Love at The Bluebird

I wonder if we have time for a quickie.

“Sosie got here early, and I could fucking kill her for it. It was my plan to ravish you before we left,” he tells me in between kisses, as if he’s reading my damn mind. “There might be a janitor closet somewhere on this floor.” He gives me an evil smile with a wink before continuing his assault on my lips.

“Tonight,” I say breathlessly, releasing my hold on him so I can start getting control over myself.

“You bet that fine ass of yours tonight,” he growls, giving me one last hard peck on the lips before pulling his hands out of my pockets. He picks up my duffle bag from the floor and then eyes the three gift bags. “What are those?” he asks, pointing to them.

“Surprises,” I say vaguely, giving him a mysterious smile. I pick up the three bags off the floor and shake my head at him when he tries to carry them for me.

“Darlin’, you’re the only present I’ll ever want.” He grabs my free hand and leads me down a hallway to his apartment.

“Well, that’s no fun because you already have me.” I squeeze his hand in mine and we come to a stop in front of his door. He brings our joined hands up to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

“I hope so,” he whispers and softly kisses me on my mouth. When he pulls back, I see a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. It’s filled with tenderness and, dare I hope… love?

Please, God, let him be falling just as hard and fast as I am.

He gives me a reassuring smile and opens the door to his apartment. He pulls me into his place and lets go of my hand to close the door behind us, giving me the opportunity to look around. Light-gray paint coats the walls, and the first thing that catches my eye is the floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a gorgeous view of the city. High ceilings create the illusion of a bigger place than what the square footage actually is.

I walk farther in and look to my right at the kitchen with dark cabinets, white quartz countertops, and stainless-steel appliances. Two industrial-looking chandeliers hang over the island. In front of me is the living room with rustic wood beams on the ceiling, a small, black leather sectional couch that Sosie is sitting on, working on her computer, and a very large television hanging inside a built-in entertainment unit on the opposite wall.

“Say hello, Sosie,” Gavin says, his tone sounding like a father reprimanding their child.

“Hello, Sosie,” she mimics, not even bothering to look up.

“Don’t be a bitch,” he growls in anger, causing her head to snap up in surprise, and that’s when she notices me.

“Sorry, I didn’t know she came in with you.” She pushes her red glasses up her nose and looks at me. “Hello, Alyson.” I want to roll my eyes but instead bite my lip to keep from reacting. She might act like she’s hard as nails, but I believe Gavin is right about her and I have no doubt her aversion to me is all an act to protect her heart from possibly getting hurt by anyone she might let in.

“Pain in my fucking ass,” he grumbles underneath his breath, and I want to tell him it’s okay, but I keep my mouth closed. “Let me show you my bedroom.” He grabs my bag, and I follow him across the apartment.

His bedroom isn’t very big, but it does have the same amazing view of the city as the living room. The only furniture in the small space is his king-sized bed in a large, mahogany bedframe, two matching nightstands with lamps, and a ceiling fan overhead.

“Over there is the bathroom.” He nods toward a closed door. “And in here is the master closet.”

I follow him down the slight hallway to the closet and step inside. It’s almost as big as his kitchen and is customized with shelves, drawers, and cubbies. I immediately have closet envy and wish mine was as big and as organized as this one. “I, um… cleared out a drawer for you.” He rubs the back of his neck and casts his eyes downward, appearing unsure for the very first time since I’ve known him.

I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his torso, squeezing him in appreciation. “Thank you,” I whisper as I lean up on my tippy toes to kiss him. “I look forward to putting things in it.” I touch my smiling lips to his in what was only going to be a soft kiss, but when his fingers thread through my hair and hold me in place, the kiss goes from soft and tender to hard and hungry in less than five seconds. It’s always like this with him—this overwhelming feeling to be completely devoured by him. I love it and am scared by it, all at the same time.