Page 31 of Shooting his Shot

"What do you want me to say, Kari? I messed up — big time. I am a fucked up person for the way I treated you. When I should have been trusting you with my life, I was only second-guessing us. It was something I should have never done when you were giving me your all. I can't say that I'm not flawed because I am, and I have fears. But I'd like to let it all go. I can't be without you anymore. I am so damn sorry, Kari. All of this is my fault, but I'd like another chance if you can find it in your heart to forgive me. If you can't, then I'll walk away, and you'll never have to worry about me bothering you again." My nose burned from the tears that came forward in my eyes. I couldn't let them fall. I just couldn't. I had to remain strong.

He only had his head bowed, looking at the floor. I didn't know what that meant, but I wanted him to say something to me. I knew I was wrong, and I admitted that. What more did he want me to do?

"I love you, Avani, and you cut me deep when you walked away from a game I was playing. A game you knew I needed to win. I understand you have a past and your trust issues are all fucked up, but the only thing I had asked you to do was trust me — trust in us. Why couldn't you do that?" Akari looked up at me then.

My lips trembled as I eyed him, taking off the sunglasses. I was trying my hardest not to cry. I couldn't go out like that.

"I don't know why I couldn't do it. Fear stopped me from giving it my all. All I saw was you giving in to those groupies and leaving me." I sniffed.

He grunted. "See, that's the problem right there... you not believing in me. When I was with you, I gave you everything, and not once did I ever have my mind on another woman. It has always been you."

I dropped my head to my chest as a tear slipped from my eye. "I'm so sorry, Kari. If I could change the way I handled things, I would. Even after a month of being away from you, I miss you so much." I sniffed, trying to get control of the emotions that flowed through my body.

It felt like he wasn't going to give me a second chance. That made my heart hurt worse. Gosh, I did this to him and wanted a chance to fix this between us. I prayed I wasn't too late.

I lifted my head and saw him getting off of the couch and walking toward me. I didn't know what to do, so I stayed still and waited to see what he was going to do. He came toward me, my heart pounding. It felt like he was looking into my soul, but I was unable to look away from him. Akari cupped the side of my face in his hand, and I had to fight hard not to close my eyes and leaned into his touch. I had missed it so much.

"Damn, Avani. You fucked me up, man."

I lifted my head to peer into his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Kari. I never meant to hurt you as badly as I did. When I hurt you, I hurt myself, too. I couldn't get over you, not even if I tried, and I wasn't. You were always for me. I love you so much."

He gave me a lopsided grin. "That's what I've been waiting for you to say to know that it's real. I love you, Avani. I didn't know when it happened, but I fell in love with you. That's a feeling I have never felt before. Yet, with you, it came easy as hell. It's a feeling I want to continue to explore with you."

My eyes widened. "Does that mean you forgive me?"

He laughed a little. "Hell nah. You have a lot of making up to do. You know how I like it."

I giggled a bit and shook my head. "I am sure I can work something out."

He lowered his head, and I met him halfway, and we locked lips. I sighed in his mouth, loving the feel of his lips against mine. When we pulled away, he embraced me, and I held on for dear life, never wanting to let him go again.

"I love you, Avani."

"I love you too, Kari. Are you ready to go back out? You still have more autographs to sign."

He grunted. "I don't want to, but I know I have to. But don't worry, later you'll be making it up to me."

I smiled brightly. "I'll be ready for you, no doubt about it."

He chuckled. "I had none."

It felt so good to be back in Akari's life. I was happy he forgave me, and I was going to do everything in my power to never let what happened before happen again. I had a feeling I was going to turn into a violent person about my man, but I was ready to be that person. About Akari, nobody better not try me. I'd get real stupid on them.

AKARI

Avani's breastswere pressed against my chest as we moved as one. I bit down on my bottom lip to keep from calling out her name. My hands caressed her body slowly, causing her to squirm underneath me, but I didn't care. I wouldn't stop. I stroked in and out of her, not wanting the feeling to end. Since we'd gotten back together, she had been making it up to me in more ways than one. I kissed the side of her face, causing her to look at me with lust-filled eyes with a mixture of love. I smirked, loving to see the desire in her eyes for me.

Passion pounded through my heart, my chest, and my head for this woman.

"Ohh, Kari." Her legs tightened around my waist as she moved with me. I wrapped my arms around her waist and flipped her over.

Avani stared up at me with her eyebrow raised.

"Ride me, baby." I squeezed her hips, causing her to smirk.

"The last time I did that, you said I put it on you too good that you wanted to marry me."

I laughed. If only she knew I wasn't kidding about that. "Hmm, well put it on me real good again so I can make it official."

---