27 Truths: Ava's story (The Truth About Love Book 1) (22 page)

“The boobs,” I moan as he pushes a finger inside of me, fucking me at a slow, steady pace.

“Drink,” I say in a quivering voice.

He walks us to the sink with a finger still inside of me. “Can you get one like this?” he asks, pushing another finger inside my wet center.

“Yes,” I cry. “Yes.”

My hands shake as I open the cupboard, pull out a cup, and fill it while he moves at a more rapid pace. I drink the water then drop the cup into the sink. Reaching behind me, I grip his neck and pull him down into a kiss.

His kiss becomes more possessive, more filled with need, as my tongue strokes his. He groans, pulling his fingers out of me.

“No,” I cry as he turns me around.

He takes my face in his hands and kisses me harder. Then he releases my face, cups my ass, and pulls me free of my pants and underwear before lifting me up and setting me on the sink, kissing me again. He then reaches between us, rubs himself against me, and thrusts in hard.

“Oh, God.” My head falls back as I cry out my pleasure.

“That’s it, Ava. I’m going to give you a lifetime of orgasms, love,” he hisses. “A fucking lifetime.”

He grips my ass harder and pulls me firmly to him. “Legs around me,” he orders.

I am falling apart as he fucks me faster, harder. One orgasm leads to another then another until I feel him swell inside of me, and he comes, growling my name like he never has before.

I am wrapped around him, his chin on my shoulder and my face buried in his neck.

“Thomas,” I pant. “What was that?”

“That was us, Ava. You and me, together for the rest of our lives.”

I can’t help laughing. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“No, Ava, just trying to love you better.”

“Well,” I say, leaning back and holding his face in my hands. He is tense and hard and primal-looking. It’s hot. So hot. “Damn.”

He closes his eyes before a smile forms on his face. “Damn,” he whispers.

“I need another drink.” I push him back a little.

“I’ll give you a drink,” he says, setting me on my feet. His arms are around me as he reaches behind me and fills a glass from the tap before handing it to me.

“Thank you.” I smile.

“Anything for you, my goddess,” he says, caressing the side of my face. “Anything.”

***

We pull into Dad and Tessa’s to find all the lights off. I get out and look in the garage. Dad’s SUV is gone. Then I get back in T’s—our—vehicle.

“Probably down the road,” I say.

“Maddox’s place?” he asks as he puts the vehicle in reverse.

“Yeah.” I smile, looking down at my ring.

“Do you like it, Ava?”

“The ring? Of course. It’s beautiful,” I tell him, hitting the overhead light. “Why would you ask that?”

“Well”—he shrugs—“I thought maybe you didn’t like it because it wasn’t a traditional solitaire.”

“T, it is the most beautiful ring on the planet,” I gush over the three stone emerald cut diamonds and the platinum band. Then I sigh when I realize why he is asking. “I haven’t properly gushed.”

“It’s not a big deal.” He shrugs as he drives down the lane.

“It is a huge deal. I was just trying not to be such a … girl. But, T, I couldn’t have ever imagined getting something like this. Not ever. I love it.”

He eyes me skeptically.

“I was also worried maybe you’d … I don’t know … take it back,” I admit.

“What?” he gasps.

“Don’t worry; you’ll have to pry this baby off my dead finger before you ever get it back.”

At this, he laughs.

I take his hand and kiss it then place it on his heart. “And this, I will fight you for.”

He laughs. “Oh, so now that we’re home, you’re back to sassy badass Ava, huh?”

“No.” I laugh. “You’ll really have to fight me for it.”

“It’s yours, Ava. Don’t ever try to give it back.”

A few minutes later, we walk into Harper’s house hand in hand.

“Anyone home?” I yell.

“Ava?” my dad’s voice booms, and I laugh.

We walk in to find everyone around the kitchen island. Dad’s smile turns from genuine to genuinely pissed off and back to a plastic smile after his wife kicks him under the counter.

“Where’s Piper?” I ask.

“Just fell asleep,” Harper answers, giving me a hug while Maddox gives T a bro hug.

“I could use a drink.” T winks at him, and Maddox laughs.

I walk over and give my dad a big hug. He gives me back a bigger one.

“Ava and I have something we wish to tell you all,” T says, and Dad’s hug turns into an almost chokehold.

“Daddy,” I growl.

“Ava, I am not ready for this.” He doesn’t even bother whispering it. I guess us making the announcement just made this more real to him.

“Well, prepare yourself, father Links,” T says. I can’t see him, but I can hear the smirk in his voice.

“Be. Nice,” I whisper to Dad.

“I asked Ava to marry me, and she said yes.”

“Oh, my God!” Harper exclaims.

“I’m not ready for this, Ava,” Dad repeats in a slightly defeated tone this time.

“Shouldn’t come as a surprise, Daddy Links,” T says. “I did ask you for her hand in marriage at the concert in Washington.”

“You did?” I ask, trying to pull back to look at him, and my father loosens his grip.

“And I said no,” he snaps at T.

“Lucky for me, the Links that matters the most said yes.” T is smiling. I can hear it, and I want to see him.

“Congratulations, T,” Tessa says, giving him the same sincere smile she gave me in DC.

“Daddy, you wanna let go?” I grumble.

“No.”

I laugh. “You can’t keep me like this forever.”

“He thinks I’m not good enough,” T says.

“Christ himself wouldn’t be good enough for my daughter,” Dad says, loosening his grip on me. “If you hurt her, I’m going to jail. You hear me?”

“I’ll never hurt her. I’ll cherish her. I have since day one,” T says sincerely.

I step back and smile at Dad, holding up my left hand and wiggling my fingers so he can see the ring.

“Are you trying to get her killed?” he gasps and scowls at T. “Some piece of shit is gonna try to kill her to steal the damn thing in that city you two are so fond of.”

“He takes me to work and picks me up every day,” I tell him.

“And I am with her all night. So rest assured, she is safe.” T nods.

I shoot him a warning glance because I know damn well it was a jab.

“If you two don’t start being nice to each other, I’m gonna run away,” I warn them.

“Let me see that ring,” Harper says, hugging me again. “I am so happy for you both.”

I hear the door shut, and Jade walks in with Ryan behind her.

“The party started early and no one told us?” Jade laughs.

“Ava and”—Dad points to T—“T surprised us.”

That’s when I see Luke walk in.

I look at T, and he looks at me. I smile because it doesn’t matter. I have let Luke go, and I am in love with T. So in love with him.

“T has asked for Ava’s hand in marriage.” Dad smiles. It’s pretty damn convincing, too.

Jade looks shocked. “Oh, my God.” Her eyes shift down to my hand. “Holy shit! Look at that!” She walks up and hugs me.

“Thanks, Jade,” I tell her, stealing a glance at Luke who, as per his norm, has no expression.

“Congratulations, Ava.” Ryan is the next to hug me.

“Congratulations, Ava,” Luke says, forcing a smile.

“Thank you, Luke.” I smile back. “Hey, what are you doing home?”

“Our boy rolled his ankle during training, so he’s home until Wednesday when he flies into God only knows where to meet his team,” Ryan answers with pride. He pats Luke’s back. “Last mission, right, son?”

Luke nods. “Last mission.” It’s what he tells them every time to pacify his family. They accept it, even though we all know better. I suppose there is a chance, but it’s highly unlikely.

He looks at me then at T. “Congratulations, Thomas.”

T nods, not saying a word.

***

At dinner, T says a few words like, “How long will you be deployed?”

Luke tells him six months.

Then T tells him he will miss the wedding, rather pompously, actually.

“When is the wedding?” Tessa asks.

“We haven’t set a date yet,” I answer.

“But she was okay with getting married the night I asked her,” T boasts.

“I’d have a problem with that,” Dad sneers, and Luke and everyone else laughs.

T shrugs. “Whatever she wants, I’ll give her.” Then T drinks his third double-shot of scotch.

“Is it in hostile territory?” T asks Luke.

No one else senses a damn thing, but me, I want to crawl under the table.

I can’t be angry at T. He has to take my father’s jabs and look at a man I very recently thought I loved. Still, it’s not easy.

Dinner couldn’t have ended more quickly.

“I think we’re going to head back to the house,” I announce while helping clear the table.

“Why so soon?” Dad asks.

“She’s been working on a big case, traveling all over. She’ll be traveling for a few weeks, right, love?”

I nod.

“She’s one hell of a lawyer.”

“She’s worked her ass off to become one,” Dad adds.

“And she’ll continue if that’s what she wants. Although, it is totally unnecessary,” T says, narrowing his eyes slightly as he looks at me.

I smile and shrug then go upstairs to peek in on Piper with Harper.

“She’s gonna be our flower girl if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course it is.” Harper smiles.

“I’ll need a matron of honor, too,” I whisper.

“Name the time and the place,” she whispers back then looks around and adds, “Sooner than later, though. I wanna look good in the photos.” She grins and puts her finger over her mouth. “Shh…”

“Oh, my God,” I gasp then cover my mouth. “When?”

“August. Don’t tell anyone, including T. He’s freaking drunk and very—”

“Over the top tonight.” I giggle softly, and she nods. “Yeah, he is, but I can’t blame him.”

She hugs me. “You deserve to be happy. So does he.”

I smile. “And you’re going to be a mom of two.”

“I know. It’s insane. But Maddox has been begging for two years, so I finally said yes and truly didn’t expect it to happen so fast.”

I want to tell her I’m pregnant, too, but I can’t. Not yet.

“You’re past your first trimester, so why haven’t you told anyone?” I ask.

She smiles and shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“Wait a couple weeks if that makes you feel better. But call me first, okay?”

“Will you come home?” she asks.

I grin and nod. “Yes. Yes, I’ll come home.”

“Then we can plan a wedding where I don’t have to wear a tent.”

I laugh. “You were the most beautiful pregnant woman ever.”

“Aw, thanks. I wasn’t …” She pauses. “Thanks.”

When I walk outside a few minutes later, I find T and Luke standing there, looking at each other, neither saying a word.

“Hey, guys, what’s going on?” I ask cautiously.

“Getting some fresh air,” Luke replies in a clipped tone.

“You ready to get home, Ava?” T asks in a cocky, arrogant way that’s meant to piss off Luke. It makes me angry.

“What I’m ready for is peace!” I snap.

Luke nods. “I hope you’ve found it.”

“I’m pretty sure I have.” I laugh nervously. “T?”

He doesn’t budge.

“Thomas Hardy, are you gonna stay here all night? I’m going home.”

“You’re driving, Ava. Your boy’s drunk.” Luke chuckles.

Before T can say a word, I point at Luke. “Enough.” Then I point at T. “Let’s go.”

Luke laughs as he walks toward the house. “Good luck.”

I take T’s hand and yell over my shoulder, “Be safe, Lane.” stomping to the vehicle and getting in.

“You wanna take it easy on the gears?” T asks as he gets in.

“You wanna replay of last time we were here, T? I mean, what the hell are you doing starting shit with him?”

“My goddess is pissed.”

“Damn straight she is.” I grind into first.

“The vehicle is warm, yes, Ava?”

“Clearly,” I say, running over a snow bank.

“Because I came out and started it. Your … friend followed me out. So kindly be nice to
our
vehicle,” he says with a sigh.

“Why did he follow you out?” I ask, knowing the answer.

Luke has no right to act like a jealous ass. None at all. His actions are contradictory to his words. It’s not like Luke to act like that, but it is like T. And as much as it annoys me, I understand, but it needs to stop. I need peace for me, for him, and for this baby.

“Because he likes me, Ava. He wants to be my friend.” He snickers.

“Good,” I say, not believing that’s why Luke followed him out, but I don’t give a damn, and I don’t want T to, either.

“Can we fly home tonight?” he asks, looking at his phone.

“Yeah, sure,” I say.

“She’s, what?” T exclaims, and I laugh. “How long have you known?”

“Since we were home,” I tell him, feeling a little ashamed of myself.

“And you didn’t …” He pauses, his eyes widening. “You lied to me!”

“No!” I cry when he picks me up and acts as if he’s going to toss me onto the bed. “Don’t you dare! You’ll mess up the clothes we’re packing!”

“You’ve had weeks to digest this, Ava soon-to-be Hardy.”

I laugh, loving when he says my name like that.

“Let me wrap my head around the fact that our children will be as close as you and Harper and Maddox and I are.”

My stomach rumbles, and I cover it with my hand.

“Hungry?” he asks immediately.

I nod, and he sets me on my feet.

“Snickers?” I ask.

“Of course a Snickers. Mini or the larger size?”

“Mini,” I answer, knowing it is unhealthy to eat as many freaking Snickers bars as I have been lately. But dammit, they do really satisfy.

When he returns to wherever it is he hides them—upon my request—he has a full-sized bar. He bites half of it off, smirking as he hands me the rest.