“Nope.” He shrugged. “She rejected me for months. Last night we hung out at Hope’s rich friend’s place and dug in the dirt. And Zoe was into it.” He didn’t understand why he’d been having so much fun too. “I liked it.”
“And?”
“And it was kind of…I don’t know…close. When she and I kissed, I felt it here.” He tapped his chest. “Not just there.” He glanced down between his legs, saw her flush, and grimaced. “Sorry, that wasn’t me trying to embarrass you. I was being honest.”
“I know.” She sighed. “Forgive me. I need to readjust my mind-set. It’s different when I talk to an actual client than when talking to mybrother.” She gifted him with a warm smile. “I think you like this woman, Gavin. So treat her with respect and go slow. There’s no timetable to keep, is there?”
“Ah, no.” Which he kept telling his cock. The damn thing refused to stay down in Zoe’s presence. And squatting to dig while erect? Not comfortable. Nope.
“Listen to your instincts. That’s my advice.”
“You’re not helping. I find myself wanting to… Never mind.” All of the sudden, confiding his sexual desires to Landon’s fiancée felt too much like talking to Hope. Gross. He rose from the couch and glanced around the pristine room in disgust. “You and Landon were made for each other. Did I see you dusting earlier?”
“Yes, and you should take note. Most women like a clean house. It shows you care about your environment.”
“Guess I’ll see if she cares about her environment tonight.” When he met Zoe at her place. She didn’t seem like the type to put out on even the second date. But she’d invited him to her place for dinner—and Netflix. He felt nervous again, not sure what to do or how to behave around her. Should he try for more gentle kisses that sent his heart racing? Or should he be all caveman and bend her over the couch and…
“Gavin?”
“Hell,” he muttered and hurried down the hallway toward his bedroom, trying to hide his newly sprouted wood. Frickin’ Zoe. “Yeah, Ava?”
“Landon said he’d told you about this weekend, but I don’t trust that he did.” He hadn’t. “Your brother and I are going away and won’t be back until Monday morning. So you have the house to yourself. And I heard Theo talking with an old friend of his, and they’re heading to Port Angeles for the weekend.”
“I know,” he called out, doing his best to focus on not being aroused around Landon’s fiancée. Once he could control himself, he stepped into his room, pretending he’d meant to really go in there, then returned after picking up his cell phone. A good enough excuse. He met Ava again in the living room. “Oh my God. Are you straightening upagain?”
She groaned. “The magazines weren’t aligned. Oh, Gavin. It’s a sickness. Your brother is turning me into an obsessive personality type.”
He chuckled. “I managed to resist it for years until the Marine Corps got ahold of me. But now I’m back to being slovenly.”
The front door banged open, and Gavin hurried to lie on the couch and cross his arms over his chest. “So there I was, dreaming about you and me. Is that normal, Doc?” he asked her. “Because we weren’t wearing anything more than Oregon State orange stripes. Oddly enough, Landon was playing referee. He even had a whistle while we—Oh hi, Bro. What’s up?”
“You’re so not funny.” He glared at Gavin before planting a kiss on Ava that made her unsteady on her feet. She was gasping by the time Landon pulled away.
“Need…air…” She drew in large breaths.
“Wow. How romantic.” Gavin nodded. “Getting your woman all hot and bothered. And breathless. Nearly dying.”
Landon laughed. “She was swooning, weren’t you, babe?”
She glared. “I couldn’t breathe, you animal.”
“We’re so in love,” Landon gushed, then lifted her in his arms and twirled her until she laughed. “Now what’s for dinner? I’m starved.”
“Whatever you’re buying,” Ava responded a bit tartly. “The only thing saving you from an argument about the merits of men versus women in the kitchen is that you look amazing in that suit.”
Sadly, Landon did. The big guy worked for some business logistics firm managing people. Just what Landon needed. To be in charge. Gavin eyed his brother, those huge arms not in the least camouflaged by some expensive slate-gray jacket. Then he glanced down at his own jeans and T-shirt.
“So should I dress up, Ava?”
“I think you look fine. Be yourself, Gavin.”
“What? Another date for you? Who with this time?” Landon asked. “Not Michelle.”
Gavin made a face. “No, dumbass. It’s with Zoe.”
“Oh, the chick who secretly hates you. Go for it, man. She can’t possibly cut you off…again.” Landon snickered. “Kidding. Ava’s right. Be yourself. If she can stand you two nights in a row, she’s probably on her way to falling in love.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Gavin agreed. “Chicks. So easy.”
