Ava was walking down the street. She woke up early, had a shower, got ready, and quickly had a sandwich and coffee before stepping out. She checked the time and there were still twenty minutes left before the bakery opened.
She was going through her phone when she heard a yelp. Her eyes snapped up and she noticed a cyclist bumping against something he lost balance and the next thing he crashed into her as they tumbled down.
She winced in pain feeling weight on top of her. "Oh, I'm sorry," The person quickly moved back and she tried to sit up but a whimper left her lips feeling pain in her arm.
She looked down to find blood. She got her arm scratched through something from the cycle.
"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" The guy asked, panicking as he saw the blood. Grabbing his handkerchief he wiped the blood. More people approached as a lady helped her to the street cafe and helped her sit on the chair. The guy wiped her blood. It was a small cut.
After a couple of minutes, it stopped bleeding. "I'm sorry, we can go to the hospital. I'll pay all the medical bills," He said, looking genuinely worried for her.
"It's alright. It's just a small cut. You didn't do it intentionally. So please don't worry," Ava said politely as someone offered her water. She thanked the waitress and drank the water before pulling to her feet.
She assured the guy not to worry and told him to be safe before making her way to the bakery.
The cyclist stared at the bloodied handkerchief and began writing a text. "I've got her blood sample, beta."
Grabbing his cycle from the floor he left from there.
Ava greeted Vanessa who was opening the bakery. Both the girls got to work. Vanessa stepped into the kitchen as Ava helped her because there were no customers yet. Ava set the stuff on the front as the customers began to pile in.
She smiled and greeted them. In the afternoon she took a lunch break and then got to work again. She has been working at the bakery for three days now and was getting a hang of it.
"Ava, brownies are ready," Vanessa yelled from the kitchen as Ava grabbed the tray and hurried back to the counter setting them on their spots when she heard the bell on the door dinged.
She quickly removed her gloves and tossed them in the bin while putting the tray away. Her eyes flitted up to glance at the person and she took a double look. Her eyes widened slightly as she gaped at the man who walked into the bakery.
Ava was gobsmacked at how handsome the man was. He was tall, probably 6'2, strong physique donned in an expensive black suit. His jet-black hair was gelled back elegantly and tied into a bun. Thick black brows, gorgeous lashes that would put any girl to shame, his nose was slightly crooked as if it had once broken before, sharp jaw featuring a trimmed beard. Her eyes fell on his hands and they were fully tattooed, the tattoos on his knuckles stood out.
The person came to a pause right in front of her and her eyes snapped up. She was taken off guard by those stormy grey eyes that pierced right through her soul.
His eyes were the most beautiful shade of grey she had ever seen. Just like the stormy clouds before the lethal rumble.
"Good evening," His velvety voice filled the void with ease. It was so deep and authoritative. Enough to pull her out of her trance.
Ava didn't realize she had stopped breathing. She took in a sharp breath and sealed her parted lips in a thin line before dropping her gaze to the counter and awkwardly tucking the rogue strand behind her ear.
Good Lord! He was so handsome but how could she shamelessly ogle a customer? 'Get a grip on yourself,' she scolded herself and forced a professional smile on her lips before facing the man again.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to William's. What would you like to order?" She asked politely.
The man seemed to be still as a statue. With one of his hands tucked in his pocket, he scrutinized her causing her to drop her gaze. Did he notice that she checked him out and now he was mad?
"A cake," He said after a long excruciating pause. She beamed at him as he pointed at the red velvet cake.
"That'll be..." She told him the price and he forwarded her a shiny black card. She gaped at the card for a couple of seconds before grabbing it carefully. She charged the card and handed it back to him. He seemed filthy rich. So why would he buy something from the downtown bakery or most importantly what was a person like him doing in Greenwich Village?
"Would you like me to write a wish or a name on it?" She asked softly.
"Aiden," He rasped, earning a meek glance from her.
"Do you want to put only a name?" She asked.
"That's my name," His tone was sweetly calm and magnetic.
"Oh," Was all she could utter.
He was telling her his name!
"Just pack it as it is," He said and she passed him a smile. "Okay," She packed the cake and then handed the shopping bag to him. He stared at it for a few seconds before meeting her eyes. She was looking at him expectantly.
"What's your name?" He asked and she was taken off guard for a second before she schooled her expressions.
"Ava," She divulged.
"Ava," The way her name rolled off his tongue sent shivers down her spine as she lowered her gaze.
The man smirked seeing her reaction. "I'll meet you again, Ava." He asserted in all seriousness, grabbed the cake, and stepped out of the bakery. Walking further down the street, he tossed the shopping bag in the dark alley and continued walking. Lighting up his cigarette he dragged it before exhaling smoke.
That girl didn't seem to know him. She didn't recognize him at all. He grinned recalling those shining hazel eyes. She looked like a small snowy kitten.
That little kitten seemed intrigued by him. He thought she'd be screaming for her life after recognising him but that didn't happen. Instead, she seemed awed by him.
Interesting.
Things were getting so exciting.
He'd love to see where he could take all of this. Humans were so f*cking stupid. He couldn't wipe the sadistic grin off his face.
"Who will save you now, little kitten."
"How are you, potato?" Ava asked her sister while keeping her eyes on the door. There were no customers at the moment. "Stop calling me that! I'm good. How are you? I miss you so much, Ava. Claire and I baked lava cake last night in our dorm. It tasted awesome. I'll make it for you next time only if you'll be nice to me and ask nicely," Annie said like the little cute brat she was. Ava's heart twisted up in knots. She had to tell Annie about their father soon. "I'd love to taste it but you'll make it anyway for me so I ain't asking nicely, potato. When are your finals?" She asked. "You're aka bully. The finals are probably at the end of next week. The date is not confirmed yet. I can't wait to meet you after that." Annie's cheerful voice was heard. "Me too, I love you, potato" Ava said. "I love you too, bully" Annie responded as they said their goodbyes. Her phone vibrated with a message and she smiled at her screen. It was Annie's picture with the lava cake as she grinned at th
Ava stepped out of the bathroom freshly showered and donning her night shorts. Drying her hair with her towel, Ava plopped on the sofa and took a bite of her sandwich. The doorbell rang and her brows creased for a fleeting second before it was gone. It must be Mrs. Smith, her neighbor. She was a very kind woman. Always brought her souvenirs and food. Sinking her feet into fluffy flats, Ava checked the door. The girl paused as the small towel dropped from her hand. Her eyes widened in shock as she blinked once and then twice. A Greek God was standing at the door. It was no one other than Mr. Whitlock. He was freaking shirtless. Holy moly! The man was built through and through like the perfect sculpture. As if God created him with divine attention. Those massive shoulders, sturdy chest, chiseled abs, the contours of every muscle. Her eyes glided over the number of scars that littered his body. Was he in a war or something?She wasn't breathing. Her sole focus was on the art crafted
"This is your first time?" Vanessa was a bit stunned by Ava's confession. They were at the club and it was her first time there. Though she wasn't wearing anything fancy. Ava was in waist-length jeans and a crop top. Her wavy long hair was up in a ponytail. They got off work and Vanessa dragged her to the club. When Vanessa found out Ava had no friends, she made up her mission to introduce her to her friend circle and help her get a life."Yeah, you see, going to such places requires friends or a partner but I'm single and lack friends. I wasn't the adventurous type but I do like having fun occasionally," Ava said, staring down at her juice. "You're boring as f*ck. Let me guess, the adventure in your nerdy dictionary is reading your favorite book at home or going out on a walk at night to get fresh air and feel as if you've achieved something incredible because you make it back home alive.""How did you know?" Ava asked, a bit stunned. Vanessa's eyes flew wide. "You f*cking kiddin
"The f*ck!" Vanessa was dumbfounded. "Quiet down," Ava tried to hush her. "What the actual f*ck! So you're telling me, that handsome hunk you were drooling over is your neighbor. You found it out five days ago and thought of informing me now! And to top the charts, he showed up wounded at your door and you tended to his wound last night." "Pretty much sums up." "You f*cking kidding me?" "Do I look like I'm kidding?" "What is this? A romantic series of hot neighbors?" "I thought that too. No wonder we bond too well, Van." The bell dinged and customers stepped in. "You better tell me all the deets once our shift ends," Vanessa said before hurrying to the kitchen as Ava greeted the customers and took their orders. Retrieving her phone she texted Annie. Ava: How was your exam? Tucking it in her pocket she looked up only to gasp. This was the second time he had walked in without any sound. Ava glared at the bell and wondered why the hell it wouldn't jiggle when he stepped in.
"What are you staring at?" Alice bumped Ava's shoulder. "Nothing," She muttered going through the text that popped on her screen. Khoroshaya Devochka. She was looking for the meaning of it. It took her some time to properly spell it and when she found the meaning she couldn't help the blush that crept on her cheeks. Good girl. He called her a good girl. God! Why did her face feel so hot? "Are you learning Russian?" Alice probed as Ava slid her phone into her pants and focused on her friends. They were currently at Audrey's place who invited them all for drinks. Ava didn't drink but she still joined them for the fun of it. "Nah.""Let's play, never have I ever." Vanessa mused. "I'll start, never have I ever seen a ghost." Alice mused as they all formed a circle holding shots in their hands. Daniel gulped down his shot and everyone gaped at him wide-eyed. "You've seen a ghost?" Audrey asked in a spooky tone. "Yeah, she's sitting in front of me," Daniel said with a poker face. A
Ava didn't move, heck, she didn't even realize what was happening. It took a couple of seconds for her mind to register what was happening. His cold and rough lips were meshed against hers. A visible shudder zapped through her spine when his tongue darted out and he licked her lips. Grabbing her hand that was on his thigh he tugged her closer. Her eyes were wide in alert and the shock that flared through her cells. She tried to pull back but he only held her in place. Tilting her head, he deepened the kiss. He was eating her lips like a hungry beast. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Wild series of loud ba-thump. Ava was so distorted that she didn't even know how to tackle this situation. The speed at which heat was rising on her flesh sank deep into her skin, claiming more of the zone as it finally rose to her face. Her cheeks were flamed. His fingers dug into her scalp rather roughly and her lips parted in a whimper. With a low guttural moan, Aiden slid his tongue int
In the silence of the dark inky night, her main door opened and a shadow slipped in. The apartment was doused in darkness as the man moved with ease. Closing the door behind he strolled further inside. The place smelled like her. Floral and fresh. His eyes flitted across the lounge. He came to a pause at the half-opened door. The first thing he noticed was the small frame of the girl on the bed cuddled in her sheets. Her long hair was sprawled on the pillow around her in elegant waves. Upon approaching her he paused at her side. Ava was snuggled in the blanket like a small kitten. Her brows and eyes were visible while the rest of her face was huddled in the blanket. Crouching beside her he peered at her with a blank gaze. His index finger tipped the blanket down enough to reveal her pouty lower lip that was jutted out. Her lips were parted as she swallowed in small breaths. She had thick long lashes that kissed her cheeks. There was a gentle glow of pink on her chubby chee
"This place is awesome and the food is delicious, finger-licking good," Ava said gobbling down the pasta, which tasted like divine heaven she had never experienced. "I know right? When I first had their food, I was delighted just like you, and ever since then this place has become my favorite," Jasper said. "I spent most of my cheat days here.""Count me in, this place is now on the top of my favorite places, all thanks to you. And the cheat days? How many in a month?" She asked. Jasper was a gym rat so he often talked about the stuff related to the gym that was why she knew what cheat day meant otherwise the way she was she would've been the clueless airhead. "Max three.""So this one is?""Fourth."She looked surprised. "You're a solid iron man. I could never be a healthy gym person like you. You're a motivation but I'm such a lazy lassie.""If you want I can change that. You can start the gym, I'll help you out. We can work out together. I could be your free trainer but I like yo