Page 16 of Tangled Up In You

They broke apart at the sound of Conor’s suggestion. But Gavin didn’t remove his hand from her cheek or step away. Instead, he gently pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes, smiling.

“I like this dizzy feeling,” she whispered.

Pulling away so he could meet her gaze, he said, “Jesus, darlin’, you repeating my lyrics for you back to me might just be the end of me, but I’ll go happily if that’s the case.”

She couldn’t resist being the one to kiss him now, savoring the sweet connection they’d found.

8

SOPHIE

Because Sophie’s host family kept long work hours, she was free to do what she wanted for the most part. And what she wanted was to be with Gavin, whether it was stolen moments in between classes, watching him at band rehearsals, or seemingly endless kissing sessions.

Their simple make-out sessions went on for weeks before Gavin pushed for more by slipping his hand up her shirt. She was so startled that she moved away from him and sat up on the side of bed. They were in her room once again. He’d never asked her to go to his house.

He sighed and fell onto his back. “Do you want me to go?”

She looked back at him. “What? No. Why would you say that?”

“I dunno. That was a dramatic reaction, I guess.”

“I just didn’t expect it.”

“Don’t you want more? Don’t you ache for me, darlin’?”

She didn’t know what she wanted. Part of her was desperate for more. But another part was still unsure about going there. Not because she didn’t trust him or want him, but because it was a big thing to do all of this for the first time. It was so unknown.

He turned on his side and reached for her hand, pulling it over his crotch where she felt his hardness. “I ache for you. I want you.”

Using the excuse of lying down again, she removed her hand from him. They were side by side, facing each other, and she could see the frustration and disappointment on his face.

“Just talk to me for a bit,” she said.

He closed his eyes briefly. “Okay, let’s talk. Let’s talk about how sexy you are. About how these pretty underthings you wear,” he said and fingered the upper edge of the camisole she wore beneath her school uniform, “tantalize me every day. How your school skirt shows off your incredibly fit legs.” He trailed his fingers over her thigh, pushing her skirt up in the process.

Smiling, she put her hand over his, stopping his upward movement. He dropped his head in defeat, nuzzling into her neck.

“Why do you have to smell so good,” he moaned before kissing the side of her throat, darting his tongue out onto her skin as he went. “And taste so sweet. I love everything about you, darlin’.”

“I love you, Gavin.”

He froze in mid-kiss for a moment before pulling away to look at her. Stroking her cheek, he said, “You mean it, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.” She pushed her hand through his hair. “You’re romantic. You write songs for me and slip me lovely little notes. When you sing to me my whole body tingles. I can talk to you about anything. Also, you’re the sexiest guy I’ve ever known. But also so patient, which I really appreciate.”

He smiled. “I love you, sweet girl.”

Now she slid down so she could bury her face into his neck. “You’re the first boy I’ve ever loved. And you’ll be my first for everything else. It will happen.”

“Okay, darlin’. I’ll wait. I’d do anything for you.”

She squeezed him around his waist and pressed her body even closer to his.

Sophie realizedthey’d fallen asleep when Gavin’s mumbling and twitching woke her. He was agitated but dreaming.

“Gavin,” she said softly, stroking his cheek. But he didn’t react to her touch. Instead his breathing quickened. “Baby, wake up. Wake up.”

He opened his eyes and stared at her for a long moment, still not quite awake.

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