Page 61 of Sweet Disaster
“Hey beautiful,” comes the sound of his raspy, sleep-tinged voice. “I hope you’re just sneaking out to go get us some coffee and you’re not leaving without saying goodbye.”
Oh crappity-crap-crap-crap.
Slowly turning to face him, I try to erase my guilty expression, but it’s a useless endeavor.
I shrug. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Gavin throws back the sheets, climbing out of bed and walking toward me. I glance away until he stands in front of me, naked and beautiful, his morning wood a glorious feature that I can’t ignore. I peek down but look away fast, for fear I’ll do something I’ll regret.
“You were going to leave, weren’t you?”
Busted. “Yeah, I thought it would be easier.”
I try to keep my distance from him, but he moves in and wraps his arms around me, his chin dropping to the top of my head.
He speaks softly. Achingly soft. But it’s a chainsaw to my steely exterior.
“I didn’t take you for a coward.”
Ouch.
“Don’t do this to me, Gavin. Just let me go.”
I grab my roller bag handle to keep me upright. My nerves are shot and unsteady. I didn’t want this to turn into an ugly departure. I just wanted to get out unscathed with my heart intact.
Something flashes through his dark eyes. A hint of sorrow mixed with resolve.
“Okay, listen. I won’t make this any more uncomfortable than it already is. But just know this,” he murmurs. “This isn’t goodbye for good. I promise, I’m going to call you and stay in touch. I’ll basically hound you until I see you again. And trust me when I say, I will see you again.”
He emphasizes those last five words and I want to believe him. I want to so hard. I want there to be truth in his words. For the man I’ve come to care so much for to come chasing after me. To love me like he promised to do.
My eyes water and I flick away an errant tear. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Gavin.”
“I promised to show you a good time and I did, right? So, this is no different. I keep my word.”
I laugh when his hands land on my ribs and he tickles me in my most sensitive spot.
“Stop it…you’re trying to divert my attention. It won’t work,” I say defiantly, lifting my chin and pushing against his chest. His warm, bare chest that I’ve had my hands all over the last week.
“If I wanted to shift your attention, all I really have to do is this…”
His mouth lands on mine, confirming his masterful and magical skills of making all my worries disappear.
It’s a wonder I ever made it to the airport on time.
****
The short flight to Madrid was on a small prop plane that flew directly over the Mediterranean Sea that divides the two countries. But I don’t remember much of it. My head and thoughts were on Gavin. And his promise to stay in touch with me.
My sister is the optimistic one, always looking on the bright side of things. Me, I’m the pessimist. Regardless of Gavin’s adamant claims and promises to stay in contact, I know it’s a lie. Perhaps it’s unintentional, but given the time and distance, Gavin will soon lose interest and forget all about me. For that, I’m certain.
I need to put him out of my mind as fast as possible and start figuring out what I want to do next.
It appears that I’m not the only one who’s interested in my future plans. The minute I landed, I had several incoming texts from my dad. And the first one brought all my fun times in Europe crashing to a grinding halt.
I know where you are, young lady and if you don’t get back within the next three days, I will come drag you back home.
Oh shit.
Enjoy the next few days of your freedom, Kadence. It’ll be your last until school starts again.
Yep, that’s my dad. He bestows on me the same love and affection that he gives his criminal clients. Everything is my fault, I’m guilty and he never wants to hear the excuse.
I guess the jig is up. He’s found out where I am and the party is over. It’ll be a hundred times worse when he finds out that I’m not going back to school. It’s possible World War III will erupt in our small Scottsdale neighborhood.
And at that point, it really won’t matter or not if Gavin does follow through on his promise, because I’ll be held captive in my home for the rest of my life.
