69

Having his angel sprawled out over him, naked and asleep, was one of the most relaxing things Zane knew. He was aware it was early in the afternoon, and he still had work to do. He had walked into the bedroom expecting a quick session in bed and then back to work. But the temptation to punish his angel had proven too big. He let his fingers travel up and down Ava’s spine. He enjoyed the feeling of the goosebumps he caused. Zane was also battling with his feelings about Ava looking for an apartment. She had told him she wasn’t planning to move there right away. But it still would be a symbol of the fact she wouldn’t be with him forever. Of course, he knew this. He was planning for it. But he still didn’t like it when he was forced to face it. It was impressive his angel had come to a point where she could let go of her past and start looking forward. But it also made him feel something which wasn’t enjoyable, a feeling he wasn’t used to. After analysing it for a while, Zane realised he was jealous he wouldn’t be included in the future she was planning. Again, he reminded himself he wouldn’t be selfish when it came to Ava. If she was ready to take this step, he would help her. And it meant she hopefully would be ready to leave her aunt and uncle in her past as well. It would give him the freedom to handle them and make sure she would be safe. Zane set a new deadline for moving Ava out of his life. Once her house was sold, she had found a nice, safe apartment he approved of and he could take care of those scumbag relatives of hers. Then he would let her go. She would be set to start her real life and he would be there to make sure she succeeded. Zane felt Ava stir. She had dosed off for a while. Now she lifted her head and looked up at him, her blond hair in a perfect mess around her face.

“Time to get up, angel,” he told her. “Our lunch is still in my office. Do you think it will be okay to eat cold, or should we send for something else?”

“It should be fine, it was just sandwiches,” she answered him.

“Good, then we will eat and then get some work done,” he decided.

“Let me just put on some clothes,” Ava said, sitting up and trying to scoot off the bed. Zane grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down. He kissed her and then helped her sit up again, amused by the slightly confused look on her face.

“Yes, although I like you naked, I don’t like the possibility of others seeing you like that,” he told her. They both got dressed and when Ava came walking out of the bathroom, fully dressed, Zane pulled her into a kiss and casually ran his hand under her skirt and skimmed his fingers over her panties.

“Zane!” she protested.

“You have changed into normal panties,” he complained.

“I needed a dry pair and those were the only ones of that model I own,” she told him with a blush.

“That needs to change. But for now, let’s get out of the bedroom before I end up stripping you naked again,” he said, nibbling on her earlobe. Ava giggled, and it was a beautiful sound to Zane.

A couple of hours later and Ava was down in the kitchen, something she needed to discuss with Anna she had told Zane. Zane was working when there was a knock on the door and Jax walked in.

“I have the final budget for buying those warehouses you wanted. I sent them to your email. Anything else you need me for today? I was thinking of getting out of here,” Jax said.

“Going hunting?” Jax chuckled at Zanes euphemism.

“Yeah, that is the idea. Want to join?”

“No, too much to do,” Zane said.

“Right, that must be why you haven’t been hunting for the last couple of months,” Jax told him, sounding amused. “How long has Ava been here? Two months?” he then asked.

“Are you trying to say something?”

“Me? No, not at all, boss.”
“Good, let’s keep it like that. I might have something to make your hunt a little easier,” Zane said, handing over a folded piece of paper. Jax took it and unfolded it.

“A phone number? Do you think I need a professional or something? I’m not that desperate,” Jax objected.

“No, it’s the number to that doctor from the gala. Apparently, she needs an itch scratched, and Ava thought you could do her a favour. I know you don’t do seconds, and Ava said you can just throw it away if you’re not interested,” Zane explained. Jax looked at the number and Zane could see he was battling with himself. That’s interesting, Zane thought. After looking at the phone number for a long time, Jax shrugged.

“It wasn’t a bad night and if it’s a favour for Ava, I guess I can make an exception,” Jax said. Zane chuckled.

“I’m sure she will be pleased you sacrificed yourself like that,” Zane said. “Now go away. I have actual work that needs my attention.” As Jax was leaving, Ryder walked in.

“What’s up with the boss? He looks like he was on his way to his own execution,” Ryder said, looking towards the door.

“He is Ava’s latest project. She has found him a nice doctor,” Zane chuckled.

“Oh. Yeah, I remember that feeling. He will soon be thanking her,” Ryder said with a cheerful smile.

“I don’t know if it will be that easy with Jax. What did you need me for? Is there a meeting I forgot about?” Zane asked.

“No boss, Gabriel wanted me to ask if he could invite you and miss A to dinner. He wanted us all to get together at his place. I thought it was best to ask you and not miss A in case you wanted to avoid it,” Ryder told him. Zane looked at Ryder. It sounded a lot like a double date. Zane didn’t do double dates; he didn’t do dates at all. But then, the thought of taking Ava on a date was very interesting. But if he did, everyone would know how special she was. That would put her in danger. But if he accepted Gabriel’s dinner invitation, it didn’t look like it was Zane’s idea. He liked that solution.

“Ava would like that. I think we can find a way to make it work. When?” he asked Ryder. Ryder gave him a knowing smile which Zane didn’t like.

“Next Friday,” Ryder answered.

“I’ll talk with Ava, but I think you can tell him we will be there. Just let us know when and if we need to bring something. That is what you do on things like this, right? You bring something?”

“How should I know? I never done shit like this,” Ryder said.

“Fuck. Well, at least we will be two idiots who don’t know what we are doing then,” Zane said.

A little while later, Ava came back up to his office and Zane smiled at her. It was illogical, but he had missed her. She sat down in her chair and took her surf tablet out.

“Did everything go okay in the kitchen?” he asked her.

“Yes, Anna was helpful, as always.”

“Good. I gave Jax the phone number for your friend. I think he will call her.” Ava looked up at him and smiled.

“I bet he will,” she said.

“Gabriel invited us to eat dinner with him and Ryder. I said we would go. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Do I mind eating dinner with my best friend and his boyfriend? No, not at all. That sounds really nice. When?” she asked.

“Next Friday, you have a week and a half to go shopping for something to wear,” he told her, smirking. She laughed.

“That’s the best thing about eating dinner with friends. There is no dress code,” she said, laughing.

“Does that mean I can decide what you wear?” Ava looked at him for a moment, as if she tried to figure out what he would make her dress up in.

“Sure,” she said. “I trust you not to dress me in something inappropriate.”

“I would never, not in public. In private, on the other hand,” he told her, letting his gaze run up and down her body, making her blush. He enjoyed it, but decided his angel needed a break from the intense energy that was building. “What are you doing?” he asked, looking at her tablet.

“I’m reading up on customer communication in small businesses,” she said.

“Thinking about starting a business on the side of becoming a real estate mogul?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m just curious,” she told him. He nodded. There was something she wasn’t telling him, but he could see it wasn’t something she felt guilty about, so he let it be for the moment.

“I’ll need a couple of hours more here. Do you want to go to the library or the bedroom, where it’s a bit more comfortable?”

“No. I’m fine here,” she said. Zane couldn’t help the smile forming on his lips. It was stupid, but it made him happy she chose to spend time with him.