Unforgettable, page 22
“I could get used to this.” Anna laughed, leaning back against the suede-covered seats.
“Please do. I like seeing that sparkle in your pretty eyes.” His arm was around her shoulders. Their heavy coats were on the seat across from them.
She relaxed and enjoyed the passing scenery while Gavin pointed out the sights as they left the city behind. The Gladwin was a private resort, more than sixty miles south of the popular tourist destinations.
Their car turned off the road onto a tree-lined drive. They continued on past the deep blue lake surrounded by picturesque cottages. They stopped in front of the sparkling glass-fronted, two-story, wooden Gladwin Lodge that housed two four-star restaurants, fully equipped gym, health spa, and a variety of exclusive boutiques and shops. The resort’s amenities include a golf course and tennis courts.
“It’s lovely, just like a postcard,” she exclaimed.
“More important, the Gladwins respect their guests’ need for privacy, which is important, considering the number of celebrities who come here to relax and enjoy themselves, out of the limelight. Whenever I can string a couple of days together, I come here to relax and play golf. They have a first-class course on the far side of the lake.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
Gavin brushed her lips with his before he stepped out onto the gravel-covered drive and then held a hand out to her. Anna looked around with interest as they walked hand-in-hand up the wooden steps to the lodge.
“Good evening, Mr. Mathis. Welcome back to Gladwin Lodge.” The manager stepped forward with a wide smile.
“Good evening, Mason.”
The two men shook hands before Gavin introduced Anna. John Mason ushered them over to an elegant desk and to the two tapestry chairs in front. Gavin signed the register and was given two keys to cottage number twenty-five.
When they were outside again, Gavin asked, “Would you like to stretch your legs? We can walk over to our cottage. It’s not far.”
Anna slipped her hand into his. “I’d like that. It will give me a chance to look around.”
Gavin sent the driver ahead with their luggage to follow the winding road behind the cottages. They took the paved pathway between the cottages and the lake that was dotted with boats. Anna could see where several larger boats were anchored at the distant pier. Even though it was early evening, the outdoor lamps that lined the pathway had been lit. While she enjoyed the view, he enjoyed watching her.
“What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful, warm, lush, and green. Nothing like the snow they were predicting when we left home.”
Anna frowned. She didn’t want to think about the problems waiting for them back in Detroit. And she certainly didn’t want Gavin remembering that it was his interest in her that might very well have lost his best friend.
She tilted her head. “I can’t believe that you didn’t bring your golf clubs.”
He chuckled. “Golf is the last thing on my mind.” Wrapping an arm around her waist, he said, “You are much more appealing. Certainly more beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“I like the area so much that I’m considering buying property down here.”
“Really? I imagine the sunsets are breathtaking.”
“They are.” He ran a hand up and down her silk-covered arm. “There’s our cottage.”
The chauffeur was leaning against the car, waiting for them.
“Oh Gavin. It’s charming.”
He grinned. “Wait until you see the inside.” He asked the driver to place their things on the front stoop and tipped him. He unlocked their cottage and brought the luggage in himself.
The cottage was small, painted in bright pastel blue. They stepped into a large combination living/dining room. The compact kitchen was off to one side. Anna walked ahead into the beautifully appointed bedroom, also done in shades of blue. The bed was a California king; a small fireplace was directly in front of the bed, but the grate was filled with pillar candles. Two armchairs with ottomans were placed near the floor-to-ceiling patio doors. There was a connecting bathroom tiled in blue with cream fixtures and a spa-size whirlpool tub, plus a roomy, clear-glass shower stall.
“We have a patio,” she said, walking over to the glass doors. “Honey, it overlooks the lake. Come and see.”
He came up to stand behind her, sliding his arms around her waist. “Like it?”
“Mmm.” She turned toward him, gliding her hands up to his shoulders and around his neck. “I am glad we came. After what happened yesterday…”
He stopped her with a kiss. “Remember our promise not to let what happened yesterday intrude on our time here. This trip is for us.”
“What is happening between us?”
“I have no idea. But I want to hold on to it and you for as long as I can.”
Unable to look away from his dark eyes, she wasn’t sure what she expected him to say. It was more than enough to soothe her worries. All that mattered was the happiness they shared at this moment. She stretched up to press her mouth against his. The kiss was velvety soft, but edged with desire. One brush of his tongue and she was pressing her soft curves against his long, hard body.
As Gavin deepened the kiss, Anna moved soft hands over his chest, then down to his trim waist, yet she didn’t stop there. She caressed the distinctive bulge in his jeans. He covered her hand with his, holding it still.
When she lifted questioning eyes to his, he said, “Let’s not start something we can’t finish.”
“But why? You didn’t bring protection?”
“Absolutely.” He grinned. “What about dinner?”
“I can wait. You don’t have to.” She pressed her lips against his before whispering, “I want to give you the same pleasure that you have given me time and time again.”
Gavin let go of her hands. She carefully unzipped his jeans and released the button at his waist. He let out a husky groan from deep in his throat as Anna slid a soft hand beneath the waistband of his silk briefs, moving up and down the throbbing length of his shaft. His hands were not idle. He opened her blouse and unhooked her lacy bra. He covered her full breasts, filling his hands with her sweet bounty. He used a forefinger to rub her stiff nipple.
“No more,” he said as he lowered his head and took a soft breast into his hungry mouth, while trying to control the searing heat as a result of her touch.
“I want to hear you scream with pleasure as you reach a climax,” he said, an instant before he began sucking her nipple in earnest. Anna whimpered as she struggled to remain upright. He worried the tight peak with his teeth.
“I can’t…” she managed to say, before her knees gave out on her.
Gavin caught her before she fell, lifting her high against his chest, but he didn’t stop enjoying each breast.
“I’m going to…” was all she got out before she convulsed in his arms as she climaxed.
He laid her down on the bed and went to work on removing her clothes.
Caressing his cheek, she asked somewhat breathlessly, “What are you grinning about?”
His eyes smoldered with desire as he undressed. “I love to watch you come. Your body is so sweet and ripe. Do it for me again. Only this time, I want to be inside you.”
Before she could respond, he sat down on the end of the bed and began kissing and caressing the soles of her feet, to her calves. She sighed when he kissed her thighs, licking her sensitive skin. When he reached her mound, he cupped and squeezed her. After parting her slick folds, he was pleased to find her ready for him.
His eyes never left hers as he reached for the box of condoms he’d placed on the nightstand. She took the foil packet from him and opened it. He moaned as she caressed the broad crown of his sex. Sitting up, she pressed her lips to his chest and then licked each flat nipple in turn. His heart pounded as she placed her lips against his, taking his bottom lip into her mouth to suckle.
She carefully sheathed his penis in latex before he covered her body with his. He kissed her soft mouth over and over again, one sizzling hot exchange after another.
“I can’t get enough of you. I want you again and again,” he whispered quietly.
Anna released a soft sigh as he shifted between her thighs. He moved against her softness and slowly entered her.
He gritted his teeth against her exquisite heat. “Oh yes, baby. You feel so good, wet, hot, and incredibly tight. Am I hurting you, sweetheart?”
“No…” She wrapped her long legs around his waist.
He held himself perfectly still, giving her time to adjust to his size. She ran a caressing hand over his wide chest, smoothing over hard muscles, and then worried his small taut nipples. Gavin growled before he dropped his head and licked a swollen nipple. Anna whimpered her enjoyment as she tightened her inner muscles.
Soon Gavin was giving her long, hard strokes as he pulled out and then plunged back again. He felt as if he were going up in flames as he cupped her soft behind. They moved in a dance as old as time. She called out as she climaxed first, and he quickly followed as numbing pleasure rushed over them both.
They held on to each other. Finally he shifted onto his back, freeing her of his weight. Placing a tender kiss on her lips, he pulled her onto his chest.
Anna yawned tiredly as she nestled into his arms.
“You’re going to sleep on me?” he crooned.
“It’s a strong possibility.”
He chuckled as he kissed the side of her throat. Playing with a lock of her hair, he asked, “Want to share a shower?”
“I’d rather eat.” She laughed when her stomach rumbled.
“Would you rather go out to dinner or eat sandwiches here?”
“Eat here. Is there food or do we have to call room service?”
“The fridge is fully stocked.” He pressed a soft kiss before he went into the bathroom.
When he returned he was wearing a bathrobe with the resort logo on the pocket and carrying a damp washcloth.
“This might help the soreness.” He sat beside her on the bed and placed the warm cloth between her legs. “Better?”
“Yes.” She sighed, even as she blushed.
“Still sore?”
“Just a little.” She couldn’t meet his gaze.
Gavin leaned over and kissed her tenderly. “Sweetheart, don’t be embarrassed. We’re lovers. I want to share everything with you. There should be nothing we can’t talk to each other about.”
Meeting his gaze, she said, “I want that too.”
He pressed a kiss against the enticing mole on the side of her throat. “That’s my girl. Ten minutes, or I eat without you.”
“You’ll wait,” she tossed back.
Anna was smiling as she took her toiletry bag into the bathroom and took a shower. As she looked into the mirror, arranging her hair, she noticed that the insides of her lips were tender. She found a small tin of ointment and applied it to her mouth. They weren’t swollen from his kisses but from her biting down hard to keep herself from sobbing out her love for him as she climaxed.
She’d been overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the emotion. She couldn’t help wondering if she had been lucky that time. Would she be forced to do the same the next time they made love? She truly hoped not.
She’d never felt this way before and had no idea how to contain her feelings. It happened when her emotions took flight, and she stopped thinking all together. Surely it wouldn’t happen again? She couldn’t tell him. She didn’t want him feeling guilty because he didn’t feel the same. Just being together was enough for her. Wasn’t it?
18
Gavin found the makings for sandwiches in the refrigerator. When he picked up the knife to slice the homemade loaf of whole-wheat bread, he realized that his hands weren’t steady.
While he had been in the bathroom washing up he explained away the weakness in his limbs to sex. Sex was not a big enough word to encompass what they’d shared. The mind-blowing release shattered all preconceived notions he held about intercourse.
He’d never experienced anything even close to what they’d shared. It hadn’t happened just once but every single time he was inside Anna. She fit him as if she had been created to pleasure him…only him. What in the hell was happening here? More to the point, what was he supposed to do about it?
Yes, he cared deeply for her. Their relationship had already cost him something he valued very much—his friendship with Wesley. Gavin frowned as he assembled the sandwiches.
How could Wesley believe that what was going on between him and Anna was only sex? How could Wesley believe, even for an instant, that he would use her for his own pleasure? What hurt the most was that Wesley wouldn’t listen to what he had to say, let alone give him the benefit of the doubt. Wesley’s mind had been made up.
Gavin didn’t need Anna’s brother to tell him that she was one of a kind. She was a wonderful, caring person, and he intended to treat her with care and respect. In the short time they’d been together, she’d made him happy. No, Wesley was more than wrong about them. What her family needed to do was stay the hell out of their relationship.
“Doesn’t look like you need any help,” Anna said as she walked into the kitchen area.
Glancing over his shoulder at her, he said playfully, “What? You think you’re the only one who knows her way around the kitchen?”
She laughed when he put a pickle spear into her mouth for a bite. Dropping down onto one of the dining chairs at the small table, she finished chewing before she said, “I never said that. But I have seen your handiwork. If I were you, I wouldn’t quit my day job.”
He grinned as he opened a bag of potato chips and dumped them into a serving bowl. He placed it and the platter of sandwiches in the center of the table. He carried a cold beer in one hand and a glass of fruit punch in the other as he settled beside her.
“Looks good. Did you put any mustard on it?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Whoever heard of a ham and cheese sandwich with mustard? You’re supposed to use mayo.” Yet he grabbed the small jar from the well-stocked cupboard.
“Mmm,” she said, biting into a corner of her sandwich. “You were lost in thought when I came in. Care to share?”
“Nothing important.” He chewed the chip she stuck into his mouth. “What? You think I look hungry?” he asked as he polished off his sandwich.
She was smiling when she said, “Oh yeah. This is good.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” he admonished as he offered her a part of his second sandwich.
She only giggled as she took a bite. When she leaned over to dab at the mayo in the corner of his mouth with her napkin, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto his lap.
“I thought you were hungry.”
“Mmm.” He reached under her robe to caress her breasts. He placed a lingering kiss between the full swells. “I am…for you.”
He made slow, leisurely love to her. There was nothing rushed about their coupling…sheer pleasure was all that seemed to matter.
Gavin sank down on the bed beside Anna. He leaned down to press soft kisses on her cheeks, forehead, then her lips.
Slowly opening her eyes, she said groggily, “What time is it?”
“After ten, sleepy head.” He gave her yet another good morning kiss, this one long and sweet.
“You’re kidding, aren’t you?” She sat up suddenly, then blushed when the sheet slid down to her waist, baring her breasts. She yanked it over her chest, tucking it under her arms.
He grinned, his eyes sparkling with appreciation. “The sun has been up for hours.”
“Why did you let me sleep so late?” Water beaded on his bare chest and shoulders and a towel was slung over his neck. “What have you been up to?”
“Besides watching you sleep?” He chuckled as she made a face at him. “I’ve been up since seven. Went for a run around the lake.”
She pressed her face against the place where his neck and shoulder joined. “You smell like soap.” Rubbing a hand over his cheek, she smiled. “Clean shaven and fresh. You’re still wet.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I must look a mess.”
“More like sexy and sleepy.” He reached down to the bench at the end of the bed and handed her a silk robe. “Come on, baby. Get up. I’ve made plans for the day.”
She blushed again when she pushed her arms into the silk sleeves and tied the belt tightly around her waist. “What kind of plans?”
“I’ll tell you after you’re dressed.”
She gave him a hug, kissing his chin before she backed away. “Why don’t you put the coffee on? You can make coffee, can’t you?” she teased.
“So little faith.” He shook his head.
“With good reason,” she tossed back as she disappeared into the bathroom.
Gavin called after her. “Put on your bathing suit, okay?” His lips quirked upward at the corners.
“What do you have in mind?” Her brown eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I’ll tell you after breakfast.”
“Be that way.”
The mirrored wall was still covered with the steam from Gavin’s shower. She stared longingly at the large tub, but shook her head knowing if she indulged, it would be close to an hour before she’d finished.
After a shower, she dressed in a pink tankini, a pair of knee-length black shorts, and low-heeled sandals. She put her hair up into a ponytail. A touch of lip gloss and gold stud earrings, and she was ready. The table was set with the resort’s white-and navy-rimmed signature china.
“Smells good,” she said dropping into the chair he held for her.
He was pleased with himself. He’d warmed a half-dozen blueberry muffins, courtesy of the lodge’s kitchen, and made a pot of strong black coffee. “Not exactly up to your standards, but it will do in a pinch.”
“Mmm,” she teased. “I’d better keep you around.”
He laughed. “I have my moments. No need to ask how well you slept.”
“So…tell me.”
“What?”
“You know what, Gavin Mathis.”
