Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
What, until you’ve got that whopper of a diamond on her finger?
“You got it, Jake,” I say quietly.
“What?” Ava says, bobbing up and down.
“Nothing. You okay up there?” I move my hand to her arse and squeeze, and she jolts on a laugh.
“Oh, I’m fine.”
I smile. “These knocking-on-forty-shoulders holding you up okay?” My smile widens when her hands stroke over the swell of my backside.
“Perfectly fine.”
I lift the bags in my hands for the green-suited man on the door to see. “Hands a little full, mate,” I say as I approach, and he laughs, opening the door.
As soon as we’re in the sunshine, I lower her, watch as she pulls her dress into place, take her hand, and walk us down the street to my car. I release the boot and pop her bags in there, put Ava in the passenger seat, and kiss her chastely. “We’ll grab some lunch at The Manor.” I shut the door before she can protest, because I really don’t have a choice now but to go help John out. “Enjoying your day so far?” I ask as I slide on my Ray-Bans, looking across the car to her.
“Absolutely.”
“Me too.” I start the engine. “Put your belt on.” Checking my mirrors, I ease out of the parking space and check the dash for the time, cursing when I see it’s ticking on. At this rate, we’ll get no alone time before we have to be at The Manor again this evening.
I let the windows down and put some music on, stopping at the lights at the end of the street.
“What’s up?” Ava asks when I curse.
“Watch,” I say, pointing at the lights. “Every single one will be red from here to The Manor.”
“We could always just go home instead,” she muses, shifting in the leather seat as I turn my eyes slowly onto her, not impressed. Not impressed at all. “John needs a hand with something,” I say, my eyes dragging down her front to her boobs.
“Shame,” she whispers, gazing out of the window.
Jesus Christ.
“The light’s green,” she adds, just as a chorus of car horns break out.
I blink and look up, a little disorientated. I can’t see her smile. But I can feel it.
30
It’s exactly how I predicted. Every single fucking traffic light shone red for me. I pass through the gates of The Manor, the flashes of sun and shade as I drive through the trees casting a pretty pattern across the gravel. The driveway is, as expected, practically empty, all members staying away, all staff vehicles parked around the back. I pull up next to John’s Range and Sarah’s Audi and see the big guy on the steps, his expression cut with impatience.
I get out and show him my palms, a silent plea not to chew my balls, then open the door and help Ava out. “I want to get done and get home so I can have a few hours of you all to myself.” God help anyone who steals anymore time from me today.
She grumbles something under her breath, no longer playful and teasing, but serious. She doesn’t want to be here. Join the club. I walk us up the steps, frowning at John as we pass. He looks ready to hit something.
“Ava,” he grunts, eyes on me.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, wary, looking back at the big man as I take Ava into the bar. I put her on a stool and join her.
“S’all good.” He’s lying. What the fuck’s going on? Whatever it is, he clearly doesn’t want Ava to hear. “Caterers are in the kitchen,” he says, motioning that way, like I could have forgotten where they are. “And the band will be here at five to set up.” His head tilts. “Sarah has it all under control.”
Was that a dig? “Great,” I say quietly, watching as Ava keeps her attention elsewhere, watching various members of my staff working. “Where is she?” I return my attention back to John.
“She’s in your office sorting out the gift bags.” He reaches up to his shades and moves them down his nose a tiny bit, looking over the top of them at me. I find myself leaning back on my stool. What the fuck’s going on, and why does John seem to be in a foul mood with me?
I order some drinks and lunch, and Mario slides our two waters over. I cautiously turn my eyes back onto a looming John. He flicks his head, an order to get my arse in gear. Looks like it’s time to face the music. Would be helpful to know what track I’m walking in on, though. “Are you happy to stay here while I go and check on a few things?” I don’t know why the fuck I’m asking. I obviously don’t want Ava to hear whatever John has to say.