're sitting at home drawing hearts over his face in the yearbook- he's at home fucking the shit out of me!" Her eyes popped, jaw falling to the floor. "In the future," I continued with a smile. "Please keep your fucking hands off my boyfriend!" I started away, stopping at the door and turning back around to meet their eyes one last time. "And don't force yourself on drunk guys- it's tacky and desperate." I gave them a polite wave before walking out the door. OH MY GOD! Who was I! I just told off a college girl. I was racing, throwing the patio door open- I had to get the hell out of here! Gavin's arms opened for me. "Baby, I wanted to-" I lunged, slapping my hands against his cheeks, biting his lips, sucking his mouth into mine- arching my body hard to his. "Tonight's our last night, Baby-" I bit over his bottom lip, sucking it in between my teeth. "I have to go an entire week without you- we're wasting too much fucking time here. Take me home! Now!" He raced us back through the bar, saying goodbye to his sisters, waving to his buddies- the two of flying out the doors and into his car. He revved the engine- I revved his thighs. We sped off. I needed him now. I needed to be distracted. We were at my place in seconds, my back slamming the door, his body grinding against mine, hands sliding up my skirt. "Gavin- fuck me-" I tore my top over my head, his mouth immediately attacking my breasts while his hands clasped my waist, lifting me up onto the kitchen counter. "Now, Gavin! I need you now!"

He kicked his pants down, simultaneously pushing my skirt up my thighs, ripping the panties to the side- then he smacked his dick to my pussy, railing into me. I wanted to fuck him too- one hand flying back to the counter to anchor me, the other to his neck to hold me close, thighs around his waist, hips working his dick deeper, riding him while he fucked hard, thrusts flinging me back, his hands gripping my ass, caging me to him while he plowed away. "Fuck, fuck!" The twinges seared, eruptions trickling one right after another. "Gavin, harder, harder." I was there, begging, pleading. "Fuuuck," a low growl, his body flexing into me, fucking like crazyrendering me speechless, breathless. We came. Oh god. I collapsed into him, dropping my face to his chest, panting hard. This was exactly what I needed. I needed as much of him as possible tonight. He lowered me back to the floor, reaching for his pants while I pulled my skirt back down. "I have something for you, Baby, but it's back at my place. Why don't you spend the night with me over there tonight- I'll bring you back in the morning." "What do you have for me?" I teased, half out of breath. "Are you going to give it to me in the shower? Against the glass wall?" "I'll give you that too." I rested back against the counter. "I don't want to go anywhere right now, Gavin. Instead, how about you take off your shirt, and I'll grab the wine." "Take off my shirt?" He chuckled, cheeks flushing. "I want to see your arms, your tattoos. I want to see all of you, every single inch." I stretched my arm to the wine, bringing it straight to my lips for a sip. "As long as you keep your top off."

I looked down at my bare chest, skirt, and stilettos. "Can I take the skirt and heels off?" "In a little bit. Chugging a bottle of wine topless in a fucking skirt is exactly what I need to see before my trip." "Shirt!" I demanded, pointing to his chest, gesturing for him to remove it. I leaned back against the counter, watching his fingers finagle each button loose, then tug the sleeves down his arms. He was so strong. I stepped towards him, fingers falling to his tattoos, tracing the ink- feeling his shivers from my touch. These arms were incredible. I pressed my lips against his bicep, kissing the circles that meant so much to him. "Gavin.." I circled to face him, letting my fingers linger, dragging across his chest. "You are incredibly sexy." He bent down to kiss me, his firming arousal hitting against my skirt, so I moved my body closer, lips sloppily kissing his bare chest, palms meanwhile pushing him down into the chair. He watched me kneel, squeezing myself between his legs, licking my lips, stretching my tongue to the thick head hard in front of me. "Oh shit," he groaned before I even started. "Want me to be in control? Or you?" I kissed his shaft, staring up at himhis hands giving me the answer, both falling to my hair, guiding my mouth down. But I didn't need his hands telling me what to do- no- I wanted to be in control. I slurped him in, nose buried in his happy trail as I pushed his dick to my throat, choking myself for his pleasure- hell, my pleasure. I bobbed hard, mouth full, tongue flat rubbing up and down, cheeks painfully tightsucking ravenously. "Fuck, fuck, Baby- fuck, fuck!" He came, shots squirting down my throatforcing my mouth to slow. Shit. I looked up, dragging my lips away, watching his face dip back, his chest rising and falling hard. I braced his knees, pushing myself up to standing, straightening my skirt, and walking away to the bathroom.

I came face to face with the girl in the mirror, her glare on me. What is wrong with you! You let one day destroy you like this- one dose of reality and a group of mean girls was all it took. No. They were wrong! I wasn't pathetic! I wasn't gross! I bent over the sink, splashing some water over my face. Get a grip. I returned to the bedroom, ditching the heels and swapping a sleep shirt for the skirt before continuing out to Gavin. He was sitting on the couch in his boxers, fiddling with the remote. "Want to watch a movie?" He opened his arms, so I crawled right up onto his lap. "When are you moving in with me, Baby?" "I don't know," I whispered back, feeling the weight of today hitting me. "I'll figure it out once Grant gets back." His fingers started running up and down my arm, slowly lulling me to sleep.

Chapter 46

"Baby, I have to go. I love you." I thought it was a dream until plush lips sank into mine. "I love you too." "You're sure you can't go with me?" He whispered, fingers sweeping across my cheek. "No," I yawned, smiling at him with a lazy smile. "It's just a week. Then we can start our next chapter." "Don't start it without me Baby." "How could I!"

I tossed and turned for the next few hours, but trying to sleep was pointless. I was home alone for the week- my sole focus was Sadie- what did Sadie want to do? I did need to fix up that front yard. So I changed into my sports bra and running shorts, happily settling into the dirt, trying to ignore the girls' voices that kept popping into my head from last night. Stupid girls! I yanked harder, ripping out every last weed along the patio. Suddenly I heard the purr of an engine, a car pulling into the driveway next door. Of course, I'd be dripping sweat when I meet my new neighbor, so much for first impressions. A woman stepped out of the car just as a moving truck drove up, parking along the street in front of her yard. "Welcome," I yelled over, shaking the dirt off my hands before crossing my driveway to hers. She looked about my age- albeit much classy dressed at the moment. "I'm Sadie, your new neighbor!" She swung her head back, waving. "Gail, but I'm just the agent. I'm here to

hand over the keys." "Oh." Bummer. "Well, nice to meet you anyways." "But Pat's here." She looked over to the moving truck, the two of us watching the truck's door fly open. "Pat," she called over. "This is your new neighbor, Sadie. Sadie, this is-" Oh my god. I saw the wave of sandy blond hair, that dimpled smile, surprised eyes. "Dr. Phillips?" Gail looked between us, laughing. "Patrick Phillips," she continued. "Here are your keys Pat!" She walked down as he walked over, taking the keys from her hand. "Nice meeting you Sadie, and if you ever need an agent!" She handed me her card before climbing back into her car and reversing down the driveway. "Dr. Phillips!" I repeated, still in shock. "Sadie?" His smile grew even bigger. "You live here? Next door?" "I do." This wasn't happening. I must still be dreaming. "This is unbelievable!" He took the words right out of my mouth. "I guess we're neighbors for the next few months then." "Next few months?" "I bought this place as income property. I'm going to stay here and fix it up until I figure out where in San Diego I want to live." He smiled again, looking me up and down. "I mean, this is crazy. Talk about providential." "It's definitely crazy." And Gavin was going to freak. "I better get back to my gardening. I guess- welcome to the neighborhood, Dr. Phillips." "Sadie, call me Pat. " "Pat?" No, I couldn't call you Pat- I couldn't call you anything. "I go by Patrick at work, Pat for close friends. That way, when I'm out and

about, and someone calls my name, I know where they know me from." His eyes traveled back down, mine following- realizing what he was staring atmy sweat-soaked sports bra and tiny shorts. Then he looked behind me. "Your garden looks nice." "Thanks." I glanced over my shoulder. "It was really beautiful when we, when I, started it. But the weeds have taken over, and it's just not as brilliant as it once was." "Well, do you think you can let the weeds grow for a little longer? I could really use some help unpacking." "Um-" I knew exactly what Gavin would say right now and what he'd expect me to say. "Just a few boxes," Pat, err Dr. Phillips pleaded. "Sure," I agreed automatically. "Is anyone else coming by? Did you move all this yourself?" "All by myself! Been loading since early this morning. What can I say, I like to work with my hands." Oh. "Doctor's joke," he laughed with a shrug. "You should ask some people from work to help." "I just did," he continued laughing, nodding at me. "But no," he sighed. "Then everyone would know I have a new place- they'd want to plan a house warming party- May'd be asking if there was a lady of the house." A laugh burst from my lips. He was so right. "What's yours is theirs." "And that gala! I felt like I was being auctioned off! All I heard the next day were assumptions I was seeing each girl I danced with." "I thought you were seeing Agnes?"

"See!" He threw his hands up, landing them against his sides. "I talked to her one morning, once! I'm not seeing anybody." "You should have heard them after I went on a date with Kirk! It was the talk of the hospital for days!" "Kirk, Kirk-Kirk?" He smiled to himself. "I didn't realize you went on dates, like that." "It was random! And then Gavin, oh the drama." He stopped laughing, face tilting to the side, looking behind me. "Where is Gavin?" "Gone, left for New York this morning." "I see," he sighed. "Let's get started then. Don't want to waste any time." He urged me towards the truck. "Can you open the door? I'll bring boxes in while you unpack?" He handed me his key, and I marched up to his door, opening it while looking back, watching him wipe the sweat from his brow with the bottom of his shirt, then tug the whole thing off, tossing it to the sidewalk. He started over, box in hand, staring at me, and I realized I was staring too.

Please continue scrolling to read a 3-chapter preview of:

Incidental Fate Book 3

An unexpected question. An unexpected visitor. A happily ever after, with an unexpected realization

Chapter 1

I leaned back against a stack of boxes, surveying Pat's living room and the boxes piled floor to ceiling. We'd been unloading for hours, and he'd just headed out for the last box. "We did it!" He cheered, pushing back through the door and lowering the box beside the others. "We did!" I said with a heavy exhale. "I'm wiped out!" "Same here!" He brushed his hand through his sweaty hair, shaking it out. "I think it's time to call it a day." He wiped his forehead now, sighing with a smile. "I've got to get that moving truck back by five." "By Five?" I smacked my shorts, ing I had no pockets- which meant no phone! "What time is it?" He dug his phone from his pocket, checking it. "A little past four. Time flies when you're having fun." Shit! I'd been here all day! "I have to go!" Gavin had probably already landed in New York- and called me. "You sure?" He asked, beating me to the door, standing right in my way. "If you go with me to return the truck, then I'll take you to dinner as a thankyou for helping." Dinner? "No, sorry!" I pushed forward, and he swung his arm against the door, holding it open for me. "I've got to call Gavin!" I technically needed to prepare for calling Gavin because this news was not going to go over well. "Are you working tomorrow?" "Yeah, day shift," I yelled back as I hustled across our driveways. "You?" "Day as well! Guess I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Sounds good." I rushed through my door, already hearing my phone ringing on the counter. Here we go. I snatched it up, throwing it to my ear. "Hello?" "Finally! I'm here, Baby! I'm about to head over to Sofia's for dinner. Paulo's back in town." "Paulo?" "Her husband." "Oh, I didn't get to meet him." "No, he's always working. What were you up to today?" And here we go. I had to do it- break the news and get it over with. "I, uh, the craziest thing actually. I met my new neighbor-" My pulse starting throbbing, so loud I could hear it, feel it. Breathe. "It's, it's Pat from the hospital." "Pat?" He repeated calmly. "Yes, Pat." I instinctively tilted the phone away, bracing for the impact of the tirade. "That's random." What? I pushed the phone back to my ear. Random? "I've been helping out and unpacking boxes all day." I twisted the phone away, waiting... "That's cool, Baby. Hey, I'll call you when I get back from Sofia's." Huh? My phone was back at my ear. "O-kay." "Love you, Baby, and I already miss you." I slid the phone in front of me, checking the name on the screen. It was definitely Gavin. Okay. "Love you too."

Then he hung up. That was it. What just happened? No f-bombs, no tirade, no threats, no screaming. He had heard me right- he repeated his name. Maybe he was with someone and would sneak away later to call me and go off, or maybe I'd get a text. Or, maybe, he was taking this no- jealousy thing to heart. He had graduated; I had agreed to move in for the summer, maybe all his jealousy was just a thing of the past. A knock hit the door, scaring the crap out of me. "Who is it?" I reached back, swinging the door open- to Pat. "I think you still have my key," he chuckled with a shrug of his shoulders. His key? "Oh, no. I set it down on one of the boxes- shoot." I walked past him out my door, heading right back to his place. He rushed forward, elbow knocking into the door to open it for us. Shit, where did I put it? "Um," I laughed under my breath, scanning over all the identical boxes. "I placed it on a brown box." He stepped to my side, laughing with me. "You placed my brown key on one of these brown boxes-" he looked down at me, shaking his head with his smile. "Well, that narrows it down." "I'll look on this side and you take that side?" I suggested up to him and he nodded yes. "You know-" he called over. "I was thinking a house warming party wouldn't be so bad. I could invite the department, have drinks. Perhaps Tuesday night?" "That'd be fun!" The girls, especially May, would be more than excited, and I was off Wednesday to surprise Gavin, which meant no alarm waking me up at the crack of dawn. "But," he continued, turning to face me. "I'll need some help getting this place ready. Any chance you'd be up for helping me pick out some paint and some chairs, stuff for the backyard? I really have no clue about that sort of thing." I looked over, spotting the brass key. "Found it!" I leapt to the box,

snapping it up and presenting it to him. He crossed the room, hand out, so I dropped it into his palm- and his fingers clamped over mine. "What do you say?" His hand kept mine, his body moving in closer. "We could go out tomorrow after work to get the paint, decor- get this place ready?" I- I glanced down at my hand, immediately wiggling it free from his. "Uh, I, sure." The answer was automatic, but I didn't have plans tomorrow and he did need some outdoor furniture if he was going to have a party. "Yeah, yeah, sure that works." "Great!" He lifted his key, holding it like a trophy. "I'll meet you back here, back home-" he laughed to himself. "After work and we'll leave from here." "Okay." I hurried past him to get to the door, bumping it open. "See you tomorrow." I walked back home for the second time today, rushing through my door and locking it behind me. Something didn't feel right. I needed to call Gavin, hear his voice once more. He'd be back in a few days, and we'd be starting a new chapter- with no more school, no more mean girls, no more hiding. I just had to get through a few more days without him. I mean, what could really happen in such a short amount of time?

Chapter 2

I bit into my muffin, dramatically moaning with each bite. This day had grown crazier with each hour, and I'd yet to eat a thing since I started my shift six hours ago. "I see why Gavin likes you," May wiggled her brows, teasing me. "I've got five minutes to eat this, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it!" I teased back. "Better hurry!" Debbie shuffled up, dropping a stack of files onto the counter behind us. "I've got patients filling seven and eight right now." "Hi, ladies!" Pat rounded the corner, smiling way too wide for this busy of a day. "Hey, Dr. Phillips!" May called back, flirting. Then she twisted back towards us. "Gorgeous," she mouthed. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm having a house warming gettogether Tuesday night if you ladies would like to come by." "Yes!" May shouted right back. "I can actually make it too!" Debbie cheered. "Great!" He gave them both a nod and smile, making them blush. "Bye, ladies-" he started away, only to swing right back around. "And Sadie- I'll see you at home." Oh shit. I watched him walk away, knowing the firing squad was lining up beside me. "What- what was all that?" May blustered the second he was gone, hands waving wildly with the question.

"Nothing." I shrugged, picking apart the muffin. "I'm helping him get his house ready for Tuesday." "What?" Debbie gasped, mouth agape. This was Grade A gossip, and she knew it. "His house?" "Pat is my new neighbor-" nothing more, nothing less. "He just moved in next door." "Pat?" Debbie repeated, flashing her eyes to May's. "I mean Patrick, Dr. Phillips." Whatever. "Oh my god Sadie, you call him Pat?" Debbie gasped. May stepped forward, getting right in my face. "Does, Gavin, know?" She asked, eyes laser-focused on mine. "It's really not a big deal," I assured them and myself. "Does- GAVIN-know," she repeated. "Yes. I told him that I was helping Pat with his house, and he seemed fine with it." Oddly fine with it, and he hadn't brought it back up. May leaned forward, talking with her hand. "The same Gavin that stormed out of the gala? That Gavin? Cut from stone, sculpted from marble, looks like he belongs in an art museum- that Gavin? You told that Gavin?" Why was this so hard to understand? Pat was just a neighbor, who I worked with. "Yes! We've talked about it. Gavin's working on his jealousy. He's not bothered by-" "A fine ass doctor, mhmh," she grunted, lips pursing. "You better be careful, Sadie," Debbie sighed while once again flashing some look to May. "Careful? You're both making a big deal out of nothing. You'll see when you come by Tuesday!" They didn't get it- Pat was only my neighbor. Sure,

he was attractive and a doctor, but I was taken. Nothing more, nothing less. "When we come by- y'all co-hosting?" May snickered, shaking her head side to side. "That's not what-" my phone alarm started beeping. "There goes my break!" I spent the next six hours dodging May and Debbie, ignoring their stares and side-eye. And the second my shift was over I was running to my car and calling Gavin, who once again didn't answer. When we were apart, we were constantly talking or messaging. This time however, I'd barely heard from him. He felt so far away, and after everything that happened the last few weeks, I needed him closer. I started the engine and my drive home, pulling into my driveway- next to Pat, who was pulling into his. "Hey stranger," he called over with a wave. "You know we should think about carpooling." I could only imagine what Gavin would say, and while he seemed fine with Pat being my neighbor, it probably wasn't a good idea to push my luck. "Let me get changed. I'll meet you back out here." I continued inside, straight for the shower, undressing while the room filled with steam. I wasn't used to taking showers alone anymore. I was used to Gavin's ridges and muscles pres behind my back, his fingers rubbing over my wet skin- down to my thighs, my back being thrown against the wall, his dark eyes- "Shit!" Pat's eyes flashed for a split second. Shit! I smacked the shower lever, shutting the water off. Fuck, stupid subconscious. It didn't mean anything, just my mind playing tricks on me. That was it. I heard the chirping, the music growing louder- my phone- Gavin! I ripped a towel from the rack on my way to my purse, diving for the phone and pressing it to my ear. "Hello," I said with a heavy breath. "Baby? You okay?" "Yeah, I, I just jumped out of the shower."

"How was work?" "Busy. I miss you." "Hm, I miss you too." "I need you, Gavin." Shit, I didn't mean to say that aloud. "What? Do you need me to come back?" "No, I meant I miss- feeling you." "Fuck Baby, me too." I hadn't heard him curse in days, and it was as powerful as his touch. "How about I promise to fuck you the second I get back." Oh god. My breathing was back to erratic. "Yes!" A loud knock hit my front door- I stilled, whipping my face up. How long had I been in here? "Gavin, I've got to go. I'll call you when I get home." "Where are you going?" "To pick out paint- with Pat." I waited for a grunt or yell, but there was nothing. "Alright, you two have fun. Just don't forget to lock your door, Baby. I'm trying to keep my shit together out here. It's hard being so fucking far away from you. Call me when you get home." "Um, okay. I'll call you then." "Love you." "You too." I hung up, staring at the screen in my hand. 'You two have fun' what was happening? Did they sedate him? A knock hit again. "Give me two minutes!" I yelled, racing right back into the bathroom. I grabbed a tank top and leggings, shrugging the tank on, seeing the

cleavage, and tearing it right back off. No sexy anything tonight. I opted for a sweatshirt instead, yanking it over me on my way out of the room. I opened the door, meeting a smiling Pat. "All set?" He smiled, running a hand through his hair. "Let's go!" He started for his car while I followed, praying he wouldn't open my door for me, but he did. Why couldn't he just be a jerk? He climbed into the driver's seat, starting the engine. "Thought I'd tell you first- I'm petitioning to transfer to the Hope Center." He looked at me for a quick second before looking back to reverse. "I used to work a lot with children with Doctors Without Borders, and I think this is my calling, working in the pediatrics wing." Of course, he would be doing that, of course, he'd want to help the children. "Wow, that's great." "You should think about it too. They'll need a top-notch nursing staff. I can write you a recommendation." Oh, I had never thought about moving departments, but that's exactly what I'd always wanted to do. "Anyway, think about it!" He shrugged, one hand stretching to his radio, turning up the music. We drove to the store, walked in, and I grabbed a cart, steering it towards the garden section. "I also need alcohol." He pointed to the aisle of booze as we ed it. "Can't have a party without it." "No," I agreed with a laugh. "And you'll need a lot!" He started grabbing bottle after bottle, stacking them in the cart- all hard alcohol. "Do you have a favorite?" He asked, waiting. "No, I'm fine with whatever. I don't plan on getting too drunk," I laughed. "That's the whole point!" He teased, plucking up a few bottles of vodka.

"No beer?" I instinctively walked towards the boxes. "Beer?" He scoffed. "That's a boy's drink. Scotch, rum, vodka, tequilathat's my list. Now chairs!" He instructed, marching away while I pushed the cart to follow. We continued to the garden center, where my bench was on display, front and center. And suddenly, my mind was consumed with Gavin. "That one?" He stepped in front of me, blocking my view and breaking my reverie. Then he walked to the bench, sitting on it. "Try it! It's nice." No. I shook my head no. If I sat on that bench it would remind me of Gavin's arms and his tongue. Damn, it was too late. We had made so many memories on that bench. "I like it. Come on, take a seat," he pleaded, patting it for me to sit. "No! No, I think you need something more like this." I pointed to the large table and chair set next to me. "You need something to set all that booze on." "Good call!" He hopped up, walking over. "I'll take it. I think we got it all! We make a pretty good team!" He led me to check out. Then we pushed the cart to his car. "We're making good time!" He closed his loaded trunk. "How about we grab a quick dinner?" Noo. That would be too much. "I, I shou-" This was a very bad idea. "We can talk about the Hope Center," he insisted. "I'd love to get your on some stuff." He would? Well, I guess it wasn't really dinner as much as a work meeting, and I would tell Gavin the second I got home. "Sure." I followed him over to the sushi place next door, the two of us being seated right away. I'd never had sushi before, so I just ordered the first thing I saw on the menu.

The waitress turned to Pat next. "I'll have the sashimi," he ordered. "And some sake for the table." "Sake?" I repeated. "To drink." He pointed to the waitress who was already returning with the ceramic tea kettle, placing it down on the table with two small glasses- shot glasses. She poured my drink, and I picked it right up, downing it in one gulp. It was good. Pat chuckled across from me. "Try sipping it next time. It's like wine." How embarrassing. "You could have mentioned that," I stifled a laugh. The sushi was delivered next- which was my next challenge. Chopsticks. I watched Pat open his, mastering the grasp, plucking his roll right up. So I tried to control the sticks, failing and fumbling to pick up my roll. "Have you ever used chopsticks before?" He asked. I shrugged. "Nope, and they're trickier than they look." "Here." He reached his hand over, fingers resting over mine, guiding them, positioning the sticks- his touch stirring something it shouldn't. My body was confusing his hand for Gavin's. "Now, just squeeze them together," he instructed with another smile. I squeezed the sticks, and my thighs, trying to control them both. "Got it," I assured him, shaking his hand off mine. The guilt was instant. I shouldn't be here. "So," he focused back on me as he stabbed at his plate. "What's Gavin in New York for?" "He's-" what was he in New York for? He hadn't made that very clear. "I'm not sure, family business, I guess." "And what does he do? I mean, he drives a supercar."

"Investing." "Oh yeah," he asked, sitting up a little straighter in his seat. "What company does he work for?" Oh, good question. "I, I don't know." He laughed to himself. "What?" "You don't know where he works or what he's doing in New York?" Nope. It was the story of our relationship. I didn't ask enough questions, and he didn't give me enough answers. He laughed again. "Well, how did you two meet? That should be an easy one." An easy one? Let's see- he showed up at my house with my son, who he went to school with. "Through a mutual acquaintance," I lied, half lied. "Let's talk about the Hope Center." "The focus is on pediatrics, which is where I feel I need to be. I'm also pushing for a pediatrics-only emergency room. You'd be surprised at the number of minors that are too intimidated to go to the traditional ER." "No, I wouldn't be. It's much needed." In fact, I knew it all too well. "I think that's great. I'd like to be a part of it." "I'll get you some more information, and if you'd like, I can introduce you to the board. I'd love to have you on my, the, team. Cheers!" He poured me another drink, the two of us downing them. The drink was warm, the room was warm actually, peaceful. "I'm glad I met you, Sadie, someone who wants to make a difference- like me." My cheeks were warm, the seat I was in so cozy. Time slowing around me as we talked, drank. This sake was good. "Excuse me-" the waitress was at our table. "We're closing in ten minutes."

Closing? "What time is it?" I dug into my bag, pulling out my phone- 11:05 pm- and five missed calls and three messages. "Shit! I need to go!" I stood, wavered, steadied myself. Holy hell. I felt so light, feet gliding out of the restaurant and across the asphalt in the parking lot. "You okay, Sadie?" Pat chuckled somewhere next to me. "I should have warned you about the sake." "I'm fine!" I pulled out my phone again. I needed to let Gavin know about dinner, and how pretty the sky was tonight, and how much I missed him. I opened his messages, trying to focus on the words. How long are you gonna be out baby? Almost 2 here baby. I'm gonna crash. You're out a little late. Or did you out without fucking calling me back baby? I text back, watching my fingers sweep across the keyboard so smoothly- sorry, drinking dinner, going home to now warm sleep long day and tomorrow. I hit send.

Chapter 3

I'd spent the last two days avoiding Pat at the hospital and at home. I still hadn't gotten over the guilt of going to dinner with him the other night or the guilt of only semi-explaining my drunk text to Gavin. Tonight I would go to Pat's party, and that would be it. Gavin would be home tomorrow, and Grant would be back this weekend. Then everything would be back to normal. I stepped into my boots, hearing May banging at the door. "It's open!" I walked over, grabbing the knob just as she pushed through. "So he really lives next door!" She elbowed my side as we started across the driveways. "I told you he did!" We followed the loud music through his opened side gate, finding half our department already here, drinks in hand, and starting to get rowdy. "We need to catch up!" May grabbed a bottle of vodka and some cups on her way to the planter wall, claiming our seats. She poured the shots- we downed them. "One more!" She insisted, pouring yet again. "Welcome, ladies!" Pat strode up, greeting us. "Glad you could make it May! Debbie and Sarah are over there with Drew if you were curious." He gestured to the other side of the yard. "Oh! Let me go grab them!" She hopped up, taking off. Pat took her place beside me. "I haven't seen you the last few days," he sighed, swirling his cup. "What do you think of the yard?" "You did good!" The alcohol was setting in. "I still need to paint the inside. Maybe you could help."

Nope. "Gavin comes home tomorrow! I'm taking the next few days off to spend with him." "Ah, I see," he mumbled down to his cup. May was back, snapping for Pat to get out of her seat, which he vacated immediately. "Be careful," she whispered. "I see it in his eyes." "You always say that!" I laughed back at her. There was nothing in his eyeswe were neighbors. Simple as that. "Here-" she tipped the vodka bottle to my glass. "Feels like Vegas." Except there was no Gavin tonight. It was midnight in New York, and he was probably fast asleep. But he'd be home tomorrow, and I couldn't wait to jump on him! "Shots?" Pat belted out, circling the yard with a bottle of tequila. "Shots, ladies?" He made his way to us, holding the tequila in one hand and a cup of limes in the other. "No!" I shook my head, pushing it away. I'd already downed too many shots, and I could barely feel my legs. "Come on," May pleaded, holding out her shot glass while grabbing a lime with her free hand. "Fine." I gave in, lifting my glass, watching him pour. "Ready?" I looked over at May, the two of us cringing, swallowing the shots, biting down on the lime. "Water! Shit!" It burned! "Here," May laughed, handing me a wine bottle- that I chugged straight, not wasting a second to pour it in a cup. "Forget Vegas- this feels more like a frat party." Frat- college- words I hated hearing. "I'm done!" I stood up to hand the wine back, my legs wavering under me,

sending me right back down to the ledge- everything suddenly spinning. Pat knelt in front of me, holding the bottle up. "Another shot Sadie?" "I, I don't think I should." I was serious, yet for some reason, I was laughing. Everything was so funny. "Okay, everybody!" He yelled as his hand came falling to my shoulder. "Sadie's officially cut-off tonight." Oh god. Everyone started laughing, moving our way, and my head dove into my palms, hiding. "Then I guess Gavin got here in the nick of time!" What? I flung my face up to Sarah walking over. "He gets home tomorrow!" "I'm pretty sure I know what Gavin looks like!" She laughed to herself. "He's hard to forget." She looked over, and I followed her gaze to the front corner of the yard, seeing a stone-faced Gavin, whose dark eyes were staring right at me.

Summer Leigh is the author of the Incidental Fate series, books 1-6, GAVIN, and the spin-off series Romanoverse® featuring the stories of Gavin's siblings: Luca, Sofia, Stefano, and Giorgia.

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Also by Summer Leigh

Incidental Fate Incidental Fate Book 1 Incidental Fate Book 2