Page 70 of Pretty Relentless

“You are different in the best way possible,” I tell her before swiping my mouth across hers. “So fucking beautiful and sexual. I can’t wait to see what other positions you like.”

Again, she blushes. “Tell me more,” she whispers.

I reach down and grab her ass, rocking my hips. The motion and friction cause my cock to kick with excitement once more. “We both need a shower, Miss Rutledge, and then, I’m gonna show ya.”

Shower sex with Ava sounds like the perfect way to continue our day…

“I know it’s probably too soon and violates our whole keeping this quiet thing, but I wish you’d come with me to dinner.”

She pauses and turns around, her eyes wide.

Not wanting to give her a chance to tell me no right off the bat, I spell out what’s been on my mind these last few minutes as she’s gathered up her things to head home. It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and for the first time since I accepted the invitation to eat with my parents, I’m wishing I wouldn’t have.

“My parents wouldn’t say a word,” I tell her. “If you ever want to join me at their house, they would be so thrilled and would keep it quiet if we asked them to. I’m not trying to rush you. I know this is a big step for you, so just know the invite is always there. I have dinner with them every week or two, especially if I have Annabelle. We join them at least once during the weeks I have her, but I also go over there when I don’t have her. I know they’d love for you to accompany me.” I take a deep breath, wishing I wouldn’t have said anything at all. She looks shocked and maybe a bit perplexed. “All I’m saying is the invite is there. If and when you’re ever ready, you’re welcome.”

She swallows hard and glances away for a moment. “Thank you for inviting me. I’m not sure I’m there yet, but I appreciate the offer.”

I nod, hating that I feel even the slightest bit of sadness by her decline. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t,” she quickly reassures me, walking my way, her overnight bag forgotten. “I really appreciate it, honestly. And I hope we get to the place where I can join you.” She runs her hands up my chest and around my neck, pulling me against her as she brushes her lips across mine. “I’ve never done the whole dinner with family before. It seems like a big step, but if I were ready to take the leap, it would be with you.”

Her words are a balm to my heart. “You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to bring home.”

Her eyebrows pull together in question. “That can’t be true. You were married.”

I sigh and lean my forehead against hers. “I know, and yes, I did want to bring Julia home, but not as quickly. In fact, I dated her for about six months before I introduced her to my parents, and when that happened, it was because we were engaged.” I give her a sheepish grin.

“Really?”

“Yeah. We met, started to date, and I asked her to marry me about six months later. The wedding happened pretty quickly, and she was pregnant with Annabelle not long after.”

“Wow, kind of a whirlwind romance, huh?”

I nod. “Kinda, yeah. Looking back, I know it was all wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never regret the decisions I made back then because they led me to Annabelle, but Julia and I were all about the hot and heavy. It wasn’t meant to last.”

She blushes. “You’re really good at hot and heavy.”

I give her a wolfish grin. “It’s my specialty. If we had more time, I’d give you another demonstration.”

She laughs the sweetest sound. “I think my vagina needs a break from your hot and heavy for a bit.” Then, as if realizing what she said, she blushes a deep shade of pink.

“Well, I’m always ready and at your service,” I tell her, my cock focusing on her vagina and wanting another go. Sliding mymouth against hers, I confess, “You’re not just sex, Ava. I feel it in my bones. Since the moment I first saw you, you’ve always been different. Having you here or being at your place is not just about sex. It’s about you and me, and the fact I feel better in your presence than I ever have with anyone else. You make me feel…calm, for lack of a better word.”

She gently lifts her leg and runs her thigh over my erection. “You don’t feel very calm to me.”

I bark out a laugh. “Yeah, well, get used to that. You evoke that kind of reaction regardless, whenever you’re near. I’m like a walking hard-on in your presence.”

She goes up on her tiptoes and brushes her lips across the underside of my jaw. “Let’s table the parents’ dinner conversation for a bit. Just know we’ll definitely revisit it someday soon, because you feel different to me too.”

My heart does this wild little gallop in my chest. It’s a happy, content sensation I’m getting used to when it comes to her. “Sounds good.”

Pressing her mouth to mine, we get lost in each other and make out like teenagers until it’s past the time I was going to leave and am officially late.

“I should go.”

“Yeah, but I wish you could stay,” I tell her, taking her hand in my left and grabbing her bag with my right. We walk through my house and to the back door. I hold her bag while she puts on her boots and coat, and eventually, we make our way to my garage, where her car is parked. “Last night was incredible. All of it.”

“It was,” she agrees as soon as I place her bag in the back seat and hug her to my chest.

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