<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Ava glanced at him over her shoulder, a playful little scowl appearing on her features as he spoke. With their lighthearted debate resurrected, she was determined to prove <i>him</i> wrong. It was convenient that their pursuit served as a distraction. The amusing disagreement was an escape from the desirous thoughts that invaded her mind. She was still entertaining the idea of the hotel he suggested, just a few blocks from the ice cream shop. It tempted her more than she let on, and as they neared the parlor it took a considerable amount of restraint not to simply pass it by, lead them to some place where they could indulge in the taste of one another’s lips and further explore the urges that resided in them both. There was nothing left to stand in the way of it. She left her phone in the car so that there would be no interruptions on their quiet night out. The threat of danger, though not gone, had diminished in their time apart, the trail of their whereabouts cold by now. Even her own reservations were no more. With their feelings laid bare, and their desires made apparent, there was nothing stopping them from cancelling their innocent little stroll to finally act on all the pent up sexual frustration that had accumulated in the last week. <br/>
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But, the promise of his words made it so that she was able to tap into some unknown reserve of restraint. Knowing that he had no intention of fulfilling those suicidal intentions was a reassurance, a reminder that there was enough time to enjoy his company in wholesome ways-- just like there was enough time to enjoy him in more carnal ways. It was the reason she was able to stop her feet from breezing past the ice cream shop, able to move through the door that opened for her. A small chuckle left her as the Hunter bowed dramatically, “Thank you.” Stepping into the colorful establishment, she was pleasantly overwhelmed by the scent of sugar. Brightly lit glass was filled with all manner of sweet temptations; not just an impressive array of ice cream flavors. There was an assortment of chocolates and dipped fruit, cookies decorated so lovely that they looked too pretty to eat. As good as it all appeared, she was still drawn to the colder options the shop offered.<br/>
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She was just about to wrap her arms around herself, the temperature in the shop much cooler than the warm air outside of it. A larger pair encircled her, looping around her petite middle and pulling her in close. Warmth enveloped her, and she relaxed into the pleasant heat that radiated from him. Her hands rested on his arms as he held her, green eyes surveying the colorful assortment of ice cream beyond the glass as he whispered to her. The tickle of his breath against her ear made her release an almost girlish giggle. “Well, you’ll have to just judge me then.” She shrugged, playfully shameless. “I’ll never admit that it’s the greatest of all time. While your Cookie Dough Overload isn’t terrible, it will never compare to the classic, timeless flavor of Strawberry. It’s consistent and simple. You just can’t go wrong with strawberry ice cream.” Ava declared just as the young woman behind the glass finished up with the customer before them. She ordered a small serving, something she could easily walk and talk with without making too much of a mess. She watched as the woman scooped it into the cup, her eyes glimmering with excitement as she handed it to her with a spoon. <br/>
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“I suppose I might be able to be swayed.” Ava said thoughtfully, waiting until he decided and his own choice was in his hands. “You could always share a little bit of yours. Who knows? I might just come to find out that I <i>am</i> a fan of Cookie Dough Overload.” She smiled up at him, gentle coming out of his hold so that she could lead the way once they paid. She was grateful for the warmth as they stepped outside, immediately welcomed into the temperate night. Despite the chill melt away from her body, she missed the comforting pressure of his arms around her. She was beginning to think that she was becoming addicted to it, the feeling of his embrace and the elation that accompanied it. Though not completely foreign to her, she was reasonably wary of the touch of others. Every encounter was a gamble, a risk that she had to decide if she was willing to take each time. With Wes, she would gladly suffer the consequences. In a short time, she had come a long way from avoiding contact, being defensive, and overly wary of the sensory minefield that he was. She suspected that the visions might have stopped because of the trust she had gained-- similar to her family. While the dreams kept coming, she was glad that she was able to enjoy the closeness without fear of supernatural intervention. Ava continued them on the path down St. Ann’s, her footsteps much slower as she treated herself to cold, sugary bites of her own treat while she let Wes decide if he wanted to share his. </span>