Twenty-Two

"Glad to see that smile, Mr. Cole," Stuart says as I practically skip into the apartment building.

"Thanks, Stuart!" I reply over my shoulder, heading straight to the elevator.

I'm so fucking excited to show Ava. When those papers came across my desk earlier today, there was no other person I wanted to share the news with other than her. It was exceptional timing, honestly. Ever since we came home from the wedding the other day, I have been looking for the perfect way to tell her I want more… I need more.

I wanted to make it special, so I picked up two strawberry shortcakes from the bakery she's always raving about. I hope she's as thrilled about this as I am.

The elevator doors can"t move fast enough, so I press the close button over and over.

"Av, I'm home!" I say, the excitement evident in my tone. I find Ava on the couch with a sketchbook in her lap, Binx curled up along her side. With the hotel project nearing its end, she's been sketching a lot more. Building her portfolio for upcoming opportunities, but little does she know, I have the best one yet.

I"m grinning from ear to ear when I approach her, papers tucked carefully under my arm. She sets the book aside and leans up, but something is off. Her expression seems less than happy to see me, let alone hear what news I want to share.

Taking a seat next to her, I grab her hand in mine. Nerves crawl up my spine. Did I fuck up somehow?

"Is everything alright?" Praying to God I"m not the cause of her mood. I couldn't imagine being the reason for the sad expression on her face when every day I try my hardest to be the reason she smiles.

"No, everything is not alright," she says through a shaky breath, wiping away a stray tear.

"Angel, what's going on?" I brace myself for the other shoe to drop. Everything has been going so perfectly. Almost too perfect.

She wraps her arms around my middle and nestles into me. Holding on for dear life, as if afraid to let go. Fuck, is she letting go?

"What happened?" I ask, pulling her in closer.

Ava remains silent, and then slowly uncurls herself from my chest. My stomach drops with the space she's created. This is it, isn't it?

"It's silly… I think I"m PMSing. I"m sorry for being so emotional." But the tear trailing down her cheek tells a different story.

"Don't ever apologize for how you feel. Tell me what's running through that mind of yours," I say, bringing my knuckle to her lips, which are currently pulled to the side. A tell-tale sign she has something she wants to say.

"Forget it… It's not important. You came in here all happy about something. What did you want to say?" Ava asks, trying to change the subject.

"Angel, everything you have to say is important. From the minute you wake up to the minute we fall asleep, I want to know it all. I live for your random thoughts and the little things that make you smile. I love the way your eyes light up when you taste something delicious, and the way they darken when you"re thinking of the next bratty thing you can do to get my attention. The way you get a satisfied grin when you get your latest sketch just right. I want all of it… So please, tell me."

She eyes me cautiously, like what she's about to say might scare me.

"Myapartmentisready…" she rushes out on an exhale. But I can see the disappointment in her expression.

"Is that a bad thing?" My heart swells at the thought of her being upset about leaving. If I"m being honest, I don't want her to go. I've never felt as alive as I have with her being here.

Ava gnaws on her lip. She doesn't want to be the one to break, the one to take the leap. I don't blame her; I always told her not to.

So, I'll do it for her.

"Would I be selfish if I said I don't want you to leave?"

Her eyes shine as a sweet grin spreads across her face. "What are you saying, P?"

"I want you to stay here, permanently." As if knowing his name wasn't included, Binx rubs up on me with a meow. "Him too, I guess," I add with a chuckle.

"Are you serious?" she questions, biting her lips to contain her excitement.

"Yes, Ava Marie Pierce, I want you to live here, and not in the guest room. In my room, with me."

Within the next second, she's tackling me onto the couch and showering me with kisses. My hands grab hold of her ass and pull her body closer to mine. I need to feel her everywhere, all the time. I don't want this feeling to ever fade, because I finally realize what this is… It's love.

I am head over heels in love with this woman.

"The thought of moving out made me so sad. I didn't want to leave. I—" I place a finger over her lips, stopping her from robbing me of this moment. One I knew was coming. From the moment she opened that sassy ass mouth of hers, I knew she was something special, something to cherish.

"I love you, Angel. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't yearn to be by your side," I tell her, my gaze locked onto her emotion-filled hazel eyes. "I was stupid to ever push you away. I think deep down I knew how easily I could fall for you, and that's why I acted the way I did…trying to keep you at arm's length. Too afraid of what would happen if I let someone new in. Thank you for seeing past that, for seeing me."

Her eyes shine with emotion.

"Oh, Parker... I love you too. I was just so afraid to tell you. Terrified that hearing those words would scare you away." She wraps her arms around me, and I hold on tight. Savoring the feel of this moment. One I never believed would happen for me.

"The first night I saw you, I felt an immediate attraction. I know you did too. I remember an excitement I had never experienced, but then your last name and my assumptions about people who grew up with money had my guard fully up. Even after that, I was insanely attracted to you, hence why I gave in so quickly at Masqued. I hated myself for how badly I continued to want you after that night. How much I thought about you. Then I saw you catch the bouquet at Wes and Sloan's wedding, and I knew you had your sights set on a fairytale, one I could never give you... Or at least, that's what I thought. Now I know that couldn't be further from the truth. The only thing I'm scared about is losing you."

She pulls away slowly, placing her hand on my chest. Her eyes bounce between mine, shining with love and affection. Everything I've yearned for all these years. Leaning in, I kiss her, hard. Letting our connection run free as we wrap ourselves around each other.

"Wait, what did you have to tell me before?"

"It can wait. Right now, I need to show my girl how much I love her."

She cups my face in her hands as I stand with her body around mine, my palms holding her up by her ass.

"I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing those words come out of your mouth," she says against my neck, dragging her lips up my jaw before kissing me deeply. I stand up with her wrapped around me and head toward my room. Hastily stripping off our clothes on our way. My body physically aching to be with her…right now. As if my soul is anxiously awaiting to connect to its counterpart.

This right here…

These feelings coursing through me.

It's better than I ever imagined.

I don't know if I ever truly made love before. But that's exactly what this is, and now I know she feels it too.

She loves me… This beautiful, smart, amazing woman loves me.

Lifting her leg to wrap around me, I slide into her. Ava's back arches with every thrust of my hips. Her soft moans are like the sweetest melody… A new soundtrack to add to my playlist.

I can feel her heartbeat where our bodies are connected, and I place my hand over it. Cherishing it, because it's mine…she is mine and I am hers.

The possessiveness that overtakes me at that acknowledgment has me thrusting deep inside of her. Filling every inch of her repeatedly.

"Please don't stop," she pleads.

Ava's hair has fallen across her face, blocking my favorite view. My hand reaches up and gently pushes the strands away. While cupping her cheek with my palm, her hazel eyes lock onto mine, conveying the words I feel with every fiber of my being.

Leaning down, I kiss her deeply. Needing to be connected to her in every way possible. She opens instantly and our tongues tangle, stroking softly against one another.

I feel her body tense below me, and I know my girl is almost there.

"Let go, baby… I"ll be here to catch you."

A stream of unintelligible words flies from her lips as she comes around me.

"That's it… Fuck, you're so beautiful," I croon when her eyes lock onto mine in pure ecstasy. My mouth sealing with hers, I swallow every moan.

My thrusts become erratic, and I know I"m about to come, but I want to make this last. To savor every moment.

Her hands reach for my hair, threading into the long strands as she pants through her aftershocks.

"Please come inside me," she begs, and I"m a goner. Unable to withhold my release any longer.

The way we tangle in each other as we fall onto my bed is pure bliss. Our labored breaths return to normal as we lie together. My hand slowly strokes the soft skin of her shoulder, and her head rests on my tattooed chest.

"Thank you for loving me," I whisper into her hair before placing a kiss on top of her head.

"How could I not?" she replies, nuzzling closer.

"I didn't make it easy, I"m sure."

"You're worth it… Now you're stuck with me." She grins as she peers up at me, and I smile like a love-sick fool right back.

This… this right here, is exactly where I"m meant to be. All the pain and strife I've felt in my life has led me right here… To her.

"Okay,okay…can you please tell me now," Ava pleads while taking a bite of her pizza.

"Is the suspense killing you?" I tease, bopping her on the nose.

"Uh duh!" she says like the little brat she is, and I can"t help but laugh.

"Well…I know you"re anxiously trying to figure out what your next project will be…"

She sits up a little taller at my prolonged answer.

"I was hoping you'd be interested in this one," I say, passing the signed contract to the Hudson Valley property to her.

Ava studies the paper for a minute, skimming over the words. I know the minute she realizes because her eyes go wide, then dart to mine. A gleeful smile spreads across her face.

"You got the property!" she squeals.

"I did."

"Oh my gosh. Parker, this is amazing. Wait, you said next project… Do you mean…" she questions, her hand going to cover her mouth in shock.

I chuckle. "Yes, Av. I want you to take the lead on this. I want you to design it."

"Are you serious? This is huge! I don't know—" Her expression changes, as if self-doubt has taken over my talented girl's mind.

"I"m going to stop you right there," I say, effectively pausing her negative train of thought. "You are one of the brightest, most talented designers I've ever worked with. I"m not going to let you sit here and doubt yourself. I want you on this project… I want to do this together."

"Damn, I love you," she says, climbing across the couch to get closer to me. Those words from her lips light me up more than I thought possible.

"Is that a yes, Miss Pierce?"

"That's a definite yes, but I have one condition."

"What's that?" I question with a quirked eyebrow, dragging her body till she's pressed against my side.

"That we keep the old farmhouse… Renovate it. Make it something special for us and our families to use."

I'm nodding before she's even finished. "I think that would be perfect."

Part of me knew that when I took her to Hudson Valley, it would somehow end up being something special to the both of us. I just wasn't ready to admit it then. And now as Ava sits next to me, all starry-eyed, with her sketchbook already in her lap, I couldn't think of anything better.

With a look of pure determination, she peers up at me and asks, "When do we start?"

I chuckle. "We will start soon enough, but for now, I have one more surprise for you."

She follows behind me, and with our fingers interlocked, we walk up the stairs. I can see her mind racing with thoughts of what else I could be showing her until the reflection of the chrome comes into view.

Her mouth falls open as we breach the top of the loft, letting out an audible gasp. "Parker, you didn't!"

"Oh, but I did." I smirk.

She takes a few steps to the center of the room, trailing her hand up the stainless-steel beauty. Gripping the pole, she does one small twirl that's sexy as hell, letting her head dip back before meeting my stare.

"I freaking love it." She smiles widely. It may be a stripper pole to most, but to her, it's an escape after a long day, her favorite hobby, and now it's another symbol of how permanent I feel about her in my life.

Biting her lip, she shakes her head in disbelief. "I just can't believe you actually had this installed."

I step over to the pole, and she grabs my arm, pulling me closer.

"I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner."

Searing my lips to hers, I whisper,, "Let's be honest, I'm the one who will benefit from this the most."

"I've been fantasizing about giving you your own private show since opening night at Masqued."

Groaning, I'm already rock hard as I walk across the room toward a black chest. Opening the dresser doors, I look back over my shoulder with a sly grin. "You have no idea."

She flushes at my admission, even more so when I turn to her with a small leather paddle in my grip. I watch her thighs clench as I slap it against my palm gently.

"I also stocked us up with a few things to try out."

She peers past me into the small open door, able to see restraints and a whip among several other similar items.

Taking another step back to her, I command, "Turn around and put both your hands on the pole."

She swallows thickly and does exactly as I ask, arching her back in the process.

I glide the leather over the back of her oversized T-shirt, relishing how she shivers. Using the tip of it, I push the shirt up, exposing her thong-covered ass.

"Good girl, now do you remember your safe word?"

"Yes, Sir. I promise, I'll use it if I need to." A moan escapes as this fantasy comes to life.

"I know my brat loves getting her ass spanked," I say in a low, husky tone, running the paddle over her perky bottom. "If I give you five smacks, will you dance for me?"

She whimpers on a plea, nodding eagerly.

"Okay, Angel. This is just a small dip in the water. I plan to take us to much greater depths within the future. Are you ready?"

While rubbing her thighs together in anticipation, she speaks the words I'm waiting to hear.

"Please, Sir. I'm ready."