In My Arms by Taryn Plendl

Nick, save your breath for your blow up doll.”  She winked back at him and we all laughed.
    “You do look nice.”  Tom spoke softly, but I could still hear him.  Talia smiled at him sweetly.  I was beginning to wonder if there wasn’t something there, but neither of them ever hinted at anything.  I would have to ask Ava later.
    I put my hand on Ava’s leg and drew small circles with my fingers.  She put her hand over mine and smiled at me.  She was so amazing.  It was hard for me to be around her and not touch her.  I pulled our hands up to my lips and kissed her on the knuckles. “Want to dance baby?”
    “I’d love to.” 
    We slid out of the booth and headed to the dance floor where an upbeat song was playing I grabbed her hips and pulled her close to me as we started to move with the music.  I swear the girl was made for me and me alone.  We fit together perfectly.
    “I miss you.”  I nuzzled her ear.
    “We see each other every day Trevor.”  She giggled.
    “It’s not the same Ava.  I can’t touch you and kiss you whenever I want at work.  It’s killing me.”  She was rubbing her hands through my hair.  I closed my eyes and groaned. “Oh Ava.”  I sighed.  Leaning down, I claimed her mouth with mine, pressing soft kisses on her mouth and trailing them down her jaw and onto her neck.
    “It would be rude to duck out this early Mr. Dawson, and you’re starting something that I can’t help but want to finish.”  She moaned, leaning her head back in the process, opening up her neck. 
    “Let’s go get a drink.  If I keep dancing with you I may toss you over my shoulder and take you back to my cave.”  I chuckled at the thought.  I lost all self control with her.
    We headed back to our friends who were deep in conversation at the table.  When we approached, they all seemed to stop talking.  Ava and I looked at each other. “What are you all talking about over here?”  Ava asked.
    “Nothing really.  We are all just living vicariously through you two lovebirds.”  Talia smiled at us.
    Right after we sat down a tall guy came and asked Talia to dance.  She shrugged and accepted the invitation.  As she walked away I noticed Tom had his fists clenched, looking down at the table.
    “You okay?”  I whispered.
    “Fine.”  He sounded short and I knew without a doubt that there was something more to this.  It was so unlike Tom to react this way.  He obviously liked Talia. It was also obvious that he wasn’t going to talk about it now, so I let it drop.
    Nick disappeared with another random woman and asked Tom if he could catch ride with one of us. Talia offered and mentioned she was hungry so they decided to go get some food. Ava looked tired and I wanted nothing more than to take her home and tuck her in my bed with me.  Our nights out were becoming pretty tame, but I was okay with it.
    I ran a bath for Ava and I and we sat there for a long while.  I washed her as she laid against me, softly kissing her neck and shoulders. She was drifting off, so I lifted her out and wrapped her in a towel, drying her and then carrying her to the bed. We didn’t bother with clothes, just climbed between the sheets.  I pulled her into me, wrapping my arms around her.  “Goodnight my sweet Ava.”  I whispered in her ear. 
    I lay there listening to her breathe until it was slow and even and I knew she had fallen asleep. “I love you.” I whispered before I let myself fall asleep too.  I was such a chicken shit!
    ***
    Ava left by mid morning to run some errands with Talia.  I decided to head to the gym.  I needed a good workout to clear my mind and figure out where I wanted to take my relationship with Ava.  I loved her.  I had never said those words to anyone before her, and it scared me.
    I ran on the treadmill for awhile and then decided to spar a bit on the mat with some other martial arts instructors.  It was just what I needed to get myself focused.  I showered and