I boldly step toward him. “I’ll tell you exactly what’s happening. I’ve been doing my best to show you just how ready I am to be with you and how I’m not gonna run, yet each night, I wait for your call and nothing. So I decided to try one more time—a less subtle approach,” I say, placing a hand on my hip. “But it comes with an ultimatum.”

Gavin crosses his arms, wearing an amused grin. “An ultimatum?”

I tilt my head. “You decide right now if you’re giving me a second chance or I leave for good this time. I don’t know how else to convince you. Hell, I’ve literally waxed my entire body and found a vinyl of Diamond Rio to play in your ancient record player—which was not easy to figure out, mind you.”

“Of course you knew I was a fan.”

“I overheard you talkin’ about how you saw them in concert when you were a teen. Then something about how they were your grandpa’s favorite and that was when you started listening to their music.”

“Eavesdroppin’?”

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “You and the guys are loud as hell. Everyone hears your conversations at the B&B. Including the ones about me.”

The corner of his mouth twists up. “So tell me, Maize…” He sets his hat on the counter before threading his fingers through his messy hair. “You ready to be my girl?”

My heart races, and my breaths turn shallow as his husky voice sends shivers down my spine. He walks toward me, never breaking our eye contact.

“If you haven’t gotten the hint by now…”

“Oh, I have.” Plucking the strap of my dress, he leaves goose bumps as he brushes the pad of his finger down my arm. “I just wanna hear you say it.”

Releasing a groan, I roll my eyes, then smile. “Fine, I’ll stroke your ego this one last time, but then that’s it.”

“Mm-hmm.” He smirks.

Instead of giving in to his cockiness, I inch closer and make demands of my own. “Make me yours, Gavin. I want you.”

He cups the back of my head, pulling me toward him until our mouths collide. I gasp as he holds me into his body and captures my bottom lip between his teeth.

“Mine, Maize,” he growls, sliding his hands down my back until his palms reach my ass. “Fuckin’ mine. Got it?”

I nod and release a rush of air. “Yes. All yours.”

Gavin lifts me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. His erection presses against his jeans, and I know he’s as desperate and eager as I am.

Instead of taking me to his bedroom as I’d hoped, he sets me on top of the kitchen counter and stands between my legs.

“Waxed everywhere, huh?” He moves his mouth down my neck.

“Yes,” I pant, tilting my head back.