Page 53 of Tempest

“Are you telling me it isn’t true?” She turns her head to see me. “You aren’t hooking up with groupies, or whatever they’re called, since your divorce?”

“There were a few times. Before—” I hesitate on how much to say. I don’t want her to feel pressure, but damn it, she’s naked in my arms and doesn’t have her armor up. Maybe now is as good a time as any. “Before a gorgeous brunette returned into my life and reminded me of what I’ve been missing.”

“Gavin…” she says.

“Shh.” I stop her, my thumb pressing to her lips that have more color now than when I got here. “I told you before, this is not a transactional relationship. You don’t owe me yourself just because I want you. If friendship is all you can give, I’ll take it gladly. I’ll be the best one you’ve ever had.”

Her eyes bounce between mine, weighing what I’ve said. I imagine she has a hard time trusting anything I say. I can’t blame her, but I hope she finds the sincerity she’s searching for.

“You really mean that, don’t you?” she asks, her breath tickling my thumb that I haven’t moved. I like the feel of her lips. I’d like them more on my mouth or my cock, but I’ll take what I can get.

“Of course, I do. I still care, Ode. Whatever you need, I’ll try my hardest to give.” My other hand falls from her shoulder, inadvertently catching some side boob action. I close my eyes for a brief moment, trying to keep my composure. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she says quietly, turning back around, but snuggling deeper into me at the same time. A cup sits at the side of the tub, and I use it to wet her hair, she hums in pleasure as the heat soaks her scalp.

Gently, I wash her hair, and once I get the conditioner worked in, I brush through her long strands.

“See,” I say, showing her the brush, nearly clear of hair, when I’m done. “There’s not much here.” Odette releases a relieved sigh. I get the conditioner rinsed out as the water starts to cool.

She wastes no time hopping out of the tub and giving me the absolute best view of her glorious ass as she does.

“What else do you have in your bag of tricks?” she asks, wrapping a towel around her and setting another one on the tub ledge for me. I stand, enjoying the way her pupils pop to life as she takes in the water streaming down my chest. Then I push my soaked boxers down over my ass and step out of them. They were barely hanging on, anyhow.

“A dry bean soup mix that’s Tori’s favorite whenever she doesn’t feel well. My mom makes it in mason jars and sends it to us every few months. And a heating pad.”

“Suddenly, I’m not feeling so cold.” She swallows hard when her eyes drag down my chest and lower to my cock that’s enjoying her attention. “I don’t think you play fair, Vaughn.”

“Me?” I laugh. “It was your naked ass rubbing against me the last half hour. Who the hell doesn’t have a fucking bathing suit anyway?” I grab the towel and wrap it around my waist before I step out.

“I lied. I wanted to see what you’d do.”

“Are you kidding?” I ask, looking up to see her smirk. “You fucking tease.”

She apologizes again, but this one is full of silent laughter.

“You hungry, Ode?” I ask, stepping closer to her. So close that she has to tip her chin up to keep eye contact.

“Not for soup.” Her chest heaves, the towel holding on for dear life over her ample breasts.

“For what?”

“To feel beautiful,” she says, so softly I almost ask her to repeat it.

“I don’t want you to hate me tomorrow, Odette,” I say, cupping her cheeks. “I don’t want you to wake up and think I took advantage of this situation.”

“You’re so fucking nice, Gavin,” she says. “I appreciate it, I do. Everything you’ve done for me tonight; I can’t thank you enough. But right now, I need you to set that aside and give me some of that feral attitude you have on the ice. I need you to fuck me into oblivion.”

“And tomorrow?”

“Forget it happened and just be my friend,” she says. “You can say no, if it’s too much to ask.”

17

Gavin

Forget? Not a chance in hell. Can I say no? Not a fucking chance. If all I get is one chance to be with Odette again, I’ll use it to show her how good we could be together. How nobody could make her feel the way I will.

“Are you up for this?”

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