Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (classic literature books .TXT) 📗

“I can see that,” Gavin says as he looks at me with appreciation, causing my skin to prickle. I nearly squirm under the heat of his gaze, a flush shading my cheeks. He might be that hard, but I’m burning up and wet too. “Whatever it is that you’re doing, keep doing it.”

“Thank you,” I say softly through lowered lashes, feeling more at ease. This feels different from before. Then, we both knew as soon as I stepped into the room that there was only one purpose for my being there—for him to fuck me senseless.

This time, Gavin is being a gentleman. And I’m not complaining. I love the idea of being courted. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been treated this way before by a man. The last guys I dated were more or less local boys who would take me to the local theater and then try to take me to the back of their car or truck for some inelegant fumbling inside my shirt.

“So how was your day?” I ask, taking a bite of one of Mindy’s cinnamon rolls. I can’t help it. I have to close my eyes. It’s so damn good. I have to thank her for these.

“I actually did a pretty good job, for the most part. At least the director thought so.”

The good news makes me smile. “Really? That’s wonderful!” I gush. “So I guess being an actor is something you can do after all.”

For some reason, Gavin’s expression remains neutral at my praise. He doesn’t look happy, as if something is weighing on his mind. But before I can ask him what’s wrong, the look is gone, replaced by a wide smile that doesn’t seem altogether genuine.

“Yeah, I just need to keep it up,” Gavin agrees, his voice lacking conviction.

I reach out, concerned, placing my hand on his forearm. “Are you all right?”

Gavin grins at me, still looking a little artificial. “Yeah, why?”

“It’s just . . .” I stare at him. “You don’t seem too happy. Is everything okay?”

Gavin doesn’t reply right away, instead looking away. When he looks back at me, his grin has faded, but he looks more genuine too. “Just thinking about all the work I have left to do.”

His words pierce the little fantasy that we’ve been weaving around ourselves in the grove, and I start to feel ill. I know he won’t be here long, but I wish he could stay longer. I feel like I’m just getting to know him. “Gavin . . .”

“Was your day okay?” he asks, cutting me off with a smile. “I mean, you know . . .”

“It was fine,” I say, smoothing over the rough parts. “I only had to see Vandenburgh once. That’s always a good day.”

Gavin grunts. “Once is more than enough for me. I can’t imagine working for him.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” I grumble, then laugh. “But never mind him. You don’t need to listen to me bitch about my boss. I’m sure you’ve got a laundry list of your own complaints.”

Gavin chuckles and nods. “Yeah, guess so.” He peers at me with interest. “So what are you planning to do with your degree once you graduate?”

I pick at my half-eaten cinnamon roll before setting it down. “I’m going to see what’s out there. I still don’t know if I want to stay local or go to a big city.”

Gavin nods. “What do your parents say?”

I bite my lower lip, feeling nervous. “Honestly, I don’t talk to them much. After they got divorced, they both left town. It was a nasty time, and there were a lot of hurt feelings and torn up relationships on both sides. Mom wanted me to come live in St. Louis, while Dad moved west and wanted me to follow him to Pueblo, Colorado. In the end, I decided to stay here. I was already in high school and I’d already been accepted to the local college. It caused a lot of bad blood all around. So we hardly see each other.”

“I see,” Gavin says, looking uncomfortable that he asked. “Sorry.”

“Nothing you could have known,” I say, waving it off. I really don’t want to talk about them right now. I’m having a half-decent time, and I don’t need to spoil the moment by bringing up my past and current heartaches. “So what about you?”

Gavin shakes his head. “Mine are about as supportive as they can be. But then again, I bought them both new BMWs for Christmas last year.” He huffs out a chuckle. “They really can’t complain about that.”

I nod my head. “Yeah, that’s gotta be gratifying for them. They must love having a son who’s achieved so much.”

Gavin snorts. “I haven’t achieved anything in my mom’s eyes. She wants grandbabies like yesterday. It’s the only thing on her mind every time we talk. She wants to know right away whether I’ve found somebody to have children with. And when I say I haven’t, she’s disappointed.”

Babies. Hmm. Until now, the thought was alien to me. Mainly because I hadn’t met a man I wanted to settle down and start a family with.

Maybe you could with him, a voice whispers in the back my head.

Get the fuck out of here, I tell the voice. That’ll never happen.

“And you don’t think you can give her what she wants?”

“I’m sure I’m capable,” Gavin says, grinning. “I just don’t expect it to happen as soon as she’d like.”

His answer disappoints me, although it shouldn't. If he’d have said, ‘have my babies, now!’ it would have been awkward as hell. Still, his answer bothers me in a way I can’t quite put my finger on.

“Thankfully, my parents don’t bother me about that. Yet.” I shake my head. “I really don’t think I could handle any more pressure. Between school and working for a man like Vandenburgh, I’d go crazy and need to be put in a straitjacket if I had to take care of