Page 52 of Make You Mine

She’s also warm and soft and delicate, my perfect fantasy within reach, and yet I do nothing more than enjoy this moment. Relive the memory of her lips on mine and how right she felt in my arms. How she let me dominate and hold her to my liking as I took my fill.

Because Ava Perry is something else.

A surprise of mixed signals, lingering looks, and that sweet flush of pink across her cheeks that makes me want to bite her. A ‘we can’t’but ‘I need you’puzzle that I’m putting together one perfect piece at a time. But first, we need to talk. She needsto decide if this is something she’s willing to try because after tasting that sinful mouth and swallowing her moans, I want it all.

The good. The bad. The dangerous.

No going back for me.

A small chuckle escapes me as the little thing tips her face in my direction, an unconscious act with full-on duck lips. An exaggerated pout. “We need to get up, sweet treat.” That dangerous mouth quirks up at the term of endearment. “Come on. I’ll start the coffee.”

“No.” Just like that and full of sass.

“I’ll make strawberry French toast.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Just thirty more minutes,” she whines low, and I’m truly fucked with how adorable I find it. “Please?”

“You asked for ‘five more’ twenty minutes ago,” I remind her, and she nips my jawline.

“I lied.” Not an ounce of shame. Bratty.Fuck, I’m in trouble.

“You’re already up.” Even I can hear the amusement slip through my mock-stern facade.

“Too warm and comfortable. Just a little more, Eli.”Motherfuck, my resolve breaks just like that, slipping deeper into the couch as I reposition us so she’s comfortable and using me as a body pillow. Ava lets out a low sigh as I do and a few seconds later, a light snore follows. Hers or mine—no clue because I’m letting sleep take me once more, too.

The next timeI wake up, I’m alone. A bit cold.

I’m also hard as fuck beneath the confines of my sweatpants. There’s no mistaking the tent or my desire to be buried deep between her supple thighs.Where the hell is she?

The apartment’s silent except for a low humming sound coming from the kitchen, and I find myself throwing my legs over the couch to investigate. I know this perpetrator, andnotseeking her out is impossible for me.

The culprit is tiny and sexy; a dangerous breed of perfection that’s turning my life on its axis.

However, the second I stand to my full height my body protests, aching from spending the night on the couch.Next time we sleep in my bed.Presumptuous, but I give no fucks.

I’m not going to fight what I know to be inevitable. Not anymore, consequences be dammed.

Throwing my hands up, I reach back to stretch and a few bones in my upper back crack, giving my neck a bit of relief. At the same time, my shirt rides up and as I arch fully back, thrusting my pelvis slightly forward, a tiny gasp makes me aware of her presence.

What those tiny sounds do to me.

I’m in no rush, though, and I turn my head toward the opposite wall where a large, ornate mirror hangs. She’s there, lips slightly parted and eyes on mine through the reflective surface.

No running. Not hiding. For the first time, she’s letting me fully see how I affect her.

“Good morning,” I say and add in two more stretches to mess with her. “What time is it?”

“A little past eleven.” It’s a bit breathy, and as I turn to face her, my mouth waters at the sight of flushing cheeks, bright eyes, and her messy hair. “Lunch is ready. I-I was coming to wake you up and give you your phone. It’s been going off nonstop for the last twenty minutes.”

Immediately, I’m concerned but keep my expression neutral. After her confession yesterday and my suspicions about the “officer” involved in this case, I’m trusting no one. Going by what Captain Perez said, her location was kept secret outside of a few people, and that didn’t involve anyone else from my department.

“We need to move her now that her location’s been compromised,” I hiss out from between clenched teeth while Perez just looks at me. His expression isn’t giving anything away while I pace the length of the conference room in my building. There’s an eerie bout of clarity flowing through me. I’m composed and determined as the last few hours—our conversation at the pier—play in my head on repeat. Her tears gut me. Make me see red. She’s been alone for years dealing with his sickness while the world ignored the signs. While those she trusted told her it was a lie. That no one would believe her. “My family has a vacation home in Colorado we can use. I’m sure she’ll?—”

“Ava stays here. Both of you do.”

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