25
Ava
Dinner is fabulous. Mark roasted a chicken with some potatoes, carrots, and green beans in a seasoning that was to die for. He was also right. I’ve been squirming through the whole meal. At first, I thought it would just be annoying, but when things start shifting around, or I move a certain way, little sparks of pleasure just about leave me speechless.
The way his hazel eyes smolder across the table as he watches me closely has my blood simmering. I’m already feeling needy for him again, just like he said I would. The smug bastard knows it too. A forgotten urge to wipe the smirk off his face surfaces. He rolls his lips between his teeth as if he knows a wave of frustration just rolled over me.
“Doing okay over there?” he asks, amusement weaving around his tone.
“I’m just flustered.”
“I promise it’ll be worth your while. I read up on something I’ve never tried before.”
This peaks my interest but leaves me wary.
“What haven’t you tried before? I was under the impression you’ve been there and done many things.” I can’t help the snark that comes out. His eyes widen and the amusement sparks brighter.
“Indeed, but not everything. I have to admit, I’ve kind of missed feisty Ava.” He dabs his napkin across his smile. “You know, I’m proud of you.”
Jealousy winds through my stomach as I imagine his past, but his last declaration blindsides me.
“Why? I didn’t do anything special.”
“I disagree.” He entwines his fingers and leans forward on his elbows, resting his chin on top of his hands. He’s contemplating his next words, and I watch with fascination as he lifts a thumb and softly grazes it back and forth across his lower lip. A coil of need tightens low in my belly. “You see, I could sense you had a wild streak, but the amount of trust you’ve put in me to handle your body? It takes my breath away.Youtake my breath away.”
All I can do is smile at him, until my phone buzzes at the table next to me. It’s an incoming text. Shit, I haven’t mentioned Eric’s messages yet. My smile falters when I click the screen and see it’s the unknown number. It’s him.
“What’s wrong?”
“We didn’t exactly have time earlier to discuss this."
“Discuss what? Babe, what is it?”
I hold up a finger and click to see the message.
Unknown: I’m not happy with how my life has turned out without you. I want you back, Ava. I’ll do anything to prove myself to you.
I puff out a breath, knowing it’s all bullshit.
Me: No.
“He reached out to me again today.” I snap my eyes warily up toward Mark, gauging his reaction.
“What does he want?”
“He wants another chance.”
His eyes drop to the table, clouding over with uncertainty, and my heart constricts.
“Mark?” I ask, seeking for him to bring his eyes back to mine. I reach out and grab his hand across the table.
“I don’t want you to give him another chance,” he says before he rolls his eyes up to mine. Emotion swirls heavily in their hazel depths. Is he scared that I’d actually agree?
“Babe, I don’t want that either.” His eyes soften when I call him babe, and his shoulders relax. I hadn’t even seen them stiffen. “I told him as much.”
“Was he harsh with you? Like in the grocery store?”
I hand him my phone so that he can read the discussion. A crease of worry slides across his forehead.
