Scooping cocoa powder and sugar into a small pot of milk, she turned on the stove. “The real reason why I’m staying here is exactly what I told you earlier. I got stranded in a storm.” She picked up a spoon and whisked the milk to help dissolve the sugar.
“No, you don’t stop there, missy. I want to know how you’ve been friends for ten years and you’ve never told us about him before.”
Ava shifted uncomfortably. How much should she tell Jade? Not because she didn’t trust her—she could tell her anything—but because she didn’t know how she would feel dragging it back up again.
Probably doubting she was going to answer, Jade said, “If he hadn’t told me you’ve been friends for years, I would’ve thought he was only a hook-up, but I’m sensing something more than that. But I know you don’t take things further. So I’m confused.”
Ava had explained to the girls what kind of marriage her parents had and how she never wanted to go down that path. They couldn’t understand the extreme measurements she went to in order to avoid relationships, but they respected her decision.
“Nick and I dated when I lived in Sunland Valley. Not for long, around three months.” And in such a short time she’d forgotten everything she hated about her parents’ relationship and fell hard for Nick. It had been the best summer of her life.
“What happened?” Jade prompted.
“I moved to Brimland Point, and we lost contact.” She lifted the pot off the stove and poured the steaming milk into a Farmers Do It Better mug. That she could believe. One hot farmer who was in his room had exceptional skills.
Jade shook her head, causing curls to spring from the bun. “I can tell there’s definitely more to this story.”
Ava picked up the phone and mug and sat at the breakfast counter. “You can, can you?” She had to laugh. “You’re so nosy.”
“Yes, I know. Now fill me in. I have all night.” She sighed. “There’s no hot guy warming up my bed tonight.” Then her eyes lit up. “Am I keeping you from Mr. Hotness? Of course I am. We can talk tomorrow.”
“No… No, you’re not. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Why the hell not? Have you seen what he looks like? And that body… Holy moley, Ava, I could lick it. I can’t because I’m here and he’s there, and I wouldn’t because…well, he’s yours. Dammit, why do you and Lauren get all the hot ones?”
Ava laughed. She didn’t blame Jade’s reaction, the thought had crossed her mind once or twice, or a hundred times, too. “He is good to look at,” she admitted.
“So why haven’t you done anything about it? You would never let someone like him go to waste.”
Of course that’s what Jade would think. Because Ava was so against relationships, she’d used her active sex drive to have brief encounters. What used to be fun and exciting somehow now made her feel heartless and empty. How different was she really from her father? He couldn’t keep it in his pants, and apparently neither could she. She was more like him than she wanted to believe. The only difference was she wasn’t married and hurting someone. But how many times had she seen concern on Jade and Lauren’s faces when she left a club with a random stranger?
“Ava, are you okay?” Jade’s voice broke through her musings.
She wrapped her hands around her warm mug as if trying to draw the heat into her cold body. “Sorry, my mind wandered off.”
“It was more than a summer fling, wasn’t it?” she gently prodded.
Ava nodded as she took a sip of the hot chocolate and gathered her thoughts. “As I said, we dated for three months. We were inseparable. Every spare minute we had was spent together, getting up to crazy things, or making out.” She smiled at the memory. “I finally thought I could see past my parents’ shitty relationship and believe in love.” She shrugged the heaviness from her shoulders.
“He didn’t love you back?” Jade asked.
Ava shook her head. “No. My father didn’t like Nick and offered him a large sum of money to stay away from me.”
Jade gasped and put a hand over her mouth. “Tell me he didn’t take it.”
Ava swallowed hard, the bitter taste of betrayal rising in her throat. “Dad said he didn’t think twice about taking the money.”
“Oh, Ava.”
She waved a hand to dismiss Jade’s sympathy. “It’s history. We’ve moved on.” Although there had been plenty of moments when they’d snapped each other’s heads off, now they were precariously starting to get along.
“It must be hard staying there with all that history hanging over your heads.”
Ava finished her drink and slid the mug onto the kitchen counter. “It was at first.”
“At first…” Jade’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
She rolled her eyes. “We’ve gotten a little more comfortable around each other.”
“So you are sleeping together?”
“No, but we’ve…made out a couple of times.”
“Could Mr. Hotness be working his way back?” Jade’s smile widened with hope.
“Definitely not. I’m leaving in the morning.”
“You’ve always got tonight.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“How are you allowed to teach small children with such a dirty mind?” Ava chuckled.
“I can switch it off in class. A bunch of hyperactive six-year-old kids will definitely put you off the act of procreation. But I always preach about forgiveness, and maybe you’re heading that way with Nick?”
Had she forgiven Nick? She didn’t think she would’ve let him touch her if she wasn’t heading that way. “I think I am.”
“Then go into that bedroom and forgive him.”
“Jade!” Laughter bubbled from Ava.
“God, I’m sorry. I haven’t had any action for a while and wanted to live vicariously through you.”
“I’ll admit it’s tempting. God, it’s tempting. But I can’t go there again. It’s too complicated.”
Jade sighed. “Okay.” Then she brightened. “I almost forgot to tell you that my cousin Liz got engaged. Things are looking good. They’ve been together two years and he hasn’t left yet. How good is that?”
Jade believed all the women in her family were cursed. Some witch hundreds of years ago put a spell on all the Brennan descendants and none of the women had had a successful relationship since. Ava thought it was a load of rubbish, but Jade wouldn’t hear differently.
“That’s great. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for them.” What else could she really say? “It’s getting late. I’m going to bed.”
Jade’s smile split her face.
“Alone.”
The smile dropped. “One more thing before you go. Will you make it to drinks on Tuesday?”
She didn’t know what Bella’s problem was, plus she didn’t know how long it would take to get her car fixed, so she doubted it. “You’ll have to Facetime me.”
“That will be the first one anyone’s missed.” Jade sounded disappointed.
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll see you at the next one.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“Night, Jade.”
She was about to disconnect the call when Jade piped up. “Ava? Do you think you can sneak into Mr. Hotness’s room, so I can see that gorgeous man one more time? Oh my God, that body!” She fanned a hand in front of her face.
“Good night, Jade.” Shaking her head and laughing, she disconnected the call and placed the phone on the counter.
“Nice girl,” a deep, sexy voice said from behind her.
Chapter 11
Ava jumped and held a hand to her chest as she swiveled toward him on the chair. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to discover your friend’s a pervert.” Nick chuckled.
He hadn’t bothered covering up, and he noticed Ava’s gaze drop to his bare chest.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people. It’s rude.”
“I didn’t think I was. I don’t tiptoe around my own house
.”
She frowned. “Why are you up again?”
“Can’t sleep. Thought I’d have some warm milk.” Ingredients for the makings of hot chocolate were scattered on the counter, and he pointed to the pot. “Any left?”
She nodded, and he walked to the stove to warm the milk back up. While he waited, he propped his hip on the edge of the counter and crossed his feet at the ankles.
This time her gaze traveled from head to toe, or more like chest to crotch. “Don’t you think you should cover up?” she asked, waving a hand up and down in his direction.
“When did you become so prudish? We’ve seen each other in a lot less.” It was his turn to do some inspecting, and damn, he wanted to touch where his gaze had wandered.
An eloquent shoulder shrugged, and she tucked a lock of silky, black hair behind her ear. “Things have changed. We don’t like each other that way anymore.”
We don’t like each other that way anymore, my arse. Her gaze devoured his body just as much as he did hers. They liked each other exactly that way. Red-hot lust ignited between them, burning bright whenever they were close. Hell, whenever they were in the same room.
Why wasn’t he taking what he wanted? Taking what he knew she wanted too? Was it still because of the way she’d left him? Time had passed; he’d overcome the obstacles she’d left in her wake and had done better for it. And if he was honest with himself, the anger he held onto had subsided over the last two days.
No matter how hard he tried to convince himself he didn’t want her, his body rejected the idea. He wanted her all right. Wanted what their bodies could do for each other. They were two consenting adults. Young love had died when she left, and there was no preconception about picking up where they’d left off.
With that sorted in his mind, and the flare of heat shooting from Ava’s eyes, it was time to give each other what they craved.
Nick turned to switch off the stove. The pot had overboiled and the kitchen now smelled like burned milk.
As he sauntered over to where Ava sat, her eyes grew heavy-lidded, and she rose to meet him. If he had any doubt about whether she wanted to do this too, it left his mind as soon as she placed her mouth on his and trailed the palms of her hands over his chest. She tasted of chocolate and sugar, and he’d never tasted anything so sweet.
A rough sound rumbled deep from his throat, and he gripped her hips, pulling them closer.
She gasped as their bodies connected, and her lips broke free. They stared at each other for a beat, then his lips claimed hers in a hungry kiss. In their frenzied state, Nick slipped his hands under her t-shirt and pulled it over her head.
“God, you’re beautiful. I never thought you could look any better.”
Her hands skimmed his chest, and he shivered. “You’re not looking too bad yourself these days.”
Moaning, he dropped his forehead against hers. “If we start this, I don’t want to stop. Tell me now if you’re not going to continue.” Please God, don’t let her stop.
She stepped back, and he wanted to drop to his knees and yell why, God, why? But she slipped her fingers into the sides of her silky undies and slid them inch by sexy inch down her long legs until she kicked them aside and stood between his legs. “I don’t want you to stop.”
His head dropped back, and he stared up at the ceiling. “Thank fucking God!”
She laughed, and the sexy, husky tone sent fire to his already heated arousal.
“But…” she said, looking at him more serious. “This is only for tonight. Nothing more is going to happen.”
“Agreed.” At this point he’d consent to anything.
The quick reply had her staring into his eyes as if she were searching for the truth. When she must have been satisfied with what she found, she nodded. Then the slow, seductive smile returned. “You’re a little overdressed.” And she proceeded to slide his boxers down his legs, following the descent.
Once on her knees, she cupped him in one hand and stroked the length of him with the other. When her warm mouth wrapped around him, he hissed and his legs buckled from under him. Locking them in place, he lifted her up by her shoulders.
A dark eyebrow raised questioningly.
“It was going to end super-fast and only one of us would’ve been satisfied.”
“I thought you’d have more stamina in your old age. But if you need a moment to pull yourself together…” Her amusement was clear in her expression.
“Nothing wrong with my stamina,” he growled.
“Many men have the same problem—”
He smashed his lips against hers, cutting her off, and cupped her breasts. Her rose-colored nipples pebbled in his hand, and he broke away to suck them into his mouth. She let out a sigh of pleasure and all amusement left her face; in its place was desire and anticipation for what was to come. The need to taste her everywhere was burning him alive, and he lifted her onto the kitchen counter, spread her knees apart, and bent down to place his mouth at her warm center.
Jerking at the contact, she cried out. “Nick… I’m going to…”
Then she shuddered long and hard. She collapsed back onto the counter, covering her eyes with her forearm. Nick stared at the golden goddess sprawled in front of him. It was better than anything he’d ever seen. He chuckled.
“You better not be laughing at me,” she said, still not removing her arm.
He tried to wipe the smile off his face, but his lips twitched at the sight of her pout. “I thought you’d have more stamina in your old age,” he teased, slinging her words back at her.
“Oh, you think you’re funny?”
She propped herself up on her hands, and his mouth watered as her breasts were mere inches away. Heat coiled low in his belly, and all amusement faded. This woman was slowly killing him.
Stepping closer, he wrapped her legs around his waist and picked her up off the counter. Her arms clung around his neck. Their lips fused together as he carried her into his room, dropped her on the bed, and followed her down.
“Are you going to last a bit longer, Avi-baby?” he said as he kissed her stomach, making his way to her breasts.
“I should slap you for that,” she hissed.
“I didn’t know you were into S-and-M now,” he teased.
“Just shut up and show me if you’ve improved over the years.” She groaned, threading her fingers through his hair.
He pulled away to look at her. “I wasn’t good enough for you back then?” Not once had she ever complained.
“You were okay.”
“Okay?”
Ava’s lips twitched, and she laughed.
“You’re going to pay for that,” he growled, too aroused to see the funny side at the moment.
“I can’t wait,” she said, giving him a hot look that singed his skin.
Neither could he. Reaching over to his bedside table, he pulled out a condom, ripped the foil packet with his teeth, and rolled it on with shaky hands. If he didn’t get inside Ava soon, he’d explode, and not in a both-get-satisfied kind of way.
They both gasped as he entered her hard and fast. She was warm and ready for him. Closing his eyes for a moment, he drew in a couple of jerky breaths. God, she feels good.
Her impatience showed when she gripped his arse, urging him to move. He didn’t need further encouragement, pumping into her as he buried his face in her neck. Her pulse raced fast under his tongue, and she rocked against him, matching his pace, until they both exploded in gasps of long moans and heavy breathing.
They kissed until their bodies stopped quivering, then Nick collapsed onto his back, throwing his arm above his head.
Tilting his head, he was pleased to see a woman who looked thoroughly sated. “That was better than okay, and damn, I think we got even better with age.”
Ava laughed and her breasts jiggled as she turned to look at him. That was all it took for him to get another hard-on.
“I have to agree.” Then she cast her eyes to what was happening do
wn south and raised them back to him with an arched eyebrow. “You’re ready again so soon?”
“I’m not as old as you think. We have one night, I want to make the most of it.”
She flashed him a sexy grin.
“Hold that thought.” He bounded off the bed and into the bathroom to clean up.
When he returned, she knocked him on his back and straddled him, leaning forward enough for her breasts to hang inches from his watering mouth.
“Ready for round two?” she purred.
Round two, three, fucking twenty. But instead of voicing his thoughts, he simply nodded.
“This time I’m in charge,” she said as she reached between them and stroked him.
His head tilted back, and he raised his arms above his head in complete surrender and grasped the headboard.
“I love a woman who’s in control.”
* * * *
The next day, Ava experienced the morning-after awkwardness she’d always avoided. Never had she spent the whole night in a man’s bed or let one stay in hers. But when she tried leaving Nick’s bed early in the morning, he’d reached for her hand, pulled her by his side, and proceeded to kiss her until her insides heated into liquid for the fourth time. And all thoughts of leaving vanished.
Now they fumbled around the house, trying not to get within touching distance. When Nick passed her a coffee, their fingers brushed, and he snatched his hand away as if he’d been burned. A tightness gripped at her chest as she took a sip of the hot brew, trying to pretend the simple touch hadn’t sent her heart racing.
God, she wished it would stop. This situation, and the effects it had on her body and mind, was something she had no idea how to deal with. Hopefully it would pass as soon as she left the house and stopped thinking about the night before. But what a night it had been. She hadn’t had sex like that since… Well, not since she’d last been with Nick, and it had only gotten better. It might actually be hard to forget.
Ava’s bag was packed and sitting by the front door, and Nick picked it up, not quite looking her in the eye. “You ready?”
She swallowed the last bit of coffee then nodded, took the mug to the sink and rinsed it. Turning to look at the small, cozy kitchen for the last time, a lump formed in her throat. There’d been so many great memories here. Even the new ones. They may not have begun that way, but they no longer hated each other. Nick’s betrayal of the past didn’t cut her like it once did. She wouldn’t have been able to sleep with him if she held on to old resentment. Maybe they could be friends after all, but if they couldn’t...well, her memories of him weren’t so bitter.
Chasing Trouble Page 10
