Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

NICHOLAS

Turns out, Avery is a card shark. She’ll deny it, but as she wins yet another hand, I catch the mischievous gleam in her dark eyes.

“Are you letting me win?” she asks, peering at me over her cards.

“Maybe I’m just terrible at poker.”

“I get the impression you’re not terrible at anything.”

If she only knew.

I have zero desire to discuss myself, but I want to know about her—what makes her tick. Who knows? Maybe she’s hiding from her past, too.

Drumming my fingers against the table, I focus on my recent hand. Nothing, again. “What makes a woman like you come alone to the North Carolina wilderness?”

“I got dumped.”

“Damn, I’m sorry.” And why does that knowledge make me so happy?

Avery shrugs, taking another sip of whiskey. “He was right to dump me. He wanted things I couldn’t give him.”

“Like what? Kinky sex?”

She giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. “If only it were that simple. No, he wanted marriage and kids.”

“You don’t?”

She sighs, her expression turning thoughtful. “I was always on the fence—until I realized that spending your life with someone should be the most exciting thing in the world. He deserved better than being an understudy to my indecision.”

Talk about a brutally honest response.

“I wasn’t expecting that answer. You always say what you feel?”

Avery nods before showing her cards. “I think it’s important. You never know if you’ll get another chance to say everything you truly feel. I can’t imagine the regrets that come along with that knowledge.”

“I can.” I say the words before my mind can reel them back in, earning a wide-eyed look from Avery.

Should I play it off or have the guts to be as honest as she was?

I tap my foot against the floor in an erratic rhythm, unsure about opening the door to my past.

But I don’t have time to divulge the skeletons in my closet, as Avery stands up and walks to the record player. “How about some music? Let’s lighten the mood a bit.”

It’s uncanny how she senses my internal struggle. Just like Courtney did.

With a smile, I release the stress building on my shoulders. “Perfect.”

Memories haunt me in this cabin, surrounding me in an unrelenting vise. But tonight is different.

Maybe it’s the whiskey, sending a nice warm burn through my body. Maybe it’s the animated conversation between Avery and me as we discuss the misadventures of our youth. Or maybe that’s bullshit, and the reason is staring at me with those gorgeous dark eyes.

For the first time in two years, I want to laugh. I want to live.

And I really want to kiss Avery.

She has the most beautiful mouth—full and dusty rose—but it’s more than just the physical appeal. She’s witty as hell and her interests run the gamut from cooking to cats.

But the biggest turn-on? The way she looks at me, showering me with her undivided attention for even the most mundane stories.

Spending time with Avery makes me believe in second chances, even if I don’t deserve one.

“Great song,” Avery coos, as I play a new piece of vinyl. “Haven’t heard it in forever. You have some seriously great taste in music.”

“Only one way to make this song better,” I state, crossing the carpet and holding out my hand. “Dance with me.”

But she shakes her head and hands in tandem. “Trust me, that’s a terrible idea. I’m the worst dancer in the world.”

“And I’m asking you to trust that you just haven’t had the right partner yet.”

She holds my gaze, a flush coloring her cheeks. “You’re right, although I’m hoping to change that.”

Me, too.

With a sigh, she slips her hand into mine. “Swear you won’t say a word about any broken toes later?”

“Not a word.”

I pull her into the circle of my arms, gently leading her through the steps. To her credit, she’s better than she claims, and the feel of her slight frame melding to my body is heaven sent.

“See?” I state with a grin when the song ends. “Only crushed one toe.”

She playfully smacks my chest and laughs. “You promised not to mention any broken toes.”

“Totally worth it.”

She pauses, drinking me in from beneath her dark lashes. “So was getting lost in the snow. You’re my knight in shining armor, or should I say, flannel and dungarees.”

“I’m glad you wound up on my doorstep.” As soon as I speak the words, I know they’re the truth.

No matter what happens, I need to hold on to this moment a while longer.

Avery moves first, inching closer to my embrace. It’s all the motivation I need. Sliding my hands along her jaw to cup her face, I brush my mouth to hers, feeling her slight gasp, sampling the hint of whiskey lingering on her lips.

She tastes like all the memories I never made. All the chances I never took. An unknown journey with no clear ending.

She melts against me, rising on tiptoe and wrapping her arms around my neck.

I feel her desperation, aware it matches my own, but I won’t rush this moment.

Instead, I glide my tongue along her lower lip, coaxing her out to play, until she grants me entrance to her delectable mouth.

My hand tangles in her hair as I lay my claim. Avery gives as good as she gets, her tongue tangling with mine as we stoke the fire between us and drive one another slowly out of our minds.

She pulls back with an abrupt jerk, her eyes wide as her fingers fly to her kiss-swollen lips. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?” My brain and body battle for control, unsure if I missed a step somewhere.

“You’re married. Your poor wife.” She steps back, wringing her hands. “I’m not a home wrecker, except I guess I am. God, I’m sorry.”

I have two choices: tell her about Courtney and hopefully continue the evening or let it end here and show her to the guest bedroom.

“You’re not a home wrecker. I was married. Big difference.”

“You’re not anymore?”

“No.” I hate that answer, because it feels like I’m negating Courtney’s meaning in my life, but I’m not ready to delve into the truth surrounding her absence. “I’m sorry. I should have made that point clearer.”

Avery skews her mouth to the left in the most adorable fashion. “It would have been helpful because now I’ve gone and ruined the mood.”

“You haven’t.”

“Yes, I have. I see it in your face.”

“Granted, it’s a bit of a cold-water moment, but I’m willing to move past it, if you are.”

She taps her fingers against her mouth, as if considering her options. “Well, you are a really good kisser.”

“Just really good?” I shake my head and pull her back into my arms. “No, no, no. That is unacceptable. I want to be the greatest fucking kisser you’ve ever known.”

Avery snuggles against me, running her fingers along my jaw. “You don’t have to be the best. I just want you to be you.”

At my scoff, she offers me a playful nudge. “But if you want to keep showing off, I’m certainly not going to stop you.”

Her statement is lighter fluid on our smoldering fire and judging by her flirty smirk when she presses against my cock, she loves the effect she’s having on me.

Swinging her into my arms, I carry her toward the bedroom. “By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be rethinking that ‘really good’ comment.”

She shoots me a wicked smile, eyes glinting. “Prove it.”

Challenge accepted, beautiful.