Getting into the driver’s seat, it takes a few tries to turn over the engine. I wait until I see his resolve break, and he drops down into my car with a grunt and a sigh. Old Betsy gives a bit of a groan under his weight.Yes, I named my car Betsy.
“Where to, Grumpy Bear?” He huffs before he gives me the address. Why are those grumpy sounds so sexy to me?Waiting until we are out on the main road and the silence has already begun to suffocate me, I attempt conversation.
“So, did somebody piss in your Cheerios this morning or is being grumpy your whole vibe?” I ask humorously, hoping to break the ice a little, but he scowls at me from his seat, eyes glued to the passenger window, and says nothing.
“Vibe, got it.” Since I’m not a quitter, I try again. “You know, you should give yoga a try. I bet it would chill you right out. Can’t be good on the old ticker, all that scowling, and it will only lead to a serious frown line. Not that it wouldn’t be hot or anything. You would rock frown lines, but anyway, yeah, yoga. I can help you out with that. I’m super bendy.” Catching a glimpse of him in my peripheral vision, I see his eyes widen as I talk. I get that reaction all the time, so I carry on.
“You know what else could relax you? If you aren’t interested in yoga, well, we could always do something else or both at the same time.” His brows are creasing now. Shit, I’m rambling. Get it together, Pete. “Sex,” I blurt out, then quickly carry on before he can stop me. “Sex is great for relaxing.” I have no idea if sex with Gavin would be relaxing, probably not. I bet he could throw me around like a rag doll or I could ride him like a bucking bronco. I’m totally getting ahead of myself but Gavin Savenger is the hottest man I’ve ever seen. Chancing a look at him, my face falls. He looks almost horrified by my ramblings. Shit, I’ve fucked this up already.
He finally clears his throat and barks directions at me, “It’s around that corner.” I comply quietly and stop by the curb in front of a red brick duplex apartment. “Listen, kid,” he starts, and I know I won’t like what he’s about to say. “I appreciate the attention, but you’re barking up the wrong tree here.” I just look at him, waiting for the rest of it. “You’re too young for me.” My heart sinks to my stomach. “Don’t waste your time on this. It ain’t gonna happen.”
“Oh,” I manage to say. I’m not sure if I believe him, plus I am completely sure I can change his mind. I’m a persistent little fucker.
“Thanks for the ride.” He opens the door to get out.
“No problem. I guess I owed it to you after all that.” I gesture to the mess on his clothes.
“Yeah,” he agrees as he steps out. He leans in before closing the door. “See you around, Troublemaker.” With that, he walks up the steps and into his apartment.
After a few minutes, I’m still sitting there, deep in my thoughts. Gavin checks all my boxes. He’s like the total package to me, even if he is a stubborn ass.
I’ll just have to convince him I’m what his stubborn ass needs.
GAVIN
Walking up the steps to my apartment it takes all the strength I have not to look back at the curly haired hurricane that just blew into my life. I’ve never had a guy come on to me so strong before, especially not one at least ten years younger than me.
I could have told him to stop in front of everyone, when he was making his attraction to me blatantly obvious, but I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his friends and brother. I might be an asshole, but fuck I’m not that much of an asshole. And honestly, it felt good. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. And all those things he did to get me to notice him? It fucking worked. He may not have realized that, but I noticed him alright. Every detail about him, his soft curls, that cute smile and perfect lithe body. Most of all I noticed how bright his personality was. It’s because of that sunshine emanating from him that I knew I could never have him, I could never let my darkness dull his shine. I just needed to get him alone and explain to him privately that I’m not the Prince Charming he thinks I am.
My apartment has never felt more empty than it does right now, dark and quiet and in desperate need of some light and life. But that is never going to happen. I refuse to touch somebody so perfect with my grimness, no matter how much I crave it, I don’t deserve it, I don’t deserve him.
CHAPTER 1
One month later
PETE
“What the hell are you wearing, Sunshine?” Jordan’s surprised voice makes me wince as I walk into the kitchen in our shared apartment.
I look down at my clothes and take a deep breath. I’m wearing simple jeans and a plain white V-neck. I hate it with every fiber of my being, but my new job at the local library requires a more understated look.
“Uhm… clothes, I’m going to work,” I reply to my roommate and best friend, hoping he won’t question me any further. I’m not in the mood. Putting on all of this… ordi-fucking-nary clothing has ruined my mood for today.
“What’s wrong with you? Are you sick?” he asks, eyeing me up and down, his face screwed up in disgust.
“I have no idea what you mean. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Honey, these…” He gestures at my fashion choice, “clothes are a disgrace for a sexy little thing like you.” He sets his coffee mug down on top of the counter and walks over to me.
“Jordy,” I sign, looking down at myself with a matching look of disgust displayed on my own face. “I have no choice. They are making me be a basic bitch, okay?”
“Oh, I get it, but does it have to be that boring?” he asks then smiles and holds up a finger before he rushes into his room.
Looking back at myself I sigh again pulling at the baggy material of the plain white T-shirt I’m wearing, yeah… It’s fucking boring.
When I lift my gaze up, Jordan is walking into the kitchen with… Oh fuck yes.
“This is only for today. For good luck. You are not keeping it, so don’t get any ideas.” He walks over and puts soft pink, glittering pearls around my neck. “Okay, that’s much better.”
