Page 168 of On the Breakaway

“Incredibly annoying.”

I reach out and tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear. The gesture softens both of us immediately. Her expression shifts, annoyance fading into the honesty that I’ve come to crave.

“I hoped you’d stop by.”

My heart stutters. “I wasn’t sure if I should.”

She nods quickly. “You always should.”

I step toward her, closing the door behind me as my arm circles her waist.

“Chaos.”

“What?” Avery’s gaze drops briefly to my mouth.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling her body flush against mine.

This. This is what I needed.

“You guys played well,” she says against my chest.

“Yeah. Two down, two to go. I think we’ve got a good chance.”

“With you leading the ship, I’m sure you do.”

I pull away enough to look at her. “You really think that?”

Her eyebrows pull down. “Duh. Anyone with eyes can see what an amazing leader you are. Those guys depend on you, and you deliver.”

“I think you’re going to give me a big ego,” I tease, heart swelling with pride.

“As if you need help in that department.”

My eyes drift down to her mouth as the air changes.

Avery swallows. “Should we go to bed?”

I shake my head. “I’m not tired.”

Her lips twitch. “Are you hungry?”

I grind myself against her. “Not for food.”

She giggles, eyes twinkling mischievously, before she tears out of my grasp and takes off down the hall.

Her laughter echoes through the apartment as my mind plays catch-up. By the time my body’s moving, she’s already disappeared into the bedroom. My footsteps thunder down the hall after her, but come to a sudden halt when I reach the doorway.

She’s sitting across the bed in the black bra and panties that I could’ve sworn were still at my place.

“Chaos,” I say, voice low. “Those are mine.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” She shrugs. “You told me if I wanted them back, I’d have to come get them.” She shifts on the bed, her breasts spilling out of the bra as she leans forward. “So I did.”