Unforgettable, page 24
“Okay.” He smiled. “We’ve had a wonderful dinner and danced under the stars. We have what is left of this beautiful night to enjoy.”
“Our last night in paradise.” She sighed. “What do you have in mind for the rest of the evening?”
He grinned. “That, sweetheart, depends on what you’d like to do.”
She smiled. “We’ve put a week’s worth of vacationing into two short days.”
“How about continuing this walk over to the pier?”
“I like the idea, as long as it’s slow and leisurely…something you know nothing about with those long legs,” she teased, thinking of the records he’d broken and set on the football field.
They walked, enjoying a comfortable silence.
It was Gavin who said, “We’re going to have to come back when we have more time. We could bring the boys over on one of their school vacations.”
She laughed. “You’re missing your golf clubs, huh?”
He chuckled, shaking his head, “No, I’m not.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “I’ve enjoyed every minute we’ve had together, but I admit I was thinking about my brother. Wondering if he has ever been on vacation. I doubt George has ever taken him anywhere. As for his mother…” He shook his head. “When I think about it, there is still a lot I don’t know about him.”
Anna reached up to unknot his tie and undo the top buttons of his silk shirt. She placed a tender kiss at the base of his throat. “Your mother did all right by you, Gavin Mathis. You’re a good man.”
His voice was suddenly gruff with emotion. “Thank you.” Caressing her cheek, he admitted, “She would have liked you and would have appreciated the care you’ve given Kyle these past few months, as I do.”
“Thank you.” She had to blink away tears. It was the nicest thing he could have said to her. They stood on the pier, gazing out at the water.
“I have something for you.”
“Really?” She smiled.
“Oh yeah, a little something to help you remember this trip.” He reached into his jacket to the inside pocket and brought out a long slender jeweler’s box.
“Honey, you didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. I just hope you like it.” He flipped up the lid.
Inside was a gold bracelet with a heart-shaped diamond charm. “When did you go shopping?”
“While you were sleeping this morning. Do you like it?”
“Oh yes. It’s lovely.” She held out an arm.
Laughing, Gavin shook his head and dropped down on one knee to fasten the bracelet around her ankle. Anna giggled, admiring her ankle, glad she hadn’t worn hose. When he rose she wrapped her arm around his neck and stretched up to him. They exchanged a warm kiss.
He groaned when she moved her tongue over his. He warned, “Don’t start something you don’t plan on finishing.
Moving against his rock-hard shaft, she whispered, “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
One kiss wasn’t nearly enough for either of them. His voice was deeper than usual when he asked, “Ready to turn back?”
She nodded. “Whenever I wear the bracelet, I’ll remember this night. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His fingers were laced with hers the entire way back to their cottage. Once they were inside, Anna hugged him, not wanting the night to end.
“Why don’t you light the candles while I shower and change into something pretty?”
“I like the sound of that.”
She emerged in a midnight blue silk nightgown with deep side slits that showed off her generous curves and her long shapely legs. The bed was turned down and the candles were lit. Gavin’s clothes were on the chair. Wearing only a white robe, he came up to her and placed a kiss against her throat.
“You smell good but look even better. Give me a few minutes to shower.”
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
She curled up on the bed to wait. When she woke the room was dark and she was alone. A single glance at the illuminated clock confirmed it was nearly two in the morning. Upset with herself for ruining their last night, she got up and pulled on the matching lace robe. She found him seated on the patio, his pajama-covered legs propped up on the railing as he stared out at the lake. His chest was covered by his robe.
“Honey…I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Shush.” He took her hand, urging her onto his lap. “You have no reason to apologize, sweetheart. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
Cradling his cheek, she insisted, “But it’s our last night here. I ruined it.”
He brushed her soft mouth with his. “Stop. You haven’t gotten much sleep in the last few days, thanks to me.” He chuckled at her blush.
“Couldn’t sleep?” She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I couldn’t turn my brain off.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Yeah.” Gavin kissed her brow. “I’ve been thinking about the two of us. We’ll be back to the real world once that plane touches down at Metro tomorrow afternoon.”
“You’re talking about my family, aren’t you?”
“I’m talking about the two of us. I have something to ask you. And I don’t want you to answer me until you’ve given it some thought. Okay?”
Her heart picked up a beat, but she nodded her agreement. “Tell me.”
“I don’t want things to go back to the way it was, with you living at your place and me in mine.”
“I’m at your place most of the day.”
“It’s not enough for me. Truth be told, I want you sleeping beside me every night. But because of Kyle, I know that’s not possible.” He paused before he said, “Our time alone will be limited, unless you move into the guest cottage.”
“Kyle isn’t a baby. He’s going to notice that something is going on between us.”
“I know. This way we can spend more time together. When we need privacy we can have it.”
She studied his face, thoughtful for a moment. She could see how much this meant to him. His offer wasn’t exactly what she longed for. Although she was disappointed, she wasn’t crushed…not as she’d be if she was forced to do without him.
She was silent for so long that he confessed, “I know I’m being selfish, and I know I’m asking a lot. Sweetheart, I don’t want what we’ve shared to end because I’m busy finishing the season or because of the situation with Kyle.”
Anna buried her face into the place where his shoulder joined his neck, inhaled his scent. He smelled like soap, his favorite citrus aftershave, and his own natural scent…all very heady. There were things she needed to say but didn’t dare tell him.
She wasn’t ready to share her feelings for him, nor was he ready to hear them. Their relationship was too new. She also didn’t want to even think of her family’s reaction. They didn’t want her dating him. They would consider her moving into his guest cottage no different from living with him.
Anna took a deep breath before she confessed, “I want to be with you just as much as you want me there.”
“Then please just think about it. Okay?”
“I will.” Moving off his lap, she urged, “Let’s go to bed. We have the morning together before we have to leave for the airport.”
He didn’t protest. They went to bed together, and despite the late hour he made love to her. It was while they were in the limousine on their way to the airport that she told him she would move into his guest cottage.
Gavin was silent on the ride into Detroit to her place. Was he regretting the loss of his long-standing friendship with her brother? Was he blaming her as she was blaming herself? Were the problems they’d avoided discussing the past few days back with a vengeance?
It was not until the limousine stopped at her driveway that Anna asked, “What is it? You’ve been awfully quiet since we landed.”
“Just thinking,” he said as he climbed out of the limousine and held out a hand to her. Once she was standing on the gravel drive beside him, he took her luggage from the chauffeur and walked with her to the small front porch.
She quickly unlocked both the storm and screen doors and turned off the alarm. He took her luggage into her bedroom. When he returned, she’d turned up the heat and switched on the lamps. She was feeling uneasy when he just looked at her.
“What?”
“Need anything before I take off?”
She forced herself to ask, “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Has something changed between us while I wasn’t paying attention?”
He studied the concern she didn’t bother to hide on her soft brown features. “Not a thing.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I don’t want to leave you at all, but I have to go pick up Kyle. He and I need to talk. I don’t want what happened with your family or what’s between us to affect him. He’s had enough to deal with.”
Nodding her understanding, she revealed, “For a few moments I was wondering if you were regretting what happened between us. If you blamed me for—”
He interrupted, “Where did that come from?”
She leaned against him, her arms going around his neck. “You had a terrible argument with the two men you love and trust, that’s where it came from. It has been hard on you. And I’m feeling responsible.”
“Don’t.” He put a finger under her chin, tilting it up until he could look into her troubled eyes. “I hate that you’re blaming yourself. You’re not responsible for what came out of the Prescott men’s mouths. We’ve been back in the city a little over an hour, and it’s starting all over again.” He leaned down to brush her mouth with his. “We’ll work it out…somehow.”
Resting her cheek against his chest, she wished that it wasn’t her family making such a fuss and trying to come between them.
“Sweetheart, I have to go.”
“I know.” Anna forced a smile. “Would you like me to go with you to my folks?”
“No need. I’d like you to relax and then pack.” Gavin reached into his pocket and pulled out a single key. He placed it in the center of her palm, closing her fingers around it. “It’s to the cottage.” He pressed another kiss against her lips, this one filled with need. “I’ll call you later tonight. I’m sorry, but I have to wait until tomorrow to see you.”
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“You talking about your moving in?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have second thoughts. Do you?” His body suddenly went tight, a frown creasing his forehead.
“None. I want to be with you as much as we can manage it.”
“Good. It’s what I want also. Maybe I can stop back in a few hours and take over whatever you have ready to go.”
She smiled. “I’d like that. I’ve gotten used to your good-night kisses.”
“I’ve gotten used to sleeping with you beside me.” He stepped back. “Later.”
“Yes…later.” She walked with him to the door. She waited until he waved from the limousine before she closed and locked the door.
She went into the kitchen to put the kettle on to boil before she dialed her parents’ number.
“Prescott residence.”
“Hi, kiddo. You and Kyle have a good weekend?”
“Hey, sis. Yeah.” Wayne’s voice was filled with enthusiasm. Anna listened as he rattled off all they had done in the last few days.
“Hold on. Mom wants to talk to you.”
“Okay.” She poured boiling water into a ceramic teapot with loose tea leaves. Using a small strainer, she poured the tea into her mug.
“Hi, honey. How was your trip?” her mother asked.
Anna smiled at the sound of her mother’s caring voice. “Wonderful. How was Sunday dinner?”
“Well, we missed having you with us. Conversation was a bit strained.”
“I can imagine. Did Wesley and Kelli drop by?”
“Yes. They wanted to spend time with Devin before he left.”
“Oh no. Gavin is on his way over to pick up Kyle.”
“Calm down, precious. Wesley and Ralph took Devin to the airport. Only your father and the boys are here.”
She let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I just don’t want them to get into another argument.”
“Neither do I. Kyle is packed. He and Wayne are playing pool in the den. And your dad is asleep in front of the television in the family room.”
“Mama, it may get worse before it gets better,” Anna warned her. “I’ve decided to move into Gavin’s guest cottage.”
“Anna, aren’t you two rushing things a bit?”
“Perhaps. We want to be together as much as we can.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“The only thing I’m sure about is that I love him,” she admitted softly. “And I want to be with him very much.”
“I’m not thrilled with this decision. I think you’re going too fast, but I trust you to do what is best for you. Honey, I want you to know that even though your dad’s going to have a cow when he hears, we both love you.”
“Thank you, Mom. I love you both too. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”
20
Anna moved into the luxuriously appointed guest cottage on Monday. True to his word, Gavin had stopped by to pick up several pieces of her luggage.
Anna couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong, no matter how many times he denied it. Her being near him hadn’t quite brought the emotional connection she craved. Even though she now slept only a few yards away from him, they hadn’t managed to have any more private time together. Perhaps it was because Gavin was clearly troubled, yet he wouldn’t talk about it. She suspected it was the estrangement between him and her brother that weighed heavy on his heart.
She wasn’t the only one who noticed the change in him. Just the other morning Gretchen had asked Anna what was wrong between Gavin and Wesley. The two men jointly owned a thriving sporting goods business and normally talked during the day. Suddenly the only communication between them was through their personal assistants.
Anna had placated Gretchen, assuring her that Gavin and Wesley were going through a rough patch but she hoped it would eventually work itself out. However, she knew that was perhaps wishful thinking on her part.
There wasn’t a doubt that she felt responsible. She had come between the two, and she hated it. She wondered what she could do, if anything, to resolve the problem. She’d talk to Wesley privately, if she believed it would help. But Anna knew her oldest brother well.
Once Wesley made up his mind about something, it was nearly impossible to get him to change it. He was a family man who believed in protecting his own. The fact that she didn’t want or need his protection didn’t enter the equation. Wesley believed he was doing what was best for her. It didn’t matter that both she and Gavin were hurt by his decision. Or that she was old enough to decide what was best for herself.
Jack Hansom, the Detroit head coach, let out a round of expletives in Gavin’s and Wesley’s faces. “In my office! Now!”
Sporting bruises on their faces, the two men avoided looking at each other as they followed the older man off the practice field and into his office.
Hansom closed the door behind them before going on the offensive. “I don’t know what the hell has been going on between you two this week, but I know damn well this has got to stop, now. Today out on that field, it got out of hand. You two aren’t here to take out your anger on each other. We don’t have time for this kind of crap.”
He paused long enough to catch his breath before he yelled, “I certainly don’t need my two best men knocking each other around on the practice field. I don’t know what in the hell set you two off, but one thing I do know, you two had damn well better work it out. Nothing and I mean nothing is going to come before what we have to do at game time on Sunday. Work it out!” He slammed the door on his way out.
Wesley broke the palpable silence in the room. “It’s not my fault you can’t hang on to the damn football.”
“Not your fault? If you hit the stupid-ass mark once in a while, we wouldn’t be in here now. You came after me, Prescott. We can’t afford for you to ditch the game like you did at practice today.”
“Ditch the game? You’re out of your damn mind. If you could keep your mind on what you’re supposed to be doing—”
Gavin swore heatedly. “We both know what’s got your nose bent out of shape. And it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with what happened out there on the field. This is about me and Anna.”
“You’re damn right. You had no right to put your hands on her in the first place. You knew she was off limits. It’s not like the Motor City isn’t full of attractive women ready to take care of that itch in your jockeys.”
“Is that what you think this is about? Sex?” Gavin tossed his helmet into an empty chair and then ran a hand over his close-cut natural.
The two glared at each other. Even though Wesley was two inches shorter than the other man, he faced him toe-to-toe. “Hell. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“You don’t know jack about this. Anna and I care about each other. We have for some time.”
“Just tell me one damn thing, Mathis. Why in the hell didn’t you try to fight it?”
“You think I wanted this? You think I didn’t try everything I could think of to stay away from her?” Gavin shouted.
“Yeah. That’s exactly what I think,” Wesley shouted back.
“You’re wrong. The attraction between us just happened. It certainly wasn’t planned.”
Wesley just glared at the man he had considered his best friend for nearly twelve years. “What you did was take advantage of her feelings for you.”
“That’s what you want to believe.” Gavin sighed tiredly. “You might as well hear it from me first.”
“Hear what?” Wesley glared at him suspiciously.
“I’ve asked Anna to move in with me but because of Kyle we decided it would be better if she stayed in the guest cottage. She moved in on Monday.”
Wesley felt so betrayed and disappointed that his face had tightened with rage while his hands opened and closed. “She isn’t one of the groupies you usually screw around with. This is my baby sister we’re talking about, damn it!”
“Our last night in paradise.” She sighed. “What do you have in mind for the rest of the evening?”
He grinned. “That, sweetheart, depends on what you’d like to do.”
She smiled. “We’ve put a week’s worth of vacationing into two short days.”
“How about continuing this walk over to the pier?”
“I like the idea, as long as it’s slow and leisurely…something you know nothing about with those long legs,” she teased, thinking of the records he’d broken and set on the football field.
They walked, enjoying a comfortable silence.
It was Gavin who said, “We’re going to have to come back when we have more time. We could bring the boys over on one of their school vacations.”
She laughed. “You’re missing your golf clubs, huh?”
He chuckled, shaking his head, “No, I’m not.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “I’ve enjoyed every minute we’ve had together, but I admit I was thinking about my brother. Wondering if he has ever been on vacation. I doubt George has ever taken him anywhere. As for his mother…” He shook his head. “When I think about it, there is still a lot I don’t know about him.”
Anna reached up to unknot his tie and undo the top buttons of his silk shirt. She placed a tender kiss at the base of his throat. “Your mother did all right by you, Gavin Mathis. You’re a good man.”
His voice was suddenly gruff with emotion. “Thank you.” Caressing her cheek, he admitted, “She would have liked you and would have appreciated the care you’ve given Kyle these past few months, as I do.”
“Thank you.” She had to blink away tears. It was the nicest thing he could have said to her. They stood on the pier, gazing out at the water.
“I have something for you.”
“Really?” She smiled.
“Oh yeah, a little something to help you remember this trip.” He reached into his jacket to the inside pocket and brought out a long slender jeweler’s box.
“Honey, you didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. I just hope you like it.” He flipped up the lid.
Inside was a gold bracelet with a heart-shaped diamond charm. “When did you go shopping?”
“While you were sleeping this morning. Do you like it?”
“Oh yes. It’s lovely.” She held out an arm.
Laughing, Gavin shook his head and dropped down on one knee to fasten the bracelet around her ankle. Anna giggled, admiring her ankle, glad she hadn’t worn hose. When he rose she wrapped her arm around his neck and stretched up to him. They exchanged a warm kiss.
He groaned when she moved her tongue over his. He warned, “Don’t start something you don’t plan on finishing.
Moving against his rock-hard shaft, she whispered, “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
One kiss wasn’t nearly enough for either of them. His voice was deeper than usual when he asked, “Ready to turn back?”
She nodded. “Whenever I wear the bracelet, I’ll remember this night. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His fingers were laced with hers the entire way back to their cottage. Once they were inside, Anna hugged him, not wanting the night to end.
“Why don’t you light the candles while I shower and change into something pretty?”
“I like the sound of that.”
She emerged in a midnight blue silk nightgown with deep side slits that showed off her generous curves and her long shapely legs. The bed was turned down and the candles were lit. Gavin’s clothes were on the chair. Wearing only a white robe, he came up to her and placed a kiss against her throat.
“You smell good but look even better. Give me a few minutes to shower.”
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
She curled up on the bed to wait. When she woke the room was dark and she was alone. A single glance at the illuminated clock confirmed it was nearly two in the morning. Upset with herself for ruining their last night, she got up and pulled on the matching lace robe. She found him seated on the patio, his pajama-covered legs propped up on the railing as he stared out at the lake. His chest was covered by his robe.
“Honey…I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Shush.” He took her hand, urging her onto his lap. “You have no reason to apologize, sweetheart. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
Cradling his cheek, she insisted, “But it’s our last night here. I ruined it.”
He brushed her soft mouth with his. “Stop. You haven’t gotten much sleep in the last few days, thanks to me.” He chuckled at her blush.
“Couldn’t sleep?” She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I couldn’t turn my brain off.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Yeah.” Gavin kissed her brow. “I’ve been thinking about the two of us. We’ll be back to the real world once that plane touches down at Metro tomorrow afternoon.”
“You’re talking about my family, aren’t you?”
“I’m talking about the two of us. I have something to ask you. And I don’t want you to answer me until you’ve given it some thought. Okay?”
Her heart picked up a beat, but she nodded her agreement. “Tell me.”
“I don’t want things to go back to the way it was, with you living at your place and me in mine.”
“I’m at your place most of the day.”
“It’s not enough for me. Truth be told, I want you sleeping beside me every night. But because of Kyle, I know that’s not possible.” He paused before he said, “Our time alone will be limited, unless you move into the guest cottage.”
“Kyle isn’t a baby. He’s going to notice that something is going on between us.”
“I know. This way we can spend more time together. When we need privacy we can have it.”
She studied his face, thoughtful for a moment. She could see how much this meant to him. His offer wasn’t exactly what she longed for. Although she was disappointed, she wasn’t crushed…not as she’d be if she was forced to do without him.
She was silent for so long that he confessed, “I know I’m being selfish, and I know I’m asking a lot. Sweetheart, I don’t want what we’ve shared to end because I’m busy finishing the season or because of the situation with Kyle.”
Anna buried her face into the place where his shoulder joined his neck, inhaled his scent. He smelled like soap, his favorite citrus aftershave, and his own natural scent…all very heady. There were things she needed to say but didn’t dare tell him.
She wasn’t ready to share her feelings for him, nor was he ready to hear them. Their relationship was too new. She also didn’t want to even think of her family’s reaction. They didn’t want her dating him. They would consider her moving into his guest cottage no different from living with him.
Anna took a deep breath before she confessed, “I want to be with you just as much as you want me there.”
“Then please just think about it. Okay?”
“I will.” Moving off his lap, she urged, “Let’s go to bed. We have the morning together before we have to leave for the airport.”
He didn’t protest. They went to bed together, and despite the late hour he made love to her. It was while they were in the limousine on their way to the airport that she told him she would move into his guest cottage.
Gavin was silent on the ride into Detroit to her place. Was he regretting the loss of his long-standing friendship with her brother? Was he blaming her as she was blaming herself? Were the problems they’d avoided discussing the past few days back with a vengeance?
It was not until the limousine stopped at her driveway that Anna asked, “What is it? You’ve been awfully quiet since we landed.”
“Just thinking,” he said as he climbed out of the limousine and held out a hand to her. Once she was standing on the gravel drive beside him, he took her luggage from the chauffeur and walked with her to the small front porch.
She quickly unlocked both the storm and screen doors and turned off the alarm. He took her luggage into her bedroom. When he returned, she’d turned up the heat and switched on the lamps. She was feeling uneasy when he just looked at her.
“What?”
“Need anything before I take off?”
She forced herself to ask, “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Has something changed between us while I wasn’t paying attention?”
He studied the concern she didn’t bother to hide on her soft brown features. “Not a thing.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I don’t want to leave you at all, but I have to go pick up Kyle. He and I need to talk. I don’t want what happened with your family or what’s between us to affect him. He’s had enough to deal with.”
Nodding her understanding, she revealed, “For a few moments I was wondering if you were regretting what happened between us. If you blamed me for—”
He interrupted, “Where did that come from?”
She leaned against him, her arms going around his neck. “You had a terrible argument with the two men you love and trust, that’s where it came from. It has been hard on you. And I’m feeling responsible.”
“Don’t.” He put a finger under her chin, tilting it up until he could look into her troubled eyes. “I hate that you’re blaming yourself. You’re not responsible for what came out of the Prescott men’s mouths. We’ve been back in the city a little over an hour, and it’s starting all over again.” He leaned down to brush her mouth with his. “We’ll work it out…somehow.”
Resting her cheek against his chest, she wished that it wasn’t her family making such a fuss and trying to come between them.
“Sweetheart, I have to go.”
“I know.” Anna forced a smile. “Would you like me to go with you to my folks?”
“No need. I’d like you to relax and then pack.” Gavin reached into his pocket and pulled out a single key. He placed it in the center of her palm, closing her fingers around it. “It’s to the cottage.” He pressed another kiss against her lips, this one filled with need. “I’ll call you later tonight. I’m sorry, but I have to wait until tomorrow to see you.”
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“You talking about your moving in?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have second thoughts. Do you?” His body suddenly went tight, a frown creasing his forehead.
“None. I want to be with you as much as we can manage it.”
“Good. It’s what I want also. Maybe I can stop back in a few hours and take over whatever you have ready to go.”
She smiled. “I’d like that. I’ve gotten used to your good-night kisses.”
“I’ve gotten used to sleeping with you beside me.” He stepped back. “Later.”
“Yes…later.” She walked with him to the door. She waited until he waved from the limousine before she closed and locked the door.
She went into the kitchen to put the kettle on to boil before she dialed her parents’ number.
“Prescott residence.”
“Hi, kiddo. You and Kyle have a good weekend?”
“Hey, sis. Yeah.” Wayne’s voice was filled with enthusiasm. Anna listened as he rattled off all they had done in the last few days.
“Hold on. Mom wants to talk to you.”
“Okay.” She poured boiling water into a ceramic teapot with loose tea leaves. Using a small strainer, she poured the tea into her mug.
“Hi, honey. How was your trip?” her mother asked.
Anna smiled at the sound of her mother’s caring voice. “Wonderful. How was Sunday dinner?”
“Well, we missed having you with us. Conversation was a bit strained.”
“I can imagine. Did Wesley and Kelli drop by?”
“Yes. They wanted to spend time with Devin before he left.”
“Oh no. Gavin is on his way over to pick up Kyle.”
“Calm down, precious. Wesley and Ralph took Devin to the airport. Only your father and the boys are here.”
She let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I just don’t want them to get into another argument.”
“Neither do I. Kyle is packed. He and Wayne are playing pool in the den. And your dad is asleep in front of the television in the family room.”
“Mama, it may get worse before it gets better,” Anna warned her. “I’ve decided to move into Gavin’s guest cottage.”
“Anna, aren’t you two rushing things a bit?”
“Perhaps. We want to be together as much as we can.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“The only thing I’m sure about is that I love him,” she admitted softly. “And I want to be with him very much.”
“I’m not thrilled with this decision. I think you’re going too fast, but I trust you to do what is best for you. Honey, I want you to know that even though your dad’s going to have a cow when he hears, we both love you.”
“Thank you, Mom. I love you both too. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”
20
Anna moved into the luxuriously appointed guest cottage on Monday. True to his word, Gavin had stopped by to pick up several pieces of her luggage.
Anna couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong, no matter how many times he denied it. Her being near him hadn’t quite brought the emotional connection she craved. Even though she now slept only a few yards away from him, they hadn’t managed to have any more private time together. Perhaps it was because Gavin was clearly troubled, yet he wouldn’t talk about it. She suspected it was the estrangement between him and her brother that weighed heavy on his heart.
She wasn’t the only one who noticed the change in him. Just the other morning Gretchen had asked Anna what was wrong between Gavin and Wesley. The two men jointly owned a thriving sporting goods business and normally talked during the day. Suddenly the only communication between them was through their personal assistants.
Anna had placated Gretchen, assuring her that Gavin and Wesley were going through a rough patch but she hoped it would eventually work itself out. However, she knew that was perhaps wishful thinking on her part.
There wasn’t a doubt that she felt responsible. She had come between the two, and she hated it. She wondered what she could do, if anything, to resolve the problem. She’d talk to Wesley privately, if she believed it would help. But Anna knew her oldest brother well.
Once Wesley made up his mind about something, it was nearly impossible to get him to change it. He was a family man who believed in protecting his own. The fact that she didn’t want or need his protection didn’t enter the equation. Wesley believed he was doing what was best for her. It didn’t matter that both she and Gavin were hurt by his decision. Or that she was old enough to decide what was best for herself.
Jack Hansom, the Detroit head coach, let out a round of expletives in Gavin’s and Wesley’s faces. “In my office! Now!”
Sporting bruises on their faces, the two men avoided looking at each other as they followed the older man off the practice field and into his office.
Hansom closed the door behind them before going on the offensive. “I don’t know what the hell has been going on between you two this week, but I know damn well this has got to stop, now. Today out on that field, it got out of hand. You two aren’t here to take out your anger on each other. We don’t have time for this kind of crap.”
He paused long enough to catch his breath before he yelled, “I certainly don’t need my two best men knocking each other around on the practice field. I don’t know what in the hell set you two off, but one thing I do know, you two had damn well better work it out. Nothing and I mean nothing is going to come before what we have to do at game time on Sunday. Work it out!” He slammed the door on his way out.
Wesley broke the palpable silence in the room. “It’s not my fault you can’t hang on to the damn football.”
“Not your fault? If you hit the stupid-ass mark once in a while, we wouldn’t be in here now. You came after me, Prescott. We can’t afford for you to ditch the game like you did at practice today.”
“Ditch the game? You’re out of your damn mind. If you could keep your mind on what you’re supposed to be doing—”
Gavin swore heatedly. “We both know what’s got your nose bent out of shape. And it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with what happened out there on the field. This is about me and Anna.”
“You’re damn right. You had no right to put your hands on her in the first place. You knew she was off limits. It’s not like the Motor City isn’t full of attractive women ready to take care of that itch in your jockeys.”
“Is that what you think this is about? Sex?” Gavin tossed his helmet into an empty chair and then ran a hand over his close-cut natural.
The two glared at each other. Even though Wesley was two inches shorter than the other man, he faced him toe-to-toe. “Hell. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“You don’t know jack about this. Anna and I care about each other. We have for some time.”
“Just tell me one damn thing, Mathis. Why in the hell didn’t you try to fight it?”
“You think I wanted this? You think I didn’t try everything I could think of to stay away from her?” Gavin shouted.
“Yeah. That’s exactly what I think,” Wesley shouted back.
“You’re wrong. The attraction between us just happened. It certainly wasn’t planned.”
Wesley just glared at the man he had considered his best friend for nearly twelve years. “What you did was take advantage of her feelings for you.”
“That’s what you want to believe.” Gavin sighed tiredly. “You might as well hear it from me first.”
“Hear what?” Wesley glared at him suspiciously.
“I’ve asked Anna to move in with me but because of Kyle we decided it would be better if she stayed in the guest cottage. She moved in on Monday.”
Wesley felt so betrayed and disappointed that his face had tightened with rage while his hands opened and closed. “She isn’t one of the groupies you usually screw around with. This is my baby sister we’re talking about, damn it!”
