Page 77 of Play It Off

I shut and lock the door, then turn to find Gavin has already left the living room, leaving a trail of clothing behind him. His shirt. His belt. His shoes. He kicked off his jeans in the doorway of his bedroom, and I grab everything, clutching the pile of clothing and accessories to my chest when I enter his room to find him falling forward on the bed in just his boxer briefs.

“Maybe I did drink too much,” he says, his voice muffled by the mattress.

I dump his clothes on top of his dresser. “Were you drinking at dinner?”

“Oh yeah.” He rolls over on his side, resting his elbow on the bed and propping his head up with his hand. “It was the only way I could get through that nightmare.”

“It was that bad?” I wince, bracing myself.

“You don’t even know the half of it.” His voice lowers. “Come closer, future wife.”

I go still at his words, shocked all over again. I can’t get used to him saying these sorts of things. Will I ever?

I edge closer to the bed, gasping when he lurches forward and grabs my hand, pulling me onto the mattress with him. He wraps me up in his arms and rolls us over so I’m lying beneath him, his gaze locked on my face. “You’re wearing too much clothing.”

“I didn’t strip like you did.”

“I was hot.” He bends his head, kissing my neck. “You’rehot. So fucking hot, Freckles. I need you naked.”

I close my eyes as he makes his way down my body, kissing the parts of me he exposes. He lifts my sweater and kisses my stomach. Undoes the snap of my jeans, slowly lowering the zipper. The moment my panties are revealed, he’s kissing them, making me tremble.

“I can smell you. You want me.” He lifts his head, grinning at me. “You always want me, huh?”

There’s no point in denying it because he’s right. When do I not want him?

“I always want you too,” he continues, his voice gruff as he starts tugging on my jeans. “Lift your hips, love of my life.”

The nicknames are adorable. The way he’s touching me? Sets my skin on fire and leaves me a shaky, needy mess. I lift my hips for him as he requests, and he slowly pulls my jeans down, nearly falling off the bed when he gets them all the way off. He yanks off my socks next, his gaze lifting to find me watching him.

“Take off the sweater,” he demands, and I do as he says, revealing that I have no bra on underneath. I went and changed after the game, wanting to look prettier for him, and I don’t even think he got a chance to appreciate my outfit.

Oh well.

“You’re beautiful, baby,” he murmurs as his gaze rakes over me, and I forget all about feeling sad that he didn’t appreciate what I wore. The way he’s looking at me more than makes up for it. “And I’m not just saying that because I’m drunk.”

He always compliments me when I’m with him, and he’s remained sober the last couple of months, avoiding alcohol because he didn’t want to consume the extra calories. “You’re beautiful too,” I tell him because he is. His body is absolute perfection, and he works hard to maintain his physique.

Gavin laughs, shaking his head. “If my dad heard you right now, he’d be so pissed. He’d say you’re trying to feminize me or whatever. Calling me beautiful like that.”

“Youarebeautiful.” I grab hold of his arm and pull, and he collapses onto the mattress with ease. I crawl on top of him, straddling his hips, my face in his. “You’ve not only got a beautiful body, but you’re beautiful on the inside, too, Gavin. You’re kind. Smart. A natural-born leader who cares about those who are important to you.”

“You’re important to me.” His hand comes up, fingers threading through my hair. “You’re the most important person in my life.”

My heart starts thumping wildly at his declaration. I know he’s drunk. He might not remember saying any of this to me tomorrow, but the sincerity glowing in his eyes tells me he means it.

And I believe him. That’s not wishful thinking on my part either. This man is for real. He’s all mine and he loves me.

“I’m tired of hiding our relationship from everyone. I know I wanted this, and you did, too, but it’s getting so fucking hard to keep my feelings to myself. When all I wanna do is unleash them all over you.” He cups my face, a gesture he knows I love, and I lean down, brushing his lips with mine. “I meant what I said earlier. I’m in love with you.”

“Are you sure?” I whisper, my heart now firmly lodged in my throat. I swallow past it, noting the flicker of irritation in his eyes. “I don’t doubt you, I just ... you’re drunk. And emotional after a rough night with your dad.”

“That rough night, as you call it, opened my eyes and made me realize I don’t treat you like I should. Hiding you like a secret when I should put you on a goddamn pedestal like you deserve.”

He kisses me again, his mouth soft and persuasive, and just as I’m about to part my lips for his tongue, he ends it, the glimmer in his gaze fierce. “I’m not like my father. I never will be. I love you, Sienna. I want a life for you. With you. And I will never stifle you or tell you what to do. That’s how my father treats my mom, and it’s so fucking unfair. She barely has a life. He dictates her every little move, and there is no freedom for her. He controls her in all the ways, and that’s fucked up. I would never do that to you.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” I smile, trying to ease the mood that’s suddenly come over him, but he continues.

“We’re telling everyone we’re together. I can’t take it any longer. And I don’t care what my dad said. I deserve love. I do. And I love you.” His mouth is on mine once more, the way he’s kissing me feeling almost desperate. I press my hands against his face this time, trying to gentle the kiss with my lips.

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