Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(90)

I had no fucking idea.

George needed more detail on him, more soldiers, and restricted access to him. Mama and Hara weren’t going to leave for Aruna; I didn’t need the extra uneasiness right now. And Ava would stay fixed to my damn side.

Turning toward the west wing, I halted mid-step.

I’d notice that body anywhere in the world. The way her pale pink dress played off her hair, making it look more vibrant. The fabric cascading along her waist softly while her bare shoulders were wrapped in sheer material.

Thank Femme Fatale for Arunaian dresses.

Ava’s back was to me, her hands animating her words as she spoke to a group of servants. Not hearing her, my eyes were entranced by the mere sight.

I seared this moment to my memory.

War was going to break out and my attention would be focused on more men, more allies—more everything that could help me break the mystery of these invisible traitors. Moments like this, of my beautiful Avie, unaffected by what was about to pass, needed to be kept.

The servants nodded, going off in separate directions. Opening my mouth, I forced myself to speak and get this over with.

“Avie,” I choked out.

She stilled before slowly turning around, her green eyes soft and beautiful. A sad smile graced her lips as she strode toward me.

“Oh Garr,” she rasped, as she threw her arms around my chest. My body seized for a moment, before I wrapped my arms around her small body.

“I’m so sorry.” Her cries were muffled in my ribs. Combing my fingers through her hair, I kissed the top of her head.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I admitted, squeezing her. This woman was now my life, the only thing I needed. The only person who could take all the pain away.

My Peitho.

“I’ve missed you too.” She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears. “What can I do?”

“Stay with me. I need you.”

She nodded, biting her lip to keep from sobbing. Reaching for her hand, I led her to my room, passing gawking eyes and whispers. I wanted her in my only sanctuary here, away from the reality I had to face.

Pushing my room door open with unneeded force, I guided her in, kicking it closed behind me. She stood in front of me, in all her stunning glory, like the goddess that captured me. Her dress dipped between her breasts while her hair cascaded over them, and her green eyes stared at the floor.

My feet moved toward her, and I cupped her chin to look at me.

“I can’t imagine what you must be feeling,” she said, playing with her fingers.

I brushed her soft cheek with my thumb. “I was worried about you.”

Her gaze met mine. “Me? Don’t be, Garr, I’m safe. You’re back, I’m more than protected now.”

I took a deep breath. “I failed, Avie. My father is…dead because I couldn’t solve this mystery. These men who have been running around here for years, terrorizing my family. I shouldn’t have taken the position.”

“Your father wanted you here, Garr. No one else.”

“I should have said no.”

Ava lowered my head to hers, our foreheads touching. “You were loyal to your family by stepping in. You are chasing an invisible enemy.”

I breathed in her scent of fresh flowers and pine. It was her. No one would ever feel or smell like this. She entered every space of my body and brain, everything that I was; filling a piece I didn’t know was missing.

“Kiss me, Avie,” I mumbled, hovering my lips over hers. The need to lose myself in her was all I wanted right now. To just forget for a moment.

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she pressed her lips to mine. My hands glided down her ribs, cupping her ass, where I lifted her in the air. Striding toward my bed, Ava instinctively wrapped her legs around my waist. Her soft lips made me mad with desire, my brain itching to rip all her clothes off. Depositing her on my bed, I leaned over her body until she was flat on her back. Her smalls gasps and moans made my cock throb uncomfortably.

I needed to be lost with her.

In her.

Forever.





Ava





Chapter 35





I didn’t know how to do this.

How to comfort or not comfort someone who lost a parent. Especially when they weren’t that close to said parent. Specifically, the collected and unruffled Garrett. Would he come home a complete, utter mess, or cool as a summer’s day?

It made me anxious, spending two days pacing and fretting over it. I wasn’t prepared nor knowledgeable on how he took certain stress. During an attack, he showed no fear. When he was irritated, he narrowed his brows so deep, I was surprised he could see. But losing an important figure in his life? That, I hadn’t experienced yet. Charlie was a close friend, but losing a parent; that had to be something else altogether.

When I heard my name, I knew it was him. The deep octave of his voice, filled with unease, sent goose bumps down my forearms. His eyes were what spoke first. The remorse and shame that radiated from his blue irises told me that he already blamed himself. In that, I wasn’t completely surprised.

If Garrett needed to take his sorrow out on my body, I’d let him do it willingly.

Maybe too willingly.

His erection rubbed against my thigh, and I sighed, feeling utterly content under his weight. Brushing kisses down my neck, he bit softly, sending pleasure down my body in one swift wave. His fingers found my mound; no foreplay or teasing, he went for what he wanted. I was already brazenly wet for him, which pleased him. He groaned deeply as he circled my clit with his fingers, causing my back to arch against him.