But I had to go and test her and myself by putting that stipulation on us first. Why the hell did I do that? Why did I torture myself and her too? I thought it would be no big deal, watching her flirt with other guys.
Truly? I didn’t even think she’d do it. I was thinking she’d hang out with her friends and wait me out. That was my original plan—to wait this out. See if I still wanted to take her home. If the occasional female approached me, I’d chat her up but never take it too far. I’m not interested in anyone else.
Just Ava.
Then someone had to call me over and Ava witnessed it. I forget sometimes she can be just as stubborn as me. She went right out and found a guy and I couldn’t stand it. I showed all my cards with that reaction.
Such a jealous fuck. I can’t take it.
“You want me to be real with you?” I ask her.
She frowns, nodding slowly. “For the love of God, please.”
“You’re right. I was testing you.”
“I knew it.” Her eyes narrow and she crosses her arms. “Did I fail?”
“No, you passed with flying fucking colors.” I contemplate her, drinking in her beauty and her anger and everything that makes her the Ava I love so damn much. I’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m shooting my shot. “Come home with me.”
My heart stops. If she so much as hesitates—
“Yes,” she says, without any hesitation whatsoever. “Let’s go.”
I take her hand, lacing my fingers with hers, and we exit through the front door. Race down the walkway and hit the sidewalk that lines the street, our steps brisk. We don’t look at each other. She doesn’t say a word, and neither do I, because I’m fucking overcome right now. She said yes.
She’s leaving with me.
It feels like it takes ten years to get to my car, especially since we’re still not talking, both of us too intent on arriving at our destination. I unlock the doors with my key fob, opening the passenger door for her like a fucking gentleman. She climbs in, without a word, and I shut the door, afraid to look at her face. Worried I’ll see disgust or regret written all over it.
I don’t think I could take that.
Rounding the front of the vehicle like the road is on fire, I slip into the driver’s seat in seconds, breathless. I can feel her eyes on me as I lean toward the dash to start the car, and that’s when she comes at me.
Next thing I know she’s straddling my lap and I’m scrambling, reaching for the side of my chair to push the seat back, her lips crashing on mine, her hands cupping my face, keeping me still as she basically devours my mouth. I let her take complete control, my hands slowly going to her waist and pinning her in place, afraid she might run.
I don’t think I could take it if she ran. Or told me to stop.
She throws herself into the kiss, her lips insistent, her tongue wrapping around mine. She grinds that fine little body of hers against me, and I can feel the heat of her pussy pressing against my dick, even through her jeans and mine. In seconds, I’m hard as a rock and dying to get inside her, but I can’t push. I can’t rush.
I want to savor her. I want it all.
“You are so infuriating,” she whispers against my lips right before she nips at them. “Seriously, Eli. Why are you like this?”
“It’s my natural charm.” I can’t help but joke, even during such a serious moment. More than serious.
This moment could be life-changing.
Her fingers slip beneath my sweatshirt and graze my stomach, the lightest touch setting me on fire. “Baby, slow down,” I tell her when those hands slip lower, her fingers playing with the button on the front of my jeans.
“No,” she whispers as she undoes the button, then gently pulls down the zipper. Fuck, her fingers are so close to my dick, I’m afraid I’ll come if she so much as barely touches me. “Do you want to do—this in the car?”
“Do what? Fuck?” I toss the harsh word out on purpose to gauge her reaction.
Will she be offended? Old Ava wasn’t fazed by my filthy mouth whatsoever, though I never brought it to its full potential when we were naked.
Major regret.
Her eyes flare with heat and she brushes her mouth lightly against mine, her lips tickling me when she speaks. “Is that what you want to do? Fuck me in your car, Eli?”