by Kate Benson
“You’re right. They’re the enemies. We have to stick together,” I nod, pretending to calm myself before bending to get closer. “By the way, I gotta tell you - I think it’s really cool that you’re taking this so seriously.”
“Obviously. There’s a lot at stake.”
“Exactly,” I shrug. “Anyway, we would’ve been fine, but gimpy over there conned my ass out of half that last pitcher and became the Holyfield of darts,” I gesture toward Sam, eyes narrowed before I return them to Ava. “So, basically, you gotta kick ass or we’re shit outta luck.”
“Gotcha,” she nods, releasing a deep breath as she glances toward the board and then back at me. “Okay, I’m ready,” she promises, standing upright and reaching for my palm, sliding hers across before bumping my fist with hers and mirroring my snap at the end, making me snicker. “Let’s do this.”
“Oh, my God! Let’s go!” Nick shouts.
“Don’t rush her!” I warn.
“Did y’all come up with a team handshake?” Sam snorts over her glass, pulling our eyes to hers. I’m about to answer when Ava cuts me off, her expression so stoic, you’d think I’d just asked her to defuse an explosive.
“That’s classified,” she replies seriously, shaking her limbs out and ignoring our laughter as she stares ahead. “It’s go-time,” she whispers, almost to herself, as she extends her palm, glancing over her shoulder. “Dart me.”
I reach for the three darts that will seal our fate and hand them to her, giving her a very serious nod before leaning back against the edge of the table we’ve been sharing for the last couple of hours.
Tonight’s the longest I’ve spent with her outside her house aside from last week when I talked her into coming with me to the festival. We had fun, but she was nervous then. Tonight, she’s a little more laidback and showing me more of her personality.
I’ve gotta be honest. She’s fucking spectacular.
She raises her arm, a moment passing before she throws and hits the outer edge of the ring, earning only four points.
“Dammit,” she hisses under her breath, pulling a taunting snicker from our competitors. We flash them simultaneous death glares, immediately putting an end to their laughter.
“Y’all are getting too fuckin’ into this shit…” Nick accuses.
“I don’t recall asking you, Nicholas,” she counters, making me laugh once more. “Now lock it up.”
“I’m just sayin’,” he reasons, still chuckling to himself. “Our bill is only twenty-eight dollars. Calm the hell down.”
“That’s twenty-eight reasons why I’m about to smoke your ass!” Ava promises, making me choke on my beer. “Now hush up over there.”
“I’m sorry,” he rolls his eyes. “I didn’t hear you. I was tallying up your four points.”
“I’ve got something you can tally,” she whispers, making me snort.
“Don’t pay any attention. He’s just trying to psych you out,” I reassure her, still beaming. “You got this.”
The second throw doesn’t stick, pulling a low string of profanity from her lips that makes Nick and Sam howl.
“That’s okay,” I call out. “Brush it off.”
Her eyes don’t falter for long, her focus intent regardless of the noise coming from behind her. Without waiting for them to quiet down, she raises her arm and throws, hitting the outer edge once more, this time on the eleven.
For a brief second, the four of us grow silent, the weight of Sam’s drunken mathematics and our uncertain victory hanging in the balance.
“What’s my score?” she asks, her voice leaving her in a hushed whisper as she stares at the board for a moment before slowly turning to face Nick.
“Twenty-six.”
“Twenty-six?” she asks, pulling a defeated nod from him before she faces me, her eyes wide with suspense. “What did we need?”
“Twenty-one,” Nick groans.
“We won?” she asks, pulling a sigh from Nick as he pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and curses below his breath. “Did we win?” she demands, jumping up and down in place for a moment when I throw my hands up in victory, making my way over to her. “Holy shit, we won!”
Her words come out in a loud squeal, her excitement contagious as she clears the distance, jumping into my arms and returning my tight embrace.
Between the adrenaline and the victory, I never saw it coming. Neither of us did.
That doesn’t matter, though.
When Ava grabs my face and presses her lips to mine, I don’t dare pull away.
We didn’t see it coming, but as I taste her for the first time, I swear I’ve been waiting to kiss these lips for a lifetime.
Ava
Maybe it’s the adrenaline from the win or the fact that I’m feeling comfortable in my skin for the first time since I was fifteen. Maybe it’s the fact that for the last few weeks, I’ve been experiencing an attraction I never thought I’d feel again after my hellacious marriage.
Who knows?
In this moment, I don’t know anything other than the feel of his tongue slipping out to touch mine, the way his chest feels as mine heaves in need against it, the way his stubble brushes against my fingertips.
Right now, I know nothing beyond his lips.
Jesus Christ in Heaven, his lips.
I’ve wondered for weeks if they were as soft as they looked, what his full lower lip would taste like if it ever brushed against mine.
I told myself it wouldn’t be everything and then some, but I was wrong…
It’s enough to make me climb further up his front, my thighs clenching his waist tighter the second I feel the gentle rumble slipping from his chest. My fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck, his palm sliding slow up my back until he reaches my shoulder and then we just slowly melt into each other. God, I don’t even think we’re two separate people by the time we pull away panting.
I didn’t plan to kiss Nate, but once he pressed his lips to mine, the thought of pulling away never once crossed my mind.
Chapter Fourteen
Ava
“Do you have to get up early for work?” The night air is light, the breeze gentle as it sweeps across our skin under my porch light. He shakes his head, a strand of his brown hair falling boyishly over his brow as his green eyes meet mine. “Do you want to come inside then?”
“Yeah, I can come in,” he nods, his low voice somehow still sending a slight shiver up my spine.
“Okay,” I whisper, holding his eyes and returning his nod as I bite on my lip for a second before I turn to unlock the door.
I push it open, glancing over my shoulder as he closes it behind us and follows me inside. I toss my keys onto the small table inside the entryway and kick my shoes off before setting the rest of my things down on the coffee table.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask, moving toward the kitchen, my nerves unrelenting.
Jesus, Ava. You just shoved your tongue down the man’s throat over a game of darts. The time to get butterflies has come and gone, I think to myself, blushing at my own internal rationalization.
“Sure,” he says, quietly following me toward the refrigerator. His movements are awkward as he comes to a stop beside me and rests against the counter, surely due to my unreasonable anxiety.
It wasn’t long after I kissed him that Sam and Nick said they had to head home for the night. While no part of me believed that hours and a half dozen beers after her injury, the pain in Sam’s ankle had suddenly become so unrelenting she needed to rest. Conveniently, the only person who was able to drive me home became Nate, which I didn’t believe, either. However, I appreciated their attempt to lie to help pull some of the attention from my unexpected behavior.
In my defense, though, no one was more surprised than I was that I’d attacked him.
I also wasn’t avoiding him. If anything, that kiss had opened my eyes to something I thought I may never feel again. Ever.
I couldn’t stop thinking a
bout Nate’s lips on mine.
He had held the conversation the full drive home, his voice low and thoughtful as he made small talk, avoiding any mention of the bar or of us once he took in my silence. I guess I feel a little guilty for not saying more, he probably thinks I’m a real nutjob now. I mean, who jumps their neighbor’s son in the middle of a bar and then suddenly resembles a mute?
This girl.
“What do you have?” he asks, pulling me from the seemingly mesmerizing contents of my fridge.
“What?” I blurt loudly, making us both jump slightly. I shake my head, my cheeks going crimson as I meet his eyes and pull my gaze away almost instantly. “I’m sorry,” I say, my voice lower this time. “I’ve got water, milk, juice and tea.”
“Tea’s good,” he replies, his eyes softening as he watches my shaking hand reach for the pitcher. “I can pour it,” he offers, taking it from me.
“Okay.”
“There you go,” he smiles, handing me a glass a moment later before resting against the counter across from me.
We drink our tea in silence, each of us exchanging the occasional awkward smile before succumbing to the quiet once more. This is stupid, Ava. He’s been here twice already. He glances away, his eyes studying something on my kitchen wall for a moment, my own moving toward the floor to study the same tile I’ve been walking on since I was seven years old. This is painful, I think to myself, sipping from my glass once more. Just get through this tea and maybe he’ll leave so you can die in peace.
“This tea is good. I got it on sale. I think it’s Lip-”
“Oh, for the love of God,” he cuts me off, clearing the distance between us faster than I expect and gripping my waist, pulling me close.
His lips press to mine with enough force to have me stumbling back a half step, his palm spreading wide over my waist the only thing keeping me upright. His lips brush over mine easily, the taste of him feeding something deep inside I never knew existed until today. As his tongue darts out to taste mine, I relax and can’t keep the low whimper from slipping from my chest and when he hears it, the soft rumble leaving him vibrating against me in the most delicious way. He pulls away a moment later, my eyes flit open slowly, finding him already staring down at me, the pad of his thumb slowly grazing the small of my back.
“Are we good now?” he asks, making my cheeks flare for a moment before I clear my throat and give him a subtle nod. “Think maybe you’d like to try talking to me again?”
“Sure,” I rasp, staring up at him nervously as I pull away from him. “I’m sorry I made things so awkward,” I offer quietly. “I just…” I meet his eyes, not sure how to say the next part.
Thankfully, he doesn’t make me.
“I know,” he whispers, his mouth quirking up slightly on one side. “Normally I wouldn’t assault a woman in her own kitchen…” he admits, his lips quirking up slightly. “But I figured I kind of owed you one.”
This time, I can’t keep the broad smile from stretching over my lips, a low groan leaving me as he begins to chuckle and winks back at me.
“Don’t be embarrassed, sugar,” he shrugs, holding my eyes. “I thought it was hot.”
“Yeah?”
“Mhmm,” he hums, his eyes smoldering slightly as he takes a small step away and sips from his glass. “I’ve gotta tell ya. I’ve won at darts plenty of time and Nick hardly ever gives me that kind of action.”
His words catch me off guard for a moment, but once they register, I can’t stop the loud laughter from leaving my chest. He winks once more, his low chuckle putting me at ease almost instantly and I savor in that.
“I really like you,” he says bluntly.
“I really like you, too,” I admit, nervously fidgeting with my fingernails for a moment before my eyes meet his. “I’m just…” I trail off, my nerves resurfacing for a moment as I search for the right words. “Things have been pretty messed up for me lately. My life is kind of a wreck, Nate,” I admit, watching his features even out slightly. “There are pieces of my past, pieces of me that are broken and I’m not sure they’re ever going to be okay again,” I admit. “I’m not sure how much of myself I’ve got left.”
“I’m a little messed up, too, Ava,” he replies, his voice low as his fingertips graze my chin, his eyes holding mine for a moment before he clears his throat, his gaze moving to my lips before he faces me once more. “I’m not asking for much. I’ll take whatever pieces of you you’re willing to give me.”
His words are so sweet, so honest and forward, I’m stunned speechless for a moment as I swallow hard, staring back at him. There isn’t a piece of me that doesn’t think he’s not being genuine, a tiny sliver that doesn’t mean what he’s saying.
I believed Eddie, too, though.
I believed Eddie and he nearly killed me.
This isn’t the same, I remind myself.
“If this is too much for you…” Nate says, his low voice pulling me back to him. “Do you want me to go?”
I’d be lying if I said I’m not terrified.
My only significant relationship was such a disaster, grazing every nightmarish marriage story you’ve ever heard and likely a few you haven’t. Right now, I’m not even sure I’ll ever fully recover. However, as I stare up at Nate, the thought of him walking out the door, the mere suggestion of never tasting his lips against mine again, is the only thing that scares me more.
“Av-”
“No,” I cut him off this time. “No. I don’t want you to go.”
“Good,” he nods, his eyes trailing over my face for a moment before the return to mine, his soft smile coming easy.
“This just has to go slow,” I warn, biting my lip nervously as I glance back up at him. “Very, very slow.”
“Done,” he whispers, nodding so gently, I feel his silent promise all the way down to my bones. “I can handle slow.”
“Are you sure?”
“You kiddin’ me, sugar?” he asks, his voice so low, it’s nearly a breath. “If it means you might be kissin’ me like that again, I’ll go slow enough to put molasses to shame.”
Chapter Fifteen
Nate
We share another quiet night on her couch, her falling asleep against my chest much like she had the last time. Our breakfast is spent in companionable silence and when I move to lift her plate, she pulls it away, waving me off.
“You cooked, I’ll clean,” she says, draining her coffee cup before reaching for my plate and moving toward the sink.
I watch her move quickly in front of me, filling the small sink with water hot enough to cause a slow waft of steam to fill up in front of her as bubbles begin to rise. Her shorts from last night rise slightly with her movements, pulling my eyes to her tanned legs and wondering if they’re as soft as they look from over here. She hums quietly to herself, oblivious to the spell she’s casting as she makes quick work of the chore while I drain my coffee and rise, moving closer.
“What do you have planned for today?” I ask, my low voice from behind her startling her just enough to make her jump, nearly dropping the sudsy plate into the water. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You didn’t,” she shakes her head, her gaze moving low toward my lips before she moves back to meet my eyes. “You don’t.”
“Good,” I smile small, something in my chest warming with her words. I’m considering leaning in, the temptation of her lips almost too much to bear before she finally shakes her head clear, pulling away from me just enough to wipe the thought from my mind.
“Nothing,” she answers, and it takes me a moment to remember that I’d asked her a question at all. “Well, I mean, I have to work,” she groans quietly. “Short shift, but I have to be there at nine.”
I swallow my disappointment that she’s got to leave soon, even though I’ve got plenty to do myself. I bite down on my lower lip, thinking on the rest of my day as I lean against the counter beside her, watching her do the last of the dishes from our breakfast
.
“What time do you get off?”
“Three, I think,” she says, wiping the steam from her brow before she shuts off the water and turns to face me more fully.
“Three, you think,” I repeat, making her nod as she flashes me a small smirk. “Alright, well, I’ve got to take my mom to run a few errands. I should be back by around three, I think,” I tease, smiling with her as her lips widen. “Me and The Monster were planning on going fishing up at the lake,” I continue, patting Rocky’s head, my chest clenching as she giggles at my playful nickname for him. “You want to come?”
“Isn’t it supposed to rain?” she asks, making me shake my head.
“I don’t think so.”
“Okay, then sure,” she nods, setting her dishtowel to the side before facing me again. “I might just have to sit there and watch you, though. I don’t have a rod or anything.”
“That’s okay. I’ve got a rod you can borrow,” I wink, the double entendre making her blush furiously, pulling a low chuckle from my chest.
“Oh, my God,” she rolls her eyes and swats at me with the discarded towel despite the wide smile she’s wearing. “I take it back. I don’t like you at all.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” I counter, grabbing her chin and pressing a quick and unexpected kiss to her lips before I pull away. “Thank you for breakfast,” I say low, motioning for Rocky to follow me toward the door. “I’ll see you at three, I think.”
Ava
“Are you ready yet?” he calls out from across the grass as I step out of my dad’s truck.
“Well, I just pulled up to my house and I’m still in my uniform, so obviously.”
He’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt that fits him perfect, the arms clinging to his toned biceps in ways I can only envy from across the grass. I’m tracing the lines of the tattoo peeking out from beneath the cotton when his voice tugs at my thoughts.
“Are you being a smartass, young lady?”
“Me? Never,” I shake my head dramatically, sarcasm on high-blast as I come to a stop at the edge of the fence. He narrows his eyes in feigned annoyance, the smirk on his lips giving him away. “I just need like ten minutes and I’ll be all set,” I promise, glancing up at the sky and taking in the darkness of the clouds overhead. “Are you sure it isn’t going to rain?”
