Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(58)

“Will it just be you and me? Or will they be here too?”


“Yes, Gavin and Sierra will be here, since it’s a family dinner in their house.”


“Whatever.” Rory tried to sidestep Rielle.


But Rielle wouldn’t budge. “You will be here.”


“I said I would, all right? Jesus. Move. I gotta get my dog.” Rory all but stomped off.


Gavin wasn’t aware he held his breath, waiting for the door to slam, until it actually did—with enough force to rattle the dishes in the cupboard. He chuckled.


“Glad someone sees humor in this.”


He circled his arms around Rielle. “I don’t know whether to be impressed that Rory can slam the door harder than Sierra, or scared my daughter won’t outgrow this stage and she’ll be testing door hinges for the next seven years.”


Rielle smiled wanly. “It’s been a while since Rory has reminded me of her door-slamming expertise.”


Gavin ran his hand down her back. “Are you okay?”


“No. I hate fighting with her.”


“Must be the day,” he murmured. “Sierra lit into me the second she got in the car today.”


“I wondered what triggered her spectacular door slam. And why she’d ignored me when I called out to her, after we’d had so much fun last night.”


“Doing what?”


“Sierra insisted on making me over. Rory showed up and the two of them conspired against me. They got along surprisingly well.”


“Were you expecting Rory this weekend?”


She shook her head. “She hasn’t gotten around to telling me why she showed up out of the blue, which is probably why she acted so bratty.”



He sat on a barstool, bringing Rielle between his legs, close to his body. “What can I do?”


“Nothing. You know what it’s like to have an only child. They expect immediate attention. That hasn’t changed even when she’s in college. Last night, she had to share me with Sierra. She assumed she’d have my undivided attention today, but Ainsley needed to talk so I met her in town for a long lunch. Then you show up and kiss the shit out of me, throwing her mommy and me world into turmoil. She won’t have my total focus this weekend. That’s never happened to her before.”


“Why didn’t you tell her about us?”


Rielle smoothed her palms over his cheeks. “Not because I was embarrassed. But…” She outlined his face with her fingertips, from his hairline to his jawline, to the curve of his lips. “You really are a handsome man. Such a McKay.”


Gavin growled. “Answer. The. Question.”


“I didn’t tell Rory about you, because I have so few things that are mine. Not in an ownership way, but in a personal way. I’ve lived my life as an open book with her. I don’t regret that.” Rielle caressed his face. “So what you and I have? I’ve never had. I don’t want to share it with her or anyone else, because it belongs only to us.”


That’s when Gavin fell in love with her. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from this beautiful and complex woman who had swooped in and stolen his heart.


“You look so serious,” she said softly. “Did I say something wrong?”


“No, honey, you said everything right.” He brushed his lips up the strong line of her jaw, to the sweet spot in front of her ear. “Have I mentioned that I missed you?”


“Mmm-hmm. But you can tell me again.”


Following the curve of her hips, he grabbed two handfuls of that sexy ass. “I thought about our goodbye in the wee small hours of Monday morning. A lot.” He blew in her ear. “It’s such a f*cking turn-on when your body is squeezing me so hard I can’t even f*cking breathe.”


“Gavin.”


“But we’re more than just body heat and movement beneath the sheets in the darkness.” He nuzzled her neck. “I thought about how perfect it feels when I slide into you. When I hear that catch in your breath and I know in that moment, you’re only mine.”


“You been reading books on how to seduce a woman with pretty words, tycoon?” Rielle turned her head and nipped his ear lobe.


“Maybe. Is it working?”


“God yes.”


Gavin’s hands squeezed her butt, urging her closer. “I want you.”


Their lips connected and he forced himself not to inhale her. He forced himself to temper his explicit words with the tenderness and sweetness of his kiss.


A whoosh sounded, followed by, “Seriously? God. Get a room!” Then stomping, followed by another whoosh.


Rielle pulled back. “And Rory breaks the moment yet again. Have you told Sierra about us yet?”


“No. I guess I’d better do it now.” He kissed her cheek. “We’ll pick this up later?”


“Definitely.”


Rory and Sierra conspired together to keep their parents apart.


Sierra desperately required Gavin’s help with biology homework. On a Friday night. For two hours.