Page 81 of Out of the Shadows

Gavin shook his head. “You can both fuck off.”

Chuckling, both men made their way to the door, waving their goodbyes.

“So,” Gavin began as he stood and placed a hand at the small of her back. “Dinner tonight?”

“Are you cooking?”

“Uh... seeing as I’m not really in the mood for ramen, yes.”

His teasing smile had butterflies taking flight in her stomach. Yup, Playful Gavin was so damn cute.

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you saying I can’t cook?”

“Not at all, because I’m pretty sureyousaid that.” He stepped toward her and pulled her against him, looping his arms around her. “Now give me a kiss so we can get back to work and then get the hell out of here.”

She rose up on her tiptoes and pecked him on the lips.

“Nope,” he growled. “Try again. And make it a good one.”

She tsked. “Bossy.”

“I’ll be happy to remind you later just how bossy I can be.” His arms tightened around her. “Now kiss me, B.”

She rose up onto her tiptoes again, and he met herhalfway and crashed his lips to hers. There was nothing sweet or playful about his kiss. No, it was hot and demanding. Like he was marking her, claiming her. And it lit her on fire. As much as she loved Playful Gavin, this other version was definitely becoming a favorite.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Bean tightened her ponytail and glanced at herself in her office’s full-length mirror. She’d changed out of her black pantsuit and red Ferragamo heels and into her hiking wear. Who would have thought that midday hikes were good for her brain? Her mind was sharper, her caffeine consumption was down, and she’d been sleeping better.

She rolled her eyes. Okay, while the first two points may have something to do with the hiking, the third point was due to an entirely different type of exercise.

Namely, Gavin.

A flush warmed her body as she recalled “dinner” last night. They’d barely made it two steps into his home when they’d attacked each other. Clothes had gone flying, and he’d taken her hard against the wall. Then on the dining room table. And then on the couch. They hadn’t gotten to eat actual food until nearly ten, but they sure as hell had feasted on each other.

After that, they’d made it to his bed, where they’d taken it nice and slow and fallen asleep in each other’s arms. She’d woken at four-thirty—earlier than usual—but not fromGavin having a nightmare. No, she’d woken to his head between her legs. Suffice it to say, the man’s mouth was magic, and it was a lovely way to start the day.

The alarm on her phone dinged, pulling her from her thoughts. If she wanted to actually hit the trail, she needed to get a move on. With one last glance at her reflection, she grabbed her puffer coat and went in search of Gavin.

The door to his office was open. Bean knocked on the doorframe and peeked her head in.

“Ready?”

He winced as he hung up his phone. “I’m sorry, baby, but I have to take a rain check. I need to call Edward and Rita. They want to talk about Polanski’s team.”

“That’s fine,” she said. “Do you need me to sit in?”

“Nah. Xander and Wilson are joining the call with me. We won’t need your crew until we know exactly how they want to proceed.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you later, then?”

He nodded. “Have dinner with me tonight?”

She grinned and waggled her eyebrows. “Would dinner happen to be code for anything else?”

He leaned back in his chair and locked his fingers behind his head. The smile he sent her was pure sex. “Oh, we’ll have actual food tonight, but you better believe I’ll be eating you for dessert.”

Her stomach flipped.Yes, please.

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