Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 183150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 916(@200wpm)___ 733(@250wpm)___ 611(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 183150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 916(@200wpm)___ 733(@250wpm)___ 611(@300wpm)
‘I think we need to go.’ Kate says quietly, walking towards Sam and taking his hand to lead him out of the room.
‘Thank you.’ Jesse nods at them before returning his eyes to me. His shoulders are slightly raised, signaling his tenseness. He looks really worried. He should be.
I hear the hushed, angry whispers of Kate and Sam as they take the stairs, leaving us alone in the communal room.
The communal room. It all makes sense now. That crucifix downstairs is no wall art. The strange grid-like contraption in the suite was no antique. The women sauntering around the place like they live here are not business women. Well, they might be, but not while they’re here.
Oh God, help me.
I watch as Jesse teeth start a good work out on his bottom lip. My strained heartbeats are quickening by the second. This certainly explains the thoughtful moments he’s been drifting in and out of over the last few days. He must have known I would find out? Was he ever going to tell me?
He drops his eyes to the floor. ‘Ava, why didn’t you wait at home for me?’
My shock starts to simmer into anger as everything starts clicking into place. I’m so dense! ‘You wanted me to come.’ I remind him.
‘Not like this.’
‘I sent you a text. I told you I was on my way.’
He frowns. ‘Ava, I haven’t received a text from you.’
‘Where’s your phone?’
‘It’s in my office,’
I go to retrieve my mobile, but then his words from this morning seep back in to my brain. ‘Is this what you wanted to talk about?’ I ask. He didn’t want to talk about us at all. He wanted to talk about all this shit.
He lifts his eyes back up to mine, and there’s no mistaking the regret in them. ‘It was time you knew.’
My eyes widen. ‘No, it was time for me to know a long time ago, Jesse.’ I do a full three sixty turn, refreshing my eyes of where I am. It’s still all there, loud and proud – I’m not dreaming. ‘Fuck!’
‘Watch your mouth, Ava.’ he scorns me gently.
I swing back around to face him in shock. ‘Don’t you dare!’ I cry, slapping the heel of my hand against my forehead. ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck!’
‘Watch...’
‘Don’t!’ I pin him with a fierce glare. ‘Jesse, don’t you dare tell me to watch my mouth!’ I gesture around the room. ‘Look!’
‘I see it, Ava.’ His voice is soft and placating, but it’s not going to calm me down. I’m too stunned.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Oh my God, he’s a glorified pimp.
‘I thought you would have grasped The Manors operations on our first meeting, Ava. When it became obvious that you hadn’t, it just got harder and harder to tell you.’
My head hurts. This is like a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle, each piece clicking into place, all so very slowly. I told him he had a lovely hotel. Oh, he must think I’m something else. He dropped enough hints with his specification and requirements, but because I was so distracted by him, I missed them all. He owns a sex club? This is fucking awful. And the sex? Oh God, the bloody sex. He really is sexpert extraordinaire, and it’s not because of previous relationships. He said himself that he didn’t have time for relationships. Now I know why.
‘I’m going to leave now, and you’re going to let me go.’ I say it with all the determination I feel. I really have been a play toy to him. I’m way past dense – I’m completely brainless.
He’s still frantically chewing his lip as I side step him, taking the stairs in a complete daze.
‘Ava, wait.’ he pleads, following me.
I’m swiftly reminded of the last time I was fleeing here. I should have kept running. I block out his voice, concentrating on getting myself to the entrance hall without breaking my leg in a fall. I pass the second floor bedrooms and mentally slap myself again.
‘Ava, baby, please.’
I reach the bottom of the stairs and fly around to face him. ‘Don’t even think about it!’ I shout at him. He recoils in shock. ‘You’ll let me leave.’
‘You’ve not even given me the chance to explain,’ His eyes are all wide and full of fear. It’s not an expression I’m use to from Jesse. ‘Please, let me explain.’
‘Explain what? I’ve seen everything I need to see.’ I shout. ‘No explanation required! It all speaks loud and clear for itself.’
He steps towards me with his hands out. ‘You weren’t supposed to find out like this.’
I’m suddenly aware of an audience watching our little altercation. Sam, Drew and Kate are all standing at the bar entrance looking uncomfortable…pitiful, even. John looks grave as he assesses Jesse, and Sarah looks as smug as can be. I know now that she must have picked up my message on Jesse’s phone. She opened the gates and she opened the door. She’s got her way. She can have him.