Page 34 of Beauty and the Bosshole
She puts an unacceptable distance between us as we move through the lobby and into the waiting elevator. The doors shut, and the silence is suffocating as I move close to her.
“Were you just leading me on with all that lovey-dovey talk?” she blurts out, unable to hold her tongue any longer, her voice tinged with suspicion. “Were you just playing some kind of cruel joke? That call sure made it sound like you were keeping something from me.”
I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “It wasn’t a joke, Ava. I was keeping a secret from you, but it isn’t what you think.”
We exit the elevator and walk down the corridor to our room. My heart is racing by the time I get the door open, and I motion for her to go inside. The room feels both familiar and alien now, wrapped in the glow of city lights streaming through the window.
“Ava, please sit down,” I say, gesturing to the couch. She hesitates before relenting. She sits down with her arms crossed and I can’t stand the distance between us. I take a seat across from her and place my elbows on my knees.
Taking a deep breath, I search my mind for the right words as I stare into her eyes, willing her to read the sincerity in my gaze. “The photoshoot… those pictures were meant for us. Only for us. When I talked to Declan, I was making sure he understood that those images would never be shared publicly. I’d never let anyone see intimate photos of you.”
Her expression softens, but she still looks guarded. “Hold up a minute.” She waves her hand in front of me as her eyes narrow. “I heard you tell Declan I wouldn’t change my mind about the shoot.”
“I knew you were nervous about the shoot. I decided to have a private shoot for us and told Declan to hire another model for the work shoot. He was pissed and asked me if I know how hard it is to find a gorgeous plus-sized model.” Declan was beyond pissed at all the extra work it took to plan two separate shoots, but who gives a fuck. “He thought you might be upset when I replaced you with another model for the work shoot and would refuse to do the private shoot, but I assured him you wouldn’t back out.”
As she stares at me for several minutes, I start to worry she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying, and I want to kick my own assfor this fucking screw-up. “You also told him we got married and you sure didn’t sound too happy about it.”
“Telling him we were married drove home to me that I’d cheated you out of a big wedding and all that comes with it.”
Her mouth opens and closes silently several times as I begin to formulate a backup plan if she doesn’t believe me. Worst case—I’ll kidnap my wife and handcuff her gorgeous ass to my bed until she realizes I’d never intentionally hurt her.
She blows out the breath she’s been holding and asks, “And why didn’t you explain all this to me before?”
“I should have, and I’m sorry I didn’t,” I admit, sensing I’m finally getting through to her. “The second I touched your gorgeous body, I went temporarily insane and forgot all about the goddamn shoots. Until Declan called, my mind was completely consumed with you.”
She seems to be considering my words, her eyes flicking down to her hands, which are nervously fidgeting in her lap. “So, you aren’t feeling trapped by our quicky marriage?”
“Hell fucking no.” She’s the best goddamn thing to ever happen to me. “I love you, Ava. I decided to use the shoot to give us something special to remember our wedding. Those photos will be for our memories if you decide to go through with it. No one else but us and the photographer will ever see them. I was making sure Declan knew that.”
Ava’s eyes lift to meet mine again, and I see a flicker of the trust I’m desperate to rebuild. “It just… it just felt like you were hiding something from me and it broke my heart.” Her words soothe something deep in my soul. Although she hasn’t admitted it, Ava has strong feelings for me, too.
I walk over and sit next to her before taking her hands in mine. As I lift them up to my lips, I draw her delicate scent deep into my lungs. “I never meant to hide anything from you. Well, nothing important. I was trying to turn the photoshoot into awedding present. But I see now that keeping you in the dark did more harm than good. Please let me make this right.” I hate the desperation coloring my voice, but I need her to believe me.
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “There isn’t anything to make right. You were trying to do something nice, and I misunderstood.” She bites her juicy bottom lip and I groan to myself as my cock wakes up and turns to stone.
“Does that mean you’ll do the photoshoot?” I know I’m pressing my luck but I can’t help myself. “The private one?”
“I thought you said we’d be doing the photoshoot together?” she shyly asks, and the tight band around my chest completely releases.
“That’s my plan.” I pull her close and slide my hand under the soft t-shirt she’s wearing. As my palm closes over her plump tit, my cock goes from hard to ready to burst.
“Why don’t we go to the bedroom, and you can tell me all about your plans?” She bats her eyelashes. Fuck yes. My sassy girl is back.
“I have a better idea.” I stand up and lift her into my arms. “Why don’t I show you? We can practice all night long to make sure we have it right.”
“I love your idea, Mr. Donovan.” She wraps her soft arms around my neck and snuggles into my embrace.
“I love you, Mrs. Donovan.” I nibble on the side of her soft neck as I stumble through the room holding my entire world in my arms.
Chapter Twelve
Ava
Once we get into the bedroom, I know the first thing I want to do. Last night, he made every touch about me. Tonight, I want to do the same for him. I want to learn his body. Know what makes him moan. What makes him lose control. I want to drive him as crazy as he drives me.
“Can I try something?” I ask.
“Of course.” Reese smiles. “You can do anything you want, sweetheart. Anything but leave me.”