A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 37

The last thing Georgia had even considered was kissing Gavin. She wasn't even sure why the energy had seemed to shift. Their emotions swung wildly between anger and laughter, but as they pulled apart, she had momentarily let herself get distracted. She thought Gavin would simply brush it off or believe he hadn't been noticed, but then he surprised her by grabbing her and kissing her. The kiss started as a simple meeting of lips, nothing particularly exciting, and yet a small whimper escaped her. That seemed to encourage Gavin as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into her mouth, and intertwining with hers. Pleasurable shivers ran through her, and she found it difficult to compare this kiss to any of her previous ones. They all seemed to pale in comparison to the intensity with which Gavin kissed her. But then, he was always intense, and his kisses were no exception. It made her feel warm, but she ended it faster than she wanted to.

"Didn't you want me to?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness.

"No, I enjoyed it a lot," she whispered, "but I'm unsure if you're kissing me because you want to or because you're upset right now."

Gavin pulled away, looking offended, and she could tell he hadn't taken her comment well.

"Do you honestly believe I wouldn't know what I want?"

"You just looked at an invitation from your ex-fiancé. Is it so weird if it shook you a bit?" she asked.

"I've known they were dating for a long time. Why should I let an invitation bother me?" he snapped.

"And we're back," she thought, crossing her arms and shooting him an annoyed look.

"Listen, I merely want to know that the guy who kisses me does it because he wants to and not as a metaphorical 'screw you' to his ex."

"You truly think I wouldn't kiss you if it had been any other day?" he questioned, looking at her in disbelief.

"Is it so weird?"

"Yes."

"Of course, you would think so. Overly confident and everything."

"You need me to prove it to you?" he retorted.

"It's a bit hard."

"No, it wouldn't be, and I can do it."

"All right then," she accepted.

"Good," he said, but then simply turned away to gaze out the window.

She was taken aback by the sudden silence that descended upon the room. She didn't understand why he was shutting down again, but instead of sitting there, she decided to go and read a little.

***

Gavin had plans for Georgia. He felt irritated by her questioning whether he had honorable intentions with that kiss or if he was simply using her as a distraction. Yet he knew he couldn't prove it to her today, so he decided to wait until tomorrow. However, he chose to ignore her for most of the day, punishing her for even suggesting such a thing. He refused to be reduced to a jealous and pitiful ex who took advantage of the woman who was there to cheer him up. So despite their day ending on a rather tense note when she left, he was more than prepared for when she came back the next day. Gavin sat by his chessboard, extending his hand as she entered, and Georgia looked puzzled by the scene.

"Again?" she sighed.

"Yes, play with me."

She groaned, but couldn't escape the challenge, so she positioned herself in front of him, looking a bit annoyed. Yet, he didn't let her begin.

"We're going to make it more interesting," he told her.

"Oh?"

"We are going to play for something."