Page 26 of Unexpected Love

“Are you sure?” His voice is just as soft as mine. His grip on my arms loosens, but only so his can move around me, holding me close.

“I’ve never been more sure.” And as the words leave my mouth, I realize how true they are.

I want this.

twelve

GAGE

I’d been homefrom my shift at the station for about an hour when I heard the knock on my door. I honestly thought it was one of my siblings when I went to answer it. I never would have expected Ava to be on the other side. To find her standing there with her hair in a bun, glasses on her face, and in a pair of leggings, a sweatshirt, and no shoes was even more of a shock. When I finally registered that she was actually here, the look in her eyes was like a punch to the gut.

That first day in the courthouse I thought the look in her eyes was empty, but I see it for what it is now—devastation. And knowing her better, I know whatever caused it isn’t something small. Ava Day is far too strong to let something small bring her down, and for her to reach out for help means this is something far greater than I imagined.

“This is me asking for that strength you offered. I can’t do it anymore and I need help.” Ava presses herself closer to me. “Make me forget.” It’s a plea, desperation clear in her voice and eyes.

“Are you sure?” I ask, my arms moving around her waist, holding her close.

“I’ve never been more sure.”

I see the conviction in her eyes, but I need more than that. There’s no doubt I want this, that I crave this. But I won’t take advantage of her. I can’t do this if she’s going to regret it in the morning. I’d never forgive myself.

“We should talk about this.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She leans forward, trying to kiss me again, and while I want to kiss her more than my next breath, I won’t allow it.

“You don’t have to tell me everything, but you have to give me more than this.” I feel her body stiffen in my arms, and her grip on my shirt disappears. “Ava.” My hold tightens, not giving her room to back away from me. “You’re too important for me not to worry about the future. I’m not saying no. I’m saying talk to me. Tell me how we got here after so many nos.”

She looks at me, disbelief clear across her face, and now I’m trying to figure out why she’s so shocked that I care about how she went from saying “no” to saying “yes.” Has she ever had a man concern himself with her wants and needs?

“Forget it.” She tries to push away from me, but I won’t let her.

“No, I don’t want to forget it.” She won’t meet my eyes so I can’t read what’s going through her mind right now. “Just tell me this is about you and me, and not someone else.” My voice is soft. I want to know so much more than that, but I know she’s not ready to give all of it to me.

“This is all about me and no one else.” She says it with such certainty it’s hard not to believe her, but something in her eye tells me it’s not the complete truth. “Yes, there are other factors, but this? Wanting you? That is all for me.” Her hands come back to my pecs, resting there. “I’m not afraid of going after what Iwant. I may have forgotten that for a bit, but I know who I am. Help me forget about the rest of it. Please.”

I’m not built to “forget about the rest,” but the please on her lips does me in. I see it in her eyes, the truth in what she’s saying. Ava isn’t a woman who shies away from what she wants, and watching her take that back is a privilege.

I pull her in, bending so my lips brush hers as I say, “Okay.”

Our lips barely touch before she’s pulling back. “Just one night. I still don’t know where I’ll be after the new year, and I’m not willing to start something with an end date. Especially with someone I’ll see when I visit my brother.”

I lift a brow and smirk. “You think one night will be enough?”

“We’ll have to make it enough.” She rises to her toes, brushing her lips over my cheek on a path to my ear. “Think you can make it worth my while?” Her voice is husky in my ear, causing a shiver to run up my spine.

“Oh, Rebel.” I chuckle, my voice dropping an octave. “What a silly question.”

I know one night with Ava Day won't be nearly enough to stifle the burning desire I feel between us, but I know I won't be able to convince her of that right now. And I sure as hell know I’m not ready to risk this one moment if it's all I’ll get with her. I'll go along with her plan—for now—but this won't stop me from pursuing her beyond tonight. I won't give up easily on more time with Ava.

I contemplate being gentle for only a moment—Ava wouldn’t want me to treat her like a piece of glass. Bending slightly, I place my hands on the backs of her thighs and lift her, pressing her back into the closed front door. She releases a small gasp, and I take full advantage, claiming her mouth in a heated kiss—a kiss I want her to feel in the morning.

Her legs wind around my waist, squeezing. Her arms move around my shoulders, holding me to her. And her kiss is just as greedy as mine.

My hips push into her, keeping her pinned against the door as my hands travel up the sides of her body under her sweatshirt. The feel of her skin, soft and smooth, is in direct contrast to the roughness of my palms. My hands continue a path up, ghosting the sides of her breasts, finding she’s not wearing a bra. I groan as my fingers slide over her pebbled nipples, pinching slightly.

“Gage,” she moans against my lips, rolling her hips in search of the friction we both need. “I need you inside me.”

My hips jerk unconsciously. A woman unafraid to ask for exactly what she wants is my undoing.

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