Aviva wasn’t sure how he always managed to do it; she was so angry with him, yet with a few simple words, he had managed to reveal the depth of his feelings. He had also managed to remind her that they belonged to each other. Farrah’s presence or her revelation wasn’t about to change that.
Knowing he needed her assurance as much as she needed his, Aviva gave it. Her arms tightened around him and held on. Kissing his neck, she spoke against his throat. “Well, it looks as though we have another fight on our hands.”
“Yeah, looks like we do,” Jason agreed around a chuckle. “Are you ready to go kick some Farrah butt?”
“Hell yeah, let’s go!”
About to pull away, Jason stopped her. “I don’t know about you, but I need some fortification before we go back in there.”
Not understanding what he meant, Aviva gave him a curious look.
“I need my wife to kiss me like she couldn’t go another minute without my touch. I need you to show me that although I’m a monumental fuck up, you still love me.”
Withholding affection from Jason served no purpose, and Aviva knew it. It would only hurt him, and in the process her. It was now her turn to take his dear face between her hands. That she loved him wasn’t in question, and she didn’t want him to have any doubts.
The kiss Aviva placed against Jason’s lips was one she hoped was filled with love rather than passion. The fervency they shared was without question. Even though he may not know it, what he needed was what she intended to give, a gentle interlude. The type of care he always showed her.
Aviva’s lips brushed across Jason’s face with light touches. His eyes, his nose, his cheeks, remaining in one place only long enough for him to feel the impression of her caress. When she finally placed her mouth against his, Jason was waiting for her. The connection they shared shut out everything that awaited them. This moment was just for them.
“That was nice.” The smile she received for her trouble was tempered with affection, and an additional look that was indiscernible to her.
She didn’t have long to wait for clarification. “Oh, and, by the way, while we’re so loved up, how about an assurance that this talk about being tired in no way shape or form means you are even considering the need to go somewhere without me.”
“Don’t push your luck, JK!”
“Come on, Angel, you can’t blame a man for trying!”
Chapter 21
The atmosphere in the room could only be described as glacial. Farrah still hadn’t received the drink she’d requested, and Josh was sitting beside her with a sinister look on his face. Farrah appeared worried and to Jason’s mind, she had a need to be.
Without glancing at the rest of his family, Jason knew they required an answer to what he had uncovered. The almost unnoticeable shake of his head satisfied their curiosity. However, no-one passed comment, waiting to follow his lead.
About to speak, Jason was taken aback when Aviva beat him to it.
“We have all the information we need.” Aviva directed her comment to the older woman. “I don’t know who put you up to this, or if you thought up this little scheme all by yourself. The truth is, I don’t care. Nobody in this family cares. Get out of this house. Get out and regroup, but if I were you, I’d just forget about ever having decided to come here tonight.
This is your only warning; heed it if you will, or ignore me as you please, but know this; if even one whiff of your disgusting lies appears anywhere in the media, we will destroy you.”
When she was finished, Aviva was extremely pleased with herself. The men looked shocked at her diatribe, but she could live with that.
“Maybe someone would be so kind as to escort Ms.... I don’t know your name, and, I don’t want to. Now get out!” Finished, Aviva turned her back on a stunned Farrah, but not before she witnessed the effects of her bluff. The woman had expected her to admit to their findings. Not on your life, lady, Aviva thought.
About to speak, Josh held up a hand and stopped Farrah from making a comment. With a huge grin on his face, he rose and silently nodded towards the door, an indication he was ready to escort her out.
With a worried Farrah no longer in sight, Jackson let out huge roar of laughter, which was quickly taken up by Jason and his twin. “It would seem, my dear that a certain individual has rubbed off on you much more than any of us knew.”
“Yeah, well, why try to fight the inevitable!” Aviva quipped.
By the time Josh returned, the laughter had ceased. Making a beeline for Aviva, Josh pulled her to her feet and kissed her soundly on the lips. “Lady, I love your style!”
“Thank you, I think. Did she say anything else on the way out?”
“Not much and I didn’t encourage conversation.”
About to ask what was said, Aviva’s attention was caught by MacKenzie coming into the room. Before she could greet her friend, Jake was by her side.
“Is everything okay, MacKenzie?