Catching Ava (Spring Training Book 3) Read online

  Xavier smiled, closed the distance between their faces, and gently kissed her lips right in front of everyone. “We’ll see about that.”

  Her pulse sped up. Even though she’d come to Jupiter prepared to stay, this was the first time he’d mentioned the possibility. His subtle suggestion still made her body come alive.

  He was so sexy. And when he winked at her, she melted.

  Nevertheless, when he straightened and faced his family, he said, “Go easy on the tequila, Tía.”

  The smiles they all sported went from ear to ear. Yes. They were pleased and excited.

  Everyone rushed off, leaving her alone with Xavier.

  “I hope you’re hungry. In a few minutes, enough food for an army is going to cover this table.”

  “They seem really nice.” She smoothed her hands on her skirt.

  Two seconds later, Xavier held both her hands in her lap, his body angled toward her, his face close. “You cast a spell on them.” His voice lowered. “You cast a spell on me too.”

  Her face heated once again, and he reached with his free hand to tap her nose. “I love the flush you get when you’re embarrassed.”

  “I’m not embarrassed. I’m shocked.”

  “Why?” He frowned.

  “I’ve never gone out with anyone so…”

  “So what?” He lifted a brow.

  “So interested in me.”

  He frowned again. “That can’t be true.”

  She licked her lips. Luckily, she was saved from continuing the conversation by the large margarita that slid in front of her. “Holy cow. I’ll never be able to drink that,” she whispered.

  Margo shrugged. “Don’t worry. Drink as much of it as you want. But I’m warning you, I make a mean margarita. I stopped serving smaller ones a few years ago when it felt wrong to take people’s money that way.” She raced off to the kitchen.

  “What does she mean?”

  Xavier drew the glass closer. “She charges her customers a dollar less for the small. They always end up ordering two.”

  “Ah.” Ava leaned forward, took the straw in her mouth, and was about to take a sip when Xavier plucked it from her lips.

  She looked up at him.

  “Is that how you always drink a margarita?”

  She tipped her head to one side, having no idea what he was talking about. “Um, yes?”

  He grinned, tossed the straw on the table, and picked up the glass. “Then you’ve been doing it wrong.” He lifted it to his lips and took a drink from the side. “If you don’t get the salt, you’re missing half the experience.”

  When he lifted the glass to her mouth, she leaned forward to take a sip. Her hands were still clutched in one of his, and he squeezed them to emphasize his point.

  She stuck out her tongue to lick the side of the glass, and then took a sip. It was amazing.

  Xavier groaned.

  Good.

  “Isn’t Puerto Rico more of a rum country?”

  “Yep. And Tía can make a mean piña colada too. But she loves tequila.” He closed the distance between them again and licked the corner of her mouth. “You had a little salt there,” he teased.

  How had things progressed so quickly to this easy state of banter? Three nights ago, she’d gone on a double date with him and they’d explored none of this dynamic between them. The electricity had been there, but so had her sister Lily, forcing both of them to hold back. Lily could be fairly intimidating when faced with a man dating her sister.

  Xavier had been friendly, but a perfect gentleman. The man she was with tonight was totally different. He was setting her on fire with his attentiveness and the way he looked at her. And the clasp he had on her hands between her legs was currently tormenting her to the point of complete distraction.

  People around them spoke. Someone brought Xavier a beer. Chips and salsa landed on the table. Then various other appetizers. His cousin sat down for a few minutes, her chin on her palm as she chatted with them, her gaze darting back and forth between them, bewildered.

  The entire time, all Ava could focus on was the way he gripped her hands in his one larger one. The way he stroked her skin with his fingers. The way his thumb kept grazing her thighs.

  Her skirt slowly inched higher until her skin was bare under his knuckles.

  She had never been more aroused in her life.

  After a few sips of the margarita, which Xavier controlled, she was completely flustered. Or maybe it was the arousal. Either way, she was so horny it took all her concentration not to start bouncing her knees.

  If anyone noticed the way he held her captive, they said nothing.

  Xavier fed her little bites and told her about his family. This restaurant was owned by the uncle on his father’s side. Most of his father’s family lived in Puerto Rico, but Raúl had come to Florida because he liked to watch his nephew play ball. Apparently, Xavier’s father, Carlos, came to Florida occasionally during the season, even though Xavier hadn’t been getting along with Carlos for several years. Everyone seemed to avoid that subject.

  His mother lived in Miami and attended most home games during the regular season. Interestingly enough, Xavier’s mother, Lucita Fisher, was still close with Margo and Raúl even though she was remarried.

  When more food arrived, she tugged on her hands.

  Xavier gripped them tighter, leaned in to kiss her lips, and then released her.

  Relieved that he wasn’t going to literally feed her with a fork, she reached for her glass of water and took a long drink. She’d only had a few sips of the margarita, but she definitely wanted to keep her wits about her.

  Margo and Cili set the last of way too many plates on the table.

  Xavier pointed at the seats across from them. “Join us.”

  They both eagerly sat, probably more curious about Ava than hungry. Then they proceeded to grill her about her life.

  Ava was perfectly comfortable with them. They were very polite and friendly. Every once in a while Raúl stopped by and then fled back to the kitchen.

  “You were at the game today,” Cili commented as she filled a plate.

  “Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice you.”

  Cili shrugged. “Why would you? I was sitting behind you, anyway. I didn’t realize you were there to watch Xavier. I only remember you because of your gorgeous hair.”

  Ava blushed. “Thank you.”

  Cili grabbed a lock of her own thick dark curls. “Blond is never happening for me.”

  “And it shouldn’t. Your natural color is amazing.” It was. Ava had always longed to have red or brown or black hair. Everyone wanted what they didn’t have.

  By the time they finished eating, Ava was stuffed. Xavier had done the most damage, but the table looked as though no one had begun.

  “Coffee?” Cili asked.

  Ava shook her head. “No. Thank you. I’m more of a tea kind of girl. But I’m too stuffed right now for anything. Everything was delicious. Thank you so much,” Ava told Margo.

  “We have to get going,” Xavier announced. He rounded the table to kiss his aunt and cousin and shake his uncle’s hand.

  Everyone hugged Ava, and Margo walked with them through the kitchen and out the back door. “Come anytime, Ava. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

  “You too.”

  Xavier led her to the car and then hurried around to his side.

  When he shut the door and started the engine, she smiled. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” He looked at her quizzically.

  “For sharing your family with me. They were amazing.”

  “They loved you.” He leaned across the console and kissed her lips gently before righting himself and pulling out of the spot.

  “Do they treat every woman you bring here with the same level of fanfare?” she asked, hating herself the moment the words came out. A flush warmed her cheeks. Why did she have to ask that?

  He chuckled but said nothing. Interesting.

  After a
few minutes of driving, he glanced at her. “I might kick myself for suggesting this, but will you stay the night?” He quickly continued. “I don’t mean to insinuate anything. I just don’t want you driving two hours in the dark alone.”

  She smirked. “Sure.” She drew the one word out in a mocking way.

  He laughed. “Okay, that sounded absurd. But I meant it. I’ll keep my clothes on. Promise.”

  “What if I don’t want you to keep your clothes on?” Who is the woman who has taken over my body?

  “Ava…” His voice held warning.

  She squeezed her legs together, bit her lip, and forced her gaze straight ahead. “Can you stop to get my car? I have stuff in it.”

  He reached across the console, grabbed her hand, and pulled it to his lips. After kissing her knuckles, his voice dipped. “You brought a bag?”

  She grinned, but didn’t respond. Half of her was nervous as hell. The other half threw caution to the wind.

  She was inexperienced. More so than he could imagine. She had never considered giving herself away just for the hell of it. Xavier Monreal was the first man who had made her body stand up and take notice. If she slept with him, she would have no regrets.

  He kept her hand in his, which she found she loved, and forced her to lean toward him in order to reach that far.

  When he pulled up to Zia and Brett’s condo, she intended to follow him back to his place. It was dark out, but it was only eight o’clock. How far could it be? She assumed less than a few blocks.

  “Give me your keys. I’ll grab your bag. Is it in the trunk?”

  “I can just follow you.”

  He shook his head. “It’s late.”

  “It’s eight.”

  “Hon, I’d feel better if you were with me.”

  “Is this a dominant thing?” she asked. Her body reacted again, confusing her. When it seemed like he took control, she got aroused. When he called her “hon,” she got more aroused. When he looked at her with his eyes drawn together in a no-nonsense stance, she couldn’t breathe. He was doing all three.

  He hesitated before answering. “How about if we call it a chivalrous thing and leave it at that?”

  “I do drive at night in Miami, you know. I have since I got my license six years ago.”

  He groaned.

  She realized pointing that out hadn’t been in her best interest.

  He held out a hand. “Give me your keys.”

  She reached into her purse, pulled them out, and handed them to him. As she watched him walk to her trunk, she warmed considerably. Yes, his bossiness was definitely hot. And her obvious reaction to him wasn’t going to work in her favor. He could read her too well.

  Chapter Four

  Xavier pulled into his garage and shut the engine off. Before he could round the car, Ava was out with her overnight bag in her hand. She was also shaking.

  He led her through the garage entrance into the kitchen where he took the bag, set it on the counter, and grabbed her shoulders. “I meant what I said earlier. I’m not going to sleep with you. I just don’t want you to leave yet. And I don’t like you driving back alone at night.”

  She nodded.

  He couldn’t read her expression, though. Was she disappointed? That worried him. Or maybe she simply didn’t believe him. He would prove he was a man of his word.

  He did not, however, have the willpower to avoid kissing her again. He backed her up to the counter, set his hands on the surface next to her, and claimed her mouth.

  She tasted sweet like the margarita. And all Ava.

  He licked the seam of her lips, encouraging her to open for him. He loved the way she tentatively let her tongue stroke his. One thing was for sure, either she hadn’t kissed a lot of men, or her lovers hadn’t been interested enough to spend time enjoying her mouth, because she was slow to let go and enjoy herself.

  He had to force himself to stop, oxygen finally becoming a necessity. Breathing heavily, he lifted his hands to cup her face. “You have me wrapped around your finger.”

  She smiled. Her cheeks were rosy, and he wondered if her breasts flushed the same shade of red when she was nervous or embarrassed.

  He glanced to the side. “What’s in the bag exactly? I’m curious.”

  “Jeans and a T-shirt. Toiletries. What did you expect?”

  He lifted a brow. “Nothing to sleep in?”

  “Well…I figured if I spent the night here, it wouldn’t be in clothes.”

  His cock swelled to an uncomfortable stiffness. He’d walked himself right into that one. He closed his eyes to regroup and then grabbed her hand and tugged her to the living room. “Sit.” He pointed at the couch. “You want anything to drink? Water?”

  “No. I’m fine.” She sat primly, tucking her hands under her thighs. Her dress looked tighter across her chest. Her nipples puckered in two sharp points.

  He had to force himself to lift his gaze. Instead of sitting on the couch next to her as he intended, he sat across from her on the coffee table. He put his elbows on his knees, straddled her legs with his, and met her eye to eye, inches separating them. “You’re the first woman I’ve brought to my aunt and uncle’s restaurant.” He had no idea why that was the first thing he thought to say.

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened.

  “You’re the first woman I’ve brought to this condo.”

  She swallowed.

  “I’m not saying I don’t date. I do. Often. But if I go home with someone, I do it on their turf. I don’t trust most women. It’s hard to know if they’re dating me for my money or not. It might look like a glamorous life, but it has its price.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “People can be very fake.”

  “I’m not fake. I wouldn’t even know how to be,” she defended.

  He reached forward and took her hands in his. “I know. That’s one of the many things that attracts me to you.”

  “What are the others?” she asked, though she sucked the corner of her bottom lip into her mouth afterward, perhaps rethinking the decision to ask that question.

  “Initially? I saw you at the wedding and thought you were cute as hell. You seemed alive with happiness and personality. You’re unaware of your beauty. It shines from within. You don’t judge anyone. Everyone is good and kind and nice when you meet them.”

  “Wow.”

  “It’s refreshing. And sexy. When Dominic asked me to go to dinner with you, I jumped at the opportunity. I’d been wondering how I might get your phone number.”

  “You did?”

  “Yep.”

  “I had hoped he would set me up with you.” She smiled with her head tipped to one side.

  “Really?” he smirked. “So you noticed me too.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” she asked again before sucking in a breath.

  He loved the way she often spoke without filtering and then was shocked by her quick response. “Well, not everyone likes tall, dark, and handsome,” he joked.

  “I’m not everyone.”

  “Clearly.” He squeezed her hands again. He would die happy if all he got to do was hold her hands. They were soft and small and perfect. He had to force himself to get back on track. “When we went to dinner, I found out you were exactly what you appeared from a distance. Kind. Sweet. Loving. You adore your sister.”

  “I do. I’d do anything for her. She raised me after our parents died. She gave up everything for me. I owe her my entire world.”

  “And I’m sure she has no intention of collecting that misconceived debt.”

  “True.”

  “The shy way you blush every few seconds and glance away makes me…” He bit off that sentence, not wanting to get vulgar with her. “It’s sexy,” he chose to say instead.

  She jerked her palms free, grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands, and fisted the material. After a few seconds, she flattened her palms on his chest and eased them up to his shoulders. “I can’t even think when you’re this close to me
.”

  “Eh. Thinking is overrated.”

  “I feel like I’m in a dream.”

  “Is it a good dream? Or more like a nightmare?”

  She smiled. “It’s amazing. What I imagine heaven is like,” she murmured.

  “Now you’re putting pressure on me,” he teased.

  To emphasize, she pressed on his chest. “I’m hoping you’ll put a little more pressure on me, actually.” She bit her bottom lip and flushed deeply after speaking.

  Xavier had no idea how he was going to stop this whirlwind of a woman from breaking his resolve, but he needed to, and fast. Before things got out of control.

  He shook his head. “I’m not going to sleep with you, Ava. But if you don’t stop tempting me with that mouth of yours, I might be inclined to gag you.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes wide. Her mouth fell open, and she closed it and opened it again.

  He grinned. “Now I have your attention.”

  “Just out of curiosity, why are you so determined not to sleep with me? I’m not twelve. I’m a grown woman. We like each other. We seem to be attracted to each other. I’m willing…”

  “Because I never want you to have a single regret where this relationship is concerned. I can’t describe it, but I feel alive when I’m with you. And I like it. I’m not about to fuck it up.”

  “And sleeping with me would fuck it up how?”

  “Because you’re not ready.”

  “Who gets to decide when I’m ready?” she asked.

  He stood abruptly, needing to occupy her mouth any way possible to keep her from continuing to torment him with her words. She had no idea how completely into her he was. How badly he wanted to strip her naked and dominate her.

  He knew he could make her writhe with desire and scream out his name, but it was the wrong thing to do tonight.

  Kissing. That he could do. And it would be a lot more comfortable lying on his bed. So, he reached an arm under her knees, lifted her off the couch, and carried her toward the stairs. His bedroom was on the second floor.

  He didn’t bother with the lights on the way and easily made it to his bed, where he dropped her unceremoniously on the mattress.