My bewilderment is interrupted when I hear activity, and I look over my shoulder. Ava’s there, half grinning at me. Glad she’s finding this funny. I shove the shoe back on the shelf on an epic scowl that goes way over her head as she pulls her wallet from her handbag and the assistant wraps the dress, taking a long-arse time about it too.

“Enjoy the dress, madam,” she finally says, handing the bag to Ava once she’s paid. “It really did look lovely on you.” She looks at me, and I roll my eyes.

“Thank you.” Ava slowly pivots, and I quickly find my scowl again. This isn’t over. That dress is not making it onto her body. Unless we’re at home. Alone. And it’ll be quickly removed again. This woman is impossible, just trying to prove a point. “Excuse me,” she says, stopping before my imposing frame, looking at me expectantly.

“You’ve just wasted hundreds of pounds,” I say, motioning to the bag. “You’re not wearing that dress.” I’m so mad. But equally hard. I can’t cope with the conflict. My dick and my sensibility are at war.

“Excuse me, please,” she says slowly.

I take one step to the side, and she scoots past, leaving the store. I’m quickly on her heels, breathing down her neck. “Zero.” I pull her into an alley and push her against the wall, and I kiss her like a man deprived. And, of course, she is with me after just a moment of quite pathetic resistance.

“I’m not going to let you wear that dress,” I gabble between the thrashes of our tongues.

“You can’t tell me what I can and can’t wear.”

“Stop me.”

“It’s just a dress.”

“It’s not just a dress on you, Ava. You’re not wearing it.” I pepper kisses over every inch of her face, and she breathes out tiredly, bored with the argument. At least we can agree on that. I can see she’s exasperated, her sigh heavy and meant to be heard. But, like me, I know she doesn’t want to fight. And I sense she’s becoming aware of my fear of losing her. Of the need to pacify me. Calm me. Soon, she’ll start demanding to know why.

“Thank you for the cake,” she finally whispers.

“You’re welcome. Did you eat it?”

“Yes, it was delicious.” She nuzzles my cheek, and peace blankets me. “I’m not supposed to be spending any more time on you until you’ve settled your bill.” She constricts her hold of me as I bite at her ear. In each other’s arms, calm is ours again.

“I’ll trample anyone who tries to stop me.” She’s seen what I’m capable of.