James’ POV

It had been an amazing evening so far, but Ben and his stupid pictures were always returning to my mind, unsettling me.
I couldn’t show them to Avery, she would be crushed and miserable, that wouldn’t get me any farer. I had to wait for her to come to me and I had to accept the way she was taking this, it was also good to know, that Ave wouldn’t just give up on her partner… even if that guy had been a huge asshole and didn’t deserve Avery and her loyalty.

I looked over to the pool where Maya and Avery were laughing and playing around, we had luck it was a summer day and the girl could use the pool. I knew Avery loved to swim and I was glad I could grant her that wish today.

“Damn she is hot” Ben voice sounded beside me and I looked at him and followed his eyes, which were resting on Maya’s backside, she was just pushing out of the pool.
“Not bad” I smiled at the view “Hey, direct your eyes to the short blonde, not on my girl… just because she didn’t give you any, doesn’t mean you can get your full on mine” Ben smirked and I heard the possessive note in his tone, I had no idea if he was realizing it or not, but he was under Maya’s spell, I just didn’t know how bad.

And I couldn’t even say much to that, because Avery got me under hers, I tried to be her friend, and nothing but her friend but I just couldn’t look at her without the feelings that were rising inside of me.
When I let my eyes wander over Avery and the way she was laughing at something Maya said I got a smile on my face immediately.

Damn, she was so beautiful it nearly hurts to look at her, and it hurts even more because I had no idea what she was feeling towards me, was it really just friendship?
I couldn’t believe that, the way she looked at me right after the first kiss, or the way she treated me when I had kissed her again, she hadn’t pulled away, she hadn’t been distanced, she liked my presence and she liked me around her.

If she would just finally forget about Gates, I bet she would be finally willing to give me a chance, I bet I could make her feel good, make her mine afterwards, and make her aware that not all musicians are assholes… that not all men are as bad as Gates… not all would treat her so badly.

“So what are your plans for later on, James? Ready to make another move?” Ben asked sipping on his drink, his eyes following the girls, they were only wearing their skimpy bikinis, did they even know how hard they were making it for me.. for us… and I mean literally hard?

“Don’t know yet, will see what the night brings, a couple more cocktails… what’s your plan for Maya?” I asked casually and Ben just rolled his eyes at me.
“Are you even talking to her? Know anything about her? Or is it really just the fucking?” I asked Ben trying to irritate him.

“She spent the whole weekend with me, do you think I would let her spend the weekend there if it was just sex? And I couldn’t even talk to her? We are friends… and we like to fuck… so that’s the perfect deal” Ben shrugged and did I hear a little sadness in his voice? Did he regret making that deal with her or was I just hoping for it?!

“So it’s more like relationship, huh? She is spending 24/7 with you, in your home… sleeping next to her, waking up with her? Is that weird for you, Bruce?” I asked and I let the tone playful but I also wanted an honest answer, and Ben had been my best friend for a long time, so he must get what I wanted, and besides that I was happy that the conversation wasn’t on only directed on me and Avery right now.

“Like I said, perfect combination… But yeah, it’s kinda weird… Still it’s all about the fun, we agreed on that, it’s good that way, we both knew it… nothing else, so save your words, Cassells.” Ben said absently and I nodded, fine topic done for Ben, that much was sure.

With that said Ben moved towards the pool and pulled Maya into his arms like it was the most normal thing in the world, he leaned down to kiss her and she accepted it with a smile and I shook my head, not getting rid of the slightly jealous feeling rising inside me again.

To get rid of that I got inside and made some new drinks, when I came back I found Avery outside on the patio alone, she was still wet from swimming, had goosebumbs all over her body, she was air drying but I was afraid that it was too cold for her like that, the temperature quickly sank when the sun was gone.

But I still granted myself a long look at her relaxing like that, watching the sky, a small smile on her face and she looked so happy that I didn’t want to take it from her, not right away at least. I sat down in silence and instead of watching the sky with her and how the sun slowly set, I watched Ave’s face and the smile that was in place, just like it should be. I could really get used to having her sit here on my patio, in nothing but a bikini and that smile… A view belonging just to me…

“Ave are you okay?” I got up from my position and finally joined her when I noticed that it really was starting to get cold.

“Yeah, why?” Ave asked, turning to me with a smile. Damn, I could really imagine that this one was just for me, then she looked around as if she had just noticed that she was sitting here all alone, Ben and Maya playing around near the pool, not even caring what happened around them.

“You’re shivering,” I told her and granted me the luxury of running my hands over her skin which I might regret right away again, cause seeing all her naked skin was doing things to me I couldn’t let her see right now. “Here, let’s take you inside and get a towel”

Normally, I had towels in my cupboard but today, there weren’t any left, shit forgot to refill them.
I excused myself and bolted up the stairs, Avery nodded and I quickly went to my bathroom grabbing a big towel and then I quickly went into my room, taking one of my sweatshirt from the wardrobe.

I smiled already picturing her in my shirt, there was nothing sexier then having the woman you adored in one of your shirts, it had something in it that satisfied the primal longing in a man. Just seeing your woman in your shirt, with your smell all over her…
I couldn’t describe it, so when I went back down to hand the shirt over to fulfill that need, I wasn’t prepared to find to find Avery down on the floor on her knees, whimpering and sobbing.

I looked towards the table and saw that my laptop was still open, the mail from Ben open showing the pictures from Brian and multiple different women, “Oh shit Ave…I-I” I started but didn’t really know what to say, I didn’t want her to be crushed, I didn’t meant for her to see these pictures.

How could I solve this now, I quickly leaned down to Ave and pulled her small sobbing form into my body, her still wet bikini was soaking my shirt but I didn’t give a damn, I pulled her in my arms, let my fingers run over her body in a soothing manner.
“I’m sorry Ave, I didn’t mean for you to see… Forget about him, he is not worth any of your tears, beautiful. You are way better than that.” I whispered while my finger run threw her hair.

“He didn’t get just how wonderful you are, inside and out, how beautiful you are when you smile, how you encourage the world around you to smile as well… He didn’t understand what an idiot he was for doing that to you… Believe me someday, he will look back on what he’d done and he will regret throwing it away, and you- Ave, you will be glad that you got rid of him, because you deserve so much more-”

I wasn’t even ready with my speech, and I had no idea where that had come from but Ave had apparently enough, because her tear filled eyes looked up to me, she put one hand on my cheek and then placed her lips on mine, they were gentle and soft and I wasn’t sure, if she just wanted to shut me up or if she really meant it, but then her mouth opened and I took the chance to let my tongue dance with hers, it wasn’t wild but it was nonetheless passionate until she slowly pulled away, confusion written all over her face.

“James, I-I-” Ave began when the door behind us opened and Maya stormed in, Ben on her heels, she narrowed her eyes on me and Ave, when she saw the tears that had run down Ave’s cheek, I was pushed away so fast that I didn’t even know what happened.

“What happened? What did he do? Ave, you know I will-” Maya narrowed her eyes on me and Ave looked even more crushed then before, then began shaking her head.
“Pictures… but don’t look, it’s nothing you wanna see. He moved on, Maya… For good, M… He really did, no going back…” Ave whispered in between sobs and I had to concentrate to hear what she said.

“What? Who? Oh… and what pictures are you talking about?” Maya got up with Ave, and turned towards the laptop, she got closer and clicked through the pictures, while Ave tried not to break down again, I could sense it.
So I walked closer to her, pulling her into my arms, and telling her that we could go somewhere to distract her, or that I could bring her home… just something to get her mind of these things.

“Matt” Maya’s voice sounded strangled and she shook her head, closing the mail on the laptop and turned around “Come here, love” Ben held his arm open but Maya just narrowed her eyes.
“Where did you get those pictures from? And don’t even try to lie, I saw your mail address, Bruce” Maya stopped a few feet away from Ben.

Ben looked caught off guard and Maya waved him off, just before he opened his mouth to speak.
“You know what, fuck it. We are leaving… Come on, Ave” Maya walked over to Avery, who was still in my arms, and I didn’t want to let her go. I wanted to comfort her, wanted to make sure she wouldn’t get hurt again, and I wanted to beat the ever living shit out of Ben and Danny for this stupid idea.

“Come on, little Gnome” Maya grabbed Ave’s hand and I met Avery’s eyes when she stared up to me.
“I want to… I would like to stay, if James… if you are okay with it?” Avery’s eyes went from me to Maya and back.

“Sure… Ave, I told you… you can stay here, we could also go to your home, or somewhere else if you want to… I’ll stay by your side, don’t worry” I told her and met Maya’s eyes, she nodded curtly.

“Fine, but if you change your mind, Ave I’m just a phone call away… because I need to get out of here. And don’t forget to give me a call no matter what, little Gnome, promise?” Maya asked and Ave nodded, she pulled Maya into a hug before Maya went to the door, Ben behind her saying things that I didn’t want to listen to, I had to concentrate on Ave and making her smile again.

Ave buried her face in my shirt again and I held her even closer, I leaned down a little and inhaled her unique scent, how much I wished to kiss her again, get another taste of her sweetness.
But instead I put my finger under her chin and made her look at me, “Let me help you, okay. Stay here and don’t move”
She nodded slowly even when she looked uncertain, “Okay”

I first went to the laptop shutting it off and bringing it to the next room so it was out of side for Avery.

When I came back I saw Ave still standing where I left her, I grabbed the towel from the floor together with the sweatshirt and began to slowly dry her, she followed my movement with her eyes but didn’t complain or pull away, so I took all the time in the world to dry her up and to learn her forms and curves, while I suppressed the urge to do more then I was allowed to.

I pulled my shirt over her head and she sighed, feeling more comfortable now as it seemed.
I guided her to my couch and sat her down, got us some drinks without saying anything or pushing her too far, she had enough of that. I knew she must be so confused and uncertain of what happened now, I would give her a little more time to process everything before making the next move, I would let her talk first, wanted her to be ready for it.

I leaned into the couch and laid my arm around her shoulder, testing the water, when I turned the TV on Avery slowly moved closer to me until she rested completely cuddled into my side and I sighed, this felt good, way too good…

Maya’s POV

I was just laughing with Avery beside the pool when suddenly arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me in a hard chest, lips moving over my shoulders in a welcome caress.
“Hey love, I was feeling lonely there without you… did you feel the same?” Ben asked the smirk on his face and his affection showing made Avery roll her eyes and walk away.

I didn’t really know what her problem was, yes Ben and I were having fun, we both liked to have sex and we fit good together, that’s it.
I don’t know why Avery was still thinking that Matt and I –
I shook my head, like I told her, past… Matt was in the past, I was in the present and so was Ben.

“Not lonely… but maybe horny?” I asked grinning and Ben groaned loudly “Woman, if you want me to bang you here in front of my friend and blondie just go ahead” Ben’s hand moved into my bikini panties and pushed him away.

“Stop that!” I chuckled and moved over to the sun bed and lay on the towel we had spread upon.
Ben immediately took the space beside me, his hand moved to the strap of my bikini top, when my phone rang.

“Who the hell is that? Can’t we have one moment where I have you all to myself, damn it. It’s fucking annoying if my girl get’s called every time we-” He stopped and my eyes widened, did he just say my girl?

I looked at the phone and saw it was Tyler from one of my classes and I shut the phone of, not wanting to talk to him about school right now.
“Did you just say my girl?” I asked Ben when I looked up from my phone and he must have noticed it tpo because he had stopped midsentence.

“Yeah, my girl… you know how I meant that… my girl with whom I have fun… so who was that on the phone?” Ben asked and I knew exactly what he was doing there, trying to distract me.
“Tyler from one of my classes, he is the guy who invited me to your party…” I clarified and Ben opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off.

“Ben, we still agree on us having fun, right? Nothing else, I can’t and I mean…” I was lost of words, not knowing how I should tell him what was on my mind.
“NO, Maya… Hey, calm down. I agree, we are having fun, the sex is amazing, of course I love spending time with you and it annoys me if we get interrupted but that’s it… not more not less.” Ben held his hand up and I sighed, I still wasn’t too sure but I would take that for now.

And if I allowed myself to think about the time Ben and I were having together, he was right, we were having fun, the sex was indeed amazing, and I liked spending time with him… so I guess, he was right, we were still friends… friends with benefits, so I shouldn’t be too suspicious about what he says, right?! And I wouldn’t think any further about it either… maybe I overreacted…

“Okay, fine… sorry. I’m a little… confused lately with all this… Where are Ave and James? I could use another drink” Now it was my time for the distraction and thank god, Ben went for it.
He helped me up and when we moved into the house, I just saw Avery pull away from sharing a kiss with James, then I saw her wet cheeks, saw the expression on her face and knew, something had happened, but what?!

Avery said something about pictures so I took the laptop and went through them, they mostly concentrated on Gates and some women, but on a few others were Matt as well, with some women… different women… So that’s what this was about, Ave’s world came crushing down, again.
And then there was Matt.. my.. no not mine anymore… just -

“Matt” Escaped my lips even though I didn’t want it to, I had been so good at pushing all this away and now, there he was again, catching up with me…
Matt was past, look he loved his single life again, he was having fun, without me and with different kind of bimbos… let him! Fuck this… I was the one who practical told him to do that! And still it hurt to know what he did…

No wonder Ave was so crushed, but for her sake and mine I swallowed all the emotions down and just wanted to get out of here, get Ave out of here to safety where no pictures were haunting us, and then I realized from where thes pictures came, I turned narrowed my eyes on Ben, what had he to do with all this?!

I stormed over to Ben, and demanded answers, but then I thought better of it, whatever it was… I didn’t want to know, he tried to stop me and pull me into his arms, but I pushed him away.
“Maya… wait…” Ben’s voice was following me but I didn’t want to talk to him now, whatever it was that was behind all this, I fucking didn’t want to know.

I tried another time to get Avery to leave with me, but she wanted to stay with James, and honestly, he looked like he wanted only her best, so I would let them be, I would call her later on.. or rather in the morning to find out if everything was alright.

I was about to climb into my car when a hand landed my wrist pulling me back and when I met a hard chest and smelled Ben’s cologne I tried to push him away again, but he held on strong “Don’t leave like that, Maya. Please!” Ben held on and I relaxed into his hold.

When he let go of his strong hold, I pushed a final time and when he finally let go I quickly got into my car and drove home, I didn’t know why but suddenly the tears were forming in my eyes, I didn’t have to be strong anymore, Ave wasn’t with me and no one could see my break down now… at least that’s what I thought…

Notes

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