unfurled in her belly at the thought.
She glanced shyly at him as the door opened.
“We’re here. It’s the third door on the right. Not nearly as stylish as your studio, I’m afraid.”
Bree walked down a hallway lined with identical blue doors. She watched Gavin’s strong fingers turn the key in the lock, and a shimmer of exhilaration slid through her as he opened the door into his apartment.
Gavin held the door for Bree to walk in ahead of him and she could swear she felt his eyes on her backside as she stepped over the threshold. His interest in her put a swing in her hips that she’d never felt before.
The front door led into a living room dominated by a black leather sofa. A glass coffee table held three neat advertising magazines and a TV remote.
“Would you like a drink?” Gavin headed for the small kitchen. “I have white wine, vodka and rum.”
“I think I’d better go for wine. I’m not used to the hard stuff.” Just being around Gavin made her lightheaded. She followed him into a neat galley kitchen with gleaming appliances. “Your apartment is very tidy.”
“We can thank the maid for that. I’m not home all that much. I’ve been working flat out on the Prentice account lately. They’re running a new campaign starting next month.”
“I can’t imagine working such long hours. You must be exhausted.”
Gavin poured wine into two glasses and handed her one. “Not really. You get used to it. I enjoy the work—it’s energizing for me.”
She took the glass and smiled. “You’re lucky to have found work you like so much.”
“Trust me, I know it. We’re both lucky that way. Here’s to your promising career as one of the West Coast’s hottest young photographers.” He raised his glass and Bree clinked hers against it.
“I’m not sure I’m really young enough for that title.”
“Of course you are. Don’t be ridiculous.” Then a mock frown darkened his brow. “Unless you’re seventy and have a really good plastic surgeon.”
Bree laughed. “This is California. You should probably check my driver’s license.”
“Nah. I’ll take my chances and drink to California’s most beautiful photographer instead.” He sipped his wine and peered at her with those seductive gray eyes.
“Now you’re just exaggerating.”
“Not at all.” His eyes swept over her, scorching her skin all the way from her exposed neck to where her new expensive jeans encased her thighs. “You’re certainly the most gorgeous woman in San Francisco, and I can say that with some authority since I meet a lot of models in my line of work. They’d all fade into the background with you around.”
Bree bit her lip. What a flatterer. He did working in advertising—and she’d better not forget it. Still, he was very convincing.
She sipped her wine. The tart, cool liquid zinged over her tongue. Maybe he really did think she was pretty. She pushed her shoulders back the way Elle had shown her and tossed her curls behind her shoulders.
“Come sit on the sofa.”
Gavin led her back into the living room. His blue striped shirt revealed his broad shoulders and, tucked into his faded jeans, emphasized his trim waist and a very cute butt. Desire sizzled in her belly as she imagined what he looked like underneath. All their hiking around the city had revealed him to be extremely fit.
She tore her gaze from his physique as he turned around and gestured for her to sit. She lowered herself carefully onto the leather couch and crossed her legs. Once again she felt Gavin’s eyes on her cleavage. Heat swelled in her breasts and thickened her nipples, making them hum with sensation.
Usually she hated her large breasts. They were always in the way, making her feel large and ungainly. But in her new, perfectly fitting bra, they were transformed into a pleasant and desirable part of a body she was forming a new relationship with.
Since she’d met Gavin, she felt comfortable—sexy—in her own skin. For the first time in her life.
He put his glass down on the table. Feeling a sense of impending … something, Bree set hers next to it.
Her skin prickled as he drew closer. His scent, masculine and seductive, crept over her. She could see the shadow of stubble on his skin—he’d definitely have to shave twice a day to lose it. A tiny smile lifted the corners of his wide, sensual mouth.
Oh, boy.
Bree sucked in a breath as lips moved closer. He’s going to kiss me.
Her heart beat hard against her ribs.
For an agonizing instant, their faces hovered so close she could feel the heat from his skin against her cheek. Panic rushed through her, laced with longing so deep it ached in her bones.
Then his mouth brushed softly against hers.
Four
Bree shuddered as sensation crashed through her. Gavin’s big, strong hands pulled her close as he deepened the kiss. His fingers pressed into her back, revealing the urgency of his own need.
Their tongues met in a jolt of electricity and she enjoyed the rough rasp of his chin against hers. She writhed on the smooth leather, desire filling her body like a bottle that might overflow.
Her hands found their way to Gavin’s shirt front, where she ran her fingertips over the cotton, feeling the muscle beneath.
A moan issued from his mouth and echoed through her. His thickly muscled arms pulled her close until her nipples brushed against his chest. Arousal thrummed low in her belly, pounding in a way she’d never felt before. Her hands were now on his back, roaming and testing the hard muscle, grasping at his shirt while he kissed her—hard and fast.
When they finally came up for air, Bree found herself blinking and breathless.
“Wow.” The single, low syllable fell from Gavin’s moistened lips.
Bree exhaled hard. “Wow is right.” Her whole body stung and tingled with stray sensations all the way down to her toes.
She’d kissed men before, but it had never felt anything like this. Usually there was some groping and fumbling, and she’d even had rather disappointing sex on two occasions, but she’d never known anything like this crazy jumble of emotions and feelings that swept through her like madness.
She reached for her wine and took a bracing gulp. Anticipation glowed between them in the quiet apartment. It wasn’t total silence, though—the rapid beating of her heart warred with the ticking of a nearby clock.
Bree blew a lock of hair out of her face. “I guess that’s what they call chemistry.”
Gavin’s mouth quirked into a smile. “No question. And I suspect if harnessed correctly it could solve all the world’s energy problems.”
“Less dangerous than nuclear fission, too.”
“Or so we think.” His storm-gray eyes swept over her. Her skin tingled as atoms snapped in half under his gaze. “Further experimentation is required.”
Bree inhaled slowly, her breasts rising inside the caress of her bra. “If it’s for the cause of science, we can hardly refuse.” Her lips hummed with the desire to meet his again.
Gavin leaned in, his soft breath warming her skin for a second before his mouth slid over hers. Their tongues tangled and their hands grew bolder. Bree’s fingertips slid beneath the waist of his pants and pulled at his shirt. She gasped when he brushed her nipple, and he cupped her breast, testing its weight in his palm.
Bree pulled his soft shirt loose in the back and reached under it,