Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland

Chapter 2

Ava

Ireached my SUV before my legs began to tremble. I leaned against the vehicle, taking in some deep breaths of the spring air. Despite my bravado, I detested confrontation. I had to handle it daily in my line of work. I dealt persistently with bureaucratic red tape, foremen not wanting to take directives from a woman, male clerks and suppliers looking down their noses at me because I had breasts.

I could also run circles around them discussing building plans, licensing issues, problem solutions, what type of wood worked best in any situation, and how a building was designed from paper to execution. I had learned from the best, and I knew my stuff. As project manager and coordinator for ABC, I had to.

Many of them disliked that fact. Many of them enjoyed trying to prove me wrong. Most of them failed.

I did my job and I did it well, and for the most part, I loved it. The energy of working at ABC, the enthusiasm of my fellow coworkers, and the talent they had—plus the fact that they were my family—made the days enjoyable and fun. We fed off each other and loved what we did. It was days like this that I disliked. Underhanded dealings. BAM and ABC were well known for their excellence. Their reputation was outstanding, and the companies were highly successful. Sometimes people decided they deserved a piece of that success, even if they had nothing to do with it. Such was the case today. A middle-aged clerk pushing papers who decided he should get a reward for doing his job. That sort of attitude made me want to punch something. Or, as the sexy stranger said, someone.

As if I had conjured him up, suddenly he was in front of me. Muddied Doc Martens appeared in my line of vision as I stared at the ground, feeling tired. I looked up, taking my time, perusing his strong thighs encased in tight jeans and the way his T-shirt stretched over his chest and abs. His lips were curled into a smile, and I met his eyes, the unusual color once again hitting me. How could the color of an eye seem so cool and impersonal, yet penetrating and on fire at the same moment?

I realized he was talking, and I shook my head. “I beg your pardon?”

“I asked if you were okay. You’ve been standing here for ten minutes.”

I had?

“I’m fine. I was just thinking.”

He crossed his arms, the movement tightening his shirt even more across his chest. “Quite the show you put on back there.”

“Had to be done. He can’t get away with shaking people down.” I frowned. “I’ve never seen him before. The lady who is usually in that department was always great to deal with.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I owe you. He’s been giving me a hassle for the last week.” He lifted one eyebrow, his expression sardonic. “Must be nice to be on the mayor’s good side.”

I waved my hand. “I babysat his kids for years. The company I work for does a lot of building. I knew he wouldn’t allow that sort of thing to be going on.”

He pursed his lips. “Usually these things start at the top and work their way down.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Not in this case. He is an honorable man. A great mayor.”

He held up his hands. “Okay, Little Dragon. You’ve breathed enough fire for the day. No smiting me too.”

I laughed at his words, the sound feeling good as it burst from my throat.

“Now, how about that drink?” he asked, grinning.

“I think I said no.”

“That was before you put that little weasel in his place. Surely you need a drink now.” He leaned closer. “Your pretty throat must need to be refreshed.”

He was near enough that, once more, I lost myself in his gaze, fire and ice blending and holding my eyes. I could smell him. Fresh-cut wood and citrus. I felt the warmth of his body, and heat pooled in my stomach. He was intense and rigid. Determined and sexy. I needed to avoid that combination at all costs.

But I found myself nodding. “Sure. One drink.”

He straightened, looking as surprised as I was. Neither of us had expected me to agree.

“There’s a bar on James Street—The Tavern. Do you know it?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

He backed away. “Meet you there.”

I slipped into the driver’s seat, hoping I looked calm. Something about that man made me feel anything but. I felt like a schoolgirl, nervous and fluttery. My legs trembled and my hands shook. I felt off-kilter.

I started the car with a shake of my head.

It was simply the aftermath of the confrontation. Nothing more.

It had nothing to do with fire-and-ice eyes, a lean body, and a voice like melted chocolate.

Nothing.

* * *

He waited in the mostly empty parking lot at the back of the bar, leaning against his truck. I was used to men driving trucks, but this was a large one. Black and massive, it took up a lot of room. I was average height but my legs were long, and I was certain I would have trouble scrambling into the cab. I slid from my SUV, leaving my jacket inside. I stepped out, grabbing my purse, and we rounded the building to the door and stepped inside.

I had to blink at the sudden change in light. The bar was dim, the heavy paneled walls dark from years of use. Scarred tables and booths filled the room, and a long wooden bar ran the length of the space. The overhead lighting was dull, the back half of the bar full of pool tables. The sound of the balls hitting the pockets, muted conversations, and the country music playing on the jukebox met my ears. It wasn’t overly busy yet, but I assumed as the hour grew later it would fill up. I knew on occasion my brothers and cousins came here for drinks and to shoot pool for a change of view. I had only accompanied them once or twice.

We slid into a booth, and the waitress appeared instantly.

“Hi, welcome to the Tavern. What can I get you?”

I smiled. “Creemore?” I asked hopefully.

She nodded, and the silver fox looked surprised. “Beer?” he asked.

“It’s awesome,” I assured him. “Made in Ontario.”

“Okay, make it two,” he ordered. “And some nachos. I’m starving.”

She scurried away, and we looked at each other.

“I’m Ava.” I offered my hand. “If we’re going to share nachos, I should at least introduce myself.”

His grin was slow and lazy as he shook my proffered hand. The smile pulled up one corner of his mouth, bringing out a dimple in his cheek. “Never said I was going to share.”

I had to laugh. “I’m certain you’re gentleman enough to do so.”

The waitress brought over our beers, and he lifted his, clinking the neck with mine. “No one has ever accused me of being a gentleman before.” He paused. “I’m Hunter.”

Hunter. With those wicked eyes, the name suited him. A couple of times when he looked at me, I felt like prey. I laughed internally at the thought. How ridiculous.

I took a swallow of the cold beer, the icy liquid soothing my throat. Hunter had been right. I needed this to put out the fire.

I sighed, rolling my shoulders.

“Was that a hard thing for you?” he asked. “Acting like a bitch?”

“I wasn’t acting like a bitch. I was dealing with a problem. One you benefited from, I might add,” I snapped, my good humor evaporating. “Just because a woman stands up for what is right doesn’t make her a bitch.”

He held up his hands. “Sorry, wrong word. But for the record, I liked it. I like strong women. You were—” he paused as if searching for a word “—magnificent.”

“Oh.” That word took the anger away.

“In control, direct, assertive, and yes, a bit bitchy. The perfect combination to take down that little fucker.”

“It’s not something I enjoy,” I admitted.

“But something you had to do. I get it.”

The nachos arrived, and with a wide smirk, he handed me a plate. “Dig in, Little Dragon. No need for any more fire today.”

“Stop calling me that,” I protested, even though I had to admit, said in his low voice, I sort of liked it.

“It suits you.”

I rolled my eyes, refusing to show my pleasure. No one, aside from my dad, had ever called me by a nickname until now.

We were quiet as we ate, the spicy jalapenos cooled by the sour cream. He ordered us another beer, and I sipped the smooth ale gratefully.

“You live around here?” he asked.

I nodded. “All my life.” I wiped my mouth with a paper napkin, pushing away my plate. “You’re new to the area?”

He looked over my shoulder, a faraway look on his face. “Just passing through. Visiting some…old memories,” he finished, his voice rough.

I felt a flash of disappointment. “So, you’re not staying around?”

He met my eyes over his beer bottle. “No, I’ll be gone soon, I think.”

“So, what did you need plans for?”

He drummed his fingers on the table. “To fix an investment. Once it’s done, I’m gone.”

“I see.”

He barked out a laugh. “I doubt it.”

He studied me for a moment, then crossed his arms and leaned across the table. “I have a room upstairs. Come there with me.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Come upstairs with me. Spend the night.”

I shook my head. “I don’t sleep with people I just met. Especially ones who aren’t sticking around long.”

He sat back, running his finger along his lips. “Do you always deny yourself what you want?”

“I don’t recall saying I wanted you.”

“You didn’t have to. Your body and your eyes said it enough.”

“Think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “Not really. But I certainly think a lot of you every time our eyes meet. I see what you’re thinking, and you want me as much as I want you.”

“You really should have checked your ego at the door,” I said dryly, even as I clutched my hands into fists on my lap because he was right.

I did want him.

I wanted to feel his lips on mine. Find out how hard those thighs were. The strength of the muscles I could see flexing on his chest. When he had pulled off his jacket before sitting down, the way his arms bulged was sexy. I wanted to see how the ice-blue of his eyes would burn with passion.

He shrugged. “Your choice.” He sat back, perusing me with those dangerous eyes. “What a shame. I bet we’d be an inferno.”

I stood, brushing off my skirt, hoping I looked calm. Inside, I was anything but. His words had stirred up the fire, and I wanted nothing more than to yank his face to mine and kiss him. But I didn’t do that sort of thing.

I regretted letting my guard down in the past. I had learned my lesson.

“As you said, I’ve breathed enough fire for the day,” I quipped lightly. I reached for my purse, but his hand on my wrist stopped me. I looked down where his long fingers encircled my wrist, barely touching my flesh, yet it felt as if he had branded me with the heat of his hand.

“My treat. The least I could do for you for helping me.”

I nodded, feeling strangely upset as I stuck out my hand. “Nice to have met you, Hunter. Thanks for the beer.”

He tilted his head, studying me, then shaking my hand and dropping it. “Thanks for the company.”

I nodded and walked out of the bar, the sun still in the sky but not as bright. My footsteps were slow as I headed to my SUV, tossing my purse into the passenger side. I paused before getting into the vehicle, something tugging in my chest. Once again, I leaned against the side, letting the warm air drift around me, trying to find my center. It was several moments before I opened my eyes.

Hunter appeared around the corner, his gaze locked on mine. Even across the parking lot, I could feel him, his intensity evident in his walk and the way he carried himself. A tremor went down my spine as he headed my way. He stopped inches from me. His gaze burned me with its intensity.

“Are you following me?” I asked.

He indicated the stairs to the right. “The rooms of this fine establishment are accessible only from the back. I was headed upstairs.”

“Ah.”

“Not much of a hotel selection around here.”

I didn’t tell him that would be changing once ABC was done with their projects. I only hummed in agreement.

Our gazes locked, the heat building between us once again. I felt his stare deep inside me, desire unfurling in long, tugging ribbons.

“Are you always this stubborn?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

I wasn’t sure who moved first, but the next thing I knew, my arms were locked around his neck, and he held me tight to his chest, his lips crashing down on mine.

His hold was too tight and aggressive, his mouth ruthless as he took mine.

It was perfect.