Intercepted (Page 20)

Big mistake.

The source of the sunlight is a huge floor-to-ceiling window lacking any form of window treatment. The football memorabilia that outed Gavin as a football player years ago is scattered around the room. Framed jerseys, pictures of him throughout his entire career—spanning from high school until now—are littered on the dresser and hung haphazardly on the aqua walls. It’s undeniable that I’m in Gavin Pope’s house.

But I’m not in his bedroom. At least, I don’t think. There’s a soft lace comforter and the furniture is white and carved with floral designs. If I had to guess, it’s an older woman’s guest room, maybe his mom decorated it for herself.

But as I calm down, memories from the night before rush into my mind. Going to the fashion show. Chris with Ava. Courtney openly hating me. Gavin sticking up for me . . . the kiss. Holy moly. The kiss that was so good, just thinking about it makes my toes curl. But, he’d asked for the valet, not a kiss, and then the more embarrassing moments start to flow. Like me telling him I hate football players and how much Chris cheated on me. How I passed out in the front seat of his truck holding an open bottle of wine.

I’m still cringing when there’s a quiet knock at the door. I look around the room again searching for an escape route. Maybe I could wiggle through the ceiling vents? Shimmy down a drainpipe? No, those would never work in last night’s dress and this morning’s tequila bloat. Out of realistic, non-superhero options, I call for him to come in.

“You’re awake.” He smiles, walking through the doorway. “I thought for sure you were going to be sleeping for a long time after last night.”

I wish.

“My head feels like it might explode, and your giant window was trying to roast me, otherwise I would be.” I regret my snarkiness because, from what I can remember, he was amazing to me, but I don’t know what to say. I wanted to be over him, I wanted to be over Chris, but if these past few weeks have proven anything, it’s that I have a long way to go.

I’m still pissed about our night all those years ago. I’m mad at Chris for saying he wanted a break and space instead of just ending it. I’m mad Gavin lied to me about who he was and how he wasn’t there in the morning to tell me the truth. I’m pissed as hell he just showed up here, tossing a necklace when the last thing I need is to try and figure out anybody besides myself.

I try to let my emotions simmer. “How do you not have curtains or anything? These windows are gigantic. Fans are going to park their creepy butts outside and watch you walk around.”

“They’re like one-way mirrors. You can see outside, but people can’t see in. Half the reason I bought this place was for the windows. Why would I cover them?” He walks over and sits at the foot of the bed.

“Makes sense, even though it does get super freaking hot. You have the bed perfectly in line with the morning sun.”

He smiles a sly grin. “I know. My mom claimed this room as hers, and I needed a way that wasn’t too obvious to keep her from getting too comfortable.”

“I don’t know if I think you’re a horrible son or an evil genius. How long did it take you to figure out the exact location the bed needs to be in for maximum discomfort?”

If he was a real genius, he would’ve moved into a shoebox like mine and there would be no room for visitors. But then again, I don’t make a bazillion dollars, and my mom has never expected anything other than eating dinner with me at least once a month. I hate cooking and if I wasn’t pretending so hard to be an adult, I’d go over there every night.

“I slept in here for a week getting it just right. Now when she comes she’s always saying how the elevation makes it seem so much hotter.” His smile never changes when he talks about his mom. He obviously really loves her . . . even if he’s a terrible son.

“Your mom is amazing.” The second the words fall out of my mouth, I’m there with a spoon trying to shovel them back in. I flash back to talking about loving her. “You know, as amazing as a person I’ve never met could be. Not that I want to know her or anything because I barely know you and that would be creepy.”

Smooth.

“Marlee, I got it.” He rests his hand on my leg beneath the comforter, a very effective stop to the onslaught of rambling coming out of my mouth. “I was coming to drop off some Advil and give you water for later.” He takes a bottle of water out of his pants’ pocket with the same finesse as a magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat.

“Oh. Thanks.” Why is he thoughtful? There should be a limit on the charm one could possess. Like Chris, for example. He’s hot, but a giant douchelord, so the balance of the world is in check. Gavin, however, is unbelievably handsome, a gentleman, kind, a fantastic kisser and those skills do not diminish in bed, and he’s one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. What the hell, universe?

I lean forward to grab the water from his hands, but as I do, the down comforter (which is so amazing I’m trying to figure out how to smuggle it in my clutch) falls from my shoulders. The ridiculously low cut, metallic gold dress Naomi and Brynn forced me into is barely in place. Good news for me though, my nipples decided to remain in hiding. Gavin’s face followed the blanket, and his gaze hasn’t moved since.

“Hey now, Pope. Eyes up here,” I call to him at the same time I pull the blanket up.

“Face. Yeah. My bad.” He looks at me and shocks me when his olive skin flushes scarlet.

Add adorable to his list of charming traits.

Dammit.

“So . . . can I have the water?” I ask.

“No.” The blush was fading, but at his answer, it returns full force.

“No?” My eyebrows rise. What’s going on with him?

“I mean, of course you can. It’s just that . . . since you’re . . .” He stops himself and takes a deep breath. “Sorry. Since you’re awake, do you wanna grab breakfast?”

Do I want to eat breakfast with this perfect specimen? Short answer? YES! Long answer? Oh my god! A million times YES!

“I’m not sure. I have a deadline coming up for a client I’m working with and I still have a ton to do.” Way to play it cool, Marlee. And it’s not a complete lie, I do have a lot of work to do, but the deadline isn’t for couple of weeks. It’s just Gavin seems to disarm me more and more every second I’m around him. I know after today I probably won’t see him anymore, and I don’t need to find anything else to add to my list of reasons I want to love him forever. I wonder if this is the struggle all of Chris’s girls felt? The struggle is real.

“I almost forgot you have two jobs. I’ll get my keys and take you home then.” The disappointed smile on his face weakens my resolve. It’s not every day I wake up in Gavin Pope’s house. Shouldn’t I make it last?

“Maybe coffee?” I almost scream at him.

“Coffee sounds good.” His lips curve up and pull my heartstrings along with them. I swear to god, him looking at me and smiling like that? I feel it in my chest. “There’s a great little place a few blocks over. I’ll go find my keys.”

“We can walk. Let me wash my face first.” I climb out of bed, checking to make sure all my goodies are still tucked away, which makes me think of one thing. “Oh! Do you have sweatshirt I can borrow?”