I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 53

When Gavin woke up, the heavy blackout curtains in the hotel room made it impossible to tell if it was morning or night. He fumbled for the light switch, and as the room illuminated, reality slowly crashed back down on him.

Half the duvet was pooled on the floor, and the pillows were scattered haphazardly. His sleeping posture was truly nothing to brag about.

He was still fully dressed in his sweater and pants; only his shoes had been removed. He smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. How embarrassing. The very first time they had a room all to themselves, he had gotten blackout drunk.

Gavin called out Sophie's name a couple of times. His throat was terribly parched, and the raspy sound of his own voice startled him.

When he received no answer, he knocked on the bathroom door. Still nothing.

Where did she go? Was she angry?

He frantically located his phone and dialed her number.

"You're awake?"

Sophie's voice was soft and gentle. A wave of immense relief washed over him.

He took a rapid shower, changed into clean clothes, and hurried down to the hotel garden to find her.

"Was I completely humiliating last night?" Gavin's face flushed slightly, his head dropping like a kid who knew he was in trouble.

"If you can't handle your liquor, why did you force yourself? You didn't owe him any favors."

Watching his sheepish expression, Sophie actually felt the urge to laugh.

Gavin reached out and pulled her into his arms, pressing his cheek firmly against the top of her head.

Last night, his refusal to back down was born of a subtle, unspoken rivalry between men. Even though Sophie and Luke had already broken up, he could tangibly feel the oppressive weight of Luke's presence.

"How did you... sleep last night?" Gavin asked, thoroughly embarrassed.

When he had woken up, he was sprawled like a starfish, occupying every inch of the mattress.

Sophie pushed him back gently, tilting her head up to look at him with a teasing smirk. "You have the nerve to ask? You hogged the entire bed. I had to make do on the sofa all night. My neck is killing me."

Gavin's face burned even redder. He quickly stepped behind her and began massaging her shoulders and neck with both hands.

"Why didn't you wake me up? The first time we share a hotel room, and I made you sleep on the couch. I seriously want to throw myself into a wall."

Overflowing with guilt, Gavin continued to massage her stiff muscles as he nudged her gently back toward the hotel lobby.

"It's still early. Go back up and get some proper sleep."

Every now and then, he would lean his face down near her ear and murmur, "Does that feel good? Is it helping at all?"

His warm breath brushed against the shell of her ear as he spoke, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.

Sophie also caught the faint, fresh scent of sweet orange clinging to his skin.

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