She looks worried, and in turn, I’m worried. “I told Kate I’d be home,” she says, her body tensing, ready to free herself. “I better call her. She needs my car to visit her gran in Yorkshire.”

She’s out of my arms before I can stop her, and I have to reason with myself before I yank her right back. She’s just making a call. Let her make the call. I pout, my naked body feeling lost without her attached to it. I’m in more trouble than I thought.

My hand goes to my chest. The contented heartbeat is now more of a panicked thrum. Jesus, I need to get a fucking grip. She’s right there, Ward.

I stand stock-still, watching her as she retrieves her phone and bashes out a text message before she pulls some jeans out. She’s dressing? Why?

“I’ve got to go,” she says as she starts to put them on.

What?

“Go?” I yell without thought, and she jumps, but she still carries on dressing.

“I’ve got one set of car keys and Kate needs them.”

Tough fucking shit. I need her here more than her friend needs her keys. She’s staying. End of. Are you hearing yourself, Ward? I stalk over and seize her, throwing her over my shoulder.

“What are you doing?” she yells. I ignore her, focusing on getting her into my bedroom. “Shit!” she curses, only serving to piss me off more. I’ll be asking Cathy to pick up some soap when she’s next at the supermarket so I can wash Ava’s mouth out. “Jesse, put me down!”

Not a fucking chance. I grab the leg of the jeans she managed to get halfway on, pulling them off and tossing them aside. And for good measure, I give her arse a stinger of a slap.

“Ouch!”

“Mouth,” I yell, pushing the door open with a bit too much force. I see the bed, maneuver her on my shoulder, and toss her onto the sheets, diving on after her and pinning her down. My cock falls straight to where it should be, and I inhale, waiting for her to get her bearings and find me. She better see the annoyance in my eyes. “You’re not fucking going anywhere.” My voice is hoarse, and when I swivel and plunge, I bark out my pleasure, hearing the muffled sounds of her scream.

My heart settles.

I have to take a moment, my head limp, every inch of my skin sizzling with need. How does she do this to me? I lift my gaze to hers, pulling out, relishing the want in her eyes. And I pound back in on a grunt, making her head lash back. Her scream is epic. “Look at me,” I order, and she does, her breathing chaotic. “That’s better. Now, do you need a reminder?”