Keeping Ava

by Elena M. Reyes

  I have to believe that, or I’ll go insane.

  “Someone’s been busy.”

  “Shit!” I scream, dropping the plate I’m washing into the sink full of soapy water. It splashes, the cold water soaking the front of my thin T-shirt. My hands hold onto the sink’s edge, heart racing as I try to calm the small surge of panic it sent through me. “Why do you keep doing that to me?”

  “I’ve been saying your name since walking into the house.” He’s not apologetic in the least.

  “Liar.” But I know it’s the truth. I’ve done everything in my power to concentrate on our food—lose myself in something that’s always brought me comfort.

  When I’m in the kitchen, I’m whole. At peace.

  “Look at me.” And I do, my body turning around before I give it permission to. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m...” The words die as I take in the items in his arms. How do you stay mad at a man holding a single sunflower and a bottle of wine? “Are you leaving again?” At my question, he raises a brow and shakes his head. That’s bad. Very bad. “Someone gave you a gift?”

  Because God knows that I’m hanging onto a threadbare line of sanity and decorum. I want it to be for me, but wanting it and it being a reality are two very different things.

  Complicates my plans. The fact that I must fight this for both our sakes.

  Elijah’s lips quirk into a sexy grin as he steps closer. One foot and then the other, he doesn’t stop until he’s standing close enough that his masculine scent infiltrates my senses. That his heat sears an invisible tattoo of his name on my skin.

  “What are you doing?” It leaves me on a shaky breath, goose bumps rising on my skin.

  “Just giving you a gift.” He reaches behind me and places the bottle of wine on the countertop, his arm brushing mine. My reaction is automatic; I shiver, and his eyes meet mine. Hazel on blue. “Is that okay? After today, you deserve to be spoiled a bit. Let me.”

  There’s a plea there, and that’s a first. The normally demanding detective is asking, not telling.

  “Yes.” A whisper. An agreement to give in, even though I know it’ll be a mistake.

  “Thank you.” His hand comes up and caresses my cheek before stepping back, and it’s with this slight separation that I feel the flower now in my hand. The petals are soft and skimming across my skin. “Now, how about you explain all of this?”

  And I blush, lips parting as I try to come up with a good enough excuse to explain what I’ve done. Moreover, I’ve done a lot of it.

  “How about you explain when you bought all the bakeware and ingredients?”

  “Grocery store app and delivery service.”

  “I was only in the shower for an hour.”

  “And I ordered it while we stopped to get ice cream on the pier. It was plenty of time for them to deliver with a small extra charge.”

  Handsome devil has an answer for everything.

  “Hungry?” I ask then, changing the subject.

  “Are we hosting a party I wasn’t aware of?” he counters, and for a split second his eyes lower, taking in the thin fabric clinging to me. I watch as he licks those lips, and when those orbs meet mine again, there’s hunger there. Yearning. “And yes, I could eat.”

  It causes my thighs to clench and panties to dampen. For my body to flush with heat and desire.

  God help me keep my hands to myself. Must not touch or kiss or lick him.

  “That’s a bit dramatic, Elijah,” I force out instead, and he just raises a brow as my blush deepens. “Fine. You said to have fun, and I went nuts. It’s been a while since I’ve cooked—really wanted to—and I made a few of my favorites. Besides...” I wave a hand toward the three desserts already cooling and then the oven “...it’s just a simple meal. A tiny way for me to thank you for everything you’ve done.”

  “You didn’t have to do—”

  “I wanted to.”

  “If you’ll let me finish…” he mock glares, “…you’ll know that I’m thankful you did. I’m starving, and it smells amazing in here.”

  “Good.” With that, I turn once more and open a cabinet nearby. “Do you have a vase?”

  “Not a small one, but there might be something we can use.” His deep timbre is at my ear, his front almost touching my back as he reaches overhead to pull out a tall drinking glass. Placing it beside my hand on the marble, he nudges it and then removes himself completely. “That should work.”

  “Yeah, that works.” I busy myself with filling it, placing the flower inside, and making sure that it’s leaning just right. “Food will be ready soon, and I hope you love enchiladas. I made them three ways like my mother did: green, red, and white sauce. Two with chicken and one shrimp.”

  “Love them. What do you need me to do?”

  “Can you set the table?”

  “Setting tables is my talent.” When I throw him a quizzical look over my shoulder, he just shrugs. “Something my mother made sure I knew how to do. It’s my job at every family dinner.” Elijah grabs what he needs without another word and walks out toward the dining room, leaving me alone to collect myself, calm my breathing, and pull our dinner from the oven.

  It’s totally cute that his mother taught him that.

  Not helping my situation...

  He also gets brownie points for the flower.

  I have to resist him.

  “Hey, do you need help carrying that in here?” he calls out from the other room, and I almost bang my head on his cabinet. He’s thoughtful, sweet, a bit cocky, and sexy in that unique way only a real man can pull off.

  “No, I got it.” Looking down at myself, I realize that I’m still in a wet shirt and rush out to my room. That’s what he does to me; I’m not paying a lick of attention, and that just won’t do. I’m in and out in seconds, clean tank top on, and stop at the hall bath to splash a bit of water on my face.

  When I come back, the three small trays are gone and so are the sides of rice, beans, guacamole, and pico. From the kitchen I can hear the clang of a serving spoon as he scoops up a portion and I follow, entering his dining area and finding an intimate setting already in place.

  Our food is served, my glass filled with wine, and his handsome face standing beside a chair waiting for me to sit. God help me, it’s too much. After everything he’s done for me, the surprise and being so damn understanding, I give in.

  All of me wants this.

  I’m not strong, and before I talk myself out of this moment, I walk straight toward him and press my lips to his.

  Immediately his body becomes stiff, but I don’t pull back. No, I stand firm, holding onto his shirt as I take a small nibble of his bottom lip.

  And it’s that bite, that hint of pain that snaps him out of his rigidness. He kisses me back, overtaking my senses as he growls low at the back of his throat, his tongue sliding against my own lip and demanding entrance.

  An entrance that I grant without hesitation.

  This kiss is everything; it’s passionate and bordering on desperate with a hint of sweetness that I know I’ll never find with anyone else. The way Elijah takes my mouth is possessive, a domination of my senses as our tongues meet and caress.

  His large, strong hands cup the back of my head, thumbs tilting my head back at the angle he prefers. He controls this. Me.

  Giving me what I need with his touch. Hard yet gentle. A delicious overtaking.

  My tongue swipes the very tip of his, flicking it before pulling back to suck his top lip, and a hungry groan escapes him. It tumbles through me, settling on my clit, and I throb—squeezing my thighs tight as my panties become slick with my arousal.

  I’m wet and tender. For him. All for him.

  My nipples ache, and I can’t stop myself from rubbing my chest against his. This time his animalistic sound is almost angry and I shiver, shifting closer, and there’s no mistaking the hardness now digging into my abdomen.

  How it pulses, flexing against the inside of his jeans the more
we kiss.

  My hands itch to touch him. To explore.

  “Oh God,” I whimper, and that small sound stops him. It’s like a bucket of cold water being thrown over my head; the way he abruptly pulls his mouth from mine makes me feel like an idiot. Like I ruined everything. Elijah doesn’t release his hold on my head, though, but instead stares down at me, making me feel self-conscious. “I’m so—”

  “Don’t.” It’s gravelly. Hungry. “I’m not.”

  “You’re not?”

  “I’m not.” His thumb rubs across my cheek once while his other hand takes one of mine, squeezing my fingers slightly. “But one thing at a time. How about dinner and some light get-to-know-you conversation before I kiss you again?”

  “Again?” I raise a brow, and the tension in my shoulders drops a bit. He’s being playful; that’s a good thing, and I follow his lead. “I made the first move.”

  “That’s only because I let you.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “What can I say? I’m irresistible.” With that, he brings his lips to mine once more in a quick and soul-destroying kiss before pulling back. I’m a bit dazed and smiling and ready to smack him when he winks. “Now, feed me, woman, so I can cuddle with you on the couch and watch a movie afterwards.”

  I’m so easy when it comes to him that continuing to hold myself back is nearly impossible.

  Chapter 11

  Elijah

  My neck is stiff, but my left side is deliciously warm.

  I’m sitting up on the couch, neck angled down a bit and lending my shoulder and arms to a companion who’s driving me insane, more so, after her confession yesterday. After what that son of a bitch tried to do…

  I want to kill him. I’m going to break his neck with my bare hands.

  It’s made my already protective instincts go into overdrive. Made the feelings I’ve fought hard to ignore—my wants—sucker punch me in the face as I deal with our reality.

  I want her. All of her.

  Moreover, while our now is dangerous and her security is my main priority, the feel of her lips on mine changed everything.

  She kissed me. Robbed me of my senses and caused me to break quite a few protocols while I was at it. I could lose my job because of that kiss, and I could care less. Fuck them all.

  Nothing matters to me right now outside of putting Jason down like the dog he is and keeping her. He will pay for her tears. For the fear she’s lived with for years.

  The sunlight filtering through the large floor-to-ceiling windows is bright, brighter than what’s normal for the start of my day, and I savor this. The peaceful moment.

  Liking it.

  Loving the way a certain brunette with soft lips murmurs my name in her sleep.

  “Five more minutes, Eli. The gargoyles and unicorns can wait for their coffee.” Her nose presses against my throat, the small tufts of breath marking my skin as my cock throbs to full mast. I’m hard as fuck while holding in my laugh, a difficult predicament.

  She’s warm and soft and delicate; my perfect fantasy is just within reach, and yet I do nothing more than enjoy this moment.

  Think back to her kisses yesterday and how right she felt in my arms. How she let me dominate—hold her to my liking as I took my fill.

  She’s something else. A surprise of mixed signals and lingering looks.

  A we can’t but I need you puzzle that I’m putting back together again one piece at a time.

  But first, we need to talk. She needs to decide if this is something she’s willing to try, because after tasting those lips and swallowing her moans, I want it all. No going back for me.

  A small chuckle escapes me as the little thing tips her face in my direction, an unconscious act and with full-on duck lips. “We need to get up, sweetheart.” That dangerous mouth quirks up at the term of endearment. “Come on. I’ll start the coffee.”

  “No.” Just like that and with sass.

  “I’ll make strawberry French toast.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “Just thirty more minutes,” she whines low, and I’m truly fucked with how adorable I find it. “Please?”

  “You said five,” I remind her, and she nips my jawline.

  “I lied.” Not an ounce of shame.

  “You’re already up.” Even I can hear the amusement slip through my mock-stern facade.

  “Too warm and comfortable. Just a little more, Eli.” And my resolve breaks just like that, slipping deeper into the couch as I reposition us so she’s comfortable and using me as a body pillow.

  Ava lets out a low sigh as I do and a few seconds later, a light snore follows. Hers or mine—no clue because I’m letting go and letting sleep take me once more.

  The next time I wake, I’m alone. And a bit cold.

  I’m also hard as fuck beneath the confines of my sweatpants. There’s no mistaking the tent or my desire to be buried deep within her heat.

  Where the hell is she?

  The apartment is silent except for a low humming sound coming from the kitchen area, and I find myself throwing my legs over the couch at once to investigate. I know this perp, and not seeking her out is nearly impossible for me.

  The culprit is tiny and sexy; a dangerous breed of perfection that’s turning my life on its axis.

  However, the second I stand to my full height my body protests, aching from spending the night on the couch. Next time we sleep in my bed. Presumptuous, but I give no fucks.

  I’m not going to fight what I know to be inevitable.

  Throwing my hands up, I reach back to stretch and a few bones in my upper back crack, giving my neck a bit of relief. At the same time, my shirt rides up and as I arch fully back, thrusting my pelvis slightly forward, a tiny gasp makes me aware of her presence.

  Fuck, what her tiny sounds do to me.

  I’m in no rush, and I turn my head toward the opposite wall where a large mirror hangs. She’s there, lips slightly parted and eyes on mine through the mirror.

  Not running. Not hiding. For the first time, she is truly letting me see just how much I affect her.

  “Good morning,” I say and add in two more stretches to mess with her. “What time is it?”

  “A little past eleven.” It’s a bit breathy, and as I turn to face her, my mouth waters at the sight of flushing cheeks and messy hair. “Lunch is ready...I-I was coming to wake you up and give you your phone. It’s been going off nonstop since ten.”

  At once worry fills me, but I keep my expression neutral. After her confession yesterday and my suspicions on the officers involved in this case, I’m trusting no one. Going by what Captain Perez said, no one is supposed to know she’s here outside of a few people, and that didn’t involve anyone else from my department.

  “Where are we taking her now that her whereabouts have been compromised?” I ask Perez while pacing the length of the room downstairs in my building. There’s an eerie calmness flowing through me, fighting to keep my composure as the last few hours—our conversation at the pier—plays in my head. Her confession and tears gut me. Make me see red. She’s been alone for years dealing with his sickness while the world ignored the signs. While those she trusted told her it was a lie. That ends here. Now. Taking my phone from my pocket, I pull up my contact list. “My mother has a vacation home in Colorado...I’m sure she’ll—”

  “Ava stays here. Both of you do.”

  The resounding crack of my neck is loud inside the empty space as I turn my head to look at him. To his credit, the captain just holds a hand up but doesn’t step back.

  “I’m sorry, Ford, but my hands are literally tied here. They won’t let me move her.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” My tone is calm but my ire palpable. Walking over to the table, I place my phone atop the file there and turned to fully face him. “Explain.”

  “Watch the tone, Detective. I’m your boss and—”

  “When it comes to her safety, I don’t give a flying fuck
who you are.” Taking the remaining steps between us, I get in his face and meet his hard stare dead on. I’ll quit right now and leave with her if I have to. “You’re not putting her in danger to satisfy some DA’s fetish of catching him with her as the bait. Not happening.”

  “I have no choice but to follow orders,” he says, and I can hear the remorse in his words, can see how upset he is by this, and it’s the only reason that I pause. It’s why I don’t storm out while sending the universe to go and fuck itself.

  “I can’t—”

  “Then don’t, Elijah. Remember what I said when I asked you to protect her?”

  “At all cost.”

  “Exactly. And while I need to enforce the orders given, I won’t hold against you how it’s interpreted. Do what you must...whatever that is, but both of you stay.”

  “So you’re saying find a loophole.”

  “I’m saying I trust you.”

  “Is the coffee on?” I ask her, trying to evade any questions she might have—at least until after I find out who the call is from. Holding a hand out, I wait for my phone but she shakes her head. “Give it.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Don’t know until I see who’s calling.”

  Ava purses her lips while narrowing her eyes. “Swear?”

  “Yes, babes. Give me a minute or two, and we’ll talk.”

  “Fine.” She leans up on the tips of her toes and gives my chin a kiss. Her small hand places the device in my hand, and it begins to vibrate. “Go. I’ll make you a plate while you answer. Deal?”

  “Deal.” My mouth lowers and I kiss her plump mouth, a quick, harsh kiss while my hand gives her ass a gentle smack. A taste. “I’ll meet you in there.”

  “Okay.” I don’t miss how she pushes back a bit against my hand.

  With another tap, I walk away and toward my room, making a quick stop at the en-suite bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. The phone vibrates again while I’m there, and I figure out who the culprit is.