Intercepted (Page 28)

“I think so. It could’ve been so much worse. I’m glad he came out where he did and didn’t wait until I was farther from some place to run.” I don’t mention the little detail where I go out of the park the wrong way so I could look at his place.

“Me too.” He reaches for my hand, but instead of lacing our fingers the way I love so much, he traces his fingers lightly over the darkening bruises. His soft touch is the complete opposite of what I would expect from hands so large and calloused. “Do you want more ice?”

“I’m okay. Thank you, though.”

It’s getting late, but there’s no way I can go home. After I described the guy’s silver tooth to Brian, he knew exactly who I was talking about—Gregory Thomas, lowlife extraordinaire.

Gregory Thomas. Such a simple, normal name. His parents probably thought he’d grow up to be an accountant, maybe dreamt of a lawyer. But instead they got a sociopath with silver teeth. Life is so weird.

I’m sure Gavin would take me to my parents’ house if I asked, but I don’t want to tell the story again tonight. I want to ask him if I can stay, but after ignoring all of his calls and texts for the last month, I’m nervous.

He’s been wonderful tonight, but that’s what sucks about him—he’s just all-around a fantastic guy. I mean, he oversteps a little bit and if my jaw wasn’t so sore and I didn’t dislike Brian so much, I would’ve told him to back up tonight. But he always means well.

“Stay the night.” He startles me out of my thoughts by speaking them out loud.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Just say yes and get this over with, Marlee!

“I’ll take you home if you want or to your parents, but I’d feel better knowing you’re safe and with me.” His fingers leave my hand and his thumb brushes under my jaw.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Positive. You’re never a burden.” He lifts my chin and kisses me.

Soft and sweet—nothing like our last kiss. The only thing they have in common is they’re so addictive, I might need rehab.

“I’ll stay,” I whisper even though there’s no reason to be quiet . . . unless fighting the urge to moan against his mouth counts.

“Good.” He punctuates the word with a kiss and drapes his free arm across my stomach, resting his hand on my hip. Just that small gesture causes lightning to zap my core awake. “Come on, let’s get you some clothes.”

He removes his hand and my body instantly mourns the loss of his touch. I follow him up a familiar staircase, but this time, instead of turning to the right where I slept last time, I follow him to the left and into his room. He walks to his dresser and pulls out a T-shirt and boxers.

“Shit!” he says when he sees me. “I didn’t know you were there. Here are some things for you to sleep in and if you wait a second, I’ll grab some towels. Or if you want, I can bring them to your room.”

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” I throw it out there. Quick, like ripping off a bandage. “I’ll understand if you say no, I just . . . never mind. Sorry. I’ll be in the other room.” I want to turn and run, but my entire body aches and instead of being the hare, I’m for sure the tortoise.

“Where are you going?” Gavin’s hand on my shoulder causes me to stop. “Of course you can sleep with me.”

Tortoise wins again, slow and steady.

“Are you sure? I’ve already invaded your house, now I’m taking over your bed. And my nose is stuffy from crying so I’ll probably snore.”

Stop while you’re ahead, Marlee.

#TMI

“I’m positive.” He leans down and kisses my forehead before straightening and guiding me to his bathroom. “The towels are here.” He points to the bottom cabinet. “I don’t know if you’ll like it, but my soap’s in the shower and my lotions are here.” He points to the top cabinet. “If you need anything else, just ask.”

“Thank you,” I say as he leaves.

I make quick work of showering. Showers aren’t much fun when the water pressure hurts your bruised back, face, and ass. When I walk back out, he’s lying in bed, staring at the empty ceiling.

With no shirt on.

Oh my god.

“Hey,” he says. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s great.” I make my way toward the bed and climb in beside him. My brain shouts at me to haul my black and purple ass to the guest room, but my body puts up a pretty convincing argument to give Gavin a chance.

I know I’ve been in his bed, but this is different. When we were together before, everything we did was covered in lies. It was fun, but it wasn’t real.

But now, next to him, under his comforter, wearing his clothes and smelling of his soap, it’s different. I feel more vulnerable with him than I ever did with Chris. Maybe because with Gavin, I feel like for the first time in my life, the person across from me sees through the pretend front I put up.

The way he watches me, the way he touches me? He makes me feel beautiful in a way Chris never did. That I’m beautiful not in spite of the flaws I work so hard to hide, but because of them.

“You even manage to look gorgeous in my old clothes.” He’s so quiet, I doubt he even realizes the words came out.

“Thank you.” I almost laugh off the compliment, but I feel the bed shift and him moving closer. The only thing I manage to do is sigh.

“I’m glad you stayed.” His lips graze my ear. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me toward him until my back is flush against his chest. Each time he exhales, his breath caresses my neck, sending chills down my spine and making my thighs clench.

“I’m sorry I ignored you.” I close my eyes, thankful he can only see the back of my head. “I really like you, Gavin. It scares me how much, because I did the football thing already, and we all know how it ended. You’re this huge presence, even bigger than Chris. And I don’t want to lose myself in another person again. And every time I’m around you, I catch myself falling into the same trap. Even tonight, I could’ve stuck up for myself with Brian . . . I should’ve stuck up for myself. But with you next to me, I let you take over. You scare me.”

“I really like you too, Marlee.” He pulls the hair from my neck and moves it over my shoulder. “I know you don’t need me to fight your battles for you. Now that I know you need to, I’ll step back. You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m not Chris and I never will be.”

“Thank you for saying those things.”

“I only said them because they’re the truth.” He kisses the top of my head. “It’s hard enough to maintain my willpower with you pressed against me. The rasp in your voice is making it even harder.”

His words make me hyperaware of the bulge pressed against me and I unintentionally . . . intentionally? Either way, I wiggle my way closer to him.

“Marlee.” The way he says my name, I’m not sure if it’s a plea for me to keep going or stop.

“What?” I fake innocence and repeat the movement.

“Too much happened tonight and both of our emotions are running high.” It’s clear he’s hanging on to his restraint by a thread and if I really wanted to break it, I’d be able to . . . easily. “It’s not like last time. We’ll both be here in the morning. We have time.”