Spark: Book 1 (The Heat Series) Read online

  “I don’t remember you saying that last night.” She smacked his hand as he reached for her again.

  “Get up. I have a surprise for you.” She jumped out of bed feeling like a little kid on Christmas. On the counter was a pan of freshly made cinnamon buns. She remembered telling him that they were her favorite, and her mother always made them from scratch for her birthday breakfast.

  “My neighbor, Mrs. Nagle, made these from scratch. She gave me the pan and instructions on how to bake them along with a container of homemade icing. Do you like them heavy with icing or light?” She shook her head with disbelief.

  “I can’t believe you did this!” He began icing the hot buns. She prepared two mugs of coffee, and he placed a large bun on a dish for her.

  “Happy birthday, sweetheart. I love you, and I’m glad to be able to celebrate your birthday with you.”

  She kissed him getting icing on his lips. Before he could lick it off, she sucked his bottom lip into her mouth.

  “Don’t do that or we will never make it to work or anywhere else today.”

  She showered, and when she came out, there was a large cardboard box with a card on the table in the living room.

  “What, more?”

  He had a huge grin on his face. “Yes, more. You need to open this one now.”

  Riley was sniffing around the box, and she gently pushed him away. She read the card which was your usual romantic, sappy card. Then she opened the box. In it was another box with a handle and small holes. She heard rustling from the box and popped it open to find a small red tabby kitten with yellow eyes.

  “He is beautiful.” She nuzzled the kitten, and he began to purr. She put him on her lap and Riley sniffed him, then started to lick him.

  “Look, he likes him.”

  “You kept telling me that you want to get a playmate for Riley. I thought he would be a nice contrast to Riley’s gray fur.”

  Ava was all smiles. “What should I call him?”

  “That is for you to decide. He is yours. He is eleven weeks old and has a clean bill of health. I got him from the ASPCA shelter.”

  “Where did you keep him? I didn’t see this box around here last night.”

  “Hector kept him in his apartment for me. I went down while you were in the shower. He said if you don’t want him his daughter would take him.”

  “Oh no, he is so sweet.” She put him on the floor, and he began to explore the apartment.

  “You better get dressed, we have to leave soon.” The kitten had made himself at home on Riley’s long unused bed in the corner of the living room. She went into the bedroom and got dressed. This was turning into a great birthday so far.

  When they arrived at the building, Xander kissed Ava before they got in the elevator. He dropped her off on sixteen, and he headed up to eighteen. She went to her desk, and there she found it decorated with balloons, a Happy Birthday sign, and a gorgeous vase of two dozen red roses. There was a card attached to the roses. She plucked it off and read it.

  Darling Ava,

  I hope you have a wonderful birthday. You make my life complete. I love you.

  Xander

  She texted him as she wiped a few tears from her eyes.

  Thank you for the beautiful roses, balloons and birthday sign. The card made me cry. Did you have clients last night or is this what you were doing?

  It wasn’t meant to make you cry, but you do make my life complete. You caught me. I didn’t have clients. I was on a mission. Oh, and the surprises are not over.

  Ava groaned then texted

  STOP SPOILING ME!!

  I can do whatever I want, and I am quite enjoying seeing your eyes light up with each surprise. Prepare to go to lunch today at Filipos.

  I will see you in the lobby at 12:30.

  Ava was excited. This was turning out to be the best birthday of her life, even better than some of the ones when her mother was alive. She felt sad thinking about her not being here for her birthday. She had gotten calls during the day from Michael, Alicia and her father who wished her a happy birthday. Michael had emailed her an ultrasound photo of the babies letting her know that she would soon be an aunt to a boy and a girl. It was a nice touch for her birthday.

  At 12:25, her office phone rang.

  “Get your hot ass down here. We are going to lunch,” Xander growled.

  She went down to meet Xander in the lobby, and he held her hand as they walked to Filipos.

  He nodded knowingly to the hostess, and she took them to a back table. Her Uncle Daniel, Jacob, Sam, and Justin were sitting there waiting for them.

  “Surprise!” She covered her eyes because she was embarrassed but deep down she was thrilled that everyone was making such a fuss. They enjoyed a lunch of rice and beans, burritos, tacos, guacamole and chips, and quesadillas. Ava ate more than she had eaten in weeks. She was stuffed but then the waitress came with a beautiful birthday cake, her second. They all sang happy birthday to her, and she blew the candles out. She had almost everything she wanted, if they knew what she wished for they would have been angry because she wished for Liam to go away.

  Later that evening, Ava sat around the dinner table with her aunt and uncle’s house surrounded by those she loved. Aunt Mavis had gone all out and made her a southern feast like she hadn’t had in years. Fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, fried catfish, biscuits and her absolute favorite hush puppies. For a woman that didn’t regularly cook southern fare, she did a fantastic job.

  Xander took delight in watching Ava eat. He would be more than happy if she gained weight.

  Robert was happy she was eating; he complained about the fat content of the meal, but his mother said to be quiet. They didn’t eat this way all the time.

  He gave his mother a smirk and went back to picking the skin off his fried chicken. Ava sat back thoroughly satisfied. She had eaten more today than she had probably in the last week, but she felt good. Maybe she would gain a pound or two, and everyone would get off her back.

  After dinner, she and Xander went into the living room while the rest of her family cleared the dishes and set the table for dessert. Xander held her hand and nuzzled her face with his nose.

  “So have you decided on a name for your little red ball of fur?”

  “I’m not sure what to call him.”

  “How about Marmalade?” Dani offered. She had just entered the room and sat down on the couch.

  “Not sure I want to give him the name of jelly.” Xander excused himself and left the room. Dani sat on the couch looking at her phone and cracking on a piece of gum.

  “You know it is so weird to see you with Xander Wilder.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because it’s like dating your brother. We have known him for years.”

  “You might have known him for years, but I barely remember seeing him.”

  “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

  They stopped talking because Xander came back and sat down next to Ava. The rest of the family joined them after they were done cleaning the kitchen. They brought several wrapped gifts and handed them to Ava. She blushed because she didn’t like to be the center of attention. She opened each one. Jacob, Sandra, Rachel, Uncle Daniel and Aunt Mavis had chipped in to get her a monogrammed designer leather briefcase. They said it was for when she became an attorney. She wasn’t sure she would pursue law school since she had deferred entrance for the upcoming year, but it was a beautiful gesture. She opened Dani’s gift, and it was two leather collars with name plates. One had Riley’s name on it, and the other was blank.

  “You can give me the blank nameplate when you decide on a name, and I will get it engraved.”

  “Thank you, Dani, they’re really pretty.” The last gift was from Robert. She opened it and found a five hundred dollar gift card to La Roma Spa in mid-Manhattan. It was very upscale and expensive. It was a generous gift considering Robert wasn’t as well off as his siblings. She hugg
ed him tightly because she knew he wanted her to be healthy.

  They sat and talked well past nine when Mavis decided it was time to have dessert. Mavis led Dani, Sandra and Rachel to the kitchen and they busied themselves putting out many desserts. When everyone was called into the dining room, they came out with a cupcake with a candle in it, singing happy birthday as they entered the room. She blew out the candle, and they handed her the small cake. Mavis offered an explanation.

  “Xander told us that you were probably all caked out after this afternoon, so we decided not to give you another one.”

  The number of desserts was staggering, much more than nine people could eat. Aunt Mavis had made a peach cobbler, apple pie, cookies, and a strawberry shortcake trifle. Rachel had picked up cupcakes from Magnolia. Jacob and Sandra had brought assorted Italian pastries and a tiramisu.

  Aunt Mavis sent everyone home with leftovers, making Ava’s the largest package. When she got home, the first thing she did was check on the kitten and Riley. They were sleeping in Riley’s cat bed together. Riley had taken to the kitten as if he were his own. Ava was worried that he would bully the animal, but so far none of that happened. The minute the two of them saw her, they bolted out of bed. The kitten was no more than a pound, but he started running around the kitchen bumping into things, the garbage can, the plant in the entryway, the water dish.

  “I just thought of what I should call him,” she said to Xander.

  “What?”

  “Boomer!”

  “Boomer? That is more of a dog’s name.”

  “Maybe but when he runs around and bumps into things he makes a boom.”

  “He’s yours, so it’s up to you what you want to name him.”

  She picked up the ball of fur as he tried to pass by her and snuggled him under her chin. He let out a tiny meow. She placed him on the floor and prepared his and Riley’s dinner. After the cats had eaten, they went back to their bed, and Riley cleaned Boomer until he fell asleep. She and Xander settled into bed. She was wearing his t-shirt with her panties, and he was in his boxers. He preferred her naked, but he would let her make that call. He played with her hand and sucked on her fingers. He had once again removed his ring from his right hand and put it on his left. He liked to hear the clink that the two rings made when he held her hand.

  “Your birthday is almost over. Did you enjoy your day?”

  “I had such a super great time today. You spoiled me way too much.”

  “There is plenty more to come for the rest of our lives.” He was silent for a minute before he next spoke. “Ava, does it scare you when I talk about getting married?”

  “No, why would you think that?”

  “You don’t say much when I refer to getting married. I don’t want you to think I am pushing you into anything. I just want you to know what my future intentions are. Some women would be scared away by that.”

  “I am committed to getting married to you in the future. I just don’t want to get married too soon. My parents had dated for two years before they got married.”

  “This is our lives. Who says we have to do what our parents did?”

  “I want to make my father proud, and he might think that I am pregnant if I get married so quickly.”

  “But that makes no sense. Michael’s wife was pregnant before they married,”

  “I know but he’s a guy, and it’s different.”

  “Are you worried your father will be angry you had premarital sex? Is that why you waited so long?”

  She raised her voice, “No, I, um don’t think that at all. And I could have had sex a lot sooner, but I didn’t want to.”

  Xander backpedaled, “Don’t be angry with me. I don’t want to argue on this perfect day.” She had her back against him, and he moved her hair to kiss her neck, gently sucking on it. After several lovemaking sessions, he figured out her tender spots. It had been a few days since they made love and he was craving her. He wanted her more and more, and it was hard not to think of her when they were apart especially at work. Even harder knowing she was only two floors down.

  Ava continued to softly moan as his hand caressed her breasts through her t-shirt. He moved away and let her turn onto her back so he could kiss her lips. She ran her hand over the smooth skin of his chest feeling the ridges of his muscles. When she reached the waistband of his boxers, she wiggled her fingers inside. His cock was semi-rigid but the minute she grasped on to his thick length, he immediately became fully erect. She began to stroke and squeezed him.

  “Careful, sweetheart.”

  She tugged at his boxers, and he lifted his hips to remove them as she brought her full red lips to the crown of his cock. Ava took him in her mouth using her tongue as she slid up and down.

  He groaned as she continued to suck him. She cupped his balls and gently squeezed them. Her hair made an auburn curtain blocking his view. He grasped it and twined it around his hand but was careful not to pull it. The erotic nature of her sucking him was something he needed to watch. She circled the base of his thick cock squeezing hard as if trying to hold back what she already had set into motion.

  Xander groaned again, “So close, so close.”

  Ava sucked harder, and he lost control. She continued to suck until he was totally spent. When she removed her mouth, she gave Xander a satisfied grin and lay on her back. He moved to his side to kiss her tasting his saltiness on her mouth. But he had something sweet of his mind. He pushed her t-shirt up, his t-shirt, so he had access to the hard buds straining the fabric and began to suck.

  “I want you.”

  “Give me a little time to recuperate. I want to do something first.” He started to slide down her body kissing her as he went, leaving a trail of wetness from his tongue and lips. He hooked his fingers in the bands of her panties and pulled them down to her ankles and off. She heard them drop to the floor as his fingers dipped into her wetness. She watched as Xander sucked on his fingers.

  “Don’t make me wait.”

  “You are quite insistent tonight, aren’t you?”

  “We haven’t had sex in a few days, and I want to feel you inside me.”

  “Your wish is my command. And it is your birthday, so I guess you get to make the rules.” Ava gently slapped his cheek. Xander positioned himself in between her legs. He picked up her right leg and placed it against his chest. She was not nearly tall enough, and he was too tall to achieve the full position that he wanted.

  “Wh…what are you doing?”

  “Trust me, sweetheart; you will love this.”

  Ava faded into sleep after their lovemaking was over. She had a wonderful birthday and tomorrow was Saturday. She could sleep all day if she wanted. They made love twice more that night. Xander noted that she had indeed become more aggressive in bed from a week ago. He wasn’t complaining, but sleeping was not an option when they were together.

  At just after eleven Ava awoke. Xander was still there as well, and Riley had jumped on the bed to protest his late breakfast. She looked around for Boomer, but he wasn’t in her room. Concerned she got out of bed to look for him. He was curled up on the couch in the corner of the chaise. She stroked his soft fur, and he woke up with a yawn. She picked him up and held him close.

  “Are you hungry, sweet boy?” Behind her, Riley meowed his disapproval. She put Boomer down and petted him, too.

  “Don’t worry buddy; you are both my best boys.” She prepared their bowl and gave them fresh water. When she turned around she caught a perfect sight, Xander’s beautiful backside going into the bathroom. They hadn’t dressed after the second time making love, and he was padding down the hall naked. It could be an opportunity for sex. She barged into the bathroom to see him standing at the toilet peeing. She had never seen a man pee before in the flesh, and she watched with fascination.

  “See anything you like?”

  “When you are around I always see something I love.” He turned to her, and she looked him up and down. Her leering was already having a
n effect on him as his cock started to react. He came to her, and his hands cupped her breasts. She was wearing his t-shirt from last night. She had gotten chilly during the night and put it on. But her bottom half was still unclothed. As if sensing her arousal, he lifted her up on the vanity, bent her knees and pushed her heels into her ass. He pulled her to the edge of the counter. She was wide open for him to see and she started to blush.

  “Take your shirt off. I want to see all of you.” She pulled the t-shirt over her head and dropped it on the counter. He leaned into her, and she could feel the heat from his body as he kissed her. She felt the head of his cock rub against her slit as he stood between her legs. He sucked on her earlobe.

  “Are you ready for me?” She nodded, unable to speak. She couldn’t control herself lately. She wanted him all the time. He pushed into her wetness. He worked his hips while he sucked on her nipples. With each stroke, she cried out. Then he felt something new; she was flexing against him. This was causing the most delicious friction, and he could feel her tightness even more on his sensitive cock. He groaned as she tightened against him. She smiled at her ability to make him shudder. He was so experienced, yet here he was moaning and grunting with each thrust. Her climax came first, and she let out a scream that she didn’t know she could make. He followed, grunting as he released his load into her. They were both sweating, and he held her tight with his body against the mirror. He remained in the union with her until his cock became flaccid and slid out. He reached over and tipped her head up to look into his eyes.

  “I love you so much, Ava.”

  “I love you too, Xander.” He clinked his ring against hers as he reached for her hand to help her off the vanity.

  The weekend was spent relaxing except for when Ava went to the self-defense class on Sunday afternoon. Xander asked her to come over after so they could sleep at his apartment. They hadn’t been there for several days.

  “I have to go back to feed Riley and Boomer.”

  “I’ll take care of it. You don’t mind me staying here after you leave do you?”

  “Of course not, just make sure you lock up. I need you to take a few things over to your apartment so I can have clothes for work.” She handed him a couple of dresses and pointed to a garment bag in her closet.