Unforgettable, page 27
“Gavin…”
He rose and faced her. “I want you, Anna mine.” His lips covered hers.
She clung to him, standing in nothing more than her hose and jewelry. His mouth was sizzling hot and demanding as he pushed into her mouth to stroke her tongue with his.
“I’ve been thinking about little else all evening but having you to myself. No interruptions…no one but you and me.”
She sighed as he pressed her breasts into his chest. She rubbed the sensitive tips against him, needing the friction and his heat.
“Hurry…” she moaned before she ran kisses over his chest to his nipples and then tongued them.
He shivered at the sweetness of the caress. “No, there is no need to rush.” He surprised her when he asked, “Where did you get those panties?”
“So you do like them,” she crooned before she licked his throat.
He chuckled throatily, “I was ready to remove them with my teeth. If I had known you had those on under that dress we would have left hours earlier.”
“I’ll buy a pair in every color of the rainbow.”
“Good idea. If I have anything to do with it you won’t be wearing them long.”
Gavin easily swung her off her feet and lifted her until he could enjoy her breasts without straining his neck. He took an engorged nipple into his mouth to leisurely lave and then to suckle. He didn’t stop until she begged him to hurry. Still he took his time before he moved to the other breast to give it the same breath-stealing treatment. She was so close to climaxing that she urgently whispered into his ear that she wanted him…inside her…now.
Anna threw her hands around his neck before sharing a deep and lengthy kiss. They barely made it into the bedroom. She was the one who took the condom from the supply he’d left in the nightstand. She pressed a kiss along his upper torso before she rolled the condom into place, giving him a sweet caress.
She was beyond thought by the time he parted her feminine folds and found her moist, ready for him.
“Now…” she insisted.
“I like you like this…hot for me,” he said as he pressed forward, guiding his shaft into her incredible heat. It wasn’t long before they were both climaxing as one, clinging to each other as they shuddered from the intensity of their release.
Gavin groaned heavily, burying his face against her throat as he held her close to his heart. Anna’s eyes were filled with tears and her lips sore from biting them to keep from declaring her love as she struggled to compose herself. It wasn’t until after they shared a hot shower that they both fell into a contented sleep.
Sunday dinner at the Prescotts’ proved to be unusually tense for everyone. For the first time in memory, Anna was relieved that Wesley was on the road and couldn’t join the family. The strain that had begun on Thanksgiving Day hadn’t lessened as much as she’d hoped. Nothing had been said about her relationship with Gavin or their new living arrangement but she sensed her father’s disapproval.
It wasn’t until after the kitchen was clean while the ladies were planning the upcoming Christmas menu that Anna learned just how bad things were.
“I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but for once, I’m glad my husband missed dinner.” Kelli admitted, “I have had about as much as I can take of his attitude when it comes to you and Gavin. I tried, Anna, but I just can’t talk any sense into him. He refuses to see you as an adult capable of making your own decisions.”
“Oh Kelli. I don’t want you two arguing about me.” Anna’s concern was evident.
“I don’t see why not. Someone has to try and knock some sense into his hard head. I hate to say this, Donna, but talk about stubborn. Once the Prescott men make up their minds, there is nothing that anyone can say to change it.”
“I agree.” Donna sighed tiredly. “I’ve been working on your dad, Anna, as well as Devin and Ralph for over a week, and it’s not doing much good. Nothing I say seems to be making any difference. Before this, I never believed that anything or anyone could come between our family. This has proven me wrong.”
“What are you saying?” Even before she asked the question, Anna knew she wasn’t going to like the answer. “We’re still family.”
“Precious, I don’t like being the one to tell you this.”
At her mother’s hesitation, Anna persisted, “Please, whatever it is, go ahead and say it. You’re scaring me.”
Taking her daughter’s hands into her own, Donna confessed, “Your older brothers and cousin don’t think Gavin should be invited to our family’s Christmas dinner.”
“What?” Anna jumped up. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.
Kelli added unhappily, “It’s true. Wes told me that he would rather stay home than share a meal with Gavin.”
“So it’s been decided? Gavin isn’t invited to the family’s holiday dinner? A dinner he hasn’t missed in over twelve years?” Anna’s voice rose with her indignation. “I should have expected it. I don’t know why I’m even surprised.”
“I’m sorry, baby, but your dad is going along with them,” Donna confirmed.
“This is just plain wrong,” Anna said furiously. She moved restlessly around the room, before she stopped suddenly. She said quietly, “I think I should go.”
“No honey, please.”
“Mama, how can I stay? I refuse to go in there and get into another shouting match with Daddy and Ralph.”
“This is still your home.” Donna was nearly wringing her hands.
“Mama, would you please tell the muleheaded male members of this family that this isn’t fine with me.” Her eyes were bright with tears as she said, “Kyle and I will be spending the holiday at Gavin’s.”
“No.” Donna was upset.
“It’s no less than I expected,” Kelli said sadly, wiping at her own tears. “Wes wouldn’t let anyone else run his life for him. Why should he think you would stand back and let him and his cohorts run your life for you?”
Anna was shaking when she went to get Kyle. She didn’t so much as glance into the family room where Ralph and her father were watching football.
Donna pulled her aside before she and Kyle could leave. “Honey, you can’t leave this way.”
Anna gave her mother a hug. “I think it would be best. Besides, I’m too upset to even speak to them right now.”
Donna kept her voice down so the boys would not overhear her before she said tightly, “I’m not about to sit back and let my family splinter this way. You’re my child, just as much as your father’s. I expect you, Kyle, and Gavin here for the Christmas dinner.”
Anna kissed her mother, running a soothing hand over her slender shoulders. “It’s going to be all right. No one wants to repeat Thanksgiving Day. I have to go now. Kyle’s waiting.”
“I’m not having it,” Donna said, blinking back tears.
Placing a kiss on her cheek, Anna whispered, “Try not to worry. It will all work itself out.”
Ushering Kyle ahead of her, Anna left with a heavy heart. Despite her words to her mother, she knew it was for the best. If Gavin wasn’t welcome, then neither were she and Kyle.
She blinked back tears, letting the cool night air soothe her hot cheeks as she got in the car. She didn’t want Kyle upset by all this. He was just starting to relax and act like a typical male teen.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Or are you going to pretend that everything is just fine, like Gavin and the other adults?” Kyle said.
Anna took her eyes off the road for a long moment. It was Kyle’s shout that warned her that another driver had cut in front of her. She hit the brakes and barely missed hitting the car.
“Sorry,” she said, letting out a deep breath. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Anna, I’m not a little kid. Wayne heard your folks talking. This is about Gavin being your boyfriend, and your two older brothers not liking it. Right?”
“Yes, my cousin and brothers are trying to treat me like a little girl because I’m the youngest.” She eased the car to a stop at the red light.
“You like Gavin, huh?”
“Yes, I do. Do you mind?”
Kyle seemed stunned for a moment as if he didn’t expect her to care what he thought, let alone ask his opinion. “No. Why should I? All that counts is that you like my brother and he likes you. Besides, you’ve always been fair with me.”
“Thanks, Kyle.” Anna smiled as the traffic light changed.
“That’s why you moved to the guest cottage, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she reluctantly admitted, hoping he didn’t notice her momentary hesitation.
She would also like to keep the conversation away from intimate matters. She wanted to be honest but he was only fifteen. Teens were much more sexually aware than she had been at their age. Nonetheless, the details of her and Gavin’s relationship must remain between the two of them.
“That’s what I thought.” The boy was thoughtful for a few moments before he asked, “This problem between your family and Gavin, does that have anything to do with me and Wayne?”
“I don’t understand.”
“We’ve been friends for a while.” Kyle drummed his fingers on the dashboard. “You think your folks will still let him hang out with me?”
Anna reached over and squeezed his arm. “Absolutely. This has nothing to do with you and Wayne. This is really about my cousin and my brothers acting stupid.”
Kyle laughed. “I’m sorry that Gavin and Wesley aren’t friends anymore.”
“So am I. Make me a promise that you won’t grow up to be as muleheaded as your brother and mine.”
Kyle hooted with laughter. “Deal.”
After a time, Kyle surprised her when he asked, “Can I ask you something? Something you won’t tell Wayne?”
“Of course, if that’s what you want. Sounds serious.”
“Naw. Wayne really likes this girl in our English class, Marcy Gordon. She’s kind of cute. She is always smiling at him, pretending she really likes him.”
“Pretending?”
“Yeah. As soon as his back is turned she is grinning in my face. What’s up with that? She knows Wayne and I are buddies!”
“That could be a problem, especially if you also like her.”
“Hey, I think she’s cute. But who needs a girl who plays one friend against the other. Acts like a hoochie, if you ask me.”
Anna couldn’t hold back the giggle. “That bad, huh?”
He nodded. “Do you think I should tell Wayne? I don’t want him thinking I’m going after her.”
“I think you should tell him. At least then he’ll know what’s going on.”
“Yeah. I thought that too. I don’t want him mad at me.”
“He won’t be. He might even be glad that you were honest with him.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Anna and Kyle had started decorating the house for the holidays. Gavin had helped them decorate the seven-foot Christmas tree in the foyer with gold and red satin balls and the smaller one in the living room in silver.
When they got in, Kyle and Anna finished putting spiraling Christmas lights down the main staircase banister and placing the poinsettias on the tables in the hall and all the rooms on the main floor.
Then they relaxed in front of the television in the media room. Sharing a bowl of popcorn, they were watching a marathon of reruns of The Jeffersons on cable when Gavin called from the airport. He hoped to be home around ten-thirty.
Kyle asked if he could stay up until his brother came in and Anna reluctantly agreed, in exchange for the promise that he be in bed no later than eleven and not complain about getting up for school the next morning.
At the sound of the buzzer, Kyle dashed out of the room, calling from over his shoulder that he’d get it.
“Wait a minute,” Anna said, catching up with him in the foyer, knowing it couldn’t be Gavin. “Who is it?”
He looked stunned when he turned to her. “My father.”
“What?” Shocked, she asked, “You saw him on the monitor?”
“Yes. It’s him, all right. He was in a cab.” Kyle suddenly looked like a frightened little boy. “I shouldn’t have let him in.”
Squeezing his hand, she said, “No, you made the right choice. No matter what he has done, he’s still your father. Don’t worry. Gavin will be here soon.” She wanted Gavin to hurry because she had no clue as to how he wanted to handle this situation. “If you don’t want to talk to him tonight, you can go on up to your room. I’ll tell him that you’ve gone to bed.”
Kyle shook his head, jutting out his chin and looking for all the world like his older brother.
“No. I’ll face him. Besides, I did nothing wrong. I wasn’t the one who walked away.”
“You’re absolutely right. You have nothing to apologize for. Just remember, Gavin and I love you. You’re not alone.”
He nodded just before the doorbell chimed.
“I’ll get it.” Anna went to the oak door with Kyle a few steps behind her. “May I help you?” she said, studying the tall, thin man waiting on the other side of the locked wrought-iron and glass storm door.
“I’m George Reynolds. That young player behind you is my son. May I come in? It’s cold out here.”
The ground was littered with a fresh blanket of snow. “Sorry.” She was caught in a gush of cold air once she unlocked and swung the storm door open. “Come in.”
She shivered, uncertain if it was from the cold night or the load of problems this man undoubtedly would bring along with him.
George was grinning like a long-lost friend as he brought a large suitcase inside. Closing the doors, he offered his hand. “And you are?”
“Anna Prescott. I’m a friend of Gavin’s as well as the chef.” She watched as he approached Kyle.
“Well, well, son. You must have shot up a couple of inches in only a few months.” George beamed as he slapped Kyle on the back.
Judging by Kyle’s reaction, the defenses that she hadn’t seen in weeks were firmly in place.
“Good to see you, kid.” Turning back to Anna, George asked, “Where is Gavin?”
“He’s on his way home. He shouldn’t be long. He had an out-of-town game.” She forced a smile. “May I take your coat?”
“Sure can.” George smiled as he shrugged out of the leather jacket.
Although George’s dark face was lined from years of neglect, his hair had touches of gray at the temples, and he was several inches shorter than Gavin, there was no doubt that both of his sons had gotten their good looks from him.
After she’d hung his coat in the hall closet, she said to Kyle, “Please show your father into the living room while I go put on some coffee.”
Gavin released a groan as he eased his bruised and tired body from the Navigator. Despite his sore ribs and scrapes down his left side and shoulder, Gavin’s heart quickened with anticipation. He hadn’t seen his woman in days.
They hadn’t made love in over a week. And he was damn tired of sleeping alone. Everything seemed to be working against them. He wasn’t comfortable leaving Kyle in the house all night long. He only allowed himself a few hours with her, before he went back to his own empty bed.
She hadn’t said it, but he wasn’t a fool. He knew she wanted more than what he could comfortably give. What he was, was a selfish bastard…too concerned with his own needs to let her go. His feelings for her grew with each new day, and they scared him. Yet he was not about to walk away. How could he when she had made the house that had been too large for him into a home. He liked coming back, knowing she would be there.
Shifting his garment bag to his other hand, he let himself into the side door. What he needed was an hour in the hot whirlpool tub and a few hours in Anna’s arms. He dropped the bag on the bench near the door before walking into the brightly lit kitchen.
“Hey. Where is everyone?” He called.
“Gavin!” Kyle raced into the room, Anna right on his heels. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Gavin shrugged, looping an arm around his brother’s neck, giving him an affectionate squeeze. “Just a little banged up.” He smiled at Anna while his eyes stroked her sweet frame. He reached out an arm to her. She came to him, wrapping her arms around his waist for a hug.
“We’re glad you’re home,” Kyle confessed.
His gaze went from Anna’s worried face to his brother’s scowl. “What’s going on?” He barely got the question out when he looked up to see his father enter the room.
“Hello, son. Tough game?”
23
“I just got in. It’s good to see you.” Then he quickly amended, “Both of my sons. I came for the Christmas holidays.”
“Hell no,” Kyle shouted. “You’re here to take me away. If you think I’m going anywhere with you, you’re wrong.” His dark eyes filled with tears.
Gavin placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder in an effort to soothe him. He said quietly, so as not to be overheard, “Calm down. Don’t let him rile you.” To George, he said, “Why now? Feeling paternal all of a sudden?”
George said confidently, “It was wrong of me to leave Kyle without asking, but I knew you would do right by him.” He couldn’t meet Gavin’s challenging gaze.
“Stop talking about me as if I’m not standing right here.” Kyle dashed away angry tears.
Anna interrupted, saying, “Kyle, it’s past your bedtime. Gavin, I’m sure you’re hungry. Why don’t you and your father go into the living room. I’ll bring in some sandwiches.”
“I can’t go to bed now.” Kyle’s voice was touched with anxiety.
“Yes, you can,” she said softly. “You have school in the morning. Nothing is being decided tonight.”
“Anna’s right,” Gavin interjected. “You go on up and get ready for bed. I’ll be up to talk to you a little later.”
Kyle wasn’t pleased, but mumbled a hasty good night before taking off for his bedroom.
George said to Gavin, “Glad to hear you’ve got him in school.”
“Like you give a damn. Where the hell have you been? And what do you mean, walking out without a word to anyone?” Gavin demanded.
