I may have played Cupid and found him after the rodeo while you were waiting in the car for me. I told him which bar we’d be at…I didn’t have to pee. ;)
Of course, she did.
Gavin grabs my phone from my hands before I can reply. He holds down the button on the side until my screen turns black. Then, he tucks it into his back pocket.
“No more interruptions. No more waiting. No more fear.”
Threading our fingers together, he pulls me into his chest. I feel all of his muscles around me, making me remember how good it feels to be pressed up against this sinful man. He smells like he always does. Radiating charming masculinity, with a dash of cigarettes and signature cologne.
“No more fear,” I parrot as we dance to the music. We’re both smiling so hard it reaches our eyes. And just like that, I’m back to square one, falling so hard for a man I met in a cabin in the middle of a snowstorm. The instant connection we share grows stronger, and I feel like I can suddenly dance all night.
“Gavin, you made me realize a lot.”
He hums, egging me to tell him more. I love that about him. He listens to everything I have to say, even if it’s just about the weather or the smallest wins or losses of my day;he listenswith a smile on his face.
“I want to dream, but only with you by my side. Art is mypassion, but you are my soulmate. I am not hollow without art, I am empty if I lose you.”
I love him. He opened my eyes to the possibility of trusting again. He reminded me that even though the world is cruel, I must hold onto my light no matter how much darkness wants to wreck it.
As soon as the song ends, he grabs me, cups my face with both of his large hands, and pulls me in for another soul-altering kiss. His tongue licks mine, and I let him in. We move perfectly in sync. He turns his head to the side so he can get deeper. I hold onto his back muscles as he continues to dominate my mouth.
“I choose you, Coraline Rosa, but now, you need to choose me.” He presses his forehead to mine.
Easy.
“I choose you. I choose us.”
He crashes his lips to mine. It’s a passionate kiss. His lips slowly move against mine. His tongue sweeps in between my lips, and I immediately react to his familiar, addictive taste. Cigarettes, beer, and just…Gavin.
“Does your leg hurt?” I ask softly, looking up at him. “From riding the bull?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing hurts anymore, sweetheart. Now that I have you, everything is painless.”
I smile as he twirls me around. Then, I’m resting my cheek on his chest again, listening to his heart beat.
“Nothing hurts anymore for me either,” I tell him.
I wish I could stay in this moment forever.
“By the way, sweetheart. If you want me to cut off that man’s lips for trying to kiss you, I will. Let another man hold what’s mine again, and I’ll deliver his arms to you with a bouquet of flowers.”
A shiver rolls down my spine, and I look around the bar, searching for a solution. I shake my head and glare at Gavin’sicy eyes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Gavin during that snowstorm, it’s that he’s capable of anything and everything to keep himself tethered to me.
“Gavin Ariksen, are you jealous?” I tease.
“I’mmurderous. You let him touch you,” he says, anger intertwined in his deep, possessive tone. “Now, let’s go to my truck, sweetheart.”
“Right now?” I squeak, already blushing hard.
“Yes,now. I have to remind you who you belong to.”
EPILOGUE
Haunted by Isabela Rosa
One Year Later
I’m being chased, running through the grass, up and down the hills. My shoes crunch over stickers and twigs. The ends of my dress dance with the wind as I run. I squint over the sun, perspiration leaking down my chest and face as I weave through the trees.
