Beneath This Man (This Man Trilogy), Page 36

  ‘We’ll see about that.’ he fires confidently.

  ‘Yes, we will.’

  He starts chewing his lip, his eyes burning into mine. ‘I can’t change my past, Ava.’

  ‘I know. And it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to forget about it either. Will you move the cabinet, please?’

  ‘I love you.’

  ‘Move the cabinet, please.’

  ‘We need to make friends.’ His face is deadpan, while my eyes have just widened.

  ‘No!’ I shout, disgusted by his intention to win me over with a quick fuck.

  He takes a step forward, and I take one back. ‘I’ll trample, Ava.’ he warns calmly. I take another step back, watching as he regards me carefully. ‘Are you going to deny me?’ He arches a cautionary eyebrow, and I carry on stepping back until my backside is pushed up against the drinks cabinet and my hands are braced on the edge. If he gets his hands on me, I’m completely done for, and I want to stay mad. I need to stay mad. He’s going to try and blind me with his touch again.

  He reaches me and places his hands over mine. My face is level with his neck and jaw. I try to block off my sense of smell, but fail miserably. I know I won’t be allowed to leave his office until he’s happy that we’re friends.

  ‘Tomorrow, I’m going back to Kate’s.’ I say bravely. I need time to try and sort my unreasonable jealous frame of mind out. It would seem that Jesse Ward has brought out some rather nasty qualities in me too.

  ‘You know that’s never going to happen, Ava. But just you saying it makes me really fucking mad.’

  ‘I am.’ I retort. I’m being stupidly daring, but I need him to know how much this is bothering me.

  He bends so he’s at my eyelevel. ‘Crazy mad, Ava.’ he warns softly. ‘Look at me.’ he breathes in my face.

  I whimper slightly. ‘No.’ It’ll be game over and one tally on Jesse’s scoreboard if I do.

  ‘I said, look at me.’

  I shake my head faintly and he heaves a sigh.

  ‘Three.’ he starts clearly.

  My eyes instinctively fly up to his, but not because he’s started the countdown and I don’t want him to reach zero. It’s because I’m shocked. I’ve unwittingly complied with his command, and I’m now staring into dark green pools of lust.

  ‘Kiss me.’ he demands.

  I purse my lips and shake my head, attempting to pull my arms free.

  ‘Three.’ he begins again and I freeze, my mouth dropping open in shock. He brushes his lips gently over mine. ‘Two.’

  This isn’t fair. He could kiss me, but I know he won’t. He wants me to submit and I’m desperately trying to resist, even though my treacherous body is screaming for him.

  ‘One.’ His lips meet mine again.

  I snap my head away and wriggle under his hold, desperately fighting him off. ‘No, you’re not distracting me, Jesse.’

  He shouts a frustrated yell and releases his grip, my hands flying up to his chest to push him away. We battle, my flailing hands beating him away from me as he tries to grab at my wrists.

  ‘Ava!’ he yells, securing me and spinning me around. I don’t know why I’m doing this. I could never win, even though he is obviously handling me with care. ‘Fucking stop it, you crazy woman!’

  I ignore him, rage and adrenalin spiking my stamina to continue fighting him off.

  ‘For fuck sake!’ he shouts, taking me down to the floor and securing me under his body. ‘Pack it in!’

  I heave under him, every muscle aching, my hammering heart jumping from my chest. I open my eyes, finding a perplexed look on his face. He doesn’t know what to do with me. I’m losing complete control.

  We stare at each other, both of us panting from the exertion of our physical battle. And then we both move forward fast, our mouths crashing together, our tongues dueling urgently.

  It’s a tally for Jesse. He moans, releasing his grip of my wrists and fisting my hair in his hands as he tackles my mouth with as much force as I’m taking his. This is a possessive kiss. I’m reinforcing my claim to him, trying to make him see how strongly I feel about him, how the thought of other women and Jesse can make me just as crazy mad as him. His hand finds my breast and grabs me hard through the material of my dress, kneading and squeezing as he groans.

  My tongue aches, my lips are becoming sore, but neither one of us is letting up. We’re both trying to make a point here. My hands move from his biceps to his head, and I yank his hair before applying pressure, pushing him into me. I’m fizzing all over, burning up completely as I writher on the floor beneath him, making a damn successful point of ownership. And then he rolls us over and my lips leave his, drifting down his suit covered torso until I reach the zipper of his trousers. I yank it down and make quick work of releasing him, his cock slipping free, my hand wrapping around his shaft without delay.

  In a complete frenzied mess, my mouth coats him and I take him all of the way, no soft caressing, no light licks or teasing strokes. I attack him, frantic and desperate.

  ‘Fuck!’ he barks, as I feel him hit the back of my throat. ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck!’

  I don’t gag, or heave. I thrust him into my mouth repeatedly, tirelessly, squeezing his base and reaching between his thighs to grasp his heavy sacks. Hard.

  ‘JESUS!’ His hips fly up. ‘Ava!’ His hands find my head and yanks at my hair. I don’t know if he’s begging me or scolding me.

  I concentrate on reinforcing my desperation for him, working him fast and harshly, his flesh feeling silky on the insides of my mouth, the friction from the speed of my strokes heating us both.

  ‘Keep me in your mouth, Ava.’ he orders, his hips meeting my every advance. My cheeks are aching, but I power on.

  And then I recognise the sign of him expanding in my mouth, his breathing becoming disjointed and his fists tightening in my hair. I moan around him, increasing my iron grip on his balls and moving my other hand under his shirt. I grab his nipple, squeezing hard.

  He bellows, his groin shoots up and he pushes my head down onto him, his tip pushing against the back of my throat.

  He comes.

  I swallow.

  We both moan.

  ‘Fucking hell, woman.’ he pants, withdrawing from my mouth and pulling me up his body. ‘Fucking, fucking hell.’ He takes my lips again, sweeping his tongue through my mouth, sharing his salty essence. ‘I take it that means you’re sorry.’ he puffs between firm lashes of his tongue.

  I have unwittingly just given him an apology fuck. Am I sorry? For being a complete unreasonable, possessive fool…just like him? ‘No, I’m not.’ I affirm. I’m really not. Our tongues keep up together, both of our groans and shifting hands working all over each other’s bodies.

  I reach back down and wrap my hand around his semi-erect length, relentlessly working him while we both tackle each other’s mouths hard…aggressively. I’m not prepared to stop. He pulls away, panting, his chest heaving, but I don’t give up. I push my abused lips back to his, plunging my tongue in, continuing with my frantic handling of his cock.

  ‘Ava, stop.’ He grabs my hand from is groin and turns his face to break our lip contact.

  I don’t give up, even now. I fight him, urgently smothering him with my mouth. He’s never refused me before.

  ‘Ava! Please!’ He loses his patience and pushes me over onto my back, pinning me under his body.

  I feel tears stabbing at my eyes. I’m more desperate than any of those women. I’m not dealing with this well at all. A sob slips through my lips and I turn away from him, completely ashamed.

  ‘Baby, don’t.’ he pleads softly, pulling my face back to his and brushing my wild hair from my face. He gazes down at me, almost in sympathy. ‘I understand.’ he whispers, wiping his thumb under my eye. ‘Don’t cry.’ he skims my lips with his. ‘It’s always just you.’

  I blink back my tears. ‘I’m not coping with this.’ I reach up to touch his face. ‘I feel violent.’ I admit. I can’t believe I
just openly volunteered that information, and I’m stunned I really do feel like that. ‘Mine.’ I say quietly.

  He nods. He gets it. ‘Always just yours.’ He pulls my palm to his lips and kisses it firmly. ‘Please, ignore them. They’re shocked, that’s all. Their noses have been put firmly out of joint by a young, dark eyed, breathtaking beauty. My beauty.’

  ‘You’re my beauty.’ I affirm harshly.

  ‘All of me, Ava. Every single piece.’ Shifting his body, he rests himself all over me, completely coating me. He grasps my face in his palms, his green eyes staring down at me. ‘Ava, you own me.’ He places his lips on mine, ‘Do you understand me?’

  I nod in his hold, feeling weak and needy.

  ‘Good girl.’ he whispers. ‘You are mine and I am yours.’

  I nod again for fear of wailing if I open my mouth. I didn’t think I could love him more.

  He runs his palms over my cheeks and his eyes scan every inch of my face. ‘I know this is hard for you.’

  ‘I love you.’ I just about manage to get the words out.

  ‘I know you do. And I you.’ He sits up and secures himself before helping me up. ‘We’ll make friends properly later. I don’t want to trample your dress,’ He smiles a little and spins me around. ‘It looks like it needs a bit of patience and we all know how little of that I have when it comes to you.’ He turns me back and rubs his nose over mine. ‘Better?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good. Let’s go.’ He takes my hand and leads me to the door, dropping it briefly to shift the sideboard back, before reclaiming it and leading me back to the party. I feel so much better. He understands.

  Chapter 22

  The band has started and people have filtered into the summer room.

  ‘Motown?’ I ask, a little surprised as I’m pulled through the few tables left set up.

  ‘They’re a great band. You want to dance?’ He glances down at me with a half-smile, and I’m reminded that my man has some serious moves.

  ‘Later.’ I’m conscious that Kate is probably wondering what has happened and where I am. He nods and takes me through to the bar.

  My stool is free and I’m lifted onto it. Kate, Drew and Sam are all holding position at the bar and all seem to be lit up, the alcohol flowing well.

  ‘Where have you been?’ Kate enquires, flicking a cautious glare at Jesse.

  ‘In Jesse’s office discussing a certain female who he called to free him after I left him handcuffed to the bed.’ I blurt it all out quietly while I keep my eye on Jesse to ensure he’s not listening. He’s too busy ordering drinks with Mario.

  ‘You left him there?’ Kate face is somewhere between shock and amusement.

  ‘Yes.’ I didn’t mention that before. ‘He was really mad.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. He called Sarah to free him?’

  ‘Yes.’ I grate. ‘And he’s slept with her.’

  ‘Oh.’ Kate’s lips purse. ‘Why would he call her?’ She comes in closer, wedging herself between me and Jesse so she is stood in front of me.

  ‘He couldn’t get hold of anyone else. John was here and Sam was otherwise engaged.’

  ‘What day was this again?’

  ‘Wednesday.’ I raise my eyebrows and watch as she mentally casts her mind back to Wednesday morning. The penny obviously drops because a guilty look washes over her face. I’m not even going to ask why Sam was unable to come to Jesse’s rescue. ‘Sarah took great delight in advising me. That and the pleasurable experience of listening to three women compare notes on Jesse’s bedroom skills sent me over the edge.’ I grumble.

  ‘Oh dear.’ Kate gives me a sympathetic face. ‘History, Ava.’

  ‘I know.’ I shake my head disgustedly. ‘Kate, I’ve got so much to tell you. Can we go out tomorrow night? I need to let off some steam.’

  She nods and then lets out a small yelp as she’s lifted from her feet and placed to the side by Jesse, giving him access to me. She slaps him on the shoulder playfully and giggles.

  ‘Drink.’ He thrusts a glass of water under my nose, and I take it without complaint. I watch him smile as I down the glass of water, before I hand him the empty glass. He nods in surprised approval, then replaces the empty with a glass of Mario’s Most Marvelous stuff. ‘See how easier things are when you do as you’re told?’ he says thoughtfully.

  I narrow playful eyes on him and shake my head at his impertinence. Yes, it is, but his demands are not always as simple as drinking a glass of water. He turns away to catch up with Drew and Sam, but keeps a firm hand on my knee.

  ‘Oh look.’ Kate whispers.

  I follow her gaze and see Sarah with a group of men, laughing, stroking, touching and generally feeling every single one of them up at every opportunity. Her beady eyes land on me, and she stares with a smug, satisfied look on her face – until I feel Jesse’s lips on my cheek. I leave her seething in the knowledge that her little plan hasn’t worked and turn my attention to Jesse. He winks at me and standing me up, he collects my arms and drapes them over his shoulders before sweeping his hands around my back and pulling me close, his forehead resting on mine. It’s a gesture of reassurance. I’m grateful.

  ‘You okay?’ he asks.

  I smile, pulling back to get an eyeful of his beautiful face. ‘Perfect.’

  ‘Good.’

  We both jump at a flash of light and turn to see Kate with a camera pointing at us. Jesse grabs me and suspends me in his arms, my head flying back on a laugh as I register the continuous clicks and flashes of the camera.

  His mouth rests on my throat. ‘Smile for me, baby.’

  I pull my head back up and find his green eyes shimmering with contentment…with happiness. I make him happy. I make him determined to live. I make him want to leave this lifestyle behind. I smile, lacing my fingers through his hair and pulling his lips down to mine.

  ‘Okay,’ Kate shouts. ‘That’s enough!’

  Jesse has me, taking exactly what he wants, with no regard for our audience or any concern for our location. I’m returned to standing position and placed back on the stool, my drink handed to me before he returns to the male conversation, like he hasn’t just silenced the room with his over-the-top, obviously out of character display of love. But I’m not blushing; I’m not concerned or embarrassed – not in the slightest.

  I glance across the bar, finding Sarah spitting nails. ‘She really doesn’t like me, Kate.’

  ‘Oh, fuck her!’ Kate spits nastily. ‘Do you care?’

  ‘No, I don’t. But I’m pissed that I have no choice but to suck up the fact that Jesse will be coming here daily and she’ll be here.’ Would he sack her if I asked him to?

  Kate disappears from in front of me when Sam makes a grab for her and hauls her out of the bar. I sit up straight and wait with baited breath to see if she is yanked to the left towards the stairs, or to the right towards the summer room. They go to the right. I exhale, immensely relieved. I can’t even think about that.

  ‘Ava, dance!’ she shouts, as she disappears from view. I’ll find her in a minute.

  I’m distracted by a man approaching Jesse with his hand outstretched. I recognise him. Jesse takes it, shaking it mildly as he shifts and flicks his eyes to me. I’ve noticed that as more drink flows, more people are approaching Jesse to converse – women mainly. They chat briefly and the guy tips his drink in my direction. Jesse glances towards me and then steps forward with him. He’s probably mid-forties and his jacket is removed. He looks a little tipsy.

  ‘Ava, this is Chris,’ Jesse’s tone suggests he would rather not be introducing me to Chris. ‘He was the acting estate agent of Lusso.’

  Of course. I knew I recognised him. He smiles a slimy smile, and I immediately dislike him. My aversion to estate agents is not lessened, even by this exclusive property agent. They are all the same, whether selling dumps or penthouses.

  ‘Hi.’ I put my hand out reluctantly, and he takes it. His palm is sweaty. I want to escape to the toilets to
wash my hands immediately. ‘It’s nice to meet you.’ I fake a sincere smile and notice Jesse smiling mildly, looking at my fingers in my hair.

  ‘It’s an absolute pleasure.’ he drawls. He won’t release my hand, and I flick nervous eyes to Jesse when Chris moves in closer, keeping a firm hold of my hand. ‘I love this dress.’ He runs his eyes down my front, prompting me to lean back slightly.

  This is one brave man – either that or extremely stupid. Jesse is stood at his side in a nanosecond, jaw muscles going into overdrive. He’s physically twitching. Honestly, it’s always estate agents. Chris is soon removed from my personal space by a short, sharp yank of his shoulder. He stands back, where Jesse has put him, and watches as Jesse moves in, picking me up and taking my seat before resting me back down on his thighs.

  ‘Chris, you’ll do well to keep your hands and your eyes to yourself. Do that and I might not break your fucking legs, understand?’ Jesse says it so calmly, but there is no denying the cutting edge to his tone.

  I watch as Chris backs off with a justified worried look on his face. ‘Jesse, I apologise. I assumed she was fair game.’ he splutters.

  ‘Excuse me?’ I cough. Is he joking?

  I feel Jesse tense beneath me. I panic. If I don’t hold him down on this stool, Chris here will be slayed in two seconds flat. I place my hand on his leg and squeeze slightly. The heat is pouring from him and his heart is stabbing my back. I would love to set him on this cheeky swine, but I also want to see the night through without having to put an ice pack on Jesse’s abused fist.

  He lifts from the stool slightly and pulls me to his chest. ‘I suggest you fuck off now.’ he snarls maliciously.

  I push back against him and throw Chris a fuck-off-if-you-know-what’s-good-for-you look. He backs away vigilantly, and I doubt very much that he’ll be back any time soon.

  I crane my head around and give Jesse an inquiring look. ‘Murderous?’ I ask.

  I get my very own scowl followed by a smothered face. ‘Deadly.’

  ‘Are all the women fair game?’ This is news.