“You’re not what I expected,” he said still holding Ava’s hand.
She wasn’t sure how to take his comment. She tugged her hand from his grip, curling her fingers into the cotton fabric covering her leg.
“I apologize. I left my southern charm in the truck. It’s nice to meet you Ava.”
“How do you know my name?” His blue eyes looked troubled.
“Graham told me about you, but I still find myself dumb struck by your loveliness.”
Ava felt herself blush. She wondered what Graham had told Darwin about her. He had witnessed how destructive she could be not only to herself, but to others. Barely escaping with her life out on a Saturday stroll. Had Logan shared about their relationship? Apart from Lina who was an investigative journalist when it came to matters of the heart, she had avoided conversations about Logan with her friends. Her family was a separate matter. They never failed to insert a question about Logan into the conversation. But at least, they employed some stealth to disguise their inquiries. She’d kept her most intimate thoughts about Logan private. Perhaps Logan hadn’t done the same. Not knowing how to respond to Darwin’s confession, an unnatural silence settled over the room.
Darwin was taking in her appearance. The wet hair, men’s boxers, and no bra probably told most of the story. The morning after costume, following a rough tumble in the sheets based on her state of undress. A broad smile crossed his face reflecting that he had just reached the same embarrassing conclusion.
“Logan should return any moment. Saturday errands are calling, so I’m going to go. It was nice meeting you.”
His sly smile was telling. Not as casual as he appeared. He analyzed and calculated with the same finesse as Logan, definitely a Masters descendant.
“Don’t leave on my account. You just got here, right?”
Why was everyone teasing her this morning? First Lina about Cricket, now Darwin with his disarming wit about her presence. Another confession would not be heard from her lips.
“I know my brother. He will be pissed at me if you leave before he returns.” He was no longer joking. “We don’t want any trouble with Logan.”
He offered her another one of those knowing smiles.
“Have a seat Ava. I interrupted your conversation, sorry about that.”
His smile brightened, definitely mischievous.
“I heard you talking on the phone when I came in. Logan really should lock his doors. A person can’t be held responsible for what they overhear.” He raised one eyebrow at her.
“How much did you hear?” Was it her fate to be uncomfortable meeting anyone associated with Logan?
“Barely anything.”
“Oh my To …” She needed to stop the habit, now that Logan had objected to the saying. “This is worse than my dance with Logan. Let’s talk about something else. Logan told me you are former Navy. Tell me about your experience.” Gone was the easy smile. Tightness covered his face, his eyes narrowed, his expression darkened. She wouldn’t mention the Navy to him again.
“Earth to Darwin.” Looking her in the eye he laughed at the jest, but it sounded forced.
“You got Logan on a dance floor.”
It was her turn to raise a brow. Logan was a skilled dance partner. He didn’t have a problem keeping her occupied.
“It was his suggestion.”
“I’ll tell my mother those dance lessons were not in vain. She will be happy.” He motioned for her to join him. “Relax. Brothers do not divulge details of one another’s private life. Besides, if Logan comes home to find you gone, you may never see me again.”
“Ava?”
That was her man’s voice. Her foolish heart skipped a beat. Logan was back.
“In the kitchen.”
Both she and Darwin were seated at the countertop bar when Logan rounded the corner.
“Ah, the prodigal brother returns, it has been weeks since I heard from you. How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to get acquainted with the beautiful Miss Ava Walters.”
Darwin’s smile was just as breathtaking as his older brother’s, but it did not have the same effect as Logan’s on her insides. Nothing compared to Logan, especially after the way he loved her body last night.
“Logan, I was about to leave so you can spend some time with your brother.”
The crumpled brown bag he was holding made a distinct sound as it dropped to the countertop, then he lowered the compressed paper tray holding their coffee next to the bag. Logan looked at her through narrowed eyes, and inclined his head. She knew that look never bode well for her.
“Goodbye Darwin. I’ll meet you upstairs sweetheart.”
Logan’s eyes never strayed from hers. His words rang with authority. This was no request, it was a dictate to all within hearing range.
At her hesitance, Logan crossed the room, his voice low so only she could hear, and “We both need to eat.”
He placed a barely there kiss on her forehead. Thank the heavens it wasn’t more. She knew Darwin watched and her body was responding with the attentiveness of a prodigy obeying its master. His breath on her neck sent tingles zinging through her body, her knees went weak. Barely able to support her own weight, his hand at the small of her back guided her towards the staircase.
Not wanting to be rude, Ava turned in Darwin’s direction, “It was nice meeting you.”
“It was my pleasure. Look me up on Facebook if you really want to know more about my experience, sweetheart.” He was grinning at her.
“Don’t call her that. You call her Ava.” Logan glared at his brother.
“What? You just called her sweetheart.”
“I know what I can do Darwin.”
Logan was being unnecessarily gruff.
“Logan.” Trying to control the annoyance she felt at his treatment of Darwin. The conversation with Darwin came to an abrupt halt. Logan looked at her.
“Enough. Stop giving Darwin a hard time. You’ve been impossible all morning.”
“I apologize. It’s been a morning of unforeseen circumstance.” Darwin raised his eyebrows at their exchange. Ava quickly exited the room, before another shame-faced moment could present itself.
Logan was anxious to get back to Ava. Darwin, who was watching him with an assessing stare, needed to go home.
“So big brother, it’s that good between the two of you?” He knew what Darwin was asking, but it was not any of his business. Darwin had formed a habit of probing Logan about the women in his life. Logan tolerated the questions about Rebecca the night of the fundraiser, but what happened between him and Ava was off limits.
“What are you talking about?” Logan waited, interested to hear what his brother would say next.
He wasn’t offering any information about his Ava.
“You have a woman in your house. A woman you are eager to get back to.”
Logan remained silent.
“You’re out buying breakfast. Not the other way around.”
Darwin threw up his hands in a “that’s all that needs to be said gesture.”
“What is your point?”
“You all but commanded Ava to go back to the cave and wait. You haven’t seen me, your only brother in almost three weeks, yet I have the impression you want to physically remove me from your new love den.”
Logan moved toward the door. Time was up.
“Go home, Darwin.”
“We need to talk about Rebecca. Soon.”
Darwin’s brow furrowed, but Logan was not in the mood to discuss business deals or Rebecca.
“I will call you when I am available.”
“Take a break from your woman and call me before Monday.”
“Jealous much, brother?”
“Never jealous. Pleasantly surprised that you put yourself above the family’s plan for you.”
Darwin never understood Logan’s ambitious drive. As the firstborn, Logan had the responsibility of elevating the Masters family name drummed int
o him from birth. He was to follow in his father’s footsteps, then surpass them. And he would do that and more, but on his own terms. Having Ava changed everything.
“Goodbye, Darwin.”
“Enjoy your weekend, but call me. We both have important decisions to make.”
“I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
With that, he closed and locked the door.
Logan climbed the stairs with two steaming cups of coffee, two bagels, a fruit bowl and one yogurt parfait. As he ascended the stairs leading to his bedroom Ava materialized on the landing fully dressed.
“Why are you dressed?”
“The naked sacrifice thing didn’t feel right with your brother still in the house.”
“I should have hidden your clothes while you were in the bathroom.”
“I don’t know much about South Carolina where your folks are from, but in Florida it would be considered highly improper to walk around someone’s house naked.”
She teased him again, a tantalizing smile on her face. Mine echoed through his head.
He’d institute a reward if she lost the layers. Though she wasn’t wearing much, it was more than he ever wanted to see her wearing at home.
“I give you permission to relinquish all clothing upon crossing the threshold into my domain.”
He reached the landing and locked onto her lips, slowly nibbling at the lower lip. Fire immediately swept through his veins, swift and ferocious, barreling to his pelvis, and her moans fuel to the rising flames. Her breath came in pants.
Logan pulled back transfixed on what was before him. Lust was pulsating between them, a beacon bringing both to a single location. He spoke first.
“Turn around, go into the bedroom and take off your clothes.”
She stiffened, eyes wide with fear and breathing at a halt. A look of being dunked in a frigid bath marred her face.
“Ava?” He placed the contents in his hands on the landing table carefully gripping her upper arms pulling her to him. She resisted initially.
“Sweetheart, tell me what’s happening?” His heart was beating against his chest, but he maintained his outward calm.
Whatever it was she was reliving it, again. He gentled his voice. Concern for her escalating when she did not answer. Wanting to squeeze her closer to him, he held back, knowing that it could make the memory more vivid for her. Last night, his voice had broken the nightmare’s pull, maybe it would work this time.
“Ava, look at me.” Nothing. He roughened his voice. “Ava,” he repeated her name once more. “Tell me you see me, Logan.” And just like that, sad eyes looked up at him. She was back. His Ava.
Her breathing was ragged, but she was looking at him. Unable to stop himself, he pulled her into his arms. God, some man had hurt her badly. Rage at knowing she’d been hurt had him tightening his hold on her. “Tell me what happened, sweetheart. Who hurt you?”
“No.” Tears swam in her fearful eyes as she held her lower lip between her teeth.
Logan could see her pain. He felt the heat from the emotional blade slicing through him.
“What we have is real,” he said stroking her hair. “I’ll always be here for you. I would never hurt you, Ava.” Witnessing the horror of what she must have experienced for the second time. Knowing some poor excuse for a man in her past hurt her so deeply that retelling the story brought both pain and fear to her eyes.
She pushed at his chest. “It’s nothing.” The words incongruent with the tremors he felt holding her this close. He looked down at her then, remnants of pain still visible on her face.
“You look ready to collapse.” She turned away, but he captured her chin, turning her to face him. He placed a tender kiss on her lips.
“Talk to me. You can tell me anything.” The way her face remained fixed he knew she didn’t believe him. At her silence, he continued on hoping something he said would cut through her doubts. “I triggered something last night and it happened again. I can’t help but touch you. I want it to feel good for both of us. Tell me how to stop causing you pain.”
“I wish I knew. I had a bad relationship in college. I don’t want to talk about it.”
He took her face in his hands, cradled her as gently as he knew how. Those tear filled eyes squeezed his heart. “I don’t need your submission, Ava. I need your trust.” He pressed his lips to hers and breathed in her vanilla and honey fragrance. The caress along the length of his jawline had him lingering in her taste, relishing her touch on his skin. As the seconds passed his pulse rate normalized and he ended the kiss. He pulled her into his arms, pressed her head to his chest. “Your heart is safe with me. Give it to me.” He felt her body tremble, before her arms came around his middle.
“I am going to put you in bed and feed you from my hand. You like that idea?” She nodded her head without lifting it from his chest.
“Then we are going to make new memories together. Maybe, do a few things to make you scream my name. Keep the faint at heart from dropping by uninvited. Huh?” He felt her smile against his chest. The fist squeezing his heart released its grip.
“Okay,” she replied. He was proud of her. His Ava had pushed her pain and fears away for him. For them.
He reluctantly released her. She gave him a half smile before turning in the direction of the bedroom. Logan grabbed the bags from the table, followed her into the bedroom and closed the door. Mine.
Chapter 13
Ava was on day two of her emotional high. For the first time in her adult life, she felt complete. A patient occupied every bed in her pod when she started her shift at six forty-five this morning. Late breakfast trays nearly triggered an international incident and the pharmacy hadn’t supplied her the medications for the day. But not one of those things dampened the melody in Ava’s heart. Thoughts of falling asleep in Logan’s arms tonight had her humming love songs in between comforting parents and calming babies.
Kathryn had left a message for Ava to stop by her office. She could hear the beep of the telemetry monitor located at the central nurses’ station from her patient care area. Being able to hear the monitoring equipment over the unit activity was as good as any indication that the morning rush had come to an end.
Ava motioned to Patty, the round faced, gray haired woman who worked as the nursing assistant on her team.
“Patty, I’m going to meet with Kathryn before her day ends. Please update each patient’s intake and output record before lunch arrives. Our patients are stable, but I’ll ask Spencer to cover while I’m away.”
The woman nodded her head in agreement and went back to reading the computer screen.
The physician teams wouldn’t return until the end of the day. The procession of gurneys that formed a make shift human train leading to the radiology suite had dwindled to one.
It was best to use the reprieve wisely. Ava locked her computer terminal then headed in the direction of Kathryn’s office. She exited her work station, covered the short distance to where Spencer sat in a swivel chair that strained at the rivets under the weight of his muscled physique. Spencer looked up from his computer terminal and smiled with pure devilment in his eyes.
Ava didn’t want to know what had put that smile on his sculpted face. “Cover for me while I meet with Kathryn?”
“Sure thing. How long?”
“Maybe fifteen minutes.”
“Done and done.”
She wouldn’t linger in the nurse manager’s office. Kathryn was one of the few administrative nurses who still could provide direct patient care with ease. Though she’d worked in the position for two years, Ava knew Kathryn took great pride in being a floor nurse first and an administrator second.
Ava knocked on the door, announced herself, and then waited for the invitation to enter.
“Come on in,” Ava heard the woman say.
Kathryn’s face looked solemn. Ava wondered what could make this usually jovial woman look so glum.
“Hi, you wanted to see me?”
<
br /> The small, windowless center hall office was located off the inner corridor of the pediatric unit. The desk was uncluttered and color coordinated photo frames of Kathryn and her husband Cannon occupied both front desk corners.
“Please have a seat.” She gestured to the two aluminum and cloth office chairs positioned in front of the desk. Kathryn’s impersonal tone had the hairs at Ava’s nape standing on end.
“Has something happened?”
Kathryn was having trouble maintaining eye contact with her. The hairs on the back of her neck had little arcs of electricity flowing through them at that.
“Ava. There’s been a complaint filed against you.”
Ava’s throat constricted, her stomach roiled at the words. She felt nauseous.
“A patient complained about me?” Oh no, not now, a complaint could jeopardize her receiving the endorsement for her commissioning package.
“No.”
No? Ava furrowed her brows in confusion.
“But, you said.” Kathryn interrupted her by holding up one hand.
“It’s not a patient complaint. One of the foundation’s donors filed a complaint against you.”
At the mention of the foundation, Ava instantly knew the source of her trouble and anger coursed through Ava’s veins. It had to be Commando Barbie.
“What are the allegations in the complaint?” Ava inquired.
“That’s the concerning part.” At Ava’s obvious confusion Kathryn continued.
“Randall Lester paid a visit to my office this morning. Apparently, he was personally made aware of the complaint. Mentioned that he didn’t consider you a qualified candidate for a professional endorsement and returned your commissioning packet.”
The breath froze in Ava’s chest. A fissure opened in her heart, a sharp burn filled her chest.
“However,” Kathryn continued while Ava sat paralyzed the feeling of doom threatening to pull her to her knees, “he did not provide me with a written statement detailing the allegations against you.”
If Randall knew about the complaint Ava knew the rest of what Kathryn had to say would only be worse for her. She couldn’t let him do this to her. But what power did she have to stop him?
Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) Page 17
