Page 88 of Tempest

“Because yellow flowers send me over the edge.”

“Give me all your triggers and I’ll steer us clear of them.”

“All of them?”

“Every single one, Ode.”

“I hate the color navy blue.”

“Okay,” he says, grinning.

“I can’t eat cilantro. I have that gene that makes it taste like soap.”

“Fuck, that might be a deal killer.”

“Asshole,” I grumble, and he laughs. “I prefer rainy locations to sunny ones. The sun is the devil and I’ll wilt under it.”

“I’m definitely breaking up with you over that,” he teases.

“Can we break up before we’re even together?”

“You wound me, Odette Quinn,” he says, gripping his chest. “It’s a wound I earned a long time ago, though, isn’t it?”

“I don’t want to cause any more wounds, Gavin. I can’t take any more, either.”

“I know, Ode. I said I’d protect you with my life and I meant it. Okay? I mean it.” He brings his face close to mine. Seeing me, seeing through me. “I love you, Odette. I think I’ve been in love with you since our first date. Since the first time you gave me the time of day. I’ll be in love with you until I’m in my grave.”

“Gavin…”

“Shh.” He silences me with a quick kiss. “Don’t say anything. Not until you’re ready. I haven’t had enough time to prove myself to you yet. But I swear I will. I’m still only asking you to try to keep giving me that time.”

If he’s by my side, I can give him all the time this life has left for us.

“Okay.”

“Yeah? You mean it?”

“I mean it,” I reassure. “But can you try not to take any more hits like that on the ice? I’ve never been more frightened.”

“I’ll try,” he says, pressing kisses to my forehead.

“Can I call you my boyfriend? I’ve never had one before.”

“Yes, Ode,” he says, then fuses his mouth with mine. His tongue pushes past my lips. Again, he lifts me with ease. This time, hauling me into the primary bathroom. When I’m back on my feet, he steps away to run water into his large garden tub.

“We’re taking a bath?”

“Yes, and I’m taking that ass.”

“Oh, are you?” I ask when he turns back to me.

“Do you have a problem with that?” His hand finds the chignon at the back of my head and pulls. “Girlfriend.”

“No,” I say, pulling my dress over my head, then unclasping my bra and letting it drop. When we’re both bare and the tub is full, he helps me in.

“Stay put,” he barks as he hurries back into his bedroom. He returns with a bottle of lube that he places on the edge.

“You just happen to keep lube handy?”

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