Chapter 37

Thomas had yet to awaken from his slumber when Avril's eyes eased open. The first thing in her line of sight was him. His arms held her close to his body the entire night. The night's events causing her to blush. She had the insistent need to get away from him before he woke up. Embarrassment taking hold of her.

She carefully wiggled out from under him, his limp body weighing her down and making her attempt to move difficult. Beads of sweat began forming on the tip of her nose and her forehead. She pulled her body from under him forcefully, falling to the floor as a result. She winced at the pain sparking in between her thighs as she stood up, her legs wobbly under her. She paused and looked back to the bed and sighed thankfully that she had not affected his sleep.

Thomas heard the drowning of the shower before he noticed that the space beside him had gone cold. he felt around for her, his eyes closed. When the only thing touching his hands was the sheets, his eyes pried open to confirm that she was no longer by his side. He sat up in the bed, last night flooding through his mind. It was a strange feeling to be the last one to wake up after a night of sex. Usually, he hardly slept and was the first to shower and leave. It didn't surprise him that he had no intentions of leaving. He knew Avril was different.

He saw her exit the bathroom, her hair tangled and dripping, a towel hanging on her body.
He felt himself roar to life. He breathed, trying to ignore the discomfort in his nether regions. Her body was so tight that he knew he was bruised and he knew she would be sore too, he couldn't be too aggressive with her or impatient. He needed to remember to keep his pace slow.

He muttered his good mornings as he threw his legs over the sides of the bed and made his way to the bathroom. He knew her eyes were following him and he knew he probably needed to be nicer but nicer would result in him burying himself in her again.
Avril didn't know how she was supposed to feel by his coldness. Did she do something wrong? When he had his shower and emerged, he found Avril blow-drying her hair on a re-made bed. She had to keep herself occupied for fear that she overthought. She didn't look at him when he came back, she didn't trust herself.

He walked over to her and pulled the blow dryer out of her fingers. She stared at him questioningly.

"How about we stay in today?" Somehow it didn't sound like a question to Avril, but her heart was aching.

"Aren't they having an early celebration today because the wedding is tomorrow?" She questioned, trying to distract herself with logic.
Thomas nodded. It was already after lunch, the festivities were about to begin, but what he really wanted was to lie in bed all day with her wrapped up in his arms.

" It's going to end before ten anyway. Besides, no one will notice that we aren't there." He tried his hand at persuading her.

"I thought you were upset with me." she lowered her gaze to the floor, looking at the nail polish on her toes.

"Why would you think that?" he questioned.

"It seemed as if I had done something to upset you. When you woke up you were cold." she explained. He dragged her gaze up to his with his thumb and index finger.

"I am sorry. It was nothing you did." he placed a kiss on her lips. "I was trying hard not to drag you back to bed and fuck you again, I know you'd be sore." he clarified, feeling foolish. He should have been more careful. It was easy for her to get the wrong impression since it was the first time she had sex with anyone. He couldn't let her feel as if she'd been used, because she wasn't.

Avril blushed. Which she found ludicrous seeing that she had done so many blush-worthy things with him last night without so much as an afterthought, yet she blushed at the fact he wanted to stay in with her.

"What did you have in mind?" She passed a brush through her hair. "If we stay in today that is."

"Lots of things that could occupy us well into the night." He teased.
This time she didn't question her crimson cheeks, this time she felt the color justified.

"Oh?" Was the only sound capable of coming out of her lips.
He took a seat next to her, his lips pressing against her neck.

"Unfortunately, those things I really want to do cannot be done."
She gazed at him, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Your body needs time." He said.
She instantly knew want he meant when she rose to place the brush on the table.
Thomas saw her wince, a smug smile spreading across his lips. Maybe he shouldn't feel happy that the pain between her legs was caused by only him, but it did. He wanted it to be clear. She was his.
He pulled back the blanket and allowed her to get into the bed, he followed suit. He allowed her to snuggled into him as he turned on the television.

***
Lilith noticed that the person she wanted to see most was nowhere to be found. She didn't want to think of him alone with that underaged trollop. She focused on her breathing, hoping the tension would fall away. After all, what did she have to worry about?
She was Thomas's first true connection. Their relationship was more than just sex. What could a girl so young offer him to make him forget his ways? The answer: nothing.

Lilith knew she had more in common with Thomas than that Avril ever could. They were equals. Their relationship came first. And as everyone knew, your first love is never easily forgotten.
The first cut was always the deepest and Lilith intended to ensure it never truly healed. Then and only then can Thomas return to her.

"Having a bad time?"
Lilith turned her attention to Austin, who stood behind her as he ordered his drink.

"I didn't think you would care." Lilith purred. The thought of getting Austin on her side crossed her mind in that instant.

"You're right, I don't." He growled.

"Then why the concern?" She question.

"Always so presumptuous. What you deem concern, I refer to as a means to an end." He responded as he picked up his drink.

"Do tell." Her teeth clenched.

"Stay away from Thomas and Avril."

"Don't tell me you care for that piece of..."

He raised a finger to silence her.

"You forget the terms your organization put forward for your betrayal last time. You are not to force any personal involvement with the Lynne family or the members of their organization or else you will face punishment."

"And what if he comes to me willingly?" She questioned, a sly smile forming against her lips.

"Don't hold your breath." Austin snapped, downing his drink and leaving her to her own devices.
***
The wedding ceremony passed by in a flash. Before they knew it, the reception was already in full swing.
Thomas bent closer to Avril. "Did I mention how amazing you look tonight?" he whispered against her ear.

Avril blushed. "It never hurts to hear those words more than once." She responded.

"I am glad to hear that." he straightened, a silly smile adorning his features. It made him appear child-like.
"What are we glad to hear?" Austin came up behind them both, causing Avril to tilt forward slightly.

Austin gave them a knowing smile. "I am at a wedding, alone, you should expect some third Wheeling." He warned playfully.
Avril giggled while Thomas rolled his eyes.

"Even though you came here alone, I am sure you don't have to spend it alone." Thomas hinted at the number of single women around the room.

"Thank you Thomas for offering your company." Austin feigned ignorance.

"Incorrigible," Thomas muttered.

"Really why don't you ask someone to dance, there are so many people without a partner," Avril commented.

"Because all these women are either related to or are friends of the happy couple." Austin enlightened.

Thomas threw his head back and laughed. "He's afraid his rakish ways will make it back to the bride and groom."

"Can't it just be a platonic circumstance?" Avril questioned to which both men dared not respond.

"Men." Avril shook her head.

"Would you excuse me, I will be right back." Avril announced as she made her way to the rest room.
Avril pushed open the door, she almost walked back out seeing that only Lilith was in there. Austin's words echoing in her mind to stay away from Lilith.
She smiled at the woman as she stood in front of a mirror two spaces away from Lilith.

"I hadn't the pleasure of speaking to you yesterday. Did you and Thomas spend the day alone?" Lilith questioned blatantly.
Avril didn't respond. She didn't think her relationship with Thomas was something she could easily discuss with this woman.

"He really never told you about me?" Lilith turned her full attention on Avril who was fixing her hair.

"It hasn't really been a conversation of choice." Avril shot her a half-smile.

"Considering my history with him it seems he doesn't value you that much if he didn't mention me."
Avril's fingers paused midair as she was fasting a bobby pin to her hair.
She turned her gaze slowly at Lilith.

"Who can really know what is the reasoning behind his actions." Avril offered, not wanting to stoop to this woman's level.

"I can."
Avril looked at her incredulously, before returning her attention back to the mirror.

"How old are you?" She pried.

"20." Avril responded.

"That's so young. Don't you think he needs someone's a bit more mature?" She paused. " unless, he is just using you to past the time." She said the words an octave lower but knew Avril would hear it.
Avril didn't respond. "You never wonder whether you are not good enough for him, he is very intelligent and I hardly think a girl of twenty years has enough knowledge to keep him interested." Lilith eyes Avril from head to toe.

"You make some interesting points." Avril replied calmly.

"If I were you, I'd make the most of my time with him. He tires of women easily." Those were her last words as he exited the restroom.
Avril stared at her reflection and scoffed. "So this is what it feels like to hate someone."