Gavin’s lips at my ear stop me and he grabs my hand in his."That doesn’t matter. Sophia, I don’t want her. I want you, beautiful."Emotion stings my eyes at his honest words and when he presses his mouth to mine, I immediately slip my tongue into his mouth. Passion for him jolts my body, my skin, and my blood to life, and when he slants his mouth over mine and grazes his teeth over my lip and bites down gently, I moan softly. I grasp his silky hair in both hands and explore his hot mouth, feeling my desire for him low in my core."I. Want. You..." Gavin’s whisper fuels my need as does his mouth as he begins kissing my jaw between each word. I moan, grabbing the first button of his collared shirt, anticipating what’s to come. Then the oven dings."Food’s ready." I feel his low laugh against the skin of my neck, his stubble grazing my skin, making me want him even more. I groan in frustration, pulling back and giving him a wink as I push off the couch to grab the chicken Parmesan and ga

The sand seeps between my toes as Gavin leads me down to a picnic blanket a little ways down the beach. There’s an over-sized basket sitting beside it, along with a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and a single red rose lying on the sand. I gasp, my eyes darting to his as he pulls me down to the blanket and sets me in his lap."When did you plan all this?"His chuckle sends delicious tingles up my back."I have my ways, baby."He lifts my chin with his finger and his eyes blaze with love. It takes my breath away."You’re too good to me, Gavin," I whisper, resting my head across his shoulder. He looks so gorgeous with his hair mussed after his shower, and the way his blue tee, low slung jeans, and Columbia Motocross sweatshirt hug his body. His smile is teasing as he gazes down at me."You deserve the world, baby. And I’m going to do everything I can to give it to you.""Gavin…"I wrap my arms around his neck and press my mouth to his, moaning when he kisses me back passionately. He

I lean my head against Gavin's shoulder as he eases out into the midday traffic. His eyes flit down to mine and his lips tilt up into that youthful smile that first hooked me in the parking lot of Eli's studio.His phone vibrates in the cup holder and I hand it to him, intertwining our fingers absentmindedly."Hi, Mom," he says. Crap, his mother?"No. Yes, she’s with me."He gazes down at me, sighing and seeming agitated. What did she say?"What? Mom...I’m not sure if that’s a good idea..." He pauses, listening. I wonder vaguely what his mother is like. She certainly raised him well."Okay, I’ll talk to her about it. I love you. Bye."He hangs up, huffing a laugh as he parks beside the studio. "What was that about?" He grins, kissing my lips softly as he leads me out of the Jaguar. "She wants to meet you. How does dinner next Tuesday sound?" Oh my. "I’d love that. This might take a while since it’s my last session before the showcase. Gavin, you don’t have to stay." He opens the

Kel hands me a steaming hot cup of cocoa and kneels beside me on her couch."What happened?"I sigh, turning to her. I try to reach inside and grasp onto my inner strength but, honestly, I’m not sure if I have anything left."I saw him. Jasmine was there. His ex."She gasps, wiping my tears away. Her eyes are filled with compassion and especially with my broken heart, I’m thankful to have such a loving sister."Why was she there?""I don’t know. She was upset, I think. Gavin was holding her and then they kissed."I take in a breath then slowly let it out, trying in vain to keep my tears at bay."Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. What happened next?"I gaze up at her, shrugging my shoulders in response."You didn’t talk to him?"I shake my head. What could he have possibly said to explain himself?"I couldn’t. I knew she wanted him back. I just never thought she’d take him from me like this." Then Kel pulls me into her arms and I let go. The tears come and my body shakes with sobs,unrelen

SophiaGavin has been admitted to the hospital, he's been in an accident. Sophia, he's in critical condition. The wordsrepeat over and over in my head and all the breath leaves my lungs as I hold the phone to my ear, claspingthe locket in my hand for some sort of comfort. Gavin is hurt. Or worse… God. If only I had been with himlast night, if only I hadn’t run away. The fear unfurls in the pit of my stomach and pushes against my ribs as I struggle for words."Sophia? Are you there sweetheart?" Lucas' familiar voice brings me back to the now."What? Yes, I’m here. What happened? Is he…"I hear his slow exhale of breath, which only spurs my fears on even more."He’s being looked at right now. Earlier, he called me and asked where your showcase was beingheld, and he said he had to see you. Sophia, sweetheart, you have to know that he loves you so much. I couldhear it in his voice; he was going crazy without you. I don't know what happened between him and his ex,but he was coming t