Avery tossed the rag on the floor, pulled the blanket over her legs, and lay beside her. He gathered her against his chest and brushed soft curls from her face. “I told you, I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you, and virgin or not, I would have had you. But I would have slowed things down, been gentler. I would have taken my time.”
“And I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It was…everything Brooke described and more.”
Yeah, there’ll be more.
Just thinking about sinking into her had his dick hard, and he was grateful for the layers separating them.
“But I don’t want you to feel bad. It wasn’t that big a deal.”
“Then why did you hang onto it so long? Why didn’t you give it to Murdick?”
“Because I didn’t feel anything for him.”
Fuck. What? Maybe itwastime to bounce.
“I can literally feel you freaking out.” She rolled her eyes. “Chemistry, dumbass.”
“Then why even let him get to third base?” he growled, and too late, he heard the jealousy in his voice.
How do I go from bailing to fucking possessive?
“Like I said before, the relationship was convenient. I never wanted to have sex with him. But with you…I don’t know, there’s this crazy attraction, so I thought, why not give into it and finally see what all the hype was about. But I thought if you knew, you wouldn’t want me. You said you weren’t into virgins.”
“I meant sweet and innocent because, to be honest, I thought virgins were unicorn bait, and neither one existed.”
She peered up at him. “So we’re good?”
“Yeah.” He feathered his lips over hers, tasting her sweetness. “We’re good.”
“Good, because I haven’t felt this alive since Brooke and I climbed the fence of old lady Salsbury’s garden and stole one of her prize-winning watermelons.”
“What?” He rolled her to her back and grinned down at her. “You’re comparing my skills to the high of committing a misdemeanor?”
“It was a really high fence and a really good watermelon. But it was only the once, and I never did anything like that again.”
“Well, watermelon thief, I guess that means I’ll have to do better.” He stole in for a kiss that left him aching to take itfurther. When he pulled back, her eyes were glazed over. “And I should warn you, once is not gonna cut it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jo checked her jeans, T-shirt, and the yellow panties she’d worn property hunting. She’d found them on Avery’s dresser. Her jeans were still too damp to wear.
She shut the dryer, pushed the button, and leaned against the washer, listening to the seductive hum of Avery’s voice. He was still on the phone in his office across the hall. “Marcus’ old room, from before he moved in with Charlotte,” he’d told her when he gave her the tour of his condo last night.
Yesterday had been tougher than she’d expected, with the exception of finally getting her V-card punched, which had been like a dark chocolate chili cupcake—spicy hot and deliciously sweet. She’d tried to coax Avery into an encore, but he’d kissed her breathless, said he had work to do, and told her to “rest.”
Rest? Her body had been humming with energy again, her mind a frenzy of doubt. Avery Preston did not turn down sex. Maybe her virginity was a turn-off. Or he’d gotten what he wanted. Challenge met. He was bored. Time to move on. Either way, fuck him. She wouldn’t beg.
Instead, she’d dressed, popped in her earbuds, and tuned out the world as she finished cleaning her bedroom. The Christmas picture of her with her grandma and the one of her and Brooke at the beach were replaceable. They were on her phone. The lamp was a garage sale find. No big deal. And while she’d hoped to repair the damage to the mattress, it would have to go. That stain wasn’t coming out, and it would forever be a reminder of Avery.
Not that I’ll ever forget him.
“Make them an offer they can’t refuse.” Through the laundry room door, Avery’s shadow darkened the hall, then retreated back into his office. “I don’t care. I want it.”
Jo had no doubt he’d get whatever it was he wanted. Brooke had said she was made of steel, but she turned to putty in his hands. Strong hands. Magical hands. Hands he’d denied her since leaving her bed.
And yet here you are.
She snorted.Just like all the What’s Her Names.
