Chapter 185 She Needs Me
"Ava," he rasped, his voice laden with desire. His eyes, aflame with an intensity that was nearly palpable, bore into her.
The air around them seemed to thicken, the temperature rising as if in response to the heat between them.
Ava felt the perspiration begin to bead on her palms.
She watched as Alexander gradually lessened the distance between them, his movements deliberate and purposeful. Finally, his lips met hers in a kiss that was anything but fleeting.
Ava surrendered to the moment, her eyes fluttering closed as she savored the warmth of his touch. She had thought they would never share such intimacy again.
But his kiss was not a mere peck; it deepened and grew more fervent. His hands, with a gentle yet insistent pressure, began to slide her nightgown aside.
Startled, Ava was jolted back to reality. Her eyes flew open and she quickly grabbed his hand, halting his escalating advances. "Wait," she managed to say.
Alexander froze at her words, his gaze falling on the woman beneath him. He withdrew his hand, and with a tenderness that belied his earlier fervor, he cupped her face. "Don't be scared," he soothed, "I won't hurt you."
Every time she displayed her shyness, he seemed to have a lesson to impart.
"It's not about that," Ava stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I have something to tell you. Can... can you get up first?"
Their current position was not conducive to a serious conversation. If he were to become upset, she would have no means of escape.
With a sigh that hinted at his reluctance, Alexander sat up, positioning himself at the edge of the bed. "What is it?" he asked, "Go ahead."
Was she considering divorce again?
Ava had been wrestling with this moment, realizing that no amount of mental rehearsal could make the actual conversation any easier.
"Alex, I..." she began.
But her words were cut off by the intrusive ring of a cellphone.
Ava's words lodged in her throat. "Your phone's ringing."
"It’s nothing, keep talking," he dismissed without a glance.
But the incessant ringing disrupted Ava's train of thought.
Alexander finally picked up the phone, his eyes flicking to the caller ID. "Isabella."
Ava saw the name as well, her expression clouding over as she turned her head away.
Isabella. Always Isabella, always coming between her and Alex.
Alexander stared at the caller ID for a moment before disconnecting the call. "Go on," he urged.
"You're not taking her call?" Ava asked, her surprise evident. He had actually hung up on Isabella, a fact that seemed almost unbelievable.
"She probably doesn't have anything urgent. You were saying?"
Ava felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I..."
The ringtone blared again, interrupting her once more.
Isabella.
Alexander's patience seemed to be wearing thin.
"Ava, hold on a second."
He answered the call, his voice laced with irritation. "Didn't I tell you not to call me if it's not urgent? You..."
Suddenly, his expression shifted. His brow furrowed, his face taking on a look of urgency. "What did you say? I understand."
Seeing the panic etched on Alexander's face, Ava felt a familiar sense of defeat. It was as if she had been struck by lightning, her heart reduced to ashes.
After ending the call and setting the phone aside, Alexander hesitated. "Ava, something's happened with Isabella. I need to go see her."
Ava's hand clenched around her shirt, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. "Can you not go?"
Alexander was silent, his gaze lingering on her for a long moment before he grabbed his phone and threw back the covers.
"Alex!" Ava's voice was pleading as she called after him. "Can't you just stay?"
"Isabella's having heart issues, I have to go. She needs me!"
