CHAPTER 29

Mia, Xavier, and Noah arrived at the Jones residence, a charming cream-colored duplex with a quaint brown fence and a small garden.

"Brace yourself for an interrogation, Xavier. Ava's dad isn't your average American father; he's fiercely protective of her," Mia said, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.

"Is that the scent of blueberries I'm picking up?" Mia asked, sniffing the air as they approached the door.

"Oh, my God!" Mia exclaimed, flinging the door open and racing toward the kitchen. "Marc, I love you so much! You made blueberry pancakes!" she cried, throwing her arms around him.

"Young lady, go change your shoes, then we'll talk," Marc said, gently nudging her away with a smile.

Mia pouted, quickly changed her shoes, and hurried back.

"Mia never really received her father's love. Her parents divorced when she was four, so she's always seen my dad as hers," Ava's words echoed in Noah's mind as he watched Mia and Marc bond. He smiled, appreciating their connection.

Ava rushed downstairs, drawn by Mia's familiar voice.

"My tigress, come here," Marc said, opening his arms wide.

"I missed you," Mia said, enveloping Marc in a warm embrace.

"And no embrace is complete without the lioness," Ava added, joining the hug with a playful smile.

"I missed both of you dearly," Marc said tenderly, placing a kiss on the crowns of their heads.

Xavier and Noah exchanged smiles, though they felt slightly awkward standing to the side.

"Marc, this is my boyfriend, Noah. Isn't he handsome?" Mia said, intertwining her fingers with Noah's.

"He certainly is. And you must be Xavier, Ava's boyfriend," Marc remarked, appraising Xavier with a discerning eye before giving a nod of acknowledgment.

"Set your bags down and come have some refreshments," he said, gesturing toward the kitchen.

"Hi," Ava greeted Xavier with a radiant smile before enveloping him in a hug.

"Hi," he responded, returning her embrace.

"God, I've missed you so much," Xavier murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her earlobe.

"You can't be affectionate in front of my dad. He'll throw you out," Ava teased, gently pulling away with a mischievous grin.

They all settled at the table, indulging in the snacks laid out before them.

"So, have you both been intimate with your girlfriends?" Marc asked, his tone casual but the question loaded.

Everyone halted, their gazes fixed on Marc in stunned disbelief. It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room; had this been a film, someone would have undoubtedly choked, Mia mused, hiding a smirk.

"We have," Noah admitted, breaking the silence, his tone casual as he resumed eating, attempting to appear unfazed.

"We haven't," Xavier added, his voice measured as he followed Noah's lead, returning to his meal.

"Very well," Marc continued, his tone firm. "Just so you're aware, I'm fine with you breaking up, but it must be mutual. No drama."

Then, after a pause, he added, "And Noah, Xavier, you'll be sharing the guest room. Mia, you'll stay in Ava's room."

"Understood," they all replied in unison, the tension in the room palpable.

Mia leaned closer to Ava and whispered, "Operation room swap at 11. Be back by 6 in the morning."

Ava smirked, discreetly fist-bumping Mia under the table, their silent pact sealed.

As the group chatted with Bethany, Marc's mind wandered, scrutinizing Xavier and Noah, trying to place where he might have encountered them before. Later, in the privacy of his bedroom, he made a phone call.

"Hello, Pier. Have you gathered any intel on the Black Knights?"

"Not yet, but I'm getting close. I'll update you soon."

"Can you do me a favor? I need you to investigate two individuals," Marc said, his gaze drifting to the window.

"Of course. Who are they?" Pier inquired.

"Xavier Knight and Noah Smith."

"Hmm, those names ring a bell. I'll get back to you shortly," Pier responded, intrigue lacing his voice.

As nightfall descended, everyone retreated to their respective rooms, engrossed in their own activities. While applying their skincare products, Mia and Ava engaged in light-hearted conversation. Abruptly, Mia steered the discussion in a new direction.

"Xavier has been quite preoccupied lately; I suspect it's due to the responsibilities at his company," she mused.

"Yeah, with his graduation approaching, his uncle plans to appoint him as CEO of Knight Industries. That explains why he's so occupied with everything else," Ava responded as she stepped into the bathroom to change into her nightwear.

"Seems like you and Xavier might have an eventful night ahead," Mia teased with a smirk.

"In my parents' house? Absolutely not. I would die of embarrassment! But I suppose you and Noah wouldn't let that stop you, right?" Ava quipped back, grinning.

Mia chuckled at Ava's remark. "True, but Marc scared Noah half to death, so I seriously doubt anything will happen between us tonight."

A sudden thought crossed Mia's mind—she recalled the conversation she'd had with Noah a few days ago about his involvement in the Mafia. She had wanted to confide in Ava, but Noah had assured her that Xavier planned to tell Ava himself in a few days. The revelation had initially shocked her, leaving her speechless around Noah and Xavier for two days. However, after an emotional discussion, Mia realized she loved Noah deeply, though the thought of him taking lives, even of the guilty, made her uneasy. Noah had done his best to make her feel comfortable after disclosing the truth.

Suddenly, she felt a light flick on her forehead, jolting her back to the present. "Hey, where did you drift off to?" Ava asked, snapping her fingers in front of Mia's face.

"Nothing, just lost in thought," Mia replied, brushing off her concerns.

As the clock struck 11, Mia announced, "I'm heading out. See you later," before slipping out of the room.

Ava moved to her dressing table and began applying lotion to her body. As she worked the lotion into her left leg, she suddenly felt a hand gently glide over her skin. Startled, she looked up to see Xavier kneeling before her.

"May I?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

"Sure," Ava responded nervously.

Xavier took the lotion from her and began massaging it into her legs with slow, sensual movements. Ava's breath grew shallow, and she felt her toes curl involuntarily as a wave of warmth washed over her.

"Where should I apply it next?" he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.

She snapped out of her daze and replied, "Uhhh, hands and neck."

Xavier smirked, clearly enjoying her disoriented state. He continued applying the lotion to her hands and neck, his movements deliberate and lingering. When his fingers reached her neck, he tightened his grip on her nape, angling her head just so before pressing his lips to hers. He began to gently suck on her lower lip, eliciting a soft gasp from her.

"Xavier, stop," she whispered against his insistent kiss. "Someone might hear us."

"Is that really your concern, love?" he murmured, his voice teasing and low.

Without waiting for a response, he effortlessly lifted her over his shoulder and carried her into the bathroom. Once inside, he set her down and gazed at her with a hunger that made her pulse quicken. He leaned in again, this time kissing her with a fiery intensity, nibbling on her lips until she couldn't suppress a moan.

Her body, now aflame with desire, responded instinctively. As he pressed her against the cool tiles, his hands tangled in her hair, their mouths collided in a kiss that was anything but gentle. In the heat of the moment, he accidentally turned on the shower, the cold water cascading down on them only heightening the tension.

"Lift your hips, love," he whispered urgently in her ear, his hands sliding to grip her hips firmly.

Obediently, she wrapped her legs and arms around him, pulling him closer as their kiss deepened once more, each lost in the moment's fervor.

"Fuck, I missed you so much," he breathed, continuing to kiss her with fervor, his tongue delving deep into her mouth. Ava's smile reflected the intensity of her emotions as she responded to his passionate embrace.

The cold water from the shower only intensified their mutual desire. Ava's hands eagerly grasped Xavier's shirt, pulling it off his body. Her eyes burned with longing as she observed the water cascading over his tanned skin, and her hands traced the contours of his physique.

Xavier's lips traveled to her neck, where he began to leave a series of hickeys, his bites creating purple bruises that marked her skin. Ava moaned in pleasure as he focused on a particularly sensitive area, her body arching in response as she tilted her neck to grant him greater access.

His hands slowly slid under her top, pushing it aside to reveal her black lace bra. He pressed her against the wall, his body aligning with hers. He bent down and began to suck on the curve of her breast, causing her to instinctively grind against him.

"Fuck," he groaned, his hand slipping into her panties to caress her buttock, squeezing it with urgent need. Ava panted heavily, her body aflame with desire, while Xavier's gaze reflected his own overwhelming craving. Despite the intense moment, he knew he had to exercise restraint.