Page 189 of Hate Mates

But now, here she was, in my suite, holding my hand, and I was hoping with everything I had that she was open to starting over.

Because if I thought I had been into her before, it was nothing compared to how badly I wanted Avery now.

And this might be the last chance I had to shoot my shot.

FIVE

Avery

His words hit me deep, sinking into my very soul. An apology was the last thing I expected from Nash Holloway. A brush off? Maybe. Gaslighting? Absolutely. But not an apology.

So for him to be sitting here, holding my hand and telling me with all sincerity that he felt bad for what he’d done?

I was struggling not to swoon.

Looking back, I could see that his comment hadn’t been malicious, just poorly timed. The real villains were the misogynists I worked with.

“Well,” I stuttered, my mouth suddenly dry. “I—uh, thank you. I appreciate that.”

“I’d really like a chance to get to know you better,” he said, his gaze dropping to my lips, and my thighs involuntarily clenched together.

“How much better?” My voice was nearly unrecognizable, low and throaty, and I would have been embarrassed if it weren’t for the way Nash leaned toward me.

“As much as you’ll let me.”

“And if I want to let you get to knowallof me?”

Nash groaned, the sound sending shivers through my body, as he pressed his forehead to mine, squeezing my fingers with what felt like desperation.

“I might never want to know anyone else ever again.”

I kissed him. There really was no other option, and if I was being honest, it was something I’d wanted to do for a long time. Only my hurt feelings and my pride had stood in my way.

Taking him by surprise, I lifted my chin and pressed my lips to his. Releasing another of those sexy groans, Nash coiled his arms around me, pulling me across the couch until I was straddling his lap, my skirt riding up my thighs as he forced my legs to spread.

Like peanut butter, I thought, and nearly laughed out loud.

“Avery,” he breathed, gripping my thigh. “Babe, we can slow down.”

“Faster works too,” I suggested, suddenly ravenous for him. Placing both my hands on his shoulders, I pulled back, looking him in the eye as I ground down against the monster in his sweats, loving his long, low grown. Reaching for my blouse, Nash began undoing the buttons with surprising dexterity, sliding it off my shoulders and revealing my white lace bra underneath.

“Been waiting so long for this.”

“You have?” I questioned, reaching for the hem of the athletic shirt that had been driving me nuts all night. The sight of the incredible abs he was hiding beneath it had my nipples peaking in response. Holy hell, he was sexy.

“I told you, babe. Spellbound from the minute I laid eyes on you.”

“But...that was seven years ago.” I was honestly shocked.

“Trust me, I know. Seven years of torture, watching you work in those sexy little suits you wear.” He emphasized the point by sliding his hands under what was left of my skirt to griptwo handfuls of my ass. “Seven years of seeing your amazing knowledge and love of the game that means so much to me. Seven years of wishing I hadn’t fucked up that night so that you’d look at me with something other than hate.”

“Hate is a strong word,” I repeated back to him, ending on a moan when he finally put his mouth on me, his clever tongue finding my nipple through the lace.

“Are you saying you’d choose a different one now?”

“That depends,” I teased, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it to the side. “Are you going to stop talking and start fucking me?”

“Jesus Christ, you are a sassy one.”

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