Inked (11 page)

Avery leaned back against the bar and let out an apprehensive sigh. “Why did you really ask me out to dinner tonight?”

“I told you, I wanted to catch up. Five years is a long time.”

“Yeah, just two old friends, right?” As much as she tried, Avery couldn’t hide the sarcasm from her voice. She was in stage five panic mode now. Raising her arms, she motioned aimlessly at their surroundings.  Her voice was clipped. “So all of this, the bracelet, the fancy restaurant, none of it has to do with you wanting custody of Parker?”

“What the hell, Avery? Where on earth did you ever get an idea like that?” The words spewed out of Brody’s mouth in a rush.

“Just tell me the truth.”

Brody wanted to take Avery in his arms and tell her how very wrong she was. That he would never do something like that, but in her current state of mind a move like that would only earn him a slap in the face, or better yet, a kick in the groin. So instead of comforting her, he remained motionless. “Avery, I swear, never in a million years has that thought crossed my mind. I would never dream of taking Parker away from you. I told you…”

“Yeah, I know,” Avery interrupted “just two old friends catching up.”

Brody waited for her to calm down before repeating his question. “What on earth ever gave you that idea? Was it something I said or did, because if it was, I am truly, truly sorry.”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then what was it?”

“I don’t know. First you show up at my house with all those groceries and then there’s that damn cheque. It just felt like you thought I couldn’t provide for Parker.” Avery tilted her head up and allowed herself a peek at Brody. The look of hurt on his face shocked her. Maybe she’d misread his gestures. Maybe he was just trying to be a provider for his son. “I’m sorry. I guess I just let my imagination get the better of me.”

“I can think of a better use for your imagination,” Brody joked, trying to relieve the pent up friction that had settled between them. And
it worked. He watched as a half-hearted smile slowly began to spread across her face.

Thankfully, the hostess chose that exact moment to appear at their side. “Sir, Ma’am, if you’ll follow me. Your table is ready.”

“Allow me?” Smiling, Brody offered her his arm.

Avery wasn’t entirely convinced that his motives for asking her out to dinner were pure, but she was now certain that they had absolutely nothing to do with Parker. And so she looped his arm through his and allowed him to lead her through the restaurant.

Arm in arm they maneuvered through the crowded dining room. White, crisp linen tablecloths had been draped over the tables, which were surrounded by high back chairs upholstered with blue and white striped fabric. Antique navigational maps hung in silver frames and stood out against the plain white walls. The theme was very nautical and very unlike the tacky décor most of the other seafood restaurants she’d visited seemed to have in common. It was chic, clean, and bright.

A waiter appeared suddenly at their table carrying menus and two glasses of water. “Can I start you off with another drink?”

“Not for me, thank you, but perhaps the lady would like another one.”

Avery nodded in agreement. “Yes, please.”

“Very well,” the waiter replied. After presenting them with a menu, he listed off the daily specials before vanishing into a crowd of passing patrons.

Three Caesars and four plates of raw oysters later, Avery sett
led back into her seat and studied Brody. The sparse gray hair around his temples was something she hadn’t noticed until now. And he look stressed, something else she hadn’t noticed until now. Thinking back, she could recall seeing him turned on, angry, moody, nervous, and even amused, but never stressed, not like this. There was definitely something eating away at him, but what? Dinner had been enjoyable, but their conversation was non-existent. Barely two words had passed between them all night. If Avery wanted to know what was bothering him, she was just going to have to ask him outright.

She fidgeted with the napkin in her lap. The four Caesars she’d consumed since arriving at the restaurant had given her the courage to ask the question she’d wanted to ask all night. “So, why
did
you ask me out to dinner?”

At the sound of Avery’s voice, Brody’s head snapped up. He’d been racking his brain trying to think of something to fill the lull in their conversation, and this was definitely something. If he answered Avery’s question the wrong way, he’d send her running in the opposite direction, so it was important that he chose his words
very
carefully.

“Well,” he began, but reached for another oyster. The length of time it took him to chew it would buy him a few precious seconds to formulate a believable response. When he swallowed down the last bite, he cleared his throat and sat up straighter in the chair.

Avery waited patiently for him to respond, but her patience was wearing thin. If this wasn’t about Parker, what in the hell was it about? “Well?”

Brody hesitated. Emotions were already running high. If he told her the truth now—especially after the false assumptions she’d made about him wanting custody of Parker—there was a chance she’d flee, and that wasn’t a chance worth taking. He still had every intention of telling Avery how he felt about her, but only when the timing was right. So instead of saying the three simple words that he so desperately longed to say, he lied. “Avery, I really did want to catch up tonight, nothing more.”

Nothing more?
She felt a pang of guilt deep in the pit of her stomach, but that was her own fault, not Brody’s. That’s what she got for carrying on like a raving lunatic. Resigned to the fact that any hopes she had for a “happy ending” had been quashed, she leaned back in her chair and forced a smile to her face. “Some date I’ve been, huh? First I accuse you of wanting to take Parker away from me and then I barely say two words to you all night. You probably would’ve had more fun taking Parker to Mc Donalds.”

Avery stiffened. Had she really just suggested that Brody take Parker out? By himself?
No! It’s way too soon for that.
With any luck, he hadn’t caught on to her suggestion, but the expression on his face told her he had.

“I’d love nothing more than to take Parker to Mc Donalds, but maybe the three of us should go out a few times so he can get to know me a bit better first.” He could sense Avery’s reluctance the second the words left her mouth, and this was one subject he didn’t want to press his luck with, but it was a start, and it gave him another excuse to ask her out.

“I’d like that,” Avery agreed “but I have to warn you, that child can eat his weight in Chicken Mc Nuggets.”

The two of them stared at each other and simultaneously burst out laughing. Finally, the carefree, playful Avery had returned.

“Now, about tonight, not all is lost.” Brody relaxed in his chair. If he played his cards right, he may just be able to salvage this evening after all. “We could always find a nice, quiet café. That’s what friends do, have coffee together.”

“I’d like that.”

“Good,” he smiled. “So would I.”

Chapter 9

Boston’s “new” w
aterfront was the tourist’s one-stop shop for niche boutiques, art galleries, nightclubs, and restaurants. The city had spent millions of dollars on its revitalization and judging by the growing lineups outside the bars and eateries, it was a very worthwhile investment. Even the locals couldn’t resist the lure of world class chefs and endlessly flowing cocktails. But during the day, the scene painted a very different picture. Families crowded into the dozens of parks that lined the waterfront, couples browsed the antique shops and artisan vendors, and hot dog carts were a dime a dozen.

Avery wrapped both hands around her coffee cup, relishing in its warmth as her body involuntarily shivered against the cool night air.

“Are you cold?”

“A little.”

Like the gentleman he was brought up to be, Brody removed his jacket and placed it across her shoulders. “Better?”

“Better.”

They continued walking towards the marina in silence, gingerly sipping at their coffees. But this was an amicable silence and very much the opposite of the awkward silence they’d encountered during dinner. They were genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

As they neared the marina’s entrance, Brody spoke softly, breaking the quietness. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing much.”

“You must be thinking about something. I can practically hear the wheels in your head turning,” he joked.

Avery looked at him and smiled. “Well, if you must know, I was thinking about how much Parker would love it down here.”

“He would, wouldn’t he?”

“Look over there.”Avery pointed to a spot off in the distance

Brody lifted his head and looked to the spot further up the walkway where she was pointing. There, in the parking lot beside the park, was a fun fair in the midst of being constructed. A lone worker who had just finished stocking one of the game booths was locking up for the night.

“Parker would love that,” she murmured, and pulled the jacket tighter around her shoulders.

“Are you still cold?”

“A bit.”

Brody moved closer to Avery and draped his arm across her shoulders. As they continued to make their way along the walkway, he began lightly massaging her arm through the wool fabric. “Maybe we could bring Parker here this weekend.”

His hot, heady breath tickled the sensitive skin of her neck when he spoke, and the closeness of their bodies made it impossible for her to focus on anything else but him. It took every ounce of her concentration for her mouth to formulate one simple word, “Maybe.”

They continued walking past the entrance of the marina and towards the now deserted park, Brody mentally calculating the best way to steal a kiss, and Avery wondering how long it would take to ditch their coffees and make it back to her apartment.

“I was thinking,” they said simultaneously, and both began to laugh.

“You first,” Brody offered.

“It’s okay, you go first.”

“I was thinking that tonight would be a perfect night for a stroll in the park. That is, if you’re not too cold.” He adjusted his jacket to better cover her shoulders, his hand accidentally brushing up against the side of her breast, but Avery didn’t seem to mind one bit. In fact, he could swear that he saw her lips curl up into the beginnings of a smile. “Okay, your turn. What were you going to say?”

“Nothing important,” she replied coyly, and purposely pressed closer into his side.

“You’re a woman of few words, Avery Carmichael.”

“You have no idea,” she laughed, and rested her head in the crook of his shoulder.

They entered the park through the large, wrought iron gateway and followed the path around the fountain, past the swings and slides, and to an out of the way pavilion that was partially hidden behind a grove of trees.

“What about here?” Brody asked, motioning to one of the four benches situated beneath the large, octagonal shaped structure. The pavilion was open and airy and provided very little privacy from prying eyes, but it was late and they were far enough off the main path to avoid detection.

Brody sat down and Avery took her place beside him. It wasn’t the cool ocean breeze causing her to shiver now. It was the rush of anticipation and longing for his touch. Without realizing it, she inched closer towards him on the concrete bench until only a sliver of space separated them.

Exhilaration coursed through his body. Brody hadn’t felt this way since he was a teenager in high school and got caught kissing Janie Marshall under the bleachers at the homecoming game. The feeling was incredible and way better than he remembered, but it wasn’t so much the feeling as it was the company. The last time he’d slept with Avery it had been spontaneous, lustful, and something that they both needed at the time, but tonight was different. Tonight his emotions were running high, and even though he couldn’t speak the words “I love you” aloud, he could at least try to convey them physically. Tonight he would be patient and tender and loving. Tonight he would
show
Avery how he felt rather than telling her.

Brody turned to face her, his knee pressing into hers as he shifted his body sideways. Moonlight streamed down and reflected in the depths of her hazel eyes and cast an ethereal glow onto her delicate features. He felt himself grow harder. Her beauty, her smell, the way the golden streaks in her hair shone silver in the moonlight…

“Oh, fuck it!” Avery growled, and launcher herself at him.

The touch of her warm lips on his forced all rational thought from his mind. Her mouth, soft and pliable, melded to his as if it was meant for him and only him, and the tip of her tongue snaked out and traced the contour of his pouty bottom lip, causing him to grow impossibly harder and considerably uncomfortable when his erection struggled to break free of its woolen prison. Reaching between them, Brody fisted the lapel of his jacket and ripped it from her body, neither of them paying much attention when it crumpled to a heap on the concrete floor of the pavilion.

Avery’s body trembled and she moaned against his lips.

His speech was slurred as he mumbled around a mouthful of her tongue. “You’re not still cold, are you?”

“No.”

“Good.” Brody drew her bottom lip between his, sucking and nibbling and biting until her subtle moans morphed into muffled screams. Without breaking contact, he took her hand in his and guided it down the length of his body to the throbbing mass between his legs, and when she began stroking him through the fabric of his pants, he released his hold and slid his tongue between her moist lips.

Their tongues lashed against each other, fighting to dive deeper and deeper into the warmth of each other’s mouth. And when both of them were struggling for air, Brody broke the kiss.

Avery rested her head on his shoulder and her lungs gasp
ed for air, but her hand continued to rhythmically stroke him through his pants. It was the only barrier left between her and utter bliss.

One by one, he began to unpin the mass of curls at the nap of her neck, tossing the pins aside and running his fingers through each spiraled lock as they unfurled and fell gently upon her shoulders. It wasn’t until their breathing returned to its normal pace that he tenderly kissed the top of her head and whispered into her hair. “So, are you ever going to tell me what you were thinking about, or do I have to kiss it out of you?”

Avery buried her face into Brody’s chest and inhaled. His distinct scent seemed to be magnified tenfold, just as it was every other time he got aroused. She turned slightly to answer his question, but the words were muffled by his shirt and the two hard pecs that nestled her head. “I was thinking that I’d like to ask you back to my apartment.”

Brody placed a finger beneath Avery’s chin and tilted her face upwards, bringing her eyes to meet his. “I don’t think I can wait that long.”

His eyes, full of unspoken promises, caused the anticipation to mount and butterflies to flutter in the pit of her stomach. She watched curiously as he picked his jacket up off the ground and searched the inner pocket, and when she saw what he was holding, a knowing grin spread across her face. In his hand he held a small foil packet. “Well, well, what have you got there? And what made you so certain the evening was going to end like this?”

“A man can hope,” Brody smirked, and offered her his hand. Before she could protest, he led her across the pavilion and to the railing that was nestled behind the grove of trees.

“What makes you think I’ll say yes?” she teased, and sighed contentedly when he leaned up against her.

“Just tell me to stop and I’ll stop.”

His body pressed into hers, pinning her against the rail, and his arousal dug into her back, leaving her speechless.

“That’s what I thought.” His response was cocky and his hands swift and sure as he unzipped his pants.

Avery reached behind her back and found his hips. She tried to pull him closer but he pried her hands from his body and placed them back on the metal rail.

“You’re gonna want to hold on for this,” Brody warned, and felt Avery tense at his words. “Brody, I…” Avery hesitated, but before she could finish her sentence, his lips were at her ear.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.” He encircled her hips with his hands and began gathering her dress between his fingers until it surrounded her waist, and holding it with one hand, he placed his free hand between her legs. He drew his fingers along her silky skin, stopping every few inches to draw small circular patterns with the pad of his thumb, and languidly made his way along the length of her thigh until he reached the small, well manicured strip of hair between her legs. “Mmm, no panties?” he growled, and pressed his fingers further between her legs, teasing and tormenting her until she writhed at his touch.  “It’s not what I expected of you, Ms. Carmichael.”

A wicked grin spread across her face, and even though Brody couldn’t see it, she knew he could sense it.

“What am I going to do with you?” Without warning, he slid two fingers deep into her core, eliciting a moan of approval. His fingers thrust in and out of her, slowly at first but increasing in speed every time he entered her. And when neither of them could take it anymore, he eased his fingers from her body and positioned himself between her thighs. Gently, he began to thrust into her, taking her from behind.

Avery gasped at the intrusion. She was petite, but each inward stroke accustomed her to his ample girth, stretching and filling every inch of her, and driving her closer to complete and utter bliss.

Brody lowered his head and watched, transfixed, as he entered her over and over again. He would never tire of this, of him being the one to give her pleasure, of their bodies being so in sync that they moved together as one. Her backward thrusts matched his pace perfectly as he stroked into her, and the sound of flesh on flesh woven into the sound of their cries echoed loudly in the stillness of the park.

The beginning
s of an orgasm skittered through her body and Avery begged for release. “Faster, please.”

As Brody struggled to find his own release in the depths of her warmth, he leaned into her and drew her ear between his lips, biting and nibbling his way down her neck to where he placed a row of heated kisses across her bare shoulders. And when their breathing became erratic and their thrusts frantic, he reached in front of her and slid his hand under her dress. “Hold tight.”

Avery’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the rail tightly and braced herself for what was to come. She wanted to demand he go faster, to take her harder, but pleasure consumed her and all she could do was scream his name. “BRODY!!!”

His fingers traced the curve of her hip and followed it to the thin thatch of hair between her thighs. If he moved his fingers down an inch or so and rubbed her just the right way.

“Oh fuck, yes,” they screamed out in unison.

He could feel her body clamp down around him like a vice as waves of pleasure crashed over her, and felt her legs quiver as they struggled to hold her upright. Brody wrapped his arm around Avery’s waist and held her to him, supporting her weight as he thrust deep into her one final time and found his own blissful release.

Sated, they clung to the rail and each other. The only sound to be heard was the hiss of their ragged breath.

Whether it was seconds or minutes later, Avery couldn’t tell. Her unsteady legs wobbled beneath her and threatened to give out, and she fought to regain her equilibrium. So when she felt the pressure of Brody’s arm around her waist begin to lessen and felt a cool breeze pass between their bodies, Avery panicke
d, afraid that she might fall if he released her. “Wait! Where are you going?”

“Hold onto the railing,” he instructed.

“Oh God, not again.”

Brody’s laughter echoed through the park just as their screams had only moments before. “Not, yet,” he assured her. “I’ll be right back.”

When he returned, he lifted his jacket and placed it across her shoulders.

Avery released her grip on the rail and turned to face him.  Her legs, although still unsteady, supported her weight as she slid down the length of his body. The concrete was rough and cold against her bare knees, but it was of little importance. She wanted more of him. She needed more of him. Leaning in, Avery playfully took his zipper between her fingers and tugged as she nipped at him through the fabric of his pants. A smile flashed across her face when she saw his erection twitch beneath the fabric. “So soon?” she teased. “I’m impressed.”