Page 43 of We Never Kissed

“Try me.”

“I’m watching the firstHangover.”

“What? I love those movies,” I told him, honestly.

“Ava does too,” he said, walking around the back of the couch, then collapsing into a corner. “Bet you didn’t know that.”

I wasn’t sure why he was suddenly turningconfrontational when I was trying to be cool, so I just shrugged. But he wasn’t even looking at me, too busy picking up the remote.

“They’re pretty stupid, but I love the group of guys and how different they all are but also great friends. Plus, you gotta love them being in Vegas, right?”

“Oh, yeah that’s right.” I waited until he glanced up and then said, “Mind if I head back,” ticking my head toward the hallway.

This time he shrugged, so I took the opportunity to escape and headed down the hall to Ava’s room.

Opening the door slowly revealed long sleek legs only covered by some short pajama bottoms. The room was dimly lit, aglow with candles burning on her nightstand. I would have to talk to her about how dangerous that was, since clearly she’d fallen asleep.

Ava was lying on her side in the middle of the bed, which seemed like fate left me a space right behind her. I slipped my shoes off and eased onto the bed, spooning right up next to her. I assumed that would wake her and when it didn’t, I took the opportunity to gaze down at her as I propped myself up on an elbow.

I brushed a gentle finger across her forehead to move her hair back from her face. Damn, she was so fucking beautiful it took my breath away.

Unable to help myself, I smoothed my hand down her hip and softly caressed her thigh as I bent and pressed my lips to her neck. I honestly couldn’t believe she wasn’t waking up.

At some point, I’d just purposely wake her, especially since I was already getting myself worked up.

Keeping my mouth near her neck, I lightly brushed my tongue behind her ear. Instinctively, I gripped her hip tighter and pressed up closer so her ass was snug against me. “Ava,” I whispered and then peppered slow kisses down her neck.

This wasn’t what I’d planned on the way over here, but damn… I felt my breathing grow heavy, the blood thrum through my veins, and I knew I better get this girl awake and fast.

I ran my hand up her hip and around to her stomach, slipping beneath her loose tank. “Baby,” I whispered into her ear.

She stirred then and turned her head just enough for her parted lips to find mine, and I took her mouth in a long deep kiss.

It was me who pulled back first—because I needed to see her face—and when she blinked up at me with that angelic face of hers, it was worth the wait.

“Hey, baby…” I ran my thumb across her bottom lip.

She smiled. “I like hearing you call me that.” Turning her body to face me, she ran her hand up my chest, then leaned in and kissed my neck. “This is a nice surprise. I thought I was dreaming at first, but this is even better.” She started unbuttoning my shirt.

I chuckled. “I swear I didn’t just come here for a booty call.”

This time she laughed. “That’s something else I never thought I’d hear you say.” Pulling back, she added, “So, why did you come?”

“I missed you. I can’t stay away from you, Ava. And…” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small rectangular box. “I wanted to bring you this.”

Her brows knitted as she sat up. “What? What did you do?”

“Just open it.”

As if she’d instantly flipped from confused to excited, she snatched the box and opened it. Staring down at the Venetian link platinum bracelet, she said, “Oh, my God, Alex…” Then she turned to me, her eyes glazed over. “But… How did you…” She lifted it gently from the box.

I sat up and leaned my back against the wall. “I saw you staring at it when we were in Vegas. And I heard you say something to the salesperson about how much you love it. It’s not a big deal. I…just wanted you to have it.”

“It’s stunning.” She held it up to me, then frowned. “And it’s too much. Alex, you shouldn’t be spending this much money on me.”

“That’s what money’s for,” I said. “What else am I going to spend it on?” Truthfully, when I saw that look on her face, I knew I had to get it. It was terrifying to know you’d do anything to make someone you love happy, but there was nothing I could do. I was done for. Ava was everything. She always had been, always would be. But I shrugged and said, “Think of it as making up for all those lame birthday presents I gave you in the past.”

She coughed out a laugh. “Oh, like when you gave me long johns for my eighteenth birthday?”

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