Page 100 of Sweet Dreams

With a shaking hand, Scott reaches down and scoops his notebook off the floor. He straightens his jacket, his chest heaving as he tries to salvage whatever tiny shred of dignity he has left.

"The... the technical execution is adequate," Scott tightly admits, his voice strained. His eyes refuse to meet mine or Avery’s. He clears his throat, backing toward the front door. "The review will reflect the... structural innovation. We will take the garments to the studio setup down the street for the photography. Good day, Ezra."

He turns on his heel and practically sprints out the front door, his two assistants scrambling to grab their equipment and follow him before the glass door even finishes swinging shut.

The bell chimes one last time, and then the boutique is silent. At first, nobody moves. Then, Ezra barks out a loud laugh, clapping his hands together. "Oh, that was fucking spectacular! Did you see the color of his face when he touched the hem? The pompous jerk looked like he had just swallowed something sour! Serves him right after talking to you like that and trying to lay hands on you."

Avery lets out a laugh of his own. He turns around, looking up at me with bright, watery eyes that are filled with emotion.

"Gid," he whispers.

I don't reply. Instead, I step forward, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him against my chest. Avery buries his face into my shoulder, his hands clutching the fabric of my button-up as he lets out a happy little giggle. I hold him tight, my chin resting on his head.

"I told you," I murmur into his hair so only he can hear. "You’re a fucking fashion genius, baby. Even Scott the douche couldn’t deny it."

Chapter fourteen

Avery

Still giggling, I let the stress of this launch leave my body as I lean against Gideon for support. Inhaling the familiar honey scent, I burrow against his dark work shirt. My fingers curl tightly into the fabric, and I pull him toward the side door with a frantic, unyielding strength that surprises both of us.

"Whoa there, Avery." Gideon stumbles a half-step after me with a wide smile on his face.

"Upstairs," I gasp out, my chest heaving as a carefree laugh bubbles up my throat. "Right freaking now, Gid. Come on."

Ezra is still by the display racks, a triumphant grin on his face. He waves us off with a dramatic flick of his wrist. "Go! Go celebrate, darling! You earned this!"

I don't need to be told twice. I rush out the door and practically sprint up the stairs, dragging the six-foot-four man right behind me. The high of winning is thrumming through my veins. It’s a dizzying, intoxicating rush of pure adrenaline. We didn't just beat Scott Woods; we showed him we weren’t ones to be messed with. The look of utter defeat and jealousy on his face when he touched silk hems is a visual I’m never going to forget.

And damn, the way Gideon stood up for me? So. Fucking. Hot. I couldn’t believe some of the things Scott said. What grown adult talks like that? At first, I felt my insecurities surface, but when Gideon emerged from the shadows like some bad-ass bodyguard, I found my strength. I know that if this was anyone else, I wouldn’t have taken any of that shit. So why was I letting some jerk like Scott make me feel small?

The moment we clear the top landing and step into my apartment, I slam the front door shut behind us and throw the deadbolt in place.

I turn around, and before Gideon can even open his mouth to speak, I launch myself directly into his arms.

"Avery, baby—"

I cut him off by grabbing his face, and smashing my lips against his in a wild, bruising kiss. It’s a little desperate and a little chaotic. An overwhelming, frantic desire pulses through my body, and completely takes over. I’m wildly turned on by the thrill of victory and the sight of this man standing up to protect me and my dream downstairs.

Gideon lets out a low, rough growl. A sound that goes straight to my cock. His hands immediately find my waist, his thick fingers gripping my hips with a possessive claim. He lifts me completely off my feet and spins us around until my back hits the wood of the front door.

I wrap my legs tightly around his waist, my fingers tangling in his wavy black hair. He groans, and I pull him closer until there isn't a single millimeter of space between our bodies. The kiss is an intense and hot combination of tongue, teeth, and wild nips.

"You were incredible," I pant against his lips. "The way you stepped out of the shadows, fuck. And the way you defended me... Gid, I have never wanted you more than I do right now. Fuck me, please."

Gideon’s dark brown eyes flare with a fierce, primal fire. His breathing is just as rough and frantic as mine, his heavy chest expanding against my body.

"Avery," he growls, his voice a commanding rumble that makes my stomach do a frantic flip. "You’re pretty little body grinding against me is driving me crazy."

He moves us effortlessly. Without breaking his hold on my hips, he carries me down the short hallway into my bedroom. He tosses me right onto the center of the mattress and immediately crawls over me. The weight of his muscular body traps me against the mattress in that delicious way I’m starting to crave.

We make out like this for a really long time, grinding and sucking, without a care in the world. I never understood the appeal of kissing until I met him. Every touch riles me up as my cock throbs in my pants.

He pulls away from me for a moment, looking down into my eyes. “Can we try something?”

I nod frantically, curious. “Yes, anything. I trust you.”

With eager hands, he quickly unbuttons my blue silk shirt in seconds. I reach for the front of his dark shirt, tugging the metal snap buttons open until his broad chest is completely exposed to the cool air of the bedroom. His nipples pebble, and I wonder just how sensitive he is. I absolutely love nipple play and can probably come from it alone.