Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) (26 page)

She halted in her tracks. There was a man in the kitchen. A young, broad shouldered, chiseled jawline, ruggedly handsome man. He wore faded denim jeans that fit with the tailor of a custom cut and a black tee shirt that clung in all the right places. Ava glanced down at his well-worn boots, expensive boots before drawing her eyes back to his face. In Ava’s opinion, he was underdressed compared to the other people in Logan’s social circle. When he smiled, recognition dawned.
 

“You must be Logan’s younger brother, Darwin.”
 

He was tall like Logan, but where Logan looked roguishly polished, Darwin looked casual with a glint of danger behind his easy smile. He stood extending his hand towards her. She accepted, offering a firm handshake.

 
“I am his brother. You can drop the ‘young’ modifier. It makes Logan feel old and me infantile.”

“You’re not what I expected,” he said still holding Ava’s hand.
 

She wasn’t sure how to take his comment. She tugged her hand from his grip, curling her fingers into the cotton fabric covering her leg.
 

“I apologize. I left my southern charm in the truck. It’s nice to meet you Ava.”

“How do you know my name?” His blue eyes looked troubled.

“Graham told me about you, but I still find myself dumb struck by your loveliness.”

Ava felt herself blush. She wondered what Graham had told Darwin about her. He had witnessed how destructive she could be not only to herself, but to others. Barely escaping with her life out on a Saturday stroll. Had Logan shared about their relationship? Apart from Lina who was an investigative journalist when it came to matters of the heart, she had avoided conversations about Logan with her friends. Her family was a separate matter. They never failed to insert a question about Logan into the conversation. But at least, they employed some stealth to disguise their inquiries. She’d kept her most intimate thoughts about Logan private. Perhaps Logan hadn’t done the same. Not knowing how to respond to Darwin’s confession, an unnatural silence settled over the room.
 

Darwin was taking in her appearance. The wet hair, men’s boxers, and no bra probably told most of the story. The
morning after costume,
following a rough tumble in the sheets based on her state of undress. A broad smile crossed his face reflecting that he had just reached the same embarrassing conclusion.
 

“Logan should return any moment. Saturday errands are calling, so I’m going to go. It was nice meeting you.”
 

His sly smile was telling. Not as casual as he appeared. He analyzed and calculated with the same finesse as Logan, definitely a Masters descendant.
 

“Don’t leave on my account. You just got here, right?”
 

Why was everyone teasing her this morning? First Lina about Cricket, now Darwin with his disarming wit about her presence. Another confession would not be heard from her lips.
 

“I know my brother. He will be pissed at me if you leave before he returns.” He was no longer joking. “We don’t want any trouble with Logan.”
 

He offered her another one of those knowing smiles.
 

“Have a seat Ava. I interrupted your conversation, sorry about that.”
 

His smile brightened, definitely mischievous.
 

“I heard you talking on the phone when I came in. Logan really should lock his doors. A person can’t be held responsible for what they overhear.” He raised one eyebrow at her.

“How much did you hear?” Was it her fate to be uncomfortable meeting anyone associated with Logan?

“Barely anything.”

“Oh my To …” She needed to stop the habit, now that Logan had objected to the saying. “This is worse than my dance with Logan. Let’s talk about something else. Logan told me you are former Navy. Tell me about your experience.” Gone was the easy smile. Tightness covered his face, his eyes narrowed, his expression darkened. She wouldn’t mention the Navy to him again.

“Earth to Darwin.” Looking her in the eye he laughed at the jest, but it sounded forced.
 

“You got Logan on a dance floor.”
 

It was her turn to raise a brow. Logan was a skilled dance partner. He didn’t have a problem keeping her occupied.
 

“It was his suggestion.”
 

 
“I’ll tell my mother those dance lessons were not in vain. She will be happy.” He motioned for her to join him. “Relax. Brothers do not divulge details of one another’s private life. Besides, if Logan comes home to find you gone, you may never see me again.”

“Ava?”
 

That was her man’s voice. Her foolish heart skipped a beat. Logan was back.

“In the kitchen.”
 

Both she and Darwin were seated at the countertop bar when Logan rounded the corner.
 

“Ah, the prodigal brother returns, it has been weeks since I heard from you. How long have you been here?”
 

“Long enough to get acquainted with the beautiful Miss Ava Walters.”
 

Darwin’s smile was just as breathtaking as his older brother’s, but it did not have the same effect as Logan’s on her insides. Nothing compared to Logan, especially after the way he loved her body last night.
 

“Logan, I was about to leave so you can spend some time with your brother.” 

The crumpled brown bag he was holding made a distinct sound as it dropped to the countertop, then he lowered the compressed paper tray holding their coffee next to the bag. Logan looked at her through narrowed eyes, and inclined his head. She knew that look never bode well for her.
 

“Goodbye Darwin. I’ll meet you upstairs sweetheart.”
 

Logan’s eyes never strayed from hers. His words rang with authority. This was no request, it was a dictate to all within hearing range.
 

At her hesitance, Logan crossed the room, his voice low so only she could hear, and “We both need to eat.”
 

He placed a barely there kiss on her forehead. Thank the heavens it wasn’t more. She knew Darwin watched and her body was responding with the attentiveness of a prodigy obeying its master. His breath on her neck sent tingles zinging through her body, her knees went weak. Barely able to support her own weight, his hand at the small of her back guided her towards the staircase.
 

Not wanting to be rude, Ava turned in Darwin’s direction, “It was nice meeting you.”
 

“It was my pleasure. Look me up on Facebook if you really want to know more about my experience, sweetheart.” He was grinning at her.
 

“Don’t call her that. You call her Ava.” Logan glared at his brother.
 

“What? You just called her sweetheart.”
 

“I know what I can do Darwin.”
 

Logan was being unnecessarily gruff.
 

“Logan.” Trying to control the annoyance she felt at his treatment of Darwin. The conversation with Darwin came to an abrupt halt. Logan looked at her.

“Enough. Stop giving Darwin a hard time. You’ve been impossible all morning.”
 

“I apologize. It’s been a morning of unforeseen circumstance.” Darwin raised his eyebrows at their exchange. Ava quickly exited the room, before another shame-faced moment could present itself.

Logan was anxious to get back to Ava. Darwin, who was watching him with an assessing stare, needed to go home.
 

“So big brother, it’s that good between the two of you?” He knew what Darwin was asking, but it was not any of his business. Darwin had formed a habit of probing Logan about the women in his life. Logan tolerated the questions about Rebecca the night of the fundraiser, but what happened between him and Ava was off limits.
 

“What are you talking about?” Logan waited, interested to hear what his brother would say next.

He wasn’t offering any information about his Ava.

“You have a woman in your house. A woman you are eager to get back to.”
 

Logan remained silent.

“You’re out buying breakfast. Not the other way around.”
 

Darwin threw up his hands in a “that’s all that needs to be said gesture.”
 

“What is your point?”

“You all but commanded Ava to go back to the cave and wait. You haven’t seen me, your only brother in almost three weeks, yet I have the impression you want to physically remove me from your new love den.”
 

Logan moved toward the door. Time was up.
 

“Go home, Darwin.”
 

“We need to talk about Rebecca. Soon.”
 

Darwin’s brow furrowed, but Logan was not in the mood to discuss business deals or Rebecca.
 

“I will call you when I am available.”
 

“Take a break from your woman and call me before Monday.”
 

“Jealous much, brother?”
 

“Never jealous. Pleasantly surprised that you put yourself above the family’s plan for you.”
 

Darwin never understood Logan’s ambitious drive. As the firstborn, Logan had the responsibility of elevating the Masters family name drummed into him from birth. He was to follow in his father’s footsteps, then surpass them. And he would do that and more, but on his own terms. Having Ava changed everything.
 

“Goodbye, Darwin.”
 

“Enjoy your weekend, but call me. We both have important decisions to make.”
 

“I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
 

With that, he closed and locked the door.
 

Logan climbed the stairs with two steaming cups of coffee, two bagels, a fruit bowl and one yogurt parfait. As he ascended the stairs leading to his bedroom Ava materialized on the landing fully dressed.
 

“Why are you dressed?”
 

“The naked sacrifice thing didn’t feel right with your brother still in the house.”
 

“I should have hidden your clothes while you were in the bathroom.”

“I don’t know much about South Carolina where your folks are from, but in Florida it would be considered highly improper to walk around someone’s house naked.”
 

She teased him again, a tantalizing smile on her face.
Mine
echoed through his head.

He’d institute a reward if she lost the layers. Though she wasn’t wearing much, it was more than he ever wanted to see her wearing at home.

“I give you permission to relinquish all clothing upon crossing the threshold into my domain.”
 

He reached the landing and locked onto her lips, slowly nibbling at the lower lip. Fire immediately swept through his veins, swift and ferocious, barreling to his pelvis, and her moans fuel to the rising flames. Her breath came in pants.
 

Logan pulled back transfixed on what was before him. Lust was pulsating between them, a beacon bringing both to a single location. He spoke first.
 

“Turn around, go into the bedroom and take off your clothes.”

She stiffened, eyes wide with fear and breathing at a halt. A look of being dunked in a frigid bath marred her face.

“Ava?” He placed the contents in his hands on the landing table carefully gripping her upper arms pulling her to him. She resisted initially.
 

“Sweetheart, tell me what’s happening?” His heart was beating against his chest, but he maintained his outward calm.
 

Whatever it was she was reliving it, again. He gentled his voice. Concern for her escalating when she did not answer. Wanting to squeeze her closer to him, he held back, knowing that it could make the memory more vivid for her. Last night, his voice had broken the nightmare’s pull, maybe it would work this time.