Finding Gavin (Southern Boys #2) (5 page)

Just when he decides to give us a shot, I now will be giving him yet another obstacle to face. I’m sure an unplanned pregnancy was the last thing he wanted right now.

“Hello,” I whispered.

“Hey, you,” he replied. “What’s wrong?”

I slid forward down the side of the tub, resting my back against the edge. “My stomach isn’t feeling well, and my head hurts too. I think I just need to get some sleep. Sorry to cancel on such short notice.”

“It’s okay. If you’re sick, you need to take care of you. We can have dinner another night. Do you need anything?” I squeezed my eyes together tightly, suppressing the impending tears. Yes, I needed him. I wanted him to love me. I wanted so badly for him to want me completely, without something forcing him. I feared that, with a baby, he would feel he had no other choice but to be with me. I didn’t want to spend my life wondering if the man I loved returned those feelings for the right reasons.

“No, I’m good. I’m just gonna take a shower and go to bed,” I told him.

“If you need anything, will you call me?” I nodded my head, as if he could see me responding. “Hey, did you hear me?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “I heard you, and I will, thanks.”

“Take care of yourself. We’ll talk tomorrow,” Gavin said. “If you’re feeling better, we’ll make plans to do something. If not, then maybe I can come over and take care of you.”

“Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow sometime. I’ve got a lot to do with Kori’s wedding too,” I replied.

“We’ll work it out,” he insisted.

Chapter Seven

Rescheduling our dinner never actually happened. I continued to stay busy with planning the wedding. Gavin was persistent with his efforts. Every time we were at Kori’s parents’, he managed to corner me and question my avoidance of being alone with him.

I wouldn’t deny the fact, but the truth was that I was trying to keep my distance. I was completely terrified. I had no idea how I was going to tell him. I feared his reaction. I knew I didn’t have it in me to accept any more rejection.

So there I sat, on the day of Kori’s wedding, and I knew I could no longer avoid him. He’d be in attendance. I would have to face him, and I knew I would have to tell him. It’s time he knew.

All the girls got ready inside Kori’s parents’ house. The guys took over the smaller, one bedroom home that used to be Gavin’s. They didn’t require as much room as we did. Ya know, being girls and all, we required a lot more preparation.

Kori looked absolutely beautiful. She was glowing, and her happiness could be felt by everyone. I watched as her momma awed over her, and she was pampered by everyone around her.

Once her dress was slipped over her head, I don’t think there was a dry eye left in the room. It was breathtaking, and Reed was going to fall at her feet.

Her eyes met mine and she choked back a sob. “No way, don’t you dare cry. You’ll mess up your makeup and Leann will kill us.”

Leann had spent close to two hours fixing up her hair and makeup. She was a masterpiece, and if we smudged it one bit, we would surely be beaten. “You look beautiful, Kor. Reed’s gonna melt at the sight of you.”

“Thank you, you look pretty stunning yourself,” she whispered as she looked me over.

I wore a long, fitted silk, spaghetti-strapped dress. It hugged low in the back. Every curve was enhanced by its fit, and it made me feel sexy. It was a light shade of pink, and we all chose to wear silver accessories. Kori’s dress had a sash with the same shade of pink hugging her mid-section.

“Have you talked to him yet?” she asked. I could only shake my head in response. “You need to tell him.”

“I know and I will. I just need to figure out how. Not today, though. Today is about you. No drama. I’m not sure what his reaction will be, and I don’t think your wedding is the place I need to test out Gavin’s response.” I held her hands in mine. I don’t know if it was the hormones or the fact that I loved her so much, but I had something to say.

“You know he’s looking down at you, thinking how beautiful you look. He’s happy that you found your way to Reed. That man adores you, and Blake knows that you and his boy are going to have an amazing life.” She closed her eyes tightly and nodded her head. “Blake was the one who showed you an unbelievable love; he gave you a precious gift, and you’ll always hold him dear to your heart. But if I had to guess, I would say that he approves. If he couldn’t be here with you, I’m sure Reed is the man he would have chosen for you, had he had the chance to choose.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“I love you.” I hugged her, and she replied saying, “I love you too.” “Now let’s go get you hitched.” She laughed and wiped her tears away.

“Oh my god, is she crying? No. No crying, not yet. She is gonna ruin her face.” Leann gasped as she spun Kori around, inspecting her closely.

“Oh, stuff a sock in it, Lee. She ain’t gonna last a minute once she sees Reed.” Kori bit her lip and stared back at Leann. A silent moment passed before all three of us burst out into a fit of laughter. Leann was such a little drama queen, but damn if she wasn’t funny to get all wound up.

***

Once the music started, one by one we walked down the aisle. Reed looked so handsome, and just before taking my place on the side of the altar, I winked at him. He smiled in return and immediately looked once again to the aisle, awaiting Kori’s entrance.

I began scanning the guests, and the moment my eyes connected with Gavin’s, my stomach fluttered. He was without a doubt the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. He had the sweetest smile, and my insides turned to a pile of warm mush at the sight of him.

He mouthed the word
beautiful,
and my heart raced. I returned a
thank you
just before the music changed.

Kori appeared at the end of the aisle, and all eyes turned to her except Gavin’s. He continued to watch me, and I swore I could feel his gaze.

Throughout the entire ceremony, each time my eyes shifted to Gavin, he would smile and wink. He never took his eyes from me, and it made me feel beautiful.

When the kiss was shared, I was a blubbering mess. My emotions were on high alert, and I tried to contain them. But it was impossible the moment Reed turned around and faced the guests, holding his hands out toward the front row. Gemma placed Rhett down onto the ground, and he rushed toward Reed. Once he held him in his arms, he hugged both Kori and Rhett closely. It was one of the most breathtaking moments I had ever witnessed.

One by one, we followed the new Mr. and Mrs. Jackson as they walked down the aisle hand in hand.

It was helpful that the wedding and reception were both held on Kori’s parents’ property. Everyone we passed expressed their form of congratulations, while staring at the couple in awe. Once again that sense of jealousy set in, as I longed for the happy ending Kori now had.

Standing off to the side, I watched while Reed took Kori’s hand in his and led her to the makeshift dance floor. They swayed together, staring into one another’s eyes. Mine, of course, were only filled with tears of happiness. The two of them were perfect for one another.

I felt his hand on my hip just before he leaned in and whispered against my ear. “You look gorgeous.”

Chills washed over me, and the heat his touch caused within me rushed up the back of my neck. Gavin brought his body closer to mine from behind and wrapped his hands around my waist. Lacing his fingers together, he rested them over my lower abdomen and I squeezed my eyes tightly. He had no idea what rested just beneath his hands. The entire moment was overwhelming.

His hips began swaying behind me, causing mine to move along. He gently began singing the words to the song in my ear, kissing my neck softly in between each verse. When the song switched to another, he continued to move behind me.

“You look like you’re finally feeling better,” he said. A pinch of guilt ran through me, I suddenly felt horrible about lying to him. I only nodded my head in reply. “Maybe we can make plans for that dinner we never had.”

“I’m actually housesitting for Kori and Reed. I’ll be helping out with Rhett, too, while they’re on their honeymoon.”

He was silent for a moment. “Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to avoid me?”

With that I turned my head and looked back at him. “I’m not. I want to have dinner with you. After they return next weekend, we’ll make plans. I promise.”

“What about tonight? Can I spend time with you tonight?” he asked, his breath fanning out over my face and neck. There was nothing more I wanted than to lose myself in Gavin and forget all about everything else. I nodded my head, and he kissed me just behind the ear.

I knew I needed to tell him, but I wanted to verify everything with the doctor first. My appointment was on Monday, so maybe I should wait until then. After that, I would go to him and lay it all out. My stomach bottomed out instantly with the thought of it all.

As the reception went on, Gavin continued to watch me. Every chance he got, he would touch me in some way—whether with a brush of his hands against mine or a possessive grip on my waist. Of course, that only happened when another man approached me. Inside I was warm and fuzzy with the thought of him claiming me.

Things had finally begun to wind down, and Gavin approached me from across the room. His gaze held mine until he was standing before me. With a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, he lifted his hand out to me. “Can I have this dance?”

Smiling up at him, I whispered a breathy, “Yes.”

He led me to the dance floor, where we joined the other couples. He held me close, and I rested my head against his chest. I savored the feeling of our closeness.

I melted against him even more when I felt his fingertips skim over the skin of my exposed back. Tilting his head down closer, he whispered against my ear, “I think it’s about time we stop running from this, don’t you?”

I couldn’t look at him. I only nuzzled into his chest a little closer. I buried my face in his neck and kissed him gently.

With the touch of my lips, he groaned and pulled me against him tighter.

“Running from what?” I asked.

I knew what he was talking about; I’m not dense. I just wanted to hear him say it out loud.

“From us, what we both feel. I don’t want to stay away from you. I’ve tried to, but I just can’t anymore.” He leaned back, forcing me to look up at him. Bracing my face in his hands, he stared intently into my eyes. “I’ve pushed you away. I know this is all on me. I just don’t want to keep you at a distance anymore. I have a mess going on in my life right now but, damn it, I want you.” He looked down at my lips as a grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I need you, baby.”

I closed my eyes just before his lips touched mine. A whimper escaped me as his tongue brushed my lower lip. I let go of everything else and just concentrated on the feelings he invoked in me.

Gavin was my weakness, the one person I lost all the ability to control myself around.

We stood in the center of a dozen different couples, but it felt as if we were completely alone. It was as if everyone else had faded away, and this had become our moment.

The news I held was on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to tell him so badly, but then again, the fear of his reaction hit me. I had suffered a lifetime of rejection, and for one night I wanted to feel needed. I wanted to know what it felt like to have someone want me so badly in return.

So for tonight, I would tuck my little secret deep down and bask in the joy of Gavin’s touch.

***

We stood in the living room of Kori’s old house. Everything looked so different now. Gavin had made it masculine and rugged. The entire place smelled like him, and it made me smile. Yes, I was one of those girls who secretly sniffed the yummy man when he wasn’t paying attention.

I watched as Gavin pulled two beers from the refrigerator and walked in my direction, holding one out. I took it from him, but only held it in my hands as I watched him lift his to his lips. The bobbing of his throat as he swallowed made my stomach flutter. But when he pulled the bottle away and trailed his tongue along his lower lip, catching the droplet of beer, I melted. It had been so long since I had felt his touch, and I was needy. I wanted his hands on me.

I sat my bottle down on the coffee table and slowly ran my hand over his chest, feeling it ripple beneath my fingers. Gavin was a fit man; he took pride in his appearance and it showed. It was hard not to become a wild cat when he was shirtless, because he was perfection.

Hooking my finger under the hem of his shirt, I began lifting it upward to expose the ab muscles that made my mouth water.

I bit down on my lower lip, holding back my whimper. I continued the path, lifting his shirt higher. He grabbed for it and lifted it up and over his head.

“Damn,” I whispered before I could stop myself. He chuckled and reached out, hooking the straps of my dress with his fingers. Slowly he began to guide them over my shoulders as the dress slid over my body.

The material easily slid past my breast and waist and pooled at my feet. I stood before him only wearing my lacey panties and bra. My cheeks flushed and he tilted my chin upward, locking his gaze on mine. “You are so beautiful.” I smiled and began working his belt buckle loose.

In no time at all, he was standing before me in only his boxers, while our eyes hungrily scanned over one another. Taking in every inch, the desire was so thick.

He crooked his finger and motioned for me to come closer, which I happily did. Trailing his fingertip over the swell of my breast, he then went lower.

I swallowed hard when it skimmed over my stomach, pausing at the top of my panties. Hooking his finger just inside the elastic band, he pulled outward just enough to slide his finger inside. My breath hitched, and I began breathing heavier with anticipation.

I moaned just as his finger glided over my clit and down through my needy center. As he thrust a finger into me, I rocked against his hand. Gavin brought his lips to mine, while he continued to pleasure me.

Adding a second finger, his movements increased while he flipped his thumb over my swollen clit. It took no time at all for me to go off like a rocket, screaming out his name.

He quickly wrapped his hands around the back of my thighs and lifted me from the floor. I was still coming down from the orgasm he had just given me when I felt the bed beneath my back. He lowered his body over mine, bringing his lips back to taste mine.