Chapter 42
It had been hard to maintain eye contact with him all day. Every time she looked at Sébastien the memories from the previous night invaded her mind and she'd turn beet red. And the fact that he'd smirk knowingly every time didn't help either.
The whole thing made her feel different, yet she didn't know in what way. Like she'd become a different person but she knew she was still the plain old Ava from before. Even if there now was a pleasant ache between her legs.
She'd woken up that morning pressed into the mattress by a very heavy body half on top of her. Butterflies filled her when she thought of the way they'd spent their entire morning wrapped up in each other's arms until Sébastien had begrudgingly announced he had to get ready to leave.
George's son, Stanley, would be arriving today and Sébastien had agreed to pick him up at the airport, so she understood that it wasn't something he could postpone.
Watching him walk into the shower, she had half a thought of joining him in there but thought better of it.
She wasn't sure she was ready for that yet.
So instead she'd made her way to her own shower, or rather the shower in her old room, and met back up with him for breakfast. His knee bumped into hers a few times, making her suspect he did it on purpose.
"So what's he like?" she asked, trying to distract herself from the intrusive thoughts about his body that kept reappearing in her mind.
But Sébastien had been a little distracted himself, apparently. Even if he didn't seem like it. "Who?" he asked confusedly.
"Stanley, I mean. Is he nice?"
"Oh," he replied, clearing his throat. "Sure, he's nice. He's a few years older than me so we've never been particularly close and he's a very serious person. But he's nice, yeah."
"Did he live here too?" On the estate grounds, she meant. Luckily, Sébastien always seemed to understand her vague questions.
"Yes, George and his wife and son all lived in the house behind the garden but when Cora died Stan decided to spread his wings and set off to Europe," he said before taking another bite of his breakfast.
"But that means that George lost both his wife and his son at the same time?" Ava replied worriedly. She couldn't imagine having a family one moment and being alone the next. For her it was different, she'd always been alone. That was easier than knowing love and family and then ending up alone.
"No, there was some time in between. And George couldn't be happier for him, he just wants what's best for Stan," he assured her, making her worries lessen a bit. It still sounded sad for George, but she supposed Sébastien was here some of the time, at least.
"Where will he be staying?" she asked, hoping he wouldn't grow tired of her endless questions.
"I don't know yet. He's welcome to stay here or in a hotel but I think George turned his old room into a storage room for his woodworking."
"I think this place has more rooms than the local hotels," she mused quietly, causing him to laugh. "You might be right, it's ridiculous. My parents loved to have guests over so I guess all the rooms were used at some point."
"I don't even think I know enough people to fill all these rooms," she lightly joked. It wasn't too far from the truth, though. "Why don't you invite Everly over some time? You could have a sleepover or something," Sébastien suggested after thinking for a moment.
"A sleepover?" Ava replied confusedly.
"Yeah, you know, watch movies and stay up all night with your girl friends?" he explained patiently.
"That does sound fun," Ava replied after thinking it over for a bit. Even if she only had one friend. "Maybe I will, if that's okay with you?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" he smiled, making Ava mentally smack her head. Of course, he'd be okay with it, he's the one who suggested it. At least he didn't laugh at her stupidity.
"Right," she lightly laughed in embarrassment. "I'll ask Everly later," she said before getting up to clear out the table now that they were done eating. Sébastien followed her example by doing the same and together they could carry enough to only make one trip to the kitchen.
Once she carefully put everything down on the counter two hands grabbed her from behind and spun her around to face a smirking Sébastien. "You know," he started, "It's so fucking hard to keep my hands to myself when you're around."
The confession brought a fierce blush to Ava's face while she processed the words in her head. "I know the feeling," she replied with a small smile, causing Sébastien's smirk to turn into a smile of his own before he dipped down to kiss her.
His lips worked slowly as he lazily explored her lips as if it was the first time they kissed at all.
His hands matched the energy as they moved across her body, her neck, and her face.
Ava didn't hesitate to return the favor and explore his body in the same manner, stroking her hands over his chest and into his hair.
It didn't take long before it turned into something more heated, but how couldn't it? The aching between her legs turned more noticeable but she tried to ignore it as best she could. It was only when he pushed his pelvis against her that she noticed she wasn't the only one with that problem.
It was odd knowing that she had the same effect on him as he had on her, and she still found it a little difficult to believe. Even after they had slept together.
With a groan, Sébastien broke off the kiss but didn't let go yet. Ava only now noticed how heavy they were breathing and by the dark look in his eyes, she could only imagine what he was thinking about right now.
"You're going to be late," she whispered when he made no move to leave, knowing that he had to arrive at the airport in time to pick up Stan.
"He can take a taxi," he said absent-mindedly and more to himself than to Ava. But she shook her head and unwrapped herself from his strong arms. "You promised him," she reminded him. "You can't go back on that at the very last minute."
"I have more important things to do," he replied while reaching an arm around her waist to pull her back into him to kiss her neck, causing her to break out in giggles.
"Sébastien," she laughed in between breaths. "Just go."
He didn't react immediately, opting to continue his exploration of her neck instead. But she was right, he knew. And he did have to leave, even if he really, really wanted to do something else.
With a sigh, he gave her one final kiss before releasing her from his embrace. "I'll still be here when you get back," she offered up, causing him to smile again. "Good," he replied. "Because I do have plans with you."
The not-so-subtle promise caused her to turn red again, causing a satisfied grin to appear on his beautiful face before he turned to walk away. "See you later, Ava."
"Bye," she called after him. A few seconds later she heard the door close and she turned back to look at the counter. The dishes were still there and with a sigh, she set to work putting them all away. She already missed him.