Joseph’s POV
Walking through my front door with Ava beside felt like winning the lottery after thinking I’d lost the ticket. My pulse raced as I watched her take in my ho, her eyes scanning the open-concept living area with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Harbor Bay.
"Your place is even more impressive than I imagined," Ava said, running her fingers along the back of my couch.
"Thanks," I said casually, though my heart was racing. "I had planned sothing special for Tuesday before... everything happened."
Ava turned to face , her eyes narrowing. "Before your ex-hookup wrapped herself around you like a snake?"
"She’s not my—" I stopped myself. "Can we sit down for this? Maybe have so wine while we talk?"
"Fine," Ava nodded, settling onto the edge of my couch like she might bolt at any mont.
I hurried to the kitchen, grateful for the mont to collect my thoughts. Dean was pacing in my mind.
"Don’t screw this up," he warned. "She’s giving us one chance."
"I know," I muttered, grabbing my best bottle of Cabernet and two glasses.
When I returned, Ava had kicked off her heels and tucked her legs beneath her, looking comfortable.
I poured the wine and handed her a glass before sitting close enough to reach her if needed.
"Well?" Ava said, taking a small sip. "I’m listening."
I took a deep breath. "Sophia and I have history, but it’s over. We hooked up occasionally before I t you. Nothing serious, nothing exclusive."
"And she clearly didn’t get the mo that it’s over," Ava said. "Because I saw how comfortable that little slut was with you. She threw herself at you, kissed you, and you actually let her kiss you."
"I didn’t let her get away with it. I was completely stunned." I leaned forward. "Ava, I swear on everything I care about, I haven’t been with anyone since the day I t you. Not a single woman has interested ."
"Hard to believe, given your reputation," she said coolly, though her eyes showed hurt. "Wow, Joseph. That makes feel so special." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"That’s not—" I struggled to explain. "You’re different. With you, I want more than just sex. For the first ti in my life, I want a real relationship. I don’t know how it happened, but I fell in love with you, Ava. Now, you’re everything to . I can’t eat, can’t sleep. When you stopped talking to this week, I was going crazy."
"Then why did that nobody jump into your lap?"
"Because she has no boundaries! But I’m done with her completely."
"Tell about her."
"Draven, Ryan and I have known Sophia and her friends for years. We go to the sa places, we’re all from neighboring packs, we basically grew up together."
"And?"
"Well, Ella has always had a thing for Draven, Vanessa likes Ryan, and Sophia has always been after . Draven never got involved with Ella, but Ryan and I made the mistake of hooking up with the other two. They’ve been clinging to us ever since."
"How involved were you? Did you two date?"
"No, Ava. It was always just sex between us, and I always made that clear to her."
"Did you make it clear that you have a boss now?" she asked, referring to having a girlfriend.
"Yes," I grinned sheepishly. "You knocked sideways from day one."
Ava’s expression softened slightly, but her posture remained guarded. "I’ve been cheated on before, Joseph. I won’t go through that again."
"You won’t have to," I promised, setting my glass down and taking her free hand.
"Pretty words," she murmured, but I could see her suspicion weakening.
"Not just words," I insisted, sliding closer until our thighs touched. "Let prove it to you."
I took her wineglass and placed it beside mine on the coffee table, then cupped her face in my hands. Her skin was soft, warm beneath my fingers. For a mont, I just looked at her—taking in those beautiful eyes, the curve of her lips, the flush spreading across her cheeks.
"You’re extraordinary, Ava Flynn," I whispered. "And I’m falling in love with you."
Her breath caught. Before she could respond, I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. She hesitated for just a heartbeat before lting into , her hands sliding up my chest to grip my shoulders.
The kiss was electric—better than our first, better than any kiss I’d ever experienced. Dean howled with satisfaction in my mind as I pulled Ava closer, threading my fingers through her silky hair.
"Joseph," she sighed against my mouth, and the sound of my na on her lips drove wild.
I deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with an urgency that surprised even . My hands road down her sides, feeling the curve of her waist, the flare of her hips. Ava responded by straddling my lap, her dress riding up her thighs as she pressed against .
"God, Ava," I groaned, breaking the kiss to trail my lips down her throat. "You have no idea what you do to ."
"Show ," she whispered, her eyes dark with desire.
I stood with her in my arms, her legs wrapped around my waist. "Are you sure? Because once we start, I don’t think I can stop."
Her answer was a searing kiss that left no room for doubt. I carried her to my bedroom, kicking the door closed behind us. The dim light from the bedside lamps cast a golden glow across her skin as I set her down beside my bed.
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