Gavin strode in, lost in thought. But his focus changed the instant he set eyes on her. “Just the woman I was looking for.”
“What can I do for you?”
“This first.” He crowded her, bent his head and kissed her in that sure and steady way of his. And just like every other time he’d kissed her, her stomach bottomed out.
How long before these randomly stolen kisses pushed them to the next level?
Almost as if he’d read her mind, his mouth drifted over her ear and he whispered, “Soon.”
“Like how soon? Because I’m not busy right now.” She sank her teeth into his earlobe.
Gavin groaned softly. “If my daughter wasn’t sitting in the other room, I’d take you up on that.” Another whisper-soft kiss across her ear. “I’ve started carrying a condom in my pocket, just in case.”
“Better put one in each pocket.” Rielle gently pushed him back. “Was there something you needed?”
“Ah. Yeah.” He scrubbed his hands over his face as if he was trying to remember. Good to see she wasn’t the only one sexually frustrated. “Oh. Right. Do you have extra blank recipe cards we can use?”
“I’m sure I do.” She grabbed her recipe file box from the pantry, rummaging through the mishmash of papers until she found an unopened pack of plain index cards. “Here you go.”
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Happy to help. If you don’t need anything else, I think I’ll head to bed.”
Gavin set his hands on her shoulders. “You mad at me?”
“No. I’m just…” Horny. Which is a totally foreign feeling. “Antsy.”
“Me too. But I don’t want to rush this, Rielle. With the construction guys around during the day I get interrupted, or you get interrupted by your customers, or Sierra is under foot and we’re hardly ever alone. Might sound corny, but I don’t want anyone around or any distractions the first time we’re together. I want it to be just you and me. Completely focused on each other.”
This man was too good to be true. But had he come up with those parameters because he could tell how skittish she was? How little experience she had?
He stroked the side of her cheek. “You okay with that?”
“Very okay.” She lightly pecked him on the mouth. “See you in the morning.”
Chapter Twelve
“So Vi suggested something to me yesterday and I immediately dismissed it.” Gavin refilled Rielle’s cup and Sierra’s before topping off his. The kid had kicked her addiction to Starbucks, but she was still a morning caffeine junkie. “But then I got to thinking about it and I realized it’s not a bad idea.”
“What was her suggestion?”
“That I have a family housewarming party.” He knocked back a slug of coffee. “Here.”
Rielle’s hands tightened around her mug. “When?”
“I think we should get it out of the way tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night?” Sierra repeated.
“Yeah, why? Is there something else going on?”
She paused. Opened her mouth. Closed it. Then shook her head.
“And get this—Vi believes I ought to invite all the McKays.”
“All the McKays?” Rielle repeated. “At one time?”
Sierra snickered.
“What’s so funny?”
“The look on Rielle’s face as she’s thinking about Ky, Anton and Hayden playing football in the living room.”
Gavin scowled at her. So much for his daughter backing his play.
“This is your house. If you want to have a party, have a party. But I will remove all my breakables out of the great room and any other areas the wild McKay clan might vandalize.”
Vandalize? That was a harsh assessment.
“Will this be a potluck?” Sierra asked.
“Hell if I know.” He looked hopefully at Rielle.
She threw up her hands. “No way. I don’t want any part of this party.”
“I’ll help you, Dad. I’m sure Vi will pitch in and bring food since it was her idea. We’ll just have munchies and drinks. Paper plates, plastic cups, easy stuff. Pick me up after school today and we’ll hit Wal-Mart in Spearfish.”
Why was Sierra being so helpful?
Stop looking for motives. You should be overjoyed she’s pitching in and wants to be around her family.
“Sounds like a plan.” He glanced at the clock. “Better get your stuff. It’s about time to leave.”
As soon as Sierra was out of the kitchen, he leaned closer to Rielle. “I’ll help you move anything you want out of the great room. And I’ll try to keep everyone in the kitchen and dining room.”
“That’s…thoughtful. Thank you. But if it’s all the same, I won’t stick around tomorrow night.”
Gavin laid his hand on the side of her face. “I’d like it if you’d stay. Not to keep the appetizers supplied, or pour drinks, or even to run herd on unruly McKay munchkins.”
“Then why?”
“Honestly? Because I’m related to the McKays, but you know them way better than I do. I’ll probably need you to prompt me on some names.” Such a lie. Why don’t you tell her the truth?
“So I’d be a crutch.”
His gaze fell to her mouth. The woman had the most enticing lips. He adjusted his hand and his thumb followed the swell of her lower lip. “Fuck. I want to take you to bed in the worst way.”
Rielle shivered delicately.
The sound of heavy equipment rattling up the drive broke the moment.
Gavin retreated. Or tried to. Rielle wrapped her fingers around his wrist, holding his hand in place.
“I asked you a question. If I stay for the party tomorrow night, will I just be a crutch for you?”
“No. You’d be a lifeline.”
Rielle offered him a shy smile and pressed a soft kiss to the base of his thumb before she released his hand. “Then I’ll stay.”
Sierra yelled, “Dad! Come on. I’m gonna be late.”
Gavin kissed Rielle hard. “Later.”
What the f**k had he been thinking, having a f**king party?
There were approximately ten billion people in his house and the majority of them were less than two feet tall. And yelling. Or crying. Or doing both.
In the kitchen, Vi sidled up with another veggie plate. “Scoot a cheek, son, so I can put these down.”
“Sorry. Have you seen my co-host?”