Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Maybe next year I’ll be Khal Drogo and you can be Daenerys.” And as soon as the words are out, I wish they were back in my mouth. I have no business even assuming we’ll be together a year from now, but Ava laughs and turns toward the trunk to start removing the decorations.
I’m still digging the Dorothy outfit and looking forward to peeling her out of it later. We’re back on borrowed time because the team is leaving on an extended road trip. Two games in Los Angeles and another in Houston before we head back, taking the entire first week of November.
While I can go without sex and often do because I’m not the type to go prowling like some of the players, the thought of spending next week in an empty bed doesn’t sit well.
More specifically, the thought of spending next week in a bed without Ava seems mighty lacking.
I move next to Ava, reaching into my trunk to wind up the LED lights while she works on the webbing. “What do you think about coming on the road trip with me next week?”
Ava turns slowly to me, a frown on her face. “Why?”
I roll my eyes as my arms go around her waist. I tug her into me, our faces close. “Stolen moments, remember? That’s what we get, and we can have a huge stolen moment next week if you come. Your job is remote so you can work in our hotel room while I do my thing with the team. You can come to the games. We can fuck all night after.”
A small smile graces her lips and she pats my chest. “That sounds like an incredible stolen moment, but I can’t.”
“Why not?” I lean in and nuzzle her neck, catching the Power Ranger players walking by with smirks on their faces. I’ve probably freaked them out by bringing a woman to a team event, then showing affection with ease.
“Because I can’t afford to go. I barely have enough money to keep me in ramen noodles until my next paycheck, and well… frankly, I was going to use this next week you’re gone as a cost-saving measure, since even driving into the city to see you is costing me too much in gas.”
I jolt in shock, my arms falling away from her. “What?”
Ava sighs as she drops her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. She closes her eyes briefly before opening them as her hand falls away. Her expression is apologetic. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dumped that on you, but I’ve got to sort of buckle down for the next few weeks until I can get my first paycheck. Stan didn’t pay all that great at the coffee shop, and I pretty much lived hand to mouth. Unfortunately, there’s been nothing in my hand the last week as my final paycheck was only for three days of work, and Stan hasn’t sent it yet.”
“Jesus, Ava,” I growl, partly angry at her but more so at Stan. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have given you—”
Ava’s hand covers my mouth, effectively shutting me up. “I depended on a man to provide me with the basics of a roof over my head and a job. I’m never going to do that again.”
Encircling her wrist, I pull her hand away. “I’d never let you depend on me. I’m merely offering temporary help. Hell, consider it a loan if you’re too proud to take any money, and pay me back with interest. But I sure as shit don’t want you eating ramen until you get paid.”
A smile curves Ava’s lips, and she leans in to give me a soft kiss. “Thank you. That’s sweet, but I’m fine, I promise.”
She tries to pull her hand away, but I clamp tighter. “Fine. You’ve got things handled. That still doesn’t mean you can’t come on the road trip with me.”
Ava cocks an eyebrow. “If I can’t afford anything but ramen, I sure as hell can’t afford a trip.”
“That’s true… but hear me out. We have stolen moments, right?”
She nods.
“And we should make the most of them.”
“Agreed,” she says cautiously.
“Then you have to take this opportunity—”
“I can’t afford—”
This time my free hand covers her mouth. “There’s nothing to afford. You’ll be in my hotel room, and I’ll pay for your meals and your airline ticket.”
Ava tries to speak under my hand, and I can imagine her argument. That’s still giving me money, and I don’t want to be indebted to you.
I cut off her thoughts. “That would not be me helping you. That would be me taking you out on an expensive date. Me taking you on a trip is like a normal guy taking you to dinner here in Pittsburgh.”
Twisting her neck, her mouth slides free. “Dinner is a date. A plane ticket is not.”