Beneath This Man (37 page)

‘What do you think I did?’

I burst into fits of laughter at the thought of my poor man resorting to a quick wank because I’m a child and a tease. I’m soon shut up, though, when I feel him grind into me again. I catch his eyes. They are dancing in delight. I know his game and with Cathy in the kitchen, I also know he has no intention of seeing me through to the end. I wriggle out of his arms and straighten myself out.

‘I’m sorry.’ I say on a grin. I’m not.

He narrows his dazzling greens on me. All of the anger has gone, thank God. ‘You will be.’ He makes a grab for me and positions me back in front of him. ‘Don’t do it again.’ He kisses me hard, grinds his hips, and then removes himself from me, leaving me dazed and disorientated.

I scowl at him. ‘Go and talk to your housekeeper.’  I make a rubbish job of pretending he doesn’t have an effect on me.

‘Ours! For fuck sake woman!’ He clenches his jaw in frustration at me. ‘You’re impossible!’

Me? ‘You go and talk to the housekeeper. I need to make peace with Clive.’ I leave him with a face like thunder. ‘Bye, Cathy.’ I call as I leave the penthouse.

I exit the elevator timidly. I’ve won Cathy back over, now it’s time to work on Clive. I have the urgent need to cleanse my soul. I laugh inwardly. A few apologies to the staff of
Lusso
isn’t going to cut it, and now Clive knows about the elevator door, I expect he’s even more cross with me.

I spot him collecting the post from the mailboxes. ‘Morning, Clive.’ I say cheerfully.

He looks up as he locks the mailbox. There is no escaping his grievance with me. ‘Ava.’ he replies with no friendliness. It’s beyond formal. I’ve
really
upset him.

‘Clive, I’m so sorry.’

‘You caused me untold inconvenience.’ He shakes his head as he makes his way back to his desk. ‘And I have no idea what happened to the elevator door. You’re like a whirlwind, Ava.’

Me? I roll my eyes. I’m not defending myself. ‘I know. Tell me how I can make it up to you.’ I rest my elbows on the high desk and plaster on my most angelic face.

‘Don’t look at me like that, young lady.’ he admonishes me.

I flutter my eye lashes, and he tries his best not to smile, but the corners of his mouth are twitching. I’ve nearly got him. ‘What’s your favourite tipple?’ I ask. Old boys’ are a sucker for a good whiskey. He glances up from the post he is sorting out.

Bingo!

‘I don’t mind a Glenmorangie Port wood finish.’ His eyes light up.

‘Done,’ I say, and he smiles. ‘I really am very sorry. I don’t know what got into me.’ I do know what got into me; Jesse Ward got into me.

‘Consider it forgotten. Here’s your post.’ He hands me a couple of envelopes.

‘Thanks, Clive.’

I turn and walk out into the sunshine, putting my sunglasses on and shoving the envelopes in my bag. It’s a lovely day, and I’m looking forward to spending all of it with Mr Challenging.

‘You’ll have to talk to her,’ Jesse strides out of the foyer of
Lusso
. ‘She’s asking about favourite foods, toiletries and all sorts.’ He’s clearly exasperated.

Watching him approach, I take him in, all six foot three inches of lean loveliness. I smile to myself. I will never tire of admiring him. His stonewashed jeans hang low on his hips and the white t-shirt is gripping his biceps slightly. He has his Wayfarers on and he’s not shaved. I could eat him.

‘What are you grinning at?’ he asks, completely amused as he approaches me.

‘Do you not find it strange that you don’t know those things?’ My voice is critical and intended to be. It’s ridiculous that we don’t know these basic facts about each other.

He grabs my hand and leads on. ‘Your point being?’

‘My point is that we don’t know much about each other.’ I say. He can’t argue with that. It’s a perfectly accurate statement.

He pulls me to a stop. ‘What’s your favourite food?’

I frown. ‘Smoked salmon.’  

‘I knew that,’ he smiles. ‘What deodorant do you use?’

I roll my eyes. ‘Vaseline.’

He looks up to the heavens and blows out a fake, relieved breath before returning his eyes to mine. ‘I feel like I know you so much better now,’ he mocks. ‘Happy?’

He thinks he’s clever. He just won’t admit that it’s unusual not to know these things. ‘We’re driving?’ I ask as he opens the passenger door for me to get in.

‘Well, I’m not walking and I don’t do public transport, so yes, we’re driving. Anyway, we need to shoot over to The Manor to check everything is in place for tonight.’

I think I just about disguise my inward groan. Great, I get a day off work to spend with Jesse, and I’m being dragged to The Manor day
and
night. I get in and wait for Jesse to slide in beside me.

We take off towards the city, the morning rush hour traffic not bothering Jesse in the slightest. Oasis sing
Morning Glory
, and I watch Jesse as he hums along, tapping his steering wheel and performing his usual swerving, cutting in and general poor road manners. He looks so trouble free and happy with himself. This is the easygoing Jesse who everyone keeps telling me about. After the more recent revelations, I feel like a weight has been lifted. I know he has a history and a pretty sordid one at that, but it’s in his past. He loves me. I don’t doubt it for a minute.

‘What?’ He glances across, catching me studying him.

‘I was just thinking about how much I love you.’ I say casually as I let the window down a bit. It’s hot in here.

‘I know you do,’ He reaches over and grasps my bare knee. ‘Where am I heading then?’

Well that’s easy. ‘Oxford Street,’ I reply. ‘All of the stores I like are on Oxford Street.’

His face screws up disapprovingly. ‘All of the stores?’

‘Yes.’ What’s the matter with him?

‘Isn’t there just one shop you go to?’

Just one shop? He thinks I’m going to find a dress in the first shop I walk in? ‘I want some new shoes as well. And maybe a bag. You won’t find it all in one store.’

‘I would!’ he says, stunned at my intention to drag him around more than one shop. I can’t imagine Jesse shopping for clothes. Men’s shopping is a lot simpler than women’s. If he’s expecting a similar experience to when he goes shopping, then he’s in for a shock.

‘Where do you go?’ I ask.

‘Harrods. Zoe sorts me out every time. It’s quick and pain free.’

‘Yes, that’s because you pay for the service you get.’ I reply dryly.

‘The service is second to none and worth every penny. They’re the best at what they do.’ he says firmly. ‘Anyway, you’re not buying the dresses, so I get to choose the shopping style.’

My head snaps up. ‘One dress, Jesse, you owe me one dress.’ I remind him. He shrugs, completely ignoring me. ‘One dress.’ I affirm.

‘Lots of dresses.’ he says to himself.

Oh no! He is not buying my clothes. I’ve had one shopping experience with him, and he nearly had an epileptic fit over the length of my dress. Yes, I only bought the stupidly expensive thing in a childish revenge fit, but the point is; he thought he could dictate what I wear. He wants to buy my clothes so he can choose them.

‘You are not buying my clothes!’ I say with all the disgust I truly feel.

He looks at me like I’ve just grown another head. ‘I fucking am!’

‘No, you’re not.’

‘Ava, this is not up for discussion. End of.’ He removes his hand from my knee to change gear.

‘No, you’re right, it’s not. I buy my own clothes.’ I turn Oasis up to drown out any counter attack. I’m not budging on this. I will buy my own clothes. End of!

We travel the rest of the way with only Oasis filling the silence. I catch him chewing his bottom lip and the cogs are turning so fast I can almost hear them. I smile because if we were not in public, I would be having a sense fuck right about now. Instead, though, he’s thinking about how else he can go about getting his way.

He parks up then turns to face me. ‘I have a proposition for you.’ he tells me confidently.

Ah, the cogs at work. I’ve no doubt the end result of this proposition will be Jesse getting his own way. ‘I’m not bargaining with you and there is no scope for a sense fuck here, is there?’ I say smugly, getting out of the car.

Jesse jumps out and walks around the car to join me on the pavement. He narrows his eyes on me. ‘Mouth! You already owe me a retribution fuck.’

‘Do I?’

‘Yes, another for your little performance at breakfast.’ he reminds me.

I knew I wouldn’t get away with it. ‘I don’t care what you propose. You’re not buying my clothes.’ I say haughtily. Jesse’s comment about only wearing dresses springs to mind. He was serious, no doubt.

‘You’ve not even heard me out,’ he complains. ‘You’ll like what I’m going to propose.’ He grins. His confident persona is back, and I’m intrigued. I study him for a second and his grin widens. He knows he’s got my attention.

‘What?’ I ask. What’s he going to entice me with?

His eyes twinkle in satisfaction. ‘You let me spoil you,’ He tips his finger under my chin to shut my mouth when I try to object. ‘And I will tell you how old I am.’ He lowers his mouth to mine and seals his deal with a deep kiss.  

What?

I allow him to kiss all of my obstinacy right out of me on the busy London pavement. Once again, I’m completely and utterly taken by this man, who lays one finger on me and renders me easy. He moans into my mouth as he tips me back, holding me suspended in his arms.

‘I know how old you are.’ I say against his lips.

He pulls back and gazes down at me. ‘Do you?’

I gape at him. ‘You lied?’ He’s not thirty seven? How old is he then? Bloody hell, is he older? ‘Tell me.’ I demand on a scowl.

‘Oh no. Spoil first, age confession later. You might turn me over. I know my beautiful girl can play dirty.’ He grins and returns me to a standing position.

‘I won’t,’ I scoff. I will! ‘I can’t believe you lied to me.’

He gives me an inquiring eye. ‘I can’t believe you handcuffed me to the bed.’

No, I can’t believe I did that either, but it seems the whole episode was fruitless, after all. He takes my hand and leads me across the road and into the store.

Chapter 18

My eyes are immediately blessed with masses of drool worthy handbags, but I’m not given the opportunity to look. He walks with purpose and meaning as he drags me along behind him and when we get in the elevator, he presses the button for the first floor. I scan the store guide.

‘Hey, I want the fourth floor.’ I would like to avoid the international collections of the first floor. They scream expensive, but he completely ignores me. ‘Jesse?’ I look at him and find his face is completely impassive as he keeps a firm grip of my hand. The elevator door opens and I’m pulled out behind him.

‘This way.’ he says, pulling me through the incredible displays of designer clothes and couture gowns. I’m glad he’s bypassing those.

Oh no!

My heart sinks when I spot the sign for Personal Shopping. ‘No, Jesse, no no no,’ I try to stop him, but he presses forward, pulling me towards the entrance of the department. ‘Jesse, please.’ I plead, but again, he completely ignores me.

I want to kick him in the shins. I hate fuss and attention in stores. They kiss your arse and tell you everything looks fabulous and the whole thing makes you feel like you have to buy something. The pressure will be immense, and I dare not even think about the cost.

 ‘I have an appointment with Zoe.’ he advises the smart, suited and booted chap who greets us. Why did he ask me where we were heading if he already knew? I want to wring his neck.

‘Mr Ward?’ The assistant asks.

‘Yes.’ Jesse says, still refusing to look at me, even though he knows damn well I’m scowling heavily at him and I’m mighty uncomfortable with this.

‘Please, this way. Can I get you any drinks? Champagne, perhaps?’ he asks politely.

Jesse looks at me, and I shake my head. I want to cut and run straight to House of Fraser, where I can shop in peace with a can of coke and with minimum fuss.

‘No, thank you.’ Jesse replies. The young man leads us into a luxurious private area and Jesse pulls me over to a big, leather sofa. I sit down next to him and pull my hand out of his. This is quite possibly my worst nightmare. 

‘What’s up?’ he asks as he makes a grab for my hand again.

I look at him accusingly. ‘Why did you ask me where I wanted to go if you’d already made an appointment?’

He shrugs. ‘I don’t understand why you would want to trail around a dozen stores when you can have everything brought to you here.’

He really doesn’t understand? He’s a man. What did I expect? ‘Is this how you shop?’ I ask. He must have more money than sense. I’m getting sweatier by the second.

‘Yes, and I pay for the privilege so just humour me, will you?’ he says shortly.

I look at him, completely stunned, but before I have a chance to retaliate, a young blonde haired girl appears and beams at Jesse. She’s pretty and kitted out in a Ralph Lauren cream suit.

‘Jesse!’ she sings at him. ‘How are you? He gets up and she kisses him continental style. I assume they are familiar by their exchange. How often does he come here?

‘Zoe. I’m good. You?’ He smiles at her. It’s one of them knock out smiles – the one that reduces women to a mass of hormones at his feet.

‘Great, this must be Ava. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’ She puts her hand out to me, and I stand to take it, offering a small smile. She’s friendly enough, but I’m still not comfortable here. She sits in the chair opposite us. ‘So, Ava, Jesse tells me we’re looking for something special for an important party.’ she says excitedly. Something special sounds like it’s going to have a special price tag too.

‘Something very special.’ Jesse reiterates as he pulls be back down to the couch. I suddenly feel like I’m overheating, and I’m all claustrophobic in this massive room.

‘Okay, what’s your style, Ava? Give me an idea of what you like.’ She places her hands in her lap and looks at me expectedly.

I don’t know what my style is. If I like something and I feel good in it, I buy it. I can’t categorise my style. ‘I don’t have a style really.’ I shrug, and her eyes light up. That must have been a good answer.