CHAPTER 3

AVA

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my room, tugging at the hem of my black cocktail dress for the hundredth time. Dad had gone all out. Again. A welcome-home party for me, like I was some celebrity returning from war instead of just finishing college. String lights twinkled across the backyard, a live band played soft jazz by the pool, caterers in crisp white shirts floated around with trays of champagne and fancy appetizers. High-class people everywhere. Dad's business partners, old family friends, even some local celebrities. It was extra. So extra.

But that was Dad. He loved me to a fault. Always had. I smiled despite myself. At least the food looked amazing.

I smoothed my hair, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs. The house was buzzing. Laughter spilled out from every room. I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray and stepped into the backyard.

And there he was.

Ryan.

Leaning against the bar, talking to some woman in a red dress that hugged every curve. She laughed too loud at something he said, her hand brushing his arm. My stomach twisted hard.

Yesterday flashed in my mind. That groan. My name on his lips while he touched himself in the shower. My fingers between my legs after, cumming so hard I saw stars. I was still sore from how intense it had been. And now he was here, looking stupidly hot in a dark button-down, sleeves rolled up to show those forearms. Salt-and-pepper stubble perfect as always.

I forced my eyes away. Do not stare, Ava.

"Ava Carter! Oh my god, is that you?"

I turned and grinned. Artemis. Tall, wild curly hair, paint-stained nails even at a fancy party. We went to high school together, inseparable back then. Then she traveled Europe for her art and we kinda fell out. Life happened.

"Artemis!" I hugged her tight. She smelled like turpentine and expensive perfume. "You look amazing."

"Please," she said, pulling back to eye me up and down. "Look at you in that dress. Legs for days. These old men are drooling."

I laughed. "Shut up. You're the famous painter now. I saw your exhibit downtown last month. Insane."

She waved it off but smiled. "Thanks babe. It's going okay. Clients are a nightmare though."

We found a spot by the pool, away from the crowd a little. She launched into stories right away.

"This one guy," Artemis said, sipping her drink. "He wants a portrait of his ugly dog. Fine. Pays big. But then he says make the dog look noble. Like royalty. I'm like sir, your dog looks like a rat with asthma."

I snorted. "You didn't say that."

"I did," she said, blunt as ever. "He got mad. Said I was rude. I told him the truth hurts and if he wants lies he should hire a bad artist."

"Artemis," I gasped laughing. "You're savage."

"Another client," she went on. "Rich lady. She wantednude self-portrait. Cool. But she keeps changing her mind. Make my boobs bigger. No smaller. Add abs. I'm not a Photoshop babe, this is paint."

"You're killing me," I said, wiping my eyes.

She shrugged. "Art is honest. People want to be fake. Drives me crazy."

I glanced across the yard. Ryan again. Now talking to a blonde. She leaned in close, whispering something. He smiled politely but his eyes scanned the party. Landed on me for a second. Heat rushed through me.

Jealousy hit hard. Stupid. He wasn't mine. But after yesterday... god.

"You okay?" Artemis asked, following my gaze. "Who's the silver fox?"

"No one," I said quickly. "You know Ryan, right?"

She smirked. "Ahhh, yess, your dad's hot best friend. He's single?"

"Divorced," I muttered.

"Lucky you," she teased. "I see that look."

"Stop," I said but my cheeks burned.

We kept talking. She rambled about more clients. One who wanted a mural of his ex-wife but crying. Another who paid late and complained the colors were wrong.

"Rich people," Artemis said, rolling her eyes. "Think money buys talent. Or class."

My phone buzzed in my clutch. I pulled it out. It was an email notification from the company I was supposed to start at next week.

Subject: Apology and Position Update.

My heart dropped as I read.

They mixed me up with another Ava Carter. The job was hers. Not mine. Immediate revocation. So sorry for the confusion.

The world tilted. I stared at the screen. I needed that job. Badly.

"Ava?" Artemis said. "You went pale."

"I... need air," I mumbled.

I walked fast, away from the lights and noise and found a huge palm tree in the dark corner of the yard, shadows thick. I leaned against the trunk and slid down, dress bunching. Tears came hot and fast.

Stupid. So stupid. I needed that money. Independence. Now what?

I cried quietly, hugging my knees.

Footsteps crunched grass. I looked up, wiping my face quickly.

Ryan.

He stopped, surprised. "Ava? What are you doing here?"

I tried to smile. Failed. "Nothing. Just... needed a break."

He crouched down, gray eyes worried. "You're crying. Talk to me."

I handed him my phone, shaky. He read the email, jaw tightening.

"Shit," he said soft. "I'm sorry sweetheart."

Tears fell again. "I needed that job Ryan. So bad. City rent is crazy. Loans piling up. I thought I had it."

He sat beside me, arm around my shoulders carefully and pulled me into his chest. He smelled so good.

"Hey," he murmured. "It's gonna be okay. You're smart and talented. You'll find something better."

"I don't know," I whispered against his shirt. "Feels like everything's falling apart."

He rubbed my back slowly. "Listen, I actually need a personal assistant. Organized, handles schedules, clients, basic office stuff. Your business management degree is perfect."

I pulled back, shocked. "Ryan..."

"Pay's good," he said. "Benefits. And I'd love having you around."

My heart raced. Work with him? Every day? After yesterday? Bad idea. So bad.

"I can't," I started. "Dad would..."

"I'll talk to Mark," he said firmly. "He trusts me. It'll be professional."

I opened my mouth to refuse again when voices came close.

Dad's laugh.

We both froze.

Then a woman's giggle.

"Oh Mark," she said. "You're terrible."

Ryan's eyes widened. He grabbed my hand quickly, pulling me deeper into the shadows behind the thick trunk.

He pressed me against the tree, body covering mine. One hand gentle over my mouth. His whisper was hot in my ear.

"Shh. Don't wanna cock block your dad."

My brain short circuited.

His body pinned me.

And there. Oh god.

His cock. Hard. Huge. Pressing right against my stomach through his pants.

Heat exploded between my legs. I whimpered softly against his palm.

He froze too, realizing. But didn't move away.

Dad and the woman walked past, arms linked, heading toward the guest house laughing.

We waited silently till they were gone.

Ryan stepped back slowly, hand dropping. Eyes dark.

"Sorry," he muttered. "Didn't mean to..."

"It's okay," I whispered breathlessly.

We snuck back to the party separately. I mumbled goodnight to Artemis, avoiding Dad's happy face.

Upstairs in my room, I stripped fast, collapsed on the bed naked.

My mind replayed everything. His body on mine. That hardness, H

huge and pressing into me.

I slid my hand down, already soaked.

God I wanted it.

I wanted his huge cock in my mouth. On my knees for him. Tasting him. Feeling him throb on my tongue while he groaned my name again. For real this time.

My fingers circled fast, imagining it all.

Tomorrow he'd talk to Dad about the job.

But tonight?

Tonight I came again thinking of him filling my mouth completely.