When I pushed through the front entrance, I headed straight to one of those hotel phones, but then I changed my mind. I decided to text him instead.
A: Hey, where are you?
P: I’m in room 317.
A: I’m coming up. Is that ok?
P: It’s more than ok.
A: See you in a minute.
With heart pounding, I pushed that button on the elevator and waited for the doors to open.
Chapter 24
Preston
My arrival in Vail coincided with her friend, Melissa’s. That worked to my advantage because it gave me the extra time I needed to get my head on straight.
My time on the ski slopes was spent trying to keep up with the girl. Justin had tried to tell me that she was an accomplished skier, but I never imagined she’d be as good as she was. I would catch glimpses of her every now and then but I stopped trying to even follow her after the first day. It was a waste of my time, not to mention a hazard to my health.
Avery’s description of Melissa was dead on. It would’ve been impossible not to recognize her, except I wasn’t expecting someone quite that flashy. Melissa loved the attention and made sure she got it everywhere she went. I could sense it made Avery uncomfortable, because that wasn’t her style, but it was apparent she was happy to have Melissa there, so she dealt with it just fine. It was hard not to stare at Melissa as she sailed down the ski slopes. Bright red frizzy hair, partially tucked beneath a red helmet, lips lined in shiny red gloss and wearing the brightest pink ski outfit I think I’d ever seen, she was quite the spectacle. Skiers would abruptly halt to watch her as she gracefully soared by, screeching and laughing at the top of her lungs. It was truly a sight to behold, and one I’ll never forget.
I tried to stay away from Avery’s studio, I really did, but that one day, I just couldn’t help myself. It was late afternoon and I’d watched her and Melissa head off to Tres Chicas with those ski instructors. I figured I had enough time to get in and out, but when I entered her place, I sensed her everywhere. Her scent enveloped me and I could almost touch her, making me want to stay forever. Looking at her things, seeing how and where she lived everyday, where she slept, made my heart pound.
Melissa’s suitcases were piled in the corner and the place was sort of a wreck. It looked like they had left in a hurry that morning. I walked over to the kitchen table and there was an open box. Deciding to snoop, I looked at the contents and chuckled. Inside were all sorts of sex toys, but the one on top caught my eye. It was a neon pink vibrator, but that wasn’t what had captured my attention. The fact that my name was written on it was what had done it. Had she been using that thing and thinking of me? I hoped like hell she had because she had been stuck on my mind like a damn strip of duct tape.
I moved to her bed and ran my hand across it. When I got to her pillow, I couldn’t stop myself from picking it up and holding it against face. I ached to feel close to her. That’s when I saw it. It had been hiding under her pillow. I didn’t know what it was at first, so I picked it up and smiled for the first time in I don’t know how long. She slept with my shirt beneath her pillow. It was my black shirt, the one I’d been missing forever. She had it!
I must’ve stood there for quite some time, because I suddenly realized it had grown quite dark. Voices were drifting up to me and my senses were alerted. I needed to get the hell out of there and fast. Moving quickly, I slipped out the door, locking it behind me. I surely didn’t want her to know anyone had been there. Still wearing my helmet, I was unrecognizable. I passed her on the street right outside her place. That had been way too close for comfort. As I thought back, I realized I’d left that damn shirt lying on the bed, instead of placing it back under her pillow. I prayed she wasn’t perceptive enough to notice. Knowing Avery though, she’d pick up on it right away. Damn it! I should never have gone in there. But then I grinned. Hell no! I wouldn’t have missed seeing that for anything.
********
When Avery’s text came in, my heart stopped. Her gifts had been delivered hours ago, but I didn’t know what time she’d gotten off work so I wasn’t sure if I’d hear from her or not. I didn’t set any expectations, because I decided not to set myself up for disappointment.
The light tap on the door indicated she was right there on the other side of that barrier. My hands became damp with sweat. What if she came here to tell me we were through for good? That the presents were nice and all but we were done? It was something I’d prepared for, but didn’t want to accept. She tapped again, so I pulled the door open and I could barely breathe, just looking at her.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hello to you,” I said back, moving aside to let her in.
She stood there for a second before I remembered myself. “May I take your coat?”
“Oh, yeah. That would be great. Thanks.”
Score one for Preston. I’m taking her coat. That means she’s going to stay at least for a few minutes.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“Um, no, I’m good.”
She looked so beautiful, I automatically reached out my hand to brush her hair off her cheek and as my hand touched her, I realized what I was doing. I gave my head a vigorous shake. “Forgive me, I...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I guess I...”
“It’s okay.”
We both fell silent for a few moments and then I said, “You look perfect Avery. You always look perfect.”
“Preston, I...”
“Before you say anything, can I say something?”
She nodded. I had to get this out before I lost my nerve or before she turned around and left. So I started talking.
“I have to tell you this. You need to know this. I was a fool. A complete and total fool but even worse than that, I was a fucking ass to you. I’ve replayed the whole situation over and over in my mind, countless times, and I was such a damn fool, an idiot and I fucked you over so completely. I was selfish and worried about losing you and had a complete disregard for your feelings, not to mention what I did to your life.” I couldn’t stand still as I spoke, so I paced in front of her, my hands tearing through my hair or rubbing my face. “I put myself--my feelings--before everything that was you and didn’t consider the consequences of my actions. Somehow, and I don’t know how, I thought they’d iron themselves out. Obviously that was ridiculously stupid and so terribly wrong, which brings me back to the fact that I was a damn idiotic fool. I am more sorry than I can ever say on every level possible, but mostly because I hurt you so deeply. I will repent those sins for the rest of my life. I know forgiveness is way too much to ask, but if perhaps you could find it in your heart to accept that I am so fucked up, maybe we can try again. I don’t know Avery. Just tell me something, because my life is worthless without you in it.”
She looked at me for the longest time and then walked to me and hugged me. When I felt her arms go around me, I thought I knew the greatest joy in my life. She pressed her cheek against my chest but I couldn’t stand there like that. I fell to my knees and buried my face against her as I held her. My hopes began to rise when her hands moved through my hair and she pressed my head against her. I looked up at her, rose to my feet, picked up her hand, and placed it against my heart. Then she started to speak.
“I’ve been unhappy since I’ve left you. But I can’t be with someone who isn’t honest with me. Honesty and trust go hand in hand. If I can’t trust you, we can’t have a relationship. When I found out what you did, it hurt so deeply. I didn’t know what to do and that’s why I ran. I had to get away from you to think clearly about it. Being around you clouds my head and I can’t think straight. I had to get away and think about us and other things.”
I rubbed her back while she talked. Just having her in my arms felt like a miracle.
“Thinking is a good thing Avery.”
“I suppose it can be. I can’t live your lifestyle. I don’t want to have to worry that someone is going to try to kill you or
me every day.”
I breathed deeply. “I don’t want that either.”
She leaned back a bit, just enough to look at my face. “But what about your job?”
“I’m on a year’s leave of absence right now, if that tells you something.”
“What about after that?”
“Well, what do you want to do?”
“I want to stay here.”
“Then we’ll stay here. I’ll go anywhere Avery, as long as I go with you. It’s your call. I’ll do whatever it takes. I only know that I want to do it with you.”
“I can’t go through that kind of hurt again Preston.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to, nor would I put you through that. I’m not saying that our lives will be perfect and we’ll never have disagreements. That’s unlikely, I think. But my heart and soul are yours Avery. Forever and not just for a month or two. I can’t promise that we won’t have ups and downs, but I will promise I won’t ever lie to you again, or hurt you the way I did last summer. I will swear that to you.”
Chapter 25
Avery
My heart was in my throat as his eyes grabbed mine. Warm golden flecks sparkled in their depths and my belly tightened as desire raged through me. His voice ignited the fire that was burning within me, and every word that fell from his lips seemed to increase that inferno that was now nearly out of control.
I fisted his shirt in my hands and slowly drew him toward me, desperate now for his taste on my tongue. His eyes shifted slightly, as if to ask if I was sure. Oh how I was sure. I’d been without this man for far too long and we had way too much to make up for.
Our mouths were a mere breath away from each other’s when he whispered, “Please tell me I’m not dreaming this, because you’re all I’ve thought about, night after night.”
“It’s no dream Preston. Kiss me. Now.”
He crushed his lips to mine and dear God, how I had missed the feel of him, the taste of him, the scent of him. Avery-kitty started to loudly purr once again. Preston’s tongue danced with mine as he tasted every secret place in my mouth. His arms held me tightly to him, but the best part of all was when he began whispering how much he loved me against my lips.
When we had to break apart to breathe, he walked us backward to the bed and pulled me on top of him as he fell back on it.
“Avery, please tell me to stop if you don’t want this. I’ll let you be our guide. But I’d just be happy to hold you all night, if that’s all right.”
“Don't stop. I want to touch you. All over. Now.”
“I think that can be arranged,” he smiled.
He flipped so I ended up on my back and he rolled over so he could strip off his clothing. I grinned as I enjoyed the divine view. He was, as usual, perfectly sculpted and beyond eye pleasing. When he was naked, he came to me, took my hands and pulled me to my feet. He ran his fingers beneath the hem of my sweater and slowly drew it up and over my head. My breath quickened when I felt the cool air caress my skin. His hands reached behind me and unclasped my bra, but I was surprised when he didn’t immediately remove the damn thing. I went to shrug it off, until he placed his hands on my arms, stopping any movement.
“You want me to keep it on?” I asked.
“Huh uh,” was all I got back. That is until his head dropped down to the strap that had slipped down my arm. He looked up at me then, smiled, and with his teeth, pulled the bra off of me.
I released my breath through my lips, trying to control that fire had now turned my blood into liquid heat. His tongue quickly made its way to my pebbled nipples, and I groaned, “I think I’m going to fall.”
“I won’t let you fall Avery. Ever.”
His mouth returned to my breasts, teasing and sucking my nipples until I didn’t think my body could stand it any longer.
Then he undid my jeans, slid them off my hips and stood there and stared. This was the part I hated because I felt I was on display.
“Please let me have my moment babe. You’re so damn hot.”
I bowed my head, unable to look at him. It was just too uncomfortable and I’d never be at ease like this.
I felt his arms go around me and then I was spun around so my back was flush against his chest. He held me close to him like that as his hands slid all around me. I leaned my head back and rested it on his shoulder.
“Is this what you want?” he asked me. His hands were moving to places that had my blood burning and my sex craving him.
“No, I don’t like that very much Preston. You’re going to have to do a bit better than that,” I teased.
He was fast. Really fast. I was tossed on the bed on my stomach and he was straddling me before I could form a thought. I felt his hands everywhere, massaging, manipulating, and soon his tongue went there too. Not long after that, I was a moaning mass of orgasmic activity. Preston did much better. In fact, he created a howling creature out of me.
After he was satisfied that I was satisfied, we made slow, deliberate, passionate love as we looked into each other’s eyes and held onto each other’s hands. It was sensual, erotic, primal, but soulful and heartwarming all the same. Yeah, I had certainly missed this, much more than I had admitted to myself.
Chapter 26
Preston
The room was warm enough and the heat from our bodies made covers unnecessary, which was great by me. It made it easier to enjoy the dips and hollows of Avery’s curves, as we lay together afterwards.
We had lots of things that needed discussing...so many things. I refused to skim over anything, because I wanted for her to be certain she was making the right choices this time around.
“Avery, I’ll go where ever you want to go, but you have to keep in mind that I am a messed up guy,” I began.
She groaned. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to discuss this tonight.”
“There is only one thing that I’m certain of in life, and it’s your happiness. That’s paramount to me. I’m willing to forego anything to be certain that happens. I’d like to talk about this so we can move forward, if that’s what you still would like to do. Babe, you know everything about me. Well, almost. There are some details about my past I’ve not shared...things that are fairly unpleasant and that I don’t speak of to anyone. Other than those, you know my past. I won’t sugarcoat things with you. I’m not that guy who leads the charmed life of perfection, where everything falls into place perfectly. In fact, my life has gone quite the opposite for me. But I’m loyal, I’ll always have your back, I’ll always do my best to protect you at all costs and you’ll have my undying love, whether you want it or not, forever. So the question now becomes whether you want me in your life as is.”
She ran her hand across my chest until she got to the tattoo of the sun that was obscured by the clouds. Once there, she fingered it lightly and then bent her head to trace it lightly with her tongue. Heat built in me then and I was afraid she was trying to distract me, so I called her on it.
“Your mouth is perfect, but are you trying to distract me, because you already know you do a damn good job of it.”
“I don’t want to think about this stuff right now. It’s been too long since I’ve touched you and kissed you. I only want that right now. Not words and talk of how fucked up you are. Okay?”
“Fair enough.” She’d made her point. We’d return to this conversation in the morning or soon after that. But she’d have her way tonight.
The rest of the Christmas night we alternated between making love, sleeping, kissing, touching, and other things, but we never talked about anything serious.
Once during the night, when she was sound asleep, she awakened me. Initially, I didn’t understand what was happening. All I heard was her voice.
“Please Preston, don’t leave me.” She was weeping, her cheeks wet from her tears. I was disoriented and couldn’t figure out why she was saying this. “Don’t leave again. Please. I don’t ever want you to go away from me.”
She was dreaming; it finally d
awned on me. Gathering her into my arms, I held her close to me and softly spoke to her, telling her I would be by her side forever, if she’d have me. I caressed her back and arms, dried her tears with my thumbs and continued to talk to her, until she became calm and slept peacefully once more.
********
Avery was still sleeping when I awakened. Not wanting to disturb her, I gently disentangled myself from her arms and slid out of bed. The night’s memories washed over me like a soothing balm, but I worried nonetheless over how she would react once she woke up. Would she regret what had taken place? Would she want to discuss the future? Was there even a future for us?
I washed my face and brushed my teeth and then looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection didn’t show what was in my heart or mind. In truth, I was scared to death. Yeah, I had contingency plans in place if things didn’t go the way I wanted them to, but my life wouldn’t be worth a damn.
Avery was everything to me. These last few months had proved that. She would have to decide what she wanted of her own accord. I promised myself I would do anything to win her back, but if she decided that wasn’t what she wanted, I would leave her and not bother her again.
When I got back to the bed, she was just beginning to wake up.
“Good morning there,” I whispered as I gathered her close to me.
“Hmm,” she hummed as she stretched. Then she curled back next to me, putting her face into the curve of my neck. I could feel her breath as it fanned across me, and my body tightened in response.
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