He continued to move, steady and sure, until the spasms from the aftermath of my own pleasure tightened around him. Then with one last thrust, he growled, every muscle in his body tightening as he found release.
I couldn’t breathe for several seconds. My heart was racing, and every nerve in my body was ultra sensitive, alive.
Jesse collapsed onto the bed next to me, drawing me into his body and stroking back my hair.
“That,” he murmured, “was worth waiting for. I love you, Julia.”
I lay my head against his chest and listened to the thundering of his heart. “I love you, Jesse.”
Outside, the day ended and the sun set. Within that room, lying in his arms, I had everything I had ever wanted.
“Ava, please. I just want to talk.”
Ava closed her eyes. “Liam, no. Please. Go away.” She wished he hadn’t let him into her room. Julia was with Jesse for the weekend, and that meant no one would be coming in to rescue her. She rubbed her hands across her forehead.
“You can’t tell me you don’t feel anything for me. God, Ava, when I kiss you...it’s like everything in the world disappears. I don’t want to stop. Ever.”
“Well, you have to!” Ava tried to keep her voice down; freshman girls were curious, and she was sure more than one had noticed that Liam Bailey was visiting her room with alarming regularity.
“Why?” He moved closer, reaching to touch her, but Ava ducked away. His touch was not a good idea. It robbed her of the ability to think clearly.
“Because, Liam, this is wrong. You don’t care for me. You’ve talked yourself into thinking you do, for some reason I just don’t understand. But you don’t know me, and I’m not picking up for you where Julia left off. You forget, I saw firsthand how miserable you made her. No, thanks. I’m not signing up for that tour.”
He sighed. “It’s not the same. Julia and I were a mistake. But Ava, I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. Just give me a chance to prove it.”
Ava felt like screaming. That voice in her head that kept telling her to take a chance, to let him in, was getting stronger. Pretty soon it would drown out the other voice, the sensible one that reminded her that Liam Bailey was a jerk, and she would give in again, let him kiss her, touch her...
“No.” She said it out loud to strengthen her resolve. “Not again. Not this time.” She tightened her jaw and swallowed. It was time to play her last card, to get rid of Liam once and for all.
“Liam, you think you really like me, don’t you?” Ava forced lightness into her voice. “You think it’s different with us, right?”
“Yes.” He spoke with relief, thinking that she was hearing him at last.
“Good.” Ava clenched her fists. “I’m glad. Because now I can tell you...” She took a deep breath and plunged in. “I don’t feel anything for you. Nothing but...pity.” She let that sink in. “After what you did to my best friend, did you seriously think I could even look at you? I’ve been playing you, Liam. Just waiting for this moment. You know what they say about revenge, right? Well, it’s been worth the wait.”
She finally raised her eyes to his face. Pain and something else warred behind his eyes, and she had to steel herself not to cross the room to hold him, to reach up and kiss away the hurt.
“That’s it?” His words were clipped. “This was all a way to get back at me? You expect me to believe that?”
“Believe it or not. It’s the truth.” She bit the side of her mouth hard, holding back the sobs that were gathering in her chest. She had to be strong for just a few more minutes, just until he left the room.
“I thought...I thought this was different. We were different. But the whole time, this was just a game to you.”
Ava couldn’t speak anymore. She nodded.
Liam turned. He paused for a minute in the doorway of the room, and for a crazy beat of her heart, Ava prayed he would come back in, see her for the liar she was.
But he didn’t. He kept walking, away from her, out of her life.
When she knew she could move again without running after him, Ava walked across the room, closed the door behind him and locked it. Then she climbed into her bed, curled up on her side, and cried into her pillow, deep, silent sobs wracking her body until the whole bed shook.
She lay there for hours, until the tears were gone and only numbness was left.
Revenge was not sweet. It felt like death, and it hurt worse than anything Ava had ever known.
I’m a long-winded acknowledger, always, because I couldn’t do half of what I do without the support and help of so many.
First, because he figures so much in this book, my eternal thanks and gratitude to Joss Whedon. Because you are a freaking genius and you leave me breathless with your talent.
Thanks to my Hayson and Promotional Book Tours family, who make me laugh, who jump into the fray without question, who are always there to share, to post and to promote. You all rock my world daily.
To Stephanie Nelson of Once Upon a Time book covers, for this amazing, gorgeous cover. Thank you for your patience and talent! Get the guest room ready, I am so coming for a visit.
To Stacey Blake for her daily, hourly, minutely help and support, and especially for her beautiful formatting. You take a good story and make it look pretty!
Mandie. . .there are never enough words for your love and encouragement. I am blessed to be on this adventure with you!
Amanda Latzel Long, I owe you a humongous debt of gratitude for your help and input on this book. From cover ideas to beta reading and proofing. . .your help was indispensable. How many people can you ask, “How was the sex?” without sounding insecure? Thank you so much for everything you do. . .when I get you back down to Florida, there’s a bottle of wine and trip to H&M in your future. At least.
To my family, who has now become used to Mommy’s craziness as I get deep into a book, thank you for you love, your patience and everything you do to make my life possible and infinitely more fun. I love you so much.
And finally to my readers, who have cheered me along through each new book, left reviews and shared posts. . .you rock, and you make my job my joy.
Photo: Marilyn Bellinger
Tawdra Thompson Kandle lives in central Florida with her husband, children, cats and dog. She loves homeschooling, cooking, traveling and reading, not necessarily in that order. And yes, she has purple hair.
You can follow Tawdra here…
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTawdraKandle
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tawdra
Website: tawdrakandle.com
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
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