28
She just made a string of noises that came out of her. Zane grunted in reply, and she felt him increase the speed of his movements into her. A final rolling of his hips sent her over the edge and a scream left her as she heard him call out her name as his body tensed.
Zane looked down at Ava as she slept. She was curled into him with her head on his shoulder and her golden hair spread all over the pillows. She had never looked so innocent and beautiful. Zane wanted to trace her face with his finger, but he didn’t want to disturb her.
He looked at the clock on his bedside table and saw it was almost five in the morning. She deserved to sleep some more. He was satisfied just looking at her. It was a new thing, waking up with someone in his bed. He tried to avoid actually sleeping with the women he had sex with. Sleeping together seemed to invoke intimacy, which he didn’t want.
But Ava, she looked right in his bed, like she was the thing that had been missing from it until now. As he looked at her and gently played with the ends of her hair, he had to be honest with himself and confess that he loved her. Even in his own head, those words sounded grand and terrifying to him. He had no illusions about who he was or what he did.
He was a selfish man who took what he wanted and needed. But with Ava, his angel, he couldn’t be like that. Even if he from the start had wanted to corrupt her, to strip her of her innocence. That was no longer part of his plan, his need to protect her was stronger. She deserved to remain innocent, to see the good in people. Zane knew he would do anything for her, including letting her go to keep her safe. His world was not the place for her. He would make sure she had everything, was safe and could live her life like she wanted it. Zane studied Ava and made plans.
He would always watch over her, make sure no one would dare to hurt her. He would be her dark guardian that watched from the shadows as she lived in the light. But not now. Zane needed time to make sure she was safe before letting her go back home. He needed to deal with her uncle and make sure other parties stayed clear of her.
And while he did that, he would be selfish and keep her by his side. He would enjoy her in every way possible, make sure no other man could ever compare to him. He was selfish enough to want to leave a brand behind. He knew he had been the first man to taste her and to fuck her. There were still a lot of firsts he intended to make his. Zane already knew he would never tell her how he felt. Someone like her could never love him back, so what was the point?
It was better she thought of him as a part of their agreement. He would tell her, her uncle had paid his debt and let her go home. Then he would keep watch from afar. Making sure she had the life they never could have together, a happy family full of joy, and her time with him would fade to a bad memory. The thought of her with another man made Zane clench his teeth in anger. He promised himself he wouldn’t kill the man she chose to be her partner. Not unless he hurt Ava.
If the fucker cheated on her, hit her, forgot her birthday or did anything to make her cry, then it would be acceptable to kill the idiot.
Zane continued to make his plans as he watched Ava sleep. After a couple of hours, he saw her eyelids flutter. He couldn’t help but smile and leaned in and placed a kiss on her soft lips.
“Good morning,” she said and smiled at him. How could he not get lost in her eyes that were so filled with kindness and trust? She was so different from anyone else in his world.
“Good morning, did you sleep okay?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you. And you? I didn’t snore, did I?” She looked terrified at the thought. Zane chuckled.
“No, angel, you didn’t snore. You are a very quiet sleeper,” he told her. He drew her in closer and could feel her naked body press up against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her again, and this time he deepened the kiss and let his hand caress its way down to her leg. He lazily ran it up and down, sometimes travelling up over her ass. “How are you feeling?” he asked. He was worried he had been too rough with her last night, even though she appeared to have enjoyed herself.
“I feel fine,” she said, looking up at him.
“You’re not sore? No pain?” he asked as he trailed his fingers over the soft hair that covered her pussy. As she understood his meaning, she blushed, making her look adorable. She considered the question.
“Maybe a little sore, but nothing painful,” she finally answered.
“Good,” Zane said with a smile. He was just about to suggest they repeat last night when his phone on the nightstand buzzed. He swore under his breath and for the first time in his life, he considered ignoring it.
“Aren’t you going to get that?” Ava asked. He sighed and rolled half over to reach the dammed thing. He read the message.
L: Found Olivia. We will be in the downstairs office.
Zane had forgotten about that, and he swore again, making Ava tense next to him.
“Problems?” she asked.
“Yes, well, not for long. I need you to do something today, angel,” he told her and sat up in bed. He watched as she also sat up, holding the sheet to her body to hide it from him. He cocked a brow and smirked. “Do you think I haven’t already seen those amazing tits?” he asked.
“You may have, but if we are going to talk, I would prefer to not do it naked,” she told him. Zane chuckled and kissed her shoulder.
“I think you have a good point. I will have a hard time focusing with you naked in front of me,” he agreed. Then he turned serious. “Angel, about last night.” Ava looked at him and nodded. He could see how the relaxed and happy face turned into a more guarded expression. He fucking hated that. It was the first sign of how his world impacted her. “Ryder thinks Olivia had a hand in what happened to your room,” he told her and watched her closely to see her reaction. He hadn’t been lying when he had told her she had an open face. He could see how she went from surprised, to confused, to upset. Zane wondered if it was a family trait and that it was because of that her uncle always lost when he played cards.
“Why? I haven’t done anything to her,” Ava said.
“I know, angel. She is just jealous. It’s my fault for not protecting you and predict something like this could happen,” he told her. She looked at him and he was surprised at the determination he saw.
“It’s not your fault, Zane. I know you think you can control everyone, but you can’t,” Ava said. There was power behind the words. Zane felt oddly moved that she felt it necessary to protect him, even from himself.
“I’m going to talk to her now. I want you to be there as well,” he told Ava. She looked surprised.
“Me?”
“Yes, I want everyone to know that you can be as tough as the rest of them. It will keep you safe in this world,” he explained.
“Oh, I guess that makes sense,” she said, worrying her bottom lip. Zane used his thumb to gently pull the lip away from her teeth.
“If you do this, I need you to be tough and strong. Inside that room, there will be no room for pity or compassion,” he told her bluntly.
“What will you do to her if it was her?”
“Angel, I have told you we don’t hurt women, not even women like her. She will be banned from the mansion and all of our businesses. That will be a hard blow for a woman like her.”
“Okay, when is the meeting?”
“You still have time for a shower and to get ready. Tell me what you want to wear, and I’ll get it from your room,” he told her.
“Wouldn’t it be quicker if we showered together?” Ava asked and stunned Zane. When his brain had processed the fact that his angel had asked him to shower with her, he gave her a wicked smile.
“I wouldn’t bet on it, but I think we should try and see,” he said. He got a sunshine smile back from her as she giggled and crawled out of his bed and let go of the sheet as she walked to the bathroom. The sunlight from the windows cast a warm glow on her naked body, and her unruly hair created a halo effect around her head. As she got to the bathroom door, she stopped and looked back at Zane.
“Are you coming?” she asked. Zane was out of the bed and standing behind her in record time.
“Not yet, but we’ll fix that issue soon,” he growled as Ava giggled.