I didn’t call for a pleasant catch-up. The last time I saw this woman, she was naked in my bed when I woke up. I need to get to the point before she assumes—or hopes—I’m calling for round two. “I’m good,” I reply, trying to keep it pleasant. “You?” I stop drumming my fingers, listening carefully. “I’ve not seen you around here for a while.” I cringe the second I say the stupid words, but I need to know what the deal is with her husband. I’m mentally praying to every god in existence that the reason she’s not been around here lately is because they’ve made amends and Van Der Haus has promised to keep his dick in his pants. And in return, she’ll steer clear of my establishment.

“I’ve been in Denmark,” she says. “Visiting my mother.”

“And your husband?”

“Is a disgusting womanizer.”

I sag in my chair. I don’t need to ask anymore.

“We’re getting a divorce,” she goes on. I want to cry on the inside. I saw the way Mikael Van Der Haus looked at Ava.

A low, rumbling growl works its way up from my toes. I have to know what I’m dealing with here. “Does he know?”

“About us?”

Why do women say that? Us? Like there’s more to it than a good fuck? “That we’ve fucked, yes.”

“Why do you ask?”

I close my eyes, my head heavy, my fingertips ironing out the creases on my forehead. How do I answer that? Do I tell her I’ve recently acquired a woman whom I’ve become a little obsessed with, and I’m concerned that her slimeball husband will find out and exact revenge? Would Ava be attracted to him? Lord, she’s getting her knickers in a twist over my age, and I know Van Der Haus is at least mid-forties. But he’s got that smooth, suave thing going on. And an accent. All refined and gentlemanly. I inwardly pout. I can be a gentleman.

When I want to be.

One thing’s for sure, though. He won’t be a snitch on me in the bedroom. So why am I starting to sweat? “I ask because I don’t want The Manor being dragged into your mudslinging match in court.” Because make no mistake, she’ll be trying to rinse him dry. Do I need to remind her of the contract?

“Don’t worry. I would like to retain my membership, thank you.”

My lip curls. Great. “So?” I prompt.

“He doesn’t know you tied me up, gagged me, and fucked me from behind, no.”