Page 15 of The Fangirl and the Playboy

Pulling Gavin over to the bed, I sit on the edge and he plops down beside me, saying, “It’s so good to see you.”

His gaze searches mine, and I smile. “Long day?”

“The longest. We filmed the sex scene today, and it was so awkward and uncomfortable.”

“Sex scene?” I ask, my heart leaping up into my throat.

Gavin shakes his head. “It’ll be fade-to-black, so Julia and I didn’t have to get completely naked, or anything. Just a lot of kissing and touching.”

“Really,” I say, hating the way my tone reveals my jealousy.

Gavin takes my hand, squeezing it tightly. “We were acting, Willow. And it’s all very technical. We were surrounded by dozens of people telling us where to place our hands and stuff like that. There was no pleasure involved in any of it. Trust me. I don’twantto kiss anyone but you.”

My heart settles back in my chest with that declaration. Of course, rationally, I know he has to kiss and touch Julia. They’re filming an epic romance. But I’ve somehow managed to block that reality from my mind.

“Hey,” Gavin says, lifting my hand and pressing his lips to my knuckles, “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

I shake my head erratically. “It’s fine.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, his eyes filled with worry.

“I’m sure,” I say, offering him a small smile.

And if I’m not fine with it, I will be. This is his job. It’s not the same as when he kisses me. I just have to remember that.

I lean in, and with the first touch of his lips against mine, all thoughts of Julia Warner fly from my head. He kisses me just the way I like it, all soft lips and slow movements. I melt into it for several beats, then he tilts his head and deepens the kiss, swiping his tongue across the seam of my lips. I open for him, and our tongues brush, sending a shiver down my spine.

My body moves without my consent, twisting and climbing over him so that I’m straddling his hips. Gavin’s hands move to my ass, kneading it as we continue to kiss. Instinct takes over, and I buck my hips, feeling something rigid brush against my most sensitive bits. A jolt of pleasure rockets through me, making me gasp against his lips.

Gavin goes rigid, breaking off our kiss. “What are you doing?”

My face flames with the heat of a thousand suns, but I refuse to back down when it feels so good. “Don’t you want to?”

He holds my gaze captive for a long, long time, then flips us over. I’m on my back and he’s stretched over me, keeping a few inches of space between our bodies.

“Willow, I’ve never wanted anything in my life as much as I want you, but we can’t.”

“Why not?” I ask, his words simultaneously thrilling and devastating me.

He shakes his head, then smooths my hair back from my face, saying, “You’re only seventeen, and I’m technically an adult. It’s…illegal.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he silences me with a quick, hard kiss before saying, “That’s not the only reason.”

“What else, then?” I ask.

He swallows thickly. “Have you ever done this before?”

My face turns to lava as I slowly shake my head. Hell, Gavin was my first real kiss, so no, I haven’t. But I do know I want it to be him.

“Exactly. We’ll finish filming in a few weeks, and I’ll have to leave. It might be months before I can get back to see you because I’ll be promoting the movies. What kind of man would I be if I accepted your virginity then deserted you for God knows how long?” He shakes his head. “No. I love you too much to do that.”

We both freeze, and a panicked expression twists his features. He didn’t mean to say that last part. Not out loud, anyway. He searches my gaze silently, and my eyes well with tears.

“I love you, too, Gavin,” I whisper.

And I do. Love him, that is.

He breathes a sigh of relief, then gives me the softest, most tender kiss we’ve ever shared. Breaking it off with a smile, he pulls me up until our heads are on the pillows, tugs me into his arms, and holds me while his fingers play with my hair.

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