Page 20 of Grind
“I’d love that.”
“Let me take you out to celebrate acing your test. Tomorrow?”
Her eyes close, and then when they open, there’s a heaviness that lifted for a minute. “My next day off isn’t for a week, Connor.”
A week? Christ. But that doesn’t stop me. “A week, then. It’s a date.”
Something pushes me to go a little further. “What time do you get off tomorrow? If I wanted to walk you home.”
Maybe I can’t protect her all the time. But late at night, if I can make it happen, I can sure as hell pick her up.
Ava pushes her dark hair back over her shoulder, and bites her lower lip. I can’t tear my eyes away from those lips. Then she says, “Actually, tomorrow night I work at my school’s law clinic. I work at the domestic violence clinic.”
Shit. Not only does she work full-time and go to school? She helps women and vulnerable people avoid situations like the one she was in. Of course she does.
I pull out my phone. “You text me where and when, and I’ll meet you.”
The club’s closed tomorrow. I’ll make it work. From the way her eyes light up, it seems like I’ve done the right thing. My face is getting hot. “I’ll text you the details,” she says softly.
Desire spikes through me and my body presses toward her. Pulling her against me, I bend my head down to hers and capture her lips with mine.
She tastes like strawberries and mint Chapstick and hope.
My cock’s steel where it strains against my pants. Her lips are hungry on mine, her hands sliding up the sides of my arms to loop around my neck.
Sparks. Explosions. Jolts to every nerve.
When we break apart, I take a step back but keep my hand lightly on her arm. If I don’t end this, we’ll end up upstairs. I clear my throat.
“Tomorrow night then, Ava. Good luck on the exam.”
She squeezes my arm, and then turns and heads into the building’s small atrium where a doorman looks out curiously. “Good night, Connor,” she calls over her shoulder.
When I’m sure she’s safely inside, I scan the empty road again and then take off roughly toward Intrigue. I really don't know why I waited so fucking long to do this.
8
Connor
Merena Mayburg Domestic Violence Law Clinic.
There’s only one in Boston, Doyle. You’re in the right place. Question is, are you going in?
My eyes scan Ava’s text again. “Hi, Connor, I volunteer at my school’s Domestic Violence law clinic tonight. I could meet you there to give you your shirt. Here’s the address. Thanks, Ava.”
I don’t want the fucking shirt. Well, I do, but that’s not why I’m here.
I want to see Ava. Make sure she’s okay and get her home safe.
And then?
Sliding a hand under my collar, I look at the sign again. Look, not much scares me but if I walk through that door, there’s no going back.
From what? Admitting how much Ava affects me? Getting tangled up in this mess with the Stacy clan?
Exhaling a frustrated breath, I shove my fingers through my hair. Then I smooth it down again.
Even here, in place like this, I manage to be a vain bastard. A wave of regret hits me.
