Page 26 of Yes, Love
“It’s that sort, Elise.” His smile turned soft, and he shook his head like he was trying to clear it. “She’s really something, Dom.”
“Is she?” I grinned at my friend. “I’m happy for you! Can’t wait to meet her officially.” I’d run into her once in the hallway as she completed her walk of shame, and she hadn’t much been in the mood to chat.
“You’ll like her. She’s cheeky and quit-witted. I think I might be in love.” Noah grinned like a fool.
“Love?” I raised both eyebrows at him.
“Yeah.” He shook his head, and his smile grew. “When your little PR stunt is over, we’ll find you a girl, too. Elise has a few friends that I think you’d get on well with.”
“Brilliant. Thanks, mate.”
Noah nodded and headed down the hallway toward the kitchen. When my PR stunt was over, he’d help me find a girl. Why did that well-meant statement irritate me so much? Was I bothered about Lucy still? Or was it the thought of things ending with Ava soon?
No. It was because my arrogant flatmate thought I needed help to find a girl. That was it.
***
Ava was the evil fairy tonight.
Her head seemed to be lost to a mob of dark storm clouds, completely at odds with her bright yellow club dress. I’d tried to break her from her mood but couldn’t even reach her with my fake American accent. That usually brought out her real laugh.
She grabbed my hand and headed for the stairs before the party was even half over. “Ava, where are we going?”
She stopped in the middle of the stairs and gave me a wicked, sensual look. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a good fuck, and you’ll do.”
I paused and let my eyes travel up and down her gorgeous body. We’d shagged yesterday afternoon again, and it was just as good as the first time. She’d been in a much brighter mood then. Ava was my sweet, giggly fairy yesterday. I didn’t know how this dark sprite would behave in bed. My mind thought I should talk her out of this. She didn’t seem right. My cock thought better of it, though, and I followed her lovely arse up the stairs. I was only a man.
Ava closed her bedroom door behind us and immediately started attacking me with rough, angry kisses. Well then, I quite like this… Her breathing quickly grew heavy as my hands slid down her glorious curves. I hitched the smooth fabric of her skirt up over her hips, and Ava released a hungry moan. She hooked one leg around my hips, and I lifted her so she could wrap both legs around me.
I ran my tongue down her neck and unzipped the back of her dress while she pressed herself against my erection. Ava groaned now and tugged on my earlobe with her teeth. “Slam me up against the wall, baby.”
Slam? No. I’d crush her. She could be rough with me, but I’d never be rough with her. I turned and pressed her into the wall, but that wasn’t what she wanted. The storm in Ava’s pretty blue eyes grew darker and wilder. She kissed me harder and buried her hands in my hair. When I didn’t move to undo my belt fast enough, her angry hands reached down to rip it open, and then she directed my left hand to her delicate throat. Ava tipped her head back and gasped, “Choke me.”
My desire came screeching to a halt, and a sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. “What? No. Absolutely not.” I pulled my hand from her grasp, backed away from the wall, and set her down. I closed my eyes to block out the memories, but they came anyway.
***
“Sarah, dear, why on earth are you wearing a scarf on such a lovely summer day? You must be roasting in that!” Mrs. Hastings fanned herself with her hand and laughed.
Mum just smiled. “Oh, I’m all right.” She glanced up and saw me watching. “Dom, love, run and play with the other children!”
I nodded, still sick with worry, and kicked the football back to Michael. I knew why mum wore the scarf. I’d seen the dark, purple marks on her collarbone that morning.
***
Ava blinked in surprise. Her surprise caught fire and burst into anger. “What? You can’t seriously tell me I’m the first girl that’s asked you to do that!”
I shook my head and backed away a few more steps to sit on the edge of her bed. She wasn’t the first to ask for rough sex, but I wouldn’t do it, ever. I swallowed the lump in my throat and fought to still the trembling of my hands. “I could hurt you, Ava.”
She laughed and sauntered over to the bed to straddle me. “It doesn’t hurt. It just makes things a little more interesting.” She placed my hand at her throat again. “Come on. It’s fun.” Her smile was wicked and flirty, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Ava, no.” I pulled my hand away again and lifted her off my lap. I struggled to keep my voice steady. “I don’t do it rough.”
Ava snorted and brought out her British accent. “Are you too good for a bit of rough sex then, Dom?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Ava, stop.” She didn’t know what she was saying. Could I tell her? Could I make her understand?
“Oh my god! I’m kidding!” She stood and angrily yanked her dress back down to cover her bottom, then twisted her arms like a contortionist to get her zipper back up. She wore an expression of a wounded animal, angry and in pain when she turned back to look at me. “I’m going back down to the party. Good luck with your hard-on. Maybe you can jack off to a picture of Lucy or something.”