Page 29 of Say Yes

It was annoying the way she constantly looked at him as if waiting for him to turn on her. Did she think just because the cat had obliged him to do a little vacuuming, he’d get angry and walk out? After how hard he’d worked to walk in? He snorted.

But then she nibbled on her bottom lip, and he saw that sexy crooked tooth, and forgave her for doubting him. He cursed, then locked his jaw against the unbearable provocation she presented. “I asked you what time you’d be home.”

She suddenly exploded. “I’ll be home when I’m darn good and ready.”

Gavin was stunned by her outburst, but evidently not as stunned as Sara. She gasped, stiffened up like a lightning rod, then turned and ran back into the house. Gavin stood there, wondering what in hell had brought that on.

When he heard her car driving away, he cursed again, this time rather viciously. Satan wrapped around his leg and roared his approval.

Well, hell.

Obviously he wasn’t handling things right. He supposed, given his frustration from the night before, Sara might be under the same stress. He’d always thought it rather arrogant of men to assume women didn’t suffer the same sexual discomforts as men. Frustration was frustration, whether you were male or female. And she had wanted him.

A slow smile spread over his face. Maybe he’d been looking at this all wrong. It was possible making love to her would reach her far better than anything else. It would prove how much he wanted her, and that was certainly important since Sara didn’t seem to have a clue about her own desirability.

It would also offer that special closeness that always occurred between two people who really cared about each other. He was convinced Sara did care about him. She was merely being stubbornly cautious.

He’d have to be careful to maintain control, but he could do it. It wouldn’t do to let her think their lovemaking was only sex. He couldn’t let her use him without reaching for the commitment. He wasn’t easy. No sir. Gavin Blake was not a man to be trifled with.

And he’d be certain to say all the right words, to treat her tenderly, to show his love.

With that determination, he decided not to wait for the night. As soon as Sara returned home, he would allow her to seduce him. He rubbed his hands together and grinned in heated anticipation. Satan, being a perceptive cat, grinned with him.

* * *

SARA DREADED SEEING GAVIN again. She was never her best at times like these, and having an extra person in the house had only complicated matters. As long as he didn’t push her, she could probably maintain control. But if he insisted on cutting up at her, or trying to second-guess her, she might very well explode.

And speaking of exploding…the constant yapping from the back seat had become very wearying. The tiny dog, a mixed miniature breed of some sort, was the noisiest, most rambunctious little creature she had ever seen. And how one little minuscule animal could move so fast on only three legs she didn’t know. But boy, this one could.

She was glad Jess had given her the excuse to escape the house, and she was even grateful that they’d given her the chance to look over the tiny dog. But dragging in another animal for Gavin’s approval, especially when he’d been annoyed when she left…

The second she pulled into the driveway, she saw his truck was still there. Everything inside her started to relax; though she dreaded another confrontation with him, she also drew comfort from knowing she wasn’t alone, from knowing Gavin was inside. But then he stepped onto the porch, and his disconcerting gaze settled on her face.

Renewed heat rose in her like a tide.

He looked wonderful and strong and handsome; she looked like hell. Mother Nature had a hand in that and there was little she could do about her puffy features and tired eyes. But he didn’t know that. Yet.

And she was certain he could hear the constant, annoying yapping from the back seat. She tightened her hands on the steering wheel.

Strolling down the sidewalk, Gavin flicked his glance from her face to the back of the car several times. Then he stepped around and opened her door when she didn’t show any indication of doing it herself.

For the moment he seemed inclined to ignore the dog. “You weren’t gone very long.”

“Nope. Not long at all.” Sara tried a smile, but it felt more like a grimace.

“Long enough to pick up another pet?”

“Well…you see, it’s like this. The dog sorta looked at me, and…well, we bonded.” Sara rushed on, wanting him to understand. “She’s had an accident and lost a leg. But she’s still plenty scrappy, and she gets around fine. She just needs some TLC. As busy as the shelter is, they can’t possibly give her the attention she deserves.”

“But you can?”

His tone seemed mild enough, only curious, though he had to raise it to be heard over the racket the dog made. Sara wasn’t at all certain of his mood. And she knew her own mood was precarious at best.

She stepped around Gavin and started to lift the cage from the seat. He pulled her aside to do it himself.

She drew a deep breath. “I suppose this is one of those times when you think I should have consulted you first. But you see, there really wasn’t any point. I couldn’t very well leave the dog there.”

Gavin ignored her and started up the walk, holding the cage away from his body and wincing at the continued grating sound. “It’s not very big.”

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