“You lost your temper, and I understand why. I forgive you for that,” Ivy stated. “But in a lot of situations, I’ve seen you keep calm when the rest of us would’ve completely gone insane. Ava’s floating around right now, not sure what to think or do. She has to be grounded, and it’s your job to keep her there. This helped me, and I know it will help you guys.”
Oberi ducked under the table and grumbled,I don’t think I’m going to want to hear this.
I sighed. “All right. What’s your idea?”
Ivy leaned in. “Pay attention. Here’s what you’re going to do…”
* * *
My head was still reeling with information Ivy had given me by the time I left the factory that night. I had a token we’d snuck from one of the stations in my pocket, and I listened intently for the sound of guards around me. I didn’t want anyone catching me with it.
“Charlie!” someone called, and I jumped. “Do you have a few minutes?”
I relaxed when I realized it was Kallie. “I’m, uh… actually on my way to check on Ava.”
“In that case, can I borrow Oberi?” she asked. “I might’ve found something, but I need Oberi’s trusty nose to help me narrow things down.”
You go on ahead,Oberi told me, giving me a playful nudge with his nose.I don’t want to be a part of what you have in mind. Have fun!
Oberi was teasing me, and I scowled. “Yeah, he’s delighted to help,” I said flatly. “Just have him back by curfew. He gets ornery when he has to sleep on the floor.”
“I will,” Kallie promised, before walking off with Oberi.
I headed back toward my dorm, but my hands shook the whole way. I wasn’t scared of what Ivy had suggested, but doing this with Ava felt so… new. I wanted to do it right.
When I entered the room, I heard a scratching sound. “Pidge?”
“I’m right here.” Her voice came from somewhere near the couch.
“What are you doing?”
“Filing my nails,” she said nonchalantly.
I frowned. “You stole another emery board from the craft room. You’ll get in trouble if you’re caught with it.”
“That’s why I won’t get caught,” she replied roughly.
I sighed and sat on the couch. “The last thing I want is to fight. I’m sorry about earlier. I want to make it up to you.”
“Oh?” Ava sounded intrigued. “What did you have in mind?”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the rope I’d snagged from the factory.
Ava gasped, and a gleeful snicker escaped her lips. “Are you serious?”
“If you’re open to it,” I offered.
“Yes,” she answered, almost too quickly. Her mood had shifted quickly, which I figured meant I was on to something. She sounded really excited, and that mademeexcited. My heart fluttered, and my dick hardened.
“We’re going to take it slow,” I told her. “I want this to feel really good, so if at any time you feel uncomfortable, you let me know.”
“We should have a safe word,” Ava suggested. Hell, she was practically bouncing out of her chair already.
I smirked, “First, we’ve got to come up with something you don’t normally yell during sex.”
Ava laughed. “You mean,oh godandCharlie, harderaren’t good safe words?”
I smiled. “How about we use colors? Green to keep going, yellow to slow down, and red to stop?”
