“Sweet dreams, Avery.” I breathe a last kiss onto his chest before I lay my cheek against it and listen to his strong and steady heartbeat. The awful words from the past try to sneak into my thoughts again, and I can still feel their sting, but I know I’ll get past that eventually. Nothing is going to separate us again.
At least that’s what I hope.
His breathing becomes shallower, and then he’s asleep. I lift my head to look at him in the moonlight pouring through my window. How can a man be this beautiful? Where I thought I felt a few butterflies come to life only a short while ago, now the old familiar tornado is raging again. But I still don’t know the depth of his feelings for me. “Do you love me?” I whisper.
“Mm-hm,” he mumbles.
“With every fiber of your being?” I don’t raise my voice.
“Yes,” he grumbles.
“I love you, too, I think.”
He opens his eyes at that and looks at me with a grin. “It would be nice if you knew.”
“Don’t wake up,” I whisper frantically.
“I wasn’t asleep yet,” he answers softly.
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
“And do you love me?” he asks intently.
I lay my head on his chest again and sigh.
“No, no, no,” he says gently. “Please look at me.”
I do as he asked and look at him.
“Well?” he says, sounding pleading and insecure.
“After everything that happened, I thought I couldn’t love you again, but … the single butterfly you reawakened became a whole swarm of them again. These critters are proving chaos theory in my stomach right this very moment … ”
His lips curve into a wide smile. “That’s the most beautiful declaration of love I’ve ever heard.”
How do I reply to that? I breathe another kiss onto his lips. For now, this is the only declaration he’ll get. I still need to see how this goes.
Chapter 16
The next day, I feel exhausted. The long night left me drained, and I start nodding off halfway into the lecture. Fortunately, Kelsey noticed it in time and shook me awake. I have taken to sitting between her and Sky. We didn’t decide that, it just happened, but I like the feeling of belonging it conveys.
Later, Kelsey and I sit beneath a palm tree, my back against the trunk, engrossed in a conversation.
Sky already left for another lecture, which neither of us are in—it’s not part of our program.
“So the two of you are really together again?” Kelsey asks after I tell her all about the previous night.
“I think so, but famous last words and all that. I want to wait and see how things go.”
“That sounds sensible,” Kelsey says thoughtfully. “Who knows whether that bitch Pearl won’t try to throw another wrench into the gears.”
“Well, let her try. I know she made an awful scene at Avery’s parents’ house recently, so I hope she stays away from him from now on. But anything’s possible.”
“Hey, guys,” Cami greets us and sits down. “How are you doing?”
I beam at her happily. “Great, and you?”
“I can’t complain either. What are you doing out here, no more classes?” Cami asks.
“No, we’re done for today,” Kelsey answers.
“Lucky you. I still have to sit through chemistry.” Cami groans.
I giggle. “Poor baby.”
“Seriously. Delsin and the others have nothing scheduled today, so I’m the only one who has to stay until three,” she complains, leaning against the palm tree with me.
“Well, I have to be at work by three, and my shift lasts until eleven tonight,” I say.
“All right, all right, point taken.” She smiles.
“Yep. I’d prefer to spend my time any other way.”
“I bet you would. For example, in bed with Avery,” Kelsey blurts out.
Cami starts and stares at me. “No way!”
I shrug my shoulders and grin at her.
“No, you’ve got to be kidding me. You’re really giving him another chance?” she asks, sounding happy.
“Yeah. Yesterday we fought, we cried, and we did some other things,” I say evasively.
“They had sex, both in bed and in the bathroom, after she stopped him from leaving and told him she loved him by referring to butterflies and tornadoes and chaos theory.” Kelsey sums it all up rather well.
“Thank you, Kelsey!” I laugh.
“You’re welcome,” she replies and sticks out her tongue at me.
“Oh my God, I think that’s great, but what made you change your mind?” Cami asks curiously.
I shrug and sigh at the same time. “After Avery saved me from this thug two weeks ago, we almost ended up in bed.” I shake my head. “And then yesterday … when I came home from work … he was waiting for me in my apartment. I didn’t know how to deal with that. I mean, I switched on the light, and there he was. We fought, and I threw him out, but he wanted me to tell him that I didn’t love him. And I couldn’t say it. He left, and only then I realized how much I miss him. So I followed him.”
“And then?”
Kelsey takes over. “They had sex, in bed and in the bathroom—”
“It’s okay, Kelsey. She knows that part already.”
Cami laughs. “I just hope you don’t have to fight against any more nasty machinations by people like Pearl,” she says soberly.
“I won’t let her go a second time.” Avery’s voice startles us all. “Hey, Dale.” He smiles at me.
I get up, and he pulls me into an embrace and gives me a lingering kiss, which I return with a sigh.
“I just heard the whole story, so stop eating her face,” Cami wails, but she sounds amused by it all.
Avery pulls away from me. “Sorry, Sweet Thing. I just had to spend a few hours without her, so I couldn’t stop myself.”
I turn around and lean my back against him. Avery puts his arms around me from behind and holds me close to him.
“I’ve gotta leave you guys,” Kelsey says. “I need to study, and I’m on the hunt for some books I couldn’t find in the library yesterday.” Normally we hug each other, but now she kisses me on the cheek. “See you tomorrow.”
“Sure. Just don’t set the library on fire,” I tease.
“I’m not promising anything, but I’ll see what I can do.” She grins. “Bye, Cami. Bye, Avery.” She walks away.
“See you,” they call after her, and she waves back at them.
“Did Delsin call you, Ave?” Cami asks.
“He did. We’re meeting at the gym this afternoon.”
“Okay, that means I get to spend the rest of the day with Thally and Hailey. If you didn’t have to work, I’d invite you, too, Dale.”
“That’s okay. We can do something next week, when I’m back from Santa Monica,” I suggest.
“You’re going to Santa Monica?” Avery asks.
“Yeah, that’s the plan,” I tell him. “Thierry invited me to go, as I’m sure you remember, and he wants to finally do it this weekend.”
Cami raises an eyebrow. “You want to go on a trip to Santa Monica with your boyfriend’s brother?”
“Um, yes. Why shouldn’t I?” I want to know. Why do they both seem shocked by the idea? Thierry and I made the plan many weeks ago, and I don’t want to cancel it just because Avery and I are a couple again.
“I’m surprised, that’s all,” Cami says.
“Tell me about it,” Avery grumbles.
“Anyway,” Cami says quickly. “I’m going to drag my ass to chemistry now. I’ll see you later, Ave, and I’ll see you when I see you, Dale.” Cami kisses me on both cheeks first and then proceeds to do the same with Avery.
“Say hi to Delsin for me,” I say.
“Will do.” She smiles.
“Bye, Sweet Thing.” Avery nods after her and lets go of me so I can pick up my backpack from the ground. I grab it and look up at him.
“You don’t
look happy,” I say when I notice the obvious jealousy in his expression.
“That’s because I don’t feel happy,” he forces through clenched teeth.
I see him flex his fingers. “What’s the problem?” I ask, trying to sound calm instead of irritated.
“You could have told me that you’re still going to Santa Monica with Thierry,” he grinds out.
“Oh? Between fighting and fucking and getting some sleep, when do you think I should have mentioned it?” I counter dryly.
He scoffs. “How about this morning?”
“Avery, it’s only for a weekend, and he’s booking two separate rooms, so stop your macho act. Nothing’s going to happen,” I say resolutely.
“I still don’t like the thought of having to make it through a whole weekend without you.”
“You made it through three goddamned months without me. A few more days will not kill you!”
He squares his shoulders and fixes me with his heated stare, sending fire through my lower body. “I’m coming along.”
I feel blindsided and can’t think of anything to say to that, so I throw up my arms and walk away.
“Are you mad at me now?” he asks. But he sounds much calmer than he was two minutes ago.
“No, but I have a feeling you’re mad at me, and I think this is bullshit!” I bark at him, almost against my will. I march away, feeling irritated.
“Wait up, come on,” he calls after me and catches up a few moments later. “If you don’t want me to join you and Thierry on this trip, just tell me instead of muttering to yourself.”
“I do want you to come,” I flare up, “will you stop it!” Then I shake my head at our intensity and suddenly start laughing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
Avery chuckles, pulls me into his arms, and kisses the tip of my nose. “You really are cute when you get angry.”
“I’m not angry,” I counter. “You seemed angry with me for not telling you about the trip yet.”
“All right, then you’re cute when you get all feisty with me.”
“Well, look at that. If it isn’t Little Miss Crack Baby and the quarterback.”
The voice cuts through our exchange, and Pearl clicks her tongue.
“What do you want?” Avery asks, clearly annoyed.
Her heels echo as she approaches us. I roll my eyes.
“I just want to get a good look at the ridiculous couple you two make. You could have done so much better, Ave.”
“What the hell is your problem, Pearl?” I interrupt angrily. “Are you offended because Avery dumped you or is it just because you’re nothing but a miserable slut who needs to destroy everything other people cherish?”
Her perfectly groomed eyebrows shoot up. “Don’t you dare, you little crack whore! You’re not in my league, nor are you in Avery’s. Even the dirt under my shoes is worth more than your sorry ass! But you’re going to realize that soon enough.”
“You—” I try to pull away from Avery, but he won’t let me go.
“Don’t,” he cuts me off, speaking soothingly. “She’s not worth it.”
But I tear myself away from him and rush over to stand right in front of her.
“Well, where’s your big mouth when I’m ready to bitch-slap you?” I taunt.
She forces out a fake peal of laughter. Then I see her friends approaching. “Come on, Pearl, you’re making a fool of yourself here,” one of them says.
“Your friend’s right,” I snap. “Is there anything else you want to say or are you too busy pissing your pants?”
“Yeah, come on, lay a hand on me,” she snaps back. “My father’s a cop. He’ll just arrest you.”
“I think your father would be ashamed if he knew what a cheap ho he raised,” I counter. Then I turn around to face Avery again. I ask him something that has been bugging me for a long while. “Did you actually love this woman?”
“No, never,” he answers, taking my hand in his.
I move to stand next to him and smile brightly at Pearl. “It seems you got that thing about our leagues wrong, because the man you want prefers me.”
Avery puts his free hand in front of his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Pearl’s face falls, and I allow myself a chuckle.
“That isn’t true. Tell her, Avery!” she demands shrilly.
“Sorry, Pearl, but it is true,” he tells her. “The man who can love you has yet to be born.” Then we both turn around and walk home together.
***
We stumble into my apartment, because we can’t stop kissing. “Oh, I love that you can be that tough,” he says when I give him a moment to breathe.
“You do?”
“Hell yeah. You beat Pearl at her own game. I don’t think she’s used to that at all. And when you threatened to beat her up, that was damn sexy.” He grins and kisses me again, maneuvering me into the bedroom as I giggle and then tumble down on the bed. Avery doesn’t waste any more time undressing me, pulling down my panties, pushing up my skirt, and opening the fly of his pants.
“I don’t give a damn about rumpled clothes right now. I need to feel you, and I can’t wait,” he growls, forcing his way between my legs and entering me within moments.
I gasp in surprise as he fills and stretches me so quickly. He glides in and out with fluent movements, making me moan louder. He muffles the sounds by crushing my lips with his own, proceeding to thrust his tongue into my mouth. The world around us ceases to exist for a passionate moment.
He begins to move faster, and I wrap my legs around him. I slide my hands underneath his shirt to feel his muscled chest.
I feel his penis twitch inside me, causing the warm waves of pleasure to spread again from my core through my entire body. My arousal mounts and borders on the unbearable, until I dig my nails into his back and explode.
He growls like an animal as I claw at him, and then I feel him come inside me.
Panting, he pulls away and drops down next to me. “Sorry for attacking you like that,” he says softly.
I giggle. “Anytime.”
“You really liked that?” he asks, sounding surprised.
“Oh yeah. And I feel so much better now. I didn’t expect to forget Pearl’s shocked face so quickly,” I tell him with a smirk.
He laughs softly. “You really showed her who’s boss.”
“She had it coming. Someone needs to show her that she can’t treat people like crap, just because she doesn’t like them. It’s not my fault you broke up with her.”
“No, it’s definitely not your fault. It was exactly the way she kept treating people that put me off. I remember meeting her and thinking she was nice and sweet, but as soon as we were together, she began showing her true colors. She couldn’t even be nice to Granny.”
“How is Trudy anyway?” I ask.
“She’s fine. But she keeps asking about you when I visit.”
“We could pay her a visit together next week,” I suggest. “Do you think she’d like that?”
“I think she’d like that a lot, and so would I.”
Chapter 17
“I’m sorry I can’t go. Something unexpected came up,” Thierry says on the phone, only two hours before we agreed to meet up to leave for Santa Monica.
“All right, then we’ll do it another time.” I sigh.
“No, no, I think you and Avery should go together. I can’t cancel the rooms and get my money back, so that would save some money.”
“But that was our trip,” I say. “I mean, you wanted to go.”
“I can go another time, and Ave can show you the pier and the amusement park,” Thierry says. “I’d really still love to go, but my professor announced an exam for next week, and I need to study extremely hard to pass that.”
I heave another sigh. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry, Dale. I’ll call you once I’ve gotten through this exam from hell,” he apologizes again.
“It’s not your fault. Just focus on what you nee
d to do. Good luck!”
After I hang up, Avery asks incredulously, “Did he cancel?” We were waiting for Thierry together.
“He did. He said he has to study for a surprise exam. I don’t know a professor who would do something like that out of the blue, but whatever, it’s a shame he can’t go.”
“Well, we can still go on our own.” Avery says, and then he laughs. “And if I’m not mistaken, this surprise exam is called Caydie.”
“Did they get back together?” I ask, surprised.
“Well, after he told you his sob story he decided to pay her a visit. They had a long conversation and cleared up a few old misunderstandings, but I’m not sure what’s going on now. It’s something, that much is certain. But it could be no more than a quick affair. As far as I know, Thierry doesn’t want anything steady.”
“Great. So I’m actually getting stood up so he can screw my coworker,” I grumble. But I’m only pretending to be annoyed.
“I’m still here,” Avery says.
“That’s not the same. I was looking forward to spending a weekend with your brother,” I retort dryly.
“What?” Ave barks, and I burst out laughing.
“That was a joke.”
“Oh, just you wait!” he growls. He jumps up and comes at me.
I squeal and try to run away from him. Avery chases me through the apartment and catches up with me in front of the couch. He grabs me, and we tumble down on the couch together.
“We could cancel the trip and go another time,” he pants. “It’s a forty-hour drive.”
“Thierry said he couldn’t cancel the rooms so he’d get charged anyway.”
“So? My brother has money. He can spend some from time to time, instead of always hoarding it.” Avery laughs.
“We might as well use ’em. Let’s make the trip and enjoy a special weekend. Maybe Delsin and Camille will spontaneously join us.”
“You don’t give up, do you?”
I shake my head with a grin.
“I’ll call them.” Avery takes his cell from his pocket and calls Cami. “Hey, it’s me. What are you doing this weekend?”
He nods.
“My brother just stood us up. Yeah, that crazy trip to Santa Monica. You want to come along? … Yes, I know this is short notice. But see it this way: we are young, we have no obligations—apart from, you know, college—and none of us is going to die if we skip a lecture tomorrow … Sure, talk it over with him … Okay, just call me back as soon as you know … Okay. Love you too … ”
Avery: Sensual Desire: New Adult College Romance (Coral Gables Series Book 2) Page 21