This Man Confessed (6 page)

He laughs. “Really.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not having you in a bed that others have…” His frown line surfaces again. “Frequented.”

“And no one has been in this room since me?”

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.

“That’s my bra!” I blurt. I have a sudden flurry of flashbacks. I left my bra when I ran, 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?”

“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.

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.

I
open my eyes and stretch. It’s an over-the-top, completely contented extension of my body all over the bed. Then I smile to myself, listening to him in the bathroom—the sound of the tap jetting out streams of hot water, him collecting all of the cosmetics he’ll need, and then the unmistakable sound of him swishing the water to instigate some bubbles. My self-professed bath man is keeping to his word. We’re going to have a long soak in the bath and undoubtedly some tub-talk while we’re there. Do I want tub-talk today?

Shuffling myself to the edge of the gigantic bed, I take my naked form over to the suite’s bathroom and lean up against the door frame. He’s sitting on a chair by the window, elbows resting on his knees, looking out across The Manor’s grounds. He’s naked too, every finely tuned muscle protruding from his back and his dark blond hair damp from the condensation filling the vast space. I could stand all day and watch him, but even from here and with his back to me, I can see the cogs of his mind racing at a hundred miles per hour. He’s probably thinking about my denial, and he’s undoubtedly thinking about how he can keep me at home. It’s Monday tomorrow.

My unreasonable, challenging, neurotic control freak.

My ex-playboy.

And now my husband.

I need to touch him.

I approach quietly, my eyes getting more delighted the closer I get, my skin starting to prickle with the usual sparks that simmer between our bodies. “I know when you’re near, beautiful girl.” He doesn’t look around. “You’ll never get away with that.”

Moving in front of him, I climb onto his lap, planting my cheek on his chest.

His arms engulf me and his face plummets into my hair. “How are you feeling?”

I smile into his chest. “Fine.”

“Fine,” he replies, pulling me in closer. “Don’t go to work tomorrow.”

I sag in his lap slightly. I had agreed to marry him quickly if he accepted that there would be no honeymoon, and if he agreed to chill out on the overprotectiveness and unreasonableness. My instincts told me he’d fail on all counts.

I pull myself up and face him. “I need to work.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t
need
to work at all. We
need
to be together.”

“We are together.”

“You know what I mean,” he grumbles.

I’m going to get nowhere with this, so I remove myself from his lap and head for the bath.

“What are you doing?”

I don’t need to turn around to confirm the scowl that I know will be on his face. “Having a bath.” I climb in and settle back, but almost instantly move forward to give him space.

He climbs in and settles behind me, pulling me back to rest on his chest and homing straight in on my ear, giving a little growl and a nibble. “I’ve told you before, don’t fight me off.”

“Then stop making unreasonable demands.”

He bites down harder on my lobe. “And I’ve also told you that before. There is nothing unreasonable about wanting to keep you safe.”

“You mean keep me to yourself.” I close my eyes and let my head relax against him, my palms sliding onto his strong, wet thighs.

“No.” His fingers lace through mine. “To keep you safe.”

“You use that as an excuse for your unreasonable behavior.”

“No. You make me crazy.”

“You make yourself crazy. I’m going to work tomorrow and you are going to let me, and you’re not going to make a fuss of it. You promised.”

I feel his mouth at my ear again, and I use every modicum of strength to restrain my moan. “But you promised to obey me. I think marriage vows override any promises that were made before.” He pushes himself up against my bum. “Does someone need some sense fucked into them?”

I jerk, sending water swishing around us. I’d love some sense fucked into me, but I still won’t relent. “You also promised to stop fucking sense into me because it was agreed that all of the sense only makes sense to you.” I’m beginning to wish we’d never made that agreement. Sense fucking equals hard fucking.

“Love, honor, and obey,” he whispers, and my face naturally turns toward that low, husky voice, my lips finding his. “That makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“No.” I breathe. “Hardly anything you demand makes sense.”

“We make sense.” He swamps me with his mouth. “Tell me we make sense.”

“We make sense.”

“Good girl. Sit up so I can bathe you.” He drops my lips, leaving me feeling deserted, and pushes me forward. “We’ll have breakfast with your family, and then I’m taking you home. Deal?”

“Deal.” I can’t wait to go home, but I absolutely
can
wait to go downstairs and face Kate and Dan. I’m not even going to try and work out what the hell Kate’s thinking. Will she even remember? She was pretty pissed. And Sam. I inwardly groan. How am I going to face Sam knowing this?

“What are you thinking about?” Jesse asks, pulling me back to the here and now.

“Kate,” I answer immediately. “I’m thinking about Kate and Sam.”

“I’ve told you, A—”

“Don’t tell me it’s none of my business, Jesse. She’s my best friend. I feel like I’m watching a car crash in slow motion. I need to stop it.”

“No, you need to mind your own business, Ava,” he scorns me harshly. “You’re done.” He places the sponge on the edge of the bath and rises behind me, stepping out and grabbing a towel. “Wash your hair.” He rubs himself down and wraps the towel around his waist. “Maybe you could show as much concern for a little detail in our relationship that needs addressing.” He drills holes into me with an expectant look, and I immediately forget all issues relating to Sam and Kate, but I don’t embrace his newfound talent for talking—a talent only used on subjects of his choice. Instead, I slide down into the bath and immerse myself in the bubbly water. I’m not looking at him, but I know he’s just rolled his eyes. He can roll his eyes all he likes. I’m dealing with this in my own way. And that way is to wedge my head as far underground as I can get it.

We walk into restaurant of The Manor hand in hand and are immediately greeted by loud clapping and cheering. The first things I notice, apart from the noise, are Kate’s obvious hangover, and across the room, Dan’s glacial glare, pointed right at Jesse.

My husband either notices neither or ignores them both, because he scoops me up and strides through the tables, places me neatly on a chair opposite Mum and Dad, then takes one up next to me.

“Darling!” Mum’s excited shriek hammers at my ears. “What a wonderful day it was, despite a certain difficult man.” She glares across the table at Jesse.

“Good morning, Elizabeth.” Jesse beams at my mum, and she rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s restraining a fond smile. “How are you, Joseph?”

My dad nods while carving through a sausage. “Very well. Did you two enjoy your day?”

“We did, thank you. Are you being looked after?” Jesse casts his eyes around the restaurant, checking that the staff are seeing to the remaining guests.

“Too well.” Dad laughs. “We’ll be hitting the road after breakfast, so I’ll take this opportunity to thank you for your hospitality.”

I smile at my dad and his graciousness, his manners never failing him. “Is Dan going back with you?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

“Oh no, has he not told you?” Mum asks.

Jesse butters some toast and takes my hand, placing the bread in my grasp and nodding at it, his silent instruction to eat. “Told me what?” I ask before wrapping my lips around the edge.

“He’s staying in London for a while.” Mum starts cutting the fat off Dad’s bacon, and I cough.

“He’s what?”

“Staying in London, darling.”

I swing my eyes across the room to Dan, finding his full attention is on Kate. “Why?” I ask. “I thought he has the surf school to expand.” This is bad news. I drop my toast on my plate and Jesse immediately picks it up and puts it back in my grasp.

“He says there’s no rush, and I’m not complaining.” Mum accepts a coffee from Pete, and then he places one in front of me, too.

“No chocolate and no sugar, Ava,” he confirms.

I look up at him and smile fondly. “Thank you, Pete.” I place my toast back on my plate and Jesse immediately picks it up again.

“Eat.” He thrusts it in my hand.

“I don’t want the fucking toast!” I spit out harshly, halting all chopping and sipping at our table.

“Ava. Mouth!” Jesse recoils, and I can feel my parents’ shocked stares from across the table. I’m shocked myself, but I don’t need him trying to force feed me, and I most definitely don’t need Dan hanging around and complicating an already complicated situation.

I ignore Jesse’s incredulous stare and my parents’ dumbstruck faces, and get up from the table.

“Where are you going?” Jesse stands with me. “Ava, sit down.” His tone is a warning, even in front of my parents, but I should know by now that he couldn’t give a flying fuck where he is and who is present. He’ll be mad at me or ravish me wherever and whenever he likes. My parents aren’t going to stop him.

“Sit down and eat your breakfast, Jesse.” I go to pass him, but his hand flies out and grasps my wrist.

“Excuse me?” He laughs.

I look him straight in the eye. “I said, sit down and eat your breakfast.”

“Yes, I thought you did.” He pulls me back down onto my chair and places my toast in my hand, then leans into me, pressing his mouth to my ear. “Ava, this isn’t the time or the place for you to start throwing your weight around. And have a little respect in front of your parents.” His hand moves to my knee and strokes up the inside of my bare thigh. “I like this dress,” he whispers.

I smile sweetly at my parents across the table, who have resumed eating their breakfast. He has a nerve. Have some respect for my parents? My teeth clench when he brushes the seam of my knickers and blows in my ear. He was losing the battle, so he saturates me with his touch to regain the power. Damn him. I squeeze my thighs together and pick up my coffee with shaking hands while he continues to wreak havoc on me with his hot breath in my ear. Mum and Dad have spent time with us, and they have fast become used to Jesse’s craving for constant contact.

He pulls away and hits me with a smug, satisfied stare. Yes, he’s won now, but only because he’s absolutely right. This really isn’t the time or the place, especially with my mum and dad here.

“Jesse is right, Ava,” Dad pipes up, completely shocking me. “You should watch your language.”

“Yes,” my mum agrees quickly. “It’s not very ladylike.”

I don’t have to look at my husband to know his smugness has just expanded into slap-worthy territory. “Thank you, Joseph.” His knee knocks mine under the table, and I knock him right back.

“So, when are you two honeymooning?” Mum smiles across the table at us.

“When my wife says so,” Jesse replies dryly, eyeing my toast. “When will that be, lady?”

I nibble a corner of toast and shrug. “When I have time. I’ve got a lot to sort out at work. My husband knows that.” I turn accusing eyes on him, and he grins at me. “What are you grinning at?”

“You.”

“What about me?”

“Everything about you. Your beauty, your spirit, your need to drive me insanely crazy.” He reaches over and straightens my diamond. “And the fact you’re mine.”

I see my mother in my peripheral vision swaying with giddiness at my challenging man and his open need to drown me in his adoration. “Oh, Joseph,” she croons. “Do you remember being that much in love?”

“No, I don’t.” Dad laughs. “Come on, I want to get on the road.” He brushes his mouth with his napkin and stands.

Mum doesn’t reply. She’s too busy smiling fondly across the table at us. Dad leaves the restaurant, and I turn my attention to Kate. She looks terrible, her skin looking even paler than usual and her vibrant red hair appearing dull. She’s picking at some cornflakes while Sam chats buoyantly to her, seemingly oblivious to her despondent state. It’s obvious that she’s struggling with more than just a bad head and a queasy tummy. Sam can’t be
that
ignorant. My eyes leave Sam and Kate and travel back across the room to Dan. He’s still staring at her.

“You’ve noticed it, too?” Jesse asks quietly when he’s obviously caught the direction of my gaze.

“Yes, but I’ve been warned to mind my own business,” I answer without taking my eyes from Dan.

“You have, but I didn’t say you couldn’t tell your brother to back off.”

My eyes shoot to Jesse’s profile, but he ignores my shock and stands when my mum rises from the table. “I’ll be back soon to say my good-byes.” She brushes her skirt down and leaves the room, giving Kate a shoulder rub en-route. Kate smiles a little, then looks over at me, but quickly diverts her eyes. I sigh to myself and wonder what on earth I’m going to say to my usually fiery friend. She looks in complete turmoil, but I can’t help but be mad with her.

I quickly remember what Jesse said before my mum left the table. “You want me to warn my brother off?” I ask.

He looks at me carefully as he sits back down. “I think he needs to be told. I don’t want to upset you by doing it myself, so perhaps you should have a word with him.”

I’ve already tried to have a word, and I know it fell on deaf ears, but I won’t be telling Jesse that because it will undoubtedly prompt him to intervene. “I’ll speak to him.” I put my unfinished toast back on the plate. “And before you start, I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat, baby.” He makes a play for my breakfast again, and I slap my hand over his.

“I’m not hungry.” I load my voice with lashings of confidence. “Can we go home now?”

He shifts his hand and grips mine firmly, looking at me thoughtfully. “We can go home now. Come on.”

After seeing my parents off, ignoring my brother, and telling Kate I’ll call her later, I’m deposited in the DBS and taken back to Lusso. My home—the place where Jesse and I will live together as husband and wife.

I open the door and step out, letting out a shocked yelp when I’m swept off my feet. “I have legs.” I laugh, linking my hands over his neck.

“And I have arms, and they were made to hold you.” He plants a chaste kiss on my lips and kicks the car door shut before striding into the foyer of Lusso. “I’m putting you in our bed, and I’m not letting you out until morning.”