AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Once the announcements at the ball ended, he and Avery were immediately separated to do individual talking heads about how they felt about being matched up. Then they’d had to do three different takes of them walking up the steps to the suite, because of camera issues. When they got inside the suite, Keaton was instructed to open the champagne and give a toast, which he had.
He couldn’t even remember what he’d said. Something like, “Here’s to finding real love in a totally unreal setting.” Once they’d taken a drink, the cameras cut, and Maura asked them both if they felt comfortable staying in the suite together. If not, they could stay in separate rooms, and then tomorrow, they’d reconvene at the suite to get a shot of them leaving the room together in the morning.
“The viewers will be none the wiser,” she’d said.
Keaton remained quiet because he didn’t want Avery to feel pressure to stay with him, but she quickly responded that she’d like to stay in the suite. He couldn’t have been more relieved and more excited.
All week, all he’d wanted, was to get Avery alone so he could talk to her. One might think that would be easy considering they were working on the same show and there was a ton of downtime. But it wasn’t. Now was his chance and Maura would not shut up.
After what felt like four hours, but was probably closer to four minutes, she finally said, “Okay, you two. Have fun. And if either of you changes your mind, the keys to the separate rooms are on the dresser.”
“Got it,” Keaton nodded, trying not to seem too impatient.
He walked her to the door and the second he shut it, he turned and stalked over to Avery, and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him. She melted against him, her arms tightly holding him as her head rested against his chest.
“I missed you,” he whispered against the top of her head. She shifted, holding him even tighter and his cock stirred in his pants. “All week I’ve been waiting to get you alone to talk, and now that I have you alone, talking is the last thing I want to do.”
Avery lifted her head to look at him and her cheeks flushed as she licked her lips. Keaton wasn’t sure if it was a nervous thing or if she was as turned on as him. He hoped it was the latter.
“I just…before we do…that…we do need to talk about one thing. I just wanted to explain why I came on the show—”
“You did it as a favor for Sabrina.”
Her jaw dropped. “How did you know? Did Ivy or Iris tell you? Dotheyknow?”
“No.” He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “No one told me. But I know you and the only reason you’d agree to do the show is to help someone.”
“Oh.” Avery inhaled a short, shaky breath as her beautiful bright blue eyes stared up at him beneath thick, dark lashes. There was something so innocent yet so seductive in her gaze. It held him hostage, he was completely powerless against it. “Well, yeah, that’s exactly why I did it. I just didn’t want you to think that I was like, stalking you or something,” she chuckled.
Keaton couldn’t help but grin at the adorable absurdity of her statement. “That would be impossible.”
Her brow furrowed. “What?”
“You could never stalk me because there isn’t a time or place that I don’t want to be with you. You are all I think about. I’ve spent the past five years trying to tell myself that what we had, the time we shared together wasn’t what I was remembering. That I’d somehow built it up in my head—”
“Romanticized it,” Avery interjected.
“Yes, that I’d romanticized it. But I was wrong. What we had was everything I thought it was and more. My feelings for you were real,arereal.The way you feel in my arms is real. The way your kiss makes me feel is real.”
Avery nodded in agreement.
“Is that enough talking?” he asked.
She nodded again and he leaned down and covered her mouth with his. Claiming her in an all-consuming kiss. She returned his passion, biting his bottom lip. The sting caused his dick to throb painfully, demanding attention. But he ignored it. Tonight, he refused to be rushed. He was going to take his time with her.
He broke their kiss and took a step back from her. Her arms dropped to her side, and she looked up at him with confusion.
“Turn around,” he commanded.
When she did as he asked, he unzipped her dress and pulled it up and over her head leaving her standing with her back to him wearing only a bra and thong. He noticed the clasp of her bra was in the front, so he took a step closer to her, pressing his erection, still caged behind his trousers, against her backside as he snaked his arms around her waist. He looked over her shoulder as his hands flattened on her belly before traveling north and tracing the scalloped edges of her lace bra, keeping his touch light as a feather.
Goosebumps lifted on her skin as he rubbed his flattened palms in circles over her puckered, lace-covered nipples. She was panting as his fingers dipped between her breasts and he unclicked the clasp, freeing her beautiful breasts. He slid her straps down her arms, and it fell to the ground.
She started to turn around and face him, but his hand clamped onto her hip, holding her in place.
“I’m not done with this view yet,” he whispered as his lips grazed her ear. He felt a shiver run through her. “Are you cold?” he asked.
She shook her head.
