When we woke the second time, I was curled into her back, my arm around her, holding her to me, and Ava’s head was resting on my arm. She was tracing lazy patterns over my arm, and I felt her smile against my skin when she realized I was awake.
“Hey,” she greeted softly.
“You’re wearing your panties?” I questioned as my hand moved over her hip.
“Yeah, needed a barrier of protection against you,” she teased as her head turned and she met my look with a grin.
“You smell like me,” I said as I burrowed into her neck.
“Cleaned up.” She gave a happy sigh as she wiggled back into my embrace.
“How long was I asleep?” I rolled away from her, reaching for my phone.
“Not sure, I’ve only been awake twenty minutes or so.” Ava sat up, covering her chest as she did so.
“I’m fucking starving,” I admitted as I stood. I didn’t miss her hungry look down my body as I headed to the bathroom. “I’ll be ten minutes, and then we can eat,” I told her over my shoulder, and I heard her murmur her consent.
Once I was showered and was brushing my teeth, I took in all the nips and marks on my body. I wasn’t sure which wereyesterday’s game and which were Ava’s. Wrapping my towel around my waist, I went back into the bedroom. She was trying to pile her hair up on her head in a bun, scowling at the visible marks on her neck and shoulders. Her eyes met mine in the mirror.
“What is it?” Ava asked as she turned when she saw my frown, dropping her hair to fall loose around her shoulders.
“The top comes off.”
“Wejustgot showered.”
I smirked at her assumption. “No, that top never gets worn again.” I strode toward her, and she backed up in alarm, her eyes wide. Catching a lock of her hair in my fingers, I tugged her toward me. “Do you know how hard that top made me last night?” I whispered against her lips. “I saw you and thought you looked good, and then you turned and spoke to your friend, and I realized you were practically naked.” My thumbs rubbed over her nipples as I spoke. “My dick almost punched through my jeans. I already knew you would be mine last night, but this top . . . fuck, Ava.” My lips caressed hers, and she kissed me back, her teeth pulling my lower lip into her mouth.
“It’s either this top or no top,” she teased as her tongue stroked my lower lip. “And I don’t have a bra.”
My mouth captured hers as I pushed her back against the wall. With a sharp jerk, I pulled the buttons apart and heard the rip of fabric. Ava made a sound of protest, which was swallowed when I dipped my head and sucked her nipple into my mouth. I pushed the band of the fabric down over her slim hips, and then I straightened, looking at her in triumph.
“No top?” Ava looked scandalized. “Naked?”
Grinning, I walked to the closet and tossed a practice jersey at her. “Not naked.”
Ava looked at the Saints jersey with a frown before she looked up at me in uncertainty. “You want me to wear your shirt?”
Shit, did I?Yes. I did. I wanted her to wear it and never take it off.
“I can give you a T-shirt if you prefer?”
Ava clutched the shirt closer to her chest as she bit her lip. “No, I want to wear this.”
“You sure?” I flinched at the vulnerability in my voice. This pussy wasn’t me. “It’s just a shirt.”
“Is it?” Ava saw through my bullshit, and I smiled ruefully as I looked away from her, my hand running through my hair.
“No.” I wanted to cross the room to her, but I stayed where I was. “You okay with it?”
“It?” Ava looked down at the top again and then back up at me. “Or this?”
“Both?” Our eyes locked and held. I was nervous. What the fuck was I nervous about? It wasjusta jersey. It wassomuch more than a jersey.
She lifted the shirt up and went to put it on. I held my breath, and as she pulled it over her head, I crossed the room. Ava froze, her hands stilled, her head was clear of the neckline, but her breasts were still bare.
“Before you put it on, I need to tell you something,” I blurted.
“Okay.” Ava looked down at her top. “Will it take long?”
