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“What do youthinkI did?”
Her laughter is life—erection-inducing stuff—the delighted sparkle in her eyes blinding.Yes, you have the power, baby.I roll into her firmly, shutting her up.But I’m taking it back.
Unfortunately, she escapes my arms and my intention, grinning as she smiles and pats down the front of her dress. “I’m sorry.”
“You will be.” I pull her back and kiss her hard. “Don’t do it again.” And then push her away, relishing the almighty scowl on her face.
“Go talk to your housekeeper,” she grates around her rolling jaw.
“Ours,” I correct her again. “For fuck’s sake, woman.” I take her jaw and get nose to nose with her. “You’re impossible.”
“You go and talk tothehousekeeper. I need to make peace with Clive.” Wrenching herself free, she goes to the front door, calling a goodbye toourhousekeeper, while I scowl at her back.
“Bye,” Cathy shouts from the kitchen, appearing at the doorway armed with a pad and pen. “Now, what milk does Ava like? Skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole?”
“I...I think.” I frown. “No idea.”
“Bread? Whole, granary, white?”
I show the ceiling my palms.
“Brand of shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste?”
I shake my head, lips straight, and Cathy’s pad and pen drop heavily with her hands, hitting the front of her apron.
“How am I supposed to know what to buy at the supermarket?”
That’s not all she’s wondering. She’s wondering how I don’t know this shit when I’m apparently in love with this woman. She’s thinking it’s odd. She’s thinking Ishouldknow. “Perhaps it’s best if you talk to Ava yourself.” I get my keys and phone, checking the screen. Nothing. Running upstairs, I grab what I need and race back down, going to Cathy and dropping a kiss on her cheek. “I expect you’ll be gone by the time we’re home. Have a lovely weekend.”
“You too, boy,” she calls to my back. “And try not to break any windows, doors, and walls while I’m away.”
I look back, arching an eyebrow at her dry wit, and she smiles sweetly, going back to the kitchen. The elevator doors greet me, and I grimace at them, looking down at my hand. Surprisingly, it looks in a far better state than the doors.
By the time I’ve made it downstairs, Ava is outside in the car park waiting for me. I can see her past the glass doors, and I smile, pacing through, eager to get to her. My path is suddenly blocked, and I skid to a stop, narrowly missing taking him off his feet. “What are you doing?” I ask, looking down at Clive.
“I just wanted to discuss a small matter with you, Mr. Ward.”
“Oh?” I step back, wary. The elevator doors? The vandalizing of his telephone system courtesy of my hot-headed girlfriend?
“I have inside information, you see.”
“What’s that?”
“The concierge joining us.”
“There’s a new concierge?”
“There will be. Another one. He’s starting in a few weeks. Carl?” He frowns. “No, Colin. Or was it Callum? No, that’s it. Casey.”
I look past Clive, my patience wearing thin. “What about him?”
“He’s a bit straitlaced, if you know what I mean.”
I laugh out loud. “Right,” I say slowly, tilting my head, narrowing my eye on the old boy. “Are you saying, Clive, that tips might not go as far with the new concierge as they will with you?”
He smiles. “That is indeed what I am saying, Mr. Ward, so please do remember when you need assistance and I might not be on shift, I am only one call away.” He winks dramatically as he holds his hand out, and I slowly take it, amused. “Glad that’s settled.” He pulls his hand out of mine and goes back to his desk, and I notice a piece of paper in my palm with a telephone number. Clive’s number.
I laugh as I tuck it in my back pocket and join Ava. “You’ll have to talk to her. She’s asking about favorite foods, toiletries, and all sorts.” I slip my shades on and aim the fob at my Aston, making it blink across the car park, my stride slowing when I catch Ava’s smile. “What are you grinning at?”
