Page 86 of The Truths We Find

Gavin cleared space for me without hesitation.

And it feels bigger than it should.

I do need to go back to my place tomorrow. Grab clothes for the week, check the mail, make sure my apartment doesn’t start feeling like a storage unit instead of my home.

In nothing but my strapless bra and thong, I step out from the walk-in closet and into the bedroom, my heart pounding harder with every step. I’d planned this from the beginning, making sure to wear something under my dress that would drive him insane the second he saw me. Red silk and barely there.

Gavin’s sitting on the edge of the bed—loosened tie, shoes, jacket, and vest already gone. His sleeves are rolled up, collar open, forearms flexed as he braces his hands on his knees. He looks up when he hears me.

The way his eyes drag slowly down my body makes heat coil low in my stomach.

“Well…” His voice is rough. “That’s not fair.”

My confidence surges at the effect I’m clearly having on him. I walk over without breaking eye contact and straddle his lap, settling on him slowly and deliberately. His hands hover for half a second, like he’s not sure if he’s allowed, before they land on my hips.

I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning close enough that my breath ghosts over his lips. His fingers flex against my waist, sliding up and down my sides, and it sends a shiver straight down my spine.

“Did you have fun tonight?” I ask softly.

“I did.” His thumbs trace lazy paths along my ribs. “What about you?”

“Of course.” I press a kiss to his neck. “I was with you.” Another kiss on the other side. “Our friends.” I brush my lips across his forehead. “Good food.” A soft kiss at the corner of his mouth. “Good wine.” Then a lingering peck on his lips.

His grin spreads wide. His eyes are dark and never stray from mine. “Can I do anything to add to the evening?”

Instead of answering, I roll my hips slowly, feeling his erection already straining against his pants. The sharp inhale he lets out goes straight to my head.

“I have a few ideas,” I whisper.

I slide off his lap, missing his warmth immediately, and reach for his loosened tie. Wrapping it around my hand, I tug gently, forcing him up.

I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble something like, “I’m so fucking happy Emmett isn’t in this house right now.”

I laugh softly and tug him by the tie out onto the balcony. The night air is warm, and the sound of the ocean is the perfect soundtrack for what I have planned.

I give him a gentle push, and he drops back onto the outdoor couch. I climb back onto his lap, settling slowly, loving the feel of his solid frame beneath me.

My hands smooth up the front of his shirt, fingers brushing his warm skin as I undo each button one by one.

“Do you remember the little bet we had in your office?” I ask lightly.

His hands move to my hips. “Something about staying quiet,” he pants, eyes locked on my mouth. “But we don’t have to do that here, sweetheart.”

“True.” I lean closer, lips hovering just out of reach. “But do you remember what you would’ve won if you’d actually managed to pull it off?”

His expression changes to the perfect combination of surprise and intrigue. “Dani Russell,” he says slowly. “Are you asking me to tie you up?”

“Maybe.” I give him a coy smile, letting my fingers play with the hair on the back of his head.

He studies me. “Who are you, and what happened to my shy girl?”

The question doesn’t hurt the way it might have before. Instead, I feel something warm in my chest. I hold his gaze, making sure he really hears me.

“You happened,” I say quietly. “You make me feel safe enough to want to try things. You give me the confidence to ask for them. And I know I can trust you.” My thumb brushes his jaw. “You won’t hurt me.”

His hands tighten on me, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. His forehead presses to mine.

“Never,” he breathes. “Never again.”