This is L.o.v.e. like it should be

LVI. Encounter

"Bye Phoebe!", Ava waved at her friend.

The sun hadn’t set in the horizon and Ava didn’t feel like going home just yet. So, despite an annoying headache, she decided to go look at a couple of stores. Maybe a new dress would complement her new look, and make her feel better.

It had been ages since she felt the urge to go shopping for no reason. As she walked, it dawned on her, she had been changing her look, her attitude, all to distance herself from the past. It was a coping mechanism, a way to move on and regain her self-respect and find herself again.

Ava found an elegant store; it suited the business style she was looking for. She went inside to have a look around the store. As she browsed the shelves, a red dress caught her eye. She walked towards it and took it from the display to have a better look.

The dress was amazing. She held it up and faced the mirror, it seemed like it would fit her like a glove.

"It's perfect...", she whispered.

Indeed, the dress was perfect, but seeing herself in the mirror holding that dress, for a moment, she could barely recognize herself. The black dress she was wearing and the red was she was about to buy were completely out of character. But then a smile formed, this new look remembered her of the dress the mysterious guy gave her and the kiss they shared.

Unconsciously, her hand moved and was touching her lips.

"I don't even know his name.", she thought, while wondering what would he think about her new look.

She looked out the window at the busy streets, remembering the view from his apartment. "What would he think?", she whispered to herself.

It was a crazy idea. After all that time, and the way she ran from him after seeing his naked body, he probably wouldn't even open the door. She felt embarrassed, but still, he had given her that stunning V-neck dress...

"It's worth a try..."

She made up her mind. Not even trying it on, Ava bought the red dress and ran out to catch the first taxi she found.

"I need to get to a street in the west side of the city, Flair Street."

"Flair, lady? And the number?"

"Yes! I don't know the number, just that it’s a building in the middle of the street. I'll tell you once we see it.", she said confident with a self-assured smile in her face. She didn’t even stop to think, whatever she intended to do was giving her a feeling of adventure, a sense of the courage and boldness she forgot she had in her.

"Here! Stop, here!", she said moments after.

The taxi came to a halt and the driver asked: "Should I wait, ma'am?"

"Yes, please. I’ll just pay now in advance; I shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes."

Ava paid for the taxi and ran into the building, like a kid heading to a candy store.

She still remembered the floor and door number, the short time she had spent there was unforgettable. In a good way.

Ava smiled once again, now standing at the door and raising her hand to knock.

"I don't even know his name", she thought to herself. The strange arousal she felt as a result of that thought was all the motivation she needed to knock.

Just a couple of seconds later, he opened the door.

Ava looked down and bit her lips to hid her smile.
"Good evening!", he said bemused.

When she heard his voice, she raised her head and flashed him a smile.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?", he asked, happy to see her, especially in such a good mood.

"I need to do something that you maybe won't approve.", she said jokingly.

"Oh! Will it be dangerous?", he asked, playing along.

"Very..."

Ava pulled him by the white shirt he was wearing, and planted a kiss on his lips. A soft and yet fierce kiss, that left him shaken.

"Oh, I definitely approve. But, is that all?", he asked, his desire for her was apparent.

"You can have another kiss.", Ava said, blushing while she ran her hands down his firm chest and felt his heartbeat rise. Her sweet and innocent smile was now filled with lust as she stared deep in his eyes.

His hands grabbed her waist and pulled her close, "Will you run again, runway girl?"

"Yes.", she made it clear. "But I'll allow you to find me."

"What do you mean?", he demanded.

Ava took his hand and placed one of his fingers between her lips. She sucked it gently and, with a look of pleasure, she replied in a sexier tone, challenging him: "You found a way to get my address to deliver the dress. I'm sure you can find my number."

"You like to play, don't you, miss?"

"Will you play with me?"

The way she said it and the challenge in her words made him lose control. He pressed her body against his and kissed her again, it was a long and passionate kiss. One that Ava couldn't resist. When he stopped to look into her eyes, she smiled and placed her hand on the side of his face.

"You are so good-looking, mister. It's a shame I have to run."

He was about to kiss her one last time, but she moved her head at the last second and whispered in his ear. "Find my number."

Ava freed herself from the embrace and walked away, while he stood near his door, staring at her back.

"I loved your new look!", he said, watching her get in the elevator.

"I knew you would.", she thought. She turned and gave him a mischievous smile, just as the elevator doors closed.