<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">“I would actually believe that because I was there when you gave that thing a big ole bear hug.” The disapproval was still present in her voice, but the moment had come and gone. The threat of danger was no longer upon them, and she could at least find the little sliver of humor in his near death experience. A small smile hung on her lips as he offered her a wink, unprepared for the flutter in her stomach that it provoked. Irritation surfaced knowing that she wouldn’t normally find a cheesy little gesture like that swoon-worthy, and yet she was charmed by it. The curvature of the smile on her lips broadened as she looked away, only to be brought back by his hand as it went to her dark strands, tucking the rich, glossy tresses behind her ear. An unexpected gesture, he seemed to do it without calculation, there was no motive to cause her embarrassment or distraction. It was a sincerely affectionate motion, and the appraising glimmer in his eyes was enough to return the rouge to her cheeks. His response was the perfect diversion, allowing her to compose herself while simultaneously offering her something else to focus on. Ava was all ears as he began to speak, finding the fun facts fascinating from the very start. <br/>
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She wouldn’t have pegged him as a lover of fantasy, let alone books in general. A harsh assumption based on his outward appearance, she realized how very harshly she had judged him. Without giving him a chance to show her otherwise, until now, she believed him to be nothing more than what she had seen of him; impulsive, reckless, and careless. There was more depth to him than she anticipated as she learned of his love of Tolkien, and observed the fondness that manifested in his eyes as he spoke of his talent for playing the guitar. As he mentioned his father the same warmth resided in them, like he was replaying those memories in his mind to relive the experience. She agreed with the sentiment he shared. Music was a great communicator, a therapist and confidant like no other.  Some of her best recollections were of her and her mother sitting at the piano, a patient but firm teacher that didn’t bat an eyelash at mistakes but was adamant on correcting them. Intently she listened while he went on, informing her of his drinks of choice. Ava was surprised that he missed an opportunity to imitate the Most Interesting Man in the World, smiling with a lighthearted chuckle as he went as far as referring to them as ‘stupid.’ It seemed that he favored other drinks, Tequila especially. Her brows rose at the reveal, able to conclude that it was either for special occasions or for other reasons that he wasn’t sipping on it now. <br/>
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“Yes, it is a very basic color.” She teased as he informed his favorite color was blue. A smirk tugged at his lips as he pulled her closer, his fingers hooked into her belt loops and staring into her eyes to admit that green was a close second. Flattered yet again, she acknowledged the subtle compliment with a coy bat of her eyelashes before her hands returned to his shoulders. Aside from an obvious mutual attraction, they had other things in common: thunderstorms, board games, New Orleans, and an intense hatred of clowns. Her laughter rang out, amused by the imagery of the collectable porcelain clowns that many old women collected. “They are worth thousands. <i>Thousands</i>. But, they’re so creepy.” She agreed, delight still twinkling in her eyes as he shuddered at the thought. Ava was thinking of more questions to ask when he admitted enjoying the taste of her lips. The desire to lean into him renewed. It never quite left since it was in the back of her mind waiting to emerge once again. Back in full force she tilted her head, her lips gently brushing against his.<br/>
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She wrapped her arms around him as the kiss deepened, still tender but mounting in passion as lust flared to life. It started as a smoulder, hot embers catching fire soon enough. The longer lips pressed to his, the more she wanted him. She became more bold, hands gripping the material of his jacket as her sweet tongue coaxed his own, a delicate encouragement to join hers. Just as he enjoyed the taste of her lips, she enjoyed the taste of his and paired with the electrifying sensation that ran down her spine she couldn’t seem to get enough. Despite the return to the voice of reason in her mind, that faint whispers of caution and restraint that threatened to hold her back, she wasn’t ready to let go just yet, too content to lose herself in the heat of ardor and indulge in the kind of intimacy she never really allowed herself. Ava was simply listening to her instincts, however base, going with the flow as though it were as natural as breathing. But it became difficult to keep her eagerness at bay, to deny the urge to suggest that they leave the bar and go somewhere quieter . . . More private. If Ava knew anything well, it was restraint and control. She did well enough, though her hands did wander, fingers finding the hem on the back of his shirt so that she could run them along his skin. His warmth was almost enough to make her melt, and she craved more of it; his skin on her skin, nothing in between them. <br/>
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A hard vibration startled her, a rhythmic buzzing against her side coming from the pocket of her jacket. Ava pried herself away from him, breaths heavy and green eyes steeped in pure need. Reluctantly, she reached for her phone, the lit screen reading ‘Benjamin Landry.’ “I . . . I’ve take this. It could be important.” She wiggled her way out of his grasp, placing her feet on the ground. Still dizzy with lust she took a moment to let them adjust to longer being wrapped around the Hunter. “I’ll be right back.” Heading to the back of the bar, toward the restroom, she pressed the answer button as she stepped into the single-stall bathroom. It smelled of chemicals, too much fragrance over a faintly foul stench. She wretched quietly, quickly lifting the phone to her ear once she numbed herself to the scent. <br/>
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<i> “Hey, got your message. Glad you're alive,</i> There was a smile in the voice on the other end of the line, an unapologetic tone in the sentiment though she didn’t doubt he meant it. <br/>
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“You owe me big time. That was a massive oversight, and had I --”<br/>
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<i> “Alright, alright. I get it. My mistake. I’ll give you something on the house when you collect your order.”</i><br/>
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“It better be good. I only signed up for one of those nasty things.” Ava said, pacing from one end of the cramped space to the other. “You didn’t call to tell me that you’re happy I’m not dead, I assume.”<br/>
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<i> “That was only part of the reason. I was out tonight and came across a number of Vamps with that marking you described. Their presence was more concentrated in a particular location, but tonight . . . It was like you could almost find them anywhere. I’ll send you the details, but Ava . . . That many bloodsuckers . . . If this is some unofficial shit, I hope you’re not going it alone. If you need help--”</i><br/>
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“I got it. I mean, I know what you’re trying to say. You know I’m not the reckless type. I just wanted to know where I could find them. There was a loose end from a previous hunt, and I wanted to look into it.” Ava lied, trying to pacify him and his growing worry and suspicion. <br/>
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<i> “. . . Is that why you need an arsenal of weapons?”</i> He asked after a long silence, clearly not buying what she was selling. <br/>
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“Send me the location. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ben.” She hung up a second after, emerging from the bathroom and its near nauseating aroma. The air wasn't exactly fresh, but a drastic improvement from the cesspool she had just come from. She'd trade it for the smell of cigarette buds and cheap alcohol any day. Ava made her way back to the Hunter, and even at a distance she could feel the pull of desire. Though she would have loved nothing more than to resume and pick up exactly where they left off, the call was a bit sobering. It was a reality check, a reminder that their professional relationship was temporary and whatever they were doing was just as transient in nature. "I just heard from my contact. They got a location on some of the Coven members, a hot spot it seems like. We should move quick, so we should probably call it a night."  </span>