Page 67 of A Heart So Savage

Dark designs fill the void until

Your surrender coats my tongue.

Kingston keptAva busy as they visited his favorite art gallery and the quaint little bookshop two blocks away from Winter Enterprises. Just as he’d dreamed, he cornered her in the back of the bookshop. Pressing her against the shelves, he kissed her until they were both breathless and her hands clutched at his shoulders.

If another customer had not entered the store, setting off the tinkling bell above the door, Kingston might have done something foolish. He might have unbuttoned her jeans and pushed his fingers into her tight cunt. He would have finger-fucked her until she cried out his name into the crook of his neck, her sweet essence smearing her thighs and his knuckles. It was a struggle, but he contained those urges and satisfied himself with deep, lush kisses.

With Jack always close behind them, Kingston and Ava strolled the city streets. Several times Kingston had the uneasy feeling someone was trailing their steps, but he never saw anything to validate his suspicion. Nor did he look very closely for evidence. Ava’s enjoyment of the day was a distraction hard to ignore. Over the course of a few hours, she had relaxed her guard, slipping her hand into his, grinning as they shared a cinnamon roll and mugs of hot apple cider.

“It’s past one o’clock, already, Ava. What would you like for lunch?” Kingston asked as they walked in the general direction of their next destination.

“I’m not hungry, to be honest, especially after that amazing cinnamon roll. And breakfast was so filling, I don’t think I could eat of another bite.” Her heated gaze met his, a blush staining her cheeks with the remembrance of what they’d done after breakfast in the penthouse hallway.

“We’ll grab a bite later then. After your spa appointment.”

The day was cool, but not so chilly that coats were needed. But when Ava shivered in the shadows of the tall buildings, Kingston whipped off his suit coat and draped it over her shoulders.

“Are you cold? I knew I should have insisted that you wear something thicker than that sweater.”

“No, no. I’m fine.” Ava’s smile was faint. “It’s just this spa thing. I admit I’m nervous. I’ve never done that before. You know, the waxing stuff.”

“I can’t say that it won’t hurt. I’ve been told it does, anyway.” Kingston gently squeezed her hand. “It will please me if you do what I ask, Ava.”

“I’m not refusing. Just a little scared, I guess.” She shook her hair back from her face when a gust of wind caught hold of the curls. She looked so beautiful in that moment with her hair blowing free and her cheeks glowing pink from the brisk wind.

“I’ll stay with you and hold your hand during the worst of it.”

“Can you do that?” Ava asked, surprised. “They’ll let you come with me?”

With abrupt quickness, Kingston tugged her closer, one arm wrapping around her waist while keeping her hand captive against his chest, trapping it between their bodies. The kiss he gave her was deep and encompassing. Heat and longing tied up in the tangle of their tongues until they finally broke apart, their breath escaping into the cool air like miniature puffy clouds. Kingston brushed a wavy tendril of Ava’s hair from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear.

“If you want me there, lamb, nothing will stop me.”

* * *

Because the weatherhad turned cooler, Kingston decided against walking to the exclusive spa located further up on Fifth Avenue. He instructed Jack to contact the limo. A short time later, they were picked up and rode the remaining few blocks.

They entered through a door at the back of the building. A beautiful girl with straight red hair and startling green eyes greeted them with a wide smile.

“Good afternoon, Mister Winter. Miss Blue. My name is Chloe. If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you to the room where Mary will be taking care of you.”

The interior of La Maison was elegantly decorated in shades of ivory and soothing pale blue. High ceilings were painted the same blue as the walls, embellished with intricately carved medallions and corner fretwork. The wood floors were cushioned by plush rugs with subtle terrace designs in shades of blue, ivory, and soft grey. It looked as though it had been plucked from the middle of Versailles and plopped into its space in New York City. Soft, classical music played as they were shown to a luxurious room.

“Once we get Miss Blue settled, you are welcome to wait in the private waiting room, Mister Blue. We’ll let you know when we’re done.”

Ava shot Kingston a worried glance, her hand clutching his. Giving her a reassuring squeeze back, Kingston smiled at Chloe. “I will be staying with Miss Blue for her appointment.”

“You needn’t worry, Mister Winter,” Chloe said with a patient nod. “We’ll take excellent care of her.”

“Of that, I have no doubt. But the lady is requesting that I stay. An inconvenience for the spa, I realize, but one which must be accommodated.”

“As you wish, sir. Mary will not mind an observer to her artistry.”

The room reserved for Ava was as soothing as the rest of the spa. Delicate sprays of flowering vines decorated the hand-painted wallpaper in muted shades of green and yellow. Crystal sconces emitted a soft glow, and the elevated table was thickly upholstered. Luxurious towels and a robe so soft it might have been a cloud sat ready for use. Two elegantly carved chairs occupied one corner, and Kingston eyed them both.

“They are very sturdy chairs, Mister Winter.” Chloe smiled, understanding Kingston’s unasked question. She turned to Ava, instructing her to remove her clothes and don the provided robe. “You can hop up on the table when you are ready, Miss Blue. Mary will be here shortly.”

Ava waited until the door shut behind the girl before sinking into one of the chairs. She began removing her boots while Kingston grabbed the other chair and placed it in the opposite corner. Throwing himself onto it, he sat with his long, muscular legs sprawled out, using the chair’s arm to set his elbow and prop his head within the palm of his hand. He watched intently as Ava self-consciously removed all articles of clothing. When she was finally gloriously nude before him, his hands curled into fists to keep from touching her.

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