*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
“Seymore, are you alive?” Marcus says from the office doorway, causing me to sit up in the chair. I had been so caught up in learning about Ava’s family history last night that I must have fallen asleep in my office. I whip some drool off my mouth and look over at him.“You look like shit, man. Did you sleep in here?” he remarks, a confused look on his face.I nod, looking around the room and trying to fully wake up. “Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll make breakfast,” Marcus offers before moving out of the doorframe. A shower sounds great. Hopefully, it will help loosen up this kink in my neck. As I step under the hot water, I think about everything I learned the night before. Dr. Desmond Davies is Ava’s father. I don’t know if I should be upset by the fact she hadn’t told me or not. Maybe she thought I already knew? Then there’s the bigger issue.I have a meeting with Dr. Davies tomorrow. How am I supposed to look him in the eyes knowing he’s the one who pushed Av
*Ava’s POV*Seymore walks out the door and I hurry around the corner to confront Dr. Davies. My father has been a pain in my life for a while. I feel bad for him, so I stay. Everyone else left him and his impossible ego years ago. First Nick, leaving permanently, and then Mom. Ellie has been telling me to stand up to him for years. She told me that it sucks when family is toxic, but you need to cut them off like you would any other toxic person. “What did you do?” I snap, anger in the back of my throat. He shakes his head and slowly walks down the steps toward me. Even his walk is condescending, and I’m made to wait for an answer until he’s ready. Today isn’t a day for dramatics. Seymore was upset, even if he tried to mask it with a smile. He puts the need to comfort me above all else, and I love that.“Ava, you won’t understand,” Desmond says, walking over to my desk. “You’ll think I’m trying to control your life when all I’m doing is protecting you.”“Protecting me? Th
*Seymore’s POV*I’d been nervous walking out to Marcus and Ava. I thought for sure she was going to be mad at me for keeping something from her. It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to know, I just never really thought about telling her. The point of a bodyguard is to have protection no one knows about. She handled it well, making honesty moving forward a little easier to provide. I hadn’t expected Ava to be so eager to help me with the injured dog. I know she loves what she does at the shelter, but not many people want to put the extra effort in at home. The thought of her coming over to help with Goldie opened up a whole new possibility I hadn’t considered. As they bring out the dog, I watch as Ava wobbles a little on her feet. I hadn’t considered preparing her for the condition of the Golden. They had shaved around her neck to remove the collar. Some of the larger mats had been shaven out as well. The poor creature looks a mess with pieces of her coat missing here and there.
I make it home from Ava’s, but I don’t remember the drive. I was in a daze the whole way home. I don’t know why, but Sophia Ambrose had been sitting on the couch with Ellie when I glanced through the door. I know it was her, I was able to get a good look at her face. For some reason, that face brought back memories I didn’t know I had.A drunken night about eight months ago had been one of the reasons I sought help for my addiction. I had never been so drunk in my life, and I wound up bringing someone home. I hadn’t remembered who it was, and she left before I woke up. The whole situation scared me.Now I can’t get the thought of Sophia out of my head. Was the mystery girl all those months ago her? I walk into the house in a daze. Marcus is sitting on the couch with the dogs and he doesn’t say anything as I walk past. Before I know it, I’m sitting on the edge of my bed with my phone in hand.I start scrolling through the names and numbers of the various contacts I’ve added over t