Page 11 of A Major Puck Up

“Holy fuck.” He lets out a deep, loud laugh that instantly forces my heart back to its rightful place in my chest. “That was insane.”

Arms crossed, I huff out a laugh and bump his leg with the toe of my shoe. “Ass. I thought you were hurt!”

“I could have been with the way you maimed me, but I’ll take your reaction as a sign that the orgasm I gave you was explosive.”

“Shut up,” I argue, though I’m laughing now too.

I cover my face. My skin is on fire, which means my freckles are getting darker. Too dark for my makeup to cover. I should go. This was enough revenge for tonight.

Disappointment clangs in my chest at the prospect. Now that I’ve spent time with Gavin, I wish it could be more than what we just did. He was fun. And more than that, I was fun. The person I conjured tonight is a person I like, and I don’t want to say goodbye to her. I don’t want to revert back to the woman I haven’t particularly liked much lately.

When he pushes to his feet and our eyes meet again, I find myself wanting to lean in closer to him. To sink into him and be kissed by him again. It’s unexpected. He is unexpected.

It’s suddenly clear that I didn’t think my plan through as thoroughly as I should have. Because every expectation I had has been obliterated by his smile.

He’s kind. And I’m an asshole for thinking I could go through with this to spite my father.

This isn’t me. Using this man. Or maybe it is. I’m awful.

Gavin’s smile falters as he steps closer to me. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m embarrassed.”

He cups my cheek, and when he caresses me softly with his thumb, I melt beneath his touch.

“Please don’t be. I’ll remember that moment for the rest of my life. The way you owned that orgasm. The way you exploded for me. Fuck, I love how responsive you are. How you know what you want. How you enjoy life. I see it in everything you’ve done tonight.” His dark irises are deep pools of sincerity as he dips a little closer so I’m forced to look at him. “Honestly, I’ve been in a bit of a funk for the last few months, and if you hadn’t called me on it, I’d still be. But god, you knocked me on my ass tonight.”

I giggle, my eyes falling shut. “I mean, I did.”

He laughs, and when I open my eyes, he’s pressing his lips to mine again. It’s gentle and explorative. Like he’s testing the waters. I taste myself on him, which is new, but I don’t exactly hate it. When I moan in response to the tingles coursing through me, he nips at my lips.

“Can I take you back to my place?”

My breath catches, and I take a step back. I’m not surprised by his request, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I want to spend more time with him. I want to sleep with him. And my reasons have nothing to do with my father. I understand Gavin. I relate to him. What he said before, about being in a rut, that’s been me. Tonight, for the first time in months, I’ve felt anything other than anger and hurt.

But it can’t go past tonight, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to walk away once we sleep together.

“I’m not sure.”

The genuine smile that splits Gavin’s face almost takes my breath away. “What if we just go for a walk?”

I eye the stained-glass windows near the entrance. Each is a different color—red, green, blue, and purple—and impossible to truly see through, but I can hear the rain coming down heavily outside. “A walk in the rain?”

Gavin’s face falls. “That was dumb. Sorry.”

“No.” I swallow, searching for an explanation that would make any sense at all. “It’s—I’m just?—”

“You don’t have to explain yourself.” He’s giving me a smile again, but his shoulders are slumped and his eyes are sad. “I just liked hanging out with you.”

I bite my bottom lip.

He leans close and kisses me once more, his warm palm still pressed to my cheek. “It’s okay, Peaches. I had a great time with you tonight. Thank you.” He clears his throat. “I’ll call my driver, then I can take you home.”

He pulls away, and already, I’m second-guessing myself. As he takes out his phone and murmurs what I assume are instructions to his driver, all I can think is that I’m not ready for this night to end.

My phone buzzes, and I regret looking at the message as soon as I pull it out.

Mom: Your father posted a photo of Lake with a view of the beach behind her on Instagram. Gag me. I can’t believe he’s really doing this.

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