“Fine. It was about you.” She pursed her lips, then forced out the rest. “And I might have warned her not to hurt you.”
“Dammit, Lo, I wanted her to like my friends, not face an inquisition.”
“You’re the one who told me she’s wary of the craziness that comes with celebrity. I’m just worried she’s going to freak out and bail on you and—”
He stiffened. “It’s my problem. Not yours.”
“He’s right,” Rep told her.
Grey groaned. “I’m going to do damage control, and when we come back out, you’re going to be your nice, non-prying, non-threatening self.”
“Okay. If it means anything, she seems great,” Lola said.
“Then behave. You aren’t helping me by driving her away from my best friends.” Without waiting for a reply, Grey turned and headed to find Avery.
He approached her as she was coming out of the bathroom and eased her back in the small area, shutting the door behind them. He realized his mistake immediately when his body responded to her nearness and her distinctly warm vanilla scent. Once again, he warned his cock to calm down. Now wasn’t the time.
“You okay?” he asked her, taking in her wary expression.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
He narrowed his gaze. “I know Lola said something she shouldn’t have.”
“It’s fine.” She flicked her braid over her shoulder dismissively. “We can work it out between the two of us.”
He appreciated her attempt to let things go, but he wasn’t accepting her easy out. “Not when I’m the issue.”
Avery sighed. “Lola is looking out for you, and I respect that even if I don’t like her getting involved or questioning my feelings and motives.”
“Which she had no right to do. I don’t need her fighting my battles or making trouble between us out of some misguided sense of loyalty.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to do something stupid like ask you to choose between me and your best friend.”
“There’d be no contest who’d win.”
“Good to know.” She clenched her jaw, steeled herself, and tried to push past him and get to the door.
Ridiculous woman, he thought, holding her in place with his hips, pressing her against the vanity behind her.
She sucked in a shallow breath, her flushed cheeks revealing she was as hot for him as he was for her. “You need me to explain that better for you, sugar?”
Avery scowled, and that expression set him off. He’d played by her rules, been nice, accommodating, and taken his time. If she didn’t believe where she fit in his life, he’d damn well have to show her, he thought and slammed his lips down on hers.
She stiffened at first, her hands coming to his shoulders in a half-hearted attempt to push him away until suddenly things changed. She softened beneath him and kissed him back with the same need driving him, her fingers curling into the material on his shirt. Her teeth clashed with his; their tongues tangled. He slid his hands beneath her dress and cupped her breast through flimsy lace, pinching her nipple between his fingers until she whimpered and bucked against him.
He released the tight bud only to give the other one the same treatment. She pulled at his hair as she cried out, rocking her hips into his, seeking relief against the harsh denim of his jeans. “I need … I can’t …”
“Shh. I’ll take care of you,” he promised. He lifted her, setting her down on the vanity counter and hiking her dress above her hips.
“Wait, in here?” she asked, coming to her senses and drawing her legs together.
“Nobody’s going to bother us.” He pushed her legs apart and slid her panties down her tanned legs, shoving them into his back pocket.
He looked down at the gorgeous sight. Her bare pussy beckoned, creamy skin and slick folds waiting for him. “Fuck. I’ve waited years to see this.” He cupped her wet heat in his hand, and she gave in.
She leaned against the mirror, head back, cheeks flushed, and a sense of satisfaction flowed through him that she trusted him this way.
“I want to see you come for me, Avery.” He slid a finger inside her and nearly came himself at the feel of her tight walls clasping him in heat.