Page 44 of We Never Kissed

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You needed some coverage.” I supposed on some level I was trying to keep my little gem under wraps from all the other insatiable assholes out there.

Her grin grew wider, and she rose up on her knees. “Will you put it on me?” Then she threw a leg over my lap and straddled my thighs so she was facing me.

I took it from her, hopelessly ignoring the fire she set when she crawled on top of me.

Once I had it on her, she said, “It’s stunning.”

I swept a hand through her hair to hook behind her neck, then pulled her mouth to mine, saying against her lips, “You’re the stunning one.”

We shared a few soft kisses, Ava’s hands gripping mybiceps, mine bracing against her back. When she moaned into my mouth, I broke the kiss, and we exchanged a knowing grin.

“Thank you, Alex. I should have said that sooner.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Now, I think I was in the middle of unbuttoning your shirt,” she said with a half grin.

“You first,” I shot back. Then I lifted her tank over her head, revealing her naked full breasts. Not giving her a chance to reach for my buttons I leaned forward, connecting my mouth with a piece of heaven. As much as I wanted to linger there, I was growing impatient, and by the sounds of Ava’s moans and heavy breathing she was too. “Let’s get you out of these,” I said, sliding her shorts over her hips.

She lifted to help me and let out a giggle when we struggled to get them off, but then she was quickly back in place, undoing my belt and pants, as if she were racing against the clock.

Leaning over me, her hair dangling on each side of my face, she brought her mouth to mine, and we kissed as I slowly guided her onto me.

“God, I love being inside you,” I whispered.

She held my gaze as she moved atop me, and our slow rhythmic start morphed into a frantic crescendo sending us both flying. And when I broughther down to hold against my chest, I thought it would explode with all the emotions I was feeling. I’d always thought I loved Ava, but this… This was unexplainable with words. Still, as I stroked her bare back, and we regained our breathing, I told her, “I love you, Ava.”

Chapter 25

Ava

Cass came out of the back, holding a tray full of double chocolate chip muffins and refilled the case to my right.

“How are you doing, girl?” she asked me with a smile. Only Cass could be genuinely happy, even though she’d been baking since three in the morning.

I gave the customer their boxed order and told her, “I’m good.” Then, I glanced over to Gunnar, who was sitting at one of the tables, eating a chocolate-filled croissant next to Dax. “How about you, Gunnar? Are you hanging in there?” I asked sarcastically.

We had both arrived around six to help with thefundraiser the bakery was having for the pediatric unit at the hospital my mom worked at.

With his mouth full, Gunnar nodded, finished chewing, and then swallowed. Gesturing to his stomach, he said, “You’ve seen these abs…all this muscle needs fuel. And if I don’t get sustenance after exerting myself, I shut down.” He handed a napkin to Dax. “Plus, I’m keeping the little guy company, right?”

Dax popped a donut hole into his mouth and nodded with a big grin that rivaled his mother’s. He was enjoying Gunnar’s company entirely too much, and I could already see that would be another reason for Alex to feel threatened by him.

Cass laughed. “Well, we appreciate any help at all.” She carried her empty tray to the back.

Sammy had just finished wiping down some tables and was coming around the counter to help me fill orders and run the cash register, when I saw Alex walk through the door.

We exchanged a secretive grin, and a little thrill of excitement shot through me. The giddy feeling was new to me, something I hadn’t experienced with other men I’d dated, not even Mark.

I tried not to stare at him, but the man had always drawn eyes from women wherever he went. I just hoped Sammydidn’t notice my behavior. Alex and I hadn’t really been around the family that much since we’d been together, and I wasn’t sure how we would be able to pull it off without drawing suspicion. We also hadn’t worried about having the hard conversations yet—even though it was starting to feel like it was time—and just wanted to enjoy every moment together we had before all the complications started.

When I took another peek, I saw that Alex had gotten in line behind three people. We made eyes at each other as I helped an older gentleman who couldn’t make up his mind. Sammy was busy chatting and ringing up customers, so he didn’t notice, I was sure.

Thankfully, by the time Alex got to the front, Gunnar had jumped up and came behind the counter. It was a bit crowded for three people, so I moved to the very end of the display case to talk with Alex.

I often saw him in a suit but typically without the jacket that he wore now, and damn his shoulders were heavenly. The suit, midnight blue with a crisp white shirt and silver-blue tie, looked like it was tailor-made for him. I almost had to shake my head to remove the image of me undressing him. His half-grin felt like he was reading my mind, the cocky bastard.

“What are you doing here?” I lifted my brows.

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