Page 53 of Pretty Relentless

He carefully starts to lower my legs down, holding me against him as my feet touch the floor. While his hands remain firmly on my ass, his front pressed to me, he rests his forehead against mine and murmurs, “I really want to continue that kiss.”

My heart is pounding a million beats per second. “I sense a but coming…”

His smile is gentle as his right hand moves to caress my cheek. He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip. “I’ve dreamt of kissing these lips since I was fifteen.”

Okay. I wasn’t expecting that.

“What?” I whisper, my mind spinning a little. Clearly the power of his kisses has knocked me for a loop, because there’s no way he just said he’s wanted to kiss me for eighteen years.

He smiles again, leaning forward, brushing his lips across my forehead. “True story, Ava. I had the biggest crush on you when we were in high school.”

All I can do is gape at him, trying to process.

His gritty chuckle is a balm to my soul, one I didn’t even know I needed. “Freshman year, I saw you walking down the hallway with your friends. You were holding this big stack of books, laughing at something one of them said. I literally stopped in my tracks in the hallway and just watched you. You were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.”

My face flames red. “I’m not so sure about that,” I insist. “No one thought I was beautiful. I was a nerd.”

His lips caress my cheek as he inhales, breathing in the scent of my hair. “The most beautiful nerd in the world,” he confirms. “I was smitten with you that entire year.”

I blink several times before replying, “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything, just listen.” He pauses and holds my gaze. “Call it a crush or whatever, but I’ve been attracted to you for as long as I can remember. I probably should have made a move and asked you out before now, but I was afraid it was just that. A crush. But the more I saw you, the more I wanted to know you, and my timing might not be the greatest because of your rule about dating a student’s father, but I think this chemistry I feel when we’re together is worth exploring.”

He takes a deep breath before continuing, “That’s why I’m not taking you to bed like I want to. This isn’t just sex for me. This is…more, Ava. I feel it in my bones, and I’m going to prove it to you. When we’re finally together, when you’re in bed with me, naked, it’s going to be because you’re all in. You and me. We can keep it quiet though the rest of the school year or however long you need to feel comfortable, but when the time comes, I’m going to tell the world how I feel about you.”

My mind is spinning from his words, his declaration, but more importantly, from the way they make me feel. For the first time in my adult life, I realize I want more. Not just a relationship. Someone to come home to, chat about my day with, and hold me while I fall asleep, but more with Gavin. Call it rushed or too soon, but I don’t want to ignore these feelings I have. I want to find out where they lead.

But I’m also scared. I’m not one who usually takes risks. I prefer the comfort in familiarity, and while I’m a pro at dealing with change on a professional level, I’m not so good with it personally.

Maybe that’s exactly why I need someone like Gavin in my life.

Someone who not only makes mewantto step out of that comfort zone, but who’s willing to catch me if and when I fall.

He presses his lips to my forehead once more, as if he can’t stop himself. Frankly, I hope he never stops wanting to kiss me. “Can I see you again?”

I nod instantly. “Yes.”

He gives me a slow smile that makes my thighs clench. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Usually just grocery shopping and catching up on laundry and cleaning.”

“How are you with heights?”

That question gives me pause. “Uhh, okay, I guess.”

“Good. I’ll be here at two. Comfortable shoes and clothes.” He presses his lips to my own in a chaste, yet sweetly perfect kiss.

I want to ask him to stay, to tell him I’m ready, but deep down, I know I need just a little more time. And the fact he knows it is all the more reason to put my trust and faith in Gavin Pierson. Why this man is still single is beyond me, but I’m damn glad he is.

Tabitha jumps up on my bed and gets comfortable, while Gavin takes my hand and walks me to the front door. While he slips on his coat and hat, I grab his boots from the mat in the mudroom. It doesn’t freak me out when I see them beside my own boots. In fact, it’s as if that one little picture is the most natural sight in the world.

What is this man doing to me?

When he’s ready to go, he takes me in his arms, slipping his hands into my hair. “Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”

“You’re welcome,” I murmur right before his lips swipe gently across mine.

“Tonight has been incredible,” he whispers before releasing his hold on my head and stepping back.

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