Beneath This Man

‘Of course, Ava. I’ll…urhhhh…do it now.’

‘Good.’ I snap, and carry on outside the building. I stand and rummage through my bag for my sunglasses and car keys, completely riled. How dare he? I huff and puff to myself until I find my glasses, and as I slip them on, Massive Attack’s Angel creeps into my ears.

‘Oh no!’ I screech to myself. I’m even madder now. He knows how I feel about that track. I grab my phone and connect the call. ‘Stop messing about with my phone!’

‘No! Reminds me of you.’ he yells. ‘What do you mean, you don’t f**king live there?’

‘I’m not your f**king maid!’ I shout back.

‘Watch your f**king mouth!’

‘Fuck off!’ I yell. Oh, my language is blue!

‘MOUTH!’

I stand outside Lusso raging mad. If he thinks I’m going to be playing the dutiful domestic lady, he’s another thing coming. The cheek! I look up and spot John leaning against his Range Rover. His signature wrap around glasses are on, but I can see his arched brow above it. He’s enjoying this.

‘What’s John doing here?’ I snap.

‘Have you calmed down yet?’

‘Answer me!’ I yell.

‘Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?’

‘You! Are you listening? Why is John here?’

‘He’s going to take you to work.’

‘I don’t need a chauffeur, Jesse.’ I’ve calmed my voice slightly. How undignified of me, shouting and swearing like a drunken football hooligan, and in front of the newest, most prestigious residential complex in London. I look up and see John grinning. It’s new to me. I‘ve never seen him display any humour.

‘He was in the area. I thought it would be easier than you trying to park up.’ Jesse has calmed his tone too.

‘Well, at least tell me what’s happening if it involves me.’ I spit down the phone and hang up.

Controlling pig!

I make my way over to John and my phone starts singing again en-route. I’ll be changing that ring tone. I flash my screen at John as I pass him, and he grins again. ‘Yes, dear?’ I quip, rather bravely. I’m digging myself a hole here – I do realise that, but he’s out of touching distance so there is no risk of any sort of Jesse style f**king to put me in my place.

‘Don’t be sarcastic, Ava. It doesn’t suit you.’

I climb into the Range Rover and put my seatbelt on. ‘You’ll be pleased to know I’m on my way to work with John.’ I glace over at John, and he nods. ‘Would you like confirmation?’ I ask. ‘John, make yourself known.’ I thrust the phone under John’s nose.

‘S’all good, Jesse.’ he rumbles. He actually smiles, and I notice a gold tooth. He’s really enjoying this.

I put the phone back to my ear. ‘Happy?’

‘Very!’ he snaps. ‘Ever heard of a retribution f**k?’

The very words send shivers down my spine. I glance at John. He is still grinning. ‘No, are you going to demonstrate?’ I ask quietly.

‘If you’re lucky, I’ll see you at home.’ He hangs up.

I put my phone in my bag, feeling coils of anticipation springing into my groin. He’s taken me on a ten mile run, served me my favourite coffee, f**ked me into oblivion and made filthy promises on the phone, and I haven’t even got to work yet. On top of that, though, he’s distracting me from a whole heap of troubling thoughts. He’s holding back on me again, and I can’t believe he has advised the concierge that I am now the lady of the house. I need to avoid all sense f**king in future, and I need to think about how I’m going to approach this little issue. It’s way too soon to move in with him.

I look at the mean beast of a man sat next to me. ‘Were you really in the area?’

John stops with his signature hum. ‘What do you think?’

That’s what I thought. ‘How old is Jesse?’ I ask casually. Why I’ve picked a casual tone is beyond me. It’s ridiculous that I don’t know how old he is.

‘Thirty two.’ John replies, completely dead pan.

Thirty two? That’s how old Jesse said he was last night. I look at John, who has started humming again. I don’t believe it! Jesse’s given him the heads up. ‘He’s not thirty two, is he?’

John smiles again, flashing his gold tooth. ‘He said you would ask.’

I shake my head. I’m at a total loss on that subject, so I decide, as John seems like he’s in a talkative mood, to take another angle. ‘Is he always so challenging?’

‘Only with you, girl. He’s actually quite laidback.’

Laidback? What a laugh! I remember Sam saying that too, and I also remember John mentioning that I had brought out some nasty qualities in him. I laugh to myself. Jesse has brought out some pretty nasty qualities in me too. I’m swearing like a sailor. ‘I obviously bring out the worst in him.’ I grumble.

‘Ah, girl. Go easy on him.’ John soothes lightly.

‘Do you want to live with him and his challenging ways?’ I ask exasperated.

‘So, you’ve moved in then?’ His eyebrows appear over his shades as he turns his face to me. I hadn’t realised what I just said. I hope John isn’t jumping to the same conclusion as Sarah did; that I’m after his money.

I suddenly have the urgent need to defend myself. ‘He asked me and pretty much bullied a yes out of me,’ I won’t tell John how, ‘but I’m not so sure. It’s a bit soon. That’s what that little spat was about. He doesn’t like being told no.’ I wave my phone at John.