25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
AVA
T he words are out before I can second-guess myself.
Now the quiet stretches thick between us, heavier with every breath.
Jackson sets his water bottle down, slow and deliberate. His jaw flexes once, then again. But he doesn’t look away.
I swallow. My pulse is everywhere… in my throat, behind my ribs, in my fingertips.
“I need to know,” I say, my voice steady, though my breath catches. “Are we really going to pretend that night didn’t happen?”
The words hang there, too loud in the quiet room.
He exhales hard, runs a hand through his hair. Then something shifts in his eyes, raw and unguarded.
"I’m not pretending," he admits quietly. "Not anymore."
Relief crashes into me so fast it almost knocks me off balance. The coil in my chest loosens just enough to let me breathe, even as a thousand new questions bloom underneath.
He hesitates, then steps closer.
"When I pulled away, it wasn’t because I didn’t want you, Ava. I pulled away because I did . Because it felt real, and I wasn’t ready for that."
"Claire was the last person I..." He trails off, a flicker of pain crossing his face, and I feel the weight of it settle in my chest.
His voice breaks off for a second. He steadies it. "Since she died, I haven’t let myself be close to anyone. Not like that."
I let out a shaky breath, trying to make sense of everything. His words sink in slowly, the weight of them pressing down on me. It wasn’t about me. It was about him. About everything he’s been carrying with Claire, and I didn’t see it.
“I didn’t know how much it was still hurting you,” I whisper, almost to myself. “I thought maybe you regretted what happened between us. I didn’t realize…”
I pause, feeling the weight of the words. “Thank you for being honest with me.”
Jackson runs a hand through his hair, eyes flicking to mine. “I didn’t mean to confuse you, Ava. I’m sorry,” he says, his voice rough.
My heart pounds as I take a step forward, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “I don’t want to rush you into anything you’re not ready for, Jackson. But I can’t keep pretending I don’t want more. I want this. I want you.”
“I want this, too,” he says, his eyes unwavering. “I’m not walking away from this, Ava. Not from you.”
He takes another step, so close now I can feel the heat of him. His hand lifts, hesitates for a breath, then traces my jaw with aching tenderness.
“Ava,” he says, his voice low and steady. His gaze locks onto mine, firm and sure.
“You make me feel things I didn’t think I could feel again," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "You make me remember what it means to truly let someone in. I want this, Ava. I want all of you."
He pauses and then, “Will you be my girlfriend?”
My breath catches, everything inside me tipping forward at once.
“Yes,” I whisper, my chest swelling with joy.
And in the next instant, his mouth claims mine in a kiss that’s nothing like I’ve experienced before.
It’s slow. Deep. Intentional. No hesitation. No pretense.
Just us.
The kiss deepens, and I melt against him. His fingers tighten at my waist, anchoring me there, like letting go isn’t an option anymore.
Everything about this feels different. Not a cover for anyone else’s eyes.
Just him. Just me.
When he finally breaks the kiss, his forehead rests against mine, both of us breathing hard.
“I need you,” he breathes, forehead pressed to mine. “All of you.”
Something in him breaks loose then. His mouth crashes back to mine, fiercer now. His hands slide under my shirt, every inch of skin he touches sets me on fire.
He lifts me, one arm under my legs, the other steadying my back, and I’m cradled against his chest.
"Bedroom," he murmurs.
"Yes," I whisper, breathless.
He carries me upstairs like I weigh nothing, gaze never leaving mine.
Jackson’s hands are everywhere, urgent yet tender, as if he can’t bear to wait another second. His kiss is deep and demanding, his tongue a warm intrusion that tastes of mint and something uniquely him.
I wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair.
“Ava,” he murmurs against my ear, his voice rough with need. “You have no idea what you do to me.” His words send a shiver down my spine, echoing my own need.
His hands slide down my back, gripping my hips with a strength that makes me feel both fragile and invincible. His lips trail down my neck, each touch setting fire to my skin, his stubble grazing softly. I lean into him, my body responding to his every movement.
“Tell me you want this,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice low and hoarse.
“I do, Jackson,” I whisper, my voice trembling but certain. “I want you.”
His hands move over me with intent, slowly undressing me, each touch sparking a fire. He takes his time, savoring the moment, and I can feel his hunger, his need, for more. It’s not long before my clothes are piled on the floor.
When he looks at me, I feel safe, truly seen, and wanted. His eyes grow dark as he takes me in, his fingers gently cupping my breasts. I gasp as he brushes a thumb over a nipple. He captures my mouth again, the kiss hungry and deep, like he’s trying to consume me, to claim every piece of me.
He gently steps back just enough to pull off his shirt, revealing that lean, sculpted frame I’ve dreamed about. His chest rises and falls with each quick breath, and I reach out, tracing the lines of his abs, the ridges of his shoulders.
“I want you so damn much,” he rasps, eyes intense, a mix of desire and vulnerability that steals my breath.
He kicks off his shoes, unbuckles his belt, and I help him with his pants, my fingers trembling as I push them down his legs. He’s already hard, straining against his boxers, and my breath catches.
“Ava,” he moans, then lifts me and carries me to the bed. He lays me down gently, eyes dark as he presses a kiss to my stomach, my thighs, each touch teasing but achingly tender.
As he kisses the inside of my thigh, I squirm, aching for him. I moan, my hands tangling in his hair. When he kisses my clit, I cry out, arching off the bed. His tongue traces patterns that make me shudder. His stubble scrapes softly against my sensitive skin.
“Jackson, please,” I whimper again, and he moans against me, the vibration tipping me closer to the edge. His fingers slip inside me, curling just right, and I cry out, my body tightening.
I need him now. Unable to wait any longer, I shift up and over him. His hands fly to my hips as I straddle him.
“Jesus, Ava,” he moans, his voice raw with hungry approval.
I position myself above him, my hands resting on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath, the hardness of his muscles beneath my palms. Slowly, torturously, I lower myself, inch by agonizing inch, my body crying out for the heat and pressure only he can provide.
The tip of his erection teases my entrance, and I pause, savoring the moment, our eyes never breaking contact.
"You’re so beautiful," Jackson whispers, his hands reaching up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks, sending a warm flush through me. "I want you, Ava. All of you."
His words sooth and ignite me all at once. I surrender to the moment, lowering myself fully onto him. His thickness fills me, stretches me, claims me. A soft moan escapes my lips, a mixture of pleasure and relief.
My hips move in a slow, sensual rhythm. With each thrust, I feel his length glide within me, sending sparks of pleasure through my nerves.
Jackson's hands roam, his touch both gentle and demanding. He cups my breasts, his thumbs circling my nipples, sending jolts of pleasure directly to my core. "You feel so good, Ava," he moans, his voice hoarse with desire.
I quicken my pace, my hips moving faster, harder, our bodies slick with sweat. I lean forward, my hands gripping his shoulders for leverage, our hearts pounding in unison.
I am close, so close, my body tightening around him. His hands grip my hips, guiding me, his thrusts becoming more urgent, more demanding. "Come for me, Ava," he mumurs, his voice a rough whisper.
With one final, deep thrust, my body trembles as a tidal wave of pleasure leaves me breathless. I cry out, my voice a mixture of joy and surrender.
"Ava," Jackson moans, his body tensing beneath me, his hands gripping my hips firmly as he finds his own release, his warmth spilling deep within me.
I collapse onto him, my forehead resting on his chest, our hearts still racing, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Jackson's arms wrap around me, holding me close, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to my hair.
"You okay?" he asks, his voice soft, concerned, his fingers tracing patterns on my back.
I nod, my cheek rubbing against his chest, the steady beat of his heart soothing.
Afterward, he pulls me closer, one strong arm locking around my waist, the other cradling the back of my head. I press my face to his chest, breath still ragged, and for a second, everything stops.
“You’ve made me feel things I didn’t think I could feel again, Ava. I never thought I’d be ready for something like this, but now I’m here, with you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I swallow hard, warmth blooming in my chest at the certainty in his voice. It’s not just the heat between us anymore. There’s trust now, too. The sense that we’re finally letting go of everything that’s held us back.
I lean into him, knowing I’m ready for what’s next.