Dirty little secrets

Chapter 24

Ava

"Yeah, you're being a d**k," I snapped, slamming my spoon down.

Chloe wiped her mouth, confused. "Wait, what? Jax?"

"Nothing," he said, kissing her again quick, tongue flicking out, eyes still on me. "Just enjoying my night."

Riley grabbed my arm then, yanking me up. "Come on, Ava. Upstairs. Now."

I let her pull me, fuming, legs shaky from rage. "That asshole…. "

"Shh," she hissed, dragging me up the steps, into my room, slamming the door. "Cool down. Forget about it. He's just being jealous Jax, trying to get under your skin."

I paced, hands in my hair. "Did you see that? Staring at me while tonguing her? Like, f**k you, Ava, watch this. God, I want to punch him."

Riley flopped on my bed, sighing. "Yeah, it was gross. But you slapped him earlier, right? I heard the smack. He's hurt, lashing out. Let it go. Focus on your trip. Professor hotness awaits."

I stopped pacing, laughing despite the anger, bitter. "Yeah, well, after that? Hell yes. Jax can f**k Chloe all he wants. I'm out."

Just then, my phone buzzed on the nightstand Professor Calder. I snatched it, heart flipping from pissed to excited in a second.

"Hey," I answered, voice low.

"Ava," his voice smooth, that low rumble that made me wet instantly. "Change of plans. Can't pick you up, it's too risky with your family. Sending a driver. Meet me at the mall. We'll shop a bit, then head out tomorrow."

"A driver? Fancy," I teased, grinning now, anger fading fast.

He chuckled. "Be there in 20. Wear something easy to change out of."

"Got it." I hung up, turning to Riley. "He's sending a car. Meeting at the mall."

She whistled. "Damn, girl. Go get spoiled."

I laughed, grabbing my bag quick, but paused at the door. "Cover for me if okay ?"

"Obviously," she said, winking. "Have fun. Text pics of the hot prof."

"Pervert," I shot back, slipping out.

Downstairs was quiet, Chloe and Jax probably in the living room making out more, but I didn't check, just snuck out the front, waiting on the porch.

The car pulled up a sleek black sedan, driver all professional. "Miss Ava?"

"Yeah." I hopped in, and as we drove off, I texted the professor: "On my way."

He replied: "Soon."

At the mall, it was late but still open, lights bright, people milling. I spotted him waiting by the entrance Professor Calder, looking nothing like 40, more like 20-something with that messy dark hair falling over his forehead, sharp jaw clean-shaven, broad shoulders in a fitted shirt that hugged his chest, jeans casual but tight enough to show he worked out, eyes bright and young behind those glasses he pushed up with a smirk as I approached.

"You made it," he said, pulling me into a hug that turned into a kiss right there, soft at first, then deeper, his hands on my waist.

I kissed back, giggling against his mouth. "Missed you."

"Same." He stepped back, eyeing me up and down. "Now, shopping. You need stuff for the trip."

"Like what?" I asked, looping my arm in his as we walked in.

"Everything." He grinned, that boyish look making him seem my age, not twice it. "Clothes, jewelry, shoes. My treat."

I laughed. "Spoiling me already?"

"Absolutely." First stop was a boutique, him pushing me into the dressing room with armfuls of dresses tight ones, flowy ones, all sexy. "Try this," he said, handing over a red number.

I changed quick, stepped out, twirling. "Well?"

His eyes darkened. "Perfect. But try the black one too."

He forced me through like ten outfits, making me model each, his comments getting dirtier. "That hugs your ass just right." Or "n*****s show through love it."

I slapped his arm playful. "Perv."

"Your perv," he shot back, buying half of them.

Then jewelry necklaces, earrings, him clasping a silver chain around my neck, fingers lingering on my skin. "Looks good on you."

Shoes next heels, sneakers, him kneeling to slip them on, hand sliding up my calf. "These make your legs endless."

By the end, bags piled high, I was exhausted but buzzing. "You're insane."

"Hungry?" he asked, steering us to a cafe. "Light dessert?"

"Yeah." We grabbed crepes, sitting close, his knee against mine under the table.

As we ate, he leaned in. "Want to go clubbing after? Before we crash for the early flight tomorrow."

I paused, fork midway. "Clubbing? Me?"

"Why not?" He smirked, looking so young with that grin, hair tousled from the mall wind. "I barely go anymore, but with you? Hell yes. Want to see you dance."

I laughed, excited bubbling up because yeah, I hardly ever went, too young for bars half the time, friends flaky. "Okay, but you want to because of me? That's sweet."

"For you," he corrected, kissing my hand. "Let's do it. Club first, then hotel to pack for the trip."

"Deal," I said, heart racing, because after the Jax bullshit, this felt like freedom.