Chapter 20

Ouch!

I squint at the bombardment of light that’s hammering at my sensitive eyes and snap them shut again. Oh, that hurts. Shuffling onto my side, I immediately realise that I’m not in my own bed. My eyes fly open, and I sit up. Oh, ouch!

My hands grip my head to try and ease the pain. It doesn’t work. Short of shooting my brain out, nothing is going to alleviate the thumping. This is a non-curable hangover. I know it.

I gaze around the room, recognising my surroundings immediately. I’m in the master suite of Lusso. Okay, I’m at a total loss at how I come to be here. I’ve never been so drunk that my memory has failed me. I try retracing my night, instantly remembering Jesse roughing up poor Cockney. Then I remember dancing. I also remember arguing with Jesse in the toilets. And then I remember dancing again. Oh, and I remember Tom having a hissy fit, but then…nothing.

I would ask myself how I come to be here, but I really don’t need to ask that question if Jesse was in the bar. I grasp the bedding, lifting the sheets to look under the covers. Well, I have my bra and pants on, so I can’t imagine any Jesse style fucking went down. I smile to myself.

Oh Lord, I need a toothbrush and some water, pronto. I gingerly push myself up, untangling myself from the bedding as I go, reveling in the waft of Jesse’s scent as it hits my nostrils. Every slight movement crashes into my poor head. When I’m on my feet, stood in just my underwear, I stagger. I’m still drunk.

‘And how is my lady lush this morning? ’ His voice is smug. Why didn’t he stop me drinking? He saunters over to me, looking too fucking delicious in his tight, white boxer shorts and with his morning messy hair. I know I probably look awful, with my loose hair and crusty make-up.

‘Terrible. ’ I confess moodily. Was that me speaking? I’m throaty. I hear him chuckle to himself. If I could coordinate my movements, I would swing at him. I feel his arms wrap around me, and I’m thankful for the support. I bury my head in his chest and could, quite easily, drift back off to sleep.

‘Do you want some breakfast? ’ he asks, stroking my hair. Even his soft rubs against my skull are unbearably loud, and I nearly vomit at the thought of food. He must feel my dry heaves and body jerks because he laughs again. ‘Just some water then? ’

‘Please. ’ I mumble into his chest.

‘Come here. ’ He scoops me up and carries me downstairs to the kitchen, placing me on the worktop gently.

‘Oh! ’ Shit, that’s cold!

He laughs, easing his grip away slowly, like he’s afraid I might fall off. I might do, I feel God awful. I grab the edge of the worktop to steady myself and watch, through half open eyes, as Jesse opens almost every cupboard in the kitchen before he finds the one with the glasses in.

‘You don’t know where you keep your own glasses? ’

He rummages through a drawer, pulling out a white sachet. ‘I’m learning. My housekeeper tried to tell me, but I was a little distracted. ’ He rips the sachet open and tips it into a glass. The muscles of his back roll as he gets a bottle of water from the fridge, filling the glass quickly, before walking back over to me. ‘Alka-Seltzer. It’ll sort you out within half an hour. Drink, ’

I reach to take it from him, but my arms won’t liaise with my brain. Without a word, he moves between my thighs and lifts the glass to my lips for me. I guzzle the lot.

‘More? ’

I shake my head. ‘I’m never drinking again. ’ I mumble, falling forward onto his chest.

‘That would please me so much. You’re very argumentative when you’re drunk. ’ He strokes my back.

‘I am? ’ I don’t remember.

‘Yes, promise me you won’t get in that state when I’m not around to look after you. ’

‘Did we argue? ’ I ask. I remember the toilet dispute, but we were friends after that.

He sighs. ‘No, I submitted power temporarily. ’

‘That must have been a challenge. ’ I reply dryly.

He reaches up, snapping my bra strap. ‘It was, but you’re worth the effort. ’ He turns his face into me, kissing my hair before pulling back and focusing his stare on my semi-naked state. ‘I love you in lace. ’ he says softly, tracing the top of my knickers. ‘Shower? ’ I nod against his shoulder, wrapping my arms and legs around him as he slides me from the counter.

I’m carried back through the penthouse, upstairs into the bathroom and put on my feet outside the shower. I’m left briefly as he turns the shower on. I feel wobbly. As soon as he’s in front of me again, I flop forward onto his chest.

‘You are feeling sorry for yourself, aren’t you? ’ He picks me up and places me on the vanity unit. ‘I have fond memories of you sat exactly here. ’

I frown to myself, but then realise…our first sexual encounter happened in here on the launch night of Lusso. I look up into hazy, green eyes staring down at me. ‘You finally got me where you wanted me, didn’t you? ’

He cups his hand on my cheek. ‘It was always going to happen, Ava. ’ He grabs his toothbrush, squirts some toothpaste on and runs it under the tap. ‘Open. ’ he orders.

He sets about brushing my teeth gently, holding my jaw in his free hand. I watch him concentrate on his small, circling movements around my mouth as my dance floor revelation comes back to me – the moment that I finally admitted to myself that I have, most definitely, fallen in love with this man. I wasn’t so drunk when that little realisation crashed into my wine drenched brain. My aim to avoid exactly this has been well and truly trampled. I’ve fallen in love with this arrogant, forceful, God like creature.

Bollocks! I reach up to cup his stubbled cheek in my hand, and his eyes jump to mine, his lips parted ever so slightly. He stops brushing and turns his face into my palm, kissing it tenderly. Yep, I love him. Oh God, what am I going to do?

‘Spit. ’ he says quietly against my hand.

I drop my hand from his face and lean over the sink to rid my mouth of toothpaste before returning to face him. Running his thumb across my lip, he collects some stray paste and slides his thumb in his mouth to clean off what he’s swept up.

‘Thank you. ’ I utter through my cracked voice.

The corner of his mouth cocks into a half smile. ‘It’s just as much for my benefit as it is for yours. ’ He smiles, leaning in and kissing me soft and slow on the lips, his tongue sweeping through my mouth tenderly. I sag on a sigh. ‘You’re rubbish at hangovers. Is there anything I can do to make it better? ’ He pulls me off of the unit, so I’m stood before him, and reaches around to clinch my bum, effectively holding me up.

‘Have you got a gun? ’ I ask him seriously. That would cure my pounding head.

He laughs a proper belly laugh. ‘That bad, huh? ’

‘Yes, why is it so funny? ’

‘It’s not, I’m sorry. ’ He straightens his face and runs his middle finger down the side of my cheek. ‘I’m going to make it all better now. ’

Oh? Alcohol, quite clearly, has not killed off my libido because every dehydrated nerve ending has just sprung to life. I must look hideous, and he’s getting all fresh with me? We’re not on even ground here. He’s fierce and God damn delectable in his morning roguishness, smelling all musky, mixed with fresh water. I, on the other hand, have a hangover from Hell and must resemble something like a scarecrow, but he doesn’t seem to be bothered.

He reaches around my back, unclasps my bra and removes it before leaning down and giving each one of my nipples a quick peck. They harden instantly under the brief contact from his lips, my breasts becoming heavy burdens on my chest. My body has been completely distracted from the after affects of alcohol and is now buzzing all over in anticipation of his touch.

As his head raises and his lips find mine, my hands slide up his arms and delve into his soft, blonde mass of hair. Oh God I’ve missed this. It’s only been four days, but I’ve missed it so much, it frightens me.

‘You’re addictive, ’ he breathes against my mouth. ‘We’re going to make friends properly now. ’

‘Are we not friends? ’ I ask. My voice is breathy and desperate.

‘Not properly, but we will be soon, baby. ’

A wave of tremors fly through me as he kisses my nose gently and drops to his knees in front of me, spanning my hips with his big palms, hooking his thumbs into the top of my knickers.

I tense and wait, but he makes no attempt to remove them. I look down at him and watch him kneeling there, his forehead resting on my stomach, as I weave my fingers through his dark blonde hair. We remain like that for an eternity, trapped in our own little dream state, just me watching him as he rolls his forehead across my tummy, back and forth.

He eventually takes a deep breath and leans in, placing his lips below my bellybutton and letting them linger there for a few seconds before slowly dragging my knickers down my legs. He taps my ankle – a wordless instruction to lift – and repeats the same on my other foot.

I look down at him knelt before me, his head lowered, and I know something’s playing on his mind. I tug on his hair to snap him out of his daydream, and he turns his face up to me, his eyes meeting mine. His frown line is heavy on his forehead as he reaches up, spreads his palms on my backside and dips his head, kissing my stomach again. He’s behaving peculiarly.

‘What’s wrong? ’ I can’t keep my concern to myself any longer.

He looks up at me and smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. ‘Nothing. ’ he says unconvincingly. ‘Nothing’s wrong. ’

No sooner am I preparing to challenge him, his face is buried in the apex of my thighs and my legs have buckled.

‘Ohhhhh! ’ My head flies back and my grip on his hair tightens. In one foul lick, he has me lock stock, and the niggling urge to press him is forgotten.

He moves his grip to my hips, causing me to jerk wildly. He’s the only thing holding me up. I feel his hot, skillful tongue circle my hypersensitive nub of nerves, rounding with slow, precise movements before delving deep into my core. There is not a single bit of me he’s not exploring.

‘I need a shower, ’ I complain.

‘I need you, ’ he mumbles against me.

I’m sent into a melting mess as he increases the pressure, digging his fingers into my hips. I grind against his mouth, it’s only a matter of seconds before I’m falling to pieces, the surging pressure crashing down into my groin having me holding my breath, with my heart jumping into my throat.

‘You taste incredible. Tell me when you’re close. ’

‘I’m close! ’ I gasp on a long rush of breath. Holy shit, I’m close!

‘Someone’s keen this morning. ’ A hand is removed for my hip and two fingers plunge into me, sending me into orbit.

‘Oh, shit! ’ I shout. ‘Please! ’ I must be ripping his hair out.

‘Watch…your…fucking…mouth. ’ he scorns me, between powerful, even strokes. He can’t tell me off for swearing during these moments. It’s his fault for putting me through this.

He stretches my opening with his fingers, circling and thrusting, while working my clit with his thumb and lapping at my sensitive lips with his tongue. It’s a torturous pleasure that I could endure forever, if it wasn’t for the increasing pressure weighing down on me, demanding release.

‘Jesse! ’ I shout desperately.

With a few more measured strokes of his fingers, thumb and tongue, I’m hurled off the edge of a cliff and freefalling into nothing, the banging of my dehydrated brain replaced with sparks of pleasure. I’m cured.

He laps and sucks, slowly and gently, easing me down at a steady rate, my body relaxing and my heart rate leveling out. I keep my palms on his head, tracing slow, light circles in his hair.

‘You’re the best hangover cure. ’ I exhale, on a long satisfied breath.

‘You’re the best everything cure. ’ he counters. His tongue traces up the middle of my stomach, between my breasts as he rises to his feet. He continues the trail up my neck, tilting my head on a groan as he laps up my taut throat. ‘Hmmm, now, ’ He kisses my chin softly. ‘I’m going to fuck you in the shower, ’ He tugs my chin so my head comes back down. He kisses my lips. ‘Deal? ’

‘Deal, ’ I agree. What a stupid question. I’ve not had him for four days. Where was he? I elect not to ask. I doubt I would get a straight answer anyway. Instead, I take my time running my palms down his lovely chest, settling my eyes on his evil scar – something else I doubt he’ll divulge.

‘Don’t even ask. How’s your head? ’

I snap my eyes from his scar, back up to him. He’s looking at me with a warning look. Yeah, I won’t be challenging that tone, or that face. ‘Better. ’ I answer. I am. His face softens, and he looks down at his boxers.

I take the hint, slipping my hand into the waist band, brushing his hair with the back of my hand and skimming over his morning erection. I flick my eyes to his and find them regarding me carefully. When I move in closer, he takes the opportunity to lower his forehead onto mine, blessing me with his signature minty breath.

We’re surrounded by steam now, condensation settling all over us, and I can see his chest hair dampening, gripping to his skin as I slip my hands around the back of his boxers, smoothing my palms over his tight, extraordinary arse.

‘I love this. ’ I whisper, molding my palms over his cheeks.

He rolls his forehead against mine. ‘It’s all yours, baby. ’

I smile my approval and smooth my palms back to the front, grasping his thick, pulsing arousal at the base. ‘I really love this. ’

He groans in appreciation, swooping down to claim my lips, raiding my mouth possessively, forcing me to release my grip of his hard length and take my hand back to his arse. I’m yanked into his chest, getting a full impact blow of his hardness pushed into my groin. I’m already commencing build up. The urgent need to have him inside me has me breaking our kiss and tugging at his boxers to get them down his long, lean legs. He releases one hand from my bum to assist, his boxers soon rid of, his massive erection pointing straight at me. It’s twitching, it wants in. And the drop of moisture that’s beading on the tip tells me this is going to be a shock and awe moment. I’m right. I’m swiftly grabbed around the waist and pulled upwards against his heaving body.

‘Get your thighs around my waist. ’ he growls against my neck, as he sucks and bites at me. I comply without a thought, wrapping my legs around his waiting body when he lifts me, his arousal slipping over my swollen entrance, causing a desperate cry to escape my mouth.

‘Oh God, ’ I gasp.

He crashes his lips against mine, moaning as our tongues perform a ceremonial dance in our mouths. My hands smooth down his stubble as he holds me with one arm wrapped around my waist and walks us into the open ended shower. I’m immediately pinned against the tiles, his palm slapping into the wall above my head as he worships my mouth, hot water raining down all around us.

‘This is going to be hard, Ava. ’ he warns. ‘You can scream. ’

Oh, Lord, help me. I’m burning all over, and it has nothing to do with the hot water pouring all over us. I move my hands around to grip his back when I feel him rear back, ready to enter me, my thighs relaxing to give him room. Bringing his hand down from the wall, he guides himself to my entrance, looking straight into my eyes as the head of his erection probes at me. I shiver.

‘You and me. ’ he says as he lowers his lips to mine, kissing me ravenously. ‘Let’s not fight it anymore. ’ And on a sharp shift of his hips, he thrusts upwards, filling me to the absolute hilt, slamming his hand back into the wall beside my head on a roar.

‘God! ’ I scream.

‘No, baby, that’s me, ’ he strains between powerful thrusts, pushing me further up the tiled wall. ‘Feels good, doesn’t it? ’

I claw at him, trying to get some grip, but the pounding water at his back is making it impossible to hold him.

‘Ava? ’

‘Yes! ’ I throw my head back, panting and crazy with pleasure, as with each hard strike he pushes me further towards absolute ecstasy. I feel his lips close around my exposed throat, the water making them skim and slide over my flaming skin.

‘You feel so fucking perfect, ’ he groans against my throat, continuing with his strong, voracious tempo. ‘Remember yet? ’

Oh, this is a reminder fuck! He has no need to worry. There’s not a chance I could ever forget.

‘Ava, have you remembered yet? ’ he barks, making a point of slamming out each word.

‘I never forgot! ’ I cry, helpless to his punishing crashes against my body. I release his back, knowing he’ll hold me in place, and pull his face up to mine, my hands brushing away the pouring water that’s trailing down his face. His eyes lift to find mine. ‘I never forgot. ’ I cry through hard slams.

Feeling him move inside me, feeling him tremble with the intensity of our joined bodies moving together, has my emotions tackling me from every angle. He gasps, tilting his head to claim my lips. It’s a kiss of significance. I melt into it. This is not helping me with my attempts to rein in my emotions. He moans into my mouth as I hold onto his face, soaking up the passion radiating from every pore of his body. He pounds on, hard and fast.

As our mutual hunger assails us and I reach the point of no return, I lock my thighs around his narrow hips, every muscle in my body bracing for the snap and release that’s on the horizon. He shudders, mumbling incoherent words against my lips.

Oh, fucking hell!

He throws his head back. ‘Jesus fucking Christ! ’

‘Jesse, please! ’ I cry. This is bordering on unbearable. I don’t know what to do with myself. It’s too much. He brings his eyes back down to mine. They’re dark and hooded. I’m slightly concerned.

‘Harder, Ava? ’

What? Oh God, he’s going to rip me in half.

‘Answer the question. ’ he demands.

‘Yes! ’ I scream. Can this get any harder?

He growls deep in his throat, increasing his thrusts to an even more determined, purposeful pace – a pace that I would never have thought possible. I tighten my thighs to the point of pain, but that just increases the friction and, subsequently, my pleasure.

‘Jesse! ’ I’m thrown over the threshold, erupting around him on a scream.

The loud groan that bursts from his lips signals he’s with me as he holds himself deep inside me, his big body jerking against mine. He bellows my name, and I feel the warm sensation of his release within me. I drop my head to his shoulder, my heart beating a fast staccato in my chest.

Oh my God! I’m held in place with one arm, the forearm of his other resting against the wall, his face buried in my neck. He’s breathless, and my muscles are naturally bonding to his beating length as he rocks gently into me. The shower is pouring down on us, but I can still hear our ragged breaths over the pounding water.

‘Holy shit. ’ he whispers through his suppressed breathing.

I sigh. Yes, holy shit, indeed. That was beyond intense. My mind is like jelly, and I know I won’t be able to stand if he tries to put me down.

As if reading my mind, he turns us so his back is against the tiles and slides down the wall, taking me with him so I’m straddling his lap on the shower floor. My face is planted on his chest, and I can still feel him pulsing inside me.

I’m totally wrecked. My hangover has been chased away, but it’s been replaced with complete exhaustion. He had better be set to stay here for a while because I’m going nowhere. I close my eyes as I lay peacefully, stuck to his sharp body.

‘Lady, you’re mine forever. ’ he says softly as he strokes my wet back with both hands.

My eyes open and many thoughts invade my recuperating brain, but the loudest one is screaming…I want to be. I don’t say it, though. I’m mindful that we’re having amazing sex, and he wants to keep me for exactly that, which would be fine by me, if I wasn’t so sure that this eventually has to end. Sex on this scale is unfathomable to me. It couldn’t possibly last forever. It’ll wear out and that will be that. But now, after having my realisation, I’m petrified I’m going to be left restoring a broken heart. My damn willpower sucks, but I can’t resist him.

‘Are we friends? ’ I ask, resting my lips on his chest and kissing my way around his nipple.

‘We’re friends, baby. ’

I smile into his chest. ‘I’m glad. ’

‘Me too. ’ he says quietly. ‘So glad. ’

‘Where have you been? ’

‘It’s doesn’t matter, Ava. ’

‘It matters to me. ’ I argue quietly.

‘I’m back. That’s all that matters. ’ He clinches my bum and pulls me closer to him. Yes, it is. But it doesn’t make me any less curious. And the fact that he won’t tell me is just fueling my curiosity. Where has he been?

‘Tell me. ’ I push.

‘Ava, leave it. ’ His voice is stern.

I sigh and peel myself from his chest, lifting my heavy eyes to his. ‘Fine. I need to wash my hair. ’

He pushes my wet locks away from my face and drops a gentle kiss on my lips. ‘Are you hungry yet? ’

I am actually. Hangover sex has built me up an incredible appetite. ‘Very. ’ I climb off of him, reaching for the shampoo. ‘Is this it? ’ I look at the shampoo, then to Jesse. ‘No conditioner? ’

‘No, sorry. ’ He pushes himself up from the shower floor, taking the bottle from my hand and squeezing some into my hair. ‘I want to do it. ’

I relinquish hair washing duties, letting him laver up my hair, his big palms gently sweeping over my head. I’m going to have to wash it again when I get home. No conditioner spells trouble, but it smells of him, so I really don’t care. I close my eyes, let my head fall back and absorb the rhythmic movements of his hands.

All too soon, he’s positioning me under the shower to rinse away the suds. ‘What the fuck are they? ’ he splutters.

‘What? ’ I turn to find out what he’s talking about. I catch a glimpse of a shocked expression as he grabs me, turning me so my back is to him again.

‘Them! ’

I look over my shoulder, finding him gawking at my bum and the faded bruises from my little jaunt in the back of Margo. With the look of horror on his face, you would think I had a skin eating disease. I roll my eyes. ‘I fell over in the back of Margo. ’

‘What? ’ he snaps impatiently.

‘I was holding up the cake in the back of Margo, ’ I remind him. ‘I got chucked about a bit. ’

‘A bit? ’ he gasps, running his palm across my bum. ‘Ava, you look like you’ve been used as a rugby ball. ’

I laugh. ‘It doesn’t hurt. ’

‘No more cake propping, ’ he demands. ‘I mean it. ’

‘You’re overreacting. ’

He grumbles some inaudible words and kneels, planting his soft lips on each on my cheeks. I close my eyes and sigh.

‘I’ll be having a word with Kate too. ’ he adds, and I highly suspect he will.

Standing again, he turns me back around to face him, sweeping the water from my face. I open my eyes, finding him staring down at me, his face expressionless, but his eyes tell a different story. He’s mad because of a few bruises? The last time he got mad over a few bruises, I didn’t see him for four days.

He leans down and rests his lips on my collar bone before running his tongue up my neck and clamping his teeth on my earlobe, tugging gently. His hot breath in my ear has me shuddering. Bloody hell, I could go again!

‘Later, ’ he whispers, and I moan in disappointment. I can’t get enough of him. ‘Out. ’ he demands, turning me and clenching my waist from behind to guide me from the shower.

I stand quietly, letting him run the towel all over my body and through my hair to soak up the excess water. He’s being so attentive and caring. I like it. In fact, I like it way too much.

‘All done, ’ He wraps the towel around his waist without drying himself.

I really want to lean up and lick off the beads of water that are dripping over his shoulders, but my hand is grasped and I’m pulled back into the bedroom before I can follow through on my intent.

I look around the room. Where’s my dress? I can’t believe I’ve got to do the walk of shame in my short, black number. My eyes return to Jesse after I’ve scanned the room. I drawl, watching him pull on some jeans.

‘No boxers? ’ I ask.

He tucks himself in and gingerly zips himself up on a dark grin. ‘No, I don’t want any unnecessary obstructions. ’ His tone is suggestive and very confident.

I frown. ‘Obstructions? ’

He pulls a crisp white t-shirt over his wet hair and down his rippling abdominals. I know I’m gawping. ‘Yes, obstructions, ’ he confirms in a low husk. He strides over to my naked form and wraps his palm around the nape of my neck to pull my face close to his. ‘Get ready. ’ he whispers, pressing his lips hard on mine. He’s got to stop this if he’s not going to see me through.

‘Where’s my dress? ’ I ask against his lips.

He releases me. ‘I don’t know. ’ he says dismissively, casually striding out of the room.

What? He must have taken it off because I was in no fit state to coordinate a strip. I go into the bathroom to get my underwear, at least I know where that is…no, I don’t. My bra and knickers are gone.

Okay, he’s playing games. I go to his walk-in-wardrobe and find – what I expect to be – the most expensive shirt on the rail. I slip it on and make my way downstairs, finding him in the kitchen. He’s sat at the island, dipping his finger in a jar of peanut butter.

His smile dazzles me as he looks up, his lips wrapped around a peanut butter covered finger. ‘Come here. ’ he orders.

I stand in the archway, naked except for a white dress shirt, and frown at him. ‘No. ’ I decline, watching as his smile dulls into a straight line.

‘Come…here. ’ He punctuates the words slowly.

‘Tell me where my dress is. ’ I challenge.

He narrows his eyes at me and places his jar of peanut butter, calmly and precisely, on the work surface. Those cogs are working hard again and his finger is tapping ferociously on the worktop as he stares me down.

‘You have three seconds. ’ he declares, his voice dark, his face straight.

I raise my eyebrows. ‘Three seconds for what? ’

‘To get your arse over here. ’ It’s that fierce tone. ‘Three, ’

My eyes widen. Is he serious? ‘What happens if you make it to zero? ’

‘Do you want to find out? ’ He remains completely impassive. ‘Two, ’

What? Do I want to find out? Fucking hell, he’s not given me much time to run this over.

‘One, ’

Shit! I bolt towards his outstretched arms, colliding against his hard body. There was no mistaking the dark look of satisfaction I got a glimpse of before my head was buried in his neck. I don’t even know what happens on zero, but I do know how much I love his arms around me, so it’s a no brainer really. Oh, that feels good. As my face nuzzles between his pecs and I trace my fingers over his back, I can hear his heartbeats slow under my ear. He exhales and stands, placing me on the island, working his way between my thighs. He rests his palms on the tops of my legs.

‘I like your shirt. ’ He skates his palms over my thighs.

‘Is it expensive? ’ I ask on a pout.

‘Very, ’ He smirks. He knows my game. ‘What do you remember about last night? ’

Oh? Yes, I was ridiculously drunk, shockingly brazen on the dance floor, and I think I might have admitted to myself that I’m in love with him. He doesn’t need to know the last revelation. ‘You’re a good dancer. ’ I say instead.

‘What can I say? I’m a sucker for JT, ’ He shrugs it off swiftly. ‘What else do you remember? ’

‘Why? ’ I ask on a frown.

He sighs. ‘At what point do you draw a blank? ’

Where is he going with this? ‘I don’t remember getting home, if that’s what you’re getting at. I do realise I was stupidly drunk and highly irresponsible. ’

‘You don’t remember anything after the bar? ’

‘No. ’ I admit. That’s never happened to me before.

‘That’s a shame. ’ His sludgy eyes search mine for something, I’ve no clue what.

‘What’s a shame? ’

‘Nothing, ’ He leans down, kissing me tenderly on the lips, smoothing his palms over my face.

‘How old are you? ’ I ask as I look him straight in the eye.

He dips his lips to mine again, coaxing them open and slowly swirling his tongue around my mouth before biting my bottom lip and tugging gently. ‘Twenty six. ’ he whispers, planting soft, skimming kisses all over my mouth.

‘You missed twenty five. ’ I mumble, closing my eyes in complete contentment.

‘No, I didn’t. You just can’t remember asking me. ’

‘Oh. After the bar? ’

He rubs his nose against mine. ‘Yes, after the bar. ’ He pulls back and runs his thumb across my bottom lip. ‘You feeling better? ’

‘Yes, you need to feed me. ’

He laughs, planting a chaste kiss on my lips. ‘Are you making demands? ’

‘Yes, ’ I say haughtily. ‘Get me my clothes. ’

He narrows his eyes on me, making a play for my hip bone, squeezing it hard and sending me jolting across the worktop on a squeal. ‘Who has the power, Ava? ’

‘What are you talking about? ’ I laugh around his torturous squeezes.

‘I’m talking about how much easier we’ll get along if you accept who holds the power. ’

Oh, I can’t bear it anymore. ‘You do! ’

He releases me immediately. ‘Good girl. ’ He grabs my hair and yanks me forward, landing me with a hard, forceful kiss. ‘Don’t forget it. ’

I melt into him, absorbing his so called power on a long drawn out sigh. All too soon, he leaves me on the worktop and returns a few minutes later with my underwear, dress, shoes and bag. I scowl at him as I take them.

‘Don’t look at me like that, lady. You won’t be wearing that dress again, I can assure you. Put the shirt over it. ’ He gives the dress a disapproving look before leaving the kitchen to take a call.

I laugh to myself. Who holds the power? Me, that’s who! Control freak! I throw my clothes on and rummage through my bag to try and find my contraceptive pills, but they’re nowhere to be seen. I tip out the entire contents of my clutch onto the worktop and rifle through the crap that I harbour in my bag, only to find I didn’t put them in.

‘You ready? ’

I turn to see Jesse in the archway to the kitchen with his hand held out. ‘Two seconds. ’ I stuff my things back in my bag and walk over, taking his outstretched hand.

‘Lost something? ’ he asks, leading me out of the penthouse.

‘No, I must have left them at home. ’ He looks down at me with a questioning look. ‘My pills, ’

His eyebrows rise. ‘It’s a good job Cathy isn’t here. You would give her a heart attack in that dress. ’

‘Cathy? ’

‘My housekeeper, ’ He looks down at my dress disapprovingly and sets about fastening the buttons of his shirt. ‘Better. ’ he concludes on a small satisfied smile.

We exit the elevator and I’m pulled through the foyer of Lusso, Clive doing a double take as we pass.

‘Morning, Mr Ward. ’ he greets cheerfully. ‘You look better this morning, Ava. ’

Jesse nods at Clive but doesn’t slow his long strides. I blush profusely, smiling sweetly as I scuttle along, keeping up with Jesse. How embarrassing. I seriously doubt I look better than last night. My hair is damp, I’ve not a scrap of make-up on and I’m wearing last night’s clothes with Jesse’s shirt over the top.

I’m bundled into the Aston Martin and drove home at the usual hair raising speed, while Ian Brown soothes my ears.

Outside Kate’s, I let myself out of his car and meet him on the pavement. His eyes follow me until I’m stood before him and he’s looking down at me with those glorious, green eyes. I don’t want him to go. I want him to take me back to his tower in the sky and hide me there forever, in his bed – with him in it too. I’m a slave to this man. I’ve been completely and utterly taken.

I step forward, pushing my front into his chest, tilting my head up to him. He stands casually, with his hands resting lightly in his jean pockets, his twinkling eyes watching me as I reach up on my tiptoes and brush my lips over his. That’s all it takes for him to remove his hands from his pockets and heave me to his chest, plunging his tongue into my mouth, fiercely taking whatever he wants. It’s totally fine. He can have it. My arms find their way around his neck, and I absorb it all as he rolls and laps at my mouth, completely consuming me.

Trouble…so much bloody trouble.

Once he’s taken what he wants, he pulls away on a long exhale, leaving me breathless and wanting so much more. I turn on my unsteady legs, taking myself up the path to Kate’s front door. I should smile, I’m quite happy with myself and all the sex I’ve had, but the ache in my gut is a screaming indictor that I can’t ignore.

I turn to watch him drive off but find him close behind, looking down at me. My brow furrows. What’s he doing? If he’s come for another goodbye kiss, then I’m game.

‘What are you doing? ’ I ask.

‘I’m coming in to wait for you. ’

‘Where am I going? ’

‘You’re coming to work with me, ’ he replies, like I should know this.

He’s going to work? Of course, hotels don’t close on weekends, but what am I going to do while he’s working? Do I care as long as I’m with him?

‘You just kissed me goodbye. ’

A smile plays at the corners of his mouth. ‘No, Ava. I just kissed you. ’ He brushes a damp lock of hair from my face. ‘Get ready. ’

Oh, okay. He orders me about all over the place and I comply, mostly without a second thought. I really am a slave to him.

I walk into the lounge, with Jesse in tow, to find Kate and Sam sprawled across the sofa, a tangle of semi-naked arms and legs, eating cornflakes. Neither of them makes any urgent attempt to cover up.

‘Hey, my man, ’ Sam exclaims when he looks up and sees Jesse. Jesse’s eyes travel over Sam’s half nakedness, a look of disapproval clear on his face. ‘How are you feeling, Ava? ’ he asks.

I roll my eyes. Yes, I was steaming drunk, but as it happens, I feel fine now – Jesse has fucked me better. ‘Good. ’ I answer, glancing at Kate with a get-in-my-room-NOW look. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can. ’ I leave Jesse in the lounge and retreat to my room, pacing while waiting for Kate. Victoria’s disclosure comes back into my mind, and now I don’t know what to do.

She swans in, looking all roughed up. ‘Someone looks thoroughly fucked! ’ she laughs.

I narrow my eyes on her. There’s one more thing I need to clear up first. ‘Why did you tell Sam where I was? ’ I spit accusingly.

She recoils. ‘You’re mad at me? ’

‘Yes…no…a little bit. ’ Oh, I’m not mad in the slightest. I was a bit last night, but not now. She gives me a mischievous grin. ‘Don’t look at me like that Kate Matthews. What’s going on with you and Sam? ’

‘Adorable, isn’t he? ’ She winks. ‘It’s just a bit of fun. ’

Well, fun or not, she needs to know. ‘You should know that Victoria saw him being doused in a frappuccino by some irate woman in Starbucks. ’ I pull Jesse’s shirt and my dress over my head, flinging them both to the floor.

Kate rolls her eyes and scoops them up, placing them on my bed before flopping down on my duvet, her red hair fanning around her pale face. ‘I know. It’s the crazy bitch ex-girlfriend. ’

‘He told you? ’ I can’t keep the shock from my voice.

‘Yeah, it’s no big shakes. ’

‘Oh, ’ I can’t believe how laid back she is. Ever the calm and collective one, nothing fazes her.

She looks up at me. ‘You’re not the only one getting a good seeing to, ’ she says seriously. I gape at her. ‘It’s written all over your face, Ava. ’

‘I’m going to work with Jesse. ’ I grab my dryer to try and salvage the damp mess that is my hair.

‘Have fun. ’ I hear her chant as she sashays out of my room. I flip my head upside down and rough dry my mass of brunette hair, ignoring the fact that I’m rushing to get back to Jesse.

When I flick my head back up to the mirror, an image of Jesse, propped up against my headboard, smacks me in the face. His arms are casually braced behind his head. He practically fills my double bed. I flick my dryer off, turning to face green eyes burning holes into me. I want to crawl up that bed and into him.

‘Hey, baby. ’ He looks me up and down.

‘Hey, yourself, ’ I grin. ‘Comfortable? ’

He bounces himself lightly. ‘No, I’m only comfortable with one thing under me these days. ’ His eyebrows raise suggestively.

That look and those words have my knees quivering and coils of craving springing into every crevice of my body. I watch as he pushes himself up from my bed and walks slowly over to me, turning me to face my wardrobe. Reaching over one of my shoulders, he flicks through the rails of clothes, pulling out my cream shirt dress.

‘Put this on, ’ he breathes in my ear. ‘And make sure there’s lace underneath it. ’

I clench my eyes shut. I was thinking more along the lines of jeans and a t-shirt, but I’m more than happy to go with that. I reach forward, taking the hanger from him, moaning when his hand falls down and brushes over my breast, his hips rolling forward into my lower back.

Oh, good Lord, STOP!

‘Be quick. ’ He slaps my bum lightly and stalks out, leaving me a wobbly mess and holding onto my cream dress for support. I shake myself back to life, shiver on a little gasp and finish getting myself ready.

Pulling out every handbag I own, I proceed to search for my pills, but they’re nowhere to be found. I find Kate in the kitchen making tea, still in just a t-shirt.

‘Have you seen my pills? ’ I rummage through the junk drawer in the kitchen, housing everything from batteries and phone chargers to lipsticks and nail polish.

‘Aren’t they in your bag? ’

‘No, ’ I slam the drawer on a frown.

‘Have you checked all your bags? ’ Kate asks, walking out of the kitchen with two mugs of tea.

‘Yes, ’ I proceed to delve through every other drawer in the kitchen, even though I know they can’t possibly be in among the cutlery or utensils.

‘Problem? ’

I look up, finding Jesse filling the doorway. ‘I can’t find my pills. ’ I try, in complete vain, searching through my bag again, but they’re definitely not there.

‘Find them later, come on. ’ He puts his hand out. ‘I like your dress. ’ he says softly, running his gaze up and down me as I walk towards him. Of course he does; he picked it.

He reaches under the hem to run his forefinger up the inside of my thigh, watching me as my lips clamp together and my hands fly up to his chest. He smirks dirtily and sweeps his finger under my knickers seam, brushing my sex softly. I sigh.

‘Wet. ’ he whispers, circling me slowly. I could weep with pleasure. ‘Later. ’ He withdraws his finger and licks it clean.

I scowl at him. ‘You have to stop doing that. ’

‘Never, ’ He grins, yanking me out of the kitchen. ‘Say goodbye to your friend. ’

‘Bye! ’ I shout. ‘She’s your friend too, isn’t she? ’ I haven’t hit him with the little exchange he and Kate had in the bar last night. He looks at me, his frown line skipping across his forehead. ‘At the bar, whispering in her ear. ’ I add casually.

He opens the front door, ushering me out. ‘She gave me a dig for fucking off, and I apologised. I don’t offer apologies very often, so don’t push it. ’

I laugh. I don’t expect he does. But he did – for me. He still hasn’t explained where he disappeared to, though.

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