The excitement from the tour was still present. My blood still pumped with the remaining adrenaline after one of our best shows, but what I felt on stage paled in comparison with what I was feeling now.

I pressed Ava to me, chest to chest, sliding my fingers into her wet hair. Water sloshed in the hot tub as she shifted on my lap, making me feel every part of her I missed. My mouth glided over her neck, sucking the tender skin.

I was taking my time with her because she’d go back home tomorrow, leaving me to another month of shows, hotel rooms, cold beds and wet dreams featuring her on her knees in front of me. I wanted to savor each moment we spent together tonight.

Ava whimpered when my kisses migrated south, to her breasts. I trapped a nipple between my teeth and bit softly, keeping my eyes on her face.

Pink hue covered her cheeks, and her head lolled back. I palmed her breast in sync with my kisses, and satisfaction rose within me with each little moan leaving Ava’s lips.

Her lust-filled eyes met mine when I unlatched my mouth from her chest.

“How many times?” I asked, running my hands over her waist and the curve of her hips.

She panted. “How many times what?”

I cupped her sex, pressing my palm to her sleek heat. “How many times did you touch yourself, thinking about me?”

Ava wrapped her fingers around my erection. “I don't touch and tell, Jimmy.”

Only that I knew better. There weren't any secrets between us. I could tell when she missed me in that way only by hearing her voice.

My fingers teased her, and Ava gripped me tightly, smoothing her thumb over the tip.

“Let's go,” I said, hooking an arm around her waist.

We toweled off hastily, and I carried Ava to the king-sized bed. The sight of her slightly tanned, naked body on the crisp white sheets trumped the beauty of the city lights behind the window. Standing by the bed, I hovered over her, my right knee pressed into the mattress, my hand stroking my shaft.

Ava wet her lips as if she remembered having me between them an hour ago.

“Twice last night,” she whispered, her burning gaze trailing each movement of my hand. “Because I missed you.”

I leaned forward and extended my arms, caging Ava between them. “I missed you too, beautiful. Put your legs on my shoulders.”

She obliged, clinging to my biceps for support. My mouth seized hers, and I entered her slowly, squeezing my eyes shut at the feeling of tightness and heat.

I grabbed Ava’s hand and put it on her sex, covering her slender fingers with mine. “Show me how. And I'll make sure it feels better than it did when you were alone.”

I felt her digits move under mine and watched myself sink into her and pull out in a steady, lazy rhythm.

“Harder,” I said, applying a bit more pressure with my hand, the muscles of my other arm burning from the effort of keeping my weight off Ava.

I thrust deeper. Her lips parted on a surprised gasp, and she dug the fingers of her other hand into the tattooed skin of my hip, touching herself faster.

“Just like that,” I murmured, my breaths labored. A drop of sweat traveled down my spine as I slammed into her without restraint.

Ava trembled beneath me. “Jim.”

Her hips lifted, and I felt her spasm under both our hands and around my cock.

My release started to build. A vibration passed through my body as if someone plucked a hundred strings at once. I came inside her hard and let my head drop to her shoulder for a few seconds, catching my breath.

As I eased out of her and rolled onto my back, Ava stretched her legs and scooted closer. I pulled her into my arms and covered us with a sheet.

We lay motionless for a few minutes, listening to the distant hum of traffic and each other’s breaths.

I didn’t mind the silence. But we only had one night, and there were too many things I missed and wanted to know.

“Is everything okay at home?” I asked, lightly massaging the back of Ava’s neck.

She nodded. “I’ve been busy. Virginia comes up with something new  to do all the time. I need to interview a bookstore owner once I’m back.”

I brushed the dark strands out of her pretty face. “You nailed your last interview. I read it as soon as it came out.”

“And you nailed the show,” Ava said, her fingertips caressing my jaw with a feather-like touch. “I fangirled like I’ve never done in my life.”

“I sure as hell hope so, cute little thing. If I'd known you were watching, I would’ve tried even harder.”

Ava slid her leg between both of mine and tucked her head in the crook of my bent arm. “I wanted to surprise you. I missed you so much I don’t think I’d be able to go another month without seeing you.”

“Did you feel lonely? The condo is huge.”

A vulnerable expression crossed Ava’s face. “No. I mean, a little.” She sighed. “But having Dec escorting me is unnecessary. He could use the time you’re away to be with his wife and kids instead of shadowing me.”

Despite knowing me better than anyone, Ava failed to understand why I was worried about her safety. I wasn’t paranoid; it was natural to be cautious after the stunts both Wyatt and his niece pulled. Everyone knew we were on tour, and if something happened to Ava while I was away, I wouldn’t forgive myself.

“Dec doesn’t mind,” I said. “I pay him well, and he’s happy to help.”

“You know I can take care of myself, right?” Ava frowned. “You know I’m not weak.”

“Weakness and safety are different things. I hate to say this, baby, but a girl walking alone when it’s dark...”

Ava pressed a finger to my lips. “I lived alone in Marseille when I was eighteen. And I didn’t need a bodyguard. As you can see, I’m okay.”

The sentence ‘but you didn’t date a celebrity’ danced on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed the unsaid words. Wasting the little time we had on pointless arguments wasn’t in my plans, and this was the only thing I wouldn’t change my mind about.

“Just bear with it for a bit longer, okay?” I said. “It’s only while I’m away. Do it for me.”

Ava kissed me, either to make me shut up or because she felt the same need I did. Perhaps, just like me, she realized this night wouldn’t last forever, although we sure as hell wished it did.

***

The birthday breakfast with Ava and later the brunch with her and the guys were the highlights of my day. She boarded a plane in the afternoon, and we played an exclusive live show for a small audience. I didn’t mind because we came to New York to work, but so many shows in a row took their toll.

When we slumped into leather couches at The Height, a rooftop bar in Manhattan, the I’m-about-to-collapse expression took over the guys’ faces.

“We’re getting old.” Nick took a swig from his beer bottle. “And it’s not even the world tour yet.”

I twirled the bracelet Ava gave me this morning and stared at the NYC skyline. “We’re just starting, and it feels as if we’ve been performing for decades. Crazy, right?”

“At least you have your love life sorted out, Jimmy boy.” Jay smirked. “Now you only need a wedding, a kid, and the Singer of the Year statuette.”

Fin grabbed a handful of chips from the bowl on the low table. “Recognition would be nice. Some sleep would be nice, too,” he said, stuffing them into his mouth.

“And sex,” Jay said.

Nick wagged his brows. “But not with just any girl, right?”

“You have a death wish, fucker.” Jay kicked Nick’s leg. “Don’t tempt me.”

At least the guys sorted out the little sister shit. I sipped my beer, barely paying attention to their bickering.

“Jim.”

I left my bottle on the table and cut my eyes to Jay. “Huh?”

“We’re gonna head to the hotel. I’ll pay the check.”

“Thanks, man,” I said. “Let me make a call real quick.”

The guys sauntered to the bar, giving me privacy. I walked to the parapet and fished the phone out of my jeans’ pocket to call Dec.

“Dec,” I said.

My chauffeur chuckled. “She landed okay. Poor thing was tired. She said she was going to read and go to bed. But I’m glad you called.”

I would call Ava from my hotel room, but knowing Dec took her home calmed me. “Glad why?” I asked when my exhausted brain caught up with the conversation.

“I saw a vehicle,” Declan said, his tone almost too cautious. “Opposite your building. Black.”

I rubbed the left side of my chest where my heart skipped a beat. “And?”

“I’m probably being paranoid, but remember you told me to keep an eye on black cars? I got the plates just in case. I’ll watch Ava while you’re away, don’t worry. Just thought you’d want to know.”

“Could be paps,” I mumbled, trying to convince myself more than Dec, but I couldn’t ignore the fact I got where I was thanks to my gut that told me if the decision was right.

And right now, it said the black vehicle had nothing to do with someone wanting to get our pictures.

I'm back!

Thank you for your patience while I was busy with work and life stuff. Jim and Ava have my focus now, so I hope to update more❤️

Hope the chapter was okay. I love Jim and Ava together and separately. Tell me your thoughts, and if you're a new reader, say hi!