Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

My throat is tight as I say, “That is admirable. I respect that. I really do.”

A blush comes to her cheeks and she looks away. “Thanks.”

“You could’ve easily just gone with one of your parents and had a better life. Softer, at least.”

She shakes her head. “My goals and ambitions must be boring and stupid to you. I’m sure you’re used to the big city life and have everything. The cars, the houses, any woman you want . . .”

Not everything, my inner voice says. Not yet. She’s not yours yet.

I clear my throat and shake my head. “Speaking from experience, none of that stuff means much. You can have all the money in the world, but it definitely doesn’t bring happiness. Brings a lot of leeches, but not happiness.”

I sit back against the couch, fighting back another sneeze. “You know, when I came here, I never thought it, but a part of me thinks that I would be happier living in a place like this. Well, like this town, not like this apartment.”

Brianna stares at me like I’m a two-headed dragon. “Really? That’s hard to believe.”

I nod. “Really. Maybe I’ve had my fill. I don’t know. Sure, staying in the best hotels and having luxury homes and cars is nice, but there is a downside to it.”

My voice drops, becoming grimmer than I’d like as I realize I’m fully exposing myself to Brianna, something I haven’t done with anyone before. Not to mention, I probably sound like an asshole who takes things for granted. “When I signed my rookie contract, I gave up any chance of having a private life. Every detail about me, flaws and all, is out there for the public to scrutinize. You’re dissected and judged, oftentimes before you even know what you’ve done wrong.”

I shake my head. “And the paparazzi are relentless, always coming at you when you least expect them, trying to get another embarrassing shot to sell to the papers.”

“That does sound like it sucks,” Brianna says. “And it’s partly why I’d never want to be a celebrity. I couldn’t handle all that scrutiny.”

I nod. “Good. You’d hate it. I have to admit, at first, I loved the fame and fortune. The money’s nice for sure. I have a big ego.”

“And a big . . .” Brianna says with a soft laugh, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I laugh, glad to feel a bit of humor in all of this, and continue. “But after a while, it gets old. A part of me wants my old life back. Just plain old Gavin.”

Brianna gives me an inquisitive look. “What’s stopping you from giving it up then? Retire from football, do this movie, and walk away.”

I scratch at the stubble on my jaw, the stubble that I’m supposed to keep for my role, and think. “I guess I just don’t want to disappoint anyone. My teammates, my coach, my family—all of them, in some way or another, depend on me. And I don’t want them to think of me as a quitter.”

Brianna places a soft, gentle hand on my thigh and fixes me with a deep look. “I can understand that.”

Warmth heats my stomach and my cock hardens in my pants. It doesn’t care about the emotions I’m showing. It just loves the touch of her hand on me. “So yeah, when you mention the money and the fame . . . it doesn't mean much to me. It can’t replace a real person or the emptiness inside.”

“Are you?” she asks softly.

My breath is heavy, and I turn to her, feeling exposed but liking it. “Am I what?”

Brianna stares into my eyes and leans close, her natural perfume overcoming the smell of the apartment. “Are you empty inside?”

Her words hit me hard. I’ve been the way I have been because I’ve been looking for something for so long, and now I think I’ve . . .

I begin to shake my head. “I don't think so anymore—”

“AH-CHOO!” Brianna sneezes violently, spraying my face with a gentle mist. I rear back, surprised, and she covers her mouth and nose, shocked and embarrassed.

“Oh, my God!” She gasps in embarrassment, her face flaming red as she tries to lift her shirt to wipe at my face. “I’m so fucking sorry. It’s just that this goddamn dusty ass old couch—”

I hook my hand beneath her chin, bringing her eyes to mine. “Don’t worry about it. I want you, Brianna. Every bit of you. Snot and all.”

“You’re really weird!” Brianna gets out before she has to laugh, and after a second, I can’t help it and join in. Somewhere in that laughter, I draw her to me and our lips smash together.

My hands move on their own, running over her lush curves, hungry to feel her as she groans into my mouth. The couch creaks as she falls back and I get on top of her, greedily kissing her, my lips all over her body. I’m starving, and I’m going to have my fill.

My hands find her breast. Her nipples are hard, and I pinch them lightly through her shirt, making her moan and push my head down. “Gavin, I need you.”

I look up, my heart pounding in my chest as I admit the truth. “I need you, too.”

Brianna strokes my hair and smiles, swallowing. “Then not on the couch . . . or my bed.” She chuckles. She looks at me with lust. “The floor?”

I look at the suspect carpet, and she laughs, getting off the couch and pulling her t-shirt off. “I’ll go get a sheet. Trust me, those I get from the hotel. Don’t tell Vandenburgh.”

I chuckle and shake my head, kissing her hungrily as we get to our feet and her hands roam over my back, lightly scratching me through my shirt. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

Brianna walks down the dim hallway, tossing me a smoldering look over her shoulder