I don’t have a moment to offer my hand. He’s on me like a lion, his lips on my cheek. Whoa, mate. I remain still, as stiff as a board. He’s a bit . . . friendly.

“It really is a pleasure,” he chants, pulling away and copping a good feel of my biceps. “Tell me, do you work out?”

It’s me rolling my eyes now, and I scowl at Ava when she laughs before pivoting and leaving me with her very enthusiastic work colleague. “From time to time,” I say, reminding myself that this guy is obviously friends with Ava, and I need all the support I can get.

“You’re very well formed.” He steps back, smiling at me. “If it wasn’t obvious you’ve got your sights set on someone else, I’d ask if you’d like to join me for a drink.”

I can’t help my small smile. Oh, I have my sights set on someone, make no mistake. I cock my head when I see Ava disappear into the kitchen. “Nice talking, Tom,” I say, moving past him and heading toward the kitchen.

“Where the hell have you been?” Sarah intercepts me, her eyes accusing. “I’m bored out of my mind. Can we leave now?”

“Feel free to leave when you want.” I see Ava approaching an older man, who passes her a glass of champagne. How many has she had this evening? I could taste it on her tongue, and I saw her car outside. She better not even think about driving anywhere.

Sarah moves in my peripheral vision, turning to see what has my undivided attention. “Ah. The designer,” she purrs. “The young designer.”

I wish she would shut the fuck up. I toss her a tired look, am about to tell her to clear off back to The Manor and go whip the living daylights out of some poor, sick bastard, but someone catches my eye. And I’m all stiff again, holding back my growl. “What the fuck?” I murmur.

“What?” Sarah asks, her attention back on me.

“Nothing.” Fucking hell, I need to leave before I go on a rampage and drag Ava out of here.

Mikael Van Der Haus moves in, his smarmy, suggestive smile being lavished all over Ava. I wouldn’t be worried, but Van Der Haus’s marriage is over. And I know that for a fact because his wife told me. And she told me because she was a guest at The Manor.