The river laps at the wooden decking underfoot as I gaze across the table at Trey's handsome face, his green eyes almost appear yellow in the sunlight. We're finally talking and I can't help but grin at him admiringly. My hand rests on top of his larger one, itching for more contact, but I know there's still much to be said before there's any chance of me feeling his stubble against my lips again.

Trey doesn't return my smile and his gaze sinks to the table. I watch on as he threads his free hand through his hair. What? He seems to only do that when he's anxious. "But I've made so many mistakes already... I've scared you and made you worry. Fuck, I've made you cry more than once. Maybe Herd's right, maybe I'm too fucking broken..."

A gasp escapes me by what his mind is fixating on. Shit. I was hoping Trey would be saying the opposite, ready to forgive and forget our shaky start. Maybe I shouldn't have told him what my Professor said, but I didn't want there to be secrets between us.

The table separating us suddenly seems like world's away, and I squeeze Trey's hand trying to tether him here before his depression and self-doubt drags him down anymore.

"Everyone makes mistakes Trey. I've made plenty, letting you down when you opened up... and the royal mess I made of our first night together..." I frown thinking of how much I've hurt him already. Rehashing this all is an excellent way to convince him to be with me. "We aren't our mistakes and..." My voice quivers when a waiter appears at possibly the worst moment.

"Ready to order?" The blond waiter asks cheerily. I eye the forgotten menus on the table, suddenly remembering my hunger. I'm about to ask for another minute to decide when Trey's hand slips out from beneath mine to seize one of the menus.

"Another round of drinks and I'll have a steak sandwich." Trey orders after barely glancing at his menu. Both sets of eyes land on me as I quickly grab another menu and scan it while feeling my face heat. Geez, no pressure.

"Um, Lamb shanks please." I feel like something warm and comforting right now. Though I doubt even truffle infused mashed potato can console my dashed hopes. The waiter collects up our menus and wades back inside as my shoulders slump. I'm struggling to remember the point I was trying to make, when an incredibly awkward silence descends across the table.

"I know what I should do Ava..." Trey murmurs looking down at his hands which fumble with his packet of cigarettes. "I ought to do the right thing and end this before we hurt each other anymore..." My heart sinks right to the river below us as he stands. Seriously who orders food and leaves before it arrives.

I'm seconds say from begging him to stay when he continues. "But, I've never really heeded much of what Herd's said before, and I don't see why I should start listening now." My eyes are wide as saucers hanging on Trey's every word as he clears his throat and walks around the table. My body immediately angles into his as he takes a seat beside me and clutches my hand.

"I don't understand why you're here at all, or what you see in me, but I want you in my life... " Oh my god. The urge to squeal bubbles up in my throat and I swallow it down as he continues, but my heart is soaring sky high. "And I want to be more than just your friend and housemate..." Hell yes!

A huge smile stretches across my face, and I'm gifted with his answering grin, which makes mine pale in comparison. I shouldn't be encouraging Trey to go against his Psych, but I can't help but want to be with him. His hand sweeps up between us, tucking my wayward hair behind my ear before his fingers linger on my face.

"Do you want to be with me too?" He asks in his deep smouldering voice. His eyes are wide and hopeful as they stare at me across the short distance. Breathe, Ava. I've all but forgotten how.

"I want to be with you so badly, Trey." I've barely finished speaking when his lips crash against mine. He cradles my face so tenderly while we kiss and I let go, never minding that we're in public and broad daylight. All I can focus on is his warm mouth and rough stubble against my face. I deepen the kiss needing more of those magic lips that I know can have me seeing stars. A rumble sounds in the back of his throat as he pulls back slightly.

"I meant what I said this morning. You're killing me." I smirk against him, giving those soft lips a quick peck.

"Death by blue balls?"

"Something like that... Ava..." he says in warning as my hand skims down the front of his jumper. I halt at the dangling cords of his hoodie, innocently adjusting the strings to make them even. He smirks at me while his eyes twinkle in amusement as I flutter my eyelids. "From the moment I saw you, I was drawn to you. I thought you were an angel, in your beautiful white and blue dress. You made me forget how to fucking breathe. But it's more than looks... And it sounds stupid, but I feel drawn to you... you just make everything better." His words make me smile so wide my cheeks hurt. 

"It's not silly at all, I feel it too. At first, I tried to convince myself it was just loneliness and curiosity. You're so handsome and mysterious and I kept wondering if and when I'd bump into you again. But I found myself thinking about you more than I should of at the time, wanting to know you. There's definitely something here, drawing us together." I can feel said chemistry coursing through me, making my heart thump faster as my body tingles craving his touch. Noticing movement in my peripheral, my eyes flick up to the approaching waiter with our drinks in his hands. We both lean back into our seats as Trey's hand drops from my face and our little bubble is popped.

After a delicious lunch, we stroll along the picturesque foreshore of Barrack street Jetty towards Elizabeth Quay. The sun shines down, warming us as we walk the cobbled footpath towards the bridge. Trey's hand encasing mine feels so right as I thread my fingers through his. "Are you still up for shopping?" I nod enthusiastically at his question.

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind checking out the malls and don't you want to get some painting supplies?" Trey nods faintly, making me wonder what's got him so distracted. I squeeze his hand, and he looks at me with an intensity I've seen in his eyes a couple of times now. Holy hell. Our chemistry's back in a heartbeat.

"I promise we'll come back and I'll show you all the sights... It's just right now..." he steps forward, cupping my cheek. My breath hitches as he leans down, closing the distance between us. "I need you," his lips brush my ear lobe, making me shiver. When our mouths collide, it's like a match is lit and hot desire courses through me. His lips are hard as his tongue invades my mouth while eradicating every thought and shred of balance I possess.

I garble out his name as he nibbles my bottom lip. I feel as the bridge railing caresses my back; the only thing other than Trey's arms keeping me upright. Me from a month ago wouldn't be caught dead making out in public, but now, I just don't seem to care. Maybe it was my close-knit town where everyone seemed to know each other somehow, but here I'm a stranger, and it's oddly exhilarating.

"Let's go home," Trey murmurs huskily as he pulls back ever so slightly to let me catch my breath. His eyes appear darker than before and I'd like to imagine they're clouded with lust, affected by me as much as I'm affected by him. I watch on in stupified awe as he wets his lips before nodding my agreement.

Hell yes. Home, please.

Making it to the multi-storey carpark is a blur of sights and people that I barely register. All I can process is Trey's hand in mine as we rush through the concrete jungle. Something carnal is activated under my skin, and it's more than just hope, a deep need claws at my insides for intimacy. I fumble to find the parking card in my handbag so that we can pay at the ticket machine. With trembling fingers, I finally manage to push it into the slot, and Trey loads the machine full of coins. Yay for teamwork. We quickly make our way back to my car as thankfully Trey paid attention to what floor we parked on.

As the car doors of my Mini Cooper close around us, all my impatience to be home slips away. I feel Trey's heat, brushing against my arm before he slides his hand in mine. I never want to let him go.

"Ava." Just the way he says my name is enough to make my willpower crumble and I lean over the short distance and kiss him hard. His surprise at my attack quickly vanishes, and seconds later, he's kissing me back with equal enthusiasm. One of his hands cups my cheek, while the other slides down to my chest and burrows inside my bra.

My thighs clench together, and I can't restrain the soft sighs that tumble out of me. He's barely touched me but I feel like so keyed up, there's no way I can drive in this state.

"Your body is driving me crazy," His deep voice is smouldering as he trails kisses down my throat before finding his way to my exposed chest. His warm mouth wraps around my nipple and sucks, I gasp at the sensation, feeling it deep down between my legs. My hand has a mind of it's own as it reaches over to grope him through his jeans.

"Unbutton your pants." The order falls out of my lips in an embarrassing croak. Internal thoughts Ava! Maybe it's Trey's dirty talk rubbing off on me and making me more vocal, regardless, my cheeks heat at my own bossiness.

"Fuck, Ava." Trey's deep grunt of astonishment sends shudders through me, but he doesn't hesitate, making short work of his belt buckle and unzipping his jeans. My greedy hand reaches into his boxers, clasping around his velvety length which seems thrilled at the attention. He hisses between his teeth as I stroke him, and it's a relief to know I'm not the only one tightly wound here. I increase the speed of my movements, loving his deep throaty murmurings and the blissful look in his eyes.

I'm surprised when his hand stills mine. "Get over here Angel," Trey instructs before helping me scramble over the centre console and into his lap. Lucky I'm small enough to navigate the cramped space and find myself straddling his lap. His deft fingers dip under my dress, caressing up my leg seeking their way to my panties. Trey swallows down my whimpers as he begins drawing circles against my panties. "Fuck, you're soaking..."

I moan at his hot words and push down, feeling his erection pressing against the fabric between us. I want more, no scratch that, I need more from him. "Please Trey..." my beg turns into a moan as I gyrate against him. Our hot breathes mingle together in the small space.

"I love that sound," he murmurs in a deep rumble before our mouths mould together once more. I love you and all your sounds. 

~

Author's note: Surprise! I left out the smut warning so I didn't spoil the chapter. But Astray is officially marked as mature now. ;) l Hope you are safe and well. xo