Weekend With Her Bachelor (Bachelor Auction Returns Book 4) (12 page)

“What’s wrong?”

He was annoyed and she had no idea why. “It’s not a pull-out.”

It took Ally a second to process what he said. Originally, she’d planned on walking in here and kissing him senseless. But now, once it clicked, she understood. No sofa bed.

“No?”

“Nope. It’s fine. I can sleep on the couch.”

Taking a long look at the sofa that would undoubtedly kill his back, Ally stepped into him. “I don’t think that’s necessary. We can share.”

“Ally, that’s asking for trouble.” His eyes went dark and stormy. “The way things have been going…”

“I trust you,” she said, cutting him off. It was the only reassurance she had. “I trust our friendship.”

He did not look convinced. “I dunno.”

“It’s a big bed, Gavin.”

He ran his hand up her arm, setting off tingles all over her body and alarm bells in her head. Oh, boy.

Maybe her suggestion wasn’t so smart. There was electricity surrounding them, and when he brushed his lips against her ear, she moaned. Just a little bit. God, she was weak.

“It’s the things I want to do to you in that big bed that make this a problem,” he said. “I dream about touching you, kissing you everywhere, and making love to you until you scream my name, Allison.”

“Oh, my God…” She could feel him. All he’d done was whisper the words to her and she could imagine it—every touch, every kiss, every sensation. It made her lightheaded.

Stepping back, he raised an eyebrow. “Still want to risk it? The couch is safer.”

“You’ll be uncomfortable. You’re so big.” Gavin was almost six-four and over two hundred pounds. Ally, who wasn’t short by any standard, felt dwarfed by him. Thinking of him crammed on the couch just seemed wrong.

“I’ll manage. You said you trust me? Then trust me about this.”

Ally broke away, more disappointed than annoyed and grabbed her riding clothes before heading to the bathroom to change. “I’ll be right out.”

Once the door was closed, Ally sank to the floor and cursed herself. She was all over the place about the possibility of getting into a relationship with Gavin. Her heart wanted him in a life changing way, but his response to her offer to just share the bed forced her to see that while he wanted her, he still wasn’t sure of her. Of them.

She took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts, and reminded herself she shouldn’t be surprised. There was a great affection between them, but the trust issues ran deep. Something was still holding him back.

That’s it. No crime. Nothing unexpected, if she was honest with herself. Just the realization that, once again, she was blinded by the idea of romance.

Coming into this situation, Ally had a very specific need. To unload the ring, to donate some money, and to have a fun date for the wedding.

She’d accomplished all those goals.

That should have been enough.

It never would be.

G
avin woke to
Ally’s voice coming from the bedroom. He’d spent a restless night on the couch, trying to get comfortable in a space that was not made for someone his size. Ally was right on that point; he was too big.

Unlike her conversation with the French maître d’, Ally’s voice was calm and relaxed. She was discussing a morning-after breakfast for the wedding guests, and all the talk about food was making him hungry. Sitting up, he glanced around for his hoodie and threw it on before walking to the front door.

He could feel the chill in the air before he even stepped outside. It was a typical spring morning in the mountains. Not quite freezing, the air would warm as the day went on. It was almost May, and it looked like the bride and groom would get terrific weather for their wedding.

In the crisp morning, delicious aromas from the lodge carried on the air, and Gavin’s stomach really started to yell when he smelled breakfast. He couldn’t wait anymore. It was time to grab Ally and head to the lodge. They had a long day ahead and both of them needed to eat.

Poking his head into the bedroom, he didn’t think he’d ever seen a prettier woman in the morning. Ally was sitting up in bed, covers to her waist, going over her planner. The room was bathed in morning sunlight, and the entire space glowed from it. All he could see she was wearing was a soft pink T-shirt which outlined every curve, and her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. She wore no makeup, and a pair of glasses were perched on her nose. Every nerve ending fired when he looked at her.

Something must have broken her concentration, because she looked up, flashing a brilliant smile when she saw him. “Morning. How did you sleep?”

“It could have been better,” he said entering the room. “How about you?”

“Okay. I never sleep well in strange beds.”

If he hadn’t been an idiot about sharing the bed, they both might have slept better. “Do you want to get some breakfast?”

“Sure. I showered last night, so why don’t you use the bathroom while I get dressed.”

If she was bothered about their conversation yesterday, she didn’t show it, but Ally was always good at hiding her feelings. A problem, in his mind. She shouldn’t have to hide that big heart from anyone. Especially him.

“Okay. Let me get my clothes.”

Ally tossed back the covers and he saw her T-shirt was the only thing she was wearing. It hit at mid-thigh, showing off her long, shapely legs. Gavin wondered what the hell was wrong with him that he hadn’t slept with this woman. Why hadn’t he chased her down years ago, and struggled to make things work?

She stood and stretched her arms over her head, causing her T-shirt to ride up, stopping just before the Promised Land. Ally was either oblivious to him, or she was torturing him deliberately. Either way he was in trouble.

And his dick got hard the minute she stepped into his space.

“Are you all right?” she wondered. “You look, I don’t know, annoyed.”

“I’m not annoyed.”

“No?” She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “Okay. Go get ready. Now that you mentioned breakfast, I’m hungry.”

“Right.” Grabbing his underwear and jeans, he headed into the shower. It was going to be a cold one.

*

Ally heard the
shower go off and thought about Gavin, dripping wet just beyond the door. Her body responded just thinking about him. Last night before they went to sleep, she’d seen him with his shirt off, top button of his jeans popped, muscles defined… she could barely breathe. He was gorgeous, and sadly, her mother wasn’t wrong. She really needed to get laid.

That the only person she wanted to be with wasn’t sure he wanted her was a problem. Looking around the dresser, she couldn’t find her mascara, and remembered she’d left it on the bathroom counter.

Oh, darn.

Wearing nothing but a pretty, lacy, button down tunic shirt over her lingerie, she knocked on the door. Who needed jeans? They were just friends.

“Gavin, are you decent?”

“Yeah, kind of.” Opening the door, he stood there with a towel wrapped around his waist and his face covered in shaving cream. There was a strip of dark hair running from the center of his chest, over his belly and into the towel. How she wasn’t throwing herself at him, she didn’t know. Gavin was more man that Lars had ever been.

“Sorry, but the light’s better in here and I have to do my makeup. Do you mind?”

He looked her up and down, stopping right where her tunic brushed against her thighs. “No pants?”

“Not yet. Is that a problem?”

“No,” he said while stepping back to let her in. “No problem.”

Ally grinned as she went by, happy that it was clearly a problem. Standing beside each other, he shaved as she did her makeup.

Looks passed between them in the mirror. Flirty glances. Grins. Some grumbles from him here and there. Annoying him had never been so much fun.

“That looks like a lot of work,” he growled. “All the paint.”

“It’s not really. I mean, I don’t wear much and I’m used to it, so it doesn’t take very long.”

He nodded, drawing the blade slowly around his chin. Ally had always wondered why her mother liked to watch her father shave, and now as she kept a close eye on Gavin, she understood. There was something very sexy about it. Slow. Steady. Masculine.

When he’d finished, Gavin’s eyes locked with hers as he grabbed a towel and wiped the little remnants of shaving cream off his face. At the same time, Ally pulled out her pony tail and started fluffing her curls.

Surprised, Ally froze when he reached out and took a wavy strand between his fingers and wound it up.

“It’s beautiful,” he said.

Ally’s heart was thumping in her chest, staring at Gavin while he examined her hair. “Thank you. I’ve learned to accept it for what it is.”

“You’re beautiful. All of you.”

She couldn’t help herself; Ally reached out and touched his freshly shaved cheek. His eyes drifted shut as he took her hand, dropping soft kisses on all her knuckles. Then, Gavin opened his eyes, and in them she saw her deepest feelings. Her most secret desires.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes.”

“Are you sure?” His large hands were cradling her face now, gentle and strong. Hers. He was hers.

Nodding, she reached between them and undid his towel, letting it fall to the floor.

He was a work of art. Muscular without being bulky. But it was the man inside with whom she had fallen in love. Being able to admit that to herself, even if she couldn’t admit it to him, was a milestone of sorts. If she’d faced it when she was eighteen, trusted in him, they might never have been apart.

He’d been working the buttons on her shirt with his big hands, watching it fall open a little at a time. Once he was done, he pushed it off her shoulders, letting it fall into a puddle next to his towel on the floor.

Hoping they might get here, Ally had put on her prettiest bra and thong. Not taking his eyes off hers, Gavin’s fingers brushed over the swell of her breasts, grazed her ribs, and skimmed across her belly. He touched her gently, thoughtfully.

“You’re perfect, Ally. But do we really want to do this?”

“Let’s not think about anything but today. We’ll deal with whatever comes when we get home. But let’s accept that there’s some kind of magic going on here, Gavin. We’ve always had magic.”

“I know.” In one motion, Gavin lifted her into the safety of his arms, kissing her while he carried her to the warmth of the big bed. A bed they would finally share.

Wasting no time, because they’d done too much of that already, he undid the front clasp on her bra and pushed it aside. The cool air hitting her nipples made them pebble and peak. He smiled and nipped the sensitive tip, making her arch.

“Ah, that’s how it is?” He smiled down at her, so handsome her heart was skipping beats. “This is going to be fun.”

“Fun?” Ally had had her share of great sex. It was pleasurable, and provided release. But she’d never had
fun
in bed. Maybe that was part of the problem.

“Uh huh. And you remember that screaming my name thing from yesterday? Get yourself ready.”

His hands were sliding over her hips, tugging down her thong. She could only imagine what he had in mind. Gavin hovered over her, fully erect, and Ally had a little bit of anxiety thinking about everything this represented. Sex would change everything between them.

“Quiet your mind, Ally. We’ll be okay.”

“We will?”

“Yes.” His mouth came down over hers, taking her away in a kiss that was gentle, sweet, possessive. She cherished the way he made her feel protected.
Loved
. She tasted his essence, strong and kind.

And as his lips and tongue moved over her body, nipping at her neck and shoulders, teasing her breasts, sucking each until she felt an ache low in her belly, she whispered, “Oh, God…”

He didn’t stop, shackling her hands above her head. “You’re so beautiful, Ally, and I’m going to have you every way I can.”

“Mmm. I sure hope so.”

*

Kissing her belly,
Gavin worked his way down, reveling in the smooth skin and sweet smell. They shouldn’t be doing this, but nothing mattered more than making her happy. And if he got her to scream his name in the process, that was a win.