When We're Alone

Chapter thirty-nine

STONE

Wakingupwithher is one of my favourite things to do. She’s all sleepy and warm and melts into my arms, which pushes her ass into my crotch and makes my semi-hard dick completely hard. I try to ignore it as she’s still sleeping, but when she murmurs my name, I crack, snaking my hand down to between her thighs and finding her wet already.

“Wake up, baby,” I murmur into her ear as I play, and she moans. “Wake up or I’ll stop.”

“Awake,” she mumbles, and I grin, pulling her leg over mine and sliding into her from behind. This is different from last night, when we were both desperate to feel each other and wound so tight we needed release as quickly as possible. This is slow and meaningful, us enjoying fitting together, and we take our time as I pump leisurely into her, swirling circles around her clit and kissing her shoulder and neck. When her orgasm finally peaks, it goes on and on as she writhes against me, gasps and moans falling quietly from her lips. My own release builds in my spine before crashing through me.

“Morning, baby,” I say, smiling into her hair.

“Morning,” she whispers back. “Need more sleep.”

“We can stay here all day if you want.”

“Exactly like this,” she requests, snuggling deeper into the covers, and I chuckle, agreeing silently as we both fall back into a light sleep, me still seated deep inside her.

The next time I wake up, Ava is still asleep again, and I tear myself away because my mouth is crazy dry. I pull on the sweats she got for me last night and make my way down to the kitchen to grab us drinks. Just as I’m putting the juice back in the fridge, my dad and Veronica come through the front door. They see me in the kitchen and come through.

“Morning, son.” I rub my face, trying to wake up a bit more.

“Hey. I forgot you were back today.”

“Where’s Ava?” her mum asks with a smile.

“Still in bed.”

“Okay, I’m going to unpack,” she says with a touch to my dad’s arm as she leaves.

“Going well?” I ask him, happy to stay and chat for a while. They’ve been away a lot recently, and I’m used to seeing my dad more regularly.

“Yeah. Better than I’d hoped, given the circumstances. Did you know Veronica and I used to be together?”

“No. What happened?”

“We were young. I screwed up. Speaking of screwing up… how’s Ava been since the dinner with Lewis?” He cocks a brow at me and I cringe, remembering the things I said.

“I apologised. We made up.”

“Good. I hadn’t realised you two didn’t get along.” He starts pulling some food out the fridge.

“It was more me fucking up, trying to convince myself I hated her.”

“You’ve always been passionate, and hate and love are two sides of the same coin. What’s changed now?”

“She’s mine now. We’re together, Dad. I’m sorry if that’s difficult for you and Veronica to accept, but I won’t give her up.” Dad looks me over carefully before replying.

“What about Lewis?” he asks, butter knife in the air.

“Fuck Lewis. She’s not marrying him.”

“She decided that?”

“Of course she did.”

“That’s a big sacrifice.”

“What do you mean? Lewis is awful.” Sure, he’s his son, but surely he wasn’t about to defend that prick?

“If she doesn’t marry him, she gives up everything,” he says, setting the knife down.

“What?”

“Stone, Ava’s dad was not a good man. I didn’t realise until I spoke to her mum over the past few weeks or I would’ve tried to change it while he was alive, but it’s too late now. She has to marry him to keep even a cent or a single share in their company.”

A gasp makes us both look over to see Ava wide-eyed in the doorway. She looks just as shocked as I feel, but when her eyes flick to me and uncertainty crosses them, I hate myself for how I’ve treated her over Lewis. She turns and flees back up the stairs, still wearing my T-shirt. I crave to go after her, but this is important. I need to know the details if I’m going to find a way to fix this for her.

“I think maybe we should all talk,” Dad says, watching Ava go too.

“We will.”

I run up after her, but she’s hurriedly getting dressed in her room. “Ava.”

“Is this where you hate me again?” she asks, not stopping. “You assume I’ll do it now because of the money and we’re back to square one?”

I stop her hands from rifling in the drawer and force her to face me.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, and it’s my fault you still think that. I know you, Ava, and I want you to do what’s best for you. Just know you’re mine either way, no matter what a piece of paper says, and he won’t lay a hand on you.”

“I can’t do it. I can’t marry him.”

“Okay. I can take care of you.”

“I don’t want your money,” she hisses, a look of fury on her face, and I try not to smile.

“We’ll figure it out, okay?” She doesn’t look convinced but nods anyway. “Now, you’re wearing way too many clothes for our plans today.”

It’s getting dark again when Ava’s phone goes off, lighting up the room as we haven’t turned the lights on.

“Can’t move,” she mumbles, the sheets tangled around us. This may have been the best day of my life.

“Ignore it.”

“It might be Millie. I haven’t heard from her properly in a while.”

“Why?”

“Not sure.” She leans over me to reach her phone and I pull her to lie on top of me, laying her head on my chest. She fits there perfectly. “It’s from Mum,” she says as she sits up, straddling my hips instead.

“Is that bad?” I squint at the bright light as she turns the phone to show me.

Mum: I know I don’t deserve to ask you to confide in me, but just know I’m always here for you. Are you here for dinner?

“Dinner?” she asks like she’s unsure.

“Come on, you need some answers. Get off me before I need to make you come again.” She lets out a startled laugh but climbs off me.