Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove)

by London, Siera

  “I don’t know what to do.” Her cheeks burned with the admission. Her battered self-esteem couldn’t take it if she disappointed Logan. She hadn’t been able to satisfy Marcus. She had tried, but the pain was unbearable. She hadn’t “practiced” in a long time.

  How could she please him with rusty lady parts?

  “Ava, sweetheart, you are thinking too hard. We will share a bed, nothing more until you are ready.”

  “But you said we would finish what we started.”

  “And we will, when the time is right for both of us. For tonight, let’s agree to a bedroom.” Her expression was nothing short of elation. Logan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

  “You look a little too relieved. Care to share?”

  “I was thinking my… that is, my ‘lady parts’ are a little rusty.” She fidgeted and cleared her throat. She felt the heat rising to her cheeks.

  “Sweetheart, I assure you, your lady parts are fine. When you give yourself to me, it will be my pleasure to teach you everything you want to know. I’ll even let you demonstrate what you have learned.”

  The butterflies in her stomach lost some of their fluttering at his reassurance. He wasn’t forcing her. It was her decision. Her choice.

  “Too good to be real. You always know what to do.”

  She closed her eyes, pushing against the fear threatening to engulf her.

  It’s sleeping, she reminded herself. You sleep all the time. The difference was her Kryptonite would be next to her. All six feet two inches, iron muscled, warm skinned male. She could do this. She wanted to do this for him. No, she wanted this for herself. To be close to him, intimately close.

  “Everything to do with you and me is real. You’re mine. I’ll always take care of you. Come, tonight you will sleep in my arms.”

  She stared up at him, gripped by apprehension. She felt his hold on her hands loosen, she clutched at his fingers. “I’m ready.”

  Logan had grown accustomed to her scent, the way her chest rose and fell in sleep, how she draped her hair over the left shoulder so it brushed against his chest as he curled protectively around hers. He still hadn’t seen her fully unclothed, but he knew her body. It was getting harder, literally, for him to control his cravings for her.

  Twice a week, three times if their schedules permitted, Ava would grace him with one of her home cooked meals waiting for him after work. At night’s end, she’d climb into one of the four guest beds and wrap that lithe, hot body around his and go to sleep. How she managed to sleep was beyond him. He spent half the night adjusting his erection. They had yet, to share the master bedroom. He could be patient with her holding back her body, but she guarded something more precious. Trust. Her trust had not been given to him. Not fully. What more could he offer her in reassurance? He knew he had a piece of her heart, but the essence of who she was remained under maximum security.

  A familiar voice interrupted his imaginings.

  “Logan, my friend why aren’t you laced up?”

  Logan placed the protein shake in his hand on the counter to glare at his best friend.

  “I did tell you to stop walking into my house unexpectedly.” He gestured for Graham to take a seat.

  “And I told you to start locking your doors.” Logan raised his brows. Graham had returned from a three-week visiting professor position in Washington, D.C. earlier in the week. His friend’s usual good nature and pristine appearance was in short supply this morning. Already, dressed in his running gear, he looked haggard.

  “I forgot about our run this morning. What’s going on with you?” Logan studied his friend. Something was definitely up with him.

  With a fixed stare, Graham released a noisy breath before he spoke.

  “Why are you asking, Logan?”

  “You look like crap. I don’t usually have a pissed off grizzly in my house at eight o’clock in the morning.”

  Graham laughed at that. “Whatever. Are we running or not? You are not the man to advise me about a woman. I’d be better off talking to a Catholic priest.”

  Woman troubles. Logan could relate.

  “A woman and secrets. Nothing good can come from the two of them together. What’s her name?”

  “This coming from the man shrouded in control with the emotional capacity of a clam shell. Take your own advice, Logan.” Graham had not disclosed the woman’s name. Fascinating.

  Ava picked that moment to call for him. Graham furrowed his brows.

  “An overnight guest? What planet are you from and where have you taken Logan?” Graham was laughing at his own joke. Logan was not amused. Graham was studying him now. His amusement faded.

  “Wasn’t it you that mentioned secrecy? That’s not Rebecca back there. What’s mystery lady’s name?”

  Graham asked pointing toward the downstairs bedrooms.

  “Mine.” Maybe he should have chosen a less Neanderthal word, but truth was truth.

  Graham laughed at him.

  “Logan, you should change your name to universal remote, because you want to control everything.”

  “You are not my therapist, Hamilton the Third.”

  Graham frowned at the use of his last name. The man hated being referred to as the third of anything. Logan resorted to name calling when Graham irritated him. Like he was doing now.

  “Her voice is sexy. Anyone I know,” Graham leaned on the counter.

  “No. She doesn’t mingle in our circle. And do not flirt with her.”

  “Me?” Graham was irritating him.

  “What’s happening with the Holbrook’s and the position on the board?”

  “Nothing has changed with the Masters-Holbrook partnership.” His friend looked at him with an against medical advice expression on his face.

  “It will when Sam Holbrook sees you with a woman other than Rebecca. You’re jeopardizing your future.” Another leash to keep him on the Masters family path to success. He’d find a way to have both. Graham had the forethought to stop talking when Ava’s voice drew closer. She emerged from the side hall. Rich milk chocolate eyes, backlit with happiness, sun kissed chocolate locks flowing over her shoulders, and just for him. All thoughts of family loyalty, partnerships and board positions faded from existence.

  “Logan you didn’t answer me.” Ava’s appealing voice was music to his ears. “Have you seen my noise-canceling earphones, they were here the last time.”

  Ava rounded the corner, seeing Graham she stopped mid-sentence. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had a visitor. I’ll be in the den.”

  “Come over, Ava. Meet Graham Hamilton III, my friend since undergraduate.”

  “The Johns Hopkins class mate. Logan told me about you, it’s nice to meet you Graham. I’m Ava Walters.” Graham closed his grip over Ava’s slender fingers in a familiar hold. Logan waited two beats. Graham had not released her hand.

  “Wow. You are gorgeous and the pleasure is all mine.” Graham raised Ava’s hand to plant a kiss on her wrist. Logan had warned him.

  At his snarl, Ava jumped and Graham stilled. Logan stood, snatching Ava’s hand from his friend’s grasp.

  “If you put your lips on my woman, a ring of spinning stars will be the last thing you see before the EMTs wheel you to the ambulance.”

  “You did mention she was yours,” Graham smiled. “My apologies, Ava.” Logan pulled her into his side.

  Logan saw Ava’s jaw drop at his blatant threat. Not a threat. A promise.

  Graham’s laughter filled the room. “Hey, I was trying to understand the nature of your relationship with Ava.”

  “You’re a pain in the...” At her glare Logan stopped short of his full comment. Graham doubled over with laughter.

  “Nice move Ava, it’s about time a woman curbed his proclivity for profanity. A terrible habit he picked up during residency.”

  “I can leave if we aren’t running this morning,” Graham said. Logan was glad his friend had arrived at the correct answer without his input. He wouldn’t leave Ava
.

  “Good idea to reschedule.” If they didn’t leave the house in the next ten minutes the sidewalks would be overrun with early morning java drinkers en route to any number of the Avondale coffee houses. Though he lived in a historic district, there was ample vehicular traffic, even this early on a Saturday morning. Running in the street was not safe. “No surgeries scheduled for Tuesday morning? I’ll meet you at the river walk, say six thirty,” he replied to Graham.

  “Please don’t change your plans for me, Logan.” Ava released his hand to exit the kitchen. “I’ll go.”

  He grabbed her around the waist, hauling her back to his side. “You are not leaving.”

  She cut her eyes at him. “I was saying before the interruption, I will go with you. A morning run would be nice.”

  Both men glanced at the other, unsure how to decline her request without offense.

  “Sweetheart, we run ten miles on Saturday.” His comment earned him a tight face and a hard smile. Arms crossed over her chest she looked at him with narrowed eyes.

  “A ten mile run is no big deal.” Logan looked at her with incredulity. “If I slow you down I know how to find my way back home.” Was that a hint of sarcasm in her voice? He looked at her again. She rolled her eyes upward. He smiled to himself. She was getting more comfortable with their relationship.

  Logan was still skeptical, as was Graham judging by his grim expression. Neither man wanted to deal with the fallout of telling any woman no.

  “Alright,” Logan said on a slow release. “You can go, but the side door will be unlocked.” She gave him a pointed look, moving toward the door.

  “Oh ye of little faith,” came the snarky reply. Definitely sarcasm. This was new. He loved it. “I remember where I left my ear buds. Let me grab them and I will meet you at the door.”

  They exited the house turning in the direction of Bastian Point Park. The park was nestled at the far end of the neighborhood on the banks of the Saint Dasius River.

  Ava ran alongside him in comfortable silence. He hadn’t expected her to keep in step with their longer strides. She had established a steady pace. Looking at her form and even breathing he realized she was a trained runner. Why hadn’t she told him?

  He and Graham were used to running without uttering one word in sixty minutes. Logan was about to break that unspoken rule.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you are a runner?”

  She didn’t answer.

  At his touch, she glanced up.

  “Sorry, I’m not used to sharing my run time with anyone. What did you say?”

  So, she was a runner.

  “You are a long distance runner.”

  Why was he irritated by the discovery? Because it was something about her he didn’t know. A secret.

  “Yes, I’ve been running since junior high. I ran track in high school. Running helps me decompress. It’s my brand of escapism.”

  “You should have told me. We can run together after work.”

  “It’s not a big deal. I run by myself. You know I like outdoor activities.”

  She was minimizing this breach of trust.

  “When women say that it usually means shopping in open air malls or sitting on the beach.”

  “No thanks, I’d rather run.” Lengthening her stride she moved ahead, in line with Graham now. She could move fast. Logan sped up.

  No woman would have the power to destroy him again. He would set the terms for their relationship. No secrets and no half-truths. “What else don’t I know about you?”

  Ava’s steps faltered at the accusation in Logan’s tone. His obvious upset at what he perceived as her withholding an insignificant detail, was irrational. She said the first thing that came to mind.

  “Is it normal for you to talk this much on your runs?”

  Her tongue brushed the scar to her lip. She controlled the fear. This was Logan. He wouldn’t hurt her for speaking her mind.

  Graham slowed his pace to observe the drama unfolding between her and Logan. Great.

  A wave of laughter disrupted Ava’s thoughts and caused Logan to glare.

  “She’s got you there.” Mirth danced in Graham’s eyes. Logan didn’t look pleased with his friend’s comment.

  “Stay out of this Hamilton the Third,” Logan ribbed back. Graham frowned. She guessed being called that was a point of contention between the men.

  Ava trapped her lower left lip to stop the burn.

  “Let’s talk at home Logan. It’s a beautiful day and I want to finish my run.”

  Her concentration was shot to pieces. Finish the run, get keys, and go home. That was the plan.

  “Yeah, Logan. Your nagging is blowing my runners’ high.” Graham, similar to Lina, tried to lighten the mood.

  She could feel Logan’s eyes at her back. His anger was palpable, even in an open space. She knew better than to get too close. The habit of staying the night with Logan was officially a step in the wrong direction.

  The unpleasant conversation was the evidence of her poor decision making ability. She would grab her overnight bag the second they returned. Goodbye, nice to meet you song and dance for Graham’s benefit, then she would be on her way home.

  Logan’s deep timber interrupted her escape planning. “I know how your mind works Ava. Do not try to leave when we return home.” She sighed, put on a placating smile and lied.

  “I was thinking about my plans for tomorrow.”

  She did need to see Lina. Her friend had dropped off the radar and Ava was worried. She knew it had something to do with Jace. Whatever he’d done it extended beyond the break-up. Jace couldn’t meet her eyes during the general staff meeting last week.

  “You mean our plans, sweetheart.”

  Not this time, buddy. His smooth talking was a wasted effort.

  “Are you planning to attend church with me in the morning?” She tossed the invitation, knowing he had a seven thirty-five tee time with his father and Darwin. Good. They needed some time apart.

  “Logan, when did you start going to church?” Graham asked. Logan narrowed his eyes, flattened his lip and glared at his friend.

  “Stop interrupting Graham, or I’ll clip you in the knee.” He turned back to Ava. “I was there for two and a half hours last Sunday that should count as a double shift.”

  “So you’re not coming,” she offered in a singsong voice. “I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

  Logan looked at her. She shrugged.

  “Granny Lou is cooking since my parents are on vacation. She has one rule for Sunday dinners. Commune with Jehovah or no brunch when it’s over. If you don’t go to church, you don’t eat anything she’s prepared. There’s leftover salmon in the fridge.”

  “Ava, you can cook and you make sure he’s fed before you leave. You are an angel. Are you sure you want this guy? I’m a domesticated house cat compared to Logan.” She peered around Logan’s sweat glistened body to look at Graham.

  “I’ve noticed.” Of course, she had to be infatuated with, probably falling head over stupid heels for the most controlling man in the southeastern corridor.

  “Stop flirting with her and what do you mean you’ve noticed?”

  Ava shifted her eyes to look at Logan. “It’s not anything bad. Graham seems to be more temperate, that’s all I meant.”

  “Don’t compare me to another man.” Slowing her pace, Ava shook her head in disbelief. He had morphed into a madman.

  She glanced in Logan’s direction, felt the flames of his anger directed at her. This was a disaster. Whatever he was truly mad about, she couldn’t fix. Time stopped, she backed away from both men.

  “I’m going home.” Her lips began to quiver. She stumbled back on her heel, turned and sprinted in the opposite direction. Fighting back a tear, the haze of emotion obscuring her vision.

  He had messed up.

  “Masters, you are dipped in stupid.”

  “I know.” His chest felt tight with anguish.

  “Take some advice for
once in your life. When handling a butterfly, take care not to crush it.” He stared at Graham for a moment.

  “I have no idea why I did that to her. The thought of not knowing everything about her is grating. She amazes me, but I keep screwing up.” He ran his fingers threw his hair, mentally kicking himself again, because he fully understood the ramifications of his actions. Ava would pull away.

  “I want her, Graham. My need for Ava borders on fanaticism. I don’t understand the intensity of what I feel. But, I will not tolerate secrets between us.”

  “The fact that she likes to run and you didn’t know, doesn’t strike me as a major stumbling block to a healthy relationship,” Graham said. “Your response, on the other hand, is a game stopper.”

  Logan blew out a breath.

  “You verbally attacked her. A lesser woman probably would have broken down into tears. Are you sure you’re ready for this relationship?”

  “Careful, Graham.” Logan’s spine went ramrod straight, jaw clenching, and fists tight.

  “I’m a friend that is not threatened by your roar. I get why you despise secrets, but Ava is not Brooke.” Logan raised both hands, halting the conversation.

  “I am well aware of who Ava is without you stating the obvious. My relationship with Ava has nothing to do with my past.” The doubtful look on Graham’s face had his nostrils flaring.

  “Be sure that what happened with Brooke isn’t driving you to control every aspect of your relationship with Ava. You’re very possessive of her.”

  “I am protective of her. Ava is mine.” His posture remained rigid, bracing for the next blow.

  “That’s what I’m talking about. How long have you been with her?”

  “Four weeks, but time is irrelevant. I would still feel possessive and protective of her.”

  “She might be the one for you. She’s cute as a pin-up model, but keep a cork in that testosterone factory of yours. She makes you happy, I can see that, but stop trying to control her.”

  With the conversation shifted away from Brooke, Logan’s shoulders relaxed.