by Jacob Chance
Her legs tremble and she calls out her release in a series of shuddery breaths and gasps. It’s the most fulfilling sound in the world.
Wiping my face on the sheet, I move forward, wrapping her legs around my hips and thrust inside her entrance. My head tips back on a groan and I freeze in place savoring the sensation of being wrapped up by her. Fuck me. She’s so snug and warm. Her wet, eager pussy greedily grips my dick. I’ll give her everything she needs and more. Growling, I start to move, slowly at first.
“Faster,” she orders, and I comply. Slamming into her tight heat over and over, I deliver punishing strokes that drive her backward and have her head hanging off the side of the bed. Clutching her shoulders, I pull her back on my cock with every thrust until we’re both riding the blissful orgasmic wave. We finally crash back to reality, both of us breathless and I fall down over her. I press my lips to her neck and roll off to lie on my side and study her sweat dampened face. “You’re amazing. That was indescribable.” Her green eyes lock on me and I see so much emotion swirling through them. Is she feeling confused or regretful? God, I hope not, because that was the most intense sex of my life. “Say something,” I urge.
“Thank you,” she replies, her plush lips parting in a smile.
“I thought you were having regrets for a minute there.”
She turns to face me, propping her head up on her fist. “Don’t ever think that. I only wish we did this sooner. And I don’t just mean the sex. I mean the dating too.”
“Dating? Forget about dating. You’re my girl and there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
“You won’t hear any complaints from me. I feel like I got a great deal when I got you as a boyfriend. I already got to take you for a test run before agreeing. Maybe there’s something to be said for pretending to be in a relationship. There could be a market for this kind of thing. Maybe I need to look into turning this into a business.”
I tickle her side with my fingertips and she squirms. “Don’t even think about doing this with someone else. I’m going to keep you too busy to have time for anything but school, work, and me, and not necessarily in that order.” Catching her hand between us, I press my palm to her much tinier one.
She watches our hands as I toy with her graceful fingers, gliding between them and tracing my fingertips over her skin. “Promise?” Her questioning stare meets mine, looking for reassurance, and I know that she’s looking for more from me than a promise that I’m going to keep her busy. And I’m going to give her what she needs.
“I promise. And by now you should know I don’t go back on my word. If I wasn’t one hundred percent sure about us being together, I never would’ve told you how I was feeling. And we certainly wouldn’t be lying here like we are.”
“Okay. I don’t want you to feel pressured to be with me. And even though we had sex, that shouldn’t weigh in either.”
“I don’t feel pressured to do anything. I want to be with you. I need to be with you. We’ve spent more time with each other than most couples do before getting together. We were friends first. Maybe reluctantly on your part, but we were. We are.” I smile and raise our hands, pressing a kiss to the back of hers. I can’t really fault her for originally thinking I was different than I am. I understand what motivated it. Now that I’m removed from the situation, I can see Stacey much clearer. There’s nothing like time and distance to give you fresh perspective.
Ava’s eyes are glassy with emotion. “I want to be with you too.”
“That’s good, because I’m not sure you’d have a choice. When I set my mind to something, I don’t let up until I achieve it.”
“And being with me is one of those things?” She tugs her lower lip between her teeth.
“Yep. I fought it for as long as I could. Opening up to someone after having your heart broken is scary as fuck.”
“You feel that way too?” She sounds surprised.
“Of course. But this is right. We’re right.”
“How do you know?”
“Because no matter how much I tried to fight what I feel for you, I couldn’t. I’m falling for you and I’m just going to embrace this scary as fuck feeling and enjoy the ride. I know we’re worth the risk.” Ava slides closer on the sheet, cuddling up to the front of my body. Releasing her hand, I slip my arm around her, tracing patterns up and down her spine with my fingertips. “I’m sure enough for the both of us.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ava
On the brief ride from the hotel back to my apartment, my eyes keep straying toward Oliver. Taking in every detail from the top of his thick, dark hair to the blunt nails on his hands gripping the steering wheel, guiding us safely through the city. I can’t believe he’s my boyfriend. It’s a dream come true and I might have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not imagining this.
He carries my bag in for me. “Where’s your room? I’ll put your stuff in there.”
“It’s on the left.” Kicking off my sneakers, I point to the short hallway that houses my bedroom and bathroom. Slipping off my sweatshirt, I hang it up on the wall hook in the entry and head to the kitchen. “Do you want something to eat or drink?” I ask when Oliver appears beside me.
“I’ll take a water if you have any, thanks.”
Reaching in the fridge I hand him a bottle, before grabbing an apple juice for myself. “Are you sure you don’t want a bagel or a slice of leftover pizza?”
“Pizza is the breakfast of champions. Let’s do it. After last night I could use some fuel.” He winks. He must be thinking about the three times we had sex. Or maybe I should say made love, because the last two times felt decidedly slow and tender after our first desperate tumble. When I woke up in his arms this morning, I was achy in all the right places. And my heart was so full of emotion, I didn’t know how to contain it all. I still don’t. I guess this is a feeling I’ll need to get used to.
I heat up the remaining slices in my microwave and join Oliver at the small table, setting the plate between us. “Help yourself.” I hand him some napkins and we both dig in.
One of my favorite things about spending time with Oliver is how we don’t need to fill up every moment of silence with unnecessary conversation. We’re comfortable just enjoying the quiet of each other’s company and not trying to make it more than it needs to be. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so content with another person, not even Perri, or my high school friends.
“When am I going to see you again?” Oliver asks, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“I have to work tomorrow night. Are you?”
“I’m working tonight.” He shakes his head. “In fact, I need to get going. I have to finish a paper that I started last week before I go to work. Unfortunately, it’s worth a good chunk toward my grade.”
“We can figure out our schedules tomorrow. Go do what you need to.”
Rising, he tosses the crumpled napkin in the trash. He holds out his hand and pulls me to my feet, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’m going to miss you tonight. Are you sure you don’t want to come hang out at the bar while I work?”
“I wish, but I have too much to do. Sundays are when I do all my laundry and catch up on studying.”
“We’re going to have to meet up tomorrow at some point because I don’t want to go a single day without your kisses.” He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine for a slow, tender kiss.
“Well, I do have a lot of kisses stored up to give.” I smile up at him.
“You meant to say to give me,” he growls into my neck and blows a raspberry. I guffaw.
“Yes. They’re only for you.”
His expression turns serious and he cups my face with both hands. “I’m crazy about you, Ava.” In my mind I’m doing a happy dance. “I know you’re anxious about taking this step, but I’m going to show you every day how I feel about you.” When his lips capture mine once more, I feel how much he cares with every single cell in my body.
“Hey, what are you doing here?
” I beam at Oliver.
“I wanted to see you.” He grins back at me and hands over a cup of coffee. The warmth seeps into my colds hands. Fall mornings in Boston can be chilly. “I thought I’d help you wake up.” He references my caffeine addiction.
“So that’s why you asked me what my first class was when you texted last night.”
“Yep. Aren’t you glad I did?” He hands me a bag. Looking inside, I find a pumpkin muffin.
“Wow, you’re on your way to boyfriend of the year. Coffee and a muffin?”
“I’m trying.”
“What did I do to deserve this?”
“You don’t need to do anything to deserve it.” He steps closer, placing his hands on my waist. “I care about you and want to spoil you in any way I can.”
“Thank you. I’ve never really had anyone do that for me before. Watch out. I could get used to it.”
“You’re not the type to take things for granted.”
“You know me that well, huh?”
He rakes his teeth over his bottom lip and nods. “I do. Better than you realize.”
“You think you do.”
“I know I do. Take a sip of your coffee. I bet I got it right.”
Opening the tab on my Dunks coffee, I take a small sip, smacking my lips together. “Mm, perfect. How did you know?”
“I pay attention to what you do. When you stayed over at the frat, I watched you when you made your coffee.”
“And you still remember weeks later?”
“Some things are worth remembering.”
“I don’t know if how I drink my coffee is important, but I appreciate that you know.”
“It’s important to you.” He traces the edge of my face with his fingertip.
“You’re important to me,” I confess.
His masculine lips spread into a wide smile. “Good. Because I couldn’t even make it through the day without seeing you this morning.”
“I’m glad you couldn’t. I’m happy to see you.”
“You just want me for my coffee ordering skills.” He smirks.
“You have more skills than that to offer.” I wink.
“When would you like me to demonstrate some more of my skills? I’m at your disposal.”
“I have to work tonight, so that’s out. What about tomorrow night?”
“I’m working the next two nights.”
“Damn. I’m on again Thursday night. We might need to coordinate our work schedules so we can see each other.”
“Friday night you have the hockey game. Don’t forget you’re our lucky charm.”
“How can I when you guys have the outcome of your game riding on me?”
He laughs. “That’s the plan. It gives me another excuse to see my girl. And I want you watching me. I need to wow you.”
“I’m already in awe of your skating. The way you fly around the ice and change direction on a dime is impressive.”
“You like that do you? I’ll see if I can score a goal in your honor.”
“I think that’s the least you can do.”
He leans forward, his lips hovering over mine. “I might score two for you if you play your cards right.”
“Why didn’t you tell me I was meeting your parents tonight?”
“I just told you.”
“I mean why didn’t you tell me before now? I would’ve worn something nicer.” I gesture at my jeans, game jersey, and winter vest. “I look like a slob.”
He grins. “You look sexy as fuck wearing my jersey. And those jeans… oh man, they hug your thighs perfectly. I’ve never been jealous of denim before.”
I giggle. “You know what I mean. I want to make a good impression on your parents.”
“They’re going to love you. Come on, I want to introduce you before I go get ready.” Taking hold of my hand, he directs me across the lobby of the arena and up the stairs to the second level. “My parents always sit up here. And they always arrive like an hour early. They don’t like trying to park in traffic.”
Glancing down a few rows I see the only two seated people in this section and know it’s them. Oliver has midnight hair like his dad, and his mother’s is a lighter brown. He leads me down the stairs and across the row in front of them. His mom lets out a happy shriek and Oliver wraps her up in a hug. He shakes hands with his dad and they thump each other on the back. I fight my nerves as I watch.
“Mom and Dad, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Ava.” My heart squeezes joyfully at being called his girlfriend. Some guys are weird about throwing that label around. I’m glad to see he’s not.
His parents shake my hand and greet me warmly. His dad is handsome for someone his age and I can see how well Oliver will age. His mom is an attractive woman. Tall and thin, she carries herself with elegance, like a former model. I envy how statuesque she is.
Oliver stays for a few minutes and gets me settled into the seat next to his mother’s before he goes down to the locker room.
Once I’m alone with his parents I feel awkward.
“How long have the two of you been together?” his mom asks. I don’t know what to say. Has he already told them an amount of time? Should I count from when we started pretending or five days ago when everything changed?
“It’s fairly new.” I keep my answer vague, so I don’t have to lie. I don’t want them finding out how our relationship really began. Or that I wasn’t truthful the first time I met them. That might be difficult for them to get over.
“I was surprised to see Oliver involved with someone. After he and Stacey broke up I was sure they’d get back together. I really thought she would be the one he married.”
Hasn’t she talked to her son at all? Doesn’t she know Stacey cheated on him and broke his heart? Why would she think they’d get back together? Did they seem that solid?
“I also had a bad breakup last spring. I don’t think either of us were planning on becoming involved with anyone, it just sort of happened.”
“Well, it’s good to see him happy.” She smiles and some of the tension evaporates.
His dad leans forward in his seat looking my way. “Are you a hockey fan?”
I smile and shake my head. “No, I’m an Oliver fan.”
His mom laughs. “I’m with you. I can take or leave the game, but I love watching my boy play.”
“I’m still learning the positions and plays. The only thing I know for sure is who the goalie is and when the puck goes into the net it’s a goal. Other than that I’m pretty clueless.”
“You’ll catch on before you know it. And the hockey season is longer than football. You’ll have plenty of time to learn,” his dad reassures.
The crowd begins to filter in, shifting the energy in the arena. A palpable sense of excitement fills the air and I find myself anxious for the game to begin. When it does, I do my best to focus on the puck and which team has control over it.
Hockey fans are so enthusiastic, and the Boston Terriers’ fans in particular really are. It’s impossible for me not to join in the cheering and shouting. Half the time I don’t know what I’m yelling for, but it feels exhilarating to get involved.
Oliver flies down the ice, passing the puck between his legs to Donovan, and he passes it back to Oliver who sweeps it in the side of the net. His teammates surround him, celebrating their win. Once again it came down to the final seconds and they’re victorious at Oliver’s hand. Or should I say puck handling?
A grin stretches from cheek to cheek and he points up at me. I echo his happiness and clutch my emotion filled chest with my hands. I’m pretty sure I just fell the rest of the way in love with him.
Chapter Nineteen
Oliver
Fall has turned to winter and I usually find myself feeling down that it’s cold weather and snow season. But not this year. Ava and I are going strong and life is wonderful. I can’t ever remember being so content with all aspects of my life like I am now. She’s everything I needed and didn’t know I was missing. Now
that I have her, I’m never letting her go.
After two months together, I can’t imagine spending a single day without seeing her. When I have to work, like tonight, we get together for lunch or squeeze in a coffee between classes. And the nights when neither of us have to be at Score, we usually spend at Ava’s apartment where there’s more privacy.
I wipe down the bar and organize some of the bottles on the shelf while there’s a lull in the drink orders. When I turn around, Stacey is sitting at the bar. Fuck me.
“What’s up?” I ask in a surly tone.
“Is that any way to greet the love of your life?”
“The love of my life isn’t here right now.”
“Oh, please.” She waves her hand dismissively. “I assume you’re talking about Ava? She’s hardly your type.”
“Don’t mention her again,” I caution. I’m not going to have her coming in here and spewing insults about Ava. “Why are you here, Stacey?” I might as well get to the heart of the matter. She has some reason for showing up two months after we saw each other at the wedding.
“Can’t an old friend want to come say hi?”
“They can, but you’re not my friend.”
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “I miss you. I was hoping we could go out to dinner sometime and talk.”
“We have nothing to discuss.”
“Don’t say that.” Stacey places her hand over mine on the bar. “We were together for a long time. Of course we have things to talk about.” When I start to slide my hand out from under hers, she grips my forearm with her other hand. “Oliver, please?” Her blue eyes shine with tears and I’m momentarily taken aback. Not because I believe her, but because of the lengths she’s going to in order to convince me.
