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.