Page 8 of Say Yes

CHAPTER 3

HE WAS RUSHING IT.

Gavin knew he should pull back, give her time to adjust to his intentions, but he couldn’t quite get his body to agree with his mind. She was so soft, so sweet against him. And it seemed as if he’d wanted her forever. Hell, it had been forever. A lifetime, in fact.

She was breathing in quick, gasping pants. Touching her mouth with his own, he stifled the small, arousing sounds and gently kissed her. It took all his control to keep the contact light. The feel of her full breasts pressed to his chest tested his resolve.

So many times in the past he’d brushed against her, or shaken her hand, or patted her shoulder. Casual touches that left him wanting so much more. He’d teased himself by visiting with her so often, especially whenever she spoke about Ted. Even if the man hadn’t turned out to be a jerk, Gavin would have hated him because he had Sara.

He smiled to himself, thinking what a challenge she was, how complex and complicated her personality could be. She’d surprised him more times than he could count.

When she suddenly opened her mouth on his, then grabbed his ears in both hands and kissed him with an intensity he hadn’t expected, he wasn’t only surprised, he was stunned. And thrilled.

He slid his arms around her narrow waist, marveling at how feminine she was, how perfect she felt to him and with him. Her mouth was hot and damp and clinging to his. When he slipped his tongue just inside her mouth, she groaned. The small sound made him shake. He could have kissed her forever.

But the idea of her underwear continued to plague him, and without even meaning to, he allowed his hands to wander until he cupped her lush backside and discovered for a fact she was naked beneath the dress.

He shuddered again and his body reacted. He pressed her forward against his groin, his hands kneading, rocking her into his hips. His control slipped, but she didn’t seem to mind. Things were happening fast, but that suited him. Giving her time, waiting for her to get over her embarrassment, had nearly used up all his patience.

Just remembering all the lonely, frustrated, lust-filled nights he’d suffered through recently filled him with renewed purpose, and he slanted his mouth over hers until she accepted his tongue completely. He explored her with a leisurely thoroughness, fascinated by that small crooked tooth, touching it with his tongue. And then…

She pushed him away. Gavin tried to reorient himself, but the room was dark, and all he could see of Sara was her outline and the gleam of her wide eyes, watching him. He could hear her breathing, as harsh as his own, and knew, even without the benefit of light, she was surely blushing again.

“I want you, Sara.”

She started to step back, but he reached out and caught her. His hand landed first against a plump breast, but he quickly altered his hold to her upper arm. They both breathed hard.

Sara trembled, and even that excited him. He’d never known a woman like her, with her honest reactions and sincere emotions. She couldn’t hide her feelings, even when she tried. There wasn’t an ounce of guile in her entire being. That alone made her unique.

“Why?”

Her tone dripped with suspicion. Because it was dark and she couldn’t see him, he gave in to the urge to grin. He was happy, dammit. After allowing her six long weeks to recover from her embarrassment and any lingering feelings she might have had for her damn philandering fiancé, he was finally with her.

He’d wanted her from the day she’d walked into his house and proclaimed him a genius. It was the first time a woman had noted anything about him other than a physical attribute. He was proud of the houses he built, and so was his family. But no other female had taken the time to realize the extent of his natural talent when it came to his work.

It hadn’t merely been the compliment that had done the trick, though. It had been her exuberance, her expressive nature. She was aware of life and the world around her in a way he’d never considered before. She took pleasure in such simple things, in the house he’d built, in her yard work. And he’d watched while she made plans to turn that house into a home with a family…for another man.

God, it had eaten him alive, kept him awake at night, and generally filled him with a morbid kind of desperation. She was meant for him, he knew that. And it wasn’t just her enthusiasm for him and his work. It was everything she did. Sara was the type of woman children would instinctively trust. Men would gravitate toward her because she was secure and comforting. She drew him with her honesty and her optimism and her generosity…and that lush little body of hers that constantly tempted him to touch. He couldn’t discount the body.

He looked at Sara and thought of home and hearth, Christmas and…rumpled sheets on a rainy night. Sara, naked and warm. He groaned. It was an eclectic mix of emotions she stirred, volatile in their power. But knowing he couldn’t overwhelm her with his full plans or feelings yet, he said simply, “You’re beautiful.”

There was no reply, just a telling silence. He sighed, knowing well enough she didn’t believe him. “It’s true, Sara. Ted probably didn’t tell you often enough, bastard that he was, but you’re very easy on the eyes.”

She cleared her throat, and he waited with a half smile, anxious to see what she would say.

“I’m short.”

Ignoring her resistance, he pulled her close for a quick hug, his chuckles rumbling in the quiet of the kitchen. Her head tucked neatly under his chin, his arms looped at the small of her back, he pretended to measure her against him, then nodded. “You’re perfect.”

“Gavin…”

He knotted his hand in her curling hair and tugged until she tilted her face up. Between small, nipping kisses that she greedily accepted, he said, “You’re also very sweet and sexy. It’s been hell staying away from you.”

“I had no idea—”

He didn’t let her finish, kissing her again until her hands came to his bare chest and smoothed over his skin. Her touch was shy and curious and he knew he’d lose control again if he didn’t put some space between them. Damn, now he was trembling like a virgin on prom night.

She’d been hurt by Ted, and he didn’t want her on the rebound. He didn’t want her doing anything she might regret later. And he didn’t want her only for an affair.

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