Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland

Chapter 5

Ava

Later that afternoon, I went over to my parents’ house. They were on their deck, enjoying the sun. Bentley, Maddox, Emmy, and Dee were with them. Bottles of wine were open, and a large platter of antipasto sat in the middle of the table. The fragrant aroma of the spicy meats and cheeses was too much to resist, and I grabbed a plate and filled it. My dad slid a glass of crisp, delicious Riesling my way, and I sipped it in appreciation.

It always amazed me that the three men who worked together every day still hung out with one another during their off time. But they were incredibly close, and their friendship was legendary. Their wives had been best friends before marrying each of the men, and they were the rocks of our little community. I had loved growing up in Port Albany. The water, the fresh air, the endless scope of the horizon. My brother Liam was the same way. Ronan, one of the triplets, loved it here as well. Paul and Jeremy—the other two-thirds of the triplets—preferred the bustle of Toronto but spent a lot of weekends and holidays here. Our parents were thrilled whenever we were all together. All the families that lived here had those who came and went. Some stayed, some visited, but it was the nucleus that kept us all grounded.

Just after I sat down, Sandy and Jordan appeared, hugs and kisses happening with everyone. They were our adopted Nan and Pops and were adored by everyone. My dad watched Jordan carefully maneuver the deck with his walker and sit down.

“How’s the knee?”

Pops patted his leg. “Better every day.” He regarded Sandy fondly. “Someone is taking great care of me. Making me do my exercises and keeping me off my boat.”

Dad laughed. “The boat will be there when you’re ready. Far too unstable with your recent surgery.” He winked at Sandy. “Good job.”

She laughed, accepting a glass of wine. “Pain-in-the-ass patient.”

Her words reminded me of this morning, and I spoke.

“I met our new neighbor today.”

All eyes turned to me.

“His dog got off his lead and was wandering the beach. I returned him,” I explained.

Bentley frowned. “His? Not the daughter?” He glanced at Sandy. “What was her name?”

“Nina.”

I shook my head. “Her son, I think.” I barked a laugh. “He takes after his grandfather. Ordered me off the property. He said he inherited it.”

Sandy pursed her lips. “I had heard the daughter died years ago, but I never knew if it was true. After Gail—Mrs. Owens—died, Jack shut down.” She smiled my way. “You probably don’t remember her.”

“I have a vague recollection. She always had cookies.”

Sandy nodded. “Yes. They were private, but friendly. Nina was wild when she was young, and they struggled. She left home before she even graduated. I think it broke her mother’s heart. They became distant. Once Gail died…” She stopped talking. “Well, things were never the same. Jack closed himself off.”

“Well, the grandson is pretty closed off as well.”

Unless he’s dancing in the sun. Or kissing me, I added in my head.

“Maybe once he settles in, he’ll be friendlier. Unless he’s not planning on staying?” Maddox asked.

“I have no idea. He was at city hall the other day trying to get some planning permission, so obviously, he is fixing the place up. To stay or sell, I have no idea.”

Bentley picked up his wine. “Darren Thomas called me.” He smirked after he swallowed, regarding me over the rim of his glass. “He assured me our permits will be ready this week. He also said you were a force to be reckoned with and wants to put you on his payroll.”

I laughed. “Not interested. Is that dreadful man gone?”

He nodded. “He came from Toronto to fill in while Milly was away on sick leave. Darren thinks his superiors wanted him out of Toronto and pushed him his way as a favor.” He lifted his fingers in quotations. “Darren ended his contract, launched an investigation, and was told it would be handled.”

Maddox snorted. “Typical government. Pass the buck.”

Bentley nodded. “As long as we don’t have to deal with it. I told Darren I would put out some feelers in Toronto at city hall.” He sat back with a grin, laying his arm over the back of his chair so his hand rested on Emmy’s shoulder. “I assured him I had some influence there. That man needs to be removed from any job where he has a chance of doing that shit.”

As he spoke, he tugged the shawl on Emmy’s arm higher to her shoulder, tucking it tight. It was an unconscious move on his part, a tender act he performed without thinking. She let him fuss over her, a small smile on her lips. I loved seeing his gentle side with her and his family. It was vastly different from the tough businessman he was during the week.

“How old is the grandson?” Mom asked.

I shrugged. “Older than me. Younger than you. Forties, I guess?”

“Maybe we should invite him for dinner,” Emmy mused.

I barked a laugh. “Don’t bother—he won’t come. He called me ‘one of them’ and told me to leave him alone. I think we’ll probably see about as much of him as we did Mr. Owens. Even less. He has no interest in being neighborly.”

Dee and my mom shook their heads. “How sad.”

I thought about the way he looked when he was dancing. His smile. How his mouth felt on mine. The way he had fussed over me when he saw the cut on my knee. How incredibly right it had felt to be in his arms. The fact that I doubted I would ever feel that again. I doubted I would ever see him again unless it was as a distant figure on the bluff.

I had to agree—it was sad.

* * *

Sunday morning, I slept in. I gave myself every Sunday to just be Ava. After getting up, I lounged around all day, wandered the beach, and relaxed. I soaked in the huge tub my dad had installed for me, read romance books, and indulged in chocolate, coffee, and watched the water. It was my day to unwind and rejuvenate. Prepare for another week of being a woman in a man’s world and having to be on guard all the time. I left my hair loose, painted my toes, wore frilly blouses and torn jeans, and enjoyed the quiet.

The sky was duller today, but it was still pleasant. I carried a cup of coffee to the beach and sat in a chair on the sand, enjoying the breeze on my face. I waved at Ronan and Beth on their deck, spied a few other people around, but stayed in my little spot close to the rocks. I would see people later. I didn’t venture to the rocky side of the beach. No doubt Hunter would accuse me of spying or some such nonsense. The sun broke through the clouds, its appearance welcome. With a long sigh, I wound my hair into a loose knot, tilted my head up, letting the sounds of the water and the wind wash over me. I enjoyed the quiet and solitude, slowly drifting until the feel of a cold, wet something touched my hand, and I jumped in fright. Sitting beside me on the beach was Cash. His great head was cocked, and he studied me, his tail slowly thumping on the packed sand.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He inched closer, laying his head on the arm of the chair, looking up at me. Unable to resist, I stroked his fur, running my hand over his neck.

“How did you get out of your collar again?” I murmured.

He issued a low “woof,” and I shook my head.

“I don’t speak dog.” I rolled my eyes. “I suppose your master is going to come for you and accuse me of kidnapping you or some such nonsense.” I pointed in the direction of the bluff. “Home, Cash. Go home now!”

He stared at me, his expression almost comical. He huffed a low whine and flopped on the beach, resting his head on his paws.

“Dammit,” I cursed. “Go see Ronan or my dad. They can take you home.” I’d let them figure out where the dog belonged.

He thumped his tail, not moving.

“Stubborn as your master, I see.”

He exhaled.

“Why does he dislike us? My family, I mean? Well, I guess he dislikes me too, except for the kissing part—” I stopped. “Holy shit,” I muttered. “I’m talking to a dog. His dog, no less.”

I stood. “Come on, boy. I’ll show you the way home.”

With a happy bark, Cash stood, waiting.

“You are such a pain in the ass,” I told him. “Just like your owner.”

I swear he grinned at me.

* * *

Five times I stopped while crossing the rocky beach. I pointed to the bluff where I could see the truck. “Home! Go home!”

Cash would stare at me and sit. If I tried to turn around, he followed me. I was at a loss for what else to do, so I led him to the path up to the bluff.

I pointed. “Go!”

He trotted ahead, and satisfied, I pivoted, planning on heading back to the beach. Cash barked, bounding back down the incline. I dropped my head, huffing in vexation.

I followed him back to the trail and stayed behind him. As soon as he saw Hunter, he’d forget about me. I waited until he was almost at the top, and I stopped, then turned to go.

Cash halted, barking loudly and heading back toward me. I met him partway up the slope.

“Look,” I said, dropping to my haunches. “Your mean master doesn’t want me around. If I show up, he’ll probably throw me off the bluff. Now, go home.” I pointed. “Now.”

Cash licked my face, and I pushed him away. “Again like your master. Licking me. Eww.”

“You weren’t saying ‘eww’ yesterday.” I startled at the sound of Hunter’s low voice. “Unless your moaning was covering it up.”

Cash bounded up the trail, his tail wagging. Hunter looked down at me from the top of the bluff, his arms crossed.

I braced myself for his wrath.

“He showed up on my beach. I didn’t encourage him. I was trying to get him home.”

“I know,” he surprised me by saying. “I watched you ineffectually leading him this way.” He shook his head. “How is it you can put some asshole clerk in an ill-fitting suit in his place and not be able to send my dog home?”

“I tried.” I crossed my arms. “He’s as pigheaded as you are.”

He lifted one eyebrow, regarding me in silence. When he spoke, I swore he was trying to hold in his laughter.

“I don’t appreciate you disparaging me in front of my dog. He’ll lose respect, and I’ll have to rebuild his trust.”

My lips quirked, and I tried not to laugh.

“I speak only the truth. He refused to come without me.”

“Well then, I suppose I owe you a cold drink for your efforts.” He held out his hand. “Come on up.”

I blinked and looked around. I peered over the edge, wondering if he was drawing me closer so he could indeed throw me off. He laughed at my hesitation.

“I’ll behave.”

“I haven’t seen much evidence of that so far,” I muttered, slowly walking up the incline.

I accepted his hand nearer the top and let him pull me the last few feet. I stumbled a little, and he gripped my arms, holding me upright.

“Okay?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I indicated Cash, who was lying on the porch, looking innocent. “How did he get off the lead?”

Hunter scratched his head. “I can’t find it. I swear the little fucker hid it. I tied him to the porch, and he got out.”

“Maybe you should change his name to Houdini.”

He chuckled. “I’ll go buy a new collar tomorrow. After you leave, I’ll lock him in the house.” He pointed to the chairs I used to sit in with Mr. Owens. “I’ll get us a cold drink. Sit.”

I sat down, grateful for the canvas overhang. I peered up at it, noticing it was getting threadbare in places. It would have to be replaced soon.

Hunter came out and handed me a lemonade, the glass filled with ice, clinking against the rim. He pushed his hair off his forehead, only for it to fall back into place.

“I have this or water.”

“I figured you for a beer guy.”

“I’m out.”

“Ah.” I sipped my lemonade, absently scratching Cash’s head. He’d come to lie beside me on the porch, one paw draped over my feet.

Hunter looked down, pausing before he took a swallow of lemonade. He scratched at the back of his neck.

“Nice toes.”

I glanced down and shrugged. “I like pretty colors on my feet.” Last night after my bath, I had painted my toes a bright cherry red and added sparkles to the big toe. I wiggled them so the light caught the sparkles. “Want me to do yours?” I asked playfully.

Hunter snorted. “Yeah, sure. Maybe we could do each other’s hair too.”

“And I’ll wax your eyebrows,” I said seriously.

He blinked. “I don’t think so.”

I giggled at his incredulous look. “Teasing,” I assured him. “Your brows are fine.” I paused. “But your hair could use a trim.”

He actually chuckled at my remark. “I know. I need to find a barber.”

“Avoid the one in town. My brother tried them last year. It took almost six months until his hair grew back normal.” I smirked at the memory. Liam had looked as if he had done it himself, in the dark, with dull scissors.

He grunted, pushing his hair off his forehead again.

“You finding everything okay?” I asked, determined to be friendly.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s a time capsule in there,” he admitted. “But I’m figuring it out.”

“Oh?”

He sipped his lemonade. I tried not to notice how his neck muscles worked as he swallowed.

I failed.

“It feels as if I am still five, walking through the door. I don’t think much changed inside since I lived there.”

“You lived with your grandparents?” I asked, shocked. No one had ever mentioned that fact.

His face became shadowed. “Briefly. More of an extended visit.”

He abruptly changed the subject. “What did Cash interrupt? Will your burly boyfriend be following you shortly to find out where you are?”

I laughed. “I was sitting on the beach, enjoying the breeze and the sun.”

His gaze flickered over me. “You don’t burn? Your skin looks as if it would.”

I shook my head. “I wear strong block.”

“And the boyfriend?” he prompted.

“No boyfriend, burly or otherwise.” I met his gaze. “Do you think I’m the sort of woman who would kiss someone while she had a boyfriend?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea what kind of woman you are.”

“Well, I’m not,” I snipped.

“Good to know.” He paused. “But you are the sort of woman who paints your toenails and puts purple streaks in your hair.”

“I like them. My mom has them as well. It’s fun.”

For a moment, there was silence. I looked up to find his gaze on me. Steady, intense blue fire studying me.

“I want to see.”

“Pardon?” I whispered, my throat suddenly dry.

His voice was no more than a murmur on the breeze. “Let your hair down. I want to see how it looks.”

I swallowed. “I’ll show you if you let me cut your hair.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Cut my hair?”

He kept fidgeting with his hair, brushing it off his face and lifting it off the back of his neck. A few snips of the scissors would erase that uncomfortable feeling. And if I was honest, I was dying to feel the silky strands under my fingers again.

“I know how. It would save you a trip into Grimsby to find a decent barber. Do you have scissors?”

He drained his glass, pursing his lips in thought. “Fine.” He went over to his truck, digging in the large tool chest. He held up a pair of sharp-looking scissors, still in their case. “Will these do?”

I examined them. “Yep.”

“You’re going to cut my hair, not my neck, right?”

“Unless you’re overly critical.”

He lifted one eyebrow. “I can be pleasant.”

I snorted. “We’ll see. Go wet your hair and bring a chair.”

He hesitated, then nodded, disappearing into the house.

I clasped my hands on my chest. After the argument we had yesterday, I shouldn’t even be here. I should have returned his dog to him and left. But there was a draw between us I was unable to ignore, no matter what I tried. I shook my head in frustration. I wasn’t acting like myself.

What the hell was I doing?

* * *

He reappeared, carrying a yellow-vinyl-covered kitchen chair. His hair was wet, and he had a towel draped over his shoulders and chest.

His bare chest. His sweats hung low on his hips, offering me a tantalizing glimpse of his vee.

I swallowed the last of my lemonade, choking and sputtering. He frowned and came over, awkwardly patting me on the back.

“You okay?”

I nodded, unable to speak. Finally, I managed to clear my throat. “Need a comb.”

He dug into his back pocket and held one out. “Got it.”

He lowered himself into the chair, and I blew out a long breath. His chest and abdomen were a road map of muscles leading down to a trim waist and lean hips. Tight ridges and thick cords rippled under his skin. His biceps flexed as he rubbed his hair.

I circled the chair slowly, pretending to look at his hair but drinking in the sight of him instead. His shoulders were broad, his back muscular. His chest and arms were dusted with hair, but it was light in color. His skin was tanned from all the time he spent outdoors.

He was gorgeous, and my fingers itched to touch him.

I plucked the towel from his hands and rubbed it over his head, then draped it over his shoulders.

“A trim,” he stated firmly. “I don’t want to resemble that description of your brother.”

I ran the comb through his hair, and he grasped my wrist, lifting his head and meeting my eyes.

“I’m trusting you, Little Dragon.”

I could only nod.

For a moment, there was silence. I combed and snipped, being careful to only take a little. Slowly Hunter relaxed, his shoulders losing their stiffness. I hummed as I worked, enjoying the chance to touch him freely, tilting his head to the side, laying a hand on his shoulder as I studied the result, lifting up his chin to make sure the length was equal. He watched me with his intense gaze as I edged closer to work on the top. I nudged his legs, and he opened his knees widely, letting me step between them. I stilled briefly as he rested his hands on my hips. I felt the heat of his touch through the loose linen drape of my pants, but when I glanced down, his eyes were closed.

“Not too short,” he murmured.

“Nope,” was my breathless retort. I cleared my throat. “What did you mean yesterday when you said ‘You’re her’?”

There was a pause before he spoke. “I had heard your name.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

I could tell he wasn’t going to say any more, so I shut up. I really didn’t want to argue with him again. I’d find out eventually.

I concentrated on the task at hand, finally ending up at the crown. “How short do you want the front?”

“Short enough I can look at you clearly,” he rasped. He opened his eyes, his focus powerful. Icy fire burned me. My breath caught in my throat. My hands froze. In one swift move, he wrapped his arm around me, shifted his legs, and lifted me to his lap.

He plucked the scissors from my hand, tossing them to the ground. He spread his hand wide across my back, pulling me close. “Do you have any idea how good you smell?” He groaned. “How I can feel your body move, sense your heat?”

I whimpered, sliding my hands around his neck and into the shorn hair at the nape.

“How fucking good your little fingers feel on my skin?” He yanked me tight to his chest, his heat soaking into my skin, the sheer strength of him pressing on me.

“You owe me something,” he growled.

I stared at him.

“Take down your hair.”

I reached up and loosened the clip, letting my hair fall. He wove his hands into it, tugging on the strands and bending my neck back. He dragged his mouth along the column of my throat.

“Sexy,” he groaned. “You are so fucking sexy, Little Dragon.”

He pulled my face to his and covered my mouth. He caressed my skull, cupping my head in his large hands. His tongue stroked along mine, the taste of him overwhelming my senses. I was adrift on a sea of sensation. His body against mine. The sun on my back. His hands in my hair. His low groans. His erection pressed between us. I shifted, wanting closer. Wanting more. He cursed as I rose, slipping my hand under his waistband.

He was commando.

His erection filled my hand—hot, hard, and rigid. He cupped my ass, a low rumble of satisfaction in his chest. He kissed me harder. Deeper. Possessive was the only word echoing in my mind. I stroked him, velvet over steel, running my thumb in circles over the head. He bucked, his mouth never leaving mine, his kiss becoming so desperately erotic I thought I would explode. I had never been kissed so carnally. It was as if he were fucking my mouth, his tongue doing things I had only ever read of.

He said my name. Repeated it louder.

Reality hit me. That wasn’t Hunter talking. The voice saying my name was shouting, and it belonged to my brother.

I leaped back as if I’d been burned. Hunter startled, reaching for me. “What—”

Then he heard it as well and stood. I hurried toward the edge of the bluff and waved at Liam.

“Jesus, Ava,” he yelled. “I’ve been looking for you. Your chair and sunglasses are on the beach, your hat is in the water. You fucking scared me!”

“Sorry,” I called down. “I was returning the dog.” I patted Cash’s head when he appeared beside me. “Hunter gave me a glass of lemonade. I’ll be right there!” I added as he moved closer. This was not the right time for those two to meet. I glanced over my shoulder where Hunter stood, a fresh wave of desire hitting me.

“I have to go,” I said.

He nodded and called for Cash, who trotted over. I waited until they disappeared into the house, and I headed down the incline to join Liam on the beach.

“Sorry,” I panted. “I lost track of time.”

“You’re out of breath.”

“I was playing with the dog. Throwing the ball and such.”

Or playing with Hunter’s balls.

Same thing, really.

“So, we have a new neighbor?”

“Yes,” I said shortly.

“And the dog?” Liam questioned. “He biting your neck and mussing your hair, Ava?”

I tossed my head. “Shut up. Leave it alone, Liam.”

“Whatever. You fucking scared me. Don’t leave your stuff that close to the water and disappear.”

I tucked my arm into his and squeezed. “I’m sorry.”

He flung his arm over my shoulder and hugged me. “I’m glad you’re okay. And sorry if I, ah, interrupted anything.”

I couldn’t tell him what he had interrupted. Or that it was probably best that he had. Things had progressed fast with Hunter. Far too fast. It seemed as soon as we were close, we both lost whatever common sense we possessed.

Still, I felt a small quiver of sadness when I glanced back and saw him standing on the bluff, watching us walk away. I wondered if he was relieved or was feeling the same pang of regret that we were interrupted?

Would he finish what I started?

I had to cover my laugh with a cough.

I might have to ask him next time.