Page 25 of Moonshot

“Well, don’t hang up. I need to know you’re all right.”

Putting down the phone, I’d rummaged through my overnight bag and was surprised to find some cold medication in my toiletry kit. I read the ingredients off to my mother, who confirmed it contained medication that should help with the swelling. After popping four pills into my mouth, because no way were two cold pills going to touch this swelling, I grabbed the phone and listened to my mother talk about anything and everything until I could reassure her that I was improving enough she could hang up. I recall hearing about some boy Emmaleigh’s dating that I already want to kill. I had to listen to tales about Rob’s golf game last Saturday and how he never returns anything he buys that doesn’t fit.

“He must have fifteen work shirts with the price tag still attached that are a size too-”

“Mom. I think I’m better. And I’m getting kinda tired.” I don’t know if it was the medication that started to kick in or listening to my mother go on and on for thirty solid minutes that made me feel like my head was spinning.

“Okay, Mick. Be careful and get some sleep.”

I’d placed the phone down on the nightstand and gotten into bed only moments before I saw it buzzing with an incoming message. Assuming my mother had forgotten some vital detail on the great shirt debacle, I was shocked to find it was Ava initiating a text. In my groggy state, I recall attempting to participate in meaningful conversation until I woke up this morning to find the proof of what had transpired. Good lord, I’m surprised she didn’t think I was drunk. Or having a stroke.

The texts had quickly turned flirty. I must’ve thought I was skating the edge of acceptable with her until I reviewed what I’d sent this morning. Even with help from the talk to text feature, those texts were bizarre. All of the naked Elsa fantasies must’ve been trying to reveal themselves. That and I’d watchedFrozenentirely too many times with Emmaleigh to have memorized all of that crap. The only thing getting through the Benadryl loud and clear was my obvious desire for her.

That desire has continued to grow since the impromptu lunch in her office. Ava’s plush lips had been summoning me throughout our quick meal. And that mouth was even softer and more tempting than I’d imagined. The lingering thoughts of it had done a real number on my libido.

I’d been dying to kiss her. The whole damn lunch for the office had been a rouse just to call it a second ‘date.’ Yet once that kiss started, I wasn’t sure I could stop. It took restraint to back away. Even after munching on Caesar salad, her sweetness shined through. But I knew I would’ve embarrassed myself had that kiss gone any farther there. I felt myself instantly get hard and knew I had to end it and head out before things got out of hand. Her boss is difficult enough to deal with as it is. I certainly didn’t need to give him another reason to bark at her.

* * *

Pulling up to the St. Luke’s medical park, I observe Ava standing to the left of the doors to the office building. She’s wearing white converse tennis shoes, denim capri pants, a V-neck white cotton T-shirt, with a backpack slung over her right shoulder. Her shimmering long blonde hair is tied in a high ponytail. She’s freaking adorable. My dream girl come to life. Pulling up, I put the car in park and run around to greet her before opening the door.

“Hi,” I say before scooping her into my arms, hugging her to me tightly. God, she feels good. We’ve had a first kiss and some dirty texts. There’s no need to hold back from touching her at this point. Hell, I couldn’t do it if I tried. I pull back, grab her small backpack, and place a kiss on her nose before ushering her into the SUV. Running around the car, I try to tamp down my excitement, so I don’t come off looking desperate. Hopping into the driver’s seat, I start the ignition but stop short before heading toward the main road.

Turning to her, I notice a pensive expression on her face.Fuck. “Ava, about those texts.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Wait. No, I need to explain. That’s not my usual behavior. I’d taken some medication after about near killing myself with the spiciest Indian curry dish I’ve ever eaten, and I should’ve given in to sleep instead of responding to your messages. I was just excited to hear from you, and… well, it should be illegal for me to operate a phone under the influence of cold medicine.”

“Oh.” She giggles. “I wasn’t sure where you were going with some of that. But I think I can give you a pass. At first, I thought it was some weird kind of dirty talk.”

“Ava, that wasn’t dirty talk,” I reply, voice stern, giving her a serious stare before arching my brow for the full effect. “Trust me, princess. You’ll know when I’m talking dirty to you.” Her entire face turns scarlet red before me.Shit!Guilt settles in quickly. Reaching to stroke her cheek, I attempt an apology. “Baby. I’m sorry. Did I upset you?”

“No. My skin just does this. Especially if I get turned on.” Her last words are barely audible.

Well, hell yeah. I’d like to see this color on you a lot more often.Before I can let that statement sink in, she continues.

“Is it okay if I ask you one thing about that night?”

“You can ask me anything, Ava.”

“Do you call all of your girls princess?”

“All of my girls?”What the hell?I rotate even farther in my seat, so I’m facing her directly. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but let’s get one thing very clear. You’re myonlygirl.” I continue to look at her until she acknowledges this. I don’t need her having any doubts about where I want this to go. If I’m going all-in with this beauty, I need to jump in with both feet.

A timid look of joy crosses her face, and I feel like we’re back on track. “I’m excited about this, Mick. Both the date and learning about baseball. I don’t know why, but I’ve never really learned the lingo.” Her attempt at changing the subject is commendable. But I’m not sure I’m following her train of thought.

Pulling out of the medical complex toward the highway, I push for more. “What do you mean, lingo?”

“Well, I know you get three strikes and you’re out and all that. But there are a lot of terms I’ve heard used I don’t understand. I’ll admit I don’t grasp a lot of the rules of the game either. What constitutes a foul versus an out? How many innings does a game have? I feel like it’s different for each game I watch. Not like football where it’s always four quarters.”

Looking over at her as we approach an intersection, I see she’s got that sweet rosy hue to her skin she develops whenever she’s the slightest bit embarrassed. At least, I assume that’s what it’s related to.Hell, if she gets turned on talking about baseball, I might have to fly her to Vegas.

“I even bought this,” she adds as she reaches for her backpack and pulls out a yellow book. “Baseball for Dummies.”

Chuckling, I drop one hand on her denim-clad leg and squeeze. “Ah, princess, I’ll teach you. You don’t need that silly book.”

“Oh, thank you. I really want to learn. I loved going to the game the other night. But it was hard to pay much attention with those two chatterboxes beside me. Holy cow, Joanie was cracking me up. My face hurt the next day.”

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