"You. Us. Finding something worth fighting for beyond just the next exposé or the next mission." I turn in his arms, careful of his still-healing injury. "I love you, Mason Vaughan. And I'm choosing you, choosing this, choosing us."
"Even knowing what it means? The danger, the lifestyle, the fact that I'm never going to be a normal guy with a normal job?"
"Especially knowing that. Because normal's overrated, and you're extraordinary." I kiss him, slow and deep. "So what do you say? Want to figure out this forever thing together?"
"Thought you'd never ask." His hands slide into my hair, tilting my head for better access. "But first, I'm making good on those plans I mentioned."
"Mason, you're still recovering."
"I'm recovered enough." He stands, pulling me with him toward the bed. "And I've been patient for three days. My patience is officially exhausted."
"The doctor said no strenuous activity."
"Then I'll let you do all the work." He sits on the edge of the bed, pulling me between his legs. "Take off your clothes, Ava. Need to see you."
I should argue, should insist he needs more time. But the heat in his eyes and the way his hands are already sliding under my shirt make it clear he's not taking no for an answer.
I strip slowly, letting him watch, and his expression grows darker with every piece of clothing that hits the floor. When I'm naked, he pulls me onto his lap, positioning me carefully so I'm straddling him without putting pressure on his injury.
"God, you're beautiful." His hands map my body like he's memorizing every curve. "I missed this. I missed you."
"You saw me every day in the hospital."
"Not like this. Not where I could touch you, and taste you." His mouth finds my breast, sucking my nipple until I'm gasping. "It’s been driving me insane thinking about all the things I want to do to you."
"Tell me." My hands work his belt, freeing him from his jeans. "Tell me what you want."
"I want you riding me. I want to watch you take your pleasure, and I want to feel you come apart while I'm inside you." He lifts me slightly, positioning himself. "Think you can do that?"
"Yes." I sink down onto him slowly, feeling the stretch and burn of taking him after days apart. "God, yes."
He groans, his hands gripping my hips hard enough to bruise. "That's it. Take all of me."
I do, setting a rhythm that's slow and deep, mindful of his injury but desperate for this connection. His mouth finds mine, swallowing my moans, and one hand slides between us to rub my clit.
"Come for me," he orders. "I want to feel it."
The combination of his cock inside me and his fingers on my clit is devastating, and I come hard, clenching around him. He follows with a groan, and we collapse together in a tangle of sweaty limbs.
"That was supposed to be me doing all the work," I point out when I can breathe again.
"Changed my mind. Couldn't help myself." He pulls me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Worth it though."
"If you tore your stitches, I'm not explaining to Vulture why."
"My stitches are fine, everything's fine." He shifts us so we're lying properly on the bed. "Actually it’s better than fine. It’s Perfect."
We lie there in comfortable silence, the afternoon sun painting patterns on the walls, and I let myself believe in the future we're building. It won't be easy, won't be conventional, but it'll be ours.
And that's more than I ever thought I'd have.
"Ava?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you, for not running when things got hard. For staying even when you probably should've left." His arms tighten around me. "You saved me, in more ways than you know."
"Right back at you." I press a kiss over his heart. "Now rest, you promised me a week in bed, and I'm holding you to that."
