by Jacob Chance
“Not much. I’m waiting for some food. I hope they feed us soon or I’m going to go grab McD’s.”
“I’m starving too,” I agree. We settle at the table and I glance at the four remaining chairs. I’ve barely had time to wonder who else will be seated at our table when Nolan and Perri amble over.
“Hey, guys.” Nolan pulls out Perri’s chair and pushes it in once she’s seated.
“Did you guys just arrive, or were you here at the wedding?” I didn’t see them, but it’s possible they were out of my line of sight.
Perri blushes. “We got here a few minutes ago.”
“Had to get some before you came, huh?” Shaw bluntly announces.
“I’ll never tell,” Nolan laughs.
I notice Ava elbowing Perri and they giggle, but that jubilant sound abruptly cuts off when Stacey and Matt drop into the last two vacant seats directly across from us. Fucking perfect.
“Who invited the wicked witch?” Shaw jokes.
“You big tease, Shaw. You know you love me.”
“That was before you cheated on my man here.” He hooks his thumb toward me.
“I didn’t cheat.” She pouts and her eyes light up. “Nolan, honey, how are you?”
“I’m good. This is my girlfriend, Perri.” He slips his arm around her shoulders. “Perri, this is Stacey.”
“I’m Ollie’s ex-girlfriend, in case you haven’t heard of me.” She looks smug as if everyone should know of her. Perri ignores her explanation and pretends to pick a piece of lint from her blue dress.
I’m annoyed that Stacey is making everyone uncomfortable. “Can we please skip this unnecessary bullshit? It doesn’t matter if we dated or not. We’ve both moved on. Everything’s worked out for the best.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s not that cut and dry, Ollie. I’m sure you miss me,” Stacey states as if it's a fact.
“I wouldn’t bet on that if I were you,” I retort.
“I’m sure your new girlfriend would understand if you did. We spent three years together. People never really get over their first love.”
I lean over, placing my lips next to Ava’s ear. “If I haven’t told you yet, I’m glad you’re here.” Her head turns my way, placing our lips so close together I have to fight myself not to kiss her.
“Me too,” she whispers, and presses her lips to mine. I’m momentarily stunned that she initiated things. But it only takes me a second to react. My hands slide into her hair as my tongue tangles with hers.
“Get a room,” Stacey snarks, but I barely hear what she said. I’m focused on Ava and how phenomenal kissing her feels. She makes my stomach feel like we’re boating over rough seas. No one else has ever had this effect on me before. Neither of us seems to want our lips to part, but I finally come to my senses and force myself to draw back first. Ava and I stare in wonder at each other. She seems just as rocked by our kiss as I am. Is it different for her too? More powerful? More passionate? Just... more?
Chapter Sixteen
Ava
Someone please make this chick shut up. Internally, I roll my eyes and wish Stacey would fuck off. She’s ruining this delicious meal with her incessant and nonsensical chatter.
Does she ever stop talking? Or does she think every word she says is imperative for our survival?
It’s all I can come up with because why else would she feel the need to share the names of all her coworkers that we’ve never met and tell us how much they adore her? I’ve lost thirty minutes of my life I can never regain listening to her drivel. If it weren’t for Oliver’s reassuring hand on my leg, I might’ve snapped and stabbed her with the spoon I’m shoveling cake and ice cream into my mouth with. Each bite keeps me from shouting out some obscenity I’ll regret. I might need a second helping soon.
“Want to go for a walk?” Oliver’s dark eyes plead for me to say yes. I scoop one more bite into my mouth, setting the spoon down on my plate.
“Yes, please.” Oliver winks, standing. He pulls my chair out and slots his fingers with mine.
“Excuse us.” He waves at our friends, ignoring Stacey and her date. We speed across the reception hall and head out to the hotel lobby. “Do you want to walk around inside or outside?”
“Let’s get some fresh air. After listening to Stacey’s non-stop babbling and breathing in her hot air, I think stepping outside for a bit would be a welcome change.” We pass through the main entrance and step onto the sidewalk.
“Spending time in her company has made me wonder how I put up with her for so long.”
“She must’ve given one hell of a blow job,” I muse without thinking.
He barks out a laugh. “No comment.” His answer tells me all I need to know, but I’m not surprised. “Here.” Oliver slips his suit jacket off and wraps it around my shoulders like he did earlier in the night.
“Thank you.”
“I can’t have you catching a cold on my watch. I’m the reason you’re here in the first place.”
“Don’t worry about me getting sick. If I survive the night in Stacey’s company, nothing can kill me.” He chuckles and I continue, “She might be the most self-obsessed person I’ve met. She’s been talking about nothing but herself. I’ll admit I was contemplating stabbing her with the round part of my spoon to break up the monotony.”
His lips tip up gleefully. “I wondered what was going on in your head. I could sense your devious thoughts.”
“Anyone looking at me could see murder in my gaze. Anyone except Stacey that is, because God knows that girl doesn’t know how to stop talking. I guess she’s good at speaking with her mouth full because I don’t think she can stop long enough to give a blow job.”
He laughs. “Ava, I had no idea this side of you existed. I like it a lot.”
I shrug. “There’s not usually much reason for this part of me to come out and play. I don’t spend time around people I don’t like. I’m not good at pretending, and life is too busy to waste moments with shitty company.” And no one else besides Stacey was his girlfriend.
“Isn’t that the truth?” He encloses me in his hold with an arm around my shoulders. I lean into his warmth and enjoy the sensation of his solid frame surrounding me. Oliver is strong and dependable. Being around him makes me feel safe, and what girl doesn’t like knowing they’re well protected? But can I trust him with my heart? That’s the question I may never have an answer for until it’s too late and my heart is already broken.
We continue on in silence, the sounds and sights of the active city around us providing enough entertainment. Horns blare, college students laugh, and two guys get into a shoving match all within a single block.
“There’s a bar right up here.” Oliver points to a green awning. “It’s kind of a hole in the wall and it’s usually pretty quiet, if you’d like to get a drink.”
“That sounds like a great idea. I’m not ready to head back to the reception yet.”
He laughs. “I get it and I’m not either.” He tugs the door open and I pass through. The bar is dark and quaint with one brick wall and thick wooden beams along the ceiling. A long, dark, gleaming bar calls our attention on the left side of the room and we slide onto two vacant stools. Mirrors line the wall behind the bar and I catch a glimpse of our reflection. We look nice together. Do we look like an actual couple to everyone else?
Oliver orders wine for me and a beer for himself before turning toward me. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good.”
“No, I mean how are you really? I feel like we haven’t had a chance to talk much since we got back from Connecticut a couple of weeks ago. Is it weird that I’ve missed your company?”
“No. Not at all. I’ve missed you too. You made a good boyfriend.” I smile to make it seem like I’m joking, but I’m not. He was pretty much the perfect boyfriend that weekend. If I could custom order one for myself it would be Oliver Ice.
“You make it easy because you’re fun to be around. Plus, you’re low maintenance.”
“I guess you’d know all about high maintenance girlfriends.” I snort.
“You got that right. I just never realized it until recently.”
I put my hand on my chest. “Did I teach you something about relationships?”
“Yep, you did. I learned there are girls out there who value things more than makeup and selfies.”
“There’s nothing wrong with makeup, and an occasional selfie can be fun.”
“I’m not saying it’s all or nothing. But there has to be a balance. Let’s just say I appreciate how quickly you can get ready and how you never keep me waiting.”
“Never is a long time, but I try not to be rude. And making someone wait is bad manners all around.”
“Have you heard from Brian since the reunion?”
“No, but I’ve spoken with my sister. She and I are in a good place now, so there’s that at least.”
“That’s great. She’s lucky you’re such a forgiving person. I don’t know if I could be so understanding in your position.”
“I think you would. What’s the point of being angry with them? Do I wish my boyfriend didn’t fall in love with my sister while he was in a relationship with me? Of course. But everything worked out for the best. They’re a better fit than he and I were.”
“They did save you from wasting more time with him.”
“Exactly. And now I can move on to something better.”
Oliver’s eyebrows pinch together in the middle of his forehead. “Are you thinking about dating someone?”
Oh, if you only knew. “No, not necessarily. I’m generalizing. If I want to date, I’m in a good place to start.”
His eyebrows relax, popping back up. “What do you think about the two of us making this pretend relationship official?” Holy shit. Did he say what I think he did? “Unless you think it’s a horrible idea.”
“No.” I raise my voice. “I don’t think it’s dumb at all.” I study his face for any sign that he’s not serious, but his expression is earnest. And I’m suddenly scared. Oliver has the power to destroy, never mind break, my heart. But I’ve had feelings for him for years and this could be my only chance. Inhaling a calming breath, I muster the courage to agree. “I’m game if you are.”
His lips widen, forming a slow smile. “Really?” I nod, trying not to panic. “Can this be considered our first date?” I nod again. He nudges my arm with his. “Are you freaking out right now?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little?”
“If this isn’t something you want, just be honest.”
My hand lands on his forearm. “I do want this.” I lick my dry lips. “I’m a little scared, that’s all.”
“Am I a scary guy and I’ve never realized it?”
“No. I’m worried you’ll break my heart.”
He glides his knuckles down the side of my cheek. “Tiny dancer, that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do. I’ll be careful with you. This isn’t a hasty decision on my part. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of making you my girl since I met you.”
“You have?”
“Yes. But I kept talking myself out of it.” His palm cups the side of my neck, his thumb nudging my chin up as his dark pools drink me in. “And now I’m tired of convincing myself not to be with you when it’s what I want more than anything.” He skims the tip of his nose along the side of mine before brushing over the tip. His masculine scent envelops me, adding to the assault on my senses. “I’m going to kiss my girlfriend now, tiny dancer,” he husks, making me dizzy with longing. I’ve never wanted someone’s kiss so much. I’m aching with the need to feel his sculpted lips on mine. To feel the bold strokes of his sure tongue. His strong hands molding my body.
“Yes,” I whisper before his mouth barely brushes mine. He repeats the soft motion and I grip his wide shoulders, pulling him closer. He connects our lips, releasing a harsh growl when our tongues meet. One of his hands buries in my hair, tugging my head back as he devours my mouth. Our kiss is all consuming and I forget we’re in a bar where anyone can see us.
Oliver is the only conscious thought I have. I’m lost in him and our first official kiss as a couple. This is the best night of my life. I want to imprint this moment in my mind so I can call up this memory anytime I want.
Oliver pulls back and presses our foreheads together. Winded, we both struggle to catch our breath. His exhale becomes my next inhale. My exhale becomes his next inhale. There’s something so sensual about our breaths mingling.
Oliver smooths his hands over my hair. “Can we go back to our room? I can’t get close enough to you. I don’t care if I only get to hold you all night. I want you in my arms with no interruptions.”
I smile, nodding my agreement. “Let’s go.” I slide off the barstool and Oliver catches the suit jacket as it begins to slip from my shoulders. He tugs each side close around me and places the softest kiss on the end of my nose.
“Come on, my tiny dancer.” He hooks his arm around me, guiding me forward with a large hand in the middle of my back. My stomach feels like I’m on the world’s craziest roller coaster. Up and down, my insides toss and turn as my thoughts also whirl about. Are we going back to the room to have sex? Oh my God. I’m about to see Oliver Ice naked.
Chapter Seventeen
Oliver
Closing the hotel room door behind us, I turn and find Ava in front of me. “What’s wrong?”
“Not wrong,” she says, dropping my jacket to the floor behind her. “It’s what’s right. And at this moment, everything is fucking fantastic.” She cups my cheeks, rising on her tiptoes to connect our lips. Her tongue is eager against mine and my control disappears.
Sweeping her up in my arms, I carry her to the large bed. Setting her on her feet, I spin her around and carefully glide down the zipper on the back of her dress. With every inch of unblemished skin revealed, my heart races faster. When I place my hands on her elegant shoulders, easing the thin straps down her arms, I’m convinced my heart will explode from my chest.
She shrugs the nude material to her hips, leaving her bare from the waist up. The lamp on the nightstand bathes her back in a golden glow. I gulp in a breath and slide my palms down the outside of her arms. Drawing her against my chest, I nuzzle her neck with my lips, whispering, “You’re beautiful.”
Wrapping one arm around her waist, my other hand cups one of her perky tits. The taut nipple grazes my palm. I want her so much. It’s a battle not to throw her facedown on the bed and immediately bury myself between her strong thighs. I only resist because what I feel for Ava is so much more than sexual. I want our first time together to be something she always remembers.
Cupping her other tit, I groan, grinding my hard cock into her ass. “Feel what you do to me, tiny dancer.” She tips her head up over her shoulder and I connect our lips. Wet, frantic, and brief, the kiss ends with Ava pivoting in my arms until her nipples are poking my chest through my shirt. Her green eyes flash with desire as she looks me over and I know mine are doing the same for her. She’s the most spectacular creature I’ve ever set eyes on.
Ava places her hands on my chest, urging me back a step. Slipping her hands under the pooling material, she wiggles the dress down her hips until it falls to the carpet.
Oh fuck me.
She was naked underneath the tempting garment all night and I never realized it. Good thing I didn’t because I’d have never made it this long without dragging her up here.
Still wearing her heels, Ava edges closer, her hands going to my tie. She tugs the knot loose, slipping the wine colored length over my head, dropping it on the floor next to her cast-off dress.
My fingers work the small buttons of my shirt free while Ava tugs the bottom from my pants. Palms slide up my bare chest, sparking fire with each caress. My nerve endings pleasantly hum and tingle under my skin.
Pushing the white cotton from my shoulders, she frees my arms. I pause, hands relaxed at my sides and allow her the opportunity to finish undressing me. Wi
ll she go for it?
The two emeralds shining bright in her face meet my dark gaze before lowering to my groin. Dark lashes shield them from sight as her fingers connect with my belt. My cock throbs, waiting for her touch. Tugging loose the end, she undoes the buckle, letting the leather hang unheeded as her dextrous digits undo my pants. Tucking her hands inside the waistband, she caresses her palms down my ass, pushing the gray material down to my ankles.
I grin, pleased at her brazenness. I wasn’t sure how Ava would act in this instance, but like every other situation I’ve witnessed her in, she surprises me in the best way possible. I can’t wait to see what other surprises she has in store for me tonight.
I make short work of kicking my pants off and removing my socks, leaving me in my black boxer briefs. Ava drinks me in from head to toe and back up again. The tip of her pink tongue teases the seam of her lips, dragging a groan from me.
I can’t take any more. Gripping her hips, I yank her to me and stare down into her alluring orbs. “Are we going to do this, tiny dancer?” I study her face.
She nods and smiles. “That’s the plan.”
Only seeing desire and need reflected back at me, I tear back the covers and push her onto the bed. She lands on her back, lying crossways, laughing. Catching hold of each foot, I slip her heels off, throwing them to the floor one at a time.
Standing at the side of the bed, I study her naked form. Legs parted, I see her pink pussy glistening with her arousal, and desperate to get closer, I shove my boxers off.
Climbing onto the bed, I settle on my stomach between her legs. Gripping her inner thighs, I push her knees up and bury my tongue in her wet slit. Slicking up her juices, I move up to tease her clit, circling and flicking over the sensitive area.
“Oh, yes,” she moans her approval. I slip two fingers inside her and keep up the tongue action she so obviously loves. Her fingers clutch my hair, and her hips urge me on, sexily rocking until I’m grinding my dick against the sheets for some relief. If I don’t get inside her soon I might not make it. My hand’s not an adequate substitute for her pussy and I’ve been fighting my feelings for her for so long. I don’t think my cock’s ever been this hard before.
