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)
“I probably was at that specific moment. And anyway, you’re mine. You’re off limits too, you know.”
“I know.” I relent, sighing. “I know, baby. Never again, but I think you’ve demonstrated your grievance with Sarah.” I bet her neck does not look pretty this morning.
“So you’re not getting rid of her?” she asks, sounding . . . shocked?
Ava can’t appreciate it, but Sarah cannot leave The Manor, and not only because I couldn’t run it without her. “She’s an employee and a close friend. I can’t sack her for doing something I asked her to, Ava.”
“She planned it, Jesse.”
“What do you mean, she planned it?” Planned what? Me being pathetic? Me cheating?
“The text that I got from John.”
“What text?”
“The one she sent from John’s phone saying I should go to The Manor.”
What the hell? Wait— “You think Sarah lifted John’s phone and sent you a text?”
“Yes.”
I laugh, and it’s a nervous laugh. “Don’t be daft.”
“I’m not being daft. I have it on my phone, I’ll show you.”
“Ava, Sarah wouldn’t do that.” Fuck me, she totally would. And yet, I can’t confess that. I can’t open that can of worms.
“Do you think I imagined it?”
“No, I’m thinking that you were drugged on Saturday night and maybe you’ve made a mistake.” I am absolutely begging the gods that hate me that she made a mistake, because that is not a problem I want to deal with.
“I’ll show you. She wants you.”
“Well she can’t have me, she knows that. I belong to you.” Ava accepts my lips on her cheek when I kiss her.
“You do.”
So we’re clear. Good. Enough about The Manor and the people who walk the rooms. “Lean forward so I can bathe your back.” Easing her forward, I flinch at the sight of her maimed back, my cheeks blowing out, my heart hurting. “I’ll be gentle.” So gentle.
“I like you rough.”
My smile is small. Her lightness is needed when I feel heavy with regret. “Ava, don’t say things like that when I’m in no position to violate you.” Her shoulder blades pull in a tiny bit when I rest the sponge there, and I immediately replace it with my lips, feeling her relax under them. So that is what I do. Squeeze warm water over her, kiss her, squeeze, kiss, over and over, her quiet murmurs of contentment welcomed as I focus on that—and not the damage before me—before moving on to her hair. I let her slip down into the water between my thighs, holding her shoulders, and she looks up at me as I gently tend to her. A small smile tickles her lips.
“What?” I ask, and her eyes light up. My dick is literally tickling the top of her head. “Stop it,” I warn. She pouts. “Stop that too.” She’s insatiable. I wish I could indulge it. “Come on, out.” I help her up and lift her out, ignoring her grumbles of protest, wrapping her up in a towel while I dry myself and then gently dabbing at her back to dry her.
I scoop her up and carry her to the bed. I feel her eyes on my profile. Watching me. Enjoying me looking after her. Of course, it’s my favorite job too, but not under these circumstances. I wasn’t the man she needed last night. Broken, a mess, angry, and out-of-control desperate.
My back twinges. Never again.
I lay her on her front and pull the towel free, putting myself on her undamaged, pert arse, losing my own towel as I do. Just look at the fucking state of her. Breathe. I reach for the tub of cream on the nightstand. “This might be a bit cold.” The moment the cream meets her skin, she hisses, going stiff beneath me. I hush her gently, gritting my teeth too, like I can help her through it. One thing’s certain, though. I hope. “You won’t be doing this again, will you?”
“I will if you do.” She sucks in air as I start to pat in the cream, turning her face into the sheets, her shoulder blades pulling in. Then she definitely won’t. My dick twitches. Inevitable. I’m touching her, after all.
I work over every inch of her back, five times over, and with each minute that passes, a little more blood drips into my cock. Fucking hell. Ava’s about to get her way.
I start to lower my lips to her shoulder but stop when I hear someone downstairs calling a hello.
Oh fuck. I remembered to call everyone . . .
Except Cathy.
Ava lifts her head and looks toward the door, and my dick wilts with sadness. I curse and get up, heading for the dressing room. “I forgot to call Cathy.” I go to where I keep my jeans and find a pile of female clothes. “Shit.” Where did we move them to? I open a few more doors until I find a pair, pull them on, grab a T-shirt, and hiss as I pull the fucker down my torso. “Up you get, I need to feed you.” I take her hips and lift her from the bed.