Page 16 of Secret Redemption

He watched her eyes go wide and then she instantly snapped into professional mode. He liked the light and determination in her eyes when she was like that, but he also liked seeing her as a mum. His favourite was playful, sexy Ava though. That was the one he wanted to see now.

He slid his hand around her back and pulled her body close to his.

Her eyes darkened as she felt his hardness against her. “Zack?” and there was a question in her voice.

“Ava.” he answered with a grin as his mouth came closer.

He saw her nose wrinkle. “What are you doing?”

“I’m paying you back for leaving me with a fucking hard-on all night,” he said, and her breath caught.

“How are you going to do that? We’ve got to go, and our son is in the next room.”

“By doing this,” he said, and proceeded to kiss her all over her face.

“Argh, Zack.” Ava laughed, and tried to fight him off as she wriggled and fought, “Gross marmite breath.”

“Ah come on, you know you like it,” he laughed as he kissed her neck.

She laughed and swatted at his arm as she tried to escape him. “Okay, okay. I surrender. What do I need to do to make it stop?”

“Marry me.” he said his breath heaving and her face instantly went serious.

“Zack, that’s not funny.” Her face went tight, and the light left her eyes.

Zack was disappointed that the thought of a future as his wife left her so repulsed. In fact, it was more than disappointment that lodged in his gut. It was genuine hurt, and he didn’t like it. Ava pulled away and walked towards the door, her head held high. He wanted to follow her and have it out, but he didn’t have time now.

He grabbed his keys and went to the lounge and stood in the doorway. He watched as Ava lent over the sofa and kissed their son. He didn’t know which to look at first, the sweet look on her face as she spoke softly to Riley or the curve of her ass over the sofa.

Frank turned and saw him looking. He raised an eyebrow and Zack knew he’d been caught staring at Ava’s ass.

He was damned if he would be made to feel bad in his own home. He came fully into the room and walked over to stand behind Ava. He saw her spine stiffen and ignored the feeling of rejection.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She kissed Riley on the head and stepped back.

“Daddy,” Riley said and held his arms out to Zack. He was shocked that the boy was taking to him so quickly. He thought kids were quite reticent about strangers, but then he remembered that thanks to Ava and her beautiful, generous spirit, he wasn’t really a stranger to his son.

Leaning in, Zack ruffled Riley’s hair. He wanted to kiss his head as Ava had but he didn’t want to push it. “Bye son, enjoy your day with Grandpa and Grandma.”

“Bye, bye,” Riley replied and waved at them.

He waved back and left the room with a smile on his face. He and Ava got in the car and headed for Fortis and the shit storm there.