Burn: Book 3 (The Heat Series)

by MJ Masucci

  “Don’t you need to transcribe your notes from yesterday?”

  “Oh, right.”

  “Do you want to sit here with me? I’ll be in the office all day.”

  “I guess so. Or I could sit in the alcove; that would be fine, too.”

  “I prefer you sit here with me so I can see your beautiful face.”

  Ava blushed and rose to get her laptop and notes to transcribe. When she came back, Xander had removed his jacket, loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves. He was so sexy looking when he did that. She loved it when Xander went more casual.

  She sat on the couch, placed her laptop on the table and began transcribing her notes. She didn’t realize that Xander was watching her. The blouse she had worn didn’t have a top button, and her leaning over revealed her cleavage. Eventually, she could feel his eyes on her and looked up to see him leering. He shrugged.

  “I can’t resist you.”

  “Please refrain from sexually harassing the help.”

  “Sexually harassing? Me? Never.”

  He went back to work but occasionally peeked over at her. It had been several days since they had sex and he wanted her. He was sure she wanted him, but she wasn’t as obvious.

  Ava continued to transcribe her notes while fully aware that Xander was watching her. He tried to hide it, but she knew. He would shuffle his folders and pretend he was busy but she could feel his eyes on her. Eventually, her neck would hurt, and she would put the laptop on her lap. He wouldn’t pay as much attention until she went back to placing it on the table, causing her cleavage to be in full view for him to see. His gaze was having an effect on her, and she shifted on the couch several times.

  When lunchtime came, she and Xander called the café downstairs. They had recently added delivery to the offices upstairs. He went to the reception area and paid for the food then brought it back to his office. He closed the door with his foot after he entered.

  They set lunch out on the small coffee table near the couch where Ava was sitting and began to eat. His cologne was in her nostrils, and she much would have preferred being in his arms rather than eating. But he would have gotten upset, so she bit into her turkey wrap and sipped at a bottle of water. She only had eaten half the wrap when she felt full.

  “No more?” Xander said.

  “I’m full. I can’t eat anymore.”

  He frowned at her but didn’t say anything.

  That night in bed, he pulled her close to him. They were both frustrated that they couldn’t have sex with each other.

  “Ava, do you think we are sacrificing intimacy by having so much sex?”

  “Maybe. I think last night we learned a lot about each other that we didn’t know. You never knew that I could shoot guns until I showed you. I didn’t know things about you that you told me last night. I think we should wait to get married until next summer. I would like to do it earlier, but I want to know you.”

  Xander exhaled loudly, “Unfortunately I have to agree. I don’t want to get married and then find that we know so little about each other.”

  “Xander, don’t get upset, but I’ve wanted to ask you about Brooke.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Did you only have sex with her in college?”

  He thought about her question for a minute, “No. We had sex earlier.”

  “When?”

  “It was the summer after our senior year. I came down for orientation at Cameron and met her there. We ended up making out, and one thing led to another the first night we were there. I didn’t see her again until the semester started, but by then she had a boyfriend. We had sex several more times throughout college.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t be upset. It was just sex. We didn’t want anything more, at least I didn’t. When you came to work for me, it was all over. I never wanted another woman the way I want you. Do you understand?”

  “What about Kaycee?”

  “Ava, I never wanted her as much as you. She was a rebound. When I saw you at Sam’s and Robert’s engagement party, I felt nothing for her. She saw the change immediately and knew. We broke up the next morning.”

  “That is the way I felt. Many men asked me out in law school, but I couldn’t bear to date them. I always said no. I only had sex with Luca because I needed someone. He is a nice man, but he isn’t you. I kept myself closed off from him.”

  “What about David?”

  “David knew from the beginning that it wasn’t going to happen. We had sex, and that was it, for me anyway. I’m sorry I hurt him. I told Brooke.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. I needed to discuss it with someone, and you didn’t want to hear it. When you were in the pool with Walter and the kids he came by and only said hello to Brooke. She questioned why he was so cold to me. So I told her.”

  “How did she react?”

  “She reacted better than I thought. She wondered why he walked out when you announced our engagement. She is aware of what happened when we were apart and when you broke up with me when I stayed in the pool house.”

  “You and Brooke have finally become close haven’t you?”

  “We have. I wish it were like this when I was younger. I would have liked to have her be this nice after mom died.”

  Ava buried her head in Xander’s chest and quickly fell asleep. His warmth and smell, comforting. She hoped this was the start of the repair of their relationship.

  The rest of that week moved along, and they got used to being close without having sex. They spent most evenings discussing details of their lives. One evening they discussed vacations, and Xander asked if she wanted to go away somewhere together.

  She had always wanted to go on an island vacation but had never gotten the chance. She told this to Xander, and he smiled.

  “We can go to Bermuda or Aruba. Would you like that? How about Key West? A friend of mine from Duke has a house there that we can rent.”

  Ava’s face brightened because she had never been on a full week’s vacation with him. They had taken time here and there in Georgia, Lake George and California, but nothing longer than four days.

  “So where do you want to go?”

  “I would like to try the house in Key West. It sounds lovely.”

  “It will be very hot down there this time of year. Do you want to wait until the fall or winter?”

  “I want to go now. I think we need time away from everything and now that we are seeing Dr. Hornung, I think she would agree it would be good for us.”

  “I just want to be sure that she agrees. We should talk to her at our next appointment.”

  Chapter 15

  By the time the next appointment rolled around, both Ava and Xander were over their lack of sexual activity. It had been almost a week and a half. Each morning, no matter in whose apartment they stayed, they would avoid seeing the other naked. Ava was chaste in her office attire so as not to entice him even though that was what she wanted to do. They no longer shared the bathroom with each other.

  There were times that kissing got out of hand and one or the other would find themselves letting their hands roam. But they had decided that they needed to get to know each other better before they re-engaged in sex.

  As they got closer to the July Fourth holiday, Xander became more restless. The last time they were together on that holiday, Xander had been injured. His one fantasy was to take Ava against the full-length windows with the backdrop of fireworks. If they had to continue abstaining from sex, the date would come and go. He had waited five long years already.

  Two days before the holiday, they entered Dr. Hornung’s office at 5:25 PM. They sat in chairs opposite of one another. When the doctor came into the office, she was surprised to see them separated since they both reiterated in their individual sessions that things were going well.

  “I’m curious as to why you aren’t sitting on the couch together.”

  Xander gave her a sheepish look then explained.


  “Since we are abstaining from sex at your request, we are trying not to entice each other.”

  Dr. Hornung swung her eyes from Xander to Ava, then started to chuckle.

  “I see two young people very much in love. I said to try to refrain from sex and don’t use it as a tool to control. It seems to me from your individual sessions that you took my advice to heart and learned much about the other since we met. Have you had any arguments?”

  “No,” they replied in unison.

  “Any disagreements over trivial issues?”

  “No.”

  “Uh, doctor, we would like to go on vacation. Do you feel we should wait?” Xander asked.

  “I think it would be a good idea to go away together. You can spend some alone time and be away from your normal environment. Ava told me that when you went away to your home in Lake George that you got along well. I suggest you continue keeping the lines of communication open. Listen to one another and hear what the other is saying. I want you to continue coming to see me individually for the next few weeks as well as once a week together. Then we will circle back and find out if you should continue individually. Remember, a relationship is work. It doesn’t run on autopilot.”

  The rest of the session was spent discussing how they were learning to compromise with each other in their work and home environments. They also had learned a great deal about one another and how their lives were spent at times when they were not together. Dr. Hornung encouraged them to continue their dialogue.

  In Xander’s apartment later that evening, Ava got ready for bed in the bathroom with care. She put on the freshly laundered champagne satin nightgown, brushed her teeth and put dabs of perfume on her neck and wrists. The sexual electricity had been building for the past week, and she could smell it in the air. She assumed they would be getting very little sleep that night.

  However, when she walked out of the bathroom, Xander was lying in bed on his back and softly snoring. She gazed at him. He was only wearing form-fitting boxers, which she loved. His hands were under his pillow, and in the soft light of the bedside lamp, she could see every ridge of muscle on his sides and torso. The stubble on his face gave him a rugged look.

  She slipped into bed and ran her hand over his stomach. He groaned in his sleep as if her touch aroused him. She softly stroked his hair and kissed his cheek. He removed one of his hands from under the pillow and touched her without opening his eyes. She caressed his arm and kissed his palm. His snoring ceased, and his eyes fluttered open.

  “You smell wonderful, and you’re wearing that pretty nightgown.”

  “I wore it for you. I know you like it.”

  “I love it. Come here.” He lifted her, so she was on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her and began to kiss her passionately, his tongue pushing hard against her mouth until she opened. “There are so many things I want to do with you.”

  As she laid on him and he kissed her, she felt her belly clench tightly. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and her nipples grew hard. She could feel the effect this was having on him as his erection pressed against her thigh.

  She slid off to the side of him, and they continued to kiss. He cupped her left breasts and pinched the nipple causing her to moan into his mouth. Her fingers stroked the taut muscles at his waistband, and she worked her fingers under it, gently grazing his erection.

  He pulled back from her and looked into her eyes. “I want you so much that I’m afraid I will be too rough. I will never treat you the way I did…”

  She put her fingers to his lips and kissed his chest, swirling her tongue over his nipple, then gently biting it. He gasped at the feel of her teeth. He pulled her nightgown up to her thighs and cupped her sex. She was wet, and he began stroking her through her panties. She was swollen and wanted more than his fingers. She tugged at his boxers, and he lifted his hips to remove them.

  “Get up on all fours. This is the best position for me to give you what you need. But first, let’s take off your nightgown.”

  She stood up on her knees, and he pulled the garment off in one motion, tossing it after his boxers. Next, he wrestled off her panties then she got back into that position he requested. He slid his erection between her folds, pressing at her entrance. She whimpered as he teased her.

  “Don’t make me wait. It’s been too long.”

  He dug his fingers into her hips, positioned himself and thrust hard into her. She cried out at his intrusion then joined him in his movements. He slapped his hips against her ass as he pounded into her. She cried out with every thrust as he continued his delicious assault. He leaned over her and squeezed her tender breasts, holding their weight in his hand while he bent over her back.

  A thin sheen of sweat was beginning to form on both their bodies. He kissed her back, let go of her breasts and grasped her hips again. She cried out as the position allowed him to push deeper into her. Then all at once, he felt her shudder, moaning loudly and she was climaxing, squeezing him tightly. He pulsed into her, and his orgasm was spurred on by the ending of hers.

  After his release, he quickly pulled out and collapsed on the bed, as did she. They lay there, the only sounds being their heavy breathing. He stroked her back and massaged her behind.

  “That was amazing,” she mumbled as her face pressed against the pillow.

  “Sex with you is always fantastic. I love you, Mrs. Wilder-to-be.”

  He picked up her left hand and gently bit the pad of the finger that held her engagement ring.

  “Ava, don’t get upset with me.”

  She turned her head to look at him.

  “I have a fantasy I have been waiting so long to fulfill.”

  She turned her head to look at him and raised her eyebrow.

  “What is it?”

  “You see that window over there?”

  She turned back to the uncovered window.

  “I want to take you against the glass when there are fireworks.”

  “What? Won’t someone see us?”

  “No, we are so high, and as long as the lights are off, we are safe. Please say you will. I have wanted to so long, but it has to be on the Fourth.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to see how sexy you are against the backdrop of the fireworks. I want to see the look in your eyes when I make you come.”

  “No promises, but maybe a couple of glasses of wine before we do it will help.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m not forcing you to do it. I’m just telling you what I would like. I would never force you into anything that didn’t make you comfortable. Do you understand?”

  “How long have you wanted to do this?”

  “Ever since we started dating. I saw you against the glass one morning, and it turned me on so much.”

  She thought of the time he came into the bedroom one sunny morning, and she was pressed against the glass with the sun shining around her. She had thought he had an erection, but he quickly moved away so she couldn’t see for sure.

  “I’ll think about it. You did grant me my fantasy with office sex.”

  They spent the rest of that night reacquainting themselves with each other’s body. Even though they had come many times, the morning shower was fodder for one last sexual encounter before they left for work. They had a lot of making up to do for the past week and a half.

  Ava was excited for the upcoming holiday. Not only was it one of her favorites, but it was also a three day weekend. They could spend all day in bed if they wanted (except for the annual Keene barbecue at her uncle’s house). She had not seen her cousins (except Jacob at the office) for quite a while. She hadn’t been able to spend much time with Samantha, either, and she missed her.

  The office was quiet, and the partners usually let everyone leave by 2:00 PM the day before the holiday. There wasn’t much to do, and Xander took the opportunity to close the door to his office, getting Ava hot and bothered with his kissing.

  “No fair. Now, what am I supposed to do? I want you.” />
  “Since Jacob is next door, that just isn’t possible. You will have to wait until we get home later where I can properly service you.”

  “The hell I am.”

  She hiked her skirt up, revealing a crimson colored see through lace thong. He watched fascinated as she slipped her hand under the waistband and down to her clit. She began moving her fingers, closing her eyes at the stimulation.

  “Sweetheart,” he gasped. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting myself off,” she whispered.

  He watched mesmerized as she brought herself to climax in less than two minutes. When she was done, she removed her hand and stood up to adjust her skirt. The effect that watching her masturbate had on him was apparent. His erection pressed against his slacks making him uncomfortable. He sat next to her and grabbed her hand, sucking on the fingers that she had used to stimulate herself.

  “You’re getting bold in your old age.”

  “Do you need some help with that,” she asked, pointing to his bulging pants.

  “No, I will control myself until we get home.”

  “Are you sure?” She licked her full red lips.

  He put his hands behind his head and smirked at her. She was just about to open his belt when a knock at the door disturbed them. Xander put his hands down, and Ava grabbed a folder from the table.

  “Come in.”

  Jacob opened the door.

  “Hey, you two. I just wanted you to know that the barbecue is at one tomorrow. Are you coming?”

  Ava smiled at his choice of words. “We planned on it.”

  “Okay, see you tomorrow. Do you want the door closed?”

  “No, leave it open. We’re leaving soon.”

  He walked out, and Xander frowned at her.

  “You weren’t referring to us going to your uncle’s house, were you?”

  “I have no idea what you mean.”

  “You know what I mean. Maybe I will have to rethink my rule about never putting my hands on a woman. I think you need a good spanking when you talk so dirty.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  The thought of Xander spanking her seemed exciting. In the distant past, she had seen videos of women getting spanked. They seemed to enjoy it. However, she wasn’t so sure that Xander would carry through with his threat. He had never put his hands on her.