Work Text:
Jameson and Avery
Jameson POV
I'm on a mission to find the girl I discovered in the garden, trying to grasp how a man she never knew could leave her with so much. When I asked her that riddle, I never expected to develop feelings like these. Sure, she's gorgeous, but beautiful things don't usually distract me. Her incredible mind was my undoing. It's been three months since she flipped that coin on the roof and we shared a kiss that truly meant something. Since that day, we still haven't defined what we are—more than just something, but it’s starting to wear on me. Still, I can’t bring myself to make the first move to change that.
What if she wants Gray and finally realizes he’s the safer option? I tell myself this lingering thought, this fear in all its versions, isn’t what’s holding me back, but deep down, I know. I also know I can’t give her up, so for now, we’re something, and that has to be enough. I finally find her in one of the many libraries inside Hawthorne House. Her nose is buried in a book, and I can see the gears turning in her head. I watch her longer than I should, simply because I love seeing her when she’s concentrating. That’s the side of Avery I’m most comfortable with.
“Mind if I steal your attention, Heiress?” I smirk, knowing it drives her a little crazy to see it. Avery meets my gaze from the library door and smiles; heat fills my body knowing that smile is there because I’m present. God, this girl is going to ruin me. I stride over and join her on the soft love seat she’s curled up in. I stretch my legs onto the coffee table in front of us.
“What do I owe the pleasure of your interruption?” she asks, raising an eyebrow with that cute, inquisitive look. I decide to be a little extra bold today. I wrap my arm around her legs and pull them across my lap, pressing her against my side. She gives a surprised yelp, but I capture it with my mouth, kissing her hungrily. She softens like butter against me, letting me have my way with her lips. It’s been a week since we last kissed, under mistletoe, when I lost myself in her scent, her feel, her taste. Since we haven’t defined things, sometimes we spend weeks acting like a real couple and other times—like this past week—more like friends crossing paths at school or dinner. I can’t keep up this limbo when she’s on my mind 24/7.
I run my hands down her side and feel her shiver. She suddenly pulls away to look into my eyes. I know my raw emotion is obvious, but I can’t help it. Avery Kylie Grambs is so different from anyone I’ve ever met.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi, Heiress,” I whisper back, gently kissing her exposed neck.
“What was that for?” she asks, still sprawled across my lap. She’s wearing tight leggings that hug her curves, a baggy crewneck sweatshirt, her hair pulled up in a high ponytail. This version of Avery—rare moments when she lets herself just be comfortable—is one of my favorites.
I want our something to be more than just something.
“I’m tired of this back and forth, not knowing if—” I let the sentence trail off. I can’t say the words if she wants me.
“What’re you asking for?”
“You. All of you,” I say, and stop because the next part feels so naïve after all she’s been through and considering who we both are. “I want us to be official.”
“Why?” Her question catches me off guard. I consider it—I don’t want any more stolen kisses or to keep competing for the love I desperately need. I want this to be different than with Emily. I want us to be a team, I want her to be only mine.
“Because, Heiress, I’m going to do things differently with you. My gap year is coming up and I can’t leave here without knowing what our something really is.”
“So you want to be my boyfriend?” Avery asks, surprised I care so much.
“I don’t give a shit about labels. I just want to know that we’re actually an us and that you’re okay with me loving you fully, treating our something as exclusively ours.” I wonder if my words make sense, but she’s not Emily—and I hope Avery understands.
“Yes, Jameson, I think we can say that we are officially in a relationship,” Avery laughs, like it’s an obvious clue I haven’t figured out yet. I chuckle too, pulling her into another kiss.
“Should I post you all over social media so people can ogle our relationship? Or better yet, call the paparazzi so we can be photographed together?”
“Are you making fun of my insecurities, Heiress?” I ask pointedly.
“I’m sorry,” she replies, a little sheepish. I give her a wicked smile. My hand slides down her side, slipping just under the hem of her sweatshirt as I reach the bottom. My fingers make contact with bare skin and I splay my hand across her rib cage.
“I can think of a few ways you could make it up to me.” Her grin matches mine, and the gleam in her eyes tells me this will be an afternoon I won’t forget when I’m traveling. This girl will either complete me or ruin me, and I can’t wait to find out which.