Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Aaron's POV

'It's not worth anything. Not to me atleast.'

Ava's words still sting even though she had said them the night before, and all night I had been busy thinking of her.

Was it just me or did she get taller?

And thicker?

I hadn't seen her smile once since yesterday but I know she's taken her braces off.

It was clear she didn't want to be around me and that she wasn't excited about staying with me either, and yet there is nothing I can do to change that.

At the airport, when I'd offered her a hug, she had looked at me like she saw something ugly, something she didn't want to be reminded off. And from the looks of it, I might have to get used to it.

It's not like I'm trying to rekindle what we had before...if we even had a chance to have anything. But for some reason, it kills me a little to know that everytime Ava looks at me, she sees something in me that disappoints her.

That pushes her away.

For about the 20th time this evening, I try to push Ava off my mind and focus on the basketball article I'm writing for the sports column.

I sip the whiskey in my glass just as I hear the sound of the front door shutting, followed by fast footsteps that echo in the living room.

She was back.

She had left in the morning without a word, wearing a colourful jumpsuit that complimented every curve of her figure and it had taken every willpower I had not to tell her that she looked good or that she scented of lemon or even ask if she had eaten.

It was obvious that she wanted to send a clear message of privacy, but the thing is....I'm not ready to listen.

Ava's POV

I hold my breath as I walk past the patio where I can see Aaron typing and sipping a drink.

Whiskey?

Oh, God I would kill for a drink right now.

It had amazed me earlier today, when Peyton told me that he writes for SLAM magazine and also works as a private basketball coach.

The vague memory of him telling me that he writes comes from the same painful part I keep trying to forget.

It wasn't like I hated him, it just hurt to look into his eyes and see someone that i could have had an amazing history with.

And no matter how many times I tried to get Aaron off my mind, I couldn't do it.

Not when we went to see the Reverend.

Not when we went to make arrangements for the park.

Not when we were busy selecting the flower combination.

Not even when I went to see my dad and Gina.

Everytime my mind got idle, it wandered off to how he looked this morning, sipping hot chocolate and going through the papers and also to how he had apologised last night.

"You okay?" His voice interrupts my thoughts and I jump a little, startled to see him standing so close and my room key drops in the process.

"I'm fine." I say and snatch the key out of his hand after he picks it up.

"You sure? Because you've been standing in this exact spot for a long time." He says, eyes on me and I look away as I successfully unlock the door.

"Well, you don't have to worry because I'm about entering my room." I say and just as I attempt to step in, he gently holds me back.

"Wait, Ava--"

"Why do you feel this sudden urgency to hold a conversation with me?" I ask defensively, folding my arms and he surprises me by smiling.

"You remember the last time you did that around me?" He asks as he steps closer and I take in a shaky breath, refusing to accept the effect his eyes had on me.

"Did what?" I ask as I look up at him and he smiles even wider.

"Folded your arms. It was the day you thought I read your old journal, after our final game. When I begged you to go to prom with me." He says softly and just like that, my entire body weakens at the memory and my hands drop to my sides.

I'm speechless for a while and he takes the opportunity to come even closer.

"I remember how you wouldn't even look at me." He says, a bit lower and I realise how close we are standing to each other.

Instantly, I take a step back, escaping from his hypnotising, musky scent and I look him dead in the eye.

"How about Madeline, Aaron? Did she have her hands folded when you asked her to prom too? Or she jumped at the question just the way you expected me to?" I fire back and the unmistakable look of shock and embarrassment invades his expression.

"Exactly." I say after his momentarily silence and walk into my room.

"Ava, wait--"

And I shut the door.

Phew!

I lean against the door, trying to calm my pacing heart and at the same time, wondering why Aaron Knight still had the same effect on me.

It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter.

I already had my takeout dinner with me and the warm aroma of stir-fried, seafood pasta invades my nostrils.

Shoving thoughts of Aaron away, I take a warm shower and put on my oversized sweatshirt with shorts. Then I plug in the TV and nothing happens.

For a second, I'm almost sure the switch isn't turned on, so I double check and sure enough the switch is on. But the TV remains blank.

This can't be happening.

The Lakers were playing a game that I definitely didn't want to miss and from my room, I could hear the sounds of the game coming from the living room.

Of course he had to watch it there.

For a whole five minutes, I'm battling with myself on whether to swallow my pride and join Aaron in the living room or suck it up and watch it online.

Eventually, I forfeit and take my dinner to the living room where he is seated on the couch, wearing a tshirt and shorts and eating potato chips from a bowl.

For a few seconds, Aaron doesn't notice me standing in the corner, until he tries to grab the remote beside him and our eyes lock.

"Hey!" He says, unable to hide his shock as he sits up.

"Uuhh--" he begins and I cut him off.

"I wanted to see if I could join you because for some reason, the TV in my room won't turn on and I don't want to miss the game." I say and he swears under his breath.

"I totally forgot about the TV, I'm sorry. I'll have it fixed for you tomorrow." He assures me and I just shrug, instantly forgetting I was mad at him.

"Its cool." I say and he gestures for me to join him.

"It's always fun watching a game with someone else." He says as I sit next to him and I manage a small smile, unable to look at him for long without being flooded with unwelcome and yet, familiar feelings.

"Beer?" He asks as he hands me a bottle while I open my plate of food.

"Thanks." I say and take the bottle from him.

For the first few minutes my heart is racing, every nerve of body is alert and sensitive to his every move, and to every mistaken touch between us.

But Aaron remains calm and maintains his distance. Before I know it, I'm done with my dinner and we're munching on the chips together and involving in friendly banter and giving our commentary on the game.

For every basket the Lakers score, Aaron and I jump with our hands in the air, shouting and whooping.

It feels absolutely normal, being in this position and sharing this moment with him. But I accept the feeling with open arms.

He is my best friend's brother after all.

After a few minutes, my head is resting on his shoulder which is easy thanks to his outstretched arms.

God, he smells so nice.

Like cologne and aftershave.

"I won't move if you don't." He whispers and I look up to see his hazel eyes on me.

"What?" I ask softly, still dazed from the magical moment and the forbidden scent of him.

"The game is over, but it doesn't seem like either of us are ready to move." He says and I shift my gaze to the TV, only to realise he is right.

It is over.

"Oh, I guess I should--" I begin to move but he holds me in place.

"Don't go, Ava. This is the most fun we've had since you came. Stay. Stay with me and let's talk." He says but I'm already shaking my head.

"Talk? About what?" I ask and he turns even better to face me.

"Anything and everything. Tell me what college was like for you. Tell me how you got your job, tell me about the day of your first interview, tell me about the first wedding you planned." He says sincerely and I can feel my head clouding with emotions, making it hard for me to even breathe.

No one had ever really asked me that before.

And what's worse,...I didn't realise how much I wanted to hear those words.

"I... I don't know what to say." I tell him and he just chuckles.

"Alright, let's start easy. Tell me about the morning of your first job interview." He says and my mind races back to that day.

"The morning?" I ask and he nods.

"Well, first of all, I was still sharing an apartment with Peyton then, so I remember waking up just to find out it was almost noon and Peyton was nowhere in sight." I say, giggling at the memory,

"Turned out she changed the time on the clock and by the time I was haphazardly dressed and racing out the door, she jumped out on me...."

And just like that, I tell Aaron about life with Peyton before I moved, how we celebrated when I finally got my job and the number of grooms that tried to seduce me while I was planning their weddings.

We're laughing, and drinking and next thing I know, Aaron moves a little closer.

"You know what this reminds me of?" He asks and I hear myself ask,

"What?"

And he tilts my chin up.

"Of how much I wanted to do this." He says and immediately takes my lips in his, knocking every breath out of my body.

I'm shocked.

I'm frozen for a second.

But I respond to the heavenly taste and feel of his lips.

At that exact moment, when I feel how addictive he is, I immediately pull away and smack him hard for good measure.

He kissed me!

Without a freaking warning!

Aaron stays that way for a second, temples flexing, then he slowly turns to me and I can feel him studying me with his eyes.

Waiting for me to do more.

To yell at him and scream and tell him he has no right.

To remind him that he promised not to make me feel uncomfortable.

I want to do all that too, but I can't. And it's almost as if Aaron knows.

I wanted it.

Completely.

I want him.

I instantly push the empty bowl of chips out of the way and straddle him. Before he can translate his shocked expression into words, I merge my lips with his and allow myself to be swept away once again.

How long have I craved to get Aaron Knight out of my system?

How many years?

Aaron's hands sweep around my waist and he pulls me even closer, kissing me deeper.

I'm no longer a teenager, I'm an adult.

I know what I want, and I want him.

I lean my head back and let out a moan as Aaron trails a path of kisses to my neck and collarbone. And then I swiftly take off my sweatshirt, wearing nothing else but my shorts.

"Fuck--" he says and I shut him up as I kiss him deeper, pressing my firm breasts against him and he cups them with both hands.

"Ava..." Aaron moans as I trail kisses to his earlobe, nibbling and sucking and teasing with my tongue.

"Ava, wait....are we sure we want to do this?" He asks as he gently pulls away a little and stares directly at me.

"Don't ask questions." I moan and take his thumb in my mouth, gently sucking on it and he draws in a deep breath.

"If we do this now, there's no going back." He warns, his voice unsteady with need and I run my tongue along the length of his jawline.

"I know..." I say but he keeps talking.

"I wanted us to talk more--"

"Aaron, enough talking. I want you. Don't you want me too?" I ask and rub my moist spot against his hard erection.

"I do." He groans out and I continue kissing him.

"Then take me. Take me now." I whisper in his ear and then I feel his hands entangle with my hair curls, gently arching my neck back and granting him more access to my nipples.

He takes his time in suckling each one and at this point I'm clutching the back of his head, pressing him closer and moaning.

Aaron swiftly stands up and I keep my legs wrapped around him as he carries me with ease. The next thing I feel is the softness of his bedding on my back as he drops me.

Our hands are moving fast and I take his tshirt off him while he yanks away my shorts and I undo his belt.

Then I gently wrap my fingers around his erection, rubbing along the length of it.

"Do you have a condom?" I ask Aaron and he fishes it out from the bedside drawer and hands it to me, breathing heavily.

I rip it open and slip it on the impressive length of him.

"I want you." I moan and open my legs a bit wider.

Slowly, I feel Aaron enter me and I clutch his bare, muscular back even harder, amazed at the erotic feeling of him filling me up.

"Oh, God, Ava." He moans when he completely enters me and I'm almost whimpering at this point.

"Yesss." I moan, wrapping my legs around him as he pleasures me with every thrust, his lips never leaving mine.

I tear my lips from his and let out a moan as he lifts my legs a little higher, grabs my waist with both hands. Then he starts thrusting into me, faster and deeper.

"Ohhhhh......" I whimper, trying not to scream as he drills into me and I grab fist fills of his duvet, arching my back.

Then he reduces his pace and goes really slow as he leans in and nibbles my neck with his teeth.

"Ava...." he moans, thrusting into me slow and deep.

"Aaron, I'm coming." I whisper in his ear, overwhelmed by how my body reacted to his.

Aaron reaches up and holds my hand in his.

"Me too." He groans and goes even slower and deeper and I feel my toes curl as my whole body shivers. I'm gasping, unable to control my body as I shiver in his arms, overcome by release and he holds me tighter.

Aaron sighs deeply in my ear and I can feel his body relax.

We lie there panting and I take the opportunity to observe his room. Chocolate brown pillows and sheets, dark brown duvet, white curtains and polished, hardwood floors. Then a white chair, brown centre rug and a walk-in closet.

Suddenly, Aaron starts chuckling.

"What?" I ask and he moves back a little to look at me.

"I almost thought you were going to have a seizure." He says with a smile and I hit him in the shoulder. I can't help but smile, ashamed of how my body betrayed me.

Aaron gets up and heads for the bathroom and I take the opportunity to grab my shorts as I get up.

"My shirt. Where's my shirt?" I mutter to myself as I look around and then it hits me.

I took it off in the living room.

As I head for the door, Aaron walks out of the bathroom and frowns slightly when he sees me.

"What's happening?" He asks and I'm suddenly a little uncomfortable that we're about to have this conversation while I'm standing in just my shorts.

"Yeahhh,....I have to go."

"Go?" He says with a little laugh and I don't respond. Then his smile vanishes.

"Wait, you're serious? Ava, we stay in the same house. What's the difference?" He asks and I just start backing away, towards the door.

"I just feel better when I'm in my room."

Alone.

He is staring at me with an observant gaze.

"If you're trying to send the message that it's just sex between us--"

"Yes. Exactly." I say with my hand on the doorknob and Aaron shrugs.

"Okay, I get it. But you don't have to--"

"Goodnight, Aaron." And I'm out, shutting the door behind me. I sigh and lean against the door.

The less said, the better.

Aaron's POV

"Goognight, Aaron." Ava says and I watch her slip out, shutting the door quickly.

What the hell just happened?

It wasn't the 'just sex' message that had me lost, it was the sudden shift in her behaviour.

She looked....scared and overprotective at the same time.

I turn to the bed now and it's almost hard to believe that the same person moaning my name a few minutes ago could switch so simply.

Outside the door, I can hear her sigh and I walk towards the door, ready to open it. But something about the way she looked at me, when she was leaving, stops me.

She looked like she had something to protect, something vulnerable.

Something she wasn't ready to share.

I observe her shadows retreat from under the door and I decide to let her go.

If she didn't want to stay, there was nothing I could do to change it.