A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 42

Gavin's anticipation grew almost unbearable as Georgia entered his room. His excitement was obvious, and he couldn't contain it. Hastily, he set aside the book he had been reading. Georgia had brought her belongings, ready for her planned stay, and their smiles upon seeing each other were undeniable. She walked over to him, placing her things down, and Gavin promptly wrapped an arm around her waist, gently seating her on his lap before claiming her lips in a passionate kiss. The kiss was laden with longing and desire, evoking sweet moans from her as he held her close.

"God, I've been eagerly waiting for this moment," he whispered as he lovingly brushed her hair back.

"Missed having someone warm your bed?" she teased, eliciting a chuckle from him.

"Only a specific person," he confessed, prompting her to smile brightly before leaning in for another kiss.

"Well, I'm excited to be here too."

Their smiles persisted as they shared this intimate moment before deciding how to spend their day. Time seemed to slip away rapidly, with the hours growing late until darkness began to envelop their world. Both Georgia and Gavin had prepared for bedtime. Gavin was already in bed when she returned from the bathroom. Georgia, still not dressed for sleep, grabbed the long t-shirt she typically wore to bed. However, before she could move away, Gavin requested that she stop.

"What?" she asked.

"Undress here," he directed, leaning against the headboard.

He was covered by the blanket, leaving only his naked upper body visible to her. She smiled slightly and shook her head, but as he had already glimpsed her partially undressed, she started removing her shirt and pants. Once standing in her underwear, she took off her bra, and his gaze travelled appreciatively down her body. After granting him a moment, she put on the t-shirt and walked over to him. Settling on the other side of the bed, he pulled her closer and kissed her again. Their lips met with renewed passion, and Gavin couldn't resist the urge to explore further. Sliding his hand beneath her t-shirt, he yearned to feel her skin against his palm. He sought out one of her breasts, its softness filling his hand. Her breathing deepened, revealing her desire, and he pushed aside the covers, revealing her to his eager eyes. His hand descended lower, taking hold of the edge of her underwear, and with a swift motion, he removed it, tossing the garment away.

"You want me to sleep naked?" she asked teasingly.

"I want to taste you," he whispered, surprising her with his confession. Before proceeding, he had her remove the t-shirt as well. He turned them, guiding her onto his lap. She rested her hands on the headboard as she lowered herself slightly, and he supported her, pulling her closer to him. His tongue traced over her sensitive skin, evoking pleasurable gasps from her.

"Oh, shit," she whispered, tilting her head back, and he delved deeper, finding her entrance and teasing it with his tongue. She began moaning his name, craving more. He moved to her clit, gently rubbing it with his tongue before sucking on it.

"Yes!" she cried out as waves of pleasure coursed through her body, seeking that climax. Gavin continued to tease her, knowing her more intimately now. Her body responded with enthusiasm, and she lost herself in the ecstasy as she reached her peak, repeatedly calling out his name. She pushed through the waves until they became almost unbearable, then pleaded with him to slow down. He withdrew, and she shifted slightly, looking down at him, noting the satisfied smirk on his lips. He leaned in, kissing the inner part of her thigh.

"Now we can sleep," he teased, making her chuckle. She moved lower down his body and pressed her lips to his, tasting herself. She had been seeking a distraction when she accepted the job, and she had certainly found one, she thought.

Soon, they drifted off to sleep. In the middle of the night, however, Georgia felt Gavin's arm around her twitch. She glanced over her shoulder, observing him restlessly beside her. She turned a bit, extending her hand to touch his cheek.

"Gavin?" she called out.

He twitched slightly, his expression reflecting pain. "Gavin," she called louder, and he abruptly gripped her wrist, causing her some discomfort as he squeezed it. "Ah, Gavin, that hurts!"

Gavin snapped out of the trance he was in, releasing her wrist. He saw the fear in her eyes and tried to calm her by pulling her wrist closer and planting a kiss on it before focusing on her.

"Sorry," he whispered.

"Are you okay?"

"They just sometimes come."

"Nightmares about the explosion?"

"No, these are older dreams," he admitted.

"From other raids?"

"I've seen some awful things in this world," he confessed. "Not everything fades away."

"Oh," she whispered, and he kissed her wrist again.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"No, it's okay. It wasn't much," she assured him. To emphasize her point, she drew closer and kissed his lips.

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer and holding her tightly. Some things might fade with time, but many others lingered, he knew, even if he had been his old self.

In the morning, as Gavin and Georgia enjoyed breakfast together, she couldn't help but steal glances at him. He smiled at her, but Georgia had gained new insight into Gavin, and she couldn't stop thinking about the experiences he had gone through. As he had disclosed to her, the looks in the victims' eyes, or perhaps the eyes of their loved ones, were never easy to witness. Now she understood how his past haunted him.

"You keep glancing at me," he pointed out.

"I'm just admiring you," she teased.

"No, you're thinking about something. Is it about what I told you last night or what I did? Listen, if I scared you—"

She shook her head, interrupting him. "No, not scared. I think you surprised me."

"What do you mean?"

"I knew you had done a lot, seen a lot, especially through your work, but now I also understand the impact it had on you," she explained. "It's both shocking and important. It helps me understand you better."

Gavin smiled, not wanting to keep secrets from Georgia. She made him want to open up, and as he sat there, appreciating her presence, he reached out and took her hand.

"Maybe we should go further," he suggested.

"Further?"

"Perhaps it's time we went on a real date. Outside this house," he explained.

"You want to go out together?"

"Don't you?"

"Of course I do," she assured him.

"Then I think we should."

"Do you feel ready?" she asked.

"We don't necessarily have to go out to eat. We could watch a movie?" he proposed.

"Yes, let's do it," she agreed.

Gavin smiled, relishing the happiness radiating from her at the thought of leaving the house and not just going to physical therapy with him. He knew she yearned for more, and in some way, he did too. He wanted to show Georgia off to others because she truly was incredible, and he was grateful to call her his own.