Page 16 of Ava After Midnight

“Show me.”

She hesitates, then grabs her phone, pulls up a private Instagram account. Each swipe reveals another piece of her soul—digital art that burns with passion and rage and hope.

“Matthew says it’s a hobby.” She doesn’t meet my gaze as she admits this. Ava seems to know what she wants and how to get it, but I want to know why she’s stuck on marrying this creative parasite.What has he promised you to make you stay, princesa?

“Matthew’s a fool.” I cup her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. “You’re not meant for his beige world, Ava.”

“No?” Her breath catches as my thumb drags slowly across her lip.

“No.” I take her phone to choose another song, one that begs to be danced to. “You’re meant for this.”

I pour every bit of training, instinct, and want into the next dance, showing her what passion really feels like. She matches me move for move, as if her body was created to complete the dance of mine.

When the song ends, we’re both breathless, chests heaving, sweat slicking our skin in ways that have nothing to do with exertion.

“We should cool off,” she says, but her hands grip my shoulders, her body still tangled with mine.

“Should we?”

She doesn’t answer. She doesn’t need to. She doesn’tgetto. Instead, her phone rings, shattering the moment.

Caller ID: Zoe.

“Shit,” Ava breathes, staring at the screen. Our bodies are still pressed together, the space between us thick with something unfinished.

“Answer it.” My hands reluctantly release her hips. “Could be about Mia.”

She puts it on speaker. “Zoe?”

“Don’t freak out,” Zoe starts.Never a good opening. “But Mia’s drunk-posting on Instagram. Tagged Matthew in a story at Fever.”

Ava’s entire body stills. “What kind of story?”

“The kind that shows you and Latin Heat over there getting cozy in the club.” Zoe pauses. “Matthew’s called me three times.”

“Fuck.” Ava starts pacing, all that graceful sensuality turning to nervous energy. “What do I?—”

“Already handled.” Jade cuts in. “I may have spilled an entire martini on Mia’s phone.” Her wicked laugh makes me smile. “Tragic accident. Such a shame.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “I like your friends,princesa.”

“Oh good, Sexy Bartender is still there.” Zoe’s grin is audible. “Keep our girl safe. We’re heading back. Give us an hour.”

The call ends, leaving charged silence between us.

“An hour,” Ava echoes, looking at me with something dangerous in her eyes.

“Plenty of time,” I scroll through her phone, finding the perfect song, “to show you one last dance.”

The opening notes of “Earned It” fill the room.

Her eyebrow arches. “Really? The Fifty Shades soundtrack?”

I pull her back into my arms. “You said you like everything.”

“I do.” Her fingers trace the muscles in my shoulders. “But this song makes me think about things I shouldn’t.”

“Tell me.” I guide her into a slow, sinful grind.

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