*Ava's POV*I can’t help but sigh a breath of relief as Seymore Lewis walks out of the building. The man’s ego sucked all the air out of the room. I can’t stand people who name-drop expecting some kind of award. Yes, I had asked him his name. No, I wasn’t asking for a personal reason. I offered to help at the office after Dr. Desmond Davies fired Matthew, but now I’m regretting it.I glance up as the doctor’s patient rushes down the steps and out the front door. Dr. Davies’ voice comes over the intercom from his office. “Ava, reschedule Denis White for two weeks out, will you?”It’s the way the man asks and demands at the same time that really gets under my skin. “No problem. Seymore Lewis came in while you were in with Denis. I set him up with an appointment for tomorrow morning at eight. He said it was urgent,” I reply, trying not to sound too sarcastic.“I imagine it is. He missed our appointment last month, and you know how important it is for people like him to adher
*Seymore's POV*I roll around in the bed, my thoughts racing. When Ray told me someone was in my home while I was away, I didn’t know how to reply. Part of me was angry he would let strangers into my place without reaching out to me first, but I also understand how a service call can be forgotten about. He did what he felt was right and stayed in the house while the workers did their thing.But what had they done? The furnace is practically brand new, so they had to have figured out there wasn’t anything to work on when they checked it. Had they possibly gone to the wrong address? Maybe, but they would have left a card either way. I searched the house and the pile of mail on the counter, there wasn’t a single sign that any service was done. I played all the messages on my answering machine, and they hadn’t called to say they were on their way to the service call. How had they known to approach the neighbor because I wasn’t home? I roll over again, trying to wrap my brain aro
“None,” I reply, causing Desmond’s eyebrows to lift. “I was tempted, but I took your advice and pushed past the urge.”Dr. Davies nods and makes a few more notes. He then sets his pad on the table beside him and sits back in his chair.“The way I see it, you still appear to want to fight your addiction. That is the only reason why I will allow you to stay on as my patient. Had you continued to ignore my advice, I would have no choice but to end our meetings,” he says firmly.Part of me is thrilled to still have a therapist, while another part of me could do without the parental lecture regarding my behavior.“We will bump you back up to weekly appointments until you feel like you have more control. As for the sleeping, I recommend finding a book to read before bed.”“A book?” I interrupt.“Yes. Pick something that interests you and designate an hour before bed to read. Screens can keep your brain overstimulated and make it difficult to fall asleep,” he explains, glancing at
*Ava's POV*Nothing’s better than a day off work. I got to sleep in and take my time eating breakfast and getting ready for the day. Not having to rush around my condo to start my day is a relief. The only thing on the schedule for today is Yoga with Ellie. It was her idea, something new to start that is healthy and time spent on self-care. Ellie has work tonight, so I get to spend the evening in my comfy clothes vegging on the couch. As I put on my Yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt my thoughts play through yesterday’s interaction with Seymore Lewis. The man is handsome and personable, something you don't see often in the opposite sex.“Ava!” Ellie calls from the living room. “Are you ready?”“I’m getting dressed, I’ll be ready in a minute,” I yell down the hall.A few moments later, Ellie comes through my bedroom door with an energy that almost knocks me over. It doesn’t bother me, we’re best friends after all. We share changing rooms at the shopping mall and I don’t have
Candy walks through the door in a red silk gown with a slit so far up the side it doesn’t stop till right above her hip. I’m positive women don’t understand how powerful they actually are. If they did, they would run the world by now. The scent of her COCO Chanel perfume draws me in, and I can’t help but feel let down that she doesn’t smell as good as Ava. My mental disappointment doesn’t stop my raging erection though, as I swoop in and draw Candy in close.“Well, someone’s excited to see me,” she says in a seductive tone, pressing her hand over my groin and teasing my bulge.I moan in my throat while pressing into her touch. My brain tries to tell me I shouldn’t be doing this, but it’s too late now. I know if my therapist finds out about this, he will kick me out of his office for sure, but I just don’t want to be alone. I slide my hand up into her hair, causing Candy to protest.“I just had my hair done, so you’re free to look but don’t touch,” she scolds playfully, yet very s
I walk through the door to an overly excited Zeus. He sniffs the bag of books before deciding there isn’t anything interesting enough to pursue in it. I drop the sack on the counter and walk him into the back. I pull out my phone and dial Doc.“Hey, Seymore. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon. How are things at the house?” he asks without answering with the typical hello.“It feels better since you swept the place. I was wondering if you’re busy?” I ask, watching Zeus run around the yard to find the perfect spot to relieve himself. “Not at all. Come on over, and bring Zeus,” he replies. “I miss the big mutt.”I want to correct him. Zeus is a purebred, but I know it doesn’t matter. I hang up and walk into the house, leaving the slider open for the dog. Doc had recommended getting cameras for the property, but I know too many people can hack those. The last thing I want is to give whoever is following me the opportunity to spy on me with my own equipment.I consider t
*Ava’s POV*My whole body hurts as I roll out of bed and shut off my alarm. Yesterday’s Yoga class caused some serious muscle strain. I took a hot bath before getting into bed, but that hadn’t helped. My brain panics for a moment, recalling seeing Conner standing outside the building after Ellie left. I’m starting to agree with my friend about the frequency of the run-ins being questionable. Yes, we live in the same part of the city, but I shouldn’t be seeing him daily like this. Today will be a better day, for sure. I pull out a pair of black leggings, a long black form-fitting tank top, and a purple long-sleeve flannel shirt. I don’t have to go work in a stuffy office with snobby clientele today. Instead, I get to go work my volunteer job at the local animal shelter.After taking a quick shower, getting ready, and grabbing some breakfast, I lock the door behind me and head out. I make it as far as the elevator when I hear someone calling me. I turn around to find Anne hurrying
*Seymore’s POV*As Ava looks up at me with tears in her eyes, all I want to do is kiss them away. I thought it had just been luck that I stumbled upon her at the cafe, but then fate offered me the opportunity of a lifetime. When Marcus and I saw Conner pull Ava into the alley, both of us instinctively moved to protect her. I asked Marcus to stand back and only step in if it was necessary, and I’m glad he had. Not that I was worried that Conner would hurt me. Far from it. After hearing Ava cry out in pain my vision went red, and I was not going to let Conner walk away unscathed from the situation he caused. I hope Marcus gives him what he has coming to him. As I stand here with Ava in my arms, everything in my life feels like it’s falling into place. She is warm and soft against my body, causing me to want more. I start to pull her in closer when Marcus comes back around the corner with three coffees in his hands.“I was hoping you two hadn’t taken off yet,” he says, handing u