a sudden. And really, really bitter - resentful and consumed with jealousy.
He eyes me suspiciously while arranging the coffees and muffins on the table before ridding himself of the tray and taking a seat opposite me. I start picking at the top of my muffin as I stir my coffee. I know he's watching me, but I can't seem to muster up the strength to appear fine. I'm not. We haven't even talked about The Manor. We haven't talked about anything really.
'I'm not coming to the party.' I say to my cappuccino. 'I love you, but I can't do that.' I add the last bit in the hope of softening the blow. My Lord doesn't take no well - not from me, anyway.
After a few silent moments pass, I glance up to establish what expression his handsome face is displaying. There's no rage or scowl, but his frown line has jumped into position and he is chewing his bottom lip, which tells me this is really important to him. If he hits me with another statement like he did during our tub talk last night, I'll cry.
'It's not going to be how you think it will be, Ava.' he says quietly.
'How do you mean?' I ask on a frown. How does he know how I think it will be?
He takes a sip of his coffee and sets it down on the table before shifting forward in his chair and resting his elbows on his knees. 'Has The Manor ever given you the impression of a seedy sex club?'
'No.' I admit. I didn't even know it was a sex club until I snooped around with Kate and found myself on the third floor. It just looks like a super posh hotel come spa set up. Well, from what I saw, which was not a lot, but that was mainly because I was blinkered by this man sat opposite me.
'Ava, there won't be people wandering around naked and propositioning you. You won't be manhandled up the stairs to the communal room. There are rules.'
Rules? 'What do you mean by rules?' I'm frowning again.
He smiles. 'The only places people are permitted to remove their clothes is in the communal room or one of the private suites. The ground floor, spa and sports facilities are run like any other exclusive resort. I don't run a brothel, Ava. My members pay a lot of money to enjoy everything The Manor provides, not just the privilege to pursue their sexual preference with likeminded people.'
I know I'm blushing, and I could kick myself. 'What's your sexual preference?' I ask quietly. Of all the things I could ask, I ask this? What the hell is wrong with me? I should be picking his brain on cross-type wall hangings and gold grids hanging from the ceiling, or racks of whips and suspended chains from beams.
He grins that roguish grin and pops a chunk of muffin in his mouth, chewing it purposely slowly and watching me as I writher under his potent gaze. 'You.' he states firmly.
'Just me?'
'Just you, Ava.' His tone is husky and determined, and I can't help the small smile tickling the corners of my mouth. He has just cranked up his sexual magnetism tenfold. I could jump him.
'Good.' I take my first real mouthful of my muffin, immensely satisfied by his response. Just me. I like that answer. Do I even care about what goes on at The Manor, as long as Jesse isn't involved? I just have to disregard the fact that he has been. To what extent has he been involved, though, and is it compulsory for me to know?
We watch each other for a short while, him running his index finger across his bottom lip, me marveling at how damn sexy he looks doing just that.
'You'll come?' he asks, instead of demands. He is being really rather reasonable for Jesse. 'Please.' he adds hopefully on a pout.
Oh, I just can't refuse this man. 'Only because I love you.'
His pout transforms into a killer smile, and I pool on the couch. 'Say it again.'
'What? That I'll come?' I frown.
'Oh, you'll come all right. No, tell me you love me again.'
'I do.' I shrug. 'I love you.'
He grins. 'I know you do. I love hearing you say it.' He raises his glorious body slowly and puts his hand out to me. I take it, falling into his chest when he tugs a little. 'If you had kept running, we would be at home by now