I wanted to cry, not because I was hurt, but because of how moved I was at this very moment. Nothing before or after this night will ever compare to this moment.
“Ava,” Ryder whispered as he kept his forehead to mine.
“Ryder,” I breathed back.
“There will never be a moment like this in my life ever again. I want to freeze time so I’ll never forget it. You have captured my heart and soul forever.”
A single tear rolled slowly down my cheek as I closed my eyes and froze this moment forever in my heart.
THE SUN WAS shining in through the window casting a beautiful glow on Ava’s face. I hadn’t slept this good in a long time, and I knew it was because I held the woman of my dreams in my arms all night.
Her warm breath softly hit my body as I felt it come to life. “I feel your heart beating.”
With a smile, I kissed the top of her head. “It beats only for you.”
Lifting her chin and resting it on my chest, her eyes were enticing me to kiss those soft full lips. “Have you been talking to, Jennifer?”
With a chuckle, I pulled her on top of me and looked into her eyes. “How did you sleep, buttercup?”
“I slept amazingly, all thanks to you,” she beamed. “I also feel so at peace here in this house. It’s strange.”
My fingers lazily moved over her back as my eyes fleeted around the room. “Yeah, this place is rather special.”
“Ryder?”
Turning to look back at her, I pushed a piece of blonde hair away from her eyes. “Yeah?”
“We never went back up to main house!”
I’m dead. I’m so fucking dead.
I pushed Ava off of me as I headed back down the stairs. “Where are you going?” she called out.
“Getting dressed!” I exclaimed over my shoulder. Quickly finding my clothes, I got dressed as fast as I could.
Ava walked around as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
Motioning over to her, I asked, “What are you doing?”
She stopped and gave me a deadpan look. “What do you mean?”
“Ava! Your dad is going to figure out that we spent the night together and then he is going to kill me. Do you realize the severity of the situation?”
With a chortle, she waved me off with her hand and got dressed. We both headed downstairs with me practically pulling her arm out of her socket.
“Hurry, Ava.”
With a huff, she replied, “I’m a grown woman. My father has no say in what I can and can’t do. If I want to sneak out and have hot sex with the most handsome and romantic man I’ve ever met … then I’ll do it.”
My hands dropped to my sides. “You think I’m romantic?”
Her eyes lit up like fire as she ran her tongue over her teeth. “Oh yeah. And handsome, don’t forget I said handsome.”
My chest heaved as my breathing grew heavier. “You wouldn’t think I was very romantic if you knew what I was thinking right now.”
“Really?” Ava asked as she walked up to me and placed her hands on my chest. “Try me.”
“I want to bend you over that sofa and fuck you from behind.”
When her eyes widened and her body trembled, I knew she wanted the same thing. “Now see, I think that is very romantic and hot as hell.”
I lifted my brow. “Oh yeah?”
“Yep. But I’m confused as to why we’re talking about fucking when we could actually be doing it.”
All sense left my brain at that point as my hands cupped her face and I kissed her. Ava quickly began trying to get my pants back off when the door to the house flew open.
“What in the hell are you two doing?”
I pushed Ava back so hard she stumbled and landed on the sofa. “We’re not doing anything!” I shouted as I turned, expecting to see Reed, but instead I was looking at my brother.
“You son-of-a-bitch. Talk about scaring the living piss out of someone!” I shouted at him.
I quickly made my way over to Ava. “I’m so sorry I pushed you. I thought it was your dad.”
Ava pushed my hand away and stood as she glared at me before glancing over to Nate. “You better have a damn good excuse for interrupting what you just interrupted.”
Nate pulled his head back in a disgusted manner before shaking it off and pointing to me. “Reed is looking for both of you, but especially you, bro. When I realized where you both probably were, I came to warn you.”
I swallowed hard as Ava laughed as she slipped on her shoes and pushed passed Nate while heading out the door. “Puh-lease. I’m not afraid of my dad.”
My eyes widened as I looked at Nate. He smiled slowly and said, “Dude … you are so dead. I get your truck and the condo in Austin when Reed kills you.”
I pulled my boots on and walked up to Nate. With a quick push, Nate stumbled backwards. “Fuck you, Nate.”
“This is how you’re going to treat me after I came looking for the two of you? I see how you are, bro. I’ll remember this.”
I rolled my eyes and jogged to catch up to Ava. My fingers laced with hers as she peeked up and smiled her beautiful smile. Her blue eyes sparkled as her hair practically glowed from the sun hitting it.
God how I loved this girl.
Wait. What?
Instantly I stopped walking. “What’s wrong?” Ava asked as she gave me a concerned look.