7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Sam

Ava sat next to me; her body dangerously close to mine as the movie played. I didn't hear anything that was going on, as my thoughts were focused only on Ava. The room was chilly, and I knew Ava was getting cold.

"Are you cold?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"A little," she said, slightly smiling.

Without asking, I wrapped one arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to me. I could have found a blanket or offered her a sweatshirt, but I wanted to be the one to warm her up. I needed this moment to make my move.

Thankfully, Ava didn't protest and allowed me to snuggle her closer to my body. A soft melody played on the screen as a pair of lovers began to kiss during the movie. Ava smiled, and my heart began to race wildly.

"After this movie, do you want to watch another one, or are you ready for bed?" I asked.

Her answer would be my ticket to knowing what to do next. I waited anxiously for her to respond, praying she wanted to stay up longer with me. If she chooses to go to bed, I may lose my chance with her tonight.

"I'm not really tired. Besides, I'm having a good time hanging out with you," she said softly.

Heat pooled inside of me. Damn, was she into me? We had connected on so many levels the last two days, but did that mean she desired me the way I did her?

My hand hung close to her chest, and I couldn't seem to remove my eyes from her perky tits that were right under my fingertips. One finger slightly brushed against her breast, eliciting a slight move from Ava. However, she didn't shy away from me, which gave me hope.

"I enjoy being with you," I told Ava, forcing her to look at me. "You are so beautiful."

She had to know how much I craved her. It had to be pouring out of me. Her cheeks flushed from my compliment, which was the cutest thing I had ever seen. I allowed my hand to brush against her breast again, and this time, my fingers lingered along the fabric of her shirt a little longer. I wanted to rip that shirt off her and suck on her tits, but I knew I needed to take this slowly. Ava deserved better than someone just ravishing her body without knowing how special she truly was.

"I..." she opened her mouth to speak, but her words trailed off.

Did she want me to stop? Good god, I hoped not.

"If you want me to stop or leave you alone, just say it. I want you, Ava, but I would never do anything you didn't want me to do," I swore.

The words were difficult to get out, but they were the truth. Ava was special and worth waiting for. Shaking her head, Ava bit her lip in a move that had me wanting to take her right there.

"That's not it. I just... this is so different for me," Ava said.

I knew what she meant. She had only been with me, and I'm sure having feelings for a woman was complicated. I needed her to know that her heart and body were safe with me. I wasn't like the others/men she had been with before.

"I understand. I respect you. I want you, fuck how I want you, but I won't push you to do anything you don't want to do," I explained.

She looked down at her lap, confusion swirling on her face. "I guess I'm just feeling so many things. I've never wanted a woman before, but you have me feeling things I've never felt," she admits.

Fuck. Me.

"I want to make you feel good," I breathe.

My hand slightly shook as I rested it on Ava's knee. I heard her breath catch, but she didn't take her eyes away from the film on the screen. Her silky-smooth skin felt cool beneath my fingers.

I knew I was playing with fire, but this was my chance, and I had to know if Ava felt anything for me. Tyler and Lydia had gone to bed an hour ago, and Ava could have retired to her room as well, but instead, she stayed up with me to watch another movie. That had to mean something, right?

Plus, she was wearing a skirt and made no move to hide her bare skin from me.

Tilting her head, Ava turned to look at me. There was something in her eyes: desire, possibly?

My hand roamed up her thigh, inching closer to the hem of her skirt. She didn't move away from me, and, to my complete shock, she opened her legs a little further to me.

"Is this, okay?" I whispered, my breath warming her sweet neck.

Her lips pursed as she nodded.

Moving further up her leg, my fingers brushed against her silky panties. I could feel the heat radiating from her sweet pussy, and she was already wet with desire.

If I had any questions about whether Ava felt anything for me, this answered all of my doubts. She may never have been with a woman before, but I turned her on.

Leaning closer, my lips hovered close to hers. Ava's eyes lit up with surprise as she stared back at me.

"I've never been with a woman before," she whispered, her words barely audible.

"I promise, I will be gentle with you," I swore.

One finger began to circle around her slit, moving the silky fabric away from her pussy. Ava began to breathe heavily, her chest rising and falling with a heated lust. Pushing my finger inside of her, I felt my body heating. Damn, she was so tight and wet for me.

Mouth opening, Ava let her head fall back as I began to pump two fingers inside of her. I was in heaven, feeling how needy she was for me. I took that moment to trail kisses down her neck, needing to kiss and taste every inch of her skin.

"Sam," she moaned, bucking her hips as I began to speed up my movements.

As I fingered Ava, she made quiet noises that made me quiver next to her. Fuck, I wasn't sure I would be able to stop at just having my fingers inside of her. I needed to rip all her clothes off, taste every inch of her delicious frame, and make this woman mine.

"Tell me what you want," I demanded, my voice low but fierce.

We had to be quiet. I didn't want to wake Tyler and Lydia and ruin this moment, but fuck, I wanted to hear Ava scream my name.

"I want..." her words trailed off as her first orgasm wracked through her small body.

Crashing my lips to hers, I kissed her as she rode out the pleasure. I wasn't going to stop just yet. I began to pump even faster into her as my other hand began to grope her perky breasts.

"I want you," she spoke into my kiss.

That was all I needed to hear. Moving our bodies, I positioned myself on top of Ava, lying her down on the couch below me. She smiled, causing my heart to flutter. Moving a loose piece of hair away from her face, I took a moment to admire her beauty.

"You are so fucking beautiful," I sighed.

"You are so hot," she said, moving her tiny body beneath me.

My hands began roaming over her body, needing and wanting to feel every inch of her. Our lips collided again, kissing and nibbling as I removed her shirt. Ava lifted, pulling her shirt off and throwing it somewhere on the floor. A black lace bra held in those perfect breasts, and I couldn't take it any longer. I unclasped her bra, allowing those tits to come free. My lips and tongue began to suck on her sensitive skin as Ava's hands ran through my short hair. She was enjoying this, and all I wanted to do was make her feel good.

"Your tits are perfect," I said, glancing up at her as I took one nipple in my mouth.

Her mouth fell into an ‘O' as I slid my hand up her skirt once again. Her sensitive bud was hot and wet as I slid my fingers back inside of her. I could get lost in her pussy and never leave.

"This feels so amazing," Ava breathed, thrusting her hips as she matched the rhythm of my fingers.

"This is just the start," I promised. "There are so many things I want to do to you," I explained.

If she would let me, I would explore her body and bring her pleasure she could never imagine. I would love and worship her every second of the day.

"I'm so close," she moaned again, and I could feel her walls tightening around my fingers.

I kept pumping, bringing her closer to her climax. I could feel my own orgasm building just from touching her.

"Let yourself go, baby. I will do this all night if that's what you want," I vowed to her. "I'm so close, too."

I would do anything to make this woman happy.

With one more pump and another nibble on her tit, Ava exploded around me, her petite frame shaking as her orgasm took over her body. Crashing my lips against hers, I silenced her moans as she began to grow louder. I felt myself give in, and when my orgasm took over, I felt a bliss I had never experienced before.

Movement down the hall caused both of us to go still. We lay together, our bodies intertwined as Ava came down from her orgasm. Our breathing was heavy, and the scent of sex filled the air.

"I think we woke up Lydia and Tyler," Ava said, starting to move beneath me.

I wanted to lie like this forever, holding this goddess in my arms all night long, but sadly, I knew we had to leave the couch. I slid off her, retrieving her shirt and bra from the ground.

"It was worth it. At least for me," I told her, handing Ava her clothing.

Sheepishly, she slipped her shirt over her head, shielding her body from me.

"That was amazing, but what now?" she asked, staring back at me.

I moved close to her. I couldn't stand any distance between us now. If I thought I was obsessed with Ava before, it was now intensified by a million.

"We see where this goes. Let me take you out on a date. Allow me to show you how incredible we could be together. There's something I need to share with you, but not right now." I took her hands in mine and pulled her close to my body.

"Okay. What about Lydia and Tyler?"

"We can tell them whatever you want when you are ready," I said.

"Can we give it a few more days? I mean, tonight was beyond amazing, but you are leaving for Miami in a week, and then what?"

Embracing her, I kissed Ava again. How did she not see it? How did she not know that I wouldn't let her go now? It appeared she thought this was just a hook-up. I had to prove to her I planned to make her mine. I didn't want to come on too strong and scare her, but I also knew that I needed her to see how much I desired her.

"Being with you, these precious moments we've shared, they've been the highlight of my... well, everything." My fingers tighten around hers, the beat of my heart racing to an erratic tempo. "I can't help but wonder what it would be like if we gave this—us—a chance."

The anticipation coils within me, a spring wound tight, ready to snap. I search her face for a sign, any indication of the thoughts racing behind those expressive brown eyes.

"Sam," she breathes out, my name on her lips sending ripples through the air. Her smile breaks through the tension like sunlight piercing clouds, gentle and warm. She gives a faint, almost imperceptible nod. "Yes, I'd like that. I want to see where this could go."

The relief that floods me is palpable, a wave of euphoria washing over every doubt and fear that had crept into the corners of my mind. Her acceptance and willingness to step into the unknown with me are more than I dared to hope for.

"We can do this at your pace," I began. "But I need you to know one thing. I plan to make you mine. I just got a taste of you, baby, and I don't think I will ever be able to find anyone as beautiful and delicious as you are."

"Sam, you..." she paused, placing a soft kiss to my lips. I wanted to deepen the kiss, but she pulled back. "You have made me feel more desired in one night than I have felt my entire life. I know this is crazy because we just met, but I am ready to be with you. We just need to make sure it's real."

Excitement and hope washed over me like a wave. This woman was ready to be with me, and I would work with whatever timeline she needed to make this happen. I have no idea how I managed to capture her attention, but fuck, I was going to do everything in my power to keep Ava as mine.

"Baby, this is so fucking real," I said before crashing my lips to hers and kissing her senseless.

"It feels real," she agreed in a whisper.

"Really?" I chuckle, disbelief and joy bubbling up. "You're sure?"

"Sam," Ava says again, firmer this time, her thumb caressing the back of my hand. "After what I've recently been through, I believe I deserve happiness. And I think... I might find it with you."

There it is—the promise of a new beginning, fragile yet resilient, like the first bloom after a long winter. It fills the space between us with a tender hope, one that speaks of shared tomorrows and the quiet thrill of a journey just beginning.

"Thank you, Ava," I say, my words laced with gratitude and a depth of emotion I'm only beginning to understand. "For believing in us."

With our hands still joined, we stand together, the world around us fading into a soft blur. This is more than a chapter closing; it's the start of an entirely new story, one where the protagonists are us, and the ending is ours to write.

A yawn escaped, and she was so adorable as sleep began to take over. Her body was satisfied, and now she could relax.

"Goodnight, Sam," Ava said. Her voice held a melody that promised dreams as sweet as her presence.

"Goodnight, Ava," I responded, watching her retreat to her room before allowing myself to sink deeper into the couch, a contented sigh escaping my lips.

Chapter- Ava

Lying in bed, I watched as shadows danced across the ceiling.

I was still coming down from the high of being with Sam. A pleasure I had never known before still coursed through my body.

When I met Sam two days ago, I knew there was something special about her. I was intrigued with just one look. She was sexy and confident and had me desiring her.

At first, I wanted to ignore my feelings. I had only been attracted to men, and never in my life had I looked at another woman and felt anything sexual.

That was until I met Sam.

Part of me wondered if this was just my broken heart needing love and attention, but something deep inside me told me that wasn't what this was at all. Even before Sam touched me, I felt a spark between us.

Sighing, I roll over and check my phone. It's nearly six in the morning, and I know I won't be able to fall back to sleep. It's Sunday morning, and once everyone is up, I will have to face Sam again. I really hope things aren't weird between us today.

After another hour of tossing and turning in bed, I start to hear sounds from the kitchen. Tyler and Lydia are awake, and once I hear Sam's voice, I know I must leave my room.

As I enter the kitchen, everyone stops talking and glances at me.

"Hey, Tyler made French toast," Lydia exclaims, pointing to a platter on the counter.

"Awesome, but I need coffee first," I say.

I saunter over to the counter and make myself a cup of coffee. I can feel Sam's gaze on me, but I wait to look at her until I'm seated at the kitchen table. She offers a smile, and I feel my body heat.

"What time did you all go to bed last night?" Lydia asks, cutting into a piece of French toast.

"Sometime after midnight," Sam answers. Under the table, her hand finds my thigh, and she touches my leg.

The gentle movement causes my body to stir with emotions.

"I thought I heard someone up," Tyler says.

"Yeah, we watched a movie and then went to bed," I say quickly.

No one seems to notice the chemistry floating in the air, and I am grateful for it. Lydia is my best friend, but I'm not ready to tell her just yet that I hooked up with her cousin on her living room couch.

"So, what do we all want to do today?" Tyler asks.

"I thought about taking Ava to a coffee shop that I went to last time I was here," Sam states.

"Cool. How about tonight we all go to dinner?" Lydia asks.

"Sure," I replied.

"Great, how about we meet up in a few hours?" Tyler suggests.

We all agree and then head off to our rooms to prepare for the day. A wave of nervousness and excitement courses through me. Something about Sam intrigues me and gets me all hot and bothered. No one has ever piqued my desire like she has, and I have no idea what I'm doing.

Later that afternoon, Sam and I escaped the apartment, promising to meet up with Tyler and Lydia in a few hours.

We began walking down the sidewalk, heading into the heart of the city. There were so many things that I wanted to show her, and I felt silly for how I felt.

"It's been a while since I've been to Seattle," Sam states as we head toward the water. I love walking around Seattle, as there are so many sights to see and hear.

"Is it difficult for you to get away from work?" I ask.

There are so many things I want to know about Sam.

She lets out a heavy laugh. "Unfortunately, I make it difficult on myself. I've been obsessed with work and have forgotten about the things that truly matter in life," she says.

"I get that," I sigh. "Not the work part, but I sort of forgot about what is important in life," I admit.

"How so?" Sam asks.

"I dated this guy for a long time. There were so many red flags that I should have seen, but I just didn't. When our relationship ended, I realized that I had pushed most of my friends and family away. Lydia was all I had." I hate admitting this, but it's true. Sam makes me feel like I can be honest and vulnerable, which is crazy because I just met her!

Sam nods but doesn't push me to say more. Again, this is something I quickly realized I like about her.

We walk in silence a little further, and then Sam clears her throat, breaking the silence. "So, about last night," she begins as we move to the market by the water.

My pulse races and I suddenly feel very anxious. I knew this topic would come up. After a night of sexual indulgence, like we experienced as strangers, the conversation was bound to come up.

"I've never done anything like that before," I rushed out. "I mean, being with a woman and hooking up with someone right after meeting them."

Sam smiled and I found it super sexy.

"Let's walk by the water," Sam suggested, her voice carrying a new layer of vulnerability. We found ourselves at the edge of Puget Sound with the city lights dancing on the waves. Side by side, we leaned on the railing, watching ferries glide across the dark water.

"Well, I've been with women before," Sam chuckles. "But I've never felt such an attraction and need to have someone. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. I want you, and I know this is overwhelming, but if you trust me, I promise I will treat you like a queen."

Sam's words take me aback. I know we have something strong between us but being with her feels like a whirlwind. This is so unlike me. I just got out of a long relationship and now I'm about to consider being with a woman?

"This is a lot to consider. I mean, I like you," I tell Sam, moving closer to her. "I just need to see where this goes before we discuss anything serious."

Sam nods. I've already told her something similar, and she hasn't pushed me, so I respect her even more.

"Let's just continue with the day. I'm enjoying being with you," she says.

"Same," I agree.

We move to the market and walk through various shops and bakeries. The afternoon is filled with fun and great conversation. Soon, we are ready for a light snack. Neither of us wants to eat a big lunch since we are going out to dinner with Lydia and Tyler.

And it's the truth. I'm about to let fate take control over my life. I just hope I don't end up getting burned again.

Chapter- Sam

"Would you like to grab some coffee?" I suggested, my voice betraying a hint of hopefulness. The mere thought of sitting across from Ava in a setting more intimate than Lydia's living room sent a ripple of excitement through me.

Ava's face broke into an even wider smile, if possible. "I'd love to," she replied, with a sweetness that made my heart skip a beat. "There's a great little place just around the corner."

We walked side by side down the bustling Seattle streets, our shoulders occasionally brushing. It was a casual touch, but each time it happened, an electric current seemed to pass between us. We chatted about trivial things—the weather, the vibrant city life, the small eccentricities we had observed in people as they hurried past. Her laughter was easy and contagious, and I found myself vying for more of it, trying to memorize the sound.

The café was a quaint spot, its walls lined with bookshelves and the aroma of roasted coffee beans thick in the air. A bell tinkled as we entered, announcing our arrival to an almost magical nook that felt worlds away from the gray sidewalks outside.

"Over here looks good," Ava said, pointing to a cozy corner table that offered both privacy and a view of the street outside. We settled into the mismatched chairs, the space between us filled with an unspoken anticipation.

"Two lattes, please," I ordered for us, taking the liberty based on her earlier mention of a caffeine preference, and she nodded in agreement. With our orders placed, I leaned forward, eager to delve into a conversation beyond pleasantries. "So, what type of books do you enjoy reading?"

"Fantasy mostly," she admitted with a shy tilt of her head, her brown hair catching the light. "There's something about other worlds that always drew me in. It helps me escape when I really need to forget the world around me."

I totally understood what she was saying, but there was a sadness in her voice that bothered me.

"What's going on?" I ask, extending my hand across the table. "Talk to me."

"Sam," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I've never felt this close to someone so quickly. It scares me a little, but it also feels... right."

"Good-scared can be exciting," I murmured. "It means you're stepping into new territory, discovering parts of yourself you never knew existed."

Her gaze met mine, and I saw the raw honesty there, the shared recognition of something blooming between us. It was a look that spoke louder than any declaration of affection could.

"I like you, but I need to be smart," she explained.

As much as it upset me to hear that, I also had to respect her for trying to make the best logical decision for herself. Still, I would need to prove to her that I was worth the risk.

"I'm just going to lay it all out for you," I began. This was my moment. I needed to tell her everything, even if it scared us both. "I have to go back to Miami in a few days. I don't want our connection to end. Please come to Miami with me, to live and be with me. We only have a few days left for you to decide if this is what you want. If our connection is enough to take such a leap of faith."

Ava stated back at me, her beautiful eyes wide in wonderment.

"Sam, I..." she stopped and glanced down. "I know this is crazy, but I believe we could make it work, but there are still things I have to consider."

"That's okay," I said. I took her small hand in mine and gently squeezed it. "We have time for you to think it through. Just know that I would never hurt you."

I was pouring my heart out to her. I was running on borrowed time right now, and we both knew it.

"Would you—" Ava started, but her phone interrupted with a sharp vibration, slicing through the moment.

She pulled it from her pocket, her brow furrowing as she read the message on the screen. "It's him—my ex," she said, the warmth draining from her voice. "He says he wants to talk. That he's changed."

I clenched my jaw, feeling a protective instinct rise within me. Every fiber of my being wanted to shield her from the pain of her past, to prove that she deserved so much more. But I knew this wasn't about what I wanted but about supporting Ava, no matter what.

"Whatever you decide, I'm here for you," I said firmly, taking a breath to calm the storm of emotions inside me. "You're not alone, Ava. Remember that."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. "Thank you, Sam. I don't know what I'd do without you right now."

The clang of the café doorbell yanked me from my thoughts. My eyes snapped up, locking onto Ava's ex-boyfriend as he strode in like he owned the place.

"Hey, Ava," he said, with a casualness that belied the tension coiling between us.

"Ben?" Ava's voice was a whisper, her petite frame tensing beside me. I felt her hand search for mine under the table, a silent plea for support.

I stood, tall and positioned myself as a barrier between them. "Can we talk?" Ben asked, his gaze flickering between us, settling on Ava with a sense of entitlement that made my skin crawl.

"Talk about what, Ben? The past is over," Ava shot back, but the tremble in her voice betrayed her inner turmoil. "You cheated on me. I'm moving on."

I could see the struggle play out across Ava's face, the war between moving forward and the pull of history. I was proud of her for standing up to this guy. He was a complete douchebag.

"Let's go, Ava." My words were an anchor, trying to ground her in the present, away from the stormy seas of her past relationships.

She hesitated, a frown etching her brow as she gazed at Ben. "I... need a minute," she said softly before slipping from her seat and following him outside.

Left alone, worry gnawed at me. What did this mean for us? We'd been building something beautiful, and now the ghost of her past was here, threatening to tear it down.

Minutes ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. I ordered another coffee, the taste bitter on my tongue, matching the uncertainty that filled me. When Ava finally returned, her brown eyes held clouds I hadn't seen before.

"Are you okay?" I asked, reaching for her hand again.

"Yeah," she murmured, but the word was hollow. "He just wanted closure."

"Did he get it?" I prodded gently, needing to know where we stood.

"I think so," Ava replied, but her gaze drifted away from mine, lost in contemplation. "Sam, I need to think about some things. About us."

"Us?" The word hung heavy in the air, a leaden weight in my chest.

"Moving to Miami, it's a big step. And with Ben showing up like this, it's a lot to process." She chewed on her lower lip, the gesture painfully endearing even now.

"What do you want to do?" I asked nervously.

"I want to escape my past," she sighed.

"Then do it with me," I pleaded.

She took a moment to reflect on this, and then suddenly, her face lit up, and a large smile grew on her face. "You know what, I'm so sick of this," she practically yelled. "I have lived in fear my entire life, never taking any risks. I'm ready to take a leap of faith and see where this goes," she says.

"Wait, are you serious?" I ask.

I've been waiting for this moment ever since I first laid eyes on Ava on Lydia's social media post. I came to Seattle to convince her to be with me. To move to Miami and start a life where we could both be happy and find solitude in one another. And now, she was giving me the answer I wanted. And yet, I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

A slight chuckle escapes her lips. "Yes."

Grabbing her, I pulled Ava into my arms. I can't help myself as my lips come crashing down on hers. Our kiss is passionate and heated.

"Let's do this!" I exclaim.

For the first time in my life, I feel something strong and powerful inside of me. I feel hope that maybe, just maybe, I will be able to have the happily ever after I've yearned for all of my life.