Page 77 of Aussie
She caught herself staring at him. He was standing now, holding out his hand to her with a boyish smile that sent her heart fluttering.
“Dance with me,” he said.
She didn’t hesitate, slipping her hand into his. He led her to the living room, where soft Christmas music played from a speaker. The lights from the Christmas tree twinkled, casting a warm glow around them. Aussie turned to face her, pulling her close as they began to sway to the music.
Ava melted into his embrace, her hands resting lightly on his chest as his arms wrapped securely around her waist. The moment felt timeless, as though the world beyond the barn didn’t exist. The gentle notes of the music blended with the quiet hum of their breathing, and for a while, they simply moved together, wrapped in one another’s presence.
Breaking the silence, Ava tilted her head back to look at him. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?”
“For everything.” Her voice wavered slightly, but she held his gaze. “For tonight, for making Christian and me feel safe, for just being you.”
His expression softened, and she could see the emotion swirling in his eyes. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she continued. “I care about you so much, Aussie.”
Before he could respond, she rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him, surprising them both.
At first, the kiss was gentle, but it quickly turned wild, the pent-up emotion and desire between them igniting like a spark to dry kindling. His arms tightened around her, pulling her impossibly closer while her fingers threaded through his hair.
Ava broke away just enough to whisper against his lips, her voice breathless. “I want you, Aussie.”
His eyes darkened, a mixture of hunger and restraint flickering across his face. “Ava,” he began, but she silenced him with another kiss, making her conviction clear.
This wasn’t just about desire. It was about trust, connection, and the overwhelming need to be close to him in every possible way. Ava knew what she wanted, and for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid to reach for it.
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Aussie couldn’t look away from Ava. She stood in front of him, the glow of the Christmas lights casting a soft halo around her as if she were something out of a dream. Her lips curved in a way that made his chest tighten, and the words she’d just spoken echoed in his mind.
“I want you,” she said. Her eyes had locked with his. They were unflinching and sure.
Her kiss lingered on his lips, searing and soft all at once. It was a promise and a plea, and Aussie felt something inside him give way. She had him completely.
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he searched her eyes for any hint of hesitation. “Ava,” he said, his voice low, rough with restraint. “If you want to stop, you better tell me now. Because once we start, I’m not going to be able to stop. You’re too damn tempting.”
She smiled, “I don’t want to stop, Aussie. I want this. I want you.”
The last thread of his restraint snapped. He claimed her lips in a kiss that was deep and consuming. It was one that left no question about how much he wanted her. Without breaking their kiss, he slid an arm under her legs and the other around her back, lifting her as if she weighed nothing.
Ava gasped softly, her arms looping around his neck as he carried her toward the bedroom. When he nudged the door open with his foot, the warm, inviting space welcomed them. A king-size bed sat against one wall, dressed in soft, neutral linens, while a small Christmas tree in the corner twinkled with tiny white lights. The festive charm of the room was intimate and magical, a perfect reflection of the moment.
Aussie set her down on her feet. His heart was racing.
She looked up at him. Her dark blue eyes shimmered with a blend of anticipation and vulnerability that hit him straight in the chest.
He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his voice husky, filled with awe.
Ava’s lips curved into a shy smile, her gaze never leaving his. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Not so bad?” he teased, leaning in closer. “I was going for devastatingly handsome, but I’ll take it.”
She rolled her eyes, but the grin tugging at her lips gave her away. “Devastatingly handsome is a little much,” she said, her voice light and teasing.
“Well, let me work on convincing you,” Aussie murmured, slipping his hands beneath the hem of her sweater. Her breath hitched as his knuckles grazed the smooth skin of her back.
“Your hands are cold,” she said, laughing softly.
