Page 58 of The Fangirl and the Playboy

Sighing, I turn off the light and start walking toward my bedroom. I guess I’ll just go to bed and hope to hear from Gavin tomorrow.

A knock on the front door startles me, and I pause, unsure what to do. It’s almost eleven, too late for anyone I know to be knocking on my door. As I stand there, frozen, there’s another insistent knock, and I pad on silent feet to the door so I can peek through the peephole.

Leaning forward with bated breath, I peer through, and my lungs exhale roughly. Unlocking the door, I swing it open with my mouth hanging open.

“Gavin? What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I caught a flight right after the audition,” he says. “I missed you, and I just wanted to get back here as quick as I could.”

With that, he rushes over the threshold and yanks me into his arms. He hugs me like he hasn’t seen me in weeks, and I melt into that embrace with the same relief despite the fact that it’s only been a day and a half.

I know I should be leery of the desperation. This thing between us is temporary. It’s supposed to be casual. I’m supposed to keep a mental and emotional gap between us so I won’t crumble into tiny pieces when he leaves for good.

But right now, in this particular moment, I can’t bring myself to reinforce that line. I hug him back just as tightly as he’s holding me, and we remain there, frozen in time for I don’t know how long, our bodies barely swaying back and forth as the cool air from outside engulfs us.

Then his fingers find my chin, lifting my face so he can brush his lips against mine. The touch is so tender and full of affection, my eyes burn with emotion.

This is what it would feel like if we try to make this thing work long-distance. Reunited after each separation and absorbing each other’s heat and comfort and…love.

The thought has me pulling back with a nervous laugh, and my body practically revolts at the choice, demanding I snuggle back into that warm embrace. Fighting the urge, I force a visible shiver and step away to close the door against the chill.

“Can I stay with you?” he asks when I face him again, and all I can do is nod.

His relief is palpable, and he shrugs out of his jacket before bending over to pull off his shoes. When he straightens, he takes my hand and leads me into the bedroom where we strip down to our underwear in silence. Folding back the covers, he stretches out on the bed and holds his arms open for me.

I climb in without a word, snuggling into his warmth as his arms close around me. We kiss again, but, surprisingly, there’s no sexual tension in the act. It’s a pure and simple need to be close to each other, to prove to our minds and bodies that we’re here, in this moment, together.

Eventually, I settle my cheek against his chest and listen to his heartbeat slow to a steady, mesmerizing rhythm. His fingertips trail lightly over my shoulder and down my arm, back and forth in an unending motion.

My mind fogs with exhaustion despite the incessant thoughts rolling through it.

I shouldn’t get too comfortable.

This won’t last.

Soon, he’ll leave, and it will be over.

I chase the thoughts away, snuggling deeper into his side. Right now, I don’t care about the future. Right now, I intend to enjoy every second I have of him.

Right now, Gavin Reese ismine.

ChapterThirty

Gavin

My eyes blink open as consciousness returns, and my first instinct is to reach out for Willow. Her side of the bed is cold and empty, and I dig the heels of my hands into my eye sockets to clear the sleep before swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I head for her bathroom first, relieving myself and washing my hands and face before heading into the kitchen to find her.

That room is empty, too, but before the disappointment settles in too deeply, I spot a piece of paper on the counter. Walking over, I pick it up and read the note scrawled in large, loopy handwriting.

Gavin,

I had to head to work, and I didn’t want to wake you. Come see me when you get up. Coffee and a croissant sandwich are on me.

XOXO,

W

A smile curves my lips as I read the note again, my fingertip smoothing over the hugs and kisses part. Dropping the note back to the counter, I head back to the bedroom to pull on my shirt and jeans before going out to my car in the driveway. Grabbing my bag from the back, I head back inside, take the clothes back off, and turn on the shower.

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