Chapter Twenty-four
River
I’m taking her to see the house, well, what there is of it so far, sooner rather than later.
She wants me, I know she does, but she can’t let go of the past. So, I need to change the past for her; I need to show her that even when she thought I hated her, even when I was being a complete shit, she was it for me.
There’s never been a time when I haven’t loved Ava Travers, she’s always been my dream woman.
I just need to find a way of proving it to her.
Right now, the house is all I have; the house I’ve been building — in my head — for five years.
The house that has everything she loves.
Every page she’s marked in a magazine, every comment she’s made, every small inconsequential detail she’s ever given has all been put into this design.
“River, you got a minute?” I look up to see my stepdad standing in my doorway.
I’ve got a lot to thank Richard for; not only has he made my mom incredibly happy, but he’s made my life so much easier.
As soon as I graduated, he paid off all my student loans, and he’s treated me like a son from the moment he met me.
It’s one of the many reasons it took me so long to give into my feelings for Ava, why I denied our happiness.
Telling him is not going to be easy, but it’s something I’ll gladly do to spend the rest of my life with her.
“Of course, Richard. What can I do for you? Everything alright?” It’s not unheard of for him to stop by and see me, but it’s rare enough that today’s visit is a surprise.
“I heard about the awards last night. I wanted to come and congratulate you, to tell you how proud I am of the man you’ve become.”
Ah shit.
“I know you and Ava don’t always get along.” We were getting on just fine an hour ago when she was spread out on my desk, the very desk you’re currently leaning against.
“But I want you to know that I see you as family. I know you don’t need a father; you were twenty-four when you walked into our lives, but I still see you as my son, and I’m incredibly proud of you, River. Incredibly proud.”
His timing couldn’t be worse. I’ve just gone down on his daughter, her panties are currently stuffed in my pocket, and I’m quite sure her scent is still all over me.
Right now, him calling me his son is like I’m stabbing him in the back.
I’m quite sure he’d hate me if he knew. It’s something I’m prepared for — it will hurt, probably more than I thought if today’s conversation is anything to go by, but there’s no doubt in my mind that she’s worth it.
She’s worth everything.
***
River: Where are we staying tonight?
Ava: Does it need to be together?
River: What do you think?
Ava: I think you won’t leave me alone
River: You’re learning
River: If you come to mine, I’ll cook for you. Italian
Ava: Meet you there in thirty?
River: See you soon, pipsqueak, and pack for the weekend. Once you’re in my bed I’m not letting you out
Ava: Make it thirty-five. I’ll need to buy cranberry juice on the way
I laugh out loud as her last message comes through to me, and a few people look my way in the grocery store. I’m buying the ingredients for my Nonna’s meatballs. Tonight, I’m pulling out the big guns.
***
“Can I help at all?” Ava sits on a stool at the breakfast island watching me while I chop some herbs.
“I’ve got it covered; you just sit there and relax.”
“I feel useless. Don’t get me wrong, the view is nice” — she smirks at me — “but I feel I should be doing something.”
I’m still in my suit pants and shirt, my jacket discarded and my sleeves rolled up. I’ve learned that my girl has a thing for forearms, she’s not taken her eyes off them while I’ve been preparing dinner.
“How about you open a bottle of wine and pour us both a glass?” She hops off her stool and wanders over to my wine rack.
“Red okay with you?”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
“Hmm, I like all of these,” she muses.
You should, they’re all your favorites.
“You have a very good wine selection,” she quips, looking through the drawers for a corkscrew.
“That one there,” I say pointing to the drawer that she needs.
“Is it a coincidence that every bottle is one of my favorites?”
“No.”
“That’s what I thought.”
She pours us two glasses of wine and places mine down next to the board where I’m currently chopping the oregano.
“Is it finally making its way through that thick skull of yours that I love you and I always have?”
“Maybe,” she whispers into her glass.
I lean towards her and place a kiss on her forehead, lingering for a few seconds and breathing in her delicious scent.
“I’ll take a maybe, it’s better than the no we were at a few weeks ago.”
Ava
The most delicious smell has filled River’s apartment; I’ve not tasted it yet, but my mouth is already watering.
He’s a fantastic cook and I am totally here for anything he dishes up.
I also love watching him, there’s something inherently sexy about a man who can cook, and one that looks the way River does is the Holy Grail.
“Please tell me it’s nearly ready,” I groan. “I don’t think I can take this smell and not taste it for much longer.”
“Two minutes, pipsqueak.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” I jump up from my stool and get the plates and utensils to set the table. “How long have you lived here?” I ask as I hand him the plates to dish up.
“Two years, but I’ll be moving in about a year.”
“What? Where?”
“I’m having a house built.” He scoops a large spoonful of the meatballs onto a plate, and I’m momentarily distracted by how delicious it looks.
“A house? How am I just hearing about this now?”
“I haven’t told anyone. It’s something I’ve kept close to me, but I’d like to take you to see it.”
“Yes!” I squeal. “I would love that.”
“Good. Now take your seat — dinner’s ready. And the sooner we eat, the sooner I can get you into bed.”
My pussy clenches at his words, she’s a complete slut for the man in front of us. She doesn’t care about anything that’s happened between us over the years. All she cares about is being filled by his beautiful, giant cock. The problem is that I’m starting to agree with her.