“How do you know?” she asks suspiciously.
“You’ve already been questioned by Mom and survived it. Summer was eavesdropping on your conversation, by the way.”
“So is eavesdropping a family hobby?” she challenges. In response, I do something so completely out of character it surprises me more than her.
She yelps. “Did you just pinch my ass?”
“I’ll do it again if I have to.” What is this woman doing to me?
“I didn’t know you were a pincher.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”
“Like what?” she challenges.
“I’ll be happy to show you.”
“So are we going to take that walk, or what?”
I offer her my arm, and she takes it with a smile.
“This place is heaven on earth,” she comments as we make our way in the vast garden. I lead her to an alley lined by coast redwood trees, and watch her drink in the surroundings. “A tree house,” she exclaims, coming to a halt.
“Summer used to paint here before she moved out of my parents’ house.”
The story behind the tree house goes back to when I bought the place for my parents. Summer was still young and wanted a tree house. I rounded up all of my brothers and we built it for her. I told them things would be different from then on, because I made good money and would take care of all of them. I also made them swear they wouldn’t let money define who they were; that they wouldn’t turn into self-absorbed assholes. Several expensive cars and homes around the world later, I can say they’ve kept their promise.
“Can we go inside?” Ava asks. Eyeing the fragile old ladder leading up to the house, I’m certain it’s not the best idea, but when Ava adds, “I’ve always wanted a tree house,” I nod.
The tree house isn’t half as decrepit as I expected it to be. In fact, it’s remarkably clean, which means someone’s still using it. Ava inspects the old wood with curious eyes. She belongs in here, just as she belongs with my family.
The recognition fills me with both panic and warmth. Panic because I feel like I’m not only rushing into this, I’m diving headfirst; and warmth because nothing’s ever felt more right.
Reaching for her waist, I pull her to me, tracing the contour of her mouth while pushing her against the wall. Opening her lips, I slip my tongue inside, tasting her sweetness. There’s no restraint in her kiss as she presses her soft curves against me. My palm slides to her breast, cupping it over her bra. Needing to feel her soft skin in my hand, I make quick work of u
nclasping her bra and pushing her straps and her dress down, revealing her breasts. I break off the kiss, drinking in her bare skin, her puckered nipples calling to me. I press both breasts together with my hands, coaxing her peaks with my thumb and mouth.
“Sebastian.”
My name sounds perfect in her mouth. I lure a moan out of her, and I suddenly become greedy for more sounds of pleasure. I could watch her slowly come apart all day long. When I get back from my trip, that’s exactly what I plan to do. Right now, I will give her another taste of what I plan to do to her. Dropping my hand to her thigh, I cinch her dress up to her waist, groaning as I caress her over her thong. It’s soaked through. Goose bumps appear over the delicate skin on her arms. I push the fabric aside, touching her slick flesh. She swallows hard, but that doesn’t stop me. Her eyelids flutter closed, and I tighten my grip on her waist.
“Don’t close your eyes,” I say with a growl. Biting her lips, she looks up at me with wide eyes. When I touch her clit, she fists my shirt. When I pinch it between my fingers, her legs quiver, which gives me immense pleasure. I loved feeling her come apart today, now I want to see her. As I caress her tender spot, I watch her breath quicken, her pupils dilating. She clenches around me as I slide a finger inside. I want her like this, always. I don’t know where the thought came from, but I know it’s true. Nothing ever felt as right as being with her does. I want her smiling and laughing for me, and I want her panting underneath me. When her orgasm ravishes her, I hold her tight to me, steadying her and claiming her mouth.
Upon our return to the group, it appears that no one noticed our absence. One of my cousins whisks me away, while Mom gets Ava’s attention.
The rest of the day passes by quickly, and before I know it, I’m dropping her off at her apartment. We’re standing in the lobby, and neither of us wants to say goodbye yet.
“I had a great time today,” Ava says. “Thank you for taking me with you. Your family is wonderful.”
“I’m glad they didn’t drive you too mad.”
“Stop it, they are adorable. Are you heading straight to the airport?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
I take her hand, as if I’m about to kiss it, then pull her to me, kissing her lips hard.