The morning after my encounter with Eric, and facing the reality that Ava and I were not as camouflaged as I originally imagined us to be, I felt stagnant. My eyes had been opened. I thought that I had understood the responsibility that I had taken on; but my night with Eric showed me that I didn't fully comprehend how expansive this responsibility was. My mind was swirling with this revelation.
Ava was understanding. We had a quiet morning. She fixed us breakfast. I could tell Ava could tell how overwhelmed I was because we spent any moment that we didn't need both of our hands to do something, then we would reach out for each other. We ate our breakfast holding one another's hands.
After breakfast I dropped her off at home. Ava leaned over to get a goodbye kiss, but I moved away. I couldn't. Even though I saw how it hurt Ava. We were out in the open, and I now knew that we could take no chances. No matter how much I wanted to show her my affection. I held her hand and reassured her that I would be picking her up next weekend to take us on our New York Trip. She smiled when she knew I hadn't rejected her advances because I didn't want her affection.
I made sure to text and call Ava every day that week to reassure her that I still very much loved her. Our last text was the morning I was to pick her up for the trip. I had instructed her what to wear. I was a bit nervous that I hadn't received a reply. There was a nagging fear that she had changed her mind and decided not to go. I pulled into the driveway and sighed in relief seeing Ava waiting for me on the front steps. Her duffle bag was next to her packed to the brim. We had told our parents that Ava was coming with me since the company had given us tickets to The Lion King on Broadway. Ava had always wanted to see it, so I actually got us tickets to the show.
I had to control myself from licking my lips when I saw that Ava was wearing exactly what she had been asked to. I could see her low-cut shirt hiding underneath her jacket. Her legs were covered by a pair of black tights. They were shown off by the short maroon skirt and black heels she was wearing. I actually wasn't very particular about what she wore for traveling, I just wanted to test the waters. I wanted to see if she still would listen to my instructions after last weekend. I was still insecure that she was upset at me. By her smile, and the way she bounded up when she saw me pull into the driveway, it didn't seem like she was. I was getting out of the car when I saw Ava bending down to get her bag.
"I got it Ava; you can get in the car." I told her. I took the bag from her and put it into the trunk. Ava was already seated and waiting patiently when I got back in the car.
"How was your week babe?" I asked her as I pulled out of the driveway. She reached over and took my hand that was resting on the shifter.
"I have been looking forward to this all week. I missed you." I kissed the back of her hand as I we sped down the road. It was calming to know that we both intended to have a pleasant weekend. At the train station I got our bags. Ava offered to help but I wanted to carry it for her, let her know that chivalry isn't dead.
The train pulled into the station and I let Ava in first. We sat in our seats, Ava next to the window, and me against the aisle. We were comfortably silent. I enjoyed knowing that Ava was happy to be close to me. Ava leaned in close and kissed my cheek. I looked down and saw her seductively smiling at me. I saw the love and excitement in her eyes. It caused a physical reaction in me that I had to keep under control.
"How long is the ride?" I knew Ava was making an insinuation that made my slacks tighten again.
"We will be there before you know it. But I was thinking, maybe we could go explore the city after dropping off our bags. We can get some dinner."
"That sounds fun, but I want to go to bed early for tomorrow." I raised my eyebrow at her second insinuation. She just kissed my cheek again and settled into her seat. Much to my surprise, Ava fell asleep in her seat during the trip. I decided to let her rest, after all it would make her more active tonight. I only gently shook her awake when we were pulling into Grand Central Station.
"Stick close to me. I don't want to lose you in here." I told Ava as we disembarked. As usual, the New York City terminal was bustling with thousands pushing weaving through the crowds. My hands were full with our bags so Ava looped her finger around one of my belt loops on my pants so it wouldn't be so easy to separate us. I found it cute. Once we were out on the street Ava was able to hail a cab for us.
I put our bags in the trunk of our cab, then joined Ava in the back seat. Ava had unzipped her jacket showing off her low-cut shirt, and I noticed how the driver was staring lasciviously at her. To send a message, I put my arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. She was practically in my lap. Ava must have known what was going on because she kissed my cheek and leaned into me.
When we pulled up to our hotel, I pushed Ava out of the vehicle and paid the driver. I grabbed our bags before pushing her into the building. Ava watched our bags on a small couch while I checked in with the clerk. Before long we were heading up the elevator to our room. I gave Ava her own key in the elevator so she could open the door for us.
"Aiden! Isn't this a little too expensive?" I threw our bags on the bed.
"The company paid for a plaza king room for the conference for the employees. I paid for an upgrade to the Tower Room. I thought you would like it." I snaked my arms around her. The best way to explain the room was elegant. There were crystal chandeliers, gold fixtures and the main piece that made this room special was the brick laid turret that was above the circular bed. The space was intimate and luxurious.