Page 95 of Seduction in Spades

Hugh leaves for his room on the twelfth floor, and I let myself in the quiet penthouse. Trey’s sitting at the counter sipping a beer in the dark.

“She okay?” I glance down the hall toward Trey’s room, where Avery’s been staying.

“Yeah. Nora kept her company. She was asleep when I got back an hour ago. Nora said she’s been asking about you.” He takes a slow pull from his beer and then grins. “Thinks I roughed you up pretty bad. She’s not gonna be happy about your ugly mug being even uglier.”

I pat the skin around my eye. It’s still sensitive, and I’m sure the bruising only got worse over the past few hours.

“Did she...” I glance down the hallway again.

“Jesus.” Trey pushes his stool back and stands. “If you two... fuck, man. Did you... in my bed?”

I keep my expression blank as I stare at him. If Avery had invited me into her bed, yeah, I would have slept with her in it every night. The only time I took her was the other night when I made her give herself an orgasm and then fucked her like a bastard. As soon as I take care of Micky, I’m going to grovel like hell until she forgives me.

“Christ.” Trey finishes his beer and sets the empty bottle by the sink. “Take care of shit tomorrow so we can get on with our lives. And buy me a fucking new bed.” He heads down the hall to Ryder’s room and I go to mine.

Sleep comes in short fits, and when I hear Avery moving about, I throw on a pair of shorts and the T-shirt closest to me. I find her in the kitchen making coffee.

“You’re awake—ohmygod. Nolan!” She rushes to me and gently touches the side of my face. “Your eye. You need to see a doctor. You need ice.”

She hurries to the freezer and scoops up a handful of ice and drops it in a cup.

“Should I wrap this in a towel? Wait. Veggies.” She dumps the ice in the sink and goes back to the freezer, digging out a bag of corn. “Here.”

Avery presses the bag to my face, and I wince at the cold.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

She’s looking at the bruising and doesn’t notice me staring at her. Hell, she’s gorgeous. Her long, dark lashes frame evergreen eyes that make me want to forget about my responsibilities and swim in her gaze forever. The line between her brows deepens as she lifts the bag and inspects my shiner.

“I’m so sorry my brother did this to you. It’s my fault for keeping it secret. I won’t let it ruin your friendship. I’ll talk to him. He’ll—”

“Avery.” I cover her hand with mine and slip the bag of corn away, tossing it on the counter. “I’m fine.”

She lifts a brow.

I crack a smile. “Really. It’s good. Trey and I will work it out. I’m more concerned about you. The way I’ve been acting...” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I’m so sorry for treating you that way. For making you feel... cheap. That wasn’t my intention.”

“I know.”

I look at her again and am amazed at the forgiveness I see in her eyes. “I was an ass.”

“I know.”

“I was a total dick to you.”

“I know.”

“I was—”

“You were a royal douche canoe. I’m not arguing with you about that. We’ve both said and done, and not said and not done some things we’d like to take back. Or say. Or do.”

“Agreed.”

Avery rolls her bottom lip between her teeth, and my cock hardens. Damn, I miss her taste. My tongue glides across my bottom lip as I think of her strawberry lips and the magic she can do with her mouth.

“I—” She glances up at me and pauses, her eyes glued to my mouth.

“Jesus. It’s not even seven in the morning. I shouldn’t be subjected to this.” Trey pushes past us into the kitchen and fills a mug with coffee. “Show some restraint, Jones. And Aves, pack your bags now so we can leave straight from your work this afternoon.” He pushes past us and storms down the hall.

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