“Okay, Mom,” he replies and then he ushers me down a staircase until we reach another living area filled with several puffy recliners. “This is the theater room,” he says. “The bedroom is toward the back.”
“You have a theater room? Holy shit, Gavin! You realize how amazing this house is, right? I can’t believe you grew up here.”
“Yeah, I was definitely a lucky kid. They always made sure we knew the meaning of hard work, though. Nothing was ever handed to us.”
“They sound amazing.”
“They are,” he agrees. He leads me toward the back through a double doorway. I step into a large bedroom complete with a sitting area, a king-sized bed, a fireplace, and a private balcony. I’m pretty sure this room is bigger than my entire apartment.
I set my bag by the doorway and sit on the edge of the bed. “I can’t get over this place.”
He walks toward the bed and leans over me until I’m forced to lie back on the mattress. “I can’t get over you.”
I lift my head up to nip his bottom lip. “You’re such a big softy.”
“If you want hard, I can give you hard.”
I laugh. “Oh, wow. That was cheesy. Soooo cheesy.”
“You know you love it.”
“I do,” I chuckle.
He runs his hands through my hair. “I love you, Kat. I’m so happy you’re here with me.”
I almost return the sentiment but bite my tongue at the last second. I think Gavin can see my internal struggle because he gets a sad look on his face before he masks it. “It’s okay. You know you don’t have to say it back.”
My eyes get watery. “But I should be able to. I feel it, Gavin; you know I do. I’m so fucked up because I can’t just say it.”
“You will,” he says with confidence. “Just give it time.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I just am.” He shrugs.
“You’re too good to me.”
“Nah, it’s the other way around.” My body arches off the bed as he starts kissing my neck, making me forget all about my issues. Just as things are really starting to heat up, someone barges into the room.
“Knock knock, kids! I hope you’re decent.”
Gavin groans in frustration. “Goddammit, Jack! The door was shut for a reason.”
I laugh as Gavin rolls over and flops onto the mattress. “Hi, Jack.”
He winks. “Hi, Gorgeous. Sorry to interrupt play time, but Mom wanted me to tell you to get your asses upstairs. Dad and Elle are back from the store and dinner’s ready.”
Gavin and I stand u
p and straighten our clothing. “We’ll be right up.”
Jack gives me a good once over. “Let me know if you change your mind, Gorgeous. I’ll show you what a real man is like.”
“Jack, go!” Gavin shouts.
Jack laughs. “Okay, Bro, I’m going. See you two upstairs.”
“So…your brother is…interesting.” I smirk.