Chapter 65

Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice quivering. " I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me, even if it's not the same for you "

His heart sank at her raw display of emotion " I value our professional relationship, Lauren. But this conversation needs to end here "

Before she could respond, he turned away, striding out of the office, leaving her standing there, visibly shaken. Despite his efforts to maintain boundaries, a sense of unease lingered within him, the weight of Lauren's emotions adding to the burdens of the day.

As he drove home, the conversation replayed in his mind, a persistent nagging at his conscience. The longing for Ava's calming presence intensified, a beacon of solace amidst the turmoil of his professional and personal obligations.

Arriving at the mansion, Alex was greeted by the soothing ambiance of home. He found Ava in the living room, engrossed in a book, the warmth of her smile immediately easing his tension.

" Hey " she greeted, noticing the fatigue etched on his face.

" Hey " he replied, sinking onto the couch beside her. " It's been a day "

Ava placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with understanding. " Tell me about it "

Reluctantly, Alex recounted the day's events, leaving out his encounter with Lauren. Ava listened attentively, her supportive presence a balm to his weary soul.

" I can perceive a woman's body spray on you " She blurted out suddenly.

Alex stared at her for some minutes, wondering if it was okay to tell her. He finally decided against it and shook his head " Body spray? No way " He said and laughed nervously. Although he had nothing to hide, he didn't know how she was going to react to Lauren confessing her feelings to him.

She raised up an eyebrow " Really? " She asked, sounding suspicious.

" Come on Ava, I smell like ME " He said, trying to convince her.

" Okay " She replied and got up. " I'm tired so I think I'd call it a night here " She started to leave but Alex caught her and drew her back.

" It's not what you think, Ava " He pleaded quietly.

" Fine! " She snapped and freed her hand from his grasp and walked away.

In long, quick strides, he walked to her and drew her into an embrace.

" I'm sorry " He said against her neck.

" For? " Ava questioned, trying to make things harder for him.

" Everything " He whispered.

Disengaging himself from the hug, he said " Come here " And pulled her along with him.

Once they were seated, he started to tell her about his encounter with Lauren.

" I just hope she understands " he concluded, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Ava squeezed his hand reassuringly. " You did what you could, Alex. Sometimes, people need time to process things "

Her words offered a semblance of comfort, yet the weight of the unresolved situation with Lauren lingered in the back of his mind, clouding the tranquility of the evening.

The evening unfolded in the embrace of familiarity and comfort. Despite the weight of the day's events, Alex found solace in the peaceful moments spent with Ava. They shared quiet conversations, laughter, and the simple pleasure of being together.

As the night progressed, the air seemed to carry a sense of tranquility, the calming presence of Ava enveloping Alex in a blanket of reassurance. However, beneath the surface, the unresolved conversation with Lauren lingered, a persistent thorn in his thoughts.

Hours passed, the calmness of the mansion cocooning them in a sense of sanctuary. As the clock approached midnight, Alex's eyelids grew heavy, exhaustion from the day's turmoil finally catching up with him.

" You sleeping? " He called out softly and Ava murmured something in response.

" Mama? "

This time, she looked up from where she had been lying on his chest " Huh? "

He smiled " Thought you were asleep "

" Nah " She answered quietly.

" Care to tell me what's going on in that pretty, little mind of yours? " He asked playfully.

" No way " She replied and laughed.

" Please? " He whined.

" No "

" Pretty please? " He begged again and this time, she came up with an idea.

" Make me " She said sweetly, sitting up to run her hands on his wide, hairy chest.

His eyes glinted in the soft light " Really? I'd be happy to " His tone was suggestive and before she could read more meaning into what he meant, he grabbed her and rolled on the bed, so he lying on top of her.

" Alex, your... your weight! " She struggled to let out the words.

Realizing that she was uncomfortable with it, he placed his hands on her sides " Sorry, kitten " He apologized and kissed her forehead.

" Now back to business. Tell me what's going on in your mind , will you? " He asked, planting light and sound kisses on her face.

" No " Came immediately from her and she stuck out her tongue.

" Oh, you'll do that soon, I'll make you talk " He said confidently , flashing her an evil smile before tickling her to the point where she felt too numb to laugh.

The tiredness Alex felt earlier had disappeared so fast that one would think it never existed in the first place. He kissed her tenderly and shortly after, the kiss turned into a passionate one and he made slow love to her. About an hour later, he collapsed beside her with a satisfied sigh. She did the same with a smile on her face. In the course of their love making, they had forgotten what brought about it in the first place. They talked some more before she fell asleep in his arms. He bid Ava goodnight, even though she was already asleep, hoping for a night of undisturbed sleep.