It's Only Love(36)

“I hope so. There’ve been a lot of stops and starts along the way, but we’ve agreed to give it a real try.”

“I’ll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for both of you.”

“Thanks, Amelia.” Ella glanced over her shoulder to make sure Gavin was still outside with his father. “Could I ask your advice on something?”

“Of course. Anything.”

Ella told her about Dylan’s wedding, how Gavin planned to decline the invitation because of work and her idea about surprising him with the trip.

“Do it,” Amelia said without hesitation. “It’s exactly what he needs—time with his friends, time with you, time away from work. He pushes himself so hard and I know why, but he can’t keep up that pace forever. No one can.”

“You don’t think he’ll be mad that I’m forcing him to do something he said he doesn’t want to do?”

“He wants to go, but it’s easier for him not to. He needs to stop doing the easy thing and get back to living. This, with you, is an important first step.”

“Thanks for the advice. I think I’m going to do it.”

“Good. Bob and I are going, so maybe we’ll see you there.”

“I hope so.”

Gavin and his dad returned, both carrying armloads of wood that they took directly to the cozy family room that included a wall devoted to Caleb’s army service. The picture of him in his uniform, looking fierce and strong and so vitally alive put a lump in her throat. The same image now hung in the foyer of the inn that bore his name and was a stark reminder of what these three wonderful people had lost.

Ella noticed that Gavin sat with his back to Caleb’s wall, as if it was too painful to face. She sat next to him on the love seat and reached for his hand.

He smiled at her, seeming relaxed and at ease even if he looked exhausted.

They spent another hour with his parents before Gavin began yawning his head off. “I had an early day today,” he said, nearly making Ella laugh as he helped her up and then led her into the mudroom to get their coats. They’d had an early day all right. “Got to hit the hay before I fall over. Thanks for dinner, Mom.”

“Yes, Amelia, thank you. It was delicious.”

“You’re so welcome.” She hugged them. “I hope we’ll see both of you again soon.”

“You will,” Gavin said, shaking hands with his dad, who hugged and kissed Ella. Gavin held the door for her and let her go out ahead of him. He helped her into the truck, and she could tell he was dying to kiss her but held off because his parents were standing in the doorway to wave them off.

He backed his big truck out of the driveway and beeped to his parents before turning off their street and pulling over to the side of the road.

“What’s wrong?” Ella asked.

He reached across the center console for her, releasing the buckle on her seatbelt. “Kiss me.”

She barely had time to protest or to remind him they’d be back to her place in minutes before his lips were devouring hers. He rendered her useless with the wet slide of his lips, the plunging thrusts of his tongue and the heat of his body drawing her in as close as she could get with the console in the way.

Groaning in frustration, he pulled away abruptly, threw the truck into drive and said, “Put your seatbelt back on.”

Left reeling by his abrupt withdrawal, Ella fumbled with the seatbelt and managed to click it into place. Her lips were tingling from his fierce kiss, and she couldn’t wait to be alone with him again.

This was crazy. They’d played cat-and-mouse games for months, and now that they’d agreed to be together, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Not that Ella was complaining. She felt like she was seeing a whole new side of him, and she loved it.

He didn’t say a single other word on the ten-minute ride to her place.

Ella didn’t wait for him to come around to get her. When she met him at the front of the truck, he urged her forward with his hand on her lower back. On the way upstairs, he pulled at her coat from behind until she got the hint and unzipped it. He tugged it off her shoulders and went to work on her sweater next, easing it up and over her head while they were still in the hallway.

“Gavin,” she whispered, shocked to be standing outside her door in only her bra. “I’m not the only one who lives here.”

“Hurry up,” he said in a low growl that left no doubt in her mind what he wanted.

Her nipples tightened in anticipation, setting off an insistent throb between her legs. She wanted him every bit as badly as he wanted her.

The door closed behind them and he dropped his coat on the floor. He pulled his button-down shirt right up and over his head and then pulled on the button to his jeans.

Ella was frozen in place, watching him reveal his muscular body to her.

“You’re not hurrying,” he said.

She removed her jeans, bra and panties and reached for him at the same second he reached for her. Before she knew what hit her, he had lifted her against the door and was entering her in one swift thrust that set off a shocking bolt of pain that made her grimace.

“Oh God, babe. I’m sorry. You’re sore from last night.”

“I’m okay. Just go slow.”

He withdrew almost completely. “Shit. Condom.”