Page 16 of A Major Puck Up

Embarrassment swells and settles in my chest. Why do I want to cry? What is wrong with me? I grab a tissue from the nightstand and use it to clean myself up as best as I can. Then I toss it in the trash, ignoring the blood.

I’m grabbing my dress from the floor, ready to throw it on quickly and get out, when the door to the bathroom opens.

“Where are you going?”

“Um, I—” My heart seizes as I search the bed for my panties.

Where are my panties?

“I ran a bath for you,” he says, taking a step into the room.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that. I get how this works.” Keeping my head down, I continue my search. “We had sex. It was amazing. Thank you. I’ll get out of your hair now.”

With the bathroom light casting him in silhouette, he plants his hands on his hips and watches me. “I know it was your first time.”

My skin heats with morbid embarrassment. “Is it that obvious how inexperienced I am?”

Gavin stalks toward me, completely naked. When he approaches, he brushes my hair from my face and slides his hand to my neck. Lowering his head, he forces me to meet his eye. “No, Peaches. You were perfect. And because I’m livid with myself for having taken that from you after only just meeting you, I’d really appreciate it if you’d let me take care of you. I ran a bath for you. You’re probably sore.”

“Cocky much.” The humor I’m going for falls flat because of the tears clogging my throat. God, I didn’t expect this to be so emotional.

“Maybe,” he murmurs, though I think we both know he’s just being kind. He sees I’m emotional, sees the tears welling in my eyes, and scoops me up and carries me into the bathroom.

The space is massive, all black marble and specks of gold. There’s a shower big enough for at least two and an oversized jacuzzi tub filled with bubbles.

Gavin settles me on the edge of it and then leans in to feel the water. “Not too hot. You want to get in?”

I nod and almost cry out the second my body hits the water, the heat burning my sensitive bits.

“You okay?” The lines in his brow are deep with concern.

How many times is he going to ask that, and when will my answer actually be honest?

“I’m fine. You going to get in?”

With a smirk, he slides in behind me, and as soon as he wraps his arms around me, holding me against his chest, the first tear breaks loose. Like an avalanche that I can’t possibly stop, another one falls, and then another until I’m silently crying in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m not sure why I’m so emotional.”

“That’s okay,” he says far too gently for how this night began. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two,” I hiccup.

“Jesus.” He sucks in a harsh breath and then squeezes me tighter.

“That bad?” I let out a trembling laugh.

“No, I just—Fuck, my best friend’s kids are twenty-two. Makes me feel old is all.”

I wince. Shit. He’s talking about my brother and me and he has no idea. Swallowing back the guilt, I tip my head back and eye him above me. “Believe me, you can keep up.”

His chest rumbles behind me. “You bet your ass I can. Why do you think I’m pampering you now? Gotta get you ready for another round.”

I hum as he lathers me with soap and washes me gently.

“Will you tell me your name now?”

“I rather like Peaches.”

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