Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(106)

“And?”


“That’s it. I woke up.”


“Huh. Too bad it ended there.” She headed out the swinging door, but Gavin caught her wrist and pushed her against the wall. “What the hell are you doing?”


He got right in her face. “No other comment on my dream? Like maybe…it wasn’t a dream but a hazy memory from last night? A very hazy memory.”


“Let me go.”


“Why? Got cold feet?”


Why would he say that? “Have you been drinking?”


“No. But do you want to explain these?” He eased back, pulling a sock out of his right front pocket, then his left pocket. “I thought your feet might be cold since you forgot your socks in my room last night.”


“Gimme those.” Rielle snatched them and quickly ducked under his arm.


But he caught her, shoving her back in place. “Ah ah ah, not so fast. Tell me that I just had an incomplete dream and that I didn’t conk out while you were—”


“Naked? Rubbing myself all over you like you were my personal stripper pole and then you started snoring? Yes, that did happen.”


“Jesus, Rielle. I…I don’t remember anything from last night after I checked on Sierra. I sat down to watch ESPN and I woke up this morning, naked in my bed.”


She studied his eyes. Were they dark with guilt? Remorse? Disbelief?


“I’m not making an excuse, but this type of…thing has been happening to me.”


“Oh really.”


“Really. Two days ago I woke up in the middle of the afternoon on the toilet.”


“You fell asleep on the toilet?” she asked skeptically.


“Evidently, for about thirty minutes.” His cheeks colored and he looked embarrassed. “And that is the most mortifying thing I’ve ever had to admit.”


“Why—”


“Let me finish. I haven’t been sleeping. I figured as long as I was up, listening for Sierra, I might as well be working. I’ve been catching up on projects every night since Sierra came home from the hospital.” He framed her face in his hands. “Do you really think I’d check out when you were having your wicked way with me if I wasn’t suffering from sleep deprivation?”


“So you’re not avoiding me?”


“God no. Why would you say that?”


“Because you haven’t touched me, or kissed me, or talked to me much since I came home from Denver.”


Gavin frowned. “Yes I have.”


“No. You. Haven’t.” She poked his chest with each word.


“Then I’m sorry.” He sealed his mouth to hers, kissing her in the deviously languid way that nearly melted her fillings. “How many days of missed kisses do I have to make up for, my love?” He brushed his lips across hers. “Six? Seven? Because I can’t have you feeling neglected.” Another soft smooch. “Unwanted.” He rested his forehead to hers. “I love you. And I’m starting to think the reason I haven’t been sleeping is because you haven’t been in my bed.”


“That comment earns you total forgiveness.”


“Good. Now if you’ll listen for Sierra, I might slip back into bed for a few hours to try and get my sleep schedule back on track. Because tonight?” He sucked on her lower lip. “You’re mine. As many times as I want you, any way that I want you.”


Chapter Thirty-One


Early February…


Boone appeared a week after Sierra’s accident. Waltzing into her family room like it was no big deal, as she tried not to think about the fact she looked like hell, felt like hell and was embarrassed as hell.


Then he directed that breath-stealing smile at her the instant her dad was out of range. “McKay, you’re looking a whole lot better than the last time I saw you.”


She played it cool rather than breaking down in grateful tears the second she saw his face. “Oh, I don’t know. I hear blue lips are the fashion color for spring.”


He laughed. “I take it you’re on the mend?”


“The pain isn’t as bad. Sit down. Or aren’t you staying?”


“I can stay.” He settled next to her, draping his arm along the back of the couch and propping his feet on the coffee table. “Two weeks out of school, huh?”


“At least two. Probably three.” She groaned. “I’m trying to keep up, but I’m so slow and I can’t write anything with my left hand anyway.”


“I’m left handed, so it wouldn’t be a problem for me.”


She stuck her tongue out at him. “So what’s new with you? Saved anyone else from rape, drunk driving and a deadly car accident?”


“Sierra—”


“Please let me say this, okay?”


He nodded.


“Thank you for all you did for me that night. I vaguely remember you letting me squeeze your hand when the pain was too much as we waited for the ambulance. You made me talk to you and wouldn’t let me fall asleep.”