I breathe out heavily and she freezes, looking out the corner of her eye as I rid my hand of my water and take her glass, setting it gently down on the counter. I don’t only want to see her face when she gives me the answers to my questions, I want to feel her body react. So I reach for her stool and tug it closer, turning it slightly so she’s facing me. My hands fall to her bare knees. I need to talk. I have to talk. “Why did you cry?”

She shakes her head mildly. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. Tell me.” Don’t make me force it out of you, Ava.

I keep her in place with my expectant stare, willing her to dig deep and be honest with me. I’m a fucking hypocrite.

“I don’t know,” she says again, and I sigh, my eyes narrowing, discontent flooding me. And I want her to know it.

“Would I be right in saying that your misinterpretation of mine and Sarah’s relationship wasn’t the only reason you were avoiding me?” There. Let’s move this conversation along, because if I wait for Ava to find the courage to speak up, I’ll be waiting forever. Enough. I flip the catch on my Rolex and slip it off my wrist, waiting.

She looks away. “Probably.”

I nod to myself. “That’s disappointing.” So what obstacle is she going to put in our way now?

Fuck it. I’m done with talking. Because I hate what she’s saying. Let me communicate with her in another way. A way that will leave no room for misunderstandings.

I seize her and get her onto the counter, moving in between her legs and slamming my mouth on hers, not giving her the chance to prepare for me. Nothing will prepare her for this. I don’t think anything can prepare me either. I hear the sound of smashing glass through the instant rush of blood to my head, my body singing, my skin blazing, my cock dripping. Just from a kiss. I reach for her arse and yank her tighter into me, my groin inadvertently pushing into her, an attempt to ease the throb.

The sounds she’s making are quiet, but the loudest I’ve ever heard. I rip myself free of our overwhelming kiss to find her eyes, my breathing shot. She’s alive with want. For me. “Let’s establish some things here,” I practically wheeze, desperate to get my mouth back on hers and my dick back in her glorious, sweet pussy. But as desperate as I am for that, I’m just as desperate for her to understand I’m figuring her out.