Reaper's Salvation (Road to Salvation A Last Rider's Trilogy 3)

His explanation didn’t erase the fear of Taylor, but it did give her precious seconds to regain her composure.

“Then I’ll accept your gift.” Pressing a kiss on the corner of his mouth, she jiggled the present in front of his face, pretending to be excited.

Ginny didn’t tell him her closely guarded secret—she hated presents. Most of the presents she’d received in her life had been given as a replacement for the person being there. In reality, the only present she ever wanted was to be surrounded by the people she loved.

“Let me guess.” She jiggled the small box again, hoping the gift was a sign he was beginning to care about her. “They’re charms.”

“Good guess.”

Ginny could see his eyes watching her nervously, waiting for her reaction, despite him trying to joke.

“Aw … they’re beautiful.” She kissed him, and as it spun into a passionate haze she plastered herself against his chest.

Please, God, don’t ever let the kiss end, Ginny silently begged.

Her prayer was short-lived and bittersweet. Gavin pulled back from their embrace to straighten her on his lap. “Behave. Viper will be here in five minutes.”

Her face fell at the reminder of how fast time was getting away from her. She had yet to confess her past. “So soon? I thought we had at least an hour. Silas just left, and I was—”

“You thought you’d get a little nookie after Silas left?” He gave her an unapologetic, I-told-you-so smirk. “You should have taken my suggestion and snuck down to my room after he went to bed last night.”

Ginny’s breath caught in the back of her throat as she stared at Gavin. God, he was beautiful. Even though she’d only met him year ago, she could see a glimmer of the man he probably had been, before life irrevocably changed him. Laughter warmed his expression, and she saw the devil-may-care attitude that could attract both men and women like fish to bait.

“Your room doesn’t have a door,” she reminded him, wanting to continue the banter, hoping to catch another glimpse of the carefree man he used to be.

“Which is one of the chores I have to take care of today, but you need to open my present first.”

Ginny stared at the unopened present in her hand, knowing precious minutes were ticking too quickly, mirroring the rhythm of her heartbeat. “If I don’t open it, will you please stay here with me?” she whispered.

Gavin took her chin in his hand and lifted her eyes to his. “The most I’ll be gone is a couple of hours. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have to.” Releasing her chin, he took the box, then he placed a star, a moon, and a pair of diamond angel wings charms into her palm. Closing her fingers around the charms, he lifted her fist to his lips. “The next charm I’m going to buy you is a four-leaf clover, to remind you of our first date.”

None of his gifts gave her a sense of elation, since she’d been on the receiving end of too many presents which represented good-byes. Gifts had never represented a future together, such as the ones that Trudy had given her; they were a more of appeasement to make them feel better about leaving her.

“Our first date?” Ginny stared at him in confusion. They never had a first date. Then it dawned on her. “I refuse to think of Dirty Dan’s as our first date.” She wouldn’t count it as a first date; she’d left him no choice that day but to accompany her into the restaurant.

“You’d rather be reminded of us having to sneak out before morning to bury a mirror?” That had been another situation she dragged him into.

“Yes, I would. I’d prefer to forget about Marty, and you’re going to help me do that by not mentioning he’s moving to Treepoint.”

“But—”

“No buts… unless it’s yours.” The last thing she wanted to talk about was Marty.

Hearing Viper’s car pull up outside, she knew she’d run out of time to tell him her secret.

Gavin tapped the side of her bottom to get her to stand and together they went to the front door. She’d expected Gavin to tell her about Taylor being at the club, but it was clear to her he wasn’t going to. And while he kept that secret, she had to admit she’d kept her own. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and confess who she was and the arrangement she’d made with the FBI to keep everyone she loved, including the Last Riders, safe. Was it too late?

Gavin raised her wrist and stared at her bracelet, looking at the dangling charms. “When did you get this one?” Gavin touched the fragile gold sand dollar Trudy had given her when she returned from her honeymoon.

“T.A. gave it to me.” Ginny didn’t lift her eyes to meet his.