I race back into The Manor, flying through like a bullet to my office. I grab my keys and sprint back to my car, people jumping from my path. I land in the seat heavily, start the engine, and pull off, sending the back end drifting across the gravel. “Fucking woman.” While it’s my mission to prove she’s as desperate for me as I am for her, it seems her mission is to send me to crazy town in every fucking way.

Her Mini comes into view, the gates stopping her escape. “Good try,” I say, coming to a stop behind her, getting out and walking over. I know my face is displaying every ounce of anger I feel as I swing the door open. She has her head resting on the steering wheel. Don’t tell me she’s exasperated? She has no fucking idea. I take her arm firmly and pull her out of the car, taking the keys out of the ignition too. “Ava.” My jaw buzzes, my aggravation blazing when her nostrils flare in annoyance. “You’re half pissed. I swear to God, if you’d have hurt yourself . . .”

She flinches, looking away, ashamed. God damn me. I soften, taking her jaw and turning her to face me. Look at her. Still flushed with desire. Her eyes still begging for me, even if her lips refuse to say it. Say it, woman. Find that resolve you had back there when I had you in my arms. Accept me.

She tugs her face away, and I sigh. “Are you okay?” I ask gently, now calm. It’s because she’s here, within touching distance. I reach for her again, but she withdraws. I take it on the chin. She looks . . . emotional.

“Funnily enough, no, I’m not,” she snaps. “Why did you do that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“You want me.”

“More than anything,” I admit, unapologetic.

“I’ve never met anyone so full of themselves.” Is she laughing? “Did you plan this? When you rang me yesterday, was this your intention all along?”

Did she honestly think I’d be able to stay away? And did she honestly want me to? Good lord, if I’m full of myself, she’s full of fucking shit. What I’ve done is as obvious as how I feel. But in case she’s truly missed all of that, I spell it out, loud and clear, no holding back. “Yes. I want you.”

She shakes her head. No, I can’t believe I’m here either, but I am, and so are you. So, deal with it before I go certifiably mad. “Can you open the gates, please?” She marches off, and I watch her, ignoring her request. There’s no way I’m letting her out of here, and I wouldn’t even if she hadn’t had a drink. Not until we’ve talked. Sorted this shit out. Found a middle ground. Which is what, Ward? She flies around, fuming mad. “Open the damn gates!”