Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 by Abigail Grant (best summer books .txt) 📗

“They are adorable,” Gavin states after witnessing their sweet little show alongside me.

“I know, they are meant for one another and I'm glad they both finally see it.” I smoothly reach over and loop my arm around Gavin's. I take a deep breath to try and calm my nerves.

He looks down and smiles at our entwined arms, mimicking my deep breath and then leads me to his waiting Camaro. “Well, let's go 'meet the fam'.” He chuckles at Kassy's words. “Before one of us chickens out.”

I decide at this moment that I won't let myself chicken out. Today is the day I get my answers. There will be no turning back, no more secrets and hopefully, I will have a little fun. I should really be excited, but I am more scared than anything that I won't like what I learn, and that it will change me forever.

***

It is overly difficult to try and keep my eyes off of Gavin. We sit side by side in his car as he drives us out of downtown Jacksonville and up over the tree-lined mountain road. I can’t stop myself from glancing his way, just admiring how insanely graceful and handsome he is.

His eyes are trained on the road and he takes the curves in the winding mountain with skilled precision. He told me before that his family has lived in this area for generations, so I imagine he has driven these roads hundreds of times.

Gavin catches me watching him and flashes me a sexy smirk before turning his attention back to the view in front of us. I am failing so bad at being cool. “Have you ever been up this way?” he asks.

I study the beautiful green pine trees and I know this is where he must get his signature scent from. “I haven’t, but I would love to explore it all if I get the time. I'm kind of a huge nature lover.”

His lopsided grin broadens at my words. “Well, that is something we have in common, then. I thrive in these woods. Apparently, when I was barely old enough to walk, I was already taking off into the trees when my parents weren't looking. My dad always had to chase after me and bring me back home.”

I smile at the image of a tiny, chubby-faced Gavin wobbling through the forest without a care in the world. “I'm sure I would've been the same but growing up in a big city makes it hard, and a little more dangerous to just run right into the middle of nowhere when you need some space.

It wasn't until I got my license at sixteen that I could finally take myself anywhere I wanted to go.” Peaceful memories of disappearing for hours and forgetting the rest of the world flash through my mind.

“Don’t underestimate these woods, though. There are more dangers here than you’d think.” He says cryptically, making me wonder what he could be talking about. The thought of the black-eyed man having friends roaming the woods terrifies me.

Before I can ask, he continues talking. “You definitely picked the right town for exploring. This place is huge and beautiful and…magical, in a lot of ways.” He shifts his gaze over to me and locks his eyes onto mine for just a moment before focusing back on the road.

“You'll have to show me some of your favorite discoveries sometime. You probably know all of the best picnic spots.” I immediately cringe at the realization that I pretty much just asked him to take me out on a picnic date.

“I would love to.” He looks at me again and says, “It's a date.” effectively causing my heart to flutter offbeat. “I also know how to make a killer PB and J.” he says with a huge grin.

I laugh and shake my head. “Is there really a bad way to make a PB and J?”

His eyes go wide. “Of course, there is! It's all about the balance, you can't put too much peanut butter, or it completely overpowers the best part, the jelly. Then it can just get too messy. The right kind of jelly is also of great importance!”

I can't control my amusement at how serious he is about the easiest sandwich known to mankind. “I'll be the judge of that, then. I’m sorry to say that I actually like more peanut butter than jelly, so you may not be as great a chef as you think.”

His hand flies to his chest like some offended southern lady. “That’s just crazy! I’ll have to go against everything I believe in for you, I guess.” He turns to me again and watches me watch him.

I quickly turn my head toward the scenery, trying to escape the heat from his gaze because the almost palpable warmth is making me unable to think straight. Gavin slows the car down and we turn right onto a dirt road. A minute into the drive, the most gorgeous country home I have ever seen comes into view.

The house is at least six times the size of mine and Kassy's pool house in Jacksonville. It is painted all white with powder-blue trimming around the windows and along the base of the home to match the blue shingles. A full wrap-around porch makes it seem so old fashioned and cozy, although the house looks to be brand new.

There are large double doors that have been painted blue on the front of the house, and a stone walkway trails from the porch and through the lushest green lawn. I marvel at how picture-perfect the home is and wonder how bright and beautiful the inside of the home must be with the many large windows bringing in natural light.

Gavin pulls off to the right of the house, toward an unattached four-car garage, and parks just outside of the doors. He kills the engine and turns to face the house with a sigh. “Well, here is the