Chapter 24
AVA
“I can’t believe you have a license,” I sigh.
“Why? You’ve taught me well,” Valen refutes while turning the wheel with the smoothness of a seasoned pro.
“You don’t have a legal one!” I screech. “Zav pulled it out of his ass for you.”
Valen gives a small smirk. “Actually, his friend who acquired it says it’s perfectly legitimate if I get pulled over.”
“Why didn’t you just wait and take the driving test for real? That way there’s nothing illegal about it. You know you’d pass,” I scoff.
“What is the fun in that? It was faster this way.” There’s a glint in his eye that does something funny to my stomach. I like seeing him like this—smiley and happy and acting like there’s no longer an immeasurable weight on his shoulders.
Rolling my eyes, I turn my attention to the window and watch the trees pass. “Zav is rubbing off on you. Shame. What other illegal activities will you get yourself involved in next?”
Valen shrugs like it’s a serious question. “I asked for a horse with wheels license.”
I don’t even bother correcting him at this point. It’s too adorable.
“Zavier also mentioned I might be interested in a pilot’s license, since I expressed interest in a sky bus.”
I cover my face with my hands. “I am not letting you fly a plane with no true license. Think again, buddy.”
When I lower my hands, I find him frowning. “Plane? Zavier said I was correct when I called it a sky bus.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “That’s because Zav is full of shit and you should never listen to him.”
“Noted.” He looks to me for confirmation that he used the expression in the correct way, and I nod.
We left for the adoption agency this afternoon. Valen insisted on driving for practice, although he’s an incredible driver and doesn’t need it. I can’t say I blame him for skipping the legal route and using Zav’s contacts to speed things up.
When I asked for the afternoon off, Captain Barnes didn’t seem worried. After finishing up my emails and ensuring he was set, I had Valen pick me up from Luna’s. There’s no way I was settling in for a mini-road trip without caffeine.
It’s an almost seven-hour drive to the edge of Wisconsin, and my nerves get worse the closer we get. I almost chickened out this morning, but Valen gave me a look while petting Pom Pom in his chair. He looked like an evil villain daring me to back out on our agreement.
Valen fiddles with the screen to turn music on. After he got driving down, he wanted to know more about the features of the car and technology. I’m still working on the whole contraction thing, but he’s always willing to learn.
“I’m sad about leaving Pom Pom behind,” Valen says suddenly. “What if Zav forgets to give him his nightly toothbrush treat?”
I can’t help my giggle. He and the Pomeranian have been inseparable. I hope when I come into my powers I can feel the familiar’s emotions like Jade can.
“You left him notes around the house and have called three times already. I don’t think he’s going to forget, sweetie.” I pat his arm and pull out my phone.
Scrolling through, I see a text of encouragement from all three girls. They know today is tough for me. Settling into my seat since we have many hours ahead, I pick an audiobook and throw my earbuds in. I close my eyes and try to think about anything but what lies ahead.
“Ava.”
A gentle shake wakes me up. I blink wearily to find Valen standing on my side of the car with the door open.
“What’s going on?” I rub the sleep from my eyes and wipe the drool from the side of my face.
Ew.
“I stopped at a hotel like we discussed. I’m not sure how to get a room, though, and need assistance.” He rubs the back of his neck and backs away so I can unfurl from the car.
Stretching with a yawn, I feel multiple things crack.
Looking around, I see it’s almost pitch-black outside. I must’ve passed out, but I’m not surprised after last night. I tossed and turned, so much so that I’m not sure Valen slept either.
Lights illuminate the name of the hotel, and I nod in approval at Valen’s choice. I gave him a list of chains that were okay to stop at, and he happened to pick my favorite one.
“Let’s grab our bags and I’ll get us checked in.”
Having packed light, I make to grab my tote, but Valen stops me in my tracks.
He hoists the bag over his shoulder and gestures for me to walk in front of him.
This big man carrying my pastel pink bag is a funny sight.
Blushing, I move forward, but he stops me.
I give a confused look, and he holds his hand out with a grabby motion.
“This?” I place my hand in his and he nods. A smile curves my lips.
After Spencer, I didn’t plan on dating for a while.
My heart felt too fragile. While the split was a mutual decision, it didn’t make it any less sad.
The last thing I expected was to have a mate show up and somehow, even though I kept him at arm’s length for a while, chisel at my walls and worm his way into my heart.
Hand in hand, we mosey into the quiet lobby. Check-in goes quickly, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t internally kick my feet when Valen said we only needed one bed. We’ve been sleeping together almost every night, but I still didn’t want to assume.
Our room is on the fifth floor, and I slide the key card into the door and push it open when the light flashes green. It’s a modest room with a loveseat, king-size bed, desk area, and generic art on the wall. The window showcases a sprawling view of the parking lot.
I collapse onto the bed with a groan. “I know I just woke up, but I’m so tired.
” I’m not sure if Valen can understand the muffled words, but the bed dips down with his added weight.
His scent envelops me, and I instantly relax at the soft touch of his hand on my back.
I turn my head to look at his gorgeous face.
Dark wavy hair cascading over his forehead and warm chocolatey brown eyes. Full lips that look like they were carved by a Greek sculptor along with his cheekbones and muscled body.
“It’s a stressful trip, and you’ve worried yourself to the point of exhaustion.” Valen hands over a plastic bag I missed earlier and plops it down next to me. “I grabbed some snacks I’ve seen you eat from the gas station. I didn’t want you going to bed hungry.”
Sitting up and crossing my legs, I froth at the mouth at the sugary sweets and treats inside. It surprises me how much Valen notices about me without me saying a word.
“If you want something else, I can search for sustenance,” Valen backtracks, mistaking my silence for upset.
“No, no this is perfect. Thank you, Valen. It’s very thoughtful of you.” I smile and tear into a pack of peanut M&M’s. Valen nods and heads to the bathroom to set up his toiletries.
It’s almost like teaching a toddler, showing him the ins and outs of daily life.
Coming from an angelic warrior background, I’m sure our mundane human tasks aren’t anywhere near what he’s used to.
The first time he brushed his teeth, he swallowed the toothpaste, and I almost called poison control before remembering he’s immortal.
He walks back into the room and plugs his phone in to charge on the nightstand. He’s changed into a set of flannel pajama pants and a plain black T-shirt.
“Bathroom is open for you.” He settles on the bed with his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle. His bare feet stick out, and I hold in drool at the sight of the muscled arm he places behind his head for support.
God, everything about this man is enticing.
“Okay.” I mentally slap myself. “After I finish this five-course meal, I’ll shower. I don’t want to stink for tomorrow.”
Valen pulls a book out of his bag and starts reading while I munch. He had a bag of blood before we left and has a spare, should he need it.
After I down the last of my chip crumbs, I brush off my hands. “All right, I’m going to shower.”
“Do not drown,” Valen replies in a monotone voice.
“Hilarious,” I call out before shutting the door.
My shower is uneventful, with no risk of drowning, but I’m left with my thoughts, which isn’t always the best thing.
The tile is cool against my forehead as I rest it against it. Water travels down my body in steady trails, reminding me of the constant rain plaguing Chicago.
Deciding I’ve wasted enough time, I turn off the shower and dry myself. The hotel towel is on the scratchy side, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’m a bit of a bougee bitch when it comes to my things. It’s why I brought my own blanket to use.
I rub condensation off the mirror and stare at my reflection. Limp pink hair, tired eyes, and a heart full of hope and worry. I look like a swamp monster. Grabbing my skincare, I go about my routine and attempt to bring some life back into myself.
A knock on the door startles me, and I pull it open to find Valen.
“Are you okay? You’ve been in there a while.” He tilts his head at me. Whenever he does that, he reminds me of an inquisitive puppy.
“Yeah, sorry. Just lost in my thoughts.” I feign a smile, but it falls flat.
Valen catalogs my face with his eyes before grabbing my hand. “Let’s meditate and get your mind off everything. Maybe it’ll help with your powers too.”
I follow him to the bed where we sit facing each other and place my hands in his.
We both close our eyes like we’ve done in the past, and I try to focus on our breaths.
His thumb rubs my hand in slow circles, and I find it hard to think about anything but that.
Mission accomplished in getting my mind off things, but now my thoughts stray elsewhere into dangerous territory.
Inching closer until our knees touch, I feign innocence.
I don’t open my eyes, but I feel his gaze on me.
For a second I think he’s going to question me, but he doesn’t.
Ever so slowly, I slide my hands up to his wrists, then his forearms, then his biceps, and finally around his shoulders.
In the time it takes for this to happen, I end up on Valen’s lap when he eases me into it.
“What are you doing?” Valen finally breathes. “This doesn’t feel like meditation.”
“Neither does your little friend down there pushing against my leg,” I counter and wiggle against his hardening cock. Valen groans in my ear, and I wish I could keep the sound on hand to repeat whenever I please.
“Naughty witch.” I hear the smile in his voice and grin against his ear. Nipping at his earlobe, I take a chance and ease him down to the bed with me sitting astride him.
Giving Valen the chance to say no, I ease his T-shirt up his body and pull it over his head. He helps me when I clumsily get it stuck on his arm, and then he’s laid out before me bare chested.
His body trembles beneath my fingers as I slide them ever so gently down his bare, scar-flecked chest.
What must he have endured to have that many scars as a vampire?
“Is this okay?” I ask softly. It’s against my nature to be so quiet, so gentle, but I know with Valen, I have to be. His trauma is unimaginable, and even the fact that we’re mates doesn’t change that.
He gives a shaky nod. “Y-Yes.” The word stutters out of him.
“Are you sure?”
He nods. “Don’t stop. It feels good.”
I slide my fingers farther down his chest to his ripped stomach.
God, he’s beautiful. Every muscle perfectly curved. His body hard and unyielding but still soft in the way his fingers curl around the back of my thigh. I shiver at his touch, my nipples pebbling.
I wish I was wearing more than a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top with no bra. Somehow, I feel more bare than if I were naked.
“I want to make you feel good,” I admit. “Do you trust me?”
Valen nods, and I slide down his body, trailing my fingertips as I go. He tenses, not in an uncomfortable way, but in anticipation.
“Thank you for your trust. I know it has to be earned, and I hope you know I’d never hurt you,” I whisper, kissing his wrist. “This goes at your pace.”
Valen’s strong hand tangles in my hair and cradles my head with utmost care.
“Thank you for being okay with a broken mate who is still healing.” He looks at me like I hung the moon, and I melt.
I’m not sure what I did to deserve this sweet vampire, but I’m thankful for whatever entity made him mine.
Instead of replying, I ease his bottoms and underwear down. His cock springs out of its confines and lays against his stomach in all its glory.
“Damn.” I salivate at the sight before me. Beautifully veined and long, his cock is gorgeous, if one could be labeled as such. My core clenches at the thought of it inside me, but today is not that day. It’s about him.
I lightly brush a finger across the head of his cock, and he hisses in response.
“What are you doing?” He pants out and I look at him from beneath my lashes.
“You’ll see.” I plant kisses along his shaft. “Please, let me know if you want me to stop at any point.” Once he nods his agreement, I continue.
His cock strains the more I tease, and the flushed head grows impossibly bigger. I stroke his inner thighs and lick along the crown. Valen growls and pushes toward my mouth with need.
“Ava,” he gasps in a needy whimper.
Having this man at my mercy is quite the turn on. Putting him out of his misery, I take him deep in my throat and suck. Valen pulls on my hair in a way that shoots straight to my pussy. Moaning, I lick with fervor.
“I’m going to come, Ava.” He tries to pull my mouth away, but I remain steadfast. “I can’t … I can’t hold it anymore.”
Seconds later, hot cum jets down my throat, and I swallow it all.
“Fuck!” Valen exclaims and collapses against the bed.
A dribble of cum falls out of the side of my lips, and he lifts a weak hand to wipe it away.
“Sorry,” he says sheepishly. “I know that wasn’t long, but I couldn’t hold out. I always seem to be on the edge of my sanity when it comes to you.”
Climbing back up so we’re face to face, I smile at him. “I enjoyed every minute of it. Was that okay?”
Valen pulls me down so I’m sprawled on his bare chest and runs his nose along mine before nuzzling my throat.
“Feel free to do that whenever you’d like to me.” He licks my throat. “You have ruined me, Ava McGuire. How lucky I am to be yours.”
“That’s my line,” I whisper and cuddle closer to him.
We settle in for the night, and I curl around the man I didn’t know was made for me and yet I thank the world every day for.