Level Up

by Hadley Quinn

  “Spent ‘time’ with him?” she scoffed knowingly. “I know you’ve been waiting for the right guy, so why would you mess that up now? I mean you guys fooling around on the dock, that’s understandable, but more than that… I didn’t realize you were ready to just throw yourself at some stranger. I was okay with you crushing on him because he’s fucking hot and I thought it would help with Adam. I had no idea you were gonna go sleep with him the second we all leave.”

  “You know I stayed here for more than that. I needed to sort things out with him.”

  “Yes, and I advised you against it. You hardly know this guy! A bit of flirting and making out, that’s okay, but to sleep with him?!”

  “First of all, I know Gabe a lot better than I’ve led you to believe. He’s a great guy, and just because he didn’t socialize with you, doesn’t mean he didn’t with me.”

  “I thought you were hitting it off with Adam. I was even ready to mention to him that Gabe seemed to like you, just to make him jealous.”

  “I asked you not to tell anyone about Gabe—”

  “I know, which is why I didn’t,” she growled. “And Adam does like you, by the way. He told me so on his own when he asked if I thought you’d agree to go out with him.”

  Ava sighed. “I like Adam a lot. He’s a nice guy, and we get along great. But Chelsea, he seems more like the buddy type to me. Like a brother.”

  “Well maybe if you let him do to you what you let that guy do, you’d feel differently. You’re just caught up in being manhandled, Ava. Step back and think with your brain.”

  “You don’t think I’ve considered this carefully? Gabe is as different as they come. I wasn’t sure what to think of him. All I know is that he’s special and I’m drawn to him for some reason. I feel this…electricity blaze through me whenever I see him or think about him. It’s something I’ve never felt for anyone else. Not even Adam. I’ve been waiting for that mind-blowing feeling when I’m with a guy—the one that you just can’t explain and it just consumes you with the most amazing amount of hope and happiness just by one look from him—and I finally felt it.”

  “You’re horny,” Chelsea stated with annoyance. “Gabe’s a nice piece of meat and I can see how that turns you on. But now that that’s taken care of, would you please just come home, get back to teaching art, and move on to someone dependable?”

  “Dependable? Dependable for what?”

  “Someone that’s gonna care about you and not just use you for what he can get. Someone that wouldn’t take advantage of a lonely young woman—”

  “I surely hope you’re not suggesting that Gabe took advantage of me!”

  Chelsea narrowed her eyes at Ava. “I’m not suggesting it; I’m stating it!”

  Ava slowly shook her head, the anger bubbling to the surface. But she took a deep breath and said, “Go back to Wallingford, Chelse. I’m fine here. In fact, I’m better than fine. I’ll be back home on Wednesday, just in time for my students.”

  “And what about my brother’s birthday party on Tuesday night? You promised you were coming to dinner with us.”

  She tried not to show her frustration. “You’re right, I did. I’ll see you on Tuesday then.”

  She still looked pissed, and Ava even wondered if she was going to un-invite her. But Chelsea shook her head and said, “I’m worried about you, Aves. Don’t be mad at me for that.” She turned for her car and walked away.

  “I’ll call you tonight,” Ava said.

  Chelsea waved a hand as she got in the car, like she didn’t care or maybe didn’t believe her. Ava had been so happy just fifteen minutes ago. Why did life have to change so quickly?

  She returned to the cabin but didn’t see Gabe. She called his name and then saw a note on the kitchen table.

  WENT SWIMMING was all it said.

  She left the house and stopped at the path. He was just diving into the water when she saw him. Ava figured he’d be doing his thirty minutes of laps, so she headed for the main house and put on a bathing suit. She spotted her phone on the bed on her way out. There were six messages from Chelsea, one from her mom wondering when she’d be returning, and another from the director of the art program at the community center. The message said that classes were canceled for the week because they were fumigating the building.

  Ava sighed. She didn’t have to return for another week, but there was still the matter of a birthday party she’d promised to attend. Well, she was a couple of hours away. She’d just leave on Tuesday, spend time with Chelsea’s family, and then return to the lake as quickly as she could.

  No problem.

  She sat on the edge of the dock when she joined Gabe. She didn’t dare get in the water in case she’d be interrupting some kind of grueling punishment he was putting himself through. She didn’t think she could keep up with half of his intensity and she was even a great swimmer.

  Gabe saw her when he passed the dock the first time and he slowed. She didn’t say anything and neither did he. She was sure he was bothered by Chelsea’s earlier comments but she wasn’t ready to address it.

  “Keep going,” she told him. “I don’t want to interrupt.”

  He pulled himself to the dock and took one of her ankles in his hand. “You distract, you don’t interrupt,” he informed her.

  “Oh,” she smiled.

  He tugged on her leg. “Join me.”

  “Oh? I finally get to swim with you?”

  He shrugged but partially smiled. “We’ve already been intimate. I don’t have to worry about our half naked bodies touching and then accidentally slipping inside of you.”

  She laughed really loud and dropped herself into the cool water. “Well now it won’t be considered an accident,” she stated coyly.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Naughty.” He took a stroke backwards and said, “Maybe I should test your endurance.”

  It was her turn to raise eyebrows. “I’m naughty?”

  He scoffed playfully. “I was talking about swimming, treading water. What are you talking about?”

  She shook her head with a smile, knowing full well he was aware of his innuendo. “Hmm, actually I’m curious if you’d be able to tread water and…accidently slip inside of me.”

  He coughed with disbelief. “You doubt my endurance? And my ability to…maneuver? I assure you I’m quite good at water exercises.”

  With a smile she took a couple of strokes toward him. He looked pretty sexy with his rugged features dripping with lake water. She stared at his muscular shoulders and arms as they moved easily through the water. When she got to him she turned on her back to float right in front of him.

  His eyes glanced over her body and he licked his lips. She stroked leisurely toward the shore and he began to follow her. After a minute of relaxed silence, she reached the point where she could touch and he smiled as he stood with her. Just running her hands over his wet chest made her shiver.

  He must have took that to mean she was cold and he wrapped her up in his arms, but it felt good to lay her face against his chilled skin.

  “Is everything okay with Chelsea?” he finally asked. “Is there something I need to say or do to make things right?”

  “No. And I’m sorry for how she acted, but she was really freaked out about not getting a hold of me. I understand. I would feel the same way.”

  “You’d worry that I chopped a body into pieces and buried it?”

  She looked into his green eyes and ran a thumb over the one eyebrow that was arched. “No,” she chuckled. “And please don’t take her comment personally. She was just panicked.”

  “Well I do take her comment seriously, and I’m glad you have someone looking out for you, but you guys were really going at it by the car. I know there was more to it. What happened?” She sighed and was about to just shake it off with a vague response, but he looked her straight in the eye. “I want to know, Ava. Please tell me. She had a problem with you and I, right?”

  She shrugged. “She was surprised.�
��

  “How come? She knew we’d been a little involved, right?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “But what?”

  She sighed again. “I want to tell you, but I don’t want you to get upset over it.”

  “Upset over what? Just tell me, babe. Please? I’ve told you things that weren’t comfortable for me. I want you to feel you can do the same. Believe me, there’s nothing you could say that would faze me. Please, Ava.”

  It was never her intention for him to question her about it specifically. The guy certainly knew how to get something out of a person, especially using her weakness for him to his advantage.

  “She’s just really protective of me,” she explained. “Chelsea and I grew up in very strict households. It was the kind of life where it wasn’t a big deal if your parents ended up choosing your college or even a future husband, you know? If you want to stay in the family business or be within reach of the family inheritance, you do things that please your parents.”

  He slightly nodded, looking totally unimpressed. She could tell it wasn’t something he approved of. She didn’t either, which is why she’d cut herself off from that kind of lifestyle.

  “But we didn’t exactly fit the mold,” she continued. “And Chelsea took her rebellion pretty far right off the bat. We’d both chosen to go to the University of Washington when our parents wanted us to go to their alma maters instead—disappointment number one. And when I chose to study art to become a teacher, that was disappointment number two. Chelsea became a little more…unruly. Her parents wanted her to marry someone in particular, someone that Chelsea couldn’t stand, so her rebellion was more of the, uh, promiscuous kind.”

  Gabe barely smirked.

  “But it wasn’t in my interest to take my life in that direction. My parents split up my senior year of high school, and because of the circumstances behind it—my dad had a few different affairs—he was willing to send me to any school I wanted. Yeah, he was trying to buy my forgiveness. But…I refused his money. I worked two jobs to pay my own way, sold some things including my car. But after two years I just couldn’t pay for my schooling anymore. I wouldn’t accept money from my mom either, since that was just a settlement that came from my dad.

  “Anyway,” she sighed. “Chelsea stuck with me through all of that. She may have had ways to get back at her parents, but so did I. We didn’t judge each other, we just supported each other the best we could. She’s always known how I feel about, you know, getting around and stuff like that. She’s kind of adopted my principles for me, to make sure I’m sticking to them as well.”

  “So she was pissed that you gave up your virginity to me,” Gabe concluded. He shook his head and she could tell he was extremely bothered.

  “I asked you not to be upset. I told you last night how I felt about you and nothing has changed. Gabe?”

  He finally looked at her again.

  She took her hands and held his face. “It feels amazing to be with you right now. I don’t care if that sounds dumb, but this feels wonderful.”

  His face softened and he nodded. “Yeah, I feel the same way.”

  “Then don’t take away the joy from my first night with you,” she smiled. “I’m never going to forget it.”

  He finally smiled and she kissed him. It was nice standing there, waist deep with her arms wrapped around his neck. And there was nothing fiery or overdone with their kissing. It was just…peaceful.

  Gabe pulled his lips away and said, “You wanna go kayaking with me?”

  “Of course I do.”

  And that was that.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Ava called Chelsea that night, almost sure that she wasn’t going to answer. But she did, with a reluctant, “Hey.”

  “Hey, Chelse.”

  They were both quiet. Ava was trying to build up the courage to apologize, but she wasn’t sure what she needed to apologize for. I’m sorry I made love to a beautiful man, will you please forgive me? Pssh. Chelsea would hardly understand such deep feelings for someone, which is why she never went into detail with how Gabe made her feel.

  “Ava, I’m sorry I was such a bitch,” Chelsea said first. “I love you, you know? I was scared that you made a mistake. I don’t have the option of a ‘first time’ anymore… I just wanted to make sure you treasured yours. I was just…surprised.”

  Ava sighed. “I’m not mad at you. I know how much you care. It’s water under the bridge, okay?”

  “Okay,” Chelsea sighed too. “So… How was it? Or maybe you don’t have to tell me since I don’t deserve to hear it.”

  “Of course you deserve to hear it. And it was very special. He didn’t want to at first, when he found out that I hadn’t before. He was very against it. He was so good to me, though. I mean…my heart is thumping right now just thinking about it.”

  “Huh. That is sweet, Ava. Most guys jump at the chance to take a chick’s virginity.”

  “He’s different, Chelsea. I knew it from the first time I met him.”

  “I’ll admit he’s sexy as hell, but he really does seem kind of…uptight.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Ava agreed. “But he has reason to be. He’s had a really rough life. I think he witnessed quite a lot of awful things while he was serving overseas. He hasn’t gotten into it, but I think that’s why he’s so distant.”

  “But he’s different with you? He treats you well, talks to you and stuff?”

  “Yeah, he does. He’s just got this soul that—” Ava could hear her chuckle. “I know, me and my ‘beautiful soul’ theory,” she smiled.

  “But that’s totally you, Aves. And I believe in it too. He’s just…an odd choice for you. From the outside I mean. You understand, right?”

  “Of course I do. I’m not too far into la la land to be objective about how he may come off to people. I mean even Trent was scared of him.”

  “I hope that isn’t a ‘my man is tougher than your man’ kind of comment,” she teased.

  “No,” Ava laughed, even though she knew it was true. “And by the way, how are things going with Trent?”

  “Hmm, okay I guess. I mean we’re just getting to know each other still.”

  That sounded off. Usually Chelsea would be stating how good a guy was in bed. “So…you guys haven’t…?”

  “Nope. I think I’m going to wait.”

  “Wait?”

  “I don’t know, Ava,” she chuckled. “Let’s just say you’ve rubbed off on me a bit. I feel like…my point has already been made to my parents and now…it’s just continued because of the reputation that built. I don’t really feel like living up to that anymore. It’s gotten old. I’ve just made myself worthless over the last three years and I feel like it’s time to stop.”

  “You mean settle down with one guy?”

  “Yeah.” Ava could almost see Chelsea shrug. “That sounds nice to me. You’ve set that example, Ava. I know you’re right. I don’t know if Trent is that guy, but I’m not going to have sex with him until I know for sure.”

  Wow, Ava couldn’t believe it. Even a month ago Chelsea swore up and down that she’d never be ready to be “stuck” with one guy.

  “Anyways, I gotta go, lady,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

  “Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “And hey,” Chelsea added. “Why don’t you bring Gabe?”

  Another shocker. “Are you sure?”

  “Oh yeah. It’s been changed a little bit. We’re doing a huge buffet-type thing. Eating, dancing, mingling… Bring someone you don’t mind spending time with because otherwise…”

  Ava smiled. “Yeah, gotcha. But I don’t think he’ll come. I’ll text you and let you know, but for now count on just me.”

  “Okay, hon. Goodnight.”

  Ava hung up with very mixed feelings. Chelsea was finally willing to slow down a little? She was happy for her. It’s what she’d always wanted for her friend.

  But Gabe was not going to com
e to some socialite’s birthday party. She could guarantee it. She wasn’t even going to mention it to him, but he came over a little bit later to watch a movie with her and it came up when he asked about her schedule for the week.

  “She wants you to come with me,” she told him.

  She almost cringed as soon as she said it. And she had reason to because he gave her a look that said he’d much rather chop off an arm.

  “I’m just letting you know that you’re invited,” she shrugged. “I’d like you to come but I already told her you probably wouldn’t be able to make it.”

  He didn’t respond while they both watched the movie. But a minute later he shocked the hell out of her when he said, “If it’s important to you, I’ll come.”

  Her eyes widened with disbelief. “Are you serious?”

  He made a deliberate frowny face to protest but answered, “Yes.”

  She chuckled, but by studying him she could tell that he really wanted to make her happy, even if it meant being miserable. That meant a lot to her but she was afraid to push him.

  “It’s not necessary. I mean I’d love for you to be there with me so I had someone to talk to, but I’ll manage. Chelsea will be there and a bunch of other people I know, but it’s not really my thing to be groped and pawed by a bunch of guys. It’d be much easier to have a tangible excuse right there instead of put up with the incessant amount of ass grabbing I’ll have to deal with.”

  She glanced at him and he was pretty much glaring at the thought. He knew she was teasing him, but her heart soared that he was so bothered by the idea of it.

  “I’ll go,” he pretty much growled.

  “Excellent!” she chirped. “Now I’m looking forward to it.”

  With a smirk he reached for her and laid her onto the couch. “You know what I’m looking forward to?”

  She got hot and bothered by the way he pressed her body to his and the way he murmured against her cheek in a deep, husky voice. He kissed her neck and slid his hand around to hold her ass. Her hands slid up his shirt in eager anticipation.

  “The ice cream that’s in the freezer,” he said, and he hopped up to go retrieve it.