Page 10 of Saving Sarah (Blissful Bets)

“I got into town last night and drove straight to the bar. I don’t know why, but I had this need to go there. I’ve never even heard of that place, but when I saw you, I knew you were the reason. With my kind, it’s like that. We show up or go places for reasons unknown to us. Everything revolves around the pull.”

“Your kind? You mean intuitives, people who are sensitive like you?”

She watched him open his mouth and then close it. “I don’t want to lie to you. No, not sensitives. I am one of those, but that’s not what I meant. I think this conversation isn’t ready to happen yet. Let’s just forget the last part. Just know that my intentions are genuine. I plan on sticking around. That’s what I meant to say. Plus, you should know I have a daughter. She lives with her mother, but I do get her on occasion.”

Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “Really? Thank you for telling me. What’s her name?”

“Annabelle. She’s five.” He pulled out a picture from his wallet and handed it to her. Blonde ringlets surrounded her beautiful face. Sarah couldn’t help but smile. If she would have had a daughter, would she look like this? Would she have her blonde hair or Devon’s dark hair? She handed the picture back to him.

“She’s beautiful.”

He smiled. “Thank you, yes, yes she is. And, completely spoiled, thanks to me.”

They both laughed together until Gavin turned serious. “I do plan to live in this town, Sarah. How do you feel about that?”

She smiled, but still couldn’t shake the weird vibe she received from the riddles he spoke of earlier. “I want you to stick around. I feel something, this trust or closeness to you that I can’t explain. It’s weird. I’ve never felt this connected to anyone besides…” Her smile disappeared.

“That guy, Devon, was it?”

“Yes, Devon. He used to make me feel this way.”

Gavin stared at her awhile and grabbed her hand. “Does he still? I mean, you two obviously share something to have such emotions toward each other, but do you feel a pull toward him? All I get from you when you’re together is pain and confusion.”

“Gavin…” Sarah took a deep breath, trying not to get too expressive. “Devon and I were together all through high school. At the end of our senior year, I got pregnant.” Shit, she really hadn’t wanted to get into this conversation yet, but if she wanted to keep him, she needed to be truthful, even if it was a lot sooner than she would have liked. “When I was three months along, I lost the baby. For reasons he still hasn’t explained, he left me the next day.” She took a ragged breath. “I loved him with everything I had, and he broke my heart. So, now that you know, you can understand how I’m not sure how I feel about him anymore.”

“I see.”

He was so quiet she wasn’t sure what he could possibly be thinking. She wouldn’t blame him for running out and never looking back. Not very many men would want to mix themselves up with the drama that was establishing itself in her life. Of course, not many people would even be having this conversation on the first freaking date.

“If you want to leave, I understand.”

He looked up so quickly she had to blink twice to see if she’d seen correctly. “Sarah, I’m not going anywhere. I’m sorry you thought I would want to. I was just thinking about what I should do about Devon. He seems just as determined to be in your life as I am. You have to see that.”

“No, he just wants to clear his conscience. After that, I’ll probably never hear from him again.”

Rich laughter made her jump. “Don’t be so sure of that. He’s alph…he’s used to being in control. He won’t back down easily.”

Sarah stood and walked to the stove. She didn’t agree with Gavin, but she didn’t feel like arguing. She stirred the sauce while her mind played over the events of the last twenty-four hours. Damn, what had she got herself into?

Chapter 6

Dinner was delightful while Sarah and Gavin shared random stories, but everything felt off. They cleaned up the kitchen as Sarah went through her thoughts. Too many memories she wanted to share had Devon in them, and she sure as hell didn’t want to mention her adventures during Bets. It felt weird having to pause to think about something else to say.

Arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her body into Gavin’s. His breath against her neck caused heat to pulse through her body. Slowly, she turned around in his arms to look at him.

“Did you enjoy dinner?” His forehead rested against hers as he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. She noticed he seemed to do that a lot.

“Yes. I had a great time.”

Soft lips pressed into hers, and his taste took her over. Before she knew it, she was clutching to him, breathless. The hardness of his cock pressed into her stomach. She loved that feeling. Knowing how much he wanted her gave her the control she loved.

“I think I should go. I don’t want you to think this is why I opted for us to stay here.”

For reasons Sarah couldn’t fathom, she gripped to him tightly. “Don’t leave. Stay the night with me. I don’t think this is the only reason you’re here. I just…” She trailed off, shocked by the way she was acting. This wasn’t like her. Where was the independent woman who didn’t need a man?

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. If you want to leave, I understand.” She stepped back. A feeling of being physically torn caused her heart to ache, just like with Devon. A part of her didn’t want him to leave, ever. It was too much, way too soon.

“It’s not that I want to leave. I just think, for now, it’ll be better. If you want, we can do this tomorrow. That is, if you don’t have other plans.”

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