Текст книги "This Man Confessed"

Автор книги: Jodi Ellen Malpas

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 34 страниц)

Chapter 4

My day just got a whole lot worse. They’re seated at opposite ends of a couch, and both heads fly towards me, while I just stand there feeling a little lost. All of my anger, all of my frustrations of the day have just transformed into pain. I can feel my eyes welling up with tears and my heart thundering in my chest. I feel completely crushed.

Not knowing what else to do, but knowing for certain that I don’t want this woman to see me break down, I slowly step back, closing the door quietly behind me. I walk numbly down the corridor in a haze of misery, but instead of making my way back to the crowd, I escape the happy chatter and dancing bodies and turn down the gravel pathway towards the woodlands.

I sit my defeated arse on an old log and start picking at the dried bark, crumbling it to grains between my fingers, while the dark, cool evening air spikes at my exposed skin. They were just talking, but he knows how I feel about her—how I feel about any other woman who Jesse’s had—yet he still sacrificed time with me on our special day to see her. I want to scream at him, bash my fists on his chest and yell in his face, but I don’t have the energy. All of the fight has been sucked out of me. My spirit has been stripped down by drama, mine and others, and it’s left me feeling exposed and vulnerable. And doubtful, too. Right now, on my wedding day of all days, I’m doubtful I can maintain the strength I clearly need to spend my life with Jesse—spend my life fighting off women and problems…issues. The tears I’ve been holding back jump straight from my eyes onto my lace. I’m powerless. I can’t make these women go away, I can’t strip Jesse’s past from him, and I can’t control other people and what they do. The one thing I could dois take my pills so that I don’t get pregnant. If I could stop losing them, that is. I drop my head in my hands and sob quietly to myself. I’ve not even got the energy to cry properly.

Through my low, pathetic weeping, I hear him approaching behind me. I can smell his fresh water and minty scent. And through my total numbness, I can still feel his presence. Every part of my being senses him, but my eyes don’t want to look at him.

I brush my tears away and sniff a little. ‘I know you’re there.’ I say quietly, keeping my eyes pointing downwards.

‘I know you do.’ His evenly spaced steps crunch over the ground, getting louder as he nears, and in my peripheral vision, I see him lower himself next to me. But he doesn’t touch me. His hands are clasped in front of him, his thumbs circling each other slowly. I can hear the tail end of his heavy breathing subsiding. He’s been running around the grounds like a madman trying to find me, and now he’s just sitting next to me, all silent when he should be explaining himself, explaining why he abandoned me on our wedding day so he could see a woman who’s in love with him—another woman who’s in love with him.

I laugh to myself. ‘Isn’t it funny how we’re so in touch with each other, yet you sit here now and don’t know what to say to me?’ I see him shift next to me, and then his hand drifts across the space between us and rests on my thigh, his heated touch doing things that I really don’t want it to do. I look down at his spread fingers, his flat, platinum and diamond wedding band that matches my own, sparkling as he flexes his hand and squeezes my thigh. ‘So he touches me.’ I say quietly.

‘He loves you.’ he whispers. ‘He wishes he could eliminate the past that’s hurting you.’

I turn my face to his and see green puddles of regret. ‘Then why did you see her? On our wedding day, when you vowed to have me by your side all day, why did you desert me to see her?’

‘I couldn’t leave her at the gates with guests arriving, Ava.’

‘So tell her to go away.’

‘And cause a scene?’

‘What did she want?’ I ask. She was here for a reason. ‘Did she know we were getting married today?’

His frown line crawls across his brow and sets firmly in place, his lip disappearing between his teeth. ‘Yes, she knew.’

So he’s spoken to her? ‘And she still came? Was she hoping to stop it? Was she going to barge through the summer room doors and declare that we shouldn’t be joined in holy matrimony?’ This is laughable.

‘I don’t know, Ava.’ He looks away.

‘When did you speak to her?’ He sighs. ‘She’s been calling and turning up at The Manor. I’ve told her repeatedly I’m not helping her. I’ve told her there are no feelings. I’m not sure what else I can do, Ava.’

‘What’s your definition of an affair?’ I ask.

His eyes swiftly return to mine, all confused by my question. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, she’s in love with you, and you’ve said it was only sex. It was obviously more to her.’ I assess him, trying to gage his reaction.

‘Baby, I’ve told you before, just sex. They always wanted more, but I never gave them any reason to expect it. Never.’

I wince at the referral to they. He means many—many women who want him, many women who’ve had him, many women who have fallen in love with him. I want to tell him what Coral said about him making her need him, but then he’ll know that I intercepted her call. And after having him, who wouldn’t want him again, maybe even think they need him. I know that I did, but now my need is a lot deeper than his physical touch. Now I need him to breath. ‘I don’t want you to see her again.’ I insist.

He returns his eyes to mine. ‘I won’t. I’ve no need to.’

I take a deep breath and return to scanning the ground. ‘I’ve had enough of my wedding. I’d like to leave.’

‘Ava, look at me.’ he orders gently.

‘Jesse, don’t start making demands when I’m feeling like this.’

‘Perhaps you didn’t hear me right. I said, look at me.’ He’s not asking gently now, but my despondency prevents me from defying him. ‘What?’ I ask, following through on his unreasonable order.

He falls to his knees in front of me and takes my hands. ‘I’ve fucked up. I’m so sorry, but I was trying to keep her away from you. I panicked and thought I could talk some sense into her. I didn’t want her kicking up a stink on your special day.’

‘It’s your special day, too.’ I remind him quietly. ‘You should’ve just told me.’

‘I know.’ He leans up and wraps me in his arms. ‘Let me make it up to you. What do you want me do, baby? Name it.’

I relax into him. ‘Just take me to bed.’ I demand quietly.

‘Deal.’ He stands me up and reinforces his apology with a deep, meaningful kiss. ‘We’ll make friends properly later.’ He scoops me up and starts back towards The Manor.

We enter the summer room via the huge French doors, and we’re immediately attacked by my mother’s infuriated glare. ‘There you are!’ She scuttles towards us, still tipsy, but obviously annoyed. ‘You’ve not cut the cake and you need to have your first dance. Tell me, are we having a wedding?’

I want to do none of those things. Evening guests are here, and we should socialise, but I just can’t be bothered. ‘I’m taking Ava upstairs. She’s tired.’ He doesn’t stop for my mum, and he doesn’t put me down. I’m being carried through the summer room, through all of our guests, and he isn’t stopping for anyone.

‘But it’s only ten o’clock!’ She’s horrified, as I expected. ‘What about your guests?’

‘There’s a bar, a band, and plenty to eat, Elizabeth. I’m sure they’ll survive.’ His tolerance of my mum is lessening by the hour.

‘Ava, please. Talk some sense into him.’ She’s pleading now, and I suddenly feel bad for her. This is a special day for her, too, and my Lord has trampled all over it.

I clamp my palms around his cheeks as he continues with his long strides, and mum continues to flank us. I pull his face to mine. ‘A little longer.’ I say quietly, and he halts in his tracks. ‘We can give her longer.’

‘You’re tired.’ He’s frowning a little. Yes, I am tired, but not physically. I’m mentally exhausted. ‘Let me take you to bed, baby.’

‘Dance with me.’ I run my nose up his cheek and take a full-on hit of fresh water loveliness. ‘Let’s dance.’ I feel him turning, while pushing his cheek into my nuzzle. I knew that would get him.

‘Thank God!’ Mum cries, following keenly behind.

I’m placed on my feet in the middle of the dance floor before he makes his way over to the band and speaks into the lead singer’s ear. He nods and smiles, then everyone clears the floor and it’s just me, feeling conspicuous and exposed. And then the singer removes himself from the stage, along with all of the other band members, and Snow Patrol breaks the silence with Chasing Cars. He turns to face me and just stands there, watching me for the longest time. I’m tearing up, and I know that if I look at my mother she’ll be blubbering, so I don’t. I keep my eyes on my husband and watch as he slowly walks towards me and takes me in his hold, pulling me close to his chest. My cheek rests on his shoulder, and he starts swaying us, holding me firmly in his big, strong arms. My hands slide around his back and my eyes close, my body naturally following his slow, soft movements.

‘I’m sorry, baby.’ he says quietly into my hair. ‘I’m sorry I left you earlier.’

I sigh. I know he’s sorry, but I just wish he would think before he does these things. I squeeze him a little, a silent indication of my forgiveness. ‘Let’s leave it there.’

He exhales and pushes his lips to the back of my head. ‘The harder I try not to hurt you, the more I do. I’m hopeless.’

‘Be quiet.’

‘Okay, but I’m still sorry.’ He holds me firmer still. ‘I can’t wait to crawl into bed with you.’

‘Me either.’ I agree. Once again, everyone is in our way. ‘Tomorrow, we stay in bed all day.’ I affirm.

‘We need to go home first.’

I sag a little in disappointment at his reminder. We’re staying here tonight. All of the rooms have been prepared for guests, mainly for my family. ‘We go home first thing in the morning, then.’ I demand quietly. I know it’s rude, leaving our guests, but I don’t want to face Kate, and I definitely don’t want to face Dan.

‘We do,’ he agrees, ‘after we’ve soaked in the bath and had breakfast with your parents.’

I let him gently rock me, my eyes closing again and my mind relaxing a little, letting Jesse draw all of my stress away. ‘I wish you’d have taken me away. Somewhere quiet, just us.’

‘I wish I had, too. But I bet your mother would’ve had something to say about it.’

I smile to myself. Yes, she would have had a lot to say about it. Opening my eyes, I see her pulling my reluctant dad to the floor, and then Kate and Sam follow with Victoria and Tom. I let my eyes close again and melt into Jesse and his movements.

‘Mrs Ward, are you falling asleep on me?’ he asks quietly.

‘Hmmm.’ I’m far too content, held tight in his arms, all of the other couples around us invisible as I remain in the dark, just feeling him, smelling him.

‘I love you.’ He pushes his nose into my hair and inhales deeply. ‘I love you so fucking much.’

‘I know.’ I whisper, turning my head into him and capturing his lips. He hums happily, pulling me up from the floor so I’m locked tightly against his chest, our tongues gliding softly between our mouths. ‘Mr Ward, you’re drawing attention.’

‘Fuck them. Wherever, whenever, baby. You know that.’ He pulls away. ‘Let me see those eyes.

I show him what he wants to see. ‘Why do you always demand to see them?’ I ask.

He only smiles mildly, but his greens still twinkle madly. ‘Because when I look into them, I know for sure that you’re real.’

I match his faint smile. ‘I’m real.’

‘I’m so glad. I didn’t tell you how beautiful you look.’ He pecks my lips and keeps swaying us gently. ‘I thought it, but my beautiful girl renders me stupid every time I lay my eyes on her. It’s like I’m looking at her for the first time all over again.’ He searches my eyes and sighs. ‘You keep my heart beating, baby. And it will only ever beat for you. Understand?’

I nod mildly. I really do understand. ‘Just for me.’ I move my hands to the back of his head and relish the feel of his dark blonde hair between my fingers. ‘I need you to take me to bed.’

The corners of his lips tip a little. ‘Will my delightful mother-in-law allow that?’

I shrug. ‘I don’t care. I just want you to myself. Take me to bed.’

‘Deal.’ He drops me to my feet and swoops down to kiss me chastely. ‘You don’t have to ask me twice, Mrs Ward.’

‘I just did.’

He frowns. ‘That’s your fucking mothers fault.’ I’m turned in his arms and led from the floor, sidestepping all of the couples in tight clinches. ‘Oh, look at Clive and Cathy!’ I say, spying our concierge and Jesse’s housekeeper stuck together as Clive shuffles her from side to side. They look so sweet. I hear Jesse laugh a little as I spy Kate being held up by Sam. And then I spot my brother in the distance, his attention and scowl pointed directly at my best friend and her cheeky boyfriend. My attention is pulled from my brother when Jesse gives me a little tug. I look up at him and see he has noticed who I’m focused on. ‘It doesn’t look like history to me.’ He raises his eyebrows.

He’s right. It doesn’t, but I don’t confirm it.

He’s just lowering to pick me up when Snow Patrol fades out and is replaced with something else—something much louder and upbeat. I can feel my face breaking out in a smile as I watch Jesse freeze mid bend, and then the male’s voice kicks in.

‘Hello, Justin.’ I say quietly, watching him straighten up. He steps back thoughtfully and grabs the lapels of his suit jacket, giving them a little tug before brushing them off and hitting me with wide, excited eyes.

‘Oh, Mrs Ward.’ He shakes his head mildly. ‘I’m about tear that floor up.’ He grabs my hand and pulls me urgently back to the dance floor, weaving us through the crowds of drunken dancers until we’re right in the middle of them. I’m grinning like a complete idiot as I watch him shrug his jacket off and dust his hands down before I’m seized and reminded of my God’s moves. He does, indeed, tear the floor up.

Chapter 5

A whole hour later after Jesse has won my mum over and graced everyone with his dance floor presence, I’m finally on my way upstairs in Jesse’s arms. My heels have been kicked off and Jesse is holding them as he takes the staircase. My heavy head feels like lead against his shoulder and my eyes won’t stay open. I hear my heels tumble to the floor and a few moments later, I’m placed on my feet.

My forehead falls straight to his chest. ‘We need to consummate our vows.’ I mumble into his chest, rolling my head and drawing his scent into me. It’s the most soothing smell in the world.

He laughs lightly. ‘Baby, you’re too tired. We’ll consummate in the morning.’ He clasps the back of my neck and pulls me out of his chest so he can look at me. I try my hardest to open my eyes fully, but it’s just too much like hard work.

‘I know.’ I try to push my forehead back, but he holds me firmly in place, scanning my face—every square inch of it. ‘What?’ I ask quietly.

‘Tell me you love me.’ he demands.

I don’t falter in the slightest. ‘I love you.’

‘Tell me…’

‘I need you.’ I interrupt him. I know the drill.

He smiles thoughtfully. ‘You’ll never know how happy that makes me.’

‘I do know.’ I correct him. I know very well because I feel exactly the same. He dips and kisses me lightly. ‘I want you naked and spread all over me. Let me get this dress off.’ He turns me around and starts unbuttoning the dozens of tiny pearls running down my spine. ‘What’s happening with your brother and Kate?’ he asks.

The question immediately snaps my sleepy eyes open. That’s a damn fine question. Nothing, I hope, but I won’t hold my breath. ‘I don’t know.’ I’m being honest. I really don’t. I won’t be telling Jesse about what I discovered in the toilets.

‘Either you’ve learnt to control your bad habit, or you’re telling me the truth.’ He pushes my dress from my shoulders and takes it down to my feet so I can step out of it.

‘I’m telling the truth.’ I say, turning to face him. He straightens himself up and walks over to the door to hang my dress. ‘I think seeing each other has sparked memories, that’s all.’

‘Memories?’ he asks, making his way back to me.

I’m turned around again so he can access my bodice. ‘They were bad for each other.’ I say. ‘You know Kate, and Dan isn’t the most tolerant man on the planet. They clashed terribly. It was best for them both when Dan left.’

‘But now he’s back.’

‘Yes, but he’ll be gone soon. What about Kate and Sam?’ That’s another disaster waiting to happen.

‘I’ve told you, that’s none of our business.’

‘But she’s a member of The Manor.’ I sound accusing, which is fine because I am. ‘Why did you allow that?’

‘It’s not my job to ask potential members why they want to join. I check for criminal records, medical issues, and financials. If they can pay, they’re clean, and have no serious offences, then they’re in.’

I scowl at thin air in front of me. ‘Members could screw anything between visits to The Manor and catch something, or be arrested for violence. How would you know?’

‘Because they’re required to undertake monthly tests, and I obtain regular reports. There is no penetrative sex without condoms, and their honesty and disclosure form part of their agreement.’ He reaches the final fastener and removes my corset. ‘These people are respected members of society, Ava.’

‘Who love having kinky sex with strangers and weird contraptions?’ I grumble.

‘None of my business.’

That’s just it. It is his business, and it was also his pleasure. I wince at the direction of my thoughts and try to concentrate on the feel of him gathering my hair and pulling it to the side. The unmistakable heat of his lips on my nape dispels them completely. I shiver, and he laughs.

‘She’s going to get hurt.’ I say quietly.

His arm snakes around my bare tummy, pulling me back against him. I’m more than awake now. ‘What makes you think that?’

My shoulders tense. ‘I know she likes him.’

His hips push forward into my lower back and slowly grind, lazily, purposefully. ‘And I know Sam likes her.’

I moan as he dips and pushes upwards, moving his mouth to my ear. I’m not even going to bother trying to sound unaffected. ‘Then why can’t they date like any normal couple?’ I breathe.

‘None of our business.’ he whispers.

That’s it. That voice, those damn fucking hips and the sharpness of his chest through his suit has me lock stock. I spin around and start walking forward, pushing him back towards the bed. ‘This marriage is getting consummated.’ I shove him on the bed and climb up to straddle his hips. He’s looking up at me, thoroughly amused. ‘Mr Ward, I’m taking the power. Any objections?’

He grins. ‘Knock yourself out, baby. But please watch your mouth.’

‘Mouth.’ I whisper, reaching forward and grabbing his tie. I yank it towards me so he’s forced to sit up or be strangled. His eyes widen in alarm as I get nose to nose with him. ‘Who has the power?’ I ask quietly.

‘It looks like you do for now.’ He’s fighting a grin. ‘Don’t get used to it.’

I smile and push my lips to his, a collective moan mingling between our mouths. I force my body into his, pressing him back down to the bed, while our mouths work each other in perfect harmony. We are so incredibly in touch with each other. I know what he wants and how he wants it. I’ve been getting far too much gentle Jesse lately, but I’m going to remedy that now. I break away from his lips and work my way into is neck, savouring the feeling of his big hands sweeping across my naked back.

‘Damn you, woman.’ he moans.

‘You don’t want me?’ I tease, nibbling at his ear, circling wet, firm strokes in the hollow below his lobe. His scent is intoxicating.

‘Don’t ask stupid fucking questions.’ He pushes against me, and I know he’s going to spin me over, seize control, and then probably instigate sleepy sex, so I force myself back down onto him.

‘Oh no, Ward.’ I watch his chest heaving, his stunning face strained. He is clearly fighting instinct to take over here, but I’m not giving in. I know he could tackle me onto my back in a split second, and with little energy or strength, but he won’t. On top of being far too gentle with me, he’s trying hard to prove a point—that he can relinquish the power, that he can be reasonable. He’s trying so bloody hard… and failing.

I reach forward and take his hand, and he watches carefully as I lift it, the cuffs chinking as they unravel. My eyes flick to his so I can gage his reaction, and I find a look of understanding surfacing. Then his arm tenses. I tug gently, but he won’t let me guide it to where I want it to be. This is the ultimate test. I know how he feels when he’s unable to access me, but it’s an unreasonable and unwarranted fear, and we have got to get past it. I tug again with slightly raised eyebrows. He’s reluctant, but he lets me guide it to the headboard.

‘You won’t leave this time.’ he pants. ‘Promise you won’t leave me this time.’

‘If you promise you won’t get mad.’ I snap the cuff over the wooden bar and look down at him. ‘Don’t get mad with me.’

He shakes his head faintly and takes a deep breath. I know how hard this is for him. ‘Kiss me.’ he orders harshly.

‘But I’m in charge.’ I remind him.

‘Jesus, baby, don’t make this harder than it already is.’ He reaches out with his free hand and grasps the top of my arm, pulling me down so I’m flush to his chest again. My lips land on his and his marvellous mouth saturates me.

I start working his tie loose as he claims me with his toungue, yanking it from his neck and then beginning on the buttons of his shirt until I’ve got the lusciousness of his hard chest under my palms.

Slowing our kiss down, I pull away and he growls, his eyes clenching shut, but I ignore his obvious displeasure and start trailing my lips down his neck, onto his chest, across his solid stomach until I reach the zipper of his trousers. My nose runs the length of his cock over his trousers, and his hips jerk up, a supressed bark flying from his mouth. My plan is working. I’m going to work him up into a frenzy so when I release him, he’ll be rampant and hopefully fuck me unconscious. We’ve got way too much hard fucking to catch up on.

I feel his hand land on the back of my head, and he yanks at my hair a little. I smile to myself in smug satisfaction, then slip the button of his trousers and slowly pull his zipper down, sliding my hand into his boxers and firmly grabbing his rock-hard length.

His hips fly up, the metal of the cuffs clanking loudly. ‘Fuck, Ava! Fucking hell!’ His head shoots up and he hits me with desperate, hungry eyes. ‘Mouth, now!’

I crawl back up his body and grab his cheeks in my palms. ‘You want me to take you in my mouth.’ I press my lips to his… hard.

‘Do it.’

‘Who has the power, Jesse?’ I bite his lip, and he moans.

‘You do, baby. Mouth.’

I smile against him and drift straight back down, pulling his cock free and licking a teasing, wet lash straight up his shaft.

‘Oh fuck,’ he groans, ‘Oh Jesus, Ava. Your mouth is amazing.’

‘Good?’ I ask, taking him halfway, before drawing back again.

‘Too good. I knew I married you for a reason.’

I bite into his flesh lightly, warningly. ‘All the way?’

‘Do it,’

I wrap my lips around him and glide all the way down, until he hits the back of my throat. He groans loudly, his groin pushing up. I try to relax my mouth, try to accept the invasion, but my gag reflex fails me and I’m suddenly retching.

What the hell?

I drop him fast and leap up from the bed, my stomach convulsing, a sweat breaking out across my brow. I’m going to throw up. I fly into the bathroom and collapse in front of the toilet, then proceed to evacuate the contents of my stomach, trying to hold my hair out of my face while aiming right.

‘Ava!’ he bellows. The sound of the cuffs start clanging loudly. ‘Ava!’

‘I’m…’ I throw up again, choking as I try to talk, try to assure him that I’m fine. Shit, I need to release him.

‘Jesus, Ava!’ The persistent clattering of metal on wood rings out through the suite, accompanied by Jesse’s panicked yells. ‘Fucking hell, AVA!’

I can’t talk. My throat is blocked, my eyes are watering and my stomach is aching from turning so much. What the hell is wrong with me? I’d hardly started. I’ve taken him endlessly like that and it’s never had this effect. Shit, I feel queasy. I grab some toilet tissue and dab at my forehead. I really need to get a grip and get my arse back in there to release him before he has heart failure.

‘Ava!’ There’s an almighty crash, and then he steams into the bathroom, shirt open, trousers undone, and a look of pure dread on his face.

I try to wave an arm at him, anything to reassure him that I’m okay, but I’m quickly grasping the side of the toilet again, bracing my arms as I continue to gag and choke.

‘Jesus, baby.’ He sounds so worried, the neurotic fool. I’m only being sick. I feel him close in behind me and gather my tresses, holding them and rubbing my back.

‘I’m fine.’ I wipe my face and rub my palms over my cheeks when I know I can’t possibly throw up anymore.

‘Clearly.’ he mutters dryly. ‘Let me look at you.’

I shuffle around on a sigh. ‘Still want to fuck me?’ I ask in attempt to soothe his obvious worry.

He rolls his eyes, ‘Ava, please.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Lady, you’ll kill me off, I swear.’ He pushes my hair from my face. ‘You okay?’

‘No, I feel sick.’ I collapse forward, my cheek colliding with his bare chest where his shirt is open.

‘Why do you think that is?’ he asks quietly.

I stiffen. I’m really not ready to deal with it yet. I’m not ready to rip him to shreds for hiding my pills. I haven’t got the energy right now, so I keep my mouth shut, but I need to take my head out of the sand and face reality—the reality that I’m most certainly pregnant. ‘Take me to bed, please.’

I hear him exhale deeply. It’s an obvious demonstration of frustration. I won’t be allowed to live in denial for much longer, but his need to care for me at the moment is getting me off the hook. He stands and pulls me up. ‘You are the most frustrating woman on the fucking planet. You want to brush your teeth?’

‘Please.’

He smiles down at me and brushes his knuckles across my cheek. ‘Everything will be fine.’

Will it? Fine for him. He gets what he wants, although why he wants it is a fucking mystery. ‘Okay.’ I agree feebly, catching a glimpse of a hanging handcuff from his wrist… and a huge red blister. ‘Jesse! What have you done?’ I grab his hand and turn it over, discovering the inner side on his wrist displaying a mass of angry red welts. I suck in a shocked breath. Shit, that looks sore.

He pulls his wrist from my grip and removes the cuffs, throwing them to the floor. ‘You keep my heart beating, baby, but you can also make it fucking stop.’ He shakes his head and lifts me onto the counter. ‘You said you couldn’t live without me, didn’t you?’

‘Yes,’

He narrows accusing eyes on me. ‘Then stop trying to kill me off.’

I feel a grin surfacing. ‘You’re such a drama queen.’

‘There is nothing dramatic about being worried when my wife throws up after I’ve just thrust my cock in her mouth.’

I burst into laughter. My head falls back, my eyes close and I laugh. Really hard. I have tears and all. I can’t stop, and he lets me have my moment, waiting patiently with my toothbrush hovering in front of my mouth. ‘I’m sorry!’ I chuckle. ‘I’m really sorry.’ I wipe my eyes and home straight in on a pair of curious greens, a raised brow and a chewed lip. ‘It is quite funny, though.’

‘I’m glad you find it amusing. Open your mouth.’

I let my jaw drop open and he sets about brushing my teeth for me. When he’s done, he runs a cool wash cloth over my brow before scooping me up and transporting me to the bed. My eyes widen when I clock the headboard. It’s mangled, with strips of wood all splintered and hanging off.

‘In you get.’ He places me on the edge, and I waste no time crawling up and snuggling down, letting out a long, contented sigh.

I turn over and watch him undress, my greedy gaze drinking in his perfection. ‘I can’t believe I’m spending my first night as your wife in one of your torture chambers.’ The unpleasant thought has me shifting slightly and wondering who has been in this bed and what has gone down. Suddenly I want to get out.

‘No one has slept in this bed, Ava.’ He knows what I’m thinking.

I frown. ‘They’ve not?’

He smiles as he shrugs his shirt off. ‘No one has been in this room since I cornered you.’ He’s watching me closely, and my mind reflects back to that day when I found myself trapped and silently willing him on. ‘And the bed is new.’

‘Really?’ I blurt, a little shocked.

He laughs. ‘Really.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I’m not having you in a bed that others have…’ His frown line surfaces again. ‘frequented.’ he finishes.

‘And no one has been in this room since me?’ I ask.

He kicks his trousers off and draws his boxers down his legs. ‘Only me. Get your underwear off. I want you naked.’

I reach down and push my knickers from my legs. ‘Did you sit in here quietly and think about me?’ I ask on a grin.

He strides over to a unit of drawers and pulls the top one open. ‘More than you know.’ he answers quietly, turning and holding up a bra.

My bra.

‘That’s my bra!’ I blurt. I have a sudden flurry of flashbacks from when he cornered me. I left my bra, and he stored it there all this time?

He chucks it on the top of the drawers and shrugs sheepishly, then paces over to the bed and slips in beside me. I immediately crawl onto his chest and settle myself all over him, my face nuzzling straight into his neck.

‘Comfy?’ he asks.

‘Hmmm.’ I hum, my hands wandering all over the place, needing to feel him and relish in the flesh on flesh contact.

He sat in here quietly and thought of me. He kept my bra. No one has been in here, except me, and he’s replaced the bed.

‘How do you feel?’ he asks, letting me smother him.

‘I’m fine.’ I sigh. I’m fine at the moment, but not for long, no doubt.

He matches my sigh. ‘She’s fine.’ I’m held tighter, his heartbeat thumping against my breastbone. ‘Go to sleep, my beautiful girl.’

And I do. My eyes slowly close and I’m gone.