Page 49 of Seduction in Spades

“Sweetheart, if he was in love, he wanted you sexually as well.”

“He was nine!”

“He’s a guy.”

“You’re ridiculous.” She waves her hand at me. “He passed me a note during a spelling test leaving some spaces blank, and I had to fill in the spots.”

“Oh, I bet there were plenty of spots nine-year-old Jeremy wanted you to fill.”

“Such a one-track mind.” Shetskedme.

“Where did this most magical kiss take place?”

“Under the monkey bars after lunch.”

“Wow. How did you recover from that and go back to learning?”

“It was tough, let me tell ya.”

I lean back in my chair, unable to take my eyes off her. Not only is Avery beautiful on the outside, but her sense of humor and flair for telling stories is mesmerizing. She carries on about the rest of her fourth-grade year and how she didn’t let any of the other girls ever talk to Jeremy.

“Now that I feel like absolute shit for not leaving as much of a lasting impression on you after our first kiss as Jeremy has, let me guess about the first time you had sex.”

The lightness in her eyes dims.

Fuck.I shouldn’t have assumed it was a positive experience. “Never mind. You don’t—”

“Nothing impressive there. Kyle Strout. Back of his truck. Once and done. He fucked me so he could get his hands on my parents’ drugs.” She stands, scooping up both our empty plates.

“Avery.” I want to murder this Kyle piece of shit and have a few words with her parents for neglecting her and Trey.

“It’s fine. I didn’t even like him.” She looks up at me with a forced smile.

I take the plates from her and set them on the table, then cup her cheeks in my palms. I want to take away all her pain. Make her past go away. Help her see into a bright future.

I stare into her jade-green eyes. My gaze drops to her slightly parted lips before I gently capture them between mine.

I want to apologize again, ask her if she’s okay, but I’m afraid words will only push her away. She kisses me back with hesitation before her body relaxes and leans into mine. My fingers glide to the back of her head as I press deeper into the kiss, tasting every inch of her mouth, capturing all the flavors of her soul.

Sweet and passionate. Spicy and intoxicating. Scared and brave. She’s a cacophony of flavors, and I savor them all. When her moans fill me, I scoop her up into my arms without breaking our kiss and carry her to the bed in the corner.

I take my time as I work my hands under her shirt and massage her soft, warm breasts. With every moan, I kiss her deeper. When she squirms underneath me, I rub myself against her. When she digs her fingernails into my back, I hold her closer.

When we’re both finally naked, I enter her slowly, my tongue matching my rhythm. And for the first time, I make love to Avery Baxter.

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