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)
She smiles up at me. “You impress me in a lot of ways.”
I bend to kiss her then, because there’s no way I can resist. She softens against me, and I take it deeper, even though I’m struggling to go slow.
When her hands come around me, I scoop her up, carry her into the living room, and settle us onto the couch. I stretch a leg out across the cushions, and she nestles in against me as we continue to kiss.
I watch for any signs of tension or hesitation, but there aren’t any. I know this is no small thing for her, and I feel so lucky that she’s here with me.
Her hand slides around one of my biceps, as if taking its measure. “Speaking of impressive things,” she murmurs when our mouths part. She explores, her fingers tracing over my ink, her eyes taking it all in. She pushes my short sleeve up to follow the tattoo, and I ache to pull my shirt over my head and show her all of my artwork, but that does not fall under the category of taking things slow.
“Do you want to watch a movie?” I offer.
“Sure, but I can’t promise I’ll be able to focus on it.” She’s surveying my other arm now, her soft hand sliding over my skin.
I shift and pull back so that I can reach for the remote. I desperately need a distraction, even though I know I won’t be able to focus on the screen much, either.
I put something on that I think she’ll like, a comedy mystery movie that I’ve watched before. I stroke her arm and pull her closer, and she rests her head on my chest. That works out for a while, but a few minutes in, we start kissing again. The pull is too strong.
We carry on like that for a while, short stretches of distracted movie-watching cut with mini makeout sessions. Every time things start to get heated, I pump the brakes.
Ava has already come a long way from the girl who fled from our first kiss, but I’m not going to do anything before I know she’s fully ready. It’s much too easy to get caught up in a moment and regret things afterward, and I couldn’t live with myself if I put her in that position.
Besides, there’s plenty of fun we can have without crossing the line.
“Are you ready for dessert?”
She nods. “I could probably go a couple of days without eating after that giant steak, but I can’t pass up trying your dessert.”
I reposition her on the couch and move the pillows closer to her so she’ll be comfortable in my absence. “I’ll be right back.”
Most of the dessert is waiting in the refrigerator. There’s one thing to heat in the microwave, a couple of items to arrange, and then I return to Ava, setting the large platter on the coffee table in front of her.
“Brax…” Her voice is filled with awe, and I know I’ve done well. “This is beautiful.” She looks back and forth between me and the tray of fruit and chocolate. “You continue to impress me. You made this?”
“Yeah, it was pretty easy.”
“It’s a work of art!” She’s leaning over it now, taking it all in, and I’m pleased I spent all the time cutting and arranging the strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, marshmallows, pretzel sticks and almonds. “What’s this? Whipped cream?”
“Crème fraîche. A man at Trader Joe’s suggested it.”
“I love crème fraîche.” She’s nearly bouncing in her seat, and I’m filled with affection as I lift her up and settle her back onto my lap, where she belongs.
I may have prepared the food, but Ava makes eating such a joy-filled experience. I’ve always been happy with protein shakes and sandwiches, but she’s adding a new dimension of pleasure to my life.
Now it’s time to add a new dimension to hers.
BRAX
When she reaches for a strawberry, I beat her to it. “Allow me.” I dip the berry into the cream, and then into a small bowl of brown sugar, another tip from the grocery story. Her eyes are dancing with anticipation as I bring the treat to her lips and watch her open for me.
Her lips close around the fruit, and I have to look away for a moment. I grit my teeth when she makes a sound of satisfaction deep in her throat. “Mmmmm.”
I’m hoping to bring her pleasure, but I’m going to be torturing myself in the process.
When I deliver another berry, her tongue touches my finger, and with the way she’s holding eye contact, I’d say it was intentional.
She’s definitely not the same timid girl I first kissed, and I have to wonder what’s been going on during her other dates. Maybe the other guys are pushing her limits. My vision goes red at the thought, but if they are, she seems to be enjoying it.