“I meant you bringing up us not having sex tonight. See, I wasn’t planning on it, as much as I’d like to.”
She lowered her hand. “Really?”
“Yeah. You confuse the shit out of me, and that’s the truth. At first I wanted to make you laugh. ’Cause you’re this hot chick all the guys want to bang, but you look like you tame lions when you’re working out. All intense and pissed off at the world. Except you’re like that when you’re done too, and I think you scare people.”
“You are not helping my self-esteem any.”
“Nah, see, you’re confident. And that’s a turn-on in my book. So I wanted to see that beautiful smile. Then bang the hell out of you.”
“Gavin.”
“You smiled. And then I wanted… Hell, Zoe. I don’t know what I want. And that really confuses me. I was in a bad place for a long time when I got back to the States. I drank more than I should. Slept with people I regret. And I’m not totally together now. But I’m good enough for some laughter and great times.” He shrugged. “I can’t tell you what I’m after until I know. But I’d never do anything you didn’t want me to.
“And, well, hell, this will sound stupid. I actually had a lot of fun last night digging in the dirt with you. And kissing. Yeah, that was amazing.” He blew out a breath. “So that’s my take. Oh, and though I was hoping like hell you wanted to fuck while listening to a movie in the background, I also kind of didn’t want to. I’d like us to be something more. But I don’t know what thatmoreis. It’s weird as hell for me.”
She stared at him, not sure what to think. This Gavin Donnigan was layers—worlds—deeper than she’d assumed.
“If what I said isn’t what you wanted to hear, I can go. You can keep the flowers.” He didn’t blink, and she wasn’t sure if he was teasing or not.
“I plan to.” She nodded to the kitchen. “You still owe me a dinner.”
His slow smile melted those icy corners of her heart. “I do.”
“So when the pizza guy comes, you’re paying.”
He laughed. “Sounds like a plan. So what movie are we going to watch and not have sex to?”
She couldn’t help laughing with him. “You are such a pain. What would you like to watch? And for the record, porn, soft porn, and topless collegiates are off-limits.”
“Well, hell. That blew my wad.” He sighed. “How aboutGuardians of the Galaxythen?”
“I’ve only seen it five times.” She pointed to the cabinet that held her movie collection in the living room. “How about we make it six?”
“Did you say sex?” His eyes grew wide.
“Gavin, I—”
“Kidding, Zoe. Just…chill.”
She groaned.
The front bell chimed, and he laughed as he went to answer it. “I got the pizza guy.”
“I’ll leave the tip,” she offered.
“Nah. Dinner’s on me, remember?” He opened the door. “Well, hello there. You don’t strike me as the pizza delivery type.”
“You got that right.”
Zoe froze. Disaster loomed.
“Well, well. You must be the Marine,” her aunt said with way too much enthusiasm.
“I am he.” Gavin stood back from the door and bowed. “And who are you?”
“That one’s favorite aunt,” she said with a nod at Zoe. “I’m Piper Andrews.”
“Favorite?” Zoe said. “Try only.”
