Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
"Look at me," I growl, grabbing her chin so she can't look away. "I want to see how fucking beautiful you are when you take me."
She moans, arching into me, her eyes wild.
I drive into her, hard and deep, both of us groaning. The kitchen echoes with the slap of skin and the wet sound of her pussy swallowing me.
I fuck her like I want to own every moan and shudder because I do. I want everything she has, every minute of the fucking day. This beautiful little minx is mine, all mine.
She matches me thrust for thrust, her heels digging into my ass, her nails leaving hot trails across my skin.
I reach between us, rubbing her clit, desperate to get her there right now.
She comes so hard she screams, her body clamping down on me until I can't breathe through the pleasure.
"Ava!" I roar, my release crashing through me like a goddamn tidal wave. It's so good. So fucking good.
I slump against her, both of us panting, her arms tight around my neck.
"I love you."
She melts against me with the sweetest sigh, like she's been waiting a lifetime to hear me say those words. So I say them again.
"I love you."
"Dawson," she whimpers, burrowing into me.
I hold her, just breathing her in, thanking God for whatever happened today to get her to this point.
"Did you mean it?" I ask, my voice shaking.
She pulls back, her eyes locking with mine. "Yes. I don't care what anyone thinks, Dawson. I want this. I want you."
Jesus.
Jesus.
"Marry me."
"Yes." There's no hesitation, no doubt, not even a split second of worry crosses her face. Her answer is immediate and sure.
I swoop, kissing her breathless all over again. I can't stop kissing her. I can't stop shaking either.
"Jesus, Ava," I whisper, pressing my forehead to hers. "You really know how to give a man the world, you know that?"
"You know what I did last weekend?"
"What?"
"I got wine drunk and spent the night plucking petals from a flower, hoping it'd tell me that you loved me," she says with an embarrassed little laugh. "I wanted you more than anything. And I was so sad when the petals told me you didn't feel the same way I did."
"The petals lied, baby. I've been in love with you since the day our parents introduced us."
She sighs happily, hugging me like she's thanking me or something. As if she needs to do that. Loving her is the easiest thing I've ever done.
"You're really going to marry me?" I ask…just to make sure I'm not dreaming.
"Yes." She cranes her head back, meeting my gaze. "I think I should quit my job, though."
"What? Why? You love teaching."
"I do," she whispers, "but I don't want all of the parents causing problems or saying stuff once we're married."
"You think they'll judge you?" I ask, examining her face.
"I think parents aren't always rational when it comes to their kids, and I don't want that to impact your reputation with your fanbase, Dawson," she says, worry in her gaze. "Those kids idolize you. I don't want to be the reason they stop."
"Hell no," I growl immediately. "You aren't giving up a goddamn thing because of me, Ava. I'll sign as many autographs, give as many speeches, and do as much free publicity for your school as I have to do to keep them happy, but you aren't leaving a job you love to be with me."
Hell will freeze over before I allow that to happen. I've spent the last year keeping my distance to ensure she never felt like she had to sacrifice anything for me. I won't allow her to sacrifice a single thing now.
"What if they kick me out?" she asks.
"Then I'll spend the rest of my fucking career trashing them to everyone who will listen," I vow, meaning it. No one gets to take anything from her, not one goddamn thing, not unless they want to deal with me. And I'll be the biggest bastard they've ever crossed. When it comes to her, I'm not going to play. I will protect her with everything I have.
"Dawson," she says in that disapproving tone, but when her lips twitch, I know she's as amused as she is worried. "You can't just bully everyone into accepting us."
"Yeah?" I bite her bottom lip. "Watch me, baby. You're mine. I'll do whatever I have to do to protect you."
Her expression softens, the lines of worry vanishing. "You're going to be a bear, aren't you?"
"When it comes to you? Absolutely," I smirk at her. "I always have been."
"You don't say," she says, her eyes wide and dramatic. "I thought hot and cranky was just your natural state."
I dig my fingers into her sides, making her squeal with laughter.
Chapter Ten
Ava
Getting to love Dawson openly is better than I ever imagined it could be, at least until my name is announced over the intercom and all thirty of my students start teasing me simultaneously.