Because even if our arrangement was clear, she was always going to be more than just sex. I’d known her almost my entire life. Just like I’d been there for some of her worst moments, she’d been there for mine.
We were already familiar.
It was more than just sex even from the beginning simply because of our background.
Last night had blurred into something I hadn’t planned—her striptease turning into that desperate grind on my lap,her whimpers as I fingered her until she fell apart, then when she pressed her lips softly against mine.
I couldn’t describe the feeling. I just knew it was one I’d never felt before, and I couldn’t tell if that was because of our history or something else.
So I’d stayed because she’d invited me to. Getting a solid night’s sleep had been the goal, but as soon as she’d snuggled against me, I’d felt so comfortable, sleep had taken me before I could even think about it.
I stared at her face, her long eyelashes that were a shade darker than her hair, the way her lips parted ever so slightly, and how relaxed she looked. Peaceful.
There was no itch to run, no voice in my head screaming at me to sneak out. Lying here with her felt easy.
That ease messed with me. It was like catching an edge you didn’t see coming, that split second when you don’t know if you’ll recover or eat ice. I wasn’t supposed to feel this settled. Not with her. She deserved better than the kind of poison I’d watched destroy my mother—nights when I’d lie in my childhood bed listening to my mom cry through the wall, waiting for a man who was never coming home because he was too busy being charming somewhere else. I’d sworn I’d never do that to anyone. The only way to keep that promise was to never let anyone close enough to hurt.
But damn if Ava’s weight against me didn’t feel so fucking good, like she’d always belonged right here.
I shifted carefully, not wanting to wake her, and pressed a kiss to her temple. She smelled like strawberry from her shampoo and my dick twitched, but I ignored it. For once, I wasn’t in a hurry to turn this into something I could control.
Ava stirred then, a quiet hum vibrating against my chest as she nuzzled closer. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked up at me, a slow smile curving her lips.
“Morning,” she mumbled, her voice husky from sleep. Her hand slid lower, nails grazing my happy trail, but she didn’t push it further. It was both torture and relief. I wanted her to touch me more than my next breath, but I was also afraid of how she’d wreck me if she did.
“Morning.” I kept my voice light, thumb brushing her cheekbone. “You hog the covers like a champ. Nearly froze my ass off.”
She laughed, the sound low and easy, and propped her chin on my shoulder. Her breast pressed against my side, her nipple a hard point through her thin shirt that sent a jolt straight south. “Liar. You run hot. Like a furnace.” Her gaze dropped to the obvious tent in the sheets. “Speaking of…”
“Blame yourself.”
She grinned, and I kissed her before either of us could overthink it. Morning breath be damned.
This was something else that was new.
Her lips were soft, and when she sighed into my mouth, something in my chest cracked open a little wider.
This whole thing was dangerous. But sex? Sex I understood. Sex was a language I’d mastered years ago—give pleasure, stay in control, don’t let anyone see the parts of you that could hurt them. And if it helped her cross something off that list she’d blushed over when we first started this? Even better. I could be useful. I could make her feel good. This was safe ground.
Before she could say anything, I rolled, pinning her gently under me. She gasped—playful, not scared—and her legs parted instinctively to cradle my hips. I kissed her again, slower this time, tasting sleep and something sweeter underneath. Her hands roamed my back, nails digging in just enough to make me groan into her mouth.
“What’s the plan, Sunshine?” I murmured against herlips, pulling back to watch her face. Flushed and fucking beautiful. “Coffee? Breakfast? Or…” I said as my hand moved south down her stomach.
“Or.” No hesitation. I slid my hands under her shirt, dragging it up over her ribs, and she lifted her arms so I could pull it over her head. She arched up, nipples scraping my chest, and the hungry desire in her eyes hit me like a check to the boards. Her hips ground against my thigh, slick heat smearing my skin through the thin scrap of her thong.
I kissed down her neck, nipping the spot below her ear which made her shiver. “Good choice.” My fingers hooked the waistband of her thong and dragged it down her legs before my hand slid between us, cupping her pussy—warm and wet for me already. My fingers slipped easily through her folds, before circling her clit until she whimpered. “Wasn’t there something on that list of yours about being eaten out until you come?”
She nodded, teeth sinking into her lower lip. “Yeah.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
I trailed lower, my mouth following my hands, sucking a nipple into my mouth—hard at first, then soft, tongue flicking until she bowed off the bed. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling just right, and I groaned against her skin.
“Liam… fuck?—”
“Patience.” I chuckled. I might not be good with emotions but I was damn good at this.
I settled between her thighs, hooking one leg over my shoulder. Her pussy glistened, pink and swollen, her clit peeking out like it was begging for attention. She was so open for me. So trusting. The weight of that trust settled heavy in my chest, but I channeled it into making her feel good.
I blew a cool breath over her, watching her hips jerk.Then I dove in, tongue flat and broad, licking from her entrance to her clit in one long stroke. She tasted sharp and addictive, like musk and salt, and I groaned against her.
