by Taryn Plendl
I turned around to find Trevor leaning against the doorframe watching me. “Do you like it?” he asked.
“Oh, Trevor! It is amazing!” I gasped. “I mean—it’ll do.” I shrugged, and then giggled as his eyebrows shot up.
“Well, this is just the beginning. I’m going to spoil you rotten this weekend.” He walked over and wrapped me in his arms, kissing me on top of the head. “You deserve this, you know.”
“Thank you.”
“Come on, we need to get ready for dinner.”
I showered and shaved, slipped on a black cocktail dress and silver heels. I pulled my hair up and applied a little mascara and lip-gloss and then stepped out of the bathroom.
Trevor was standing by the window, looking out. He was in a grey suit. His shoulders were broad and strong. When he turned, I stopped and just stared. I was beginning to think we should just stay in.
He had on a black silk shirt with a couple buttons open. It hugged his chest perfectly. His suit pants sat low on his waist and gripped his hips slightly. His arousal was showing in the form of a nice bulge in the front of his pants. At this rate, I may not make it out of the room.
He smiled his half smile, looking me over. “Ava, you look stunning,” he breathed.
“You don’t look half bad yourself, Mr. Dawson. I wrapped my arms around his waist and looked up into his beautiful green eyes. We just stared at each other, taking it all in, enjoying this moment.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“You have no idea,” I whispered, and he chuckled as he took my hand and led me down to the restaurant.
The restaurant was in the shape of a circle, and the view of the gardens, covered in lights, could be seen out of every window. The food was exquisite, as was the selection of wine. We nibbled and tasted from each other’s plates and then finished with a decadent chocolate dessert. It was perfect.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Trevor asked as we walked out of the restaurant.
“No,” I stated simply.
“No?” He smiled down at me. I shook my head slowly from side to side, watching the exact moment when he understood what I wanted.
“Let’s go.” He pulled me to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, he had me pressed up against the wall. Pulling my hair down softly from the pins, he lifted my face to his, so he could cover my mouth with his. I couldn’t contain the moan as his tongue plunged into my mouth, searching and claiming my own. He pulled my knee up to his waist, pressing his hip against me. It still wasn’t nearly close enough.
The elevator door opened and we spilled out into the—thankfully—empty hallway as Trevor searched for the room key, never breaking our kiss. After sliding it in the slot and turning the knob, the weight of our bodies pushed the door open with such force that it banged against the wall, causing us to stumble in and laugh as we righted ourselves and closed the door.
“God, woman, you drive me crazy!” he groaned as he pulled the zipper of my dress down my back, and I fumbled with his belt and pants. He slid my dress off my shoulders, where it dropped to a pool around my feet, leaving me standing there in a black lace bra and matching thong.
He growled. Oh yes! Growled!
I lost all control, pushing him back onto the bed. I pulled his pants down his legs as he shuffled out of his shirt. I stood over him, admiring the magnificent specimen he was before I yanked his boxers down, freeing him completely. Before I even thought about it, I dropped to my knees, taking him fully into my mouth. He threw his head back. “Oh God, Ava!” After barely a minute, he pulled me up, reclaiming my mouth.
“You are going to completely unman me if you keep doing that,” he chuckled. Reaching behind me, he unfastened my bra, shoving it off my shoulders and releasing my sweetly curved mounds. He cupped both of them, bringing them to his mouth, one at a time, kissing and teasing until they were hard and sensitized.
Without warning, he rolled me onto my back, trailing kisses down my exposed stomach. He ran his tongue under the waist of my panties, and I felt like I was going to explode. “Please.”
He chuckled against me, and the vibrations alone almost sent me over the edge. Trailing his finger over my mound, he brushed my clit, and I bucked my hips off the bed. “You like that?” He cocked his eyebrow at me, smiling. All I could do was nod as I continued to pant.
Finally, he slid my panties down my legs, placing kisses along my thighs and then my calves, before moving back up. He paused right over my sex, and blew cool air on me before putting his warm mouth on my most sensitive place. I called out his name, overwhelmed by the sensations shooting from my toes to my head. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly take any more, he slipped two fingers inside me, and I exploded with soul-shattering intensity.
I could barely catch my breath as Trevor moved slowly up over my body. I heard a rustling of a wrapper and then felt the warmth of his body pressing against me right before he plunged into me, sending me into another convulsive release.
“Oh God, Ava! I can’t stand it! You. Feel. So. Good!” he grunted as he pressed deep into me, over and over again. I could feel his pace quicken, and I could tell he was close, so I dragged my nails down his back and cupped his firm ass, pulling him even deeper as his magnificent body shuddered, pulsating deep within me.
I’m not sure how long we lay there, but eventually I felt Trevor roll off of me, and immediately I missed the warmth of his body. I heard the water running in the bathroom and got up to see what he was doing. As I rounded the corner, I saw that he was running us a bath. I walked up behind him, wrapped my arms around him and placed a kiss between his shoulders. With so many emotions coursing through me, I feared I might blurt out those three little words I was starting to feel for this man and ruin everything. To prevent that, I simply said, “Thank you.”
***
We spent the next day at the spa, pampered and spoiled, scrubbed and polished, leaving with the smell of chocolate on our skin.
I can’t remember ever feeling so relaxed. We had a late lunch at the café in the spa and snacked on light fare and yummy desserts. After, we finally decided to take that walk.
“Did you grow up in Philly?” Trevor held my hand as we strolled around the garden.
“Yes. My mom is in Clearwater, Florida now, so it’s just me out here. I have an aunt in Philly, but now that I’m in my own place, we don’t see each other much,” I explained.
“Where’s your dad?” he asks as we stop and sit on a bench.
“He died when I was five. Cancer.” I smile and shrug. I don’t want him to feel bad. Honestly, I don’t remember much about the end of his life, but I did remember always feeling so loved by him. That is what I carry with me. I told Trevor just that, and he smiled back at me, as he pulled me against him and placed a kiss on my temple.
“How about you? Where did you grow up?” I ask.
“Allentown. My family is still there. I don’t get back there as much as I’d like to, which is really sad, considering it’s so close. Next time I go, though, I would like to take you with me.” He looks at me, hopeful.
“I’d like that.” I grin.
We spent a couple hours around the gardens just talking and getting to know each other better. Being with him here was like a dream. As much as it scared me, I was falling in love with Trevor. There was no doubt in my mind. I was taking a tremendous chance with my heart here, but the more time I spent with him, I realized he just might be worth it.
“Want to go ice skating?”
“What?” I looked at him like he’d lost it.
“Yeah, they have year round ice skating here.” He looked so excited, like a little kid.
“Sounds fun!”
Several falls later and with a sore butt that I’m pretty sure is developing a bruise in the shape of the skate blade, we decide to head back to the room.
Neither of us felt much like going anywhere, so we ordered room service and snuggled up in bed and watched movies.
As the second mo
vie was ending, I felt Trevor kissing the back of my neck and almost instantly I was ready for him. Unlike before, we went slow, cherishing each other’s bodies as we made sweet, slow love on our last night.
Chapter13
Trevor
I watched Ava from across the desk. It had been two weeks since our incredible weekend away, and we haven’t had a whole lot of time alone since. I was getting cranky and short, but if I seriously thought about it, it was only because I missed her.
Granted, I saw her and her gorgeous curves, long hair that I would love to run my fingers though, and stunning smile everyday, but it wasn’t enough. I longed to hold her in my arms, touch her soft skin and make sweet love to her. Oh God! I’m pussy whipped, just like Nick said.
I’d known it for a while. It hasn’t been the right time yet, but I wanted to tell her soon. Whether or not she felt the same, I needed to let her know that I had fallen hopelessly in love with her.
There wasn’t anything that I didn’t love about her. Her sarcasm and wit were so much fun. She was strong and driven and so good with her creative thinking. She was so caring, and a good friend—she was everything I’d been looking for, when I wasn't even looking. But as strong as she tried to be, there was a vulnerability about her that made me feel so protective of her. I couldn’t help that I went all alpha male anytime a man approached her. She had no idea how attractive she is.
“Like something you see, Mr. Dawson?” Her question brought me out of my thoughts.
I leaned forward and smiled. “You have no idea,” I spoke low and deep, and I could see that she was squirming a little as she watched me closely.
“Well, what are you going to do about it?” She cocked her head to the side, giving me her sweet smile in a challenge. I sighed, there wasn’t much I could do right now, which is where my frustration stemmed from. We had so much work to do right now in a short amount of time. It just wasn’t possible to duck out early.
“We need to go out this weekend.” I sat back. “Round up Talia, and we can hit a club. I need to dance with you.” I winked.
“That sounds perfect. These new accounts sure are monopolizing our time, huh?” She looked like she might be as frustrated as me. I nodded before digging back into my work.
***
“Hey, how come when a woman is pregnant everyone rubs her stomach and says congratulations, but no one rubs your balls and says good job?” Nick asked as he took a drink of his beer.
“Where the hell did that come from?” Tom asked, laughing at his friend.
“This woman in my office is pregnant, and I swear every time someone walks past her, they are rubbing her belly. It’s creepy.” He shuddered. Ava and I looked at each other and just shook our heads. It never seemed to amaze me, the things that came out of Nick’s mouth.
“Hey guys, sorry I’m late.” Talia slid in next to Tom.
“Wow, you’re looking hot tonight, Talia!” Nick winked at her.
“Oh Nick, save your breath for your blow up doll.” She winked back at him, and we all laughed.
“You do look nice,” Tom spoke softly, but I could still hear him. Talia smiled at him sweetly. I was beginning to wonder if there wasn’t something there, but neither of them ever hinted at anything. I would have to ask Ava later.
I put my hand on Ava’s leg and drew small circles with my fingers. She put her hand over mine and smiled at me. She was so gorgeous. It was hard for me to be around her and not touch her. I pulled our hands up to my lips and kissed her on the knuckles. “Want to dance, baby?”
“I’d love to.”
We slid out of the booth and headed to the dance floor where an upbeat song was playing. I grabbed her hips and pulled her close to me as we started to move with the music. I swear the girl was made for me and me alone. We fit together perfectly.
“I miss you,” I nuzzled against her ear.
“We see each other everyday, Trevor,” she giggled.
“It’s not the same, Ava. I can’t touch you and kiss you whenever I want at work. It’s killing me.” She was rubbing her hands through my hair. I closed my eyes and groaned. “Oh, Ava,” I sighed. Leaning down, I claimed her mouth with mine—pressing soft kisses on her mouth and trailing them down her jaw and onto her neck.
“It would be rude to duck out this early, Mr. Dawson, and you’re starting something that I can’t help but want to finish,” she moaned, leaning her head back in the process, opening up her neck.
“Let’s go get a drink. If I keep dancing with you, I may toss you over my shoulder and take you back to my cave.” I chuckled at the thought. I lost all self-control with her.
We headed back to our friends who were deep in conversation at the table. When we approached, they all seemed to stop talking. Ava and I looked at each other. “What are you all talking about over here?” Ava asked.
“Nothing really. We are all just living vicariously through you two lovebirds.” Talia smiled at us.
Right after we sat down a tall guy came and asked Talia to dance. She shrugged and accepted the invitation. As she walked away, I noticed Tom had his fists clenched, looking down at the table.
“You okay?” I whispered.
“Fine.” He sounded short, and I knew, without a doubt, that there was something more to this. It was so unlike Tom to react this way. He obviously liked Talia. It was also obvious that he wasn’t going to talk about it now, so I let it slide.
Nick disappeared with another random woman and asked Tom if he could catch a ride with one of us. Talia offered and mentioned she was hungry, so they decided to go get some food. Ava looked tired, and I wanted nothing more than to take her home and tuck her in my bed with me. Our nights out were becoming pretty tame, but I was okay with it.
I ran a bath for Ava and me, and we sat there for a long while. I watched her as she lay against me, softly kissing her neck and shoulders. She was drifting off, so I lifted her out and wrapped her in a towel, dried her, and then carried her to the bed. We didn’t bother with clothes—just climbed between the sheets. I pulled her into me, wrapping my arms around her. “Goodnight my sweet Ava,” I whispered in her ear.
I lay there listening to her breathe, until it was slow and even, and I knew she had fallen asleep. “I love you,” I whispered before I let myself fall asleep, too. I was such a chicken shit!
***
Ava left by mid morning to run some errands with Talia. I decided to head to the gym. I needed a good workout to clear my mind and figure out where I wanted to take my relationship with Ava. I loved her. I had never said those words to anyone before her, and it scared me.
I ran on the treadmill for a while and then decided to spar a bit on the mat with some other martial arts instructors. It was just what I needed to get myself focused. I showered and dressed before walking back to my place.
A familiar face caught my attention. I stopped and watched her for a minute before she noticed me, a smile spreading across her face. I jogged over to her and swung her up in my arms, twirling in a circle. “Oh my God, Rachel! What are you doing here?” I set the small brunette down, cupping her face in my hands and looking at her. “You look beautiful!”
“I missed you. I hope you don’t mind me showing up unannounced.” She smiled.
“Never! I miss you, too! You’re always welcome here.” I kissed her on the forehead and wrapped her in my arms, just in time to look up and see a devastated Ava staring at us. I pulled back quickly. “Ava, wait.” I stepped toward her as I released Rachel. She shook her head, turned, and ran around the corner. “Ava!” I yelled, trying to catch her. She was gone before I could get to her. I put my hands on my knees, feeling like I had a brick in my chest. I felt a small hand on my back. “Honey? Who was that?”
Chapter 14
Ava
“Stupid Ava!” I was so mad. How could I let myself fall into this again? What was it with the guys I chose to get involved with? I threw clothes in a suitcase, paying very little attention to what I was packing. I n
eeded to get away to think.
“Damn it!” The stupid phone wouldn’t stop ringing. I scrolled through the missed calls and saw over twenty text messages. All Trevor. I couldn’t bring myself to open them. I wanted to get out of there before he decided to try to talk to me in person.
I grabbed my makeup and hair things and tossed them into my bag. I was going to turn the phone off—it was driving me crazy. Shit. I knew I needed to call Talia. She would freak if I just up and left town without telling her.
I dialed quickly as I was headed out the door.
“Hello?”
“Talia?” I started crying.
“”What’s wrong, Ava? Are you okay?” She was worried.
“I’m fine. Not really, but I need to get out of here for a couple of days.” I was sobbing now.
“What happened?”
“I caught Trevor with another woman.” I could barely get it out. The image of him with the pretty woman in his arms, and the way he looked at her with just happiness. The way he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her on the head.
“What the fuck?” Talia snapped.
“I know. I can’t believe it happened again.” I leaned against the wall by the elevator, trying to find a Kleenex.
“Are you sure that’s what you saw?” Talia asked.
“Talia, he was holding her, swinging her around. He was holding her face and looking lovingly in her eyes before he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her on the forehead,” I cried. “When he saw me he stepped back from her like he’d been caught. What do you think?” I bawled. I was angry, but more so at myself that anyone else. I had allowed this to happen again.
“I just can’t believe it; I mean the guy was head over heels for you,” Talia claimed.
“Well, I know what I saw, Talia, and of all people I thought you would believe me!” I exclaimed.
“Take a step back from the ledge! Of course I believe you. I’m just shocked,” she sighed. “Do you need me to come over?”
