Chapter 25
25
OLIVER
It’s a moment I’ve thought about countlessly over the years.
Her taste, the touch of her lips on mine, how soft they’d be. Would she be gentle and follow or assertive and in control of every moment? Every lash of tongues and gasp of air from one mouth to another.
I was a kid when I first imagined holding her like this. I preened under her attention back then, even when there wasn’t much more than a timid, friendly smile tossed in my direction. She was completely unavailable to me, but that didn’t mean shit to an overeager teenage boy.
I still held out hope that once our age gap wasn’t so daunting, she would realize that she could be into me if she gave herself that chance. Obviously, that didn’t happen. My hopes crashed and burned, and I shut those feelings down hard immediately after. I was too young, too inexperienced and na?ve, and she was mature and had better things to do than slum it with an underage guy. But I’d have still done anything for her. That’s only become more evident now.
I’m lost to her. A total fucking sucker for the woman in my arms who’s telling me to kiss her like she hasn’t just walked back into my life and shook it all up.
Fuck the pranks and the beating around the bush. I’m not losing her again. This is a redemption as obvious as ever. My second chance to seize the life I dreamed up ten years ago.
It’s a bit different than I imagined back then, but even wishing she’d never gotten with Chris doesn’t sit well. Not when he gave her Nova and, in turn, brought her into my life.
Blocking out thoughts of the man who got to spend the past few years with my Avery, I inhale another breath of her scent and slip my hand from her hair to hold her face.
She’s waiting, every blink of her lashes antsy. I nearly give in and kiss her, but this isn’t where I want it to happen.
“I’m a picky bastard when it comes to you, princess. Our kiss isn’t happening in the station’s gym with my squad members outside the door. And not when you’re using it as a bargaining chip.”
“What?”
The rejection in her eyes is a blade to the gut. It’s the last thing I want to see, but fucking hell, I’ve waited long enough for this, I’m going to make sure it’s perfect.
“When I kiss you, it’s going to be when we’re alone and you’re ready for what it means for me to taste you on my lips. I’m not going to do it just for fun,” I explain as softly as possible.
She shakes my hand from her face and takes a generous yet reluctant step back. My stubborn girl lets her claws out, anger turning her chest and neck red. “I’m glad it’s all up to you.”
“I’ll always make sure your thoughts, wants, and feelings are heard, Avery, but this one thing isn’t up for negotiation.”
“Because you say so? Yeah, that’s not going to work for me. I don’t want to play games, Oliver, and I don’t allow anyone to make decisions for me. If that’s what you’re doing, then you’re right about us not taking that step.”
Her statement shouldn’t make me hard, but I’m painfully so, my jeans suddenly a size too tight in the crotch. “I’m not playing games.”
She glares at me, filling the gap between our bodies with invisible spears that I’d bet she’s hoping I’ll impale myself on.
“I’m not some young girl who’s been saving her kiss for a movie-worthy moment. I want spontaneous and emotion. It doesn’t matter if we’re on the top of the Eiffel Tower or in a dark alley behind some grungy bar. If I say I want to be kissed, then I damn well want to be kissed?—”
One long stride and I’m eagerly throwing myself onto those spears of hers. Her cheeks are hot beneath my palms, but her lips are hotter. The first brush of them against mine yanks a groan from deep in my chest, desire swelling from the pit inside of me that’s been buried for years.
She leans up into me, eyes shut and mouth eager. There’s more to her kiss than desire or interest. It’s acceptance, a release of the tight grip she’s kept on her emotions for years. Since she became a mother, no doubt.
She gives in to me, and I move my mouth against hers with a million silent promises. Care, affection, service. Anything she wants, I’d give her. There’s no point in beating around the bush about it.
Avery Miller didn’t stumble back into my life; she was shoved by something bigger than us.
For a guy that’s never given much of a shit about that kind of thing before, it feels pretty fucking significant to do so now.
“You’re used to calling all the shots. Making the decisions and bearing the consequences of the ones that aren’t always appreciated. But this right here . . .” I exhale against her mouth. “You’ve just given me permission to step in to share those responsibilities of yours. I tried to give you the chance to think about it, but you chose to be a brat instead.”
Her pupils widen, the blue around them sparkling. “A brat, hmm? ”
“A beautiful one that has me all out of sorts.” I nip her bottom lip almost in punishment. “Do you know how long you’ll be without a car?”
“Not yet. Really, I can just use an Uber until I’ve got everything figured out. You don’t have to loan me your SUV.”
I kiss her before she can add to that answer with something that won’t help her case. Dipping my hand to cup her waist, I tuck her against my front, beyond pleased with how well she curves into me. A perfect fit.
“My SUV is far better than an Uber. For tonight, I’m sure my mom will love to see Nova before her first ballet class Wednesday.”
“She’s not busy with other things? I don’t mind taking an Uber.”
“Did you get Nova’s booster seat from your car?”
She stares behind me, frowning. “No. I didn’t think about it. Shit, how did I not think about that? It should have been the one thing I made sure to grab.”
“I’ve got one in mine. If you’re okay with my mom coming to get the two of you, I’ll load it in her car before you leave.”
She pinches her brows together. “Did you go out and buy one? Tell me how much it was?—”
Her words die off when I press my thumb to her lower lip and curl my pointer finger below her chin, tipping her head back slightly. “You’re going to drive me mad.”
“Is that a surprise to you?” she breathes out.
“Not at all.”
A tentative hand slips between our bodies and presses over my sternum. Her throat bobs. “You’re serious about this, right?”
“What is ‘this,’ exactly?”
She huffs an exhale. “Us, Oliver. You and me. Because with Nova involved, you can’t just decide in a couple of days or weeks that you change your mind. If you let her get close to you, she’ll be heartbroken if you leave.”
“You really need to ask me that?”
Her fingers curl in my shirt, clutching onto it. “Just answer.”
I tap the underside of her chin and hold her stare, hoping to fuck she can see my sincerity.
“You’re not the type of woman to believe words. You need to see action in addition to spoken promises, and I’m more than up for the task of proving myself to you. All I need is the chance to do that.”
“How do you know me so well already?”
I almost laugh. “I’ve had a long time to learn.”
“You keep saying those things but not explaining. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume you used to have a crush on me when we were kids.”
A cough gets stuck in my throat, and I retreat a step with my fist thumping my chest. Heat burns the skin of my neck and chest, but I don’t blush. Fuck me, I haven’t done that shit in years. Not until Avery came back into my life.
“Oliver?” She looks like she’s holding in one hell of a laugh, and I scowl back at her. Realization hits when I don’t deny her accusation. “Wait, did you have a crush on me?”
“Does it really matter now?”
“Yes! Are you kidding me? How long? When?”
“I’m not getting into that story here.”
I’ve never wanted a call to come in so fucking bad. I’m not even picky on what the call is as long as I can get out of here before she forces me to divulge all of my secrets.
“Don’t close up on me now! I had no idea?—”
A knock at the door cuts her off, and while it’s not a call, it does the job. Avery frowns at the interruption, but I seize it, rushing toward the door and opening it before she can stop me.
Adams is waiting, arms crossed and expression eager. He leans to the side and smiles at Avery over my shoulder before shoving me out of the way and stepping through the doorway.
“Avery, I assume? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’d have been here to welcome you to the station, but I was on a call,” he says, extending his hand for her to shake.
I loom over them like a statue, keeping my eyes sharp and focused on Adams. The guy’s a good friend, but he loves to get a rise out of me. Pulling the moves on Avery despite his shitty marriage to do so isn’t a line he wouldn’t cross.
Avery takes his hand. “It’s nice to meet you too . . .”
“Brent Adams. Bateman’s best friend,” he says.
“Not my best friend, and watch it.”
I tug on his wrist until he releases Avery’s hand.
He grins like a crazy person, clutching his wrist to his chest. “If the lieutenant here ever gets to be too much, I’m only one locker away.”
“I’d love to meet your wife sometime,” Avery replies, tone sharp, smile saccharine. “Does she come around here often?”
Adams blows out a long, loud breath. “Damn, girl. I don’t know why Oliver’s been having us drive past your house after calls. I think you’re a woman who can take care of herself.”
“Brave of you to assume anything about me so soon,” she says, but it’s me she’s looking at.
Instead of being annoyed with my overprotective ways, she looks pleased. Flattered, even. Fuck, my throat tightens at that expression.
“Gonna continue to do it, princess,” I say.
“A text would work the same,” she teases.
“No it wouldn’t.” Not even close.
Adams tosses an arm around my shoulder, the bulky bicep weighing me down. “I did interrupt for a reason other than meeting your girl, Lieutenant. Captain’s wondering where you are. Wants to have a chat with you.”
“Thanks.”
I shrug off his arm and take Avery’s hand before looking down at her one last time in this room.
“Call my mom and take Nova home. I’m off again starting Wednesday morning.”
She tips her chin, giving my hand a squeeze. “Thank you for taking care of Nova.”
“Anytime, Avery. And I mean that. ”
“I know.” The corner of her mouth lifts before she’s slipping out of the room and crouching beside her daughter at the kitchen table.
“That’s the one, huh?” Adams asks, standing beside me now, staring at the same scene I am.
“Yeah, that’s the one.”