My eyes drop to the floor. I can’t believe the things I’m thinking. She’ll say no. Probably now, and definitely after discovering everything there is to know about me. Uncomfortable, I back out of the room to find Ava, needing to stabilize. Only she can do that. I hear the buzz of a hairdryer and approach the room, and when I open the door, she’s bent over, her dark waves being blasted hurriedly. She looks like she’s in a rush. To get back to me?

Taking myself to her bed, I climb on, bouncing, testing the mattress. Then I settle back and enjoy my view. She’s definitely rushing. I pull my phone out and take a picture of her roughly running her fingers through the strands, and gaze around at her room. Her temporary accommodation. So where is she going to live when she leaves here? I ponder that, spying some trainers in the corner. Old trainers. She runs?

The hairdryer stops, and her hair wafts through the air. She finds me and takes in my reclined, relaxed form. Shudders. “Hey, baby.” My gaze takes a lazy jaunt down her incredible body.

“Hey, yourself.” Her smile is everything. “Comfortable?”

I pout, shuffling. “No.” This bed isn’t at all comfortable. Regardless . . . “I’m only comfortable with one thing under me these days.” You. I get up, making my way to her, savoring the vision of her heightening craving the nearer I get. That’s what I can do to her. Some might call it manipulation in a sense. I call it security.

I reach her, and I know she’s expecting me to ravish her. I don’t. I take her shoulders and turn her to face her wardrobe. I get as close as I can to her back, leaning past to browse the dresses. All lovely dresses. Some way too short. I find the perfect one. It’s cream, will look beautiful against her skin tone and dark hair. “Put this on,” I whisper, feeling her body stiffen. “And make sure there’s lace underneath it.” Lots and lots of lace.

Her shaky hand extends and accepts the dress without question, and I make sure when I release it that my touch falls precisely and softly over her naked breast. She shivers. I’m not without a reaction myself, my cock hammering against my jeans. Take her. I roll into her. Work her up.

Then step away, slapping her peachy arse. “Be quick.” Turning, I leave, too fucking happy with myself.

I find Sam and Kate still on the couch all over each other, and I cough to get their attention. Kate shoots back, wiping her mouth, and Sam grins. “Tea?” Kate asks, jumping up.

“One sugar,” Sam calls, chuckling and grabbing the remote control. “You know, vanilla ain’t so bad.” He looks across the room to me. “You heading to The Manor?”

“Yeah. I’m taking Ava.”