Gavin: Pure Passion (Hamptons Book 1) (16 page)

After we finish our group choreography, I go change, because I have another rehearsal with Jonah. I’ve been dreading it all day now, and I have no idea how I’ll survive tomorrow. Although he whispers words of encouragement as we’re standing on the dance floor together, even that won’t work. What’s even worse, though, is that we already have quite an audience. My colleagues, the candidates, and the team are all sitting in the bleachers together, watching our steps, lifts, and spins. We’ve decided on a mix of slow fox-trot, which is usually just called fox-trot, and ballet. It’s extraordinary, but so was Brooke. From the spin I move into a classic ballet pose. It’s supposed to show how a “normal” dancer seduces a ballerina. Again and again he pulls me out of the pose and leads me across the dance floor. My gown is light blue and knee length in front, but full length in the back. I have to pay attention that I don’t step on the fabric and fall.

With the last measure, he turns me around again and lays me down on the floor, where I lift my arm to my face and act as though I need to think it over again. The slow fox-trot is the most difficult of the ballroom dance steps, which is why I’m pretty glad that we’ve mastered that transition between the two styles.

I’m the last one left in the changing room. My colleagues have already gone, but I need a little time to myself. Jonah has already stopped by to ask if I want a ride home, but I said no. I’ll walk. It’s only a few blocks, and I need the fresh air.

I pick up my sports bag and return the costumes to the seamstress. Tomorrow we’ll get even more accessories, jewelry, scarves, all kinds of stuff, although I’ve never cared for it much.

Then I go outside, where Gavin is standing with Alexis and Linden. “See you tomorrow,” I tell them quietly. I’ve been crying again. A year ago, this was still Brooke’s stage. She won last season with actor Russell Conners. Someday I’m going to rip him a new one, because in the end, what happened to Brooke was his fault. He could have published a press release stating that the picture was taken in a completely harmless situation and defused all the mobbing, but no, he never deemed it necessary.

As I step out into the rain, I hear someone say my name. I turn around to the three of them. “Yes?”

“Can I bring you home? That way at least you won’t get wet,” Gavin says.

“I’m already wet,” I reply, pulling my hood lower over my face.

He comes over to me. It’s raining so hard that his hair is sopping wet within seconds. “Please, you look like you need somebody to talk to. Let me be there for you.”

“Aren’t you riding with your friends?”

Gavin looks over his shoulder, then back at me. “Linden and Alexis asked if I’d go have a drink with them, but I don’t feel like it. We were just chatting a little before you came.”

“Right.”

“You coming?” He holds out his hand.

I take a deep breath, then I take his hand and let him lead me over to his car.

“We’re off, Gavin. Azer and Mike are waiting at the bar,” Linden says. “It was good to see you, Lane.”

I give him a smile. “Same here.”

“See you later, man,” Gavin says, giving both of them a handshake and brief guy-hug. As soon as I’m sitting, he closes the door and walks around the car. “Straight home?”

“Uh-huh.” I nod and fasten my seat belt.

“Your dance with Jonah . . . It was really good. I mean, I knew you were good, but I had no idea you were so gifted,” he praises me.

“Thanks,” I reply quietly, pushing the hood back from my face.

“It seems like you’re not doing too well right now,” he murmurs.

“I don’t feel particularly great, but it doesn’t matter.”

Gavin takes off, threading into traffic at the next intersection. “Should we drive somewhere we can talk in peace?”

“I . . . I don’t know. It’s late, and I get up pretty early tomorrow.”

He sighs and nods. “OK.” Then he turns on the radio.

“There has been an accident on Fifth Avenue, and traffic has become congested, and shows no sign of moving soon,” the automatic traffic report announces.

“We need to go via Fifth to get to your place,” Gavin says.

“Let’s go have a drink instead.” I give him a shy smile.

“Or you can come to my place. I still have the same suite I had two weeks ago. It has two bedrooms. You could sleep there if you’d like, and I’ll bring you home tomorrow morning.”

“I don’t mind coming over for a drink, but Pax is at my place. I’d rather not leave him there on his own, especially since I don’t know if Macey’s home or not.”

“Can’t you give him a call?”

“I could, but I really don’t want to leave him alone, it would be rude after inviting him.”

“Then at least call him so he knows you’ll be later because of the traffic jam.”

I take out my phone, wondering if going to Gavin’s suite is a good idea.

Chapter 11

We enter the suite. Gavin hasn’t touched me again since he led me to his car.

“Can I take your jacket?” he offers.

I take it off and hand it to him so he can hang it up.

“Would you like a shower or a bath to warm up?”

“All I want is to get out of these wet clothes. Can I use your bathroom?” I ask quietly.

“Sure, you know where it is.”

I walk into the bathroom and lock the door behind me, although I doubt that Gavin would follow me. It would be nice if he could just hold me tight now, but what I need most is some peace and quiet. Although I’d love to tell him that I changed my mind. Thanks to Pax! I’d give Gavin a chance in the blink of an eye if he wants it, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to love him the way he deserves. It would always be hard for us, since Gavin has so many fans who worship him. But he still wants me. I’m that one girl in a million who didn’t even know him until he introduced himself, and still Gavin McLeod wants me!

I strip off my wet clothing and dry off. Then I pull on my sports clothes. I hope I don’t catch a cold. Maybe I really should take a hot shower. Sighing, I take off my clothes and step into the booth.

When I enter the living room, Gavin is sitting in an armchair reading. He looks really great, all dreamy and concentrating like that. His gaze is stuck to the pages while he holds the book as if it were infinitely precious. He doesn’t even see me.

I tiptoe over to the couch and sit down, watching him intently.

“Can I get you something?” he asks without looking up at me.

“How did you know I was here?”

He lifts his eyes and smiles at me. “Just because I’m reading doesn’t mean I’m in space, Lane. I heard you.”

I nod slowly. “Right.” Then I utter a sigh. “No thanks, I’m good.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

He gets up and lays the book down on the chair. “How are you feeling?”

I lift my head to look at him. “Better.”

I see the corners of his mouth twitching, and then he points toward the bathroom. “Do you mind if I shower?”

I smile at him with glowing cheeks. “Not at all.”

“I’ll be right back,” he replies cheerfully. “Then I can drive you home.”

“Thanks, Gavin.”

After he leaves the room, I lean back into the sofa. I’m so tired and exhausted from today that I can hardly keep my eyes open. I lie down and turn over onto my side, and then I give in.

Footsteps, then a muffled sound, and I’m awake. When I open my eyes, I can see Gavin sitting on the floor in front of me, leaning his back on the couch. He’s reading his book again.

“What are you reading, anyway?” I ask curiously.

He gives a slight start. “Uh . . . a book, I guess?”

Long live sarcasm!
“What kind of book?” I push.

“
Dracula
by . . .”

“Bram Stoker?”

“Exactly.”

“Are you done with your friend’s book yet?” I ask.

“Yeah, I am.”

“What did you think of it?”

“It was a bit too sex-heavy for me, although I enjoyed the backstory, and it really is interesting.”

“Do you know yet when and where it’s going to be released?” I ask.

He shakes his head with a smile. “It’s going to be released, but I can’t tell you when, either.”

“What’s the title going to be?”

He laughs at my question. “No idea.”

“Can you keep me updated? I’m really excited about this book,” I admit sheepishly.

“Will do,” he replies, turning a page.

“Have you been reading all through our conversation?” I inquire, irritated. “I’m not that good at multitasking.”

“It’s not just women who can do it,” he retorts.

“Isn’t that something,” I utter in surprise.

“No, seriously. I ended up getting used to it since people constantly want something from me.”

I lay my hand on his shoulder, stroking him slowly. He tenses at first, but he relaxes again after a few breaths, and he puts his hand on mine. I lean in and kiss his cheek. I want to show him what he means to me.

“Don’t do this to me again, Madeleine,” he whispers roughly.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, but you’ve dropped me often enough now, and I’d like that to stop.”

“It will,” I whisper into his ear, and then I pull back again.

Gavin doesn’t budge, only his hand grabs mine tightly, until he suddenly pulls me down over his shoulder into a hug. “I really get a chance?”

I nod slowly. “Yes, but . . . please give me some time to get used to it.”

“However much you want and need.” Gavin gives me a light kiss on the forehead.

I cuddle up to him closely and close my eyes. “I’m pretty complicated.”

“I’m no ordinary guy, either, Lane, but we’ll figure it out somehow.”

“I have fears you’ve probably never even heard of. And boy, do I have problems.”

“Come on, Lane. You’re an absolutely wonderful person and quite a prize; don’t pick on yourself like that.”

“OK,” I whisper and lay my head on his shoulder. “I’ll try.”

He keeps stroking my back with his thumb while constantly placing little kisses on my forehead, my nose, and the corners of my mouth. “You do know that I’ll be even harder to get rid of now, right?”

“Oh, darn,” I pretend to groan.

“I’m sorry?”

Then I start to giggle, trying to get away from his hands, which are trying to tickle me. “I was only joking.” I grab Gavin’s wrists, still trying to push him away. Finally he stops.

He pulls one hand out of my grip and touches my neck. Then he leans in, kissing me gently. “Please stay with me tonight . . . Not because I want sex, I really just want to hold you,” he murmurs, and his lips caress mine with every word.

“Would you read to me?” I ask quietly.

“From
Dracula
?”

“You could read
Mad
magazine
to me and I’d probably love it,” I answer with a grin. Now I’m the one to give him a gentle kiss.

He sighs, then picks up the book and starts reading to me. I’ve never read
Dracula
before, which is why a lot is still new to me since I’ve only seen the movie, and apparently there’s a lot missing in it. I look at the book and read along with him, but above all, I enjoy it just being the two of us, his closeness, and listening to his voice.

“Are you hungry?” he asks after a while.

“A little,” I admit shyly.

“What for?”

“No idea. You decide.”

“As far as I’m concerned, something easy would be nice. How about pasta?”

I nod against his shoulder.

“Any special wishes?”

“No garlic.”

“I was going to ask if you’d like spaghetti Bolognese or something else.”

“Is there a menu I can check?”

“We could go down to the restaurant,” he suggests.

“I’m completely underdressed for that.”

He chuckles. “So we’ll eat here. I’ll choose our dinner . . . Without garlic, of course.”

“OK.”

I sit down on the couch and follow him with my eyes as he walks over to the phone. I watch him while he talks—those dark brown locks that he hasn’t bothered to style today, his angular features, and the smile he wears on his lips when he looks at me. I lean my head back and gaze at him dreamily. Apparently I mean more to this man than I thought.

He hangs up and sits down next to me, then pulls my legs into his lap. “A penny for your thoughts.”

“I was wondering what I am to you,” I ask him.

One eyebrow rises. “My girlfriend, and the girl I fell in love with the first time I danced with her.”

I smile at him.

“What am I to you?”

“A guy with stalking tendencies,” I reply drily.

Gavin’s eyes widen for a second as he loses control of his smooth features. “What?”

I shake my head, laughing. “You’re the guy who makes me feel self-conscious and safe at the same time. I didn’t know that was possible, but apparently it is. And . . . I’ve fallen in love with you, too.”

He pushes me down onto my back and rolls on top of me, and I spread my legs so he can come closer. Gavin doesn’t say anything, he just kisses my lips. I return the kiss gently, sliding my hands behind his neck, just like he did with me. His tongue touches my lower lip, caresses it gently before nibbling that sensitive spot, and he utters a little growl. I suck in some air with a hiss as he bites down a little harder, but he doesn’t give me a chance to object. His hand slides under my top until it reaches my breasts. After pulling down my bra, he massages them with slow movements. He pinches my nipple between two fingers and pulls on it gently, making it stiffen almost painfully. I open my mouth with a sigh, and he takes advantage of my open mouth to gently nudge my tongue with the tip of his. They begin a passionate tango during which neither of us wants to let the other get the upper hand. The kiss becomes wilder fast. I grab his shirt and pull it up. Gavin leans on his free hand so I can pull it over his head, and then he pulls his arms out. My fingers start exploring his upper body, which gives him the shivers.

“Sensitive?” I whisper, gazing into his eyes and bending upward toward him.

“A little,” he murmurs and tries to kiss me, but I redirect him so I can tickle his neck with my tongue, my lips, and finally nip at him with my teeth. A soft moan escapes his chest while I let my lips wander along the indentation between his shoulder muscles. Meanwhile, Gavin begins opening his jeans. I push them down farther after his hands fall away. I don’t touch his boxers. Gavin pulls his legs out of his jeans, and then sits up. He pulls off my top and throws it aside, and then he pulls down my pants while I’m taking off my bra. I slip my hand into his shorts and grab hold of his penis, which is already rock hard. I have to pull back, though, as he slides his thumbs under the waistband of my panties, helps me stretch my legs upward, and then frees me of that irritating little piece of fabric. Suddenly he gives an irritated snort.

“What is it?” I ask quietly.

“I don’t have any condoms here,” he answers.

“I take the pill and I’m healthy.”

“I’m healthy, too, my last checkup didn’t show anything,” he murmurs, bending over me. He kisses me gently while two of his fingers slide between my petals and tease my clit. I moan as his thumb strokes the sensitive little bud faster and faster. While he’s driving me insane with his fingers, I can feel his penis right at my opening, into which he now slides only the tip. “Oh my God,” I gasp as I feel him stretching me, while fine spasms chase each other through my abdomen. As soon as I come with a scream, he suddenly pushes deeper inside me so my twitching muscles massage him. Any other sounds that might have escaped my lips, Gavin seals in with a kiss. His thrusts are slow and unexpectedly hard, but I like it. I enjoy how he’s keeping my legs bent and pushing into me with long, hard thrusts.

When he moves his hips around, I damn near lose my mind. The size of Gavin’s cock is impressive, and it’s stretching me out almost painfully, but I love the feeling.

“Oh, man, you’re so fucking tight right now,” he moans. “I can’t stand it much longer.” He gazes into my eyes as he speaks, and with each of his words, his lips touch mine again. “Come for me again, Lane,” he demands quietly, and yet his voice is incredibly hard. His eyes glitter dangerously as he thrusts into me again, more demanding, more powerfully.