5. Avery
Chapter five
Avery
I sit back in the lawn chair as a contented sigh leaves my lips. The pool area has special lights across the ceiling, mimicking a sunny day. It’s warm in here so if I close my eyes, I can convince myself I’m sunbathing outside in the summer heat instead of sitting next to an indoor pool. The only thing taking me out of my fantasy is the smell of the chlorine from the pool.
I bite my bottom lip as I read my book, hoping no one notices the way my cheeks are warming up. The main characters are enemies who are about to fuck for the first time. It’s all harsh touches and biting remarks, yet the chemistry between them is hot as fire. It’s not something I would enjoy in real life but it’s fun to read about it in fiction.
As they start to kiss, my mind drifts back to my dream. The black wolf who stalked me reminds me of the main character of this book, yet I somehow know my wolf has a soft center. He wouldn’t actually hurt me or bite me without my permission. And oh my gods, why am I calling him my wolf? He’s not even real! I cannot be pining over a dream !
I set my book down and take out my phone. Something passes in front of one of the windows and I startle, seeing the man who’s staying in the cabin next to me.
I made a complete and utter fool of myself this morning. We reached for the same mug and bumped hands. That simple touch left me breathless and I could barely rub two brain cells together to form simple words. The moment he was distracted, I did the only logical thing I could think of, I fucking ran for the hills!
Up close, he was somehow even hotter than when he was bent over the hood of his car. His eyes are a dark brown color that seemed to look right into my very soul. His voice was so gentle yet deep and rough around the edges. I could have listened to him talk about anything and I would have been content. If I was a writer, he’d be my new muse.
He’s carrying a toolbox as he heads towards one of the cabins. Not only is he good with cars, but apparently the man is good with his hands in general. I wonder what else those hands would be good for. Great, there goes my mind again.
Thankfully, I’m pulled from my thoughts by my phone ringing. I see Ellie’s name and smile.
“Hello?”
“Avery! Hi! How’s everything so far? Is the room as cute as we hoped it would be? You forgot to send me any pictures! Have you met anyone yet?”
I can’t help but chuckle at my best friend’s rapid fire questions. I wait until she finally stops rambling.
“Okay, so which question do you want answered first?”
Ellie groans. “All of them!”
“Everything so far is going super well. The free coffee here is amazing and they have this little coffee bar filled with different creamers and syrups and whipped cream so every morning I plan on trying a different combination. Yes, the rooms are incredibly cute and super comfy. They’re decorated for Christmas which makes them even cuter. I love them. Umm, what else did you ask?”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s all good and lovely,” Ellie says, letting out a groan of frustration. “But you’re dodging the most important question of them all, Avery! Have you met someone?”
I’m suddenly struck with the question of whether or not to tell Ellie about the dream I had last night. On the one hand, it was kinda hot and dreamy. On the other hand, it was a fucking dream . That’s not real and the wolf was simply a figment of my imagination, nothing more.
“The owners of the lodge are adorable. They remind me of a modern day Santa and his twinky elf. Someday I want us to come to this place together during the summer time. I think you’d adore it.”
“Fuck Santa and his twinky elf!” Ellie says and it startles a chuckle from me. I don’t know how she puts up with my dodging but she always does. “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”
I bite my bottom lip before finally admitting, “Okay, so there’s this one guy.”
I pull the phone away from my ear as Ellie lets out a delighted squeal. Fuck, she can hit some high notes when she has the right motivation.
“You have to tell me everything ! Have you spoken? Was it love at first sight? Is this going to turn into some dreamy, true mate love story?”
I smile at her use of dreamy. She doesn’t know the half of it. I start off by telling her the truth.
“We’ve barely spoken and I doubt I even made that much of an impression. He’s staying in the cabin next to mine. When I first arrived, he was bent over his car, giving me the most wonderful view of his backside.”
Ellie snickers. “Ass. You were staring at his ass.”
“Yeah. That,” I say, shaking my head even though there’s no way for her to see me. “And then this morning during breakfast, we reached for the same coffee mug and our hands brushed against each other.”
This time Ellie responds with a dramatic gasp. “Oh my gods! That’s like from a proper rom-com, Avery!”
“If you say so,” I murmur, feeling my cheeks heat again as I think about the way I responded. “We made small talk and then someone came over to talk to him and I used it as an opportunity to umm.” I cough slightly before blurting out, “run away.”
“You didn’t!”
“I did,” I tell her with a wince. “You know how I get around hot people! I feel my brain turn into mashed potatoes and I can’t think straight. Plus, there’s no fucking way someone with lip piercings and a neck tattoo would be interested in me. He’s like proper hot, Ellie!”
Ellie grumbles. “First of all, fuck off with all that. Don’t talk about my bestie like that. Second of all, you’re a smoke show! Anyone would be lucky to get their hands on you.”
“Fine,” I say dramatically. “I’ll be nice to myself.” Then I quickly add, “and thanks.”
“No need to thank me for speaking the truth! You’re gonna get yourself a lucky alpha who can not only handle every part of you but also celebrates it. So next time you see that lovely man with the neck tattoo and cute butt, I want you to smile and wave. Okay?”
I blow out a long breath. “Fine. But only because you’re making me, not because I actually want to talk to him.”
“Mhmm,” Ellie hums and I can hear the way she’s smiling. “I love you. You deserve this. You deserve to be free and let loose and have some fun. Okay?”
“Okay.” Gods, I don’t know what I’d do without Ellie in my life and I’m so fucking glad I’ll never have to know. “Now, let’s talk about one of these books you’ve sent my way.”
Ellie lets out a delighted giggle as we jump into discussing this enemies to lovers romance book.