Female Novel
Chapter 297
Chapter 0297 Ava “Mom, can Gunner come for a sleepover this weekend?” Noah asks, but my mind is billions of galaxiesaway. I was filled with nervousness. I know I said I’d visit Ethan when I was ready, but the situation haschanged. For some reason, the issue keeps bugging me. Keeps infiltrating my mind day in and day out. I haven’t had the chance to talk to Rowan about it. He clearly hates Ethan. It doesn’t take a genius tofigure that out. It’s not that I want to ask his permission or anything like that. I will still go to see Ethan,whether he likes it or not. What worries me is his reaction. Rowan loves Iris like his own. It’s clear to see that, but like I said, it’salso clear he despises her father. I’m sure he won’t be too happy about me visiting Ethan. What I’m notsure is if he’ll hate the idea because he loathes Ethan or because of something else. Maybe it’s both. “Mom, are you even listening?” Noah’s frustrated voice brings me back to the present. I hadn’t even noticed that I had zoned out again. “What were you saying?” He stares at me with his scrutinizing gray eyes. His mannerism and behavior are so similar to hisfather’s. I sometimes find it uncanny how alike they were. He repeats the question after looking upwards. As if he were praying for patience or divine intervention.
Letting out a sigh, I face my son, not really sure how to answer him. I get that Gunner is his best friend,but I also know that Rowan doesn’t like his dad. Or at least, he never used to like him. I’m not sure if thingshave changed now that their sons are friends. The memories of how Calvin and Rowan got into pis sing contests over Emma back when they were inschool assault my mind. I didn’t want to think of those days. I didn’t want to think about the time Emmaonce had Rowan’s heart in her palm.
It still hurts me to know that. Still inflicts unimaginable pain when I remember the years he was coldtowards me. Sure, things have changed now, but I can’t help but have doubts. They plague my mindeven when we are asleep, and he’s holding me close to him. It’s a constant battle. Especially when I don’t understand what changed or what pushed him to abandonhis love for Emma and choose me. It also doesn’t help that I know he’s keeping something from me. Lying to me. Part of me is afraid that this is all a dream and that I’ll wake up and everything will fade. The other partis afraid that he is playing with me. Toying with me. I may be overthinking, but I’m afraid that he isplaying his ultimate ace card. I mean, what better way to get revenge on the woman who hurt you? Play the devoted, loving man thatshe always dreamed of, and then, when she falls for the act, rip her world apart by leaving her andtelling her that it was nothing but a cruel joke. Nothing but revenge for the years he missed having thewoman he Noves with him. “Mom!” “Sorry, my love. I’m just a bit distracted today.” He looked pis sed, and I completely understand why. Pushing those memories and doubts to the backof my mind, I focus on my son. Whether Rowan’s intentions were pure or not, it didn’t matter. If he does hurt me, I’ll do what I’vealways done. Pick up the broken pieces and push forward. It will hurt like a bi tch, but I also know that Ican live with a broken and dead heart. Noah let’s out a frustrated breath. “So, is it okay for Gunner to come over?” “How about I talk to your dad when he gets home?” I pull him to me, needing to feel him so I cananchor myself to the present. “If he agrees, then we can have him over the weekend.” His frustrations melt away, and he gives me a blinding smile. I smile back, thinking of how he’ll givemany girls sleepless nights when he gets older. Just like his father and uncle did. “Thank you, mom,” he says, kissing my cheek. “I’m going to see if Iris is awake. I’ve missed her sonovelbin
much.” “Okay”I watch him as he runs up the stairs. I was so happy and proud of how he loved and cared for Iris. Hewas also really protective of her. It soothed my heart to know that Iris had someone like Noah in herlife. I didn’t. Travis never cared for me, but I am glad that Noah cares for his sister. I don’t know if heknows that she’s his half-sister. Deep down, I know he does. He’s a very sharp boy, so I know he hasalready figured out that Rowan isn’t Iris’s dad. This just makes me love him more. It makes me happythat he has accepted her, even though she has a different dad. “What are you thinking so hard about?” His deep voice startles me, making me jump a little. “You’re home” He drops on the couch next to me. Without warning, he pulls onto his laps before proceeding to kissme His kisses and the intimacy between us are something I will never get used to. Sure, we haven’t hadsex, but the way he kisses me is enough to let me know that the hunger burning inside him is fierce. He pushes his tongue inside my mouth. I open for him. Getting lost in his masculine scent, the way ourmouths are meshed, and how his tongue tangles with mine. I completely forget that we are in the livingroom, where Noah could walk in on us at any time. My nipples are pointed peaks. Straining against my bra. I rub my as s against his hardness. Wishingthat our clothes would magically disappear and I would have him inside me. The groan he lets out atmy teasing travels all the way down to my c lit, causing a gush of wetness to gush out of me.
Dam n it. I really need to do something about the sexual tension between us. Rowan seems to havepledged celibacy for some unknown reason. I didn’t know how to break down his defenses. Just like always, he pulls away, ending the scorching kiss. He lays his head against mine as we both tryto catch our breath. When the haze clears, I get off his lap and stand up. He was still hard, and I was still turned on. Sittingon his lap like that while feeling the evidence of his arousal would only distract me from what I needed
to say. “What’s wrong?” he asks, as if sensing the change in the atmosphere. He shifts in his seat, as if trying to get comfortable or get rid of his hard on. The bulging tent in histrouser pants was pretty obvious. For a moment, it distracts me as I think of how great his c ock wouldfeel in my mouth. I shake the thought out of my mind, completely shocked at the image playing in my head. F uck, it wasso out of character for me. “Ava?” I turn to face my husband, forcing myself to focus on the issue at hand.“We need to talk.”