Page 365 of Now and Forever

My chest soared at the anticipation that was building between us. Even breathing this close to her felt like the air was below zero since it was starting to hurt my nostrils and lungs.

“You can come in if you like.” Her eyes were on my lips before she heatedly lifted her gaze to my green one. “And help me stretch.”

Damn. She was hinting with major innuendoes. My wayward imagination boldly ran rampant.

“Sure,” I said noncommittally. “Just tell me what to do.”

“Of course,” she chimed before opening the window wider for my entry, welcoming me into her bedroom.

Unperturbed, I gradually walked around her room that seemed like it was the entire size of the cottage we were living in, checking every knick-knack she had on display. She seemed to have an odd fascination in a punk looking penguin character.

“Cute.” I tried to hide my smile as I pressed my lips together before taking the pint-sized stuffed penguin and giving it a light shake. “Penguins are your thing?”

“Not all penguins, only Bad Badtz-Maru.” She piped up right behind me before protectively taking the Bad badoo something or other out of my hands. “My father was in Japan, and when he came back, it was April’s Fools Day, and coincidentally, it was his birthday, too. I was eight at the time, so I let him join my tea party.”

“How welcoming of you.” Picturing her playing pretend as an eight-year-old little girl melted me a little.

I was lost in thought when she playfully smacked Bad Badoo on my cheek. “I was eight and Bad was cute. You can’t fault me for wanting to keep him around.”

Raising my brow, I teased her some more. “So only cute things could be kept around you?” Wiggling my brows, I grinned wider. “Does that mean you find me pleasing to your eyes and that’s why you invited me in?”

“Stretching.” She provocatively licked her lips. “You’re here to help me stretch … and maybe entertain me a little, but I’ll decide on that later if you behave.”

I’d act however she wanted me to. Hell, I’d even play fetch if that got her approval. I’d do whatever, as long as the ending remained the same.

“Whatever you wish, Ava …” Murmuring the words, our eyes connected for a fraction. It was quick, yet I felt this potent pull of connection with her. It simply left me speechless.

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