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Mark
We get the cameras and locks installed in record time, and I kindly thank them while simultaneously telling them to get lost. I’ll see them all in a few hours for the bonfire. The stress of the past twenty-four hours needs an outlet. That would include her as well. I can see it in the way she carries her shoulders. She’s being brave, but I can tell she’s just done. I lock the front door behind Trystan, as he is the last one out, then turn, exhaling deeply against the door.
“I second that,” Ava says from the couch. I walk behind the couch, lean over and run my hand up the base of her throat, tilting her head back so I can claim her lips. The kiss is tender, but I put all my pent up passion behind it. She melts into the kiss, and as the provider of her safety, that little action warms my heart, letting me know she feels safe with me. A low sound of satisfaction rumbles from my throat as I pull back from her lips an inch.
“Be right back.”
Ava hums in response, looking back down at the book she’s picked up. I amble down the hallway to go start a hot bath for us. Yes, us. I’m not usually a bath kind of guy, but relaxing with my babe sounds heavenly right now. After I get it started, I add in what looks like her favorite oil and walk back out to her while it fills. She looks adorable with her brows furrowed and her feet tucked up under her butt as she reads. A stray strand of black hair has fallen from her messy bun, framing her cheek. I feel the urge to tuck it behind her ear so that I can see that pretty face.
I walk up to her and grab her bookmark, setting it in the middle of her page before closing the book and relinquishing itfrom her hands. I set it on the table before reaching a hand out to her.
“A hot bath sounds heavenly right now.”
“Mmm, yes, it does.”
“I’ve got one drawing with our name on it.”
“Our?” she asks curiously over her shoulder as she starts moseying down the hallway.
“Would you rather relax alone?”
She turns as we enter the room and grabs for my hem. I smirk as she yanks it up playfully.
“I will never turn down a soak with you.”
“Good answer. Get naked.”
A sultry chuckle from her has my dick jumping to attention.Not yet, dude, chill.I will it to indeed chill the fuck out even as she lowers her creamy blush pink panties to the floor, those plump cheeks screaming for me to just bite them. I step in, lowering myself and making room for her between my thighs. I hold out my hand, and Ava joins me, sighing as the water envelops us.
“I’m so glad I splurged for this big soaker tub.”
“Me too. Mine would’ve been rather cramped,” I quip, pulling her head back against my chest. I press a soft kiss to her hair.
“I was thinking today…”
“Uh-oh, this usually leads to a deep conversation or a project…”
Ava sits up and smacks at my knee playfully, and I squeeze her tush between my thighs, chuckling deep while bending to kiss her temple. She lets out a slow exhale and leans her head back against my chest again, looking up at me.
“What do you think about the back left corner of my lot behind the pond?”
“For what?”
“Do you think it’s a decent-sized area?” Her eyes glitter with a plan. I’ll give her anything she asks for.
“Again, for what?”
“Your workshop?” She looks slightly vulnerable as she asks, and my heart stutters in my chest.
“Ava…”
“You just said yourself, your tub would be too cramped. I can’t deal with a cramped tub.”
“So… a project and a deep conversation…” I say, bending to kiss her forehead. Soon there won’t be an inch of her without my lip prints on it.
“I’m sorry. It’s too soon, isn’t it? Forget I said anything.” She looks back down at the water, fidgeting and drawing a circle on her knee. “I just figured with you moving in and us talking about a dog that we’d start dreaming a litt–”
