“That forgettable, huh?” I lean my head back and groan out a dull laugh.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” Ava’s cool fingers glide over my chest, and a heavy rush fills me from the inside. “Now, get back inside my body and show me again how you do that thing.”
“That thing?” My gaze locks with her laughing eyes. “That’s what I love about you, Ava. You make everything new. You see life with a spectacular lens, and I want to see it that way, too. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“Grant,” she whispers so low, something about hearing her voice drop to that octave when she says my name guts me. “You have a way with words. Thank you for sharing that with me. Now”—her fingers dip into the rim of my boxers—“I’d like for you to share something else with me.”
Ava pulls me in for a kiss, and my mouth detonates in hers. Ava is a living, breathing work of art, a beautiful, intelligent woman who somehow seems to have fallen in love with me. That day she landed in front of me at Hallowed Grounds was one I will never forget. My initial thought wasdamn, this girl is beautiful, and my second thought wastoo bad a girl like her would never go for a guy like me. And here we are, Ava going all out for a guy like me.
I clear the kitchen table with a sweep of my arm and land her on it. I make love to Ava nice and slow, tasting every last part of this beautiful, beautiful girl. Ava and I were meant to be together. This unstoppable lust, the unimaginable joy she fills me with are things I thought I’d forever live without.
One Vincent sister killed a part of me, and another Vincent sister brought me back to life. The universe and all its ironies are almost too much to bear.
I ride over Ava slow and steady, watching her sleepy eyes, those lips parting as if giving a silent cry. I bow down and cover her mouth with mine, filling her body with all I have to offer, and thrusting slowly, beautifully to an otherworldly nirvana.
After a four-daystay at Lake Avalanche, where Ava and I feasted off the dessert of our souls, we make our way back to Hollow Brook. It’s not just an ordinary Wednesday. It’s Ava’s birthday, and she promised Owen she would have dinner with him tonight.
A fresh layer of snow lies over the ground, not enough to panic about, but just enough to remind you that the holidays are right around the corner.
Both Ava and I showered and dressed. I picked her up at her dorm and nearly fell backward off the balcony three stories down when I saw how perfect she looks in her skintight jeans and that red fuzzy sweater that begs for me to pat it down with my hands.
We head over to the Black Bear where the bar is done up with string lights in every color. Even that oversized bear out front dons a Santa hat. Mistletoe hangs from the entry, and I do my due diligence to make sure Ava gets that kiss.
“Happy birthday.” That goofy grin she inspires bounces back to my lips. “Believe it or not, I have a gift for you.”
“Ooh! I’m a sucker for a good gift.” Her hands drift down my waist, and she gives my ass a squeeze. “I’ll come by your place tonight to collect.”
“That’s sort of a gift for me. And please do come.” A dark laughs brews in me because Ava coming is my favorite part. “My bed is aching to meet you.” All those wet dreams, those fully conscious fantasies this girl has inspired, have been innumerous. In many ways, Ava has already visited my mattress. “But there’s something else. I’ll hold off until later. I don’t want to keep your brother waiting.”
“Now you’ve got me waiting.” She offers a crooked smile.
We head into the noisy bar with its miles of glittering garland and spot Owen and Piper seated alongside Jet and his girlfriend. A bouquet of colorful balloons is tied to an empty chair for the guest of honor.
We head straight over, and Ava embraces everyone at the table while I nod my hellos and take a seat next to Jet.
“What’s up, man?” He sheds that shit-eating grin. “Someone looks happy.”
“That would be you—and me.” I pull my seat in close to Ava.
“Good.” Jet slaps me five. “You deserve to be happy, dude. You really do.”
Jet’s girlfriend bounces in her seat as she pulls Ava’s hands forward. “I knew that I knew that Iknewyou would find your happy place. And looky here! Your big brother isn’t out to break every bone in this boy’s body,” she sings while giving me the side-eye.
Piper grunts, “Things may look calm, but there’s a slight discrepancy of where these two have been for the last four days.”
Shit. I glance to Ava and give a sly wink. No use in panicking. I could probably take Owen if I had to. Please, God, don’t let me have to.
Owen glares at me openly, and an uncomfortable silence takes over the table.
“Never mind that”—Ava straightens in her seat—“I’m here now, and so is everyone else. Anyone going home for Christmas?”
Piper makes a face. “My parents are spending the holidays in Hawaii. I’ll be hanging out on my brother’s ranch with family—Owen is coming, and that means I need to see you there, too.” She plucks the straw from her water and points it at Ava, sprinkling her with it. “And you.” She smiles over at me. “I know you’re probably spending it with your family, but if you could come by at any point in the day, my brother, Wyatt, won’t mind in the least.”
“If Ava is there, I’d love to tag along.”
“Our first Christmas!” Ava offers a spontaneous peck to my cheek. “Of course, you’ll be there. I can’t wait.”
“Maybe before we head over, I can bring you by and you can meet my parents. I know they would love that.”
