“Really, these are the only options you have?” I ask Lucy, as I flick through the dresses in her wardrobe.

“Apologies, Miss California.” She raises one eyebrow, looking at me with irritation. “Forgive me for not having the time or the places to go out in nice, pretty dresses.”

“Ugh, that’s not what I mean, I just want to look good for Wes tonight,” I confide.

“He’s seen you in almost every single get up since you’ve been here. Anything above a Magnus tee and I think he’ll love it.” She pulls out the black dress I’ve been gravitating towards and shoves it in my hand. “So, it’s official? You and Wes are together then?”

“Yes. No. Maybe?” I think back to how easy it was today in the office. Like two well oiled machines, there time for work and time for us. With no hesitation between us, people would think we have been together forever.

“You’re giving me whiplash here, Ave. Put me out of my misery and just tell me what the fuck is going on in that brain of yours.” If people thought I had a no shit type of attitude, Lucy is a hundred times worse.

Facing the mirror I begin to take my clothes off and try on my options. “Well, I’ve been thinking of staying here, I’m just not ready to make sense of the fact that Wes might be a deciding factor.”

“Gotcha,” she says in understanding. “Listen, don’t over complicate shit. Go out to dinner and see where it goes.”

“I don’t have time,” I confess. “I gave up my job, but my boss refused to let me go. He said he would give me a month off, and if I don’t come back within that time frame, then I lose the job.”

“Listen, I’ve known Wes a really long time. Well enough to know he’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. And he’s had women throwing themselves at him for as long as I can remember.” I glare at her, her revelation making me feel uneasy; she smirks at my reaction. “But I also know he isn’t going to leave Piney View. So, while I understand you feel pressured. I also know that if you give him the chance and stay here; he will give you the very best parts of himself.”

“I want to be close to you guys too, you know? This isn’t all about Wes.” I tell her.

“I know, but the truth is, we could’ve made more of an effort to visit you too. The responsibility lies on all of us, and if you choose to go back; I promise we won’t let the time in between be too long.” Besides my mom, Luce always knows how to make things better. I’m the only one complicating things here. I need to just lay it out for Wes, and see what he wants to do next.

After tossing up between the red and black dresses Lucy showed me, I go with the black. Wearing matching six inch heels, my legs are given the extra illusion of length. The material hugs every curve perfectly. Like a second skin, the dress covers my body, but shows everything I have to offer at the same time. Applying the last bit of lip gloss to my lips, I hear the doorbell ring. I give myself a once over in the mirror, and smirk knowingly to myself. Wes is going to die.

Coming into view, I wait patiently for him and Jeremiah to finish their heart to heart, and his eyes to find me. Jeremiah spots me first, and his adorable face lights up. When Wes sees his reaction, he looks up to see what’s caught his attention. We’re staring at one another, and the sexiest smile, reserved just for me, spreads across his face. In a button down shirt, and dress pants, he’s dressed in all black, like me. We match. Perfectly.

He walks toward me and we’re no longer just looking at each other. It’s like we’re seeing one another for the first time. Two people forgetting the past, and focusing on the future. I feel him, on my skin, in my veins, slowly claiming parts of my heart.

With his warm calloused hands he gently cradles my face, he leans down and kisses me ever so gently.

“God, you’re so fucking beautiful.” His voice is low and husky, his warm breath fans my face and I close my eyes, letting myself bask in his presence. He moves his hand down, and reaches for mine. “Let’s go before I change my mind and take you home instead.”

* * *

The beginning of dinner was filled with so much sexual tension, I didn’t think we would make it past the appetizer. However, after a few glasses of wine and the most exquisite meal I have ever eaten, we’re settled into comfortable conversation. Catching up on all the things we’ve been doing the last eight years; I’m in awe and totally transfixed by this man in front of me. There’s no arguing how much he’s changed. Not only has he matured, but he’s driven, determined and his ambition makes me feel equally ashamed and so turned on. I can see why he doesn't want to leave Piney View, everything he's worked so hard to build is here. I might not be able to work for Facebook, but if I stayed, I could easily get a job in the city.

The waiter delivers dessert to the table, changing the focus of our concentration. It’s a large portion of chocolate mousse, with two individual spoons to share.

“This is new,” I say, grabbing a spoon.

“What’s that?”

“Sharing food.” I state.

“You don’t do it?”

“Unless you’re Jeremiah, can’t say I enjoy it.”

Laughing at my admission, he scoops out a spoonful of mousse and feeds it to me skillfully. I moan loudly as soon as the chocolate hits my tongue. It’s rich and decadent; like a piece of heaven in my mouth. “God, that’s so good.”

“You’ve got a little bit of chocolate,” his thumb reaches for the corner of my mouth, “here.” He slips his thumb in my mouth and I let my tongue circle the tip, licking the chocolate off. His jaw clenches together while his eyes blaze with hunger. Images of him in the shower, with his dick in my mouth flash before me. I'm tingling all over, just remembering. I need him.

Like he can read my mind, he slowly pulls his hand away and stands up. Unconsciously I stand up too. He walks over to my side and reaches for my hand.

“You ready, baby?” He asks. And I know he’s doesn't just mean to leave.

* * *

He slowly unzips the back of my dress, the sound of metal on metal the only noise in the room. I can't breathe. The anticipation has me all wound up with anxiety and lust. Wes made it very clear, and for once we agree with one another, after tonight, there's no turning back.

Slipping each strap off my shoulders, he lets my dress slowly fall to the ground. I hear him suck in a deep breath of air behind me, and I know my choice to wear nothing underneath was the right one.

I hear the rustle of his clothes and belt, and I wait patiently for his instructions. In no time, his chest is pressed up against me. His cock perched perfectly in between my ass cheeks, and his hands tweaking my already hard nipples.

“I'm going to worship every fucking part of you,” he growls in my ear. “Hard, rough, soft and slow. Avery, I'm going to make you forget there was anyone before me.” His hand descends from my tit to my pussy, he cups it like a madman. “And I'm going to ruin even the slightest idea of any other man touching you after. You got it baby?” He asks. My breath hitches, as I feel his middle finger slip inside me, “Good. You’re all. Fucking. Mine.”