Best Friends Don't Kiss

“I don’t know.” Kyle shrugs and takes a drink from his beer. “This kind of stuff was never her thing back in high school.”

I just stare at him, completely at a loss for words. He’s acting like get-togethers like this weren’t Ava’s thing because she doesn’t like to socialize or something. Which is total bullshit.

Trust me, I should know. She’s dragged me to enough parties and social events over the years to comprehend that she loves to socialize, loves parties, loves people.

She just has an aversion to assholes. Like him and his superficial wife.

“She never went to any parties or anything back in the day. I mean, I guess she had some friends, but she never expanded her horizons in the social realm, if you know what I’m saying,” he adds, and that’s pretty much my breaking point.

I have zero use for this guy or this conversation.

“Did you ever think this kind of shit wasn’t her thing because your wife and her little groupies were downright assholes to her?” I toss out, and Kyle’s face morphs into utter shock. “Or that maybe you and your buds were total dicks to her?”

He just stares at me.

“Or, maybe, Ava was just too good for you and your wife and all your asshole friends?” I shrug. “Personally, I think it’s the latter, but who knows,” I add and pat him on the back. “Maybe it’s a combination of all three. Anyway, enjoy your big night, Mr. Reunion King. I bet it feels really good to get that crown tonight. Certainly a huge accomplishment that in no way straddles the line of pathetic.” I clink my glass against his, take one last drink of my rum and Coke, and then set both of the glasses in my hands back on the bar and head straight for Ava.

Time to go rescue my girl.

She stands in the far corner of the room, the three female-high-school-clichés chatter around her, and I’m certain I’ve never seen her more bored in all my life.

As I get closer to their group, I overhear some of what is being said.

“Ava, it really would have been nice if you could’ve managed to follow through with the original dessert plan,” Callie says, stupid princess crown on her head and a passive-aggressive smile on her lips. “I mean, the cupcakes look okay, I guess, but I think everyone could agree they miss the mark a little for this event.”

Good God, this woman. In a world where there are so many things we should be focusing on, she’s consumed with fucking crowns, high school reunions, and cupcakes.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I interject into their conversation and step right into the circle, grabbing Ava by her hips and pulling her close to me.

My presence disrupts the little pow-wow, and I swear I hear Callie scoff behind me.

But who the fuck cares about that woman, right?

I mean, Ava is in my arms, and damn, with the way she’s looking up at me with those big blue eyes and amused smile, I am utterly entranced.

And, frankly, turned the fuck on.

Yeah, it’s high time to have some real fun.

“Ladies, if you’ll excuse us,” I say and don’t even bother to look at anyone but Ava. “But I need to steal the most beautiful woman in the room away for a minute to tell her something very important.”

“What are you doing?” Ava giggles as I gently lead her toward the exit doors.

“Like I said, I have something important to tell you.”

When I take a quick left and shove one of the private bathroom doors open and lock us both inside, she turns toward me with her hands on her hips.

“Luke? What the hell?” she asks, looking around the small room in confusion.

But I don’t waste any time.

Between one breath and the next, I lift her up into my arms, wrap her legs around my waist and kiss the hell out of her.

“Fuck, I want you,” I whisper against her perfect, pliant mouth. “I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

She whimpers.

“You want to be bad with me?” I ask, pushing her back gently against the door and gripping her hips so that my arousal is pressed against her.

Ava giggles and smiles, and then she wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me, deep and fierce. “Let’s be bad,” she says and tugs on my bottom lip with her teeth.

Oh, thank fuck.

It doesn’t take long before my hard cock is out of my pants and her underwear are pushed to the side and I’m sliding inside her.

“Oh God,” she moans against my mouth. “This reunion is turning out to be way better than I thought it would be.”

My thoughts exactly.December 28th

LukeFresh out of the shower, I toss on a pair of jeans and collared shirt, and when movement from the window catches my eye, I look up to find Ava’s dad on a ladder, tugging Christmas lights off the house.