Page 41 of Make It Last

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Not a performance

As Ava stared at me, I tried to clear the haze in my thoughts. It wasn't easy. Sweet hell. She was so damn sexy and cute.

My heart twisted at seeing the look of uncertainty passing through her gaze, like clouds blotting out the sunshine. I couldn't believe her ex. What a fucking asshole, through and through.

I realized I’d gone quiet for too long when she cleared her throat and looked down at her lap. I could almost feel, on a physical level, her shuttering herself.

“Hey, don't start thinking too hard,” I said quickly.

“About what?”

“All that shit your ex put in your head.”

She rolled her eyes a little bit.

“So I'm in. That kiss... no notes. And I like you.”

Although hesitation was burgeoning inside because I sensed Ava meant a whole lot more to me. There was something between us, and it was more than just firecracker-hot chemistry. I kicked those worries to the curb.

She straightened her shoulders, blinking up at me. “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent.”

She started to move toward me, but I held a finger up. “I just want to make one thing clear.”

She rolled her eyes, letting out a little huff. I was glad to see she’d found that little burst of boldness she carried like a flame shining bright.

“We’re not going to rush.”

“What do you mean? I kind of want to rush.” She narrowed her eyes at me, prepared—I guess—to give me a little lecture about it.

“Look, you just told me that your ex was a total fucking asshole to you at the worst possible time. In more ways than one, let's be honest.”

“Agreed. Totally.” She nodded vigorously.

“But I won’t pretend I’m more experienced than you. That’s not my point. But the good part doesn’t happen if you rush too much. Not usually.”

Ava’s teeth snagged her bottom lip, eyeing me uncertainly while managing to set my pulse to racing. I forced myself to stay focused.

“Hey, what are you worrying about?” I reached for her hand, relieved when she curled her fingers into mine and squeezed.

“If we go slow, I’m going to think too hard. That was always the problem.”

“Taking it slowly?”

Her shoulders rose with a swift breath that she let out in a sharp sigh. “It was less bad if I just got it over with.”

I winced before I could stop myself, and her cheeks turned pink.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“It bears repeating, but your ex was a fucking asshole. I’m not saying a quickie can’t be fun. But you’re talking about sex like it’s something you need to get over with.”

“Well, it was.”

“Okay, no matter what, we’re just going to play it by ear.”