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)
“Want another?” Gray asks.
I look to Erik, who’s only inches away, but shake my head before I can see the amount left in his glass, which is hidden in the grip of his big hand. “I’d better not.”
I feel funny. Not bad, but a little light-headed. I’m also hot, even outside of my flaming face, though I’m not sure if the drink or the men are the cause.
Mostly, I say no because I can’t escape the feeling that if I have another whiskey sour, I’ll crawl right up on the bar and put my hands on the bartender. Or Erik. Probably both of them.
“How about you?” Gray asks Erik.
Erik pulls his wallet from his back pocket. “No, thanks. What do we owe you?”
Gray waves him off. “On the house.”
“Appreciate it,” Erik says, before turning to me. “Are you ready to go?” When I nod, he takes my hand and helps me off of the stool. He tosses a “See you around,” to Gray as we prepare to leave.
The bartender’s eyes linger on me. “We should all get together sometime,” he says, his meaning as clear as the bottles of vodka on the shelf behind him.
ERIK
“Still want to gamble?”
Ava’s slightly wobbly as I lead her out of the lounge, her hand holding tightly onto mine. “Is it okay if we just go home?” she asks.
“Of course.” Changing direction, I steer her toward the exit that leads to the parking garage. “Gray was generous with our drinks.”
“You mean paying for them?” For the first time, I notice her voice is slightly thick. I should have been more mindful about slowing her down at the bar.
“Well, that, and he didn’t water them down,” I explain. “They had a lot of alcohol in them.”
“Oh. No wonder.”
Yeah, she’s definitely feeling it. There’s a small convenience shop near the casino’s exit, so I make a quick stop to buy Ava a bottle of water.
At the car, I help her into the passenger seat and reach across her to latch the seat belt. I get behind the wheel, and after she finishes taking a long drink of water, I ease out of our parking spot.
“You liked Gray,” I say when we’re out on the road.
“I like you, too,” she says in a rush before covering her mouth with her hand.
That’s good to hear, and I hope it’s not just the alcohol talking. It definitely seemed like there was something building between us, but her admission earlier about the other guy threw me. “And Brax,” I prompt.
“Yes, it’s very confusing.” Her eyes are wide, like she can’t believe what she’s saying, but she keeps talking. “I mean, Lexy has three boyfriends, but that’s not me.”
“Lexy? Was that the old friend I met a while back?”
“Yes, the night we watched 500 Days of Summer. Lexy has three boyfriends, Thorn, Kai, and Gage.”
I keep my expression neutral, though I’m definitely surprised to hear this. “That’s … interesting.”
Ava sighs dreamily and leans more fully into the seat back. “They love her. She loves them.”
“Is that what you want?”
A peal of laughter fills the car as she waves her hands around. “I wouldn’t even know what to do with one man, let alone three.”
I pause a moment before I ask, “Does that mean …?” Knowing how we were raised, I’ve had my suspicions about her lack of experience.
“I’ve always had to be a good girl, Erik. You know that.”
Ava starts singing along with the radio, and I let the conversation go. What she alluded to earlier—her innocence—is now confirmed, and no wonder she’s uncomfortable kissing someone she likes.
A familiar irritation toward the church and its teachings flares inside me. I don’t have any issues with abstinence when it’s someone’s choice, but the strict rules we were taught go much too far, leaving us out of touch with the world around us and uncomfortable with our own feelings and desires.
Ava takes my hand when we get out of the car, but she’s more steady on her feet as I walk her to her apartment. After she unlocks her door and puts her light on, I remain in the doorway. “Will you be okay from here?” It’s not late, but the alcohol has probably made her tired.
“Don’t go yet,” she says, turning back to come close again. She looks up at me, her big eyes blinking. “Thank you for taking me to the casino.”
“Anytime.”
She moves closer still, one of her feet stepping between mine, her knee brushing my leg, and she keeps looking up, like she’s waiting for something.
I’d never take advantage of a woman, especially not when they’ve been drinking, but maybe sharing a kiss while Ava’s feeling relaxed and less inhibited would be a good way for her to experience the thing that scared her earlier today.
She’s confessed that she likes me, and I’d like her to know that I feel the same.