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“If you think getting caught by Ava is a motivator for me to hurry up, you’re sorely mistaken.” He turns his head to the side to burrow his nose in my hair and hide his pained expression. “But I know it makes you panic, so I’ll be a good boy and come,” he whispers against my ear, and I squeeze my thighs for more friction. My clit is throbbing with need at this point.

Both our hands work him, squeezing and rubbing up and down, twisting when we near the head. It’s like the rapid beat of my heart is timed up to the ticking clock of Ava’s footsteps as she grows closer.

With one last twist, Zavier lets out a long breathy moan and hot cum spurts out onto both of our hands. He tucks himself away and I look into his eyes, nervous that maybe it wasn’t good enough for him.

He leans over and presses a kiss to the side of my forehead.

“I know what you’re thinking and that was ridiculously sexy.” He takes our drink napkins off and wipes my hand off underneath the table. “Don’t think what you were just thinking. Anything you want to do to me is always welcome.” I think he’s done when he leans back over. “You are in for it later, though. Just because you’ve won the battle, doesn’t mean you’ve won thewar. I never lose.” Flashing fangs at me he excuses himself to go to the bathroom just as Ava sets down our three glasses.

“Where’s he going? I just brought the drinks.” She watches his retreating form.

“Diarrhea,” I blurt out, immediately regretting my answer. “Dinner didn’t sit right with him.”

My throat works overtime when I take a huge gulp of my drink. The burn makes me wince but not more than the lousy excuse I gave. I don’t typically crack under pressure, yet when it comes to this I fold like a deck of cards.

“Huh.” Ava slides in across from me and I grip my fresh napkin tightly. I need to run back to the bathroom myself to properly wash my hands, but I know Ava will clock that something is up if I go back to the bathroom so soon.

Ava pulls something out of her purse and slides it across the table with a cough. She looks off into the distance and sips her own drink. My cheeks heat when I see what it is.

Hand sanitizer.

CHAPTER 35

CELINE

Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I settle on the barstool with a sliced orange. The combo doesn’t make much sense, but in my slightly hungover state it sounds like exactly what I need.

I stifle a yawn and set my coffee aside while I eat most of the orange, leaving behind two slices.

Picking up my mug, I inhale the French vanilla scent.

Perfection.

I haven’t had a chance to take a sip yet when warmth envelops me from behind, arms wrapping around my torso to hold me hostage. A chin settles on top of my head a second later, a soft humming sound emanating from the man child behind me.

“Zav,” I groan. “You almost made me spill my coffee.”

“Shh,” he hushes. “I’m getting my morning cuddle time in.”

Ugh. It’s so hard to be annoyed with him when he’s so sweet. I relax into his hold and close my eyes. His lips brush the top of my head in a hint of a kiss before he finally lets me go and pulls out the stool beside me.

He snags my last two slices of uneaten orange and flashes me a fang-tipped smile.

My stomach rolls deliciously. I’m not sure what it says about me that I’m attracted to his fangs. I don’t dare tell him, because something tells me he would take too much pleasure in that fact.

My phone rings, interrupting our slow and quiet morning.

Captain Barnes’s name flashes on the screen so I quickly answer. “Hello?”

“Hey, Celine. I know you’re not due in until later, but I thought you might want to head to the precinct soon. We finally caught the intruder on CCTV downtown and he’s being brought in now for questioning.”

“Yes,” I cry, hopping off the stool and knocking the mug over in the process. Zav quickly rights the cup and grabs a rag to mop up the mess. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“All right. Don’t rush too much though. Now that we’ve got him he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.”

“Thanks, Captain.”

I hang up the phone and I don’t bother to fill Zav in because I know he heard the whole thing.