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My cock jumped, highly inappropriate images flashing through my mind. I gritted my teeth, tearing my eyes away. Quick, think of something else before Avery notices anything. I desperately scanned the room, accidentally catching Clarissa’s eye. She gave me what she probably thought was a sultry smile, but it did absolutely nothing for me. What it did do was cause my dick to rapidly deflate. Thank goodness.
“Hi.” Avery smiled brightly, noticing me standing there. “All finished with the photos?” She slipped her arm into mine, her touch already feeling familiar to me. I dropped a kiss on her head. It was becoming so easy to be around her. In this unfamiliar setting, it was easy to forget we were boss and employee. Here, we were a man and a woman, friends who were… I had to be honest with myself. Friends who were starting to feel more than friendship for one another. I shook my head to dislodge that thought. No. I needed to remember that nothing could happen, should happen. We were far too different, we worked together…it was a disaster in the making.
Once Victoria and Ralph had finished their photos, we were called into the formal dining room. I studied the table plan in the entryway. I was, of course, seated at the top table. Avery was on a different table, over to the side. At least Victoria had the foresight to seat her with Jack.
As we reached the end of the receiving line, I gave Victoria a warm hug. “How are you doing?” I spoke softly into her ear.
“I’m good,” she assured me. I scrutinised her, unconvinced. “Ethan, really. I’m fine.” Her voice was insistent.
“If you say so.” I sighed, turning to Ralph, steeling myself for his smarmy grin. I shook his hand, then strode away before he could engage me in conversation. Rude, but I didn’t have it in me to be polite anymore. Avery hurried after me, and I stopped, waiting for her to catch up.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to rush off and leave—”
She cut me off with a quick shake of her head, placing her hand on my arm, her azure eyes brimming with empathy. “You don’t need to explain. Come on, help me find my table.”
After a long, tedious couple of hours filled with speeches, toasts, and what seemed like endless courses of food, I was able to leave the table and go to Avery. She watched me walk towards her, her lips curving into a smile as I drew nearer.
“My duties are over. I’m all yours,” I told her.
“All mine, hmm?” She raised a brow, her smile widening. “I like the sound of that.” I stretched out my hand to her, smiling back. She placed her hand in mine, and sparks jumped between us, electrifying the air. There was no denying the effect she had on me. I told myself it was the situation we were in. We were at a wedding—one of the most romantic settings we could possibly find ourselves in.
“Let’s find the dance floor.” My voice was gruff.
We followed the stream of guests into the ballroom, where a stage area had been set up, a band playing a cover of “Beautiful People” by Ed Sheeran. Billowing fabric hung from the ceiling, covered in tiny white lights. Soft spotlights winked on and off, illuminating the figures already on the dance floor.
“This is beautiful,” Avery breathed, spinning around to take in the entirety of the large space. She slipped her shawl from her shoulders, wrapping her clutch bag in it and placing it carefully down on an empty chair in the corner of the room. Unpinning the fascinator from her hair, she placed it on top of the shawl, shaking her long waves out.
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” I agreed.
I wasn’t looking at the room.
I only had eyes for her.
“Dance with me,” I commanded softly. She nodded and I stepped closer, sliding one arm around her to rest on her back. Her completely bare back. My fingertips caressed the silky skin, and she shivered, stepping closer to me. She slipped her arms around my waist, and we stood, still, in our shadowy corner, my hand stroking up and down her back, leaving goosebumps in its wake. At this point, my brain had given up on telling me all the reasons I should put a stop to whatever this was between us. All I could concentrate on was the feel of her under my fingers, her body pressed up against mine, and the growing hardness between my legs.
Giving a breathy sigh, she rested her head on my chest. My other arm came around her, pressing her even closer into me, drifting down to cup her ass, and she let out another sexy little sigh. My cock was now almost fully erect, and there was no way she couldn’t feel it, thick and heavy between us. I swallowed hard, trying to regain some semblance of control. My willpower was at an all-time low, and Avery, now running her hands up and down my back, was very much a willing participant in this.
With an effort, I took a step back, placing my hands on her waist. Her eyes met mine, hers heavy-lidded and darkened with desire. She licked her lips, and I almost lost it.
“We should get a drink.” My voice came out as a guttural rasp. Fuck, I was hanging on by a thread. I needed space. I needed my brain to remember why this was a bad idea. I prided myself in always having control in any given situation, but I wasn’t in control at this moment in time.
“Avery,” I tried again. “Drink?”
She blinked a few times, then took a step back. Her gaze darted down to the obvious outline of my erection, and her eyes widened.
“Right.” She closed her eyes and muttered something that may or may not have been “that thing is huge” under her breath. “Drink. Yes. Drink,” she said firmly. It seemed as if she was talking to herself rather than me. “Remember where we are. We’re at a wedding.” Her eyes met mine again. “Uh, maybe I should get the drinks while you…you know.” She waved a hand at me, a blush on her cheeks, and I couldn’t help the amusement that filled my voice.
“That’s the effect you have on me, Avery Jenkins.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I wished I could have taken them back. I was meant to be discouraging the situation, not encouraging it.
She opened and closed her mouth, clearly at a loss for words. “Oh,” she eventually said. “Okay. Right. I’ll just go and get those drinks, then.” Turning on her heel, she practically ran across the room to the bar. I sank down onto a chair, scrubbing a hand across my face. Breathing deeply in and out, I managed to gather myself. Feeling calmer, I scanned the room, knowing that I needed a distraction.
There she was. Standing tall, watching me. When our eyes met, she crooked a finger at me, raising a brow in a silent invitation. I stood, heading towards the one person that was guaranteed to take my mind off Avery.
My ex-girlfriend.
Clarissa.
9
