Everything That Glitters Ain't Gold - Danielle Martin (the snowy day read aloud .txt) 📗

it off her body. Ava wore an olive green Marc Jacobs gown that reached all the way down to her ankles spilling over her feet. The dress covered just one of her shoulders, leaving the other uncovered which helped accentuate her gorgeous caramel brown skin. To top it all off, she wore a simple but stylish choker necklace and a diamond embroidered bracelet. Desean shook his head while observing her. “You look so beautiful… I’m having trouble controlling myself.” He extended his hand towards her. Ava blushed at his compliment, reaching forward accepting his hand.

“Thank you.” She answered politely. Desean drew her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her palm.

“Thank you for coming…” he spoke sensually. Ava blushed again. She knew he was attempting to woo her. So far it was working.

He led her to her side of the table and untucked the chair, allowing her to have a seat. “Thank you…” she thanked him having a seat. Ava settled herself in the chair, taking another look around as Desean walked to the opposite side of the table to join her. She was still awestruck. The place was absolutely gorgeous and he had really outdone himself setting things up. The overall concept was thoughtful, beautiful and probably cost a fortune. But at the same time, Ava couldn’t help but wonder. She wished things were different. She wished Desean were doing this out of the kindness of his heart. Not because he messed up…. She watched him from across the table. They had not taken their eyes off each other since walking in the room. He cleared his throat while sitting down. “What did you think?” he asked. “About the McCarthy thing???” he raised an eyebrow, asking for approval in changing her last name on the reservation.

Ava nervously fidgeted with her fingernails under the table. ‘Umm…” she stammered. “Kind of confusing…” she answered honestly.

Desean laughed. He shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry. I guess I got too ahead of myself. Maybe someday…” he hinted at the future of their relationship in a subliminal way. Ava didn’t want to give false hopes. Indeed, they had discussed marriage before, but things were different now. So she remained silent.

“Would you like champagne?” he asked.

Quietly, Ava nodded her head. She watched as Desean reached into the ice bucket, retrieved a bottle of champagne and removed the cork screw. He poured her a glass of red wine to the rim and extended it in her direction. “Here you go babe.” He handed her the glass.

“Thank you…” Ava took the glass out of his hands and brought the rim to her lips. Slowly, she took a sip while giving him a side eye. She watched as he placed the bottle back down on the table and into the ice bucket. She breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God, he did not make himself a glass. She noticed the cup of iced water that sat in front of him. So far so good. Maybe he’s serious about kicking this alcohol habit for good…

She placed the glass back on the table and cleared her throat. “So…”

Quickly, Desean held up his hand interrupting her. “Please… let me do the talking…”

Ava closed her partially opened mouth after being interrupted mid-sentence. She sat back in her chair, quickly deciding he was right. He should be the one doing the talking.  She crossed her arms over her chest waiting for him to speak. The table grew silent again. He continued to stare at her, gazing into her eyes deeply as if it were his first time seeing her in a long time. Suddenly, Desean reached into his right pocket. Ava wasted no time following his hands with her eyes. He retrieved a small black box and placed it in the center of the table.

Her heavy heart was now beating out of control, peering at the box with a death stare. Desean smiled, picking up on her anxiety. “Go ahead…” he spoke. “It’s for you. Open it.”

She hesitated, not wanting to jump onto it too quickly or give him the benefit of the doubt. But another part of her was desperate to see what was inside. She looked back at Desean who was smiling at her patiently waiting for her to open the box. Desean knew her well. Jewelry was her weakness and it didn’t take long for Ava to fold. She reached forward and grabbed the tiny box. Desean watched her with a grin on his face as she snatched off the ribbon and opened it wide.

“Oh my god!” she shrieked louder than she intended to once the box was open. Ava placed her hand on her chest in astoundment. The gleam of the diamond practically blinded her upon opening the box. Inside lie a stunning French-set Halo diamond band ring in 14kt white gold. “Oh my god!” she shouted again, examining the ring with her hand still over her chest. She was astonished. Completely staggered. “Desean…” she anxiously sputtered out his name. “It’s a ring! What does this mean???” she quickly asked. Opening the box, a rock that big was the last thing she had expected.

Desean laughed, taking notice to her shock. He held his hands up. “Calm down, calm down. It’s a promise ring.”

Ava continued staring at him with her mouth hanging open.  “That’s one hell of a promise ring!” she spoke in disbelief while pointing at the rather large diamond ring.

Desean laughed again. He leaned over the table and reached for her hand. “Babe… I’m giving you this promise ring because I want you to know how committed I am to making a change. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you… I never want to do anything that would risk losing you ever again…” He laced his fingers in-between hers, staring her deep into the eyes. “I’m done drinking. I’m done messing up. Ava Hazel Sweeney, do you accept my commitment? Do you accept my promise to do right by you by all means necessary?” he stared deep into her eyes. “Baby, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met... Although my progress has been slow over the years, I swear I have grown so much being with you. I promise you… from here on out, I am going to treat you like the queen you are…. You are my queen… and I love you with all my heart….”

Her bottom lip quivered. Tears began to form in the corner of her eyes as she attempted to fight the urge. But it was something she could not help. Emotionally, Ava was about to break. Her emotional connection to this man was deeper than she ever expected. Her love for him stood higher than the Eiffel tower. She was head over heels in love with Desean and had been since day once. She couldn’t give up. Not without putting up a fight for what her heart truly desired. He had so much passion in his eyes.  Little did he know, that passion was all she had ever wanted. She just wanted to feel cherished. Ava sniffled, brushing her tears away before they fell down her cheeks. She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Is it real Desean? Do you mean it this time? I want to believe you so bad….” She dropped her head, wishing she could get over her hesitance. But it was a lot easier said than done. No matter how convincing he was, somewhere in the back of her mind she couldn’t help but think the worst.

He smiled, reached and picked her head up using his index finger. He gave her a solid look before speaking. “More serious than I have ever been… This may be my last chance, Ava… and this time, I’m going to do it right…”

For the first time tonight, Ava smiled warmly, her lips curving from ear to ear. He seemed so believable and sincere. For the first time in a while, Ava heard excitement and enthusiasm in his promises. Now, she had hope. She had faith in the person whom she was madly in love with. Silently, she began thinking about everything Susan had said earlier that day. When you plant lettuce and if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer. More WATER… She smiled even wider after reciting t hose words inside her head. Ava reached and held his hand. She squeezed it tight before finally giving him an answer “Yes baby…” she answered confidently. Finally, Ava had made up her mind. This time she was for sure. There was no turning back. Only moving forward. “I accept your commitment Desean…” she gave him a straight answer. “I can’t leave you… I love you too much”

Immediately, his face lit up with joy. He placed a hand on his heart as if he were extremely relieved. “I was hoping you would say that.” Slowly, he reached across the table and picked up the box, taking the ring out. “May I?” he asked, motioning for her hand. Ava smiled, nodded her head and extended her arm across the table. Grabbing her right hand, Desean slipped the ring around her ring finger.

“Damn…” she commented after noticing how big the rock looked on her hand.  She was amazed. Although materialistic things did not impress her, it was the effort that completely swept her off her feet. Quickly, she caught a tear that fell down her cheek. “Dammit…” Ava cussed under her breath, hoping Desean did not notice her tears. She had tried so hard not to become emotional, but she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t felt this warm inside in a while. Immediately, he sat up in his chair. He did notice.

“Don’t cry babe…” he reached over the table and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “I want you to be happy…”

Quickly, Ava gathered herself together. She wiped her tears and smiled while looking up. “I am happy, Desean.” She sniffled then smiled even wider. “I am happy with you. Happier than I have ever been…”

He smiled back at her then winked. He was satisfied with the outcome. “Good.” Quickly Desean raised his hand and motioned towards the waiter who stood in the corner on standby, waiting to assist.

“Yes sir…” Their waiter Donatello quickly hurried to where they sat.

“Yes… We are ready to order an appetizer and an entrée.” His eyes shifted from the waiter, then back to Ava. “After that, bring the check, please. I think we will have dessert at home….”

Ava blushed, knowing exactly what that meant. Donatello’s lips curved into a sly smile. He knew what that meant also. “Right away sir…” quickly the waiter shuffled away to obtain two menus so they could order their food.

 

 

 

Chapter 6.

Chapter 6.

 

“Ahhhhhh!” Ava cradled the back of Desean’s head, pressing his face even harder into her pussy as his tongue danced around her insides. “Oh my God, baby!!!!” she cried out to him, feeling his mouth hit the spot while he French kissed her pussy lips.  The best head ever. Ava rotated her hips, face fucking him as he lay on top of her. He slid his tongue slowly and sensually, making love to her with the