Bound by Obsession (Shadowed Souls #2)

39. Chapter Thirty Nine

A very looks beautiful. Not just pretty in the way she always does, but softer, more relaxed. Her golden hair is pulled back, a few loose strands falling to frame her make-up free face as she reads the thick paperback in her hands. She’s opted for a cozy sweater that hangs off her shoulder, showing just a hint of what I know to be underneath. I tried to be a gentleman when escorting her into this tiny, corner café, but keeping my eyes off the roundness of her ass in those jeans was hard damn work. I deserve a medal for even attempting it.

We’ve found this spot on the edge of town, just far enough away from the campus crowds. The place smells like coffee and fresh pastries, our table tucked into the back with a simple pinecone ornament separating us. Avery is gently tapping her foot against my leg beneath the table, lost to her reading as she absentmindedly stirs sugar into her tea. I could watch her like this all day.

“Here we are,” an older woman arrives at our table with a plate in hand. Her gaze flicks back and forth between us, wondering where to put it until Avery snaps into action, moving the ornament aside and gesturing to the middle of the table. Once the plate has been placed, the woman hovers. “Are you sure that’s all I can get you? We have a range of sweet treats, all baked by myself.”

“They look delicious,” Avery agrees, glancing at the glass cabinet. “We’ll definitely take some to go but this will be great for now. I had a big breakfast,” she lies. She barely had time to grab a granola bar after Garrett spent all morning trying to convince her to climb back into his bed. Once we’re alone again, Avery’s warm smile turns back to me. “Eat whatever you can manage, I’ll have the rest.”

My gaze drifts down to the steak sandwich and fries that don’t look half as intimidating as they used to, and that’s because of her. Avery doesn’t push me, doesn’t make it into a big deal. And thankfully, she doesn’t watch, preferring to go back to her book. It was a tactful plan on her part, once I announced we were going out for lunch. I wanted to do this for her, to be like a normal couple without all the baggage we carry. More specifically, without the others breathing down our necks now we’re out of the safe house.

I do as asked, picking at the sandwich and fries until I’ve managed just under half. I was already semi-proud of myself, but when I push the plate towards Avery, her smile is everything.

“You did so good,” she says softly, her voice like music to my ears. That’s all I need. Quiet words of encouragement as she accepts the leftovers. My chest tightens, the kind of feeling that makes the air around me lighter. These last few months have been a slow, festering torment which I didn’t know existed. A form of self-sabotage that was beyond reason, a type of pain I couldn’t explain. But with Avery, it’s different. She doesn’t treat me like I’m broken or like I need fixing. She just…gets it.

“Yeah, I guess I’m getting there, huh?” I rub at my nape, ducking my head. Her smile widens, and she reaches out, her fingers tracing the back of my hand in a slow, gentle motion.

“You’re more than getting there. You’re fighting and you’re winning.” Those blue eyes swallow me whole, so large and filled with purity. I feel like there’s more she wants to say, but she holds herself back. Baby steps and small wins. That’s where we’re at right now.

“I suppose I deserve a reward then,” I smirk, instantly causing Avery to perk up. She pops a French fry into her mouth, raising one slender eyebrow at me.

“I completely agree. What kind of reward did you have in mind?” Pushing the plate closer to her, I jerk my chin at the food.

“Eat up and you’ll find out.” Avery takes another fry, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she hands me the book. It’s another one from Dax’s extensive romance collection. I lean back in my chair, stretching my legs beneath the table and open to the bookmarked page, continuing where Avery has left off. I don’t need to know the premise since she’s apparently reached a sex scene that is enough to make even me blush. She giggles knowingly, watching me read and tilt my head, trying to visualize the tangle of limbs this particular mutant and ghost have gotten themselves in. Kinky.

Once she’s finished, we purchase some pastries as promised and take them to go, heading out of the café. The crisp air brushes against our cheeks, slicing straight through my leather jacket and ripped jeans. I take her hand in mine, guiding her down the street until we come upon a nail salon near the parked SUV. Avery gives me a side-eye, but doesn’t ask anything. She trusts me, and I love that.

Stepping inside, warmth instantly wraps around us, the scent of lavender and citrus circulating. The decor has been geared towards creating a space for relaxation, the back wall covered in fake grass with an LED sign displaying the salon’s name - ‘ Nailed It’ . A few women are scattered on plush chairs, having their nails done whilst serene music plays in the background.

“Can I help you?” the receptionist asks, her eyes lingering too long on my body to be considered friendly. I doubt they get many men in here, especially ones over six-foot and clearly athletic.

“Two for pedicures if you’re able, and a manicure for my girlfriend.” I tug Avery closer into my side. The receptionist’s eyes snap back to my face, her cheeks twinging with pink that she’s been caught gawking. Swiftly leading us to the high-backed leather seats, she begins to prep the warm water in the foot spa with various salts. Avery’s full attention is on me, a teasing smile playing at her lips.

“Your reward is to get me a mani-pedi?”

“My reward will be seeing your fancy, new nails wrapped around my cock later,” I reply, shrugging off my jacket. The attendant testing the water jet slips, fumbling around to get the faucet back under control. Avery gives me a pointed look.

“You’ve been spending too long with Garrett.” Avery rolls her eyes. Being directed to soak our feet in the warm water, we shed our shoes and socks, and I catch the first glimpse of her reddened toes, instantly frowning.

“Fine, that was just a ploy to get you to take care of whatever is causing you to limp around. You’re not as sneaky as you think you are.” She doesn’t even try to deny that I caught her wincing multiple times, just sinks further into the seat and closes her eyes.

“That’s a lie, I’m incredibly sneaky when I want to be. But Madam Nightingale did go really hard this morning. I pissed her off.” As the technicians wheel over two tiny stools, I reach over to take her hand.

“Tell me about it.” And she does just that.

For the best part of half an hour, Avery confesses about the offer letters, her reasons for turning them down, how her ballet teacher used it as a reason to push her to her limits and then moves onto the gossiping. I knew it was coming, even though I did my best to shut it down quickly. I’ll need to regroup with the others later to discuss it, but for now, I simply sit and let Avery work it out of her system, whilst my feet are being attacked with a harsh, porous rock.

“So yeah, that’s that,” she shrugs, seemingly deflated but also finally relaxed. “Never a dull day.”

“Not in our world,” I manage a smile. Our feet are patted dry with warm towels and fitted with disposable flip flops before Avery is led to a nail station, with me trailing to remain by her side. I don’t ask if I can sit at her side, nor do I wait for permission to lean over and pluck a nail polish bottle from the wall of hundreds. Avery immediately approves, turning the red bottle over to read the name.

“Crimson Desire,” she bobs her brows. The same technician who did her feet sits on the opposite side of the table, quietly busying herself with filing and preparing Avery’s nails. The tranquil music washes over us, carefully stealing us away from the real world. I notice there are no clocks in here, and the windows are covered with heavy blinds. Avery tilts her head for her blonde ponytail to tickle my forearm. “This might just be the best idea you’ve ever had.”

“I have my moments,” I say, trying not to look smug. Truthfully, I’m just happy I managed to swoop in when I did and whisk her away from campus before things got ugly. I didn’t expect returning to be easy but for very different reasons than her classmates turning on her.

My palm glides over her thigh whilst her hands are occupied, just as my pocket begins to vibrate. I tug my phone free and glance down at the screen flashing with a group call. I was wondering how long it would take. Declining the call, I push the device back into my pocket and ignore it when the vibrating starts up instantly. Avery hears the repetitive buzz, her eyes flicking over to me.

“Aren’t you going to get that?”

“Nope.” I shake my head, reaching over to take her hand. “I’m not ready to share you again just yet.”

“It could be important,” she twists her lips.

“It could be,” I shrug, my intentions clear. Nothing is going to take away the precious time I have left with Avery all to myself. Her eyes soften how they always do when I’ve managed to get my own way. It’s those small looks, those tiny traits I’ve memorized that fill me with bursts of love at any given moment. I hold it inside, letting it blossom and grow until I’ve done as Avery asked - to learn to love myself again first.

For now, I’m content. In this little bubble of peace, nothing else exists. No threats, no responsibilities, no rumors. Just us, creating pockets of time to reconnect and remain united. I won’t let a distance form between us again.