Page 80 of Aussie
He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. “My real name is Ty Mitchell.”
“Ty,” she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. “I like it. But I like Aussie too.”
He smirked. “Aussie has a bit of a backstory.”
“Do tell,” she urged, snuggling closer.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Before I joined the Navy, I had a pretty bad stutter. To the point where I wasn’t sure the SEALs would even accept me. But I was determined to make it.”
Her heart ached for him as he spoke. She could hear the vulnerability in his voice, and it only made her love him more.
“I tried everything,” he continued. “Techniques, exercises, the whole nine yards, but nothing really worked. It was frustrating, to say the least. But then I discovered something. When I spoke in a slight accent, I didn’t stutter. It was like flipping a switch.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? And that’s where Aussie came from?”
He nodded, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “Yep. It stuck during training because I used it so often. At first, it was just to avoid blocks, but then it became part of who I am.”
Ava placed a hand on his cheek. “Thank you for sharing that with me,” she said sincerely. “I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. But I think it’s amazing that you found a way to overcome it. It’s just another reason to admire you.”
His smile softened, and he leaned in to kiss her, his lips brushing hers in a gesture of gratitude and affection.
They talked a little longer, discussing his work in the Navy as much as he was allowed to share. Ava assured him that she was okay with his job and that she would be proud to stand by him no matter what.
When he kissed her again, it was searing and full of promise. Without a word, he rolled her onto her back, his hands framing her face as he deepened the kiss.
“Round two?” he teased, his voice low and full of warmth.
She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling as she pulled him closer. “Absolutely.”
And as the night unfolded, their love grew stronger, solidifying the bond they had both been searching for.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains as Aussie carefully slipped out of bed. Ava was still sound asleep, her dark hair fanned out across his pillow. Her breathing was steady and peaceful. He paused for a moment, taking in the sight of her. There was no way she was ever sleeping alone again. She belonged in his bed and in his arms.
Quietly, he grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie and made his way downstairs. The house was silent, save for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. The warmth of the kitchen greeted him, and he moved on autopilot toward the coffee maker, his mind replaying the events of the night before.
Their date had been nothing short of perfect. Dinner, dancing, and laughter had led to a night that had changed everything. After spending hours wrapped up in each other, they’d reluctantly pulled themselves from bed to clean up the barn house. Ava hadn’t even put up a fight when he asked her to stay in his room, and the memory of her shy smile was seared into his mind.
They’d also decided to talk to Christian about Aussie moving in with them when they got back home. It wasn’t just about keeping them safe. It was about starting something real. Something permanent.
Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Aussie leaned against the counter. He’d never felt like this about anyone. Ava wasn’t just someone he cared for. She was it. She was his everything. She was smart, strong, and fiercely compassionate, and he knew deep down that he’d never find another woman like her.
“Merry Christmas Eve, sweetheart,” came a cheerful voice behind him.
Aussie turned to see his mom entering the kitchen, her robe tied loosely around her waist and her slippers shuffling softly against the tile. She leaned up to kiss his cheek before reaching for a mug.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” he replied, smiling as he sipped his coffee.
His mom gave him a knowing look, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. “How’d the date go?”
Aussie chuckled, recognizing the playful gleam in her eyes. She knew exactly how it had gone but was clearly enjoying making him squirm.
“It was amazing,” he said, deciding to play along. “Thanks for helping with dinner and everything. It wouldn’t have been the same without your touch.”
She patted his arm. “It’s what moms are for. But I can tell by the way you’re glowing that it was more than just dinner.”
He shook his head, grinning. “Okay, fine. It wasn’t just dinner. It was perfect.”
