CHAPTER 21

With a decisive moment, Ava reached for him, pulling him closer. Her fingers brushed against his skin, sending shivers down her spine. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she tilted her head, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was both urgent and tender.

The moment their lips met, it was as if the world fell away. The kiss was a fiery dance of passion and need. Xavier's response was immediate and intense; his hands roamed to her waist, pulling her closer as their bodies pressed together. The heat of his touch was searing, sending waves of pleasure through her.

Ava's fingers tangled in his dark hair, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened. Their lips moved together with a fervent rhythm, exploring each other with a hunger that had been building for too long. Every touch was electric, every caress a promise of more. The gym, with its cold, impersonal equipment, faded into the background as their kiss became a private, heated exchange.

Xavier's hands slid down her back, his touch both firm and gentle. He pressed her against him, his body a solid presence that anchored her as their kiss grew more passionate. Ava's breaths came in ragged gasps, her body responding to the intense connection between them.

When they finally pulled apart, their faces were flushed, their breaths mingling in the space between them. The intensity of their kiss had left them both breathless, their emotions laid bare.

Ava looked up at Xavier, her eyes filled with a mix of satisfaction and longing. The kiss had been more than just a physical connection; it was a declaration of their feelings, a promise of what was to come. The raw desire and need they had shared were now an undeniable part of their relationship, binding them together in a way that words alone could never express.

The kiss between Xavier and Ava was a fierce, unrestrained collision of passion and need. As their lips melded together, Xavier's hold around Ava's waist grew even tighter, pulling her closer to him. He tilted his head slightly, seeking a deeper connection, his lips moving with a possessive hunger against hers. Ava felt her knees weaken under his touch, her body surrendering to the overwhelming sensations that coursed through her.

Despite the fervor of their kiss, Xavier resisted the urge to mark her as his, knowing it was too soon, too intense. Instead, he let their lips part briefly, only to reconnect with even more urgency. His kiss was no longer gentle; he bit down on Ava's lips, his teeth grazing her skin as he sucked them roughly. Each sensation was electric, sending jolts of pleasure through her.

When he finally placed Ava back on the ground, she was breathless, her body trembling slightly from the intensity of their encounter. Her mind was a swirl of euphoric confusion, the kiss having surpassed any romantic scene she'd ever imagined or seen on screen.

"You agreed to be my girlfriend," Xavier said, his voice a low, satisfied murmur as he looked at her with a smug grin.

"I did," Ava confirmed, her voice still catching slightly as she tried to regain her composure.

Before either of them could say more, Ava's phone rang, breaking the spell of their intimate moment. She quickly put on her jacket, her mind racing as she prepared to leave.

"Ava, tomorrow night, I'll take you on a date. Be ready at 9 pm," Xavier said, his voice carrying a note of finality and anticipation.

"Sure, I'll see you then," Ava replied, her smile warm and genuine as she looked back at him, her heart fluttering with excitement.

The next day, Ava paced nervously in her living room, her mind replaying the events of the previous night. Her best friend Mia was sitting on the couch, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. For the past fifteen minutes, Mia had been silent, seemingly unable to process the news.

"Uh, Mia," Ava said, finally breaking the silence as she tapped her friend's thigh, a bit more forcefully than intended.

"Ouch!" Mia exclaimed, her voice breaking as she let out a dramatic sigh. "I still can't believe that you and Xave are dating."

Mia's reaction was almost comical as she began to cry exaggeratedly, her tears spilling over. "Oh, my dear baby, you finally grew into a woman. I'm so happy my soul is resting in peace!"

"Shut up," Ava said, her annoyance palpable. She rolled her eyes at Mia's theatrics, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"By the way, stay here. I'll be back in a minute," Ava said, turning toward her bedroom.

When she emerged, she was dressed in an oversized winter outfit that swamped her petite frame

Mia's frustration was palpable as she glanced at Ava, who was still in her oversized winter outfit, looking both adorable and clueless.

"Are you going somewhere?" Mia asked, her tone dripping with disbelief.

"Yes, Xavier asked me out on a date tonight," Ava said with a beaming smile, clearly excited.

Mia's eyes widened in exasperation. "And you're going out dressed like that? I should have known you'd be the dumbest girl in the world."

Ava pouted, her lower lip jutting out. "But isn't this outfit girly? I thought it was cute and spent nearly 200 dollars on it."

Mia slapped her forehead in frustration. "I feel like killing you. You wear those kinds of outfits to a hospital, not on a date."

Ava's face fell slightly, but she tried to stand her ground. "What's the big deal? It's just a date."

Mia's eyes flickered to the clock, which showed 6:50 pm. "At what time is he coming to pick you up?"

"9 pm," Ava said, glancing at her watch. "Why?"

Mia's eyes widened in horror. "WHAT?! You're not even ready yet!"

Ava shrugged. "I should just change my clothes. What's the big deal about getting ready?"

Mia, clearly exasperated, shook her head. "Shut up and get into the room. We have a lot of work to do."

With a determined look, Mia grabbed Ava's arm and guided her towards the bedroom. "You can't show up looking like you've just come from a fashion disaster," Mia muttered as she rummaged through Ava's wardrobe.

Ava's room quickly turned into a whirlwind of fabrics and accessories as Mia sifted through various options. After what seemed like an eternity of trial and error, Mia finally settled on a stunning dress for Ava. It was a sleek, midnight blue number that hugged her curves in all the right places, with a neckline that was both elegant and subtly seductive.

Mia held up the dress with a triumphant smile. "This is it. Put it on."

Ava took the dress and slipped into it, feeling the soft fabric glide over her skin. When she stepped out of the bedroom, Mia's eyes lit up with approval.

"Oh wow, Ava," Mia said, her voice filled with admiration. "You look amazing. This dress was definitely worth the investment."

Ava twirled in front of the mirror, the dress flowing around her. She adjusted her hair and applied a bit of makeup, feeling a surge of confidence as she took in her reflection.

"I feel like a completely different person," Ava said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.