Guilt flares. Change the subject. My thumb works circles around her knee. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“It’s Wednesday,” she replies, sounding confused. “I’m working.”

“Take the day off.”

“What, just like that?”

“Yes; you owe me two days.”

“I have too much to do,” she argues, and I pout. That’s horseshit. And if it isn’t, it sucks, because The Manor can practically run itself with John and Sarah around, leaving me twiddling my thumbs most of the time. “Besides, you abandoned me for four days,” she says out of the blue, and I still. I owe her four days. So she needs to give me the opportunity to repay my debt, and I will. Tenfold. For the rest of my life.

“Come with me now, then.”

“Where?”

“I’ve got to shoot over to The Manor, sort a few things out with John. You can have some dinner while you wait for me.” I’ll call ahead. Make sure it’s not too busy. Walk her straight through to my office. It’ll be fine.

She stills against me. “I think I’ll stay here,” she says as I look down at her, seeing the corner of her lip lost past her teeth. “I don’t want to get in your way.”

Get in my way? That’s exactly what I want. Her, in my way, every minute of every hour. I seize her wrists and take her to her back. “You won’t ever be in my way.” I peek down at her breasts. Smile to myself. And drop my face, working my mouth over each nipple. She’s immediately taut beneath me, her nipples like stones, her breathing shot. My smile widens. “You’ll come.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She strains the words, and I bite down on one of her boobs, peeking up at her. “Hmm, sense fuck?”

A loud bang, followed by laughs, seeps into the bedroom. Noooooooo. I pout through my mouthful of boob, and Ava grins. “I don’t suppose you can keep your mouth shut while I fuck some sense into you?” What sort of stupid question is that? “For fuck’s sake.” I force myself up, tactically brushing my knee against her center, catching her soaking pussy. She’s restraining herself. She’s so cute. I smash my lips on hers and kiss the living daylights out of her. “I’ve got to go. When I call you tomorrow, you’ll answer.”

“I will,” she agrees without question and, God, the peace inside is incredible. See? All she has to do is agree and I’m calm. Even though she’s obviously humoring me. Mocking me.

I smile wolfishly and make a play for her ticklish hip, grabbing it, and she screams, bursting my eardrums. She bucks, landing on her front. It’s too good of an opportunity to pass up. I bring my palm down on her arse hard.

“Ouch!”