ME:That’s easy. I’m rich. I’ll have the boutiques come to you and you can choose a dress.

AVA:Can’t I go out and pick one?

My fingers stop typing as I consider the risks.If this is a matter of trust, then you have to give her a chance.She showed you already she’s loyal.Picking up the phone, I decide to stop the thumb war texting.

“Hi. How’s the studying going?”

“Ah badly,” she groans. “I’ve got a lot to catch up on.”

“Poor Ava,” I tease. “See, this is why you need a break. If you want to go out, you can but understand the consequences ifyou run from me.” I put extra emphasis on my warning, but deep down I need her towantto stay.

“Dimitri. I’m not going to run. I already showed you that I don’t want to.” The thrilled innocence in her voice temporarily settles my angst, reminding me that she’s got the entire world in front of her.

“Okay. Good. I’ll organize the driver to take you wherever you want to go.”

“Thanks for trusting me.” Pausing, I want to say ditto but can’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I’m thinking about how badly my mother’s hounding me to get married. Could Ava be a possible candidate? Probably it’s too early to make that type of call. I doodle on the pad in front of me, frowning at how far ahead I’m planning with her.

“Enjoy your shopping spree. The driver will have my card. Spend as much as you want.”

I’ve got no qualms spending money on a woman. I have the money to do it, but if they’re directly targeting me for money, then it drives me mad.

“Are you sure?” she questions, uncertain, making me find her cute. Smirking down the line, I reassure her.

“Yes. I think I’m good for it.”

“Okay. Then you won’t mind if I get the lobster for lunch,” she jokes. “It’s on you.”

Chuckling, I laugh lightheartedly with her. She’s the fresh spark I never knew I needed or wanted in my life. “Then I will be mad, but mainly because you’re having lobster without me. Don’t worry about that. I can guarantee Arnez will have plenty of lobster and caviar on board the boat tonight.”

She gasps in delight, and I grin in response. “Wow! Lobster and caviar. I’ve never had caviar.”

“Mmm. Then it will be a new introduction. It’s an acquired taste.” Happy that I can see the world through her eyes.

“Ooo. Okay. I can’t wait.”

“Good. I’ve got a meeting to attend, but have a good day, Ava. Be ready by seven. I should be home by then.”

“Alright.” Clicking off the call, I realize I want someone to be home when I’m done at work. Not having Ava there even after only having her there for a few days feels like a strange phenomenon to me.

I lose myself in the work of the day, finding myself excited to see what Ava will look like. It’s me that’s going to have to get ready. Not her. And when I enter our bedroom as she clasps the back of her pearl earring, I’m not disappointed. Her double-shoe-stringed-strapped dress is stunning. She’s a vision of beauty in royal blue, the silk dress hugging every ample curve in all the right places. I take my eyes down to the split on the side, wanting to run my fingers up her thick thigh. Fuck me. The black shawl with a fringe is a nice touch, her heaving cleavage shimmering in bronze, bringing out her sexy elegance all at once.

My eyes darken with lust thinking about how long I have, but Ava catches on to my intentions quickly enough.

“No!You have to shower and get ready,” she reprimands with girly giggles, pretending to move away from me, but I’m too quick at rounding her up, curving a hand around her waist possessively. “Dimitri,” she whines playfully as I nuzzle my nose into her neck.

“You smell like heaven.” Inhaling loudly, I trail kisses down her throat, her body shivering, ramping up the heat in the bedroom. “Mmm. Ava.”

Her pretty nails splay over the breadth of my chest as she pushes me back a little. “It’s taken me an hour to do my makeup.” Taking in her plump, bronzed lips and shimmery eyeshadow, my cock is tickled enough to rise.

“You look good enough to eat,” I murmur, kissing her behind the ear, close to her dangling pearl earring. “But don’t worry, I plan to do plenty of that later tonight,” I promise, amused by the light flush of pink shining under Ava’s rosy blush.

“Huh.”

I bend to tilt her head up to me, kissing her mouth lightly, not caring if some of the lipstick ends up on my mouth. The rest of her is going to be on my mouth later anyway. “Oh, don’t be shy now, Ms. Knight. Give me half an hour to shave and freshen up. I’ll be good enough to match you, I hope.” Taking a handful of her ass, I squeeze as she smiles back at me.

“You already are,” she mutters as I wink at her before going to get dressed and then meeting her in the living room. She whistles as I grin. I’m not the clean-cut model type, but I know my charm, and the magnetism I command, along with the body I’ve built from years of boxing and gym workouts.

“Good enough?”