I need you to believe that. I need to prove it to you. So that you don’t keep staring at me the way you do.”
Her head pushed back. “What do you mean?”
Staring down at my fingers, I sought the right words. “I guess it’s like you’re trying to figure out if I’m bad or some kind of loser not to be trusted.”
Her brow crumpled in disbelief. “That’s not what I see when I look at you. That’s your own insecurity talking, Bronson.”
“Then why do you always have that puzzled, almost suspicious frown whenever I say something? Like now, for instance.”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea that’s how I was coming across. It’s just that you’re a pretty intense guy… I feel like there’s so much going on inside of you, that any minute something might erupt. It’s not because I think you’re a criminal. I find you fascinating. And to be honest, I believe you.”
It took me a moment to still my frazzled emotions before her last comment finally hit me. I looked up sharply. “What did you say?”
“I believe you,” she said with a reassuring smile.
Whatever had kept me bound for weeks, especially since meeting Ava, released its hold on me. I could breathe at last.
Placing my hand in hers, I said, “Thank you. I can’t tell you what hearing those words means to me.”
A compassionate smile radiated from her. “That’s understandable. What happened to you is so reprehensible, it infuriates me, to be honest.” She nodded decisively. “The more I’ve come to know Justin, particularly this last month, the more I’ve noticed something rotten in there. Whereas”—she paused while I caressed her hand—“I believe you’re genuine.” While Ava took a sip of wine, I searched for something to say. But then, she added, “Justin’s got a drug habit. And I’ve seen how much he’s challenged by you. He’s jealous. He admitted that much the other night when he came to my place. Uninvited, I might add.”
My brow gathered tightly. “Uninvited? Did he try to hurt you? Or force himself on you again? Tell me.”
Ava flinched at my aggressive tone. “Not really… Although it was stupid of me to let him in. But I managed to kick him out.”
The pounding in my chest settled a little. I placed my hand on top of hers. “Promise me that if he ever comes near you, you’ll call me straight away.”
She nodded.
As our hands remained in a tight clutch, it felt as though I’d known Ava all my life and that I’d arrived somewhere comfortable and familiar at last.
“You really believe me, then?” A faint, hopeful light brightened my spirit.
She nodded slowly. “I do. You’ve got this depth about you that I’ve never experienced in anyone before. You strike me as being honest.”
I took her hand and kissed it. “I’m so glad you called me, Ava.” Now it was my turn to be inquisitive. “Why did you call me?”
Her cheeks reddened slightly. “Aggie suggested it.”
“The woman you read to?”
“Uh-huh.” She toyed with her glass before lifting her eyes up to meet mine.
I wanted to devour that shy smile. Ava unconsciously teased me when her sweet tongue swept over her rosy sensual lips. “If you keep doing that, Ava, I’m going to have to take you here in the gardens and finish off what we started.”
She laughed. “That could get us arrested.”
“So Aggie suggested you call me, ah? Did you tell her about us?”
“Us?” she asked.
“For me, there’s an us.” A half smile grew at the side of my mouth. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes, I told her about you. She’d already guessed, anyhow. Aggie’s clairvoyant. I’m certain. She freaks me out, to be honest.” She paused for a response. I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I just nodded. “Anyway, she noticed something in my mood and asked if I’d met someone. That was the day after that night…”
“Hm… I’ve been hard all week because of that night.” Noticing her eyes switch from my face to her fingers, I asked, “Sorry, am I being too crass?”
She shook her head. “No… I like knowing that you desire me.”
“It’s deeper than that, Ava.” My smile disappeared.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
AVA
Bronson had this mystifying way of throwing loaded comments at me. I was about to respond when our steaks arrived. The sizzling aroma headed straight for my gut, and despite a sudden profound need to delve into the sexiest man I’d ever set eyes on, I said, “Just hold onto that for a moment, I need