by LuAnn McLane
Jesse nodded. “You’re back to being your old self again?”
“Not quite there yet, but heading in the right direction. Finally.”
Jesse rubbed a fingertip over her cheek. “Let’s go below.”
Ava smiled and felt a hot tingle of anticipation. She took Jesse’s hand and went down the three steps into the cool interior of the boat. “Is it possible to take a shower first?”
“Sure. It’s small but will do the trick. I’d love to join you, but we’d get stuck, and that would make for an embarrassing 9-1-1 call.”
Ava laughed. “I just want to rinse the salt water off. This boat is really nice.”
“I was afraid Oliver would sell it when he moved to Tennessee, but he kept his house and the boat. Hopefully he’ll come for a visit soon.”
“I’d like to meet him. He was my second-favorite Heartbeat brother,” she teased.
“Was I your least favorite?”
Ava pressed her lips together.
“Damn!”
She laughed and gave him a lingering kiss. “You’re my favorite now and forever,” she said in a teasing tone, but he looked at her with serious eyes.
“Good. Now hurry up with that shower.”
Ava took a quick shower in the small space and then wrapped her naked body in a fluffy towel. “Next,” she said, deliberately sliding up against him while making her way to the bed at the bow of the boat.
Jesse couldn’t have been in the shower for more than three or four minutes, but it felt like forever until he joined her in the bed. God, he looked so very sexy. “I want to touch you everywhere,” she said, pushing him back onto a mound of pillows.
“So you’re taking charge? I thought I was the captain!”
“Mmmm, no. I am the pirate queen and you are my captive.”
“Oh, I like it. Please talk like a pirate.”
“Ahoy, matey. I’m about to have me way with ye,” Ava said in a gravelly tone that had Jesse laughing.
And then she dropped her towel. But when he reached for her, Ava shook her head. “Keep yer hands to yerself. I be in charge here.” She tapped her chest.
This time Jesse didn’t laugh, but looked up at her silently with heat in his eyes.
Feeling a sense of feminine power, Ava murmured, “Methinks you deserve a bit of torture.” She trailed her fingertips ever so lightly over his body until she saw his ab muscles quiver. Ava touched him everywhere except for the steely hard erection that seemed to be begging for her attention.
“Ava,” Jesse said in a voice full of need.
“Hush,” she whispered, and then started a trail of kisses over his chest, pausing to lick his nipples. He inhaled sharply when she started kissing, licking, driving him wild.
“God . . .”
Ava looked up to see the rise and fall of his golden chest. He obeyed her command to not touch her, fisting his hands in the covers. And then . . . she licked her way up his shaft, once, twice, lightly swirling her tongue over the head before taking him into her mouth.
Jesse moaned while she worked her magic. She loved the texture of his velvety skin over powerful hardness. “Ava . . .” he said in a desperate voice. “The condom . . .”
Ava found the small packet, ripped it open, and rolled it onto him. Then she came up to her knees and straddled him. Jesse held on to her waist, helping to keep her steady. Her breath caught when she sank down and took him deep inside her. Knowing he was on the brink, she moved slowly, savoring each stroke. She loved feeling in control, watching the play of emotion, the pleasure etched on his face.
Ava held on to his shoulders, rocking, coming up to her knees and then easing back down. When her own pleasure began to build, she moved faster, taking him harder, deeper. She felt wild, free, and when Jesse thrust upward and groaned, she shattered, crying out his name.
Breathing hard, Ava felt little aftershocks that had her gasping. She splayed her hands on his warm chest and looked at him, unable to speak. Her fingers found his hair, and then she leaned in and kissed him with a deep hunger that she’d never felt before. Love burst into her heart, and she was so tempted to tell him that she refused to meet his gaze, not wanting him to see her feelings in the depths of her eyes.
“Ava, don’t be afraid,” Jesse said softly. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
“It’s just so intense,” she whispered, and then risked looking at him. “Jesse, you’ve taken me to a place I didn’t even know I could go.”
“Ava, I understand. You’re finding yourself and learning to live and to love without boundaries.”
“It feels like jumping off a cliff. Exhilarating but frightening.”
Jesse wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, stroking her hair. “But here you are, landed safely in my arms.”
“Yes, here I am.” Ava rested her cheek against his chest, hearing the solid beat of his heart. After a few minutes he eased her to the side and kissed her. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
Ava nodded. “As if my legs could carry me.”
Jesse chuckled, and she took the opportunity to admire his body while he walked over to the bathroom that he called the head, a nautical term that Ava found amusing.
Ava’s body felt sated, languid, and she stretched like a satisfied feline. The gentle rocking of the boat made her feel sleepy, and she wondered how long it had been since she’d had a day of total relaxation. She pulled the soft coverlet over her body and lounged against the pillows.
Jesse reappeared from behind the small door. He headed to the fridge in the galley and pulled out a bottle of wine. “Want some?”
“Please,” Ava said from her perch on the bed, thinking a chilled glass of chardonnay would hit the spot. She watched him perform the simple task of uncorking the bottle, and damn if she didn’t feel aroused all over again.
Jesse looked over and caught her ogling him.
“Sorry, can’t help myself.” She felt a blush heat her cheeks.
“You can help yourself to whatever you want whenever you want it, my pirate princess,” Jesse said, handing her the stemless wineglass.
“Good to know,” she tried to say in her deep pirate voice, but fell into a fit of giggles.
Jesse joined her on the bed. He tapped his glass to hers. “To lazy Sunday afternoons.”
“Mmmm, I’ll drink to that.”
“The first of many,” Jesse said.
Ava smiled, hoping with all her heart that his words rang true.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
DANCE WITH ME
After two solid weeks of rehearsals, Ava and Jesse had their dance routine down pat. What had begun as a classic Argentine tango had segued into a full-blown freestyle dance to Heartbeat’s megahit “Hold Me Tight.” Arabella and Ava managed to weave classic tango steps and bold, sexy choreography into a mind-blowing hip-hop extravaganza that incorporated some patented boy-band moves that Jesse knew would bring the house down.
Jesse mopped sweat from his brow and chest with a white towel. Normally by this time in the rehearsal, he would be begging for a break, but after he chugged a bottle of water he shot Ava a look. “One more time?”
Ava tipped her head back and laughed. “I’ve created a monster.”
Jesse tapped his bare chest. “Um, more like a lean, mean, dancing machine.”
“Ah, so true. I think we might have a problem of women screaming their heads off during the performance. Maybe my suggestion of tight black pants and no shirt isn’t such a great idea after all.”
Jesse pointed to the black fedora he wore through the dance as a homage to one of the classic Heartbeat looks. “I can keep my hat on?”
Ava blushed at the reminder of her request for Jesse to wear the hat during a wild love-making session the previous night. He marveled at how uninhibited she’d become during sex. Even with clothes on, she looked damned sexy in tights and a sports bra. He longed to peel her clothes off and take her up against the wall.
“Stop looking
at me like that! I have to take a quick shower and teach a class in thirty minutes.”
“I can’t.”
“Jesse . . .”
“Hey, I know. Let’s shower together.” He nodded toward the private bathroom past Ava’s desk.
“I have a class.”
“They won’t know.”
“I’ll have that . . . you know.” She drew a circle around her face with her finger.
“What?”
“After-sex glow,” she said in a stage whisper.
Jesse blew out a sigh. “Okay, so now I have to wait until you get home?”
“You’re coming to my place so I can fix dinner for you. Did you forget?”
“No, and I know you’re making sure I don’t eat pizza.”
Ava closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes, and making sure you don’t stay up half the night, my sexy insomniac.”
“Fun things happen in the heat of the night,” Jesse reminded her.
“Mmmm, yes. But falling into an exhausted sleep is better than you binge-watching something on Netflix.”
“I won’t argue that one,” Jesse said, but in fact, they didn’t argue much at all. During the last couple of weeks, they’d fallen into a pretty sweet routine of morning rehearsal, a nice dinner, and an evening spent listening to music or watching a movie, followed by incredible sex. Saturday nights were spent with his brothers, and Sunday they went out on the water. Life was good, and Jesse realized that he hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. The reason for his sunny disposition? Well, she was in his arms.
Jesse dipped his head and kissed Ava tenderly, but when she pressed her body closer to his he deepened the kiss, hoping she’d change her mind about showering together. He moved his mouth to her neck, finding the place that he knew drove her wild.
“You’re not playing fair,” she said with a little moan.
“I know.” He cupped her breast and then took her earlobe into his mouth.
“God . . .”
“Have I changed your mind?”
“No . . . okay, yes!” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the bathroom. “Hurry!” She laughed.
Jesse laughed with her, pausing only to grab his duffel bag. Moments later they were naked beneath the pulsing spray of the shower. Jesse put a generous amount of shower gel in his palm and washed Ava’s body, lingering in the places that made her moan. The slick feeling of her wet skin had him pressing her against the back of the shower stall and taking a pebbled nipple into his mouth, licking, tugging until she threaded her fingers through his wet hair.
“Jesse . . . God,” she gasped when he slid his hand between her thighs. He knew her body so well, her pleasure points, what drove her wild, and within a few more seconds he brought her to an orgasm. With a weak chuckle, she collapsed against him, panting. “I think you need a good washing,” she said in a low, sexy tone. “Turn around.” He heard her squirt shower gel into her hand. Pressing her body to his, she reached around and wrapped her fingers around his cock.
Jesse’s breath caught at her touch. He closed his eyes and braced one hand against the stall while Ava stroked him, working her magic. He loved the sensation of having her breasts pressed against his back. She moved suggestively, flush against him. Jesse groaned. She knew his body well too, but the pleasure he felt wasn’t just from being stroked—it was from being stroked by her. When she pressed her mouth to his neck, kissing, licking, Jesse felt release rip through his body, nearly bringing him to his knees. He put his other palm against the wet wall, trying to catch his breath.
“I think you’re super clean.” Ava chuckled, but the only response Jesse could manage was a nod. “Are you going to wash your hair?”
“I can’t move,” he said gruffly, and she kissed his back. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold off telling her that he was madly in love with her.
“My class will be here soon,” Ava reminded him.
“Okay,” he said, finally fumbling his way through washing his hair before pivoting so Ava could have a turn beneath the spray. He wanted to run his hands over her sleek body, but he knew he’d get worked up all over again, so he reluctantly stepped out of the shower stall.
Jesse toweled dry and tugged on clean clothes. He finger-combed his hair and turned to take in the view when Ava stepped out of the shower. He leaned forward and gave her a lingering kiss.
“You need to get going before my class arrives. Your presence always disrupts them.”
“Isn’t it the seniors this morning?”
“Don’t let it go to your head, but you have that effect on women of all ages,” she said.
“Ah, home skillet, you do wonders for my ego.” He grinned. Because of the Heartbeat days, he’d become immune to the attention he received from women—all except Ava, of course. “I’ll bounce, but I’ll see you tonight at your place. It should be a gorgeous night to sit on the rooftop.” He gave her another quick kiss and hurried out the door.
Whistling happily as he walked down the hallway, he nearly bumped into A² and Not-So-Angelic. He’d only seen them in passing since the grocery store incident, but he supposed his luck had to run out at some point. Anthony sneered as expected, but he hadn’t counted on the nasty glare from Angelica as well. Was she angry that she hadn’t gotten her selfie with him?
Jesse quickly averted his gaze and walked past them.
“Jerk,” Angelica hissed, but Jesse kept on walking out into the fresh air and sunshine.
Jesse frowned, wondering what he’d done to deserve Angelica’s ire. “Ah, who the fuck cares?” he mumbled as he unlocked the car door and hopped in, cranking up the radio while driving to the music shop.
Whistling, Jesse walked into I Heart Music, grinning at Jimmy’s music choice piping into the store. His brother liked to play indie bands, giving them the exposure he thought they dearly deserved.
“Hey,” Jimmy said from where he stood, stocking vinyl records on a big display rack. “Didn’t you get my message? Your nine-thirty lesson canceled.”
“Oh, no, I missed it,” Jesse replied, thinking he’d been a bit preoccupied. “Oh well, need any help?”
“Nah,” Jimmy replied. “But you can keep me company if you don’t have to be anywhere else. I haven’t seen much of you lately,” he said with a knowing grin.
“I’ve been busy,” Jesse said.
“You gonna fill me in?” Jimmy showed him a vintage Stones album before putting it on the rack. “How’re the rehearsals going?”
“Fantastic. Arabella and Ava came up with a kick-ass routine.”
“Sweet,” Jimmy said with a nod. “I heard the show is already sold out.”
“Yeah.”
“Did you tell her the surprise you have planned?” Jimmy asked.
“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?”
Jimmy chuckled. “Good point. So, any other run-ins with Ava’s ex and his girlfriend after the grocery store incident?”
Jesse frowned. “Funny you should ask. I just saw the asshat and his girlfriend at the center. Passed them in the hallway and if looks could kill . . .” He shook his head.
“You’d be dead?”
“As a doornail,” Jesse said with a sigh. “But who cares what they say to me?”
The animosity in the stare-down had been unnerving. Still, though, Jesse reminded himself to shake it off. It had probably meant nothing. “They better not do anything to upset Ava, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
“I don’t get why they’re here to begin with.”
“Ava tried to explain the ballroom dance gossip to me, and supposedly they’re after the prize money, but I think the guy is just a mean-spirited ass who wants to cause trouble. Ava moved here to get away from the drama, and I think he just came here to bother her. I hate that she’s having to deal with this all over again. Had I known they were planning to enter the competition, I would have tried to keep them from performing.”
“That sucks.�
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“Yeah, but on a brighter note, things between Ava and me are awesome.”
“I can tell.”
“Really? How?”
Jimmy shrugged. “I dunno, I guess you have this vibe of excitement but are super relaxed at the same time, if that makes sense?”
“Kinda, but you’re the intuitive, sensitive Heart, so I think you pick up on things that others don’t.”
“Maybe, but we are twins, you know.”
“And nothing alike.”
“Yeah, but I can still sense a difference in you.”
Jesse leaned against the display. “When did you know you were in love with Maggie?”
“I felt something from the moment I met her,” Jimmy said with a soft smile. He chuckled. “It took her a little bit longer. So, have you fallen for Ava?”
Jesse shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He wasn’t as comfortable talking about his feelings as Jimmy was, preferring to crack jokes rather than be serious.
“Since you don’t have a comeback, I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Okay . . . yes, I mean, Jimbo, I’ve never felt this way before.”
“It can be a little overwhelming.”
“You mean scary as shit?”
“Yeah, you’re putting your heart on the line. Giving someone the power to hurt you. But man, it’s worth it, Jesse. Let her know how you feel.”
“She’s a little bit gun-shy after what that asshat Anthony did to her. He’s got a lot of fucking nerve showing up here in Sea Breeze. I got past the whole grocery store encounter, basically joking about it. But damn, that douche has a whole lot of ugly in him. I sure hope he doesn’t pull anything shitty. Healing from the whole thing has been tough for her.”
“Maybe even more reason to let Ava know how much she means to you.”
“You’ve got a point, but then again, you usually do,” Jesse admitted. “I wish I had the ability to think things through like you do. I tend to act now and think later. I guess I’m afraid of saying something wrong, messing things up.”
“Hey, I don’t think telling Ava that you love her could mess things up, but you’ll know when it’s the right time to let her know.”