Page 62 of Not Safe For Work

“I’m sorry,” I say, immediately taking my hands off of her. “Did I misread something?”

“No! Not at all. It was just going a little fast.” She bites her lip and yeah, she’s right. I was ready to spend all night between her legs. I still am.

“You’re right. We should probably…umm, call it a night.”

She climbs out of the pool, but I stay behind and try to catch my breath. What the hell just happened? For a second it felt like every dream I’ve had for the last two years was coming true, and then I woke up with a splash of cold water.

I finish off the rest of my wine and grab a towel.

I change into sweats while Liv is in the bathroom, most likely doing the same. Part of me wonders if I should leave,give her some space. A bigger part of me wants to stay, talk out whatever’s going through her head.

“Hey,” she says, coming out of the bathroom. “Just wanted to rinse off real quick.” Her hair is still wet, but it’s brushed out, perfectly smooth. And she’s swapped my nemesis bikini for shorts and a T-shirt. “Are you tired?”

“A little,” I reply. It’s after midnight, but with everything that just happened I’m not sure sleep will be so easy. I also napped for half the day. I grab a pillow from the bed anyway. “I’ll go in the other room. See you in the morn?—”

“Will you stay in here?” she asks.

“You want me to sleep in the bed with you?”

She nods, repeatedly. “If that’s okay with you.”

My lips tug into a grin.

“Sure, Sparkles. Whatever you want.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

OLIVIA

Gavin Scott likes to cuddle.

Or maybe he just likes me. Ian always said no men actually like to cuddle. But I’m starting to think Ian was mostly full of shit.

When we slid into bed last night, all I could think about was kissing Gavin again. I wanted his mouth all over me like it was in the pool. His kisses tasted like belonging. Every stroke of his tongue made my heart shimmer.

I hate that I let my insecurities take over. I was just hellbent on not ruining the most perfect kiss of my life.

But Gavin didn’t seem fazed by any of it, like hitting pause wasn’t nearly impossible like it was for me. I started to worry the kiss meant nothing to him, that it was just a way to pass time with the woman he shared a room with. Then he pulled me toward him and wrapped an arm around me. And as far as I can tell that hasn’t changed all night.

He’s holding me like a promise he intends to keep. Which is probably why I wake up with aching cheeks. I cannot stop smiling.

“Morning, Sparkles,” Gavin mumbles, his words muffled by the skin of my shoulder. He lightly kisses the spot and pulls mein a little closer. I love the way this feels. The wayhefeels. Every time he holds me, I swear it’s like bright morning light seeping into my skin. His touch feels like the safest place in the world.

“Is this okay?” he asks on a whisper, his lips pressing lightly against my shoulder.

“Yeah,” I respond, but it’s so breathless I’m not sure if he hears me. I press my body back into him to make sure he knows I’m in agreement.

His hands start to roam over my hip, his thumb finding the waistband of my shorts. “When do you have to leave?”

“Huh? Oh shit.” I grab my phone off the nightstand to see it’s nine forty-three. That gives me seventeen minutes to get ready for my boating excursion.

I jump out of bed, grab the more conservative swimsuit, and flee into the bathroom. Signing up for a yacht tour seemed like a great idea when Gavin sent me the itinerary options. I knew he wouldn’t be doing it, but Andie begged me to join her. And how could I pass up a free ride on a yacht with my best friend?

But now, I’d give anything for five more minutes curled up with Gavin in that bed.

I throw on the suit and a cover up, and the plain sandals Gavin picked out because they’re easy to walk in. My hair is still a tangled mess, but I really don’t have time to fix it.

“Do you remember if I packed a hat?” I ask, rummaging through everything still in my bag.

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