Beneath This Man

‘Which one did you pick?’ he asks curiously. He liked all of them, but he didn’t see the gown that is safely out of view in a suit bag.

‘You’ll find out later.’ I inhale him into me as he nestles his face in my neck. ‘So, my man really is knocking on forty.’ I rib.

He pulls away and rolls his eyes before taking my hand and leading me through the store. ‘Does it bother you?’ he asks casually, but I know he’s worried that it does.

It didn’t bother me before and it doesn’t bother me now. ‘Not at all, why does it bother you, though?’

‘Ava, do you remember one of the very first things you said to me?’ He looks down at me.

How could I forget? And I still don’t know where it came from. ‘Why did you lie?’

He shrugs. ‘Because you wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t a problem.’

I smile. ‘It doesn’t bother me in the slightest how old you are. Is that a grey hair?’ I ask dead pan as we board the Egyptian escalators.

He stands on the step below and turns around to face me. We’re pretty much at eye level. ‘Do you think you’re funny?’ he asks. He didn’t appreciate that referral. I shouldn’t tease him when he clearly has an issue.

I can’t keep a straight face and when he dips and tips me over his shoulder, I suppress a squeal. He can’t behave like this in Harrods! I correct myself. Jesse has no regard for public opinion on his behaviour. He’ll pick me up, ravish me, or even be blood boiling mad with me wherever he pleases. He doesn’t give a toss and, quite frankly, neither do I.

He carries me out of the store and on to Knightsbridge, setting me on my feet outside where I straighten my dress, take his offered hand and we start walking back towards the car. I don’t even tick him off. It’s fast becoming an everyday occurrence for him to hoof me about, whether it’s in private or in public.

‘We’ll grab some lunch at The Manor.’ he says as he puts my bags in the boot and then me in the car. He slides in beside me and gives me my smile before slipping his glasses on. ‘Enjoying your day so far?’

I was, until he reminded me about our need to go to The Manor. I’ve got to endure a whole night there too. ‘Absolutely.’ I can’t complain, though, as long as I’m with him.

‘Me too. Put your belt on.’ He starts the car and roars into the lunchtime traffic, cranking up the stereo and letting his window down so the whole of Knightsbridge gets a little listen of The Stereophonics, Dakota.

Chapter 19

Jesse skids to a halt outside The Manor where John is waiting for us on the steps. There are only a few cars, mine included. I forgot it was here.

‘Come on. I want to get done and get home so I can have a few hours of you all to myself.’ He grasps my hand and leads on.

‘Take me home now then.’ I grumble, earning myself a mild scowl.

‘I’m ignoring you.’ he mutters.

‘Ava,’ John nods as we pass, and then follows us in.

‘Is everything okay?’ Jesse asks as he leads me to the bar. It’s empty, except for the staff flying around in a fluster. He sits me down on a barstool and takes one opposite me, resting my hand in his lap. I spot Mario polishing the optics.

‘S’all good,’ John rumbles. ‘Caterers are in the kitchen and the band will be here at five to set up. Sarah has it all under control.’ He waves Mario over, and I bristle at the mention of her name.

‘Great, where is she?’ Jesse asks.

‘She’s in your office sorting out the gift bags.’

Gift bags? What would you put in a gift bag for a party at a sex club? Oh God, I don’t even want to know.

Mario approaches and swings his tea towel over his shoulder. His warm smile makes me return one automatically. He is the sweetest man.

‘Do you want a drink?’ Jesse squeezes my hand in his lap.

‘Just some water, please.’

‘Make that two, Mario,’ He turns back to me. ‘What would you like to eat?’

Well, that’s easy. ‘Steak,’ I say all wide eyed and enthusiastically. That was the best steak I’ve ever had.

He smiles. ‘Mario, tell Pete we’ll have the steak twice with new potatoes and salad, both medium. We’ll eat at the bar.’

‘Of course, Mr Ward.’ Mario chirps happily, placing two bottles of water and a glass on the bar.

‘Are you happy to stay here while I go and check on a few things?’ Jesse asks as he drops my hand in his lap and takes a bottle, pouring some water into my glass.

I arch an eyebrow at him. ‘Are you going to have Mario guard me?’

‘No,’ he says slowly, flicking a cautious eye at me. I hear John’s low rumbling laugh. ‘There’s no need now, is there?’

‘I suppose not,’ I shrug and look around the bar. ‘Where is everyone?’

He stands and places my hand in my own lap. ‘We close during the day on anniversary night. There’s a lot to get ready.’ He kisses my forehead and picks up his own bottle of water. ‘John?’

‘Ready when you are.’ John replies.

He brushes a hair away from my face. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can. Are you sure you’re okay here?’

‘I’m fine.’ I shoo him away.

They leave me at the bar among the chaos of staff, frantically polishing glasses and restocking the fridges. I feel like I should help, but then I hear my phone shouting from my bag and I pull it out, finding Ruth Quinn’s name illuminating my screen. I should let it go to voicemail, it is my day off, but this could be my opportunity to get out of drinks with her.