My hair fell over my shoulders in loose waves. A short white dress wrapped around my body. My skin was smooth, my makeup light, my nails painted.

And I was going to be late.

I grabbed my purse and dashed downstairs. A glance at my watch told me I'd likely hit the evening traffic, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

When I entered the living room, Dad lifted his eyes off his phone and stared at me. "Wow. Good to know Hendrix is back."

"He must be home already, and I took forever getting ready. Gotta run. I just wanted to say bye."

The corners of Dad's mouth lifted in a smirk. "See you tomorrow, I guess."

I hoped so. I hoped after Jim and I talked, he wouldn't let me leave, but Dad didn't need to know that, just like he didn't need to know how much I spent on the white lingerie I bought for the occasion.

"I guess." I smoothed the front of my dress. "See you."

After planting a kiss on Dad's cheek, I shoved my feet in a pair of silver sandals and rushed out of the house. 

The sun hid during my drive to Jim's. When I pulled over next to his apartment complex, street lights cast my surroundings in a yellow glow, a stark contrast with the dark blue sky.

I strolled toward the entrance of the building, my steps deliberately slow, and exhaled once I'd let myself into the familiar foyer. 

My fingers wrapped tightly around the apartment key. Was Jim home? Was he waiting for me?

Silence greeted me when I stepped out of the elevator. Hands shaking, I inserted the key in the lock and opened the door. My gaze roamed the hallway, and my heart fluttered at the sight of several suitcases propped against the wall.

I took off my shoes and padded to the dark living room. 

The condo was silent, and the lights were off. 

Where was he?

I dropped my purse onto the couch and took a hesitant step toward the window. A faint noise made me halt.

"Ava."

Jim stood in the hallway doorway. A simple white cotton tee hugged his defined torso, and black shorts hung on his hips. Slowly, my eyes traced all of him, pausing on his breathtaking face, moving up to his slightly damp hair, drinking him in. 

We froze. A breath caught in my throat. I wet my lips and blinked to make sure Jim was really there. 

"Hey," he spoke again. "I...I feel like an idiot right now cause I convinced myself you wouldn't come. When I didn't see you here, I…" Jim ran a palm across his face. "I'm so damn happy to be wrong. I think you could say something now so I know I'm not dreaming."

A nervous laugh pushed past my lips. "Hey."

Jim walked toward me. My brain screamed for me to run to him, but I stood riveted to the spot, watching him erase the distance between us until there was none, and Jim's arms slipped around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.

Clenching my eyes shut, I clung to him, basking in his warmth and his scent, never wanting to let go. 

Jim's hold on me tightened. One warm palm shifted to my waist, and the fingers of his other hand weaved into my hair, tilting my head back.

Jim's warm breath fanned across my face. I peered up at him, meeting his gaze. His green eyes blazed, bright even in the semi-darkness. 

"It's a yes or a no. Just one word, Ava. One word is enough."

My fingertips danced along Jim's forearms, gliding over his skin. Tremors ran through his body, and a sense of triumph filled me at the realization of what I could do to him.
I brought my hands to his jaw and cupped it between my palms. "Yes."

Jim's thumb rubbed small circles on my flushed cheek. He studied me for a while as if he was soaking in the moment, and when my mouth opened, ready to say more than just a yes, his lips descended upon mine.

I melted into him, responding to the kiss with slow swipes of my tongue and nips of my teeth. Jim kissed me deeper, angling my head so he could reach every corner of my mouth. Impatient, his hand slipped under my dress and curled around my hip, stroking my skin.

We came up for air before diving in once more, moaning when our tongues met in a slow, wet dance. My nipples strained against the lace of my bra, and I pressed my chest to Jim's, desperate for more.

He dropped both hands to my backside and squeezed it, hoisting me up. With my legs encasing his hips and my arms locked around his neck, I let him carry me to his bedroom.

"Don't let go of me." Jim pecked my lips, stopping next to his bed. Careful not to drop me, he grabbed a lighter and flicked it. A bright flame sparkled, engulfing the wick of a scented candle Jim picked up from his nightstand. 

He threw the comforter off and sat on the edge of the bed, still holding me, except now I was straddling his lap like the first time we made love at the old Victorian.

I rested my forehead against his and lifted the hem of his shirt to yank it over his head. The garment landed on the floor, and my dress covered it after barely a couple of seconds.

Kissing me gently, Jim reached behind me. "I don't want anything between us," he murmured, unclasping my bra. I slid off his lap to help him get rid of my panties and stripped him off his shorts and boxer briefs.

My fingers moved on their own accord, exploring the body I craved, pausing on each ridge, touching every muscle, my caresses lazy and teasing.

When my fingertips grazed Jim's erection, he seized my wrist. "Come here."

Jim hooked an arm around my waist and lay me on the dark gray sheets. The cool cotton felt heavenly against my hot skin.

"I want you so bad," he said, his voice low. Bracing his weight on one forearm, he hovered over me and ran his fingertips over the side of my face and my neck, down to the peaks of my breasts and then lower, south of my belly.

Tension ratcheted up, taking hold of my insides. With a tender smile, Jim edged forward to brush his lips against my neck. His tongue licked my throat, and he sucked on my skin, dragging his mouth to my chest. 

My legs fell open, welcoming the leisurely exploration of Jim's hand, and my fingers sank into his hair when he closed his mouth over the sensitive peak, laving it with his skilled tongue.

My ability to breathe vanished. It was my shallow pants and Jim's soft groans when one of his digits plunged into my tight heat, grazing a spot that fueled my arousal.

His thumb rubbed small circles over my clit. That, paired with the caresses of his hand, made me arch my back, stirring in delicious anticipation. 

Alternating licks with bites, Jim gave equal attention to both of my breasts, stopping several times when my whimpers grew louder as if he needed to know what caused them. 

"Jim." I fisted his hair, tugging as Jim kissed a trail down my body, right to my inner thighs. 

My flesh tingled, heating under the assault of his mouth, and a cry tore through me at the feeling of Jim's tongue between my folds while he tasted me as if he was starving, thrusting the tip into my opening. Jim gripped my legs, prying them open, exposing me more. 

There was nowhere for me to hide, and I watched him pleasure me, enthralled by the sight of his face buried between my legs. I covered Jim's hands with mine, lacing our fingers. He sucked my clit into his mouth, rough and determined, and my world exploded with colorful fireworks as my body rocked with each powerful wave of pleasure.

He didn't stop, drinking me in, raining open-mouthed kisses on my over-sensitive flesh. When I couldn't take it anymore, Jim lay on top of me. His weight pressed me into the mattress, but nothing had ever felt better than our bodies together, skin on skin, damp with sweat and hot with arousal. 

"Wow." He breathed out, kissing me below my ear. "Are you okay, baby?"

I scratched his back lightly. "Yes. I want you inside me."

Jim hummed, rocking his hips. His hardness touched my center, and I moaned at the way he fit against me.

His breathing turned ragged. Jim touched my cheek with his thumb, his emerald eyes soft. "Do you want me to get a condom?"

"Have you been with—"

Jim shook his head. "No. I wouldn't. It's been only you, but we're starting over, and I wanted to be sure. I'd rather fuck you bare because nothing compares to feeling all of you."

I reached for his erection and guided him inside me, failing to stifle a moan when he entered me inch by hard inch and stilled, letting me adjust to the fullness only to pull out, leaving me empty. 

"Like I missed you," he rasped, slamming into me hard enough to make my breath hitch. "So much. So hard. Never again, Ava. No more breaks, my sweet girl."

His words and kisses were sweet, but the way he fucked me screamed desperation. I hooked a leg around his hips, and Jim cupped my bum, pulling me toward him with each punishing stroke, fingertips digging into my flesh. All I did was want more. Even when my legs shook. Even when a moan akin to a sob fell off my lips, and Jim wet his thumb to touch my clit, sensing how close I was. 

"You coming on my cock is my most favorite thing," he whispered in my ear, tugging at my earlobe with his teeth. 

"Don't stop," I moaned, raking my nails down Jim's back. His hand wrapped around my throat, caressing my neck as he stared into my eyes. His hips swiveled, provoking another moan of mine. 

"I'm…"

"I know, beautiful," Jim said, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm almost there, too."

My pulse ramped up, and shivers blazed up and down my spine as I spasmed around his length.

"Fuck," he groaned against my lips. "I can't—"

I kissed him desperately, my tongue tangling with his, my legs encasing him as he spilled himself into me, shaking in my embrace, making me feel his warmth inside me.

"Ava…" Jim let out a chuckle. "You fucking ruined me."

My cheeks warmed. 

"Nah-huh. You don't get to blush now." Jim nuzzled into my neck. "Let me hold you, baby."

He slipped out of me, and I put my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat under my ear. 

"I missed you too," I said.

Jim kissed my hair. "Thank God."

"You didn't think I would?"

He paused as though he needed time to come up with an answer. "I hoped you would, but I know better than to assume things. 

I grinned, and so did Jim when I looked up at him.

"I missed you like crazy," I murmured, biting his nipple.

Jim jolted. "Ouch."

"You did this to me," I said, tracing his abs with my fingertips.

"And you loved it. Careful with that cute little hand, baby, unless you want to wake up the beast."

"Aren't you tired?"

Jim wiggled his brows. "Tired for the rest of the world. Never for you."

Our eyes locked. The warm candlelight allowed me to study Jim's expression, and all I saw was love. Despite that, we needed to talk, and I had no intention to put it off.

"Jimmy," I began.

Jim stroked my hair. "Yeah, baby. We need to discuss stuff, I know. Dinner?"

I beamed at him. "Please."

I'm back!

Jim and Ava are getting bolder and more open with each other. Any guesses about their conversation?

More steam in the next chapter as well. Sorry not sorry. Thoughts? Guesses?

Thank you for all the love. Beautifully is almost at 85k reads, and I'm happy you love Jim and Ava. I'll try not to disappoint.

Love,
A.