His Love Read Free Page A

her room.
    Bloody hell. Now he had images of her in the shower flooding his brain. That sweetly feminine body, naked, wet… his shorts felt too tight; he shifted uncomfortably and drank more water.
    The gods were cruel. He hadn’t been this immediately, insanely attracted to a woman in how long? And she may as well have been wearing a neon sign that flashed: OFF LIMITS .

Chapter Two
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    W hen Toni came back down the stairs, she stopped midway. The flat screen flickered with a soccer game—no, it was European soccer, so that made it football—and she could see the back of Gavin’s head above the back of the couch.
    He was swoonworthy.
    Yes, handsome, of course that. But she sensed strength beneath his quiet exterior, and at the same time, he was charming. In the right way—genuinely, without trying. She was used to dealing with European men who tried to be charming, but were just smarmy. Or worse, plain sleazy. They came into the gallery all the time, looking at the artwork from down their noses, walking around like they owned the place, owned the world. They talked to her either like she was dirt on their shoes, or like she was for sale along with the pieces on the walls. Sometimes, they hit on her without a shred of shame. More than one had grabbed her ass when her bosses weren’t in the room. Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, the elite European men she’d been exposed to the last few years were unlikeable at best, downright vile at worst.
    Staring at the back of Gavin’s head now, she realized that maybe she’d already judged him before he ever walked through the door. Yes, she’d met Anna’s other brother, Sean, who was also gorgeous and charming, genuine and open. Toni liked him; it was hard not to. But he had a rougher edge. Anna had described Gavin as being the strong and silent type, super smart, and he was a doctor. A doctor, for Pete’s sake!
    So, she hadn’t expected him to be so… nice . She’d figured he’d be pretentious, like the Eurotrash douchebags she often fended off at the gallery. Gavin wasn’t like those men, she knew that instinctively. She’d prejudged him unfairly.
    And she’d come at him with a knife, more or less. Wonderful first impression.
    She smoothed her hands over the pink cotton tank dress she’d pulled on. It was one of the most comfortable things she owned, simple, perfect for channel surfing. But now, shaking her head, she huffed out a sigh. She was a little mad at herself. She felt like she owed Gavin an apology for some reason, even though he’d done nothing.
    With a bright smile, she said, “Sorry if I took too long.” She came around the couch, then stopped in her tracks. Gavin was sitting up, yes—and fast asleep.
    “Poor guy,” she murmured. He’d said he was tired, and he obviously hadn’t been exaggerating. Should she leave him there, let him sleep? No, he needed a really good night’s sleep, in a bed, by himself.
    Toni went up to his room, the small one at the opposite end of the hall from hers. Anna had scrubbed it before her brother’s arrival. She’d also made the bed, so it was ready for him. He hadn’t unpacked yet, it seemed; his suitcase stood by the one dresser, and none of his things were out anywhere. Well, he had a ready bed. That was what mattered.
    Toni went back downstairs and sat on the couch beside him, careful not to jostle him. His lips were parted in sleep, his deep breathing slow and steady. He hadn’t even taken off his glasses; she figured he must have just passed out watching the game.
    “Gavin?” She said his name softly, meant to wake him without startling him.
    He didn’t move a muscle. He was really out. Her gaze floated over him. His pin straight hair was short, neatly cut, and the stubble along his strong jaw was the same shade of dark gold. But his lashes were darker, and long. Why did the men always get such fabulous lashes? It wasn’t fair. She leaned in to examine his face better, since she could. Those