“Yes.”
He nodded before leaving. I could hear him taking the stairs two at a time. I sat down on the stool he had vacated and ate some of the chips he’d left on his plate. Agreeing to take care of Ava had been thought-free. It was an immediate knee-jerk reaction to the fear on her face. Offering to tie myself to Kenny had felt similar. I’d offered without thinking about what it would mean for me.
I didn’t do things without thinking. What was wrong with me? It was as if someone had flipped a switch in my head and I suddenly had protective instincts.
And I was pretty sure I knew who was to blame.
If anyone else had seen me, I would have denied it, but the thought of how Ava had influenced me made me smile. Everything felt a little more real, a little more survivable. Since I’d met her, I hadn’t felt like I’d sold pieces of my soul to be alive.
The sound of tires outside of the house had me on my feet. I moved close to the door and looked out the side of the curtain. The driver opened the door and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
Ava took the driver’s hand as he assisted her out of the car, one long, bare leg at a time. The skirt she was wearing must’ve been painted on and the blouse showed off all that cleavage Kenny had thought was worth dying for. Her hair swung around her shoulders in long waves, her bangs pushed to the side, showcasing her giant blue eyes. She was sex and innocence rolled into one perfect package.
Most importantly she was here, safe, and didn’t look scared.
I took a deep breath and tried to remember that I was watching to make sure nothing was wrong, not to stare at the gorgeous American. Ava slipped a bag over her shoulder and shifted a coat to her free arm. Her eyes ran over the house, but she didn’t make any move to go up the steps.
Mavis slid out of the car next, her blond hair twisted at the base of her neck, her outfit just as revealing as the one Ava wore, but she didn’t hold a candle to my girl. Ava held out the jacket for Mavis who waved it away. Her eyes met mine through the edge of the curtain and she smiled.
They were safe.
I stepped away from the window and ran a hand through my hair. It took a lot of will power to not open the door and go swoop Ava into my arms.
Ava used a key to open the front door, moving to the side and holding it open for Mavis. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for something. I stepped out of the shadows and drank in the smile that curved her mouth.
Mavis shut the door behind them and took the coat out of Ava’s hands. She said something I couldn’t hear before disappearing into the kitchen after a small nod in my direction.
I tucked my hands in the pockets of my pants. The need to hold Ava against me was so intense I was worried I’d hurt her. What if she had decided that everything between us had been a mistake? She’d been left with Mavis and her own thoughts for most of a day.
“Did you guys have any trouble?” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear and licked her lips.
“Other than Kenny eating as much as his body weight, we’re fine.” I let my eyes roam over her curves, the way her hands twisted together in front of her. “Did you?”
“Eat my weight in food?” She raised an eyebrow and a half smile pulled at her mouth.
“Trouble. Did you have any trouble?” I took a step toward her, caught in the gravitational pull of her eyes.
“No. It was actually really easy, which worried me more than anything. I kept expecting something to go wrong.” She took a step closer to me. She was wearing heels that almost brought her eye to eye with me. “No one even looked at us.”
“I guarantee that people looked at you.”
A blush rushed up her neck and I felt my own smile grow.
“The clothes were Mavis’s idea.” She looked down at the skirt and leaned over to look at her shoes, giving me a hearty glimpse of her cleavage. “I feel awkward.”
“You shouldn’t.” I took another step in her direction and took my hands out of my pockets. “You look like sex in heels.”
“I think that was her idea, but I’m not really the sexy type.” She bit her lip and I couldn’t help myself.
It took five large strides to close the distance between us. I tangled my fingers in her hair and enjoyed the way her lips, slick with lip gloss, moved against mine. That was new and unexpected. Her hands weren’t gentle either as she pulled at me. Her breathing was fast, her body fitting perfectly against mine, and I knew I was lost. Being away from her had been like holding my breath for hours on end.
“You are definitely the sexy type.” I pressed my mouth to the pressure point just below her ear. “Very, very sexy.”
“You like the clothes.” If I hadn’t already been standing at attention, her throaty laugh would have pushed me there.
“Yes.” I slid my hand to the nape of her neck so I could look deep into her eyes. “Very much. Now you should take them off.”
“Mavis said we could have the room downstairs. She was going upstairs to check on Kenny.” She threaded her fingers with mine and pulled me through a formal parlor to the back of the house.
I followed her, my eyes glued to the way her ass swayed as she walked in those mile high heels. She opened one door, but it was just a toilet. She closed it and opened the door next to it. There was a large four poster bed and other furnishings, but the only thing that really mattered was the bed. She tugged me into the room before leaning against the door and making sure it was locked.
I pressed behind her and let my hands roam up her body. I started to pull at her shirt but she turned and pushed my hands away.
“Nuhuh. You can’t tear these.” Instead she moved out of reach and slipped the black sweater off that she was wearing and laid it on a chair in the corner. When she began to unbutton her blouse, coherent thoughts fled my mind leaving behind nothing but anticipation and greed. Underneath that satin was a black lace bra that perfectly cupped her breasts. She let the shirt fall to the floor behind her before reaching to undo the zipper on her skirt. After it floated to the ground, she was standing there in nothing but the black lingerie and heels. It took a second for my mind to register just what my body saw.
She was a goddess and I felt totally inept. Which wasn’t something I had experienced since I’d been sixteen. This woman was a gift to be treasured and I was sweaty palms, unable to move.
She bit her lip, nerves showing in her eyes, and that was when it hit me. As she stood there, bare and willing, offering herself to me, an emotion I’d never fully appreciated smacked me in the chest.
This was what love felt like.
I loved Ava.
Nothing would ever be the same now. That thought seemed to align my brain and body. I walked toward her slowly, enjoying the way her pupils dilated as I neared. Tomorrow we would prepare for our trip. We’d have to make plans and I’d have to watch other men salivate over the sexy clothes. But not tonight.
Tonight was for us.
Trailing my fingers down her side I hooked them in her panties, sliding them down her legs, and helped her step out of them. As I stood back up I ran my hands along her skin, reveling in the goosebumps that erupted along her arms. With my thumbs I pushed the straps of her bra down her shoulders to press a kiss where each had just sat before wrapping my arms around her to undo the clasps in the back.
Her warm mouth sought mine, her lips tender as she kissed me. With soft strokes of her tongue she explored my mouth. I pushed the bra off, exposing her perfect breasts to the cool air around us. Her hardened nipples pressed against my shirt and she deepened our kiss, eager for what we could do together.
With gentle fingers she undid the buttons of my shirt and pushed it off my shoulders. Delicate hands trailed over my skin, touching everywhere she could reach. When her breasts brushed across my chest in teasing strokes I growled deep in my throat.
When we finally parted to breathe, she slid down to the floor in a graceful cascade of skin and dark hair. Her bright eyes sought mine as she undid my belt and pul
led me free from my pants. Every muscle in my body tightened in pleasure as her warm mouth enveloped me. The wet sounds coming from her lips and the soft moans that reverberated along my cock made it almost impossible to stay standing. Just the image of her kneeling in front of me while wearing those fuck-me shoes and her lips wrapped around me was enough to push me to the edge. I clenched my fists and fought to not lose it yet. I wanted to enjoy it for as long as possible.
I leaned back against a dresser when my legs threatened to give out. She moved with me, never losing her rhythm. Clutching at her hair, I took a ragged breath, and tried to think of anything but her mouth and the sounds she was making. My thighs burned from trying to stay still but my hips slammed forward, wanting to go faster. Needing to finish.
“Ava,” I growled. “If you don’t stop I’m going to come.”
Instead of slowing, she wrapped her hand at my base and her mouth picked up pace. I groaned and my hips moved with her. My orgasm was building, ready to break the dam at any minute. When I tried to pull her back, she pushed my hands away. Instead she circled my head with her tongue and I felt my eyes roll back.
“Ava, love, it feels too good.”
She pulled back from me, her mouth making a little popping sound.
“I want to do this.” The vision of her face next to my wet dick made me groan. “Let me take you there.”
She didn’t wait for my answer. Her hot mouth slid back over my shaft, taking in as much of me as she could before pulling back and then returning. Her free hand massaged my balls and that was all I could handle. My fingers clenched in her hair, holding her in place as I spilled into her mouth. The world seemed to explode around me and stars floated behind my eyelids. There was an eager need in the way she drank me down, her mouth hungry to taste everything I had to offer, and it was intoxicating. It was as if she thought she might never get to do it again.
When I was finished I swept her up in my arms and took her to the bed. She lay back, spreading her legs, and trailing a hand down to her warm center. Those damn heels were still on and I could already feel my dick tightening again. Watching as she touched herself was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. Her fingers played with the tender spot at the top before dipping lower and then inside.
Her hips lifted off the blanket and she moaned before biting her lip. I slid onto the bed and pulled her hand away from that tender spot. I lifted her fingers to my mouth, licking them clean while she watched me with hooded eyes. Moving between her legs, I lifted her hips up and placed my mouth where she had just been touching.
“Heaven.” I murmured against her skin. “You’re my heaven, Ava.”
I used my tongue to push her on, taking my time to enjoy all of the sounds that escaped her mouth, the way her hips struggled against me. When her breathing sped up and her groans grew louder, I pulled back.
Her whimper of disappointment made me smile. I crawled up her body, paying attention to each breast before looking down into her eyes.
“I want you moving under me Ava.” I kissed along her jaw as I slid inside her. “I want to feel you come.”
She rolled her hips against me and we groaned at the same time. When I matched her movements, I knew it wouldn’t be long before we reached the end.
I tilted her chin up so I could see her eyes. “I missed you.”
Her groan of need was loud as her body shuddered with pleasure. Her finger nails bit into my ass as she pulled me in deeper and despite my turn earlier I couldn’t hold back any longer. I came hollering her name, a sort of prayer to whatever god was listening. A plea to keep her, to never have to let her go.
“I missed you, too.” She looked up at me with satisfied eyes. “I didn’t like being away from you.”
I leaned my head down so it touched hers. “Me either.”
“Let’s not do that again, hm?” Her voice was tired but warm. Content. I would give my arm to be able to make her always sound like she did in that moment.
“Deal.” I lifted myself off of her and rolled to the side, keeping her tucked against me.
“Pinky promise?” She held up her little finger with a smile.
“Pinky promise?”
She took my hand, hooking her little finger with mine before kissing her thumb. She watched me expectantly and it took my sluggish brain a moment to understand why she was waiting. Leaning forward I mimicked her and kissed my own thumb.
“You can’t break a pinky promise.” She tucked her head against my good shoulder. “It’s serious stuff.”
“I’ve never made a pinky promise before.” I ran my hand over her shoulder and closed my eyes. “But I won’t break my promises to you.”
“It’s something I used to do with my parents.” Her voice took on a sad, thoughtful tone.
That was the first time she had mentioned her past. I didn’t want to push her for information. I knew how hard it was to share the darker parts of our memories.
“They died when I was in middle school.” I felt her draw in a deep breath, but she didn’t stop. “They were killed by a drunk driver. A hit and run.”
“I’m sorry.” It was such a useless phrase, but what else could I say? I hated hearing the grief in her voice.
“The worst part was that if the driver had stopped and called for help, they would have had a fighting chance. They might still be alive, working, sending me emails about their crazy clients. They’d owned a catering business that was pretty popular.” She shrugged, but I could tell it still hurt her. “But he didn’t and they died there, in the middle of a dark intersection. It was hard, but I had my grandmother. I moved out of Atlanta and onto her farm. It took some adjusting, but I was so angry at the world, it was probably the best place for me. She put me to work and eventually I found a sense of calm, a different type of happy.”
“You don’t have any siblings?” I’d had Marcus, even if he hadn’t been the best role model. At least I’d had someone to turn to.
That is, before he’d decided I was better off dead.
“Only child. But I had Grandma. She was more than enough family.” She chuckled, but it sounded a little wet. “So much personality in such a tiny woman. Mavis kind of reminds me of her. Nothing phased Gram. She was barely over five feet tall, but was larger than life.”
“You said she passed, too?” I remembered her mentioning inheritance money.
“I was in college then. I’d moved farther south to go to an art school, but we were still close.” She looked up at me. “At some point after my parents died I realized I could begrudge the world for taking the people I loved from me or I could be thankful I’d had any time with them at all. Not everyone gets that.”
I tightened my arm around her. My heart swelled. She was too perfect for someone like me. She was too perfect, period.
“Not everyone would be able to move on the way you did.” I turned my head so I could kiss her temple. “For example, you could have turned into a vigilante and hunted down the drunken driver. I know a few people like that.”
A sleepy chuckle floated up to my ears. “I don’t think our stories are exactly the same thing. But if I could have found that drunk driver before the police I probably would have tried to kill him. As it is, he’s still in jail, hopefully sharing a cell with someone stinky that likes to cuddle.”
“I can’t imagine you killing someone on purpose, love.” I closed my eyes, happy to have her next to me.
She didn’t respond for a while and I thought she had drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t until she moved her hand up to the stitches on my shoulder that I realized she was still awake.
“I would kill to protect the people I love.” Her voice was so soft I almost didn’t hear it. She slid her hand lower, over my chest, and paused, her fingers brushing my bandage.
I closed my eyes, my heart pounding under her palm. I’d give anything to be someone worth that kind of love. Gritting my teeth, I berated myself for even thinking about it. I didn’t deserve Ava, and the closer we became, the more
I realized it was true.
I just wasn’t strong enough to push her away. I knew eventually she would see the monster I was and wouldn’t think twice as she ran away. These moments with her would be memories I’d treasure for as long as I lived.
“Point me in the right direction and I’ll kill them for you.” Gathering her in my arms, I pulled her up so that she was resting on my chest, and tucked her head under my chin.
Something warm dripped onto my chest, but I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure why she was crying, but I wrapped my arms around her a little tighter. Words weren’t my best skill, but holding her was rapidly becoming my strong suit.
MY FINGERS TIGHTENED, digging into my hips. The urge to poke Owen in the chest was so strong I didn’t trust my hands away from my body. He made stubborn an art form.
“If you’re going to teach him, you might as well teach me. He’s not even going in the casino! I am! I should know how to defend myself.” My foot tapped against the concrete of Mavis small back patio.
“I’m teaching him the basics, the very bare basics, so we can build from there. This isn’t the kind of stuff you’ll need to escape those pros. It’s completely different.” He held his hands in the air, his eyes trained on me like I was predator.
Two days. Today and tomorrow was all the time I had to prepare for the casino. Nightmares had haunted my restless night as images of Owen and Mavis dead circled around me. I couldn’t stop it from happening, couldn’t keep the bad guys away. I wasn’t enough…of anything.
“You can work with me.” Mavis took the last few steps and gave me a welcoming nod. “Go grab some workout clothes from my room and meet me back down here. I have a routine. Stretch, run, stretch, katas, and then sparring. Work for you?”
“Hell yes!” I took the stairs two at a time, ignoring the angry tone Owen was using to address Mavis. The master suite was on the top floor. Ceiling to floor mirrors covered one wall and I realized that her closet lay just behind those doors.
Once I’d found clothing that actually fit, I headed back outside. The pants were capris on me, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t trying to look good.
The Accidental Assassin (Assassins #1) Page 23
