Again With You Read online

  “What’s he doing here?” I ask as I get up off the chair and come to her and Tank.

  “Being the bane of my existence. So incredibly cute yet a very bad dog,” she explains as she tries to calm the dog down, but he just wants to play. Avery is struggling to hide her smile. “He keeps escaping from Matchbox and heading to the kitchen to grab a snack which is a health and safety nightmare.”

  My thumb scratches the corner of my mouth with my other hand on my hip as I smile at this scene, slightly jealous that the canine is getting more action than me right now.

  “I’ve got to take him back, but I will see you around. Soon.” She’s in a hurry as she comes to standing and drags the energetic dog behind her.

  “Yeah, you will.” It comes out soft, so she can barely hear.

  She stops and quickly looks over her shoulder as she struggles with the dog she holds by the collar. “Jake,” she calls out, and I nod. “You should try the carrot cake. I worked on the recipe once in your kitchen,” she smiles, and in turn I must be beaming.

  I watch her every move as she walks away, and in my mind, I feel relief that she is single, here, willing to talk… at some point.

  A glimmer of a chance sways by.

  “Hey, Gramps,” I say, grabbing a chair across from him at the small bedside table.

  “Jacob, my boy.” He sets out some checkers on the board. His eyes are still striking and the wrinkles on his face run deep. “Came to see me living my final days with these souls who think dinner at five is living on the edge?” my grandfather sarcastically says.

  “Come on, Gramps, not everyone lives as wild as you.” I smile and sit on the chair, admiring how Finn Sutton still takes every day as an adventure, even at his age.

  “How’s the courtroom?”

  I lean back in the chair and cross my arms. “Good. Busy. But I’m now normally less in the courtroom and handling more out-of-court deals.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Yeah. Does that disappoint you?” I ask, studying him.

  “No. Seeing you pass the bar was my proudest day since marrying your grandmother. So how you want to use your title is up to you,” he smirks proudly.

  I move a checker across the board. “Feeling okay? They said you’ve been coughing a little more than normal,” I ask, knowing he won’t tell me the truth.

  “So be it. I’m old. Besides, I have my private supply of scotch to ensure I have help to cure it,” he says confidently, and I know he means it, which makes me grin.

  Remembering I brought him a box of brownies that I got after Avery had to return the mutt, I set the box on the table.

  “Now you have made my day, my boy.”

  He grabs a brownie with a smile. In turn, I lean back in admiration and let my thoughts get a little lost in who made them.

  “You seem different, Jacob. Tell me. Does it have to do with someone who made these delicious brownies with her sweet hands?”

  This man always had a way with the ladies. I chuckle as he always amazes me how he can read me.

  “Maybe so,” I confirm sheepishly.

  “Finally, someone new in your life?”

  I look around as I get lost in thought. “She isn’t new, and to be honest, it’s a shock to see her again. Not bad, either. In fact, maybe incredible.”

  My grandfather gives me that sly grin that gets all the nurses’ attention. “Then give her your best charm. How long has it been?”

  “Five years since I saw her.” I stare into the distance.

  “Were you waiting for her?”

  I take a few beats to think. “I never knew I was, but now that I see her again, I think I always was,” I admit, and I feel a pinch in my heart, that organ that has gone on hiatus every time I was with someone who wasn’t Avery.

  Before my grandfather can continue his line of questioning, a body lands in the chair next to me.

  “Hey there, Gramps. Thought I would stop by,” my sister Becca chimes.

  My sister Becca is a fast talker and has zero filter. She’s wearing black like usual to match her dyed-black hair, yet she doesn’t cross the line into goth.

  Becca looks at me. “You look a little prickly today. You know, you really should consider going out with Tracy who I’ve been trying to set you up with. She may lighten your mood.” My sister tries to set me up with a lot of women.

  “Becca, please don’t get into this today. I’ve had a long weekend,” I beg.

  Long weekend, sure. It was more like Avery is inescapable in my mind. I ran a longer trail run than my usual, hammered out a few contracts, and even cleared out some boxes that have been sitting in one of my spare rooms for three years. That was a bad fucking move because mementos of her fell out of the box.

  That photo and that tiny black box she doesn’t even know I have.

  The reminders of what we could have had. The reminders of our ending.

  “You’re a sweet guy who takes care of all of us, especially as Mom and Dad are on their year-long retirement trip across Asia. Wouldn’t matter, though, as it’s always you who watches out for everyone, and I just want to see you happy. Work a little less, find someone, finally fill that expensive car with kids. Just turn that frown upside down, please,” Becca insists.

  I shake my head at her.

  “I am not taking relationship advice from you. How’s the divorce coming along? You touched base with the attorney I recommended? Don’t sign anything until I read it through,” I remind her. My sister is going through a divorce, and I was never a fan of her soon-to-be ex.

  She puffs, “Geez, you’re a mood killer.”

  “Children,” Gramps gives us a stern warning.

  “Listen, I’m going to go. I know your favorite grandchild is leaving, but I will see you next week again, okay?” I say as I stand up from my chair and pinch my sister’s arm.

  “Okay. But go charm the one you were waiting for.” Gramps smiles.

  My sister looks between us before a grin forms, similar to a cat catching a mouse.

  “There’s a woman?” she asks in delight.

  Rubbing my forehead in frustration. “No. Yes. No. Not exactly, well, yes.”

  Yeah, well done, Jake, really constructing sentences these days.

  Holding a hand up to Becca, I request, “Can I please use my token free pass to avoid this conversation with you, Becca?”

  Becca claps her hands in joy. “This week, sure. But since you just asked that, then it means we may finally have found the one. So, go use your charm,” she grins.

  A frustrated exhale escapes me as I leave.

  When I get to my car and turn it on, I notice the piece of carrot cake in a box sitting on my car floor. I did what Avery said and took a piece of carrot cake to-go so I could try it. Grabbing the box and the plastic fork, I open the box and tuck in.

  The moment the moist cake hits my tongue, it all comes back.

  Chapter Six

  Jake: 5 years ago

  “But this is how you wanted me, no?” Avery gives me a knowing grin. She walks slowly backwards towards my bedroom as I follow, her hands pulling my tie.

  “You listen very well,” I remark, admiring her black heels, stockings with suspenders, and matching black bra with elements of gold. The outfit was made for one purpose only, to say fuck me, and it was especially requested by me earlier in the week.

  “But didn’t you want to bake a cake?”

  Her looks are pure seduction. “That can wait.”

  When we reach my bedroom, she goes to the bed and the mattress dips as she kneels. “Tell me what you want. I listen very well.” It rolls off her lips, sultry, and if it were possible to get even harder than steel, then it just happened.

  “Come to the edge of the bed,” I order as I unbuckle my belt. The sound of it coming undone makes her gulp softly in excitement.

  She licks her lips and obliges. Her fingers find my maroon-colored tie and untie it, the feeling of her fingers tugging sending more excitement
to my groin. When she gets the tie free, I quickly take the fabric from her hand as we will need it. Her fingers go on to unbutton my shirt, and she kisses my skin after every single button, and it sends sparks through my body. She makes a trail that leads her to under my belly button, where anticipation heats in me as her eyes shoot up to meet mine. Quickly, I move my briefs to the floor, along with my pants.

  “Take me in your mouth,” I instruct her as my hands grab her hair. Without hesitation, she wraps her lips around my tip then moves to take me fully in her mouth, and I let a groan escape. “You feel so good,” I grunt.

  That seems to make her enjoy it more. My cock feels like it’s drowning in a pool as her mouth gets wetter, and moans vibrate around my flesh as her mouth slides up and down. She is excellent at this; I know because this isn’t her first time doing this to me. If I’m not careful, this will end sooner than planned.

  My hips move to bring me a little deeper in her mouth, and I feel her reflex react. “You’re doing so good,” I encourage, her eyes looking up occasionally to check I’m watching her, which is so fucking hot; the feeling that she’s looking for approval.

  Pulling her hair, I bring her away and her mouth looks to be a gorgeous mess. “I have other plans for you.”

  “What would that be?” she asks with a raspy voice as her eyes roam over me.

  Taking my tie, I grab her wrists and secure the fabric around them, binding them together. Right away, that sexy grin of satisfaction flashes across her face as she willingly tests the knot with a tug. She enjoys it. It drives me crazy that our minds are so in tune together. We know what the other wants and likes because it is the same.

  “You are going to lie down,” I tell her as I guide her down on the bed, putting her bound wrists above her head. My mouth goes straight to her breast where I move the fabric of her bra to the side so my mouth can cover a nipple. My want for her urges me to suck her taut bud relentlessly. Her moan escapes and her thighs spread open from enjoyment.

  “Don’t stop,” she begs.

  My fingers play with her other nipple, and after giving both breasts the attention they deserve, my mouth drags down her flat stomach to her panties. She is soaking, and when my mouth goes over her clit with the thin layer of lace between us, I can taste her subtle sweetness. A magic potion that makes me let go of all my inhibitions.

  Her moans escaping and body arching to my mouth tells me she is in her own world of ecstasy, and I love that I am doing that to her.

  I lose count of how many times she pants please, so good, and I want you in me. But I get the message and move the fabric aside so I can let my fingers explore her warm wet flesh, and let my tongue reach her sweet spot. Her legs wrap around my neck and her back arches as her hands stay bound above her. She has become powerless and cannot lie still. I’m driving myself insane with the feeling of power I have over her.

  After a few minutes of teasing her, she quickly tremors and shakes under my tongue. My head moves slowly back up her body, and I marvel at the view in the process.

  “You taste so fucking good, Ave,” I whisper as I look at her red and glowing face. My mouth finds her neck again to kiss her vigorously there, teasing her skin between my teeth, as my fingers continue to pump in and out of her warm center.

  “I’m so wet for you,” she admits barely through a whisper as she seems to be floating in her desire.

  “You are so wet, which is good, because you’re going to go to your hands and knees so I can take you from behind.”

  She gives me a droll smile as she slowly rolls to her side then adjusts her body so she is resting on her knees and bound arms, her gorgeous ass in the air.

  Positioning myself behind her, I rub a hand over her ass that is perfectly on display between the straps of her stockings. The tip of my length trails along her skin until it finds her wetness, rubbing along her sex and clit. Slowly I slide into her until I am deep. I want to get lost in her. Her head dances with her bound hands as she moans, and I find a rhythm in her as I grip her hips in place, making her moan and writhe. The music she is making with her sounds encourages me to keep going. Hell, I could do this to her all day, over and over again.

  She makes a small yelp every time I hit her deep in that spot that I know can make her scream.

  “You feel so, so good,” she cries.

  “I want you to come, babe.”

  “I only want to come if you come,” she declares.

  That nearly does it to me. My hands reach under her to massage her clit, cup her breasts and touch her everywhere as I pick up the pace.

  When her internal walls tighten around me as she begins to tremble, panting my name in a hoarse voice, it sends me to new heights until I find release.

  As I come down from our high, I rub her back gently with my hand. Pulling out, I fall on the bed with her and spoon her from behind, feeling her breathing pace attempt to steady.

  “That was sooo good,” she comments lazily as she lies in her frenzy, and I smile at her admission.

  My lips kiss her shoulder. “I love it when you come,” I whisper.

  Avery hums in response. “I love doing what you tell me,” she confesses, and I kiss her shoulder again.

  After a pause, I look at her and take in the view of her in my bed. She looks like she belongs here.

  “Do I now live in your tie or…?” she asks coyly with an amused look, indicating to her wrists above her head that she shakes slightly.

  I let out a chortle as my hands go to untie her wrists. When she’s free, she readjusts her position so she can lie on her back and look up at me lying on my side.

  I realize in all our fantasy-making tonight that I did not kiss her. Not on the lips anyway. That intimate act. Her soft full lips that meet mine, always with thirst.

  It should not matter anymore as we already had our release. But my eyes stare at her mouth and I don’t hesitate as I dive onto her mouth with mine. It catches her by surprise, but very quickly she returns the kiss, with her now-free hands coming to my face as we kiss deeper. Time stills when we kiss, I can never kiss her hard enough.

  Pulling away, her lip twitches with a not-so-secret smile and her eyes have a flicker.

  In that moment, I know I cannot get enough of her.

  “Are you sure I’m not interrupting your day? I mean, it seems like you have a lot of work to do… on a Saturday.” Avery gives me a knowing look as she pours flour into a bowl. I offered her my kitchen since it’s more practical then where she’s staying.

  “Nah, it’s fine. You can do your thing and I will work at the table over there. I have my Bluetooth on, anyhow.” I motion to my dining table, where I just want to do a few things on my laptop as I’m in the middle of discovery for a case.

  I walk to her and let my arms wrap around her from behind. “Plus, you deserve your baking bliss after what you did with my tie last night and what just transpired in here.” I kiss her neck.

  After last night with the tie, then waking to find her in my work shirt and nothing else as she cooked me eggs in the kitchen… It sent us straight to the kitchen floor for a quick workout.

  She softly giggles as she tries to shake me away and focus on her stirring.

  I have seen her a few times this week, normally meeting at my place when I’m returning from a long day at the office and heading straight to bed.

  Not to sleep.

  And to be honest, we normally wouldn’t fall asleep until about one after chatting about travel, music, dream houses, family, and what work would be like if we each had our dream career scenario.

  It is a natural current between us.

  Now that I have her in my kitchen in my shirt and bare legs, I don’t want to work. I want to have her on the counter.

  “Okay, well, I will get my cake in the oven then give you some space. I can work on my laptop in your room.”

  My arm reaches for her as she finishes putting the cake in the oven. “Yeah, but you know what? I don’t have so much work to do. Wan
t to watch a movie or something?”

  Her eyes widen in surprise “You? Not working on a Saturday morning? Have shapeshifters taken over your body?” she muses.

  “I don’t know, maybe you need to test my body,” I tease as I bring an arm around her waist and press her body to mine.

  She considers and then surprises me when she asks, “Maybe you could teach me how to play checkers?”

  I did not see that coming. To be honest, a movie was also a cover as I thought maybe we could do something along the lines of my counter, shower, and bed. But her suggestion sounds good right about now.

  “Sure.”

  “Okay, but you have to actually teach me. I forgot how to play.”

  Fuck, that sentence sends bad thoughts through my brain. Dirty thoughts. And in this moment, I am regretting not having a contact sport like football as the hobby to teach her. But my brain manages to tell my body to calm down, and for the next two hours, we laugh over checkers. I forgot how hanging out with someone over something so simple as checkers can be enjoyable.

  When she dashes off to the open kitchen to finish decorating her cake, a thought floats in my head when I realize she is going to make someone an incredibly happy husband one day. That thought came out from the left field in my brain, and I make a mental note to drink an extra beer tonight with the guys as I may need it.

  “Ready.” She beams, setting a pecan on the white iced two-tier cake, holding up a plate to me.

  “Whoa, that looks very good.” I slowly walk to her and let my arm wrap around her waist.

  She kisses my wrist as she brings the spoon of the icing to my mouth. I let out a sound when I taste the cream cheese frosting, then groan when I watch her lick the same spoon.

  Fuck, she can lick. Other things too.

  Her facial expression tells me she knows where my mind is going.

  “You have a dirty mind,” she confirms, studying me with a sexy look.

  I hold up my hands innocently and we both laugh before she cuts a piece of cake and takes a fork, bringing it to my mouth.