“Today.”
“That soon? Nothing like dropping something on a girl.” I huffed, but I understood. “Well, I guess after last night, I know you need it.” I painted a smile on my lips, even if it was fake on my part, I wanted him to see it as positive. “Will you call me while you’re away?” His gaze never faltered once as I spoke.
“Why would I call you?”
I stepped back, “What? Well, thanks for that.” My teeth grit together and with one last glance at him I whirled myself around, but was stopped abruptly with his hand firmly on my arm.
“Where are you going? What have I said?”
“Nothing, Gav. Just let me go.” If he didn’t get it, I wasn’t going to tell him. I tried to shrug away but his fingers wouldn’t budge.
He twirled me back around and lifted my chin so I could meet his eyes. “Why would I call when you’re coming with me.”My brows pinched, he obviously saw my confusion and chuckled again, his arm wound around my back as he held me, and his other hand went to my face, “You’re coming to Malibu beach with me.”
My mouth dropped open; I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing. “Can you say that again?”
His lips pulled into that sexy smirk, the one where I’d do almost anything for him, “Okay,” he nodded quickly but held me tighter. “Roman has a house in Malibu beach. I need a break, but so do you, and I couldn’t imagine anyone I’d rather have there with me.”
My eyes widened. Talk about shock value, but I saw in his eyes that he was deadly serious. “Oh, damn. You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“As a heart attack, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart…Is it crazy that, of all the things he’s just said to me, just that one word was what I melted at. I felt tears prick at my eyes when Roman’s words came back to me.
His thumbs soothed beneath my eyes, “Are you crying?”
“No,” I sniffed loudly. Very ladylike, I thought to myself and swiped the back of my hand across my cheek as a tear rolled down. What the fuck? Why was I so emotional? I hardly ever got emotional about stuff like this.
“So, is that a yes that you’ll come, or is that a no and I’m really sad, but I can’t.” My head nodded, but I couldn’t form the words let alone find my voice. “You know you’re going to have to be a little bit more specific.” I watched his lips form the words and listened to him as he directed. “K?”
I snapped out of my hypnosis and found his eyes, “Yes.” I realised that I still hadn’t answered properly. “Yes, I’ll come with you.” Thatsexy smile became wider, he bent at the waist and circled his arms tightly around my middle and lifted me again.
“Then pack a bikini, sweetheart, but that’s the most clothing you’re going to be wearingfor the next few days.” He pressed a loud, firm kiss on my lips then lowered me back to the floor, leaned me backward and peppered my lips with small kisses. “Okay, you go home and pack a bag, I’ll be at yours as soon as I’m done here.”
With a huge smile on my face, and a quick nod, I hurried back through the apartment, then a thought hit me. I turned around, my teeth nibblingmy lip.
“What is it?”
“I’ve just thought, I’ve got the edits to do on Roman’s photos.”
“It’ll wait.”
“Not if I want to get paid it won’t.” My hand moved to my hip. “What if I bring my laptop and I can do them in my spare time?”
“No. Besides you’re not going to have spare time. Any time left over is going to be spent in bed so, no. They can wait a few days.”
Choose your battles, Karen.That’s what Mom always said. “Fine. But I’ll have to work as soon as I’m back.”
“Whatever,” his smooth gait strutted across the room until he was standing before me again, “I wouldn’t expect anything less from a little workaholic like you.” He cradled my head in his hands and kissed the tip of my nose. “Go pack. I won’t be long.”
“I’m so excited.” I whispered against his lips, “I’ve never been to Malibu beach.”
“Neither have I.” I pushed my lips to his quickly and then whirled back around and headed for the front door.
My cheeks ached from smiling so damn much as I reached home. I couldn’t believe he’d asked me to go with him. As I let myself in the apartment, I realised I’d missed Holly, she’dalready left for work so I couldn’t tell her what had just happened, I’d have to send her a message. I rushed to my room and took my suitcase from under the bed, I threw in everything I thought I needed for just a few days, including a few bikinis. The beach was amazing in Malibu, and I couldn’t wait to leave. A few days lounging on the beach was exactly what the doctor ordered. I threw in shorts, tank tops, dresses… a girl needed options.
It wasn’t even an hour before Gav was sounding his horn outside, rushing me to hurry up. I slipped my cell in my pocket, pulled my purse on to my shoulder and grabbed the handle of my case to head out. I made it down to the front door of the building in no time. When Gav saw me coming, he rushed over and took the case, placing it in the trunk. We slipped inside the car and as he pressed his foot on the accelerator, he smiled “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I smiled back at him as the engine purred, and with his hand firmly pressed to my thigh, he pulled away. I looked out onto the road ahead, excited for my first real road trip.
