27. Cal

27

CAL

Devouring Ava in the kitchen was one of the highest points I have had in sometime. But the pinnacle was her finding her pleasure, her taking a piece of herself back. Knowing what I was missing didn't help things. The cold showers made it bearable, but it was nothing compared to her warm welcoming body.

The next day, I dived into a secret project - one I pray would not see me losing Ava, but helping her to heal to overcome. Calling numerous galleries around the area, negotiating for them to see Ava's pieces and showcase them, has not been as simple as I initially thought. But it won't stop me. I know this will bring her joy.

It took a few days of persistence, but I finally received the news I wanted this morning. I received a call for a boutique-style gallery here in town. After speaking with the curator, Gwen, I sent over photos of Ava's entire current collection and some from her past series work to her email. A few short hours later, Gwen and I came to an agreement. She requested the current entire series and stated that the show would be premiering this Friday. This couldn't be more perfect, with the gallery not far from the house. They were ecstatic to show her work.

Sneaking out yesterday while she was in the shower, her brothers and I moved the entire collection to the truck. I waited until she was holed up in her studio to leave and deliver the art. Before I left, I poked my head in and told her I was running to town; I'd be back soon; and that the alarms would be set. It seems to put her at ease when I let her know where I will be, how long I will be gone, and if the alarm is set. She and I currently are the only two who have the codes to turn off the system.

Nervousness has been eating at me all morning. Today's the day of her showcase. It seems cruel to make it last minute, but it gives her less time to ponder the cons of leaving the house. I want her to enjoy tonight, not fret about all the shit that can go wrong.

"Cal," I hear her call. Instead of responding, I walk out of my office and quietly walk up to her. She is humming. It brings a smile to my face to see her happiness. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pull her soft compliant body into me. Sliding her hair aside, I place soft kisses at the juncture of her neck. I smile as the intimate contact sends shivers down her delicate spine.

"Yes, sweet," I murmur between kisses.

"Uh," she says, causing me to chuckle softly against her skin."Ava you called me."

Nodding her agreement. She doesn't speak. I love touching her. I want to fall to my knees and worship her body until she is a moaning, crying mess of overstimulated pleasure. The downside is touching her - hell, being in her presence - makes me harder than a fucking rock.

There have been sweet touches, light kisses, nothing more. I want her to feel secure. I want to make sure she is ready before pushing for more. It's hard for me. I want her so badly. I know that I can't find anyone else to satisfy me the way she can. I just have to be patient and then once we finally do it will be fireworks.

"Right… uhhh - I'm making lunch or about to. You hungry?" she stutters out as she pushes her perky little ass back into my hardening cock.

I groan. She smirks over her shoulder at me.

"Tease," I whisper.

"Sure, sandwiches sound good. I'm starving." Pulling back and rounding the island, I sit and watch as she gathers the lunch ingredients.

"What's on your agenda today?" she asks as she grabs plates. Getting the plates on the countertops, she pulls out the bread as she waits on my answer. But I'm silent. She tosses the meat down and searches my face. I lock down my emotions for this talk, not wanting her to read my excitement or disappointment. I want her to make this choice without my influence. I want her to choose to go, instead of choosing to go because I want her to do it. A tendril of fear takes root, I can see it growing a bit.

But again, I wait. And it happens, it's a thing of beauty to see that she is comfortable enough with me to explode.

"Cal, really. What is it? I can't take bad news today. If it's bad, just tell me tomorrow." Her hands wave all around. "No, never mind that. Screw that. If it's bad and it doesn't affect me, just deal with it, handle it and then let's pretend all is good." She nods as a gesture of that's that. I want to laugh at her antics, but I sit and wait.

"Cal, I know there is bad in the world, but things have been good. I'm painting again, and it makes me happy. I fight my demons with swirls and flicks." She sighs. "I just don't have it in me to deal with this shit anymore. I just want to be a hermit who paints and maybe collects cats. Okay, so maybe one day kids. And at some point, loads of steamy hot sex that has me moaning in pleasure, the kind that washes the horrid experience away." She narrows her eyes at me. Her gaze takes me in and she sees that I am doing my damnedest to not laugh. I'm biting my lips in the hopes it will stop it from bursting forth.

"Cal, don't you start with me. I want peace. No fucking drama. No sociopaths who have a grudge. Are there more of those? Hmm? Do I need a binder filled with potential threats, so I can just stab first and not ask questions?" I can't hold back anymore. My laugh bubbles out of me, earning me another glare. "Don't you laugh at me, you brute! This is why I want to be a hermit. If I never have to leave this place, then I don't have to worry." She huffs and crosses her delicate arms over her chest. "That sounds nice. But foolish I know… We can have hopes, right?" Smiling at the thought, I nod my agreement.

"Not foolish at all. I would love nothing more than to hold up in the house with you forever. And if we never put clothes on again, that would ensure we were never interrupted." I wiggle my eyebrows at her. She smiles and giggles at my antics. God, she is stunning. Her eyes alight with mirth. Her sensual lips tipped up in giddiness. Her body relaxed. Nothing can compare.

"Ava, my dear, I want to talk to you about something. And I do hope that you will understand my reasons." At this point, I pray that she doesn't do something out of character and chuck a plate at me, or something worse. "I have a surprise for tonight. You need to get all dolled up. We are leaving around 6."

Her face shows exactly what she wants: to run back up to the bedroom and lock the door. But then I see what I was hoping for, the spark of pure determination gleaming in her eyes. "Cal, I don't like it, but I won't do things like this on my own accord." I know, which is why I planned this.

"Ava, this is gonna be a night to remember. This is us moving forward towards our future together." Getting up, I walk around the island to stand by her, hugging her. "This is to help you heal and, if you happened to be dressed in a snug tight sexy dress showing off those legs - well, I won't get mad either."

She chuckles at me."Of course, my legs are what interest you."

I laugh at her and murmur, "And that sweet ass." I squeeze her tighter to stop her from smacking me playfully.

"So, we're set. Let's eat lunch. Then, if you'd like, why don't you soak in the bath and get ready after." The hope is the soak will keep her relaxed and she won't panic at leaving the house or what I have done.

Shoving the last bite of sandwich in my mouth, I peer up to meet her gaze. "I'm going to run the bath for you. Come up when you are done." Climbing the stairs, I get to the bath and pour in the bath salts - lavender to help with unwinding her nervousness. Gathering the variety of bath supplies for her, I get everything within arm's reach. I want this to be a lounge space of comfort.

Hearing her muted steps, I light the candles and plug the tub. She walks in as I get up, striding towards her. I place a gentle kiss on her head. "Enjoy Ava. Soak. Relax. I'll be in the office. Then, I'll run through the shower while you are getting dressed, if that works for you."

Hours later, I walk this gorgeous creature down the stairs, counting my lucky stars that I have her. Guiding her to the truck, we drive into town. It's smoothing out. We are getting back into the swing of life. I see the pain and the flinches that she thinks she can hide, but they are infrequent and occur less and less. Our drive is quiet, both lost in our own thoughts. Reaching for her hand, I affectionately squeeze it. She turns and smiles at me. There is no darkness or panic shadowing in her eyes.

Yet another victory.

Pulling into the parking lot, I look at her. She is undeniably beautiful. It hits me every time I set eyes on her.

"Are you ready?" I don't know if I should warn her or let the event be a surprise, something for her to see others savor. Deciding to risk it, I'll take her ire if not telling her gets her ass in the exhibit.

She stares at me. "As I'll ever be." I get out of the truck, walk around and assist her out. We get to the door, and I hold it as she walks in before me. We get three steps in when I feel her breath catch and she freezes.

Her unique take on art has come to life throughout the room. People gather around different pieces, discussing what Ava has captured in her strokes. The pain. The fear. The anger. And so much more. It's all there, where the admirers can see. They can feel what she felt as she guided the paintbrush on the canvas.

Ava's head turns to me. "This … This was you, Cal?" I can't decipher her emotions. Her tone is flat, leaving me to think I fucked up.

"I can explain, '' I whisper, not wanting to garner the attention of the attendees.

She twirls around, narrows her eyes. "So, you thought that it would be okay to just send my work - that I may not have even been ready to show, I might add - to some random curator in the hopes they would schedule an exhibit." She takes a deep breath and pokes me with a finger. "Not to mention, I thought this was a date, you know. Just me and you." She gestures with her finger to the place. "It's not just us."

Shaking her head, she continues. "I can't, I don't know - What am I to do with this Cal?" She's trembling, but I don't know if it is with fear or anger. "Do I thank you for the push or do I leave here in a snit and call my brothers to come take me home, so I don't stab you with something for potentially causing me embarrassment that I was not ready to deal with? Cal, I barely had an interest in my last series of work, and this series is dark." She takes a shaky breath. "I need a minute." Graceful as ever, she stomps away, a serene smile slapped on her face.

"Fuck," I whisper to no one. I hope she will see what I was trying to do. Maybe she can forgive me for my fumble. Knowing this is what she needs and her seeing that she needs this are two different things. Losing her in the crowd - Wait. She is in a crowd, no problem. She didn't even hesitate to leave my side. So anger is the key to overcoming some of her hesitations. Good to know.

Grabbing a glass of wine, I slowly make my way around looking at the pieces and listen to what the others have to say.

"Magnificent"

"Morbid and addicting"

"A true artist understands that beauty can be dark."

‘The longer I listen, the more my decision is cemented in the ‘I did the right thing' category. Now to get her to see it too. I turn to look for her only to see her standing next to an older gentleman, who is pointing at her painting. His words flow over her, and she beams at him. The conversation grows, so I leave them to it. She is alight with pleasure and laughing with him.

Maybe I won't have to convince her at all.