Page 103 of Avery's Hero

Mine.

Yours.

Forever.

The most powerful orgasm of my life shatters me into a million shimmering sparklers. He roars out my name and professes his love in that rough voice that my heart begs to hear.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

The apartment door swings open. Gunnar stands there, filling the frame, staring at me.

“I know you’ve seen a man cooking before, so what gives?”

He shakes his head. “Cinnamon rolls?”

I toss him an oven mitt. “Your sister’s favorite, by the way. Grab that casserole out of the oven. Then get the tray of fruit from the fridge.”

He gives me a quick hateful stare, then pulls the oven open. “Damn, this smells good.”

“Thank your sister forthat one.”

He lifts the heavy casserole dish and places it on a hot pad on the counter. “She used to cook for me all the time.”

Behind me, Avery says, “Because I knew you didn’t take care of yourself.”

Shoulders tightening, he frowns. “Not like I had a lot of time for that.”

Avery ambles across the kitchen and hugs him. It’s hard not to watch her. She’s wearing the jeans I love and a soft gray t-shirt that hugs her curves in all the right places. “How was your visit with Cash? Did you boys stay up all night talking?”

Gunnar hugs his sister hard for a few seconds, then ruffles her hair. “He’s good. Bastard kept me up ‘till four, sharing his crazy war stories. He’s loving the SEALs. Said to tell you hello. It was damned good to reconnect.”

“I’m so glad. Awe, I miss him. He was so much fun to annoy. Next time he’s on leave, you’ll have to invite him up for dinner.”

I pass Gunnar a knife and wink at Avery knowing he’s going to bitch. “Cut that into casserole squares.”

“Listen to that. Your man thinks he’s the boss here.”

A knock on the door interrupts me telling Gunnar if he wants to eat, he should keep his trap shut.

Linc bursts in, followed by Belle, and her mom, Rose. “Oh my god, I’m so hungry,” Linc says.

“I thought Mick’s parents were taking you boys out for breakfast.”

He groans dramatically like the teen boy he is. “They did, but I’m hungry already.” When I size him up, I can tell he’s grown another inch or more in the last month.

My inspection makes him grin.

“I’m catching up to you, Dad.”

That makes me grimace.

Another knock and the kitchen gets busier. Detective Martin shoulders inside. Followed by Reeves.

“Why don’t you guys head to the living room? I’ll set everything up and call you when the buffet is open.” Everyone leaves but Gunnar who seems resigned to the fact that he’s stuck helping me.

Whap! Whap! Whap!

When I glance at the door, I have to lock down a face-splitting grin. “Elena. What brings you up?”

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