Page 50 of Bound and Blitzed

Instead, I sigh. “No.”

Avery snorts. “Me neither. How about I heat up our hot chocolate and we rewind the movie to wherever we stopped watching?”

“Really?” I tuck my feet beneath me and watch him. “You really want to keep watching the movie?”

He nods, bending to pick up our mugs. “I just want to be with you, Lena. It’s as simple as that.”

I watch as he walks to the kitchen and pops our mugs in the microwave. He’s at ease and comfortable. There are no coils of anger bunching in his shoulder blades. No frustrated twist of his lips. No bolts of judgement in his eyes.

I suck in another breath and release it slowly.

How did I get so lucky? How did I marry a man who would understand my hesitation and not condemn me for it?

Avery returns and passes me a steaming mug of hot cocoa. I smile when I see the fresh handful of marshmallows he dropped on top.

He eases back into the spot next to me. I settle against him.

We rewind the movie and hit play.

AsMiracle on 34thStreetresumes, my body relaxes. The hot cocoa warms me up and the taste of chocolate soothes my whirling thoughts.

I let myself melt into Avery’s side. His strength bolsters me, his kindness eases my mind, and his compassion envelops us both.

My eyelids grow heavy. My body is spent from the way Avery coaxed, teased, and pleasured it. My mind is emotionally drained from everything that came before and after our little tryst on the couch. But my heart beats steadily. I know I’m safe.

And that knowledge is a balm to my anxious mind.

At some point, Avery removes the mug from my hand and places it on the coffee table. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side. I go willingly.

I fall asleep snuggled up against him. I’m aware of the movie ending, of Avery scooping me up into his arms, of him laying me down in bed and tucking me in.

Then, I sleep. Soundly and deeply.

And when I wake in the morning, I’m ready to tell Avery the truth. At least, as much as I can share. I want to confide in him and do what we promised—to give this a real chance.

Take the next step forward.

“Morning. You sleep okay?” he asks when I pad into the kitchen after a hot shower.

I exfoliated and moisturized, blew out my hair, and took time dressing in wide-legged trousers and a blouse. I’ve put together a professional and sleek look, hoping it will bolster my confidence to have this conversation with Avery.

Consider it my armor but I look like a teacher and right now, that alleviates some of my nerves.

“Yeah,” I say breezily, accepting a mug of coffee from Avery’s outstretched hand. “I’m surprised you’re home.”

He smirks. “I already hit the gym and came back.”

“Wow,” I remark, glancing at the clock. It’s nearly noon. “I didn’t realize I slept so late.”

“You needed the rest.”

“I guess so,” I agree, knowing my mind needed it more than my body.

I take my coffee mug into the living room and sit on the couch, tucking one leg underneath me. I’m aware of Avery watching me; I can feel his steady stare between my shoulder blades.

I glance at him and pull in a fortifying breath. “Can I talk to you?”

“Sure,” he says, looking almost relieved. He takes a plush armchair and leans back, crossing one ankle over his opposite knee. His attention is on me and under his scrutiny, I fidget.

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