*Ava’s POV*It’s late when Ellie and I get back to her apartment. We were going to go to my place, but I still don’t feel safe in my own home. Texting with Seymore had been the highlight of my evening. While Ellie flirted with every guy at the bar, I spent the night shutting myself off to the noise and drunken fun and scrolling through my phone.I now have a bunch of new books to read on my book app, and it kept me away from the unwanted attention of the bar patterns.“Wasn’t that fun?” Ellie asks, throwing her stuff on the floor by the door and kicking off her shoes.“Sure, lots of fun,” I reply, trying not to sound too ungrateful at my friend's attempt to cheer me up.She pauses in front of me and sighs.“You asked me to keep you from thinking about Seymore and this mess with Conner. The only thing that comes to mind is a night out at the bar,” she huffs, throwing her hands up on her hips like a disappointed parent.“I know, and I appreciate it. I just don’t do the whol
*Seymore’s POV*I look down at the tracking app and am shocked to find the wrong car stalking around Ava’s condo. I had thought Conner was having another go, but the blip is the tracker Marcus had planted on the tail earlier. The only reason I set it to Ava’s block is because I see him sitting outside Dr. Davies’ office a lot. “What would he be doing over there?” Marcus wonders, saying the question in my head out loud. “I have no idea,” I reply.“Should we go check on her place?” he continues.“No, the girls were at the bar when I messaged a little while ago. Let’s see if he hangs out or if he moves on.”I watch the app more than the television as we finish the pizza and Marcus’ show comes to an end. The stranger had moved on, but not very far. He drove about fifteen minutes away to another part of town. His house maybe? After looking up the address, I found an apartment community on the map.He sits there for what feels like forever before suddenly speeding away. “W
Last night was horrible. I was sweating and had a terrible headache. It was like swearing off sex for the first time, only worse. Contrary to what people think, those of us with sex addiction also go through withdrawals. Some medications can help, but they only take the edge off.I had gone to bed early after we got back from Doc’s. My head was pounding as I longed for Ava. Reading was impossible, so all I could do was lie in my bed and sweat it out.This morning was way better. I woke up with a song in my heart and felt better than I had in days. I think Ava’s text about looking forward to seeing me had a profound effect. I rushed Marcus through breakfast and took off a good ten minutes before him. I gave him the route I planned on taking and said goodbye. As I pull up to Ellie’s apartment complex, I put the Range Rover in park and wait. I’m not sure what building she’s coming out of, so I sit and anxiously look up and down the row of buildings. I don’t have to wait long, as Av
*Ava’s POV*Dinner had been perfect. A lovely Italian restaurant tucked away in a little line of unsuspecting shops was the right choice. I’ve smelled the food while walking by before but never had a reason to go in. Seymore had put in work and chose a great place for a date. I love that he hadn’t looked for an expensive place where he could have flashed money around. Now we’re standing in front of my door and he asked to kiss me. I was hoping he would, as I think I’m ready to let fate take over and see where things go. I closed my eyes as he slid his hand into my hair and leaned in.Then it happened. Not the kiss, but Anne running up yelling for me, ruining our moment. I can tell Seymore is frustrated, and I share his disappointment. But Anne has a good reason for interrupting us. Conner was in the condo while I was away.“You stay here with Anne, I’m going to make sure it’s safe,” Seymore says while I unlock the door. He slips inside, leaving me in the hallway. “He’
*Seymore’s POV*What the hell just happened? As I sit in the Range Rover and watch Ava storm into the building, I’m overcome with a mixture of emotions. Was she not just telling me she’s going back to Conner? I pull out my phone and text Ellie.“I don’t know what’s going on, but Ava just told me she was getting back with Conner and then stormed out of my car when I told her I wouldn’t allow it,” I texted.A few minutes pass before she texts me back.“I worked late, and now you and Ava are texting me as if the world is on fire. Yes, you pissed her off,” Ellie replies. I sit in a state of confusion as I wait for another text. My phone tells me she’s typing, but it’s taking her forever.“Maybe try listening to what she’s actually telling you and not only hearing what your man brain is saying. She isn’t getting back with Conner. He wants to try again, but she is in no way interested. You pissed her off by both assuming and not hearing what she was saying,” comes the reply.
I dig through my closet looking for my best suit. Today is a special day. I had left Ava’s last night knowing she’s just as invested in making things work as I am. The kiss she gave me after her gift still lingers on my lips, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t wait to experience more. I find what I’m looking for and get ready. Everything has to be perfect as I begin exacting revenge against Conner Brown. Marcus and I grab a quick bite to eat, even though the excitement makes eating difficult. I make sure to pull through a carwash before heading to Better Car Imports. That’s where Conner works, and I made an offer to the owner that he couldn’t refuse just two days earlier. Once the owner found out he was speaking to the heir to the Lewis empire, he was quick to make a deal.Once I finish here, I will send the company information to the family business manager. He will add Better Car Imports to the already lengthy list of auto lots the Lewis family owns. I pull into t
*Ava’s POV*“Honestly, I wanted to stay mad at Seymore. I spent the day fuming over his attempt to control me. I could justify my anger, especially after years of putting up with Conner’s controlling ways. The man had followed me home, begging for me to talk to him. I felt good about leaving him on the stoop, sulking in his guilt. Then I opened my door and saw the flowers all over my condo. Not just any flower, but lilacs.” “Where’s Seymore?” Ellie had asked, coming down the hall from the bathroom.“On the stoop,” I replied, causing her to narrow her eyes at me.“She was the reason I went down and made up with the man I had spent the day scorning. Ellie made me feel awful about my behavior, but I already felt bad after seeing what he went through to make things up to me. Then he gave me the book. A valuable piece of art on its own, making me feel worse.” “And you made up with him?” Sophia asks as we sit in the restaurant waiting for our food.I’ve been talking her ear off
*Seymore’s POV*Ava sits next to me on the couch and I close my eyes in an effort to control the demon within. I want to hold her, but I don’t know if I can control myself if I do. She smells so good, and I’ve had nothing but lustful thoughts all night because of her short, green dress. While in the museum, I had thought about dragging her into one of the dark corners and convincing her to fool around with me. I don’t know when Ava got up, she went to grab something to eat and left it in front of us, but my eyes pop open as I feel her brush against my legs while passing by and my hands shot up and pull her down to my lap.She freezes but doesn’t pull away. I know this was a very bold move by me, but I needed to make a move before I lose her again. She doesn’t move, I worry a bit but she swallows hard and then takes a deep breath.The warmth of her womanhood can be felt through my slacks, causing me to look hungrily at her. Any thoughts of keeping my hands off of her fade away
***Three Months LaterThe last few months have been a blur as Ava and I move forward with building a life together. I love waking up to her every day, afternoon sex is amazing, and holding her in my arms at night is the only way I can fall asleep. “Are you almost ready?” Ava yells from the kitchen.“Almost,” I answer, finishing up getting dressed.Zeus and Goldie run into the bedroom, excited about the day ahead. They will be getting dropped off at Doc’s place while we help Sophia and Ellie move. We also need to get all of Ava’s things out of her condo and into our house. “Come on, you two. Time to go see Grandpa Doc!” I holler as I walk down the hall. Ava started calling him that because he spoils the dogs like they were his own grandchildren. They have more toys and comfy beds at his place than ours. We pile into the SUV and take off, eager to get the day going. “Did you remember to grab the bottle of wine out of the fridge?” I ask Ava as we drive into the city.
*Seymore’s POV*Once I can no longer hear all the emergency vehicles, I pull back onto the road and head for the house. This isn’t over yet, but at least we are all together again. Marcus calls Doc and Ellie to let them know we have Ava and are going to my place. There’s no telling what Duncan will do once he finds out his head henchman is out of commission. “Lock yourselves in and don’t open the door for anyone,” Marcus instructs each of them before hanging up.“When we get to the house we need to do a sweep and then barricade the doors,” I explain while turning down my street.Talking makes my neck throb. I’m hoping Corbin didn’t do any permanent damage with the death grip he had on me. Looking in the rearview mirror, I can see redness along Marcus’ neck. As we get closer to the drive, the white car from the other day is parked in the street.“Marcus,” I growl, drawing his attention to the car.“Give me a break,” he huffs from the backseat.I pull up close to them a
*Ava’s POV*I came to, my face pressed into whatever it was that I landed on. Everything hurts. It feels like I was hit by a bus and not thrown down a flight of stairs. I listen for any sounds before I try to move or open my eyes. I want to make sure Corbin isn’t sitting next to me on the steps, waiting for me to show signs of life. Once I’m sure he’s still upstairs, I open my eyes and slowly push myself up. From the feel of it, I’m sitting on an old mattress. At least my landing had some cushion. I can’t imagine what damage could have been done if I landed on concrete. There’s no sunlight coming through any windows in the cellar. If this was an old hunting cabin, I would imagine this floor was used for cold storage. I can hear Corbin walking around overhead. He’s still in the building.A phone ringing upstairs draws my attention. I can hear Corbin’s deep voice until he takes the call outside, signaled by the door slamming behind him. I’d imagine the reception out here isn’t
Desmond should still be at the office. No need to call ahead this time, if he has a client I will throw them out the door to free up some time. What’s happened isn’t just my fault, and he has to take responsibility for what he’s done.I pull up in front of the office with Marcus right behind me. I jump out of the SUV and head for the steps.“Seymore, will you wait?” Marcus yells, getting out of his own car.“Where are we at with tracking down Corbin?” I ask, not interested in anything else right now.There will be no talking me out of anything. Until Ava is back in my arms, I will rain down punishment on anyone who’s harmed her. “Doc’s working on it. He says he has an idea, but that we should wait for him to call before blowing our cover,” Marcus huffs.“Ava’s gone, Marcus. As far as I’m concerned, there is no more cover,” I snap at him, opening the door to the office and rushing up the steps.I kick in Desmond’s office door, slightly disappointed at finding him alone. T
*Seymore’s POV*Ava hasn’t been gone for more than twenty minutes and I’m already losing my mind. I wish I hadn’t sent her away, it really did go against everything I was feeling. Her safety is my top priority, even if it means I’m going to suffer for it. At least Ava will have her friends to distract her, making the time we spend away from one another move quickly. I suppose I could go see Doc and Marcus. We could play some cards and just hang out. No matter what, I need to find something to keep my mind off of Ava. I pull out my cell and call Marcus.“What’s up, Seymore?” he asks right away.“I just sent Ava away. I guess Sophia talked with Corbin and he warned her to stay away from Ava. I figured she would be safer at Ellie’s than here, but I need to find something to do while she’s gone,” I explain in a drawn-out breath.“I understand, and it makes sense. I’m heading back to your place with the dogs. Doc finally got tired of me hovering over him and told me to go home
*Ava’s POV*I can’t believe it. The man I trust above all others has sent me away. Sure, there had been no point in arguing with him, but that doesn’t mean I want this. I’m so tired of everyone else telling me what to do with my life. I know what’s good for me, and what I feel should override anyone else's opinion. I sit in the back of Sophia’s car, sulking as she drives. She and Ellie are both trying to tell me how to feel, and I’m over it. I would rather be with Seymore, fighting by his side. This is ridiculous and an unnecessary step. “If Corbin was the one who killed Conner, we need to treat him like the threat he is,” Ellie is saying. “That’s true, Ava. Corbin doesn’t care what the order is, he will carry it out without prejudice. The fact he mentioned I should stay away from you specifically worries me,” Sophia adds. My heart had dropped when Seymore said I should stay away from him. That’s the last thing I had been expecting. I thought he would step up his efforts
The phone rings a few times before Kade answers. The states are six hours behind us, so midnight here is only six o’clock over there.“Seymore, nice to hear from you again. Raven and I were just talking about you,” Kade says after the initial hellos. “How have you been?”“Do you have time? I’ve got a lot going on,” I reply, heading out to Doc’s garden to speak to him in private. It takes me a good hour to fill him in on everything going on. Kade asks his questions as we talk, congratulating me on my relationship with Ava, and then lecturing me for not calling him sooner when it came to the Duncan problem. “You know I could have helped, he’s someone I do business with,” Kade had scorned.I love that he wants to help, but I’m used to taking care of my problems on my own. Suddenly having a large support group of friends is taking some adjusting on my part. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner, I was trying to deal with it on my end without bothering you,” I retort. “But I co
*Seymore’s POV*I dart up the steps with Ava on my heels. I feel like my heart is about to pop out of my chest. This is the most dangerous part of our mission, and I can’t turn around to see if anyone sees us. We reach the top and I pull her around a corner, both of us are out of breath as we press our backs against a wall. “We’re up,” I tell Marcus through the earpiece. “It looks good out here, Corbin’s sitting at the door checking IDs again,” he replies. “Find the black door and let me know when you’re ready for the code.”“It’s okay, Corbin doesn’t know we’re up here,” I relay to Ava, causing her to nod that she understands. We should have plenty of time to find the door we need. According to Sophia, Corbin won't be back up to check the building for at least forty-five minutes. There is a long hall to our right and a short hall to the left. I point to Ava and down the left side. She nods and heads down the hall while I take the right. The noise of the club is distrac
*Ava’s POV*Seymore has been looking at me funny all day. He hasn’t brought it up, but I know what he’s thinking. I hadn’t allowed him to pull out. I had an oh-no moment the night before when he came inside me, but once my brain worked through it I decided it wasn’t a bad thing. If I get pregnant, so be it. I went through years of being unable to conceive with Conner, and I don’t want to have children too late in life. If Seymore brings it up, that’s exactly what I’ll tell him.The afternoon was too busy to talk about it. We needed to contact everyone and let them know what the plan was. Ellie was stoked, asking me if I wanted to come over to get ready together. I declined. She will take Sophia and head to the club early so they can get in place and let us know when it’s busy enough to slip in. Doc and Marcus said they would get the earpieces ready. Seymore and I left a little while ago to come home and prepare.“Is that what you’re wearing?” I ask as he steps out of the be