The sand warms my feet as Gavin leads me toward a small cliff just south of the lake below. I recognize the set in the land as where we had a picnic only weeks ago.“I love that you brought me here, Gavin. It feels like this is our beach, our spot away from everything and everyone,” I say, catching his hand in mine as we walk.Gavin looks down at me and he smiles gently.“Just ours, Sophia. I brought some food and that wine you love. I thought we could have a picnic before the sun sets.”I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and draw his mouth to mine for a light kiss.“I think that sounds wonderful.”I watch as Gavin sets a sky-blue blanket across the flattest spot along the ridged cliff and sets a basket down by his feet. Then, he reaches for my hand.“When did you prepare all this? We left so quickly,” I ask, sitting beside him and leaning back on my hands. He sets two plates of fettuccine Alfredo with basil and I gasp in surprise.“Oh, Gavin. You remembered.”I can still sme

Somehow, I wake easily from an untroubled sleep that feels as if I’ve slept a full twelve hours since the last time I woke last night. Out of habit and need, I reach out for Gavin’s warmth, but instead I hear his voice out on the terrace overlooking downtown Chicago. It has been one of my favorite parts of Gavin’s home. I never would have dreamed that I would feel so comforted here, but I do. My pleasant thoughts are interrupted when I hear the aggravation in my man’s voice.“I know the contract is huge, Carly. I know. But this is of priority. Cancel all of my meetings today and that is final.”He pauses, bracing both his hands on the banister in front of him. He flexes his neck side to side and I can tell he’s been on this call for longer than he’d like.“Thank you. I’m sorry to snap at you, I just need this done. OK, I will see you tomorrow.”As he lowers the phone from his ear, I wrap the sheets around my torso and shuffle my feet towards the open door of the terrace. Gavin lets

I lean against the door jam and listen while Gavin talks on the phone with his sister. Not that I’m eavesdropping, but the sweet affection in his voice melts my heart.“You sure about him, Cal? First he stands you up and now he’s moving? Is this boy even worth it?” He pauses to listen and in that moment I see the concern in his eyes that I hadn’t heard in his voice. He’s truly worried about Callie and this boy she’s seeing. I can’t say I blame him, but if he’s worth it to her, that’s what counts.“Yeah, I know he’s had a rough life. I promise, Cal.”His eyes flick up to mine then and the blue grays immediately fill with softness.I can tell his sister says something else and it makes him smile.“You too.”“You look beautiful.” Gavin murmurs when he reaches me, grabbing my waist to pull me into hisbody.“Thank you, I got it,” I whisper into his chest as he holds me. I feel his smile against my hair and before I know what he’s doing, I’m being spun around in a circle.“I knew you woul

He hangs up and I take a deep breath, not being able to look away from the seemingly new arrangement sitting three feet away from me. They couldn't have left them more than an hour or so ago.While I wait, I try to wrangle all my inner strength by keeping all my thoughts on Gavin. His eyes, which are always so expressive. His mouth, oh, he's made me feel so good with his mouth, his lips, and his tongue. Then his hands, I've never been touched the way Gavin touches me. Whether it's the way he cups my cheeks, holds my hands in his or makes such tender love to me. With just one touch, I'm breathless. He's conveyed his desire, his need and more than anything, his love for me through his touch. I thought I'd loved a man before, but now, as I curl my fingers across my legs and close my eyes, I know that these feelings are completely new and oh so amazing with Gavin.After a few more minutes, I suck in a breath and get up off the banister and lean against it. I gasp in shock when I see a p

I lean forward, seeking and finding his lips with my own and immediately, slip my tongue along his. The minty flavor of his mouth and the scent of him drive me to him. I kiss him deeply then catch his lower lip between my teeth and tug gently. He groans against my mouth, tasting me eagerly. I feel the pads of his thumbs open my center to him just before the exquisite feeling of Gavin pushing full inside me. I moan in relief at the full feeling, my head falling back in complete awe as pleasure rocks through me."Oh, God!”Before I know it, he flips us and hovers over me, pulling out of me and pushing into me deeper than ever. Gavin moves, really moves creating a rhythm as I clutch onto his biceps and meet him in time, rocking into his warmth and strength to center me as my mouth opens to his. When he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and tugs teasingly, hitting that perfect spot inside me, I scream out his name in need. I'm climbing, waves of such intense pleasure coursing throug