by Paisley Lang
I snort. “Does this look like someone who’s into commitment?” I watch her face and slide the phone across to her. “There you go – taken last night.”
She squints at the phone awhile and stands up. “That’s Logan, his best friend. I spoke to Jax two days ago, he mentioned Logan’s cousin and friend were coming into town for a few days.” She slides the phone back to me. “That, I know for sure, is purely innocent.”
I choose not to answer, but my heart stopped pounding so hard. I glance out the screen and into the backyard. Roberto is balancing precariously on a tree branch as he attempts to hang a lantern. She follows my line of vision.
“Jesus, that man. I’ve told him so many times to hire someone else to do that. Hold on a sec.”
She steps outside and shouts a few warning words to him, but he doesn’t answer and simply waves her away.
“Sorry about that. Anyway, enough about Jax. Would you and Lauren like to come dancing tonight?”
Gaby starts to drop some moves around the kitchen and I find myself giggling, the heavy mood lifting between us.
“Dancing? Where?”
“Oh, just a bar downtown. It’s quite upmarket from what I hear - good drinks and good music - or so the girls tell me. Why don’t you see if you can both come with us? We’ll have some fun tonight.”
I find myself agreeing, getting swept up in her enthusiasm.
“Why not? It’s not too often I get to party with my aunt. Let me double check with Lauren, she may be tied up. If not, it’ll just be me.”
Later that evening, rummaging through my clothes and feeling in the mood to dance and have a good time, I decide to get dressed up tonight. I select a new nude-colored bandage-style dress with my pale gold Louboutin stilettos. My makeup is heavier than normal and I’ve worn my hair in my normal tumbling waves.
“You sure you can’t come?” I turn to Lauren, who has her nose in some media pack.
“I’d love to, but I’m exhausted. Last night went on far too late. Ugh. Who’d have thought Robert Lang would be such a party guy?”
I laugh. “Well, you’ve definitely won him over as a new client. I could see he was practically eating out of your hand by the time I left.”
She smiles. “He’s definitely cute. In a nerdy kind of way.”
I glance at my watch. “I better go, I’m already late.”
I spritz some perfume and give her a hug. “See you in the morning. Enjoy your bath.”
The bar is buzzing when I enter, and I weave my way through the crowd and locate the private VIP area as instructed by Gaby’s text. I immediately spot her sitting around a small table with four of her friends. Dressed up, she looks like Sophia Lauren – simply stunning.
She glances up and seeing me, shrieks in delight. I throw my head back and laugh – they’d clearly been knocking back the drinks, judging from the empty shot glasses on the table.
“Hey Gaby.” She stands and hovers over the table, gripping my shoulders and kissing me on my cheeks. I turn to her friends who are grinning at me and give them a wave.
“This is my wonderful niece, Ava, who I’ve been telling you all about. I’m so happy she’s here.”
I flush at her enthusiasm and I’m warmly embraced by all of them. Scooting up next to Gaby, I point at the empty glasses.
“So, ladies, what are we drinking?”
“Tequila...” they all shout in unison, and I laugh, pretending to wince and cover my ears. “Well, bring it on. Looks like I have some catching up to do.”
An hour later, feeling relaxed, I find myself being pulled up out of my seat by a pretty inebriated Gaby. I had decided earlier to stop at one drink and designated myself the unofficial watcher of our group.
“Come on, Ava. Let’s shake our asses.” She raises her glass and wriggles her way onto the middle of the packed dance floor.
Lost in the music, she is packed in by her friends, all having a good time and trying to move to the beat in their drunken states.
Laughing at their off-sync moves, I hang back a little, giving them a little more space. Soon a small crowd gathers around them, cheering on their antics and I spur them on, clapping along with the crowd. Stepping backwards, I bump into someone and I turn around, an apology already forming on my lips. A relatively cute guy winks at me and I smile.
I shout over the music and he leans in closer, a smile playing on his lips. “I’m sorry…I’m trying to give my friends here a little more room.”
“No problem. They look like they’re having fun.”
I nod. “They sure are.”
“Wanna dance?” I see a hopeful glint in his eye and shrug my shoulders. Why not? It was just a little fun.
“Sure.” I smile as I turn back around and his arms lightly encircle my waist, and we dance together to the upbeat music. A song later, I catch Gaby glaring at us, furiously tapping away on her phone, but I merely shake my head, ignoring her obvious disapproval.
The music changes tempo to a slower R’n’B song and I hesitate as he draws me closer against him. Dancing to upbeats tracks was one thing, but I’ve no intention of leading him on in the hope of something more.
I extricate myself from him. “I’m just gonna take a break and grab a drink from the bar.”
“I’ll come with.”
I groan internally and signal to Gaby that I’m getting a drink.
We push our way through until I get to the bar and signal for the bartender, where I order a sparkling water for myself.
“What would you like to drink?” I have to almost shout before he can hear me.
“JD and Coke would be great.”
The bartender goes off to make our drinks and I smile at my dance companion, thinking of a polite way that I can get rid of him.
He leans in close and touches the top of my arm. “So, what’s your name, gorgeous?”
“No, actually, it’s not.”
He looks at me with a blank face. I exhale and force a smile.
“It’s Ava.”
The bartender slides over our drinks, and I hand over a twenty and tell him to keep the change.
“I’m Brent, Ava.” He takes a sip of his drink but his eyes stay on me. “What do you say we get out of here?”
Ugh. I’m just about to retort when I feel the hairs on my arm stand up.
I feel his presence even before I see him.
“Back off man, she’s with me. Now.”
My heart pulses against my chest, and Brent looks over my shoulder with a smirk on his face.
“I don’t think so, buddy. I got here first.”
I felt Jax’s stare burning into me and taking my time, I turn and meet his eyes. And temporarily forget to breathe. He looks even more handsome than when I last saw him four days ago. With his black shirt stretching over his chest and his faded designer jeans that hugs his muscular thighs, I found myself unable to tear my eyes away from him.
His jaw is set in a hard line and his eyes narrow at Brent. His voice is pure steel.
“Beat it, man. I won’t ask again.”
I widen my eyes at Jax’s command. Swearing under his breath, Brent gives me one last look and then walks away, muttering to himself.
Folding my arms across my chest, I glare at him. “What are you doing here, Jax?” I’m confused with how happy I am to see him and also angry with him laying claim to me.
“Saving you from that douche.”
I shake my head. “I can handle myself perfectly fine, thank you.” I look over to the dance floor to see Gaby heading our way. Grinning, she shakes her phone at me and then whispers something in her friend’s ear.
“Did Gaby tell you I was here?”
He shrugs, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Maybe.”
“What? I don’t believe this.” I take a big gulp of my water. “Surely you have better things to do, like entertaining your bevy of women?”
He frowns, confused by my words, but then a knowing look comes over
him.
“Trust me, there’s no other woman or women in my life. If you’re referring to that photo of me and Logan that seems to be plastered on all the damn gossip sites, it’s nothing.” He smirks and leans in closer, and I catch a whiff of his cologne. I suck in a breath as he moves his mouth next to my ear. I can feel the warmth of his breath and my skin breaks out in goose bumps, shooting a tingle up my spine. “Why, are you jealous, Kitten?”
“What? No, Stud, not at all.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I immediately chide myself for falling back into our old nicknames.
Guard your heart. Guard your heart. Guard your heart.
I slam my glass on the bar and push past him, needing to put some space between us. I can’t figure out what’s going on with me lately. I head in the direction of the exit, pushing through the crowd and then finally, I make it out onto the street. Gulping in deep breaths of fresh air, I will my heart to calm down as I try to think.
“Ava.”
A shiver runs through my body, highly attuned to the sound of his voice. I feel his presence next to me as I stare straight ahead, the light breeze carrying his scent with it. I inhale sharply.
“Stop fighting us, Ava.”
His voice is low and seductive, the words flowing over me like velvet. My nipples harden against my dress at his words, with the realization that I wanted him more than anything.
Lust overpowers every other feeling, hitting me like a freight train in full motion.
Just one night.
One night with him will be enough for closure.
I chew my lip, eyes still staring into the distance. The words fall out of my mouth before I can properly comprehend what I’m about to do.
“Take me to your place.”
Chapter 25
Jax
“Ava-”
She silences me by placing her index finger on my lips.
“No talking, Jax. We’re both consenting adults. But I have one condition.”
She removes her finger from my lips, and I’m so strung with tension that I’ll agree to anything right now.
“What condition?”
“One night only. After tonight, we go back to our lives and close this chapter.”
I’m silent as I contemplate her offer. Before I can answer, the valet pulls up with my Porsche and tosses me the keys.
I look at Ava and draw in a deep breath. Fuck, she’s so sexy, I nearly punched the guy back there for having his hands on her.
I draw her to me and fist my hand at the back of her neck, gathering her curls. Then I bring my lips to hers and devour her, kissing her with everything I’ve got. She moans in response and it drives me crazy. We’re making a scene and I don’t want to get papp’d, so I pull away and step back from the fire raging between us.
“You make me act like a damn teenager around you.”
Decision made, I grab her hand and lead her to my car.
Turning the music up to kill some of the sexual tension between us, I fly through the streets with only one thought in mind. No words are needed. I can see it in the way she grips the edge of her seat. In the invisible waves of need and anticipation rolling off her.
I’ve wanted her in my bed again since that one night we had six years ago, and I’ve waited too damn long for this moment. My erection strains against my jeans and I fight to gain some control with her in such close proximity.
We pull up to my villa in record time and I screech the car to a halt in front of the garage. Throwing open my door, I race around to her side, helping her out of the car.
For a moment, I catch a glimpse of vulnerability on her face – the same face she wore all those years ago. It makes me halt and my heart pounds at the situation fate had once again thrown us into – a second chance to be together.
I’ll be damned if I was going to screw it up again.
Reaching for her hand, she follows me wordlessly to the front door.
As soon as we walk inside, the atmosphere changes between us, becoming fully charged.
“Nice place. I meant to say it the other day.” She draws her arms around her chest and smiles softly.
“Thanks…feel free to make yourself at home. Can I get you a drink?”
“Sure. Thanks.”
I quickly head for the kitchen, needing a moment myself. Popping open a bottle of champagne, I take the glasses and find her in the den, looking at some of my framed photos from when I went travelling. She jumps slightly as I come up next to her and offer her the glass.
“Thanks.” She takes a delicate sip and continues to peruse the photos. I can’t take my eyes off her.
“So, you look like you had some good times.” She slowly glides across to the sofa, and I feel myself instantly harden again at the sight of her tight dress hugging her curves.
Placing my glass down, I stride over to her before she hits the sofa and taking her hand, I pull her against me.
“Oh.” Startled, she whirls around, almost losing her balance, and falls flush against my chest. Her brown eyes flare with heat and she moistens her lips.
Her voice is breathless as she looked into my eyes. “Jax…”
“God, Kitten, I’ve wanted this so for long.”
I take in the vulnerability in her eyes, the desire written all over her face, and all I want to do is to hold her, reassure her that I’m not that same guy who let her down six years ago.
As if under her spell, my gaze is drawn to her full lips, which gently part. The sound of her shallow breathing fills me with a fierce longing I haven’t known before. I know I had no power over the pull I’m feeling.
It’s always that way with her.
Slowly, I bend down and capture her lips tenderly. A weak gasp escapes her, urging me on, and she wraps her arms around my neck, instantly responding. The taste of her lips is far more than I bargain for, and I draw her closer with a deep groan. Pressing her flush against me, I cup the back of her neck and kiss her deeply, gently, and possessively, my fingers twining in her hair, desperate for more.
Her body softens against me, molding into me, and her mouth rivals mine with equal demand. Desire rips through me and without breaking the kiss, I sweep her up into my arms and walk across the hall to the bedroom.
Depositing her softly, I step backwards and dim the light.
“Step into the middle of the room, Ava. I want to see every inch of you in the light.”
Inhaling audibly, she goes forward slowly, calmly, waiting for my lead.
I take my time trailing my eyes over her exquisite beauty.
Fucking perfection.
With two strides I’m behind her. Close. Inhaling her scent, which drives me crazy, my lips hovering over her neck.
My fingers locate the zipper of her dress and I slowly drag it down.
Moving my palms under the fabric, I reach her shoulders and push the sleeves over and off, where it lands in a puddle around her feet.
My hands sweep down the length of her arms all the way to find her fingers and entwine them with mine. Leaning her back against me, I lift her arms above her head and spin her around to face me.
My eyes sweep over her and I inhale sharply.
I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than Ava Isabella Cortes.
Long legs are attached to a slim waist, with hips generous enough for my hands to grip when my cock drives into her. And her magnificent breasts, which are fuller now than they were back then, spilling over her black lace bra.
“I think I’m in heaven. If I’m dead, don’t wake me.”
She smiles and playfully swats me, momentarily suspending the sexual tension surrounding us.
With record speed, I rip open the buttons on my shirt and step out of my jeans, my engorged erection now painful and bulging through my boxers.
I watch her eyes fill with desire as her eyes rake over my body. Stepping closer, she runs her hands over my chest and I groan at the contact, her fingers feeling like silk against my burning skin.
“Take off the rest.” My words have an edge now.
We understand each other in that moment. The ambiance of what we’re about to do swirls heavily around in the room.
Wordlessly, Ava reaches around her back and finds the hooks of her bra. I hold my breath as for one last second of modesty, she holds onto the cups before letting the black lace drop away to land on top of her dress.
I stand there gaping at the perfection in front of my eyes. They’re the most beautiful pair of tits I’ve ever seen in my life, and I can only hope my chin isn’t covered in drool.
Her dark pink nipples go from soft to hardening into tight buds right before my eyes.
All that’s now left is her black thong.
Christ, if I died tonight, I’d be a happy man.
“Everything. Off.”
I heard her inhale, and then she deftly places her thumbs underneath the fabric and pulls downwards, the lace rolling into a twisted band that skims her long legs on the way down.
She steps out of the pile of fabric at her feet, completely naked in front of me.
I have waited six long years for this. Could only dream of this moment.
It takes me a few seconds to control myself, to stop from pulling her beneath me and finding that warm, pulsing place to put my cock.
I draw a deep and steadying breath before holding out my hand to her, beckoning her closer.
I think my spine might snap from the tension.
Fuck…
She. Is. Beautiful.
Exquisite. Flawless. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever been with.
The only one I’ve ever given my heart to.
She smiles as she takes my hand. Not able to hold back any longer, I crush her body to me and take her mouth, going deep, my tongue desperately dueling with hers. Burying her hands into my hair, I groan into her mouth in a desperate attempt to merge our bodies.
I slide my hands down to cup the curves of her ass and lift her. Wrapping her legs around my hips, she grips me tightly as my straining cock presses in right between her legs. Moaning into my mouth, she thrusts right against the ridge of my erection as I held her up, telling me exactly what she wants.