<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">She wasn’t oblivious to the innuendo he spoke into her ear, her cheeks blossoming with color as her imagination was instantly triggered. The vivid and racy imagery that entered her mind sent a chill down her spine, easily passed as an innocent shiver due to the cooler temperature inside the shop. Paired with the way that his fingers stroked and toyed with the material of her mini dress, it was clear that the shudder was born of desire, her body reacting to the idea of his tongue blazing a hot, wet trail up her stomach to lick away chocolate that dripped down the small canal between her ribs. Shaking away the thought was difficult when his arms were around her, their bodies flush to one another. It was fortunate that their time within the shop was short, their orders ready within minutes. Ava was allowed a moment to compose herself as they stepped back out onto the street, the night air sobering her from the pang of arousal. She busied herself with bites of ice cream, the sweet coolness providing some relief from the ache of need. As the Hunter spoke, offering her a spoonful of his own treat, she was initially thankful for yet another distraction. She leaned in, opening her mouth to take a bite. Pink lips wrapped around the plastic, her vibrant green eyes glancing up at him before she pulled back.<br/>
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Yet another thought flashed through her mind as the ice cream melted on her tongue, leaving her with a morsel of cookie dough and chocolate to savor while she cleared her head of the surprisingly naughty image. Focusing on his words helped, a swell of fondness rising in her as he recounted their very events that brought him to the moment they were in. It was quite the miraculous journey; feelings moving from defensiveness and irritation, to complete enamorment. Ava would have been worried that things were moving too quickly, but she knew as well as any Hunter that dangerous, high stakes situations had the ability to show a Man’s true character. Wes proved that she could rely on him, trust him to have her back. It was as good a foundation as any to build a meaningful relationship on. And right above that foundation, along with the laughter and adoration, was a powerful and compelling attraction. She was reminded of it when he admitted that he, too, desired her. Ava let him tug her along, bringing her right through the grand glass doors of a hotel that put the cheap, roadside motel to shame. <br/>
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A smile on her lips, she was ready to follow him right up to the front desk. Just before they reached the heart of the well-lit lobby, he pulled her into the hall. It happened so quickly that she could hardly process the movement. In what felt like a split second she was pressed up against the wall, her legs wrapped around him with her skirt riding dangerously high on her thighs. Their lips met in a passionate and heated kiss, and while she would have been conscientious of onlookers she couldn’t even bring herself to care. All she could think of was how desperately she needed him, how badly she wanted to give in to the persuasiveness of her desire for him. Her little cup of melting ice cream balancing in one hand, and her other at the back of his neck, she fell deeper into the kiss. Her tongue, sweetened by the flavor of strawberry, gently coaxed his to join her own with tantalizing flicks. He managed to break free of the kiss, and she nearly whimpered from the absence of his lips. The fact that they weren’t far was even more disheartening, and though she was tempted to continue their very public display of affection right then and there, reason made her see the benefit of more privacy. <br/>
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Ava nodded at his suggestion, unwrapping herself from around him so that her feet could return to the gleaming floors. With a shimmy of her hips, she pulled the skirt of her dress down to an appropriate length, composing herself. “That won’t be necessary.” She smirked at his playful comment, the origins of it not lost on her. The brunette ran a hand through her hair as she led them back into the lobby, “Not right now, anyway. We might have to revisit that suggestion for some of those terrible movie references of yours.” Truth be told, she wasn’t <i>as</i> disapproving as she let on. They were amusing, and rather spot on, as silly as they were. She moved to the front desk, and she was greeted by a stuffy, buttoned-up man who asked if they had a reservation. After hearing that they were interested in the executive suite, he struck a few keys, appearing doubtful as he did. At that point, Ava was willing to take any room, view or not. Every second that went by felt long, though the man moved with efficiency. After his brows raised in surprise, he confirmed that the corner room they wanted was available, that room service would arrive with their wine not long after they would reach their room on the top floor. He took her information, then activated their keys. The process in its entirety probably only took about eight minutes, but she was antsy, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she waited, sighing every now and then in moments when impatience was getting the better of her.<br/>
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As soon as they keys were on the counter, she snatched them up quickly, tossing a quick word of gratitude over her shoulder--not waiting for the spiel about checkout or the amenities to head in the direction of the golden elevators. She hit the button and as they waited for the “UP” arrow to glow and the bell to ding, she took one last bite of her ice cream, tossing the mostly empty cup into the trash can. It was yet another torturous moment. Time slowing to a crawl in her mind, she began to get even more restless. Folding her arms across her chest, she tapped her foot as if the elevator would hear her agitation and somehow descend more quickly. When the doors finally parted, a few guests stepped out, leaving the inside wonderfully empty. Ava hurried inside, hitting the button to the top floor and following it up with the “close door” button. Those gold doors eased shut, and the very second they were alone she reached for his hand. With a tug, she pulled him to her, letting her back rest against the wall. “Finally.” She breathed before capturing his lips, the passion of her need infused in every sensual caress of her tongue against his. </span>