Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Of course. How do you imagine things proceeding?” he asks.
I blow out a breath. “I guess the idea is that I get enough experience to have a better idea of what I want in a relationship, and then … I choose.”
I’m already not looking forward to that part, though I know it’s inevitable. All three of these men are so interesting to me, so attractive. How am I supposed to pick just one?
Our food arrives then. It’s unsurprisingly delicious, including the chocolate ganache torte, which we share, giving each other bites. Every time I watch the fork disappear between Gray’s lips, it’s hard to take my eyes off his mouth and remember my surroundings. And every time it’s his turn to feed me, there’s no doubt he’s imagining all sorts of things besides me taking a bite of food, no matter how decadent.
This whole evening—the restaurant, the fine food, the champagne, the company of this sinfully delicious man—would be wrong in the eyes of my church. For me to enjoy such luxuries, when there are so many who go without? Never mind the fantasies he inspires.
I do wish that everyone had enough, that no one suffered from hunger or homelessness. But I can’t be sorry that I’m here.
They’d say that my heart is being hardened. But it doesn’t feel that way. I could swear my heart is getting softer, more open, full of life and curiosity and wonder.
Aren’t those good things?
“I have to admit,” I tell him, “that it’s hard to imagine you and Aaron ever being friends.”
His expression turns thoughtful. “He was always on the serious side, your brother, even in high school, and I was already a rebel. We mainly had basketball in common, but sometimes we hung out apart from that. I suspect that Aaron saw me as a project, someone he might be able to influence spiritually. Once it became clear that wasn’t going to happen, we lost touch.”
I’m embarrassed that my brother treated him that way. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” He picks up my hand again, lacing our fingers together. “You’ve chosen to think for yourself, Ava, despite your upbringing, and I have a great deal of respect for that.”
I smile and manage not to look away. I’m not sure I deserve his praise, but it buoys my spirits and makes me feel stronger.
Gray pays the check without batting an eye. He leaves the tip in cash, and I’m pretty sure those are Benjamins he’s tucking under his plate. It warms me to see that he’s generous that way.
Then we’re stepping out of the elevator into the cool of the evening, and my heart starts to thud, wondering what’s next.
GRAY
While we wait for the valet to bring my car around, I keep an arm around Ava’s waist, my thumb stroking idly up and down, but I’m anything but absent-minded when it comes to her.
I’ve never been possessive about women. I like them, they like me, and we enjoy each other’s company without expectations. But I don’t give a damn if I seem selfish where Ava’s concerned. I don’t want to share her with anyone, not even the other two men who are fortunate enough to be dating her.
It’s a novel emotion, but it doesn’t disturb me the way it should. There’s something about Ava. Her refreshing lack of artifice, for one. It’s not naivete; she’s just willing to be honest about what she wants. So few people have that much clarity.
I’d like to think I’m one of them, which may be one of the reasons I appreciate Ava so much. But it’s not some sort of spiritual bond that has me keeping hold of her. I have to make a conscious effort not to think too hard about all the pleasures I’d like to help her explore, or my cock will poke a hole right through my pants.
Since I can’t keep her all to myself, I need to make sure she’s getting what she wants to out of her dating life. She has a hint of shyness to her, which makes me feel like a lecherous old man, even though I’m only a few years older than she is. But I know why, as I told her while we ate.
Just as the valet pulls up with my car, she shivers. I waste no time getting her inside and turning up the heat as soon as I’m behind the wheel. “Thank you,” she breathes, relaxing back into her seat as warmth fills the space. “I should have brought a coat or a wrap or something, but I didn’t have anything that went with the outfit.”
I glance at her dress. I have an excellent eye for what will look good on a woman, if I do say so myself, and Ava has made the most of what she’s wearing.