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“Not one,” I confirm. “Except whether he would prefer burial or cremation. Am I hurting you?”
“No, I’m fine.”
I settle, my own back burning, but I sustain the pain. It’s the least I can do.
“So, does the same apply to Sarah?” Ava asks, at the very moment I lower into her neck to kiss it.
I freeze.“What has Sarah got to do with this?”
“She hurt you.”
“I asked her to.”
“I asked Steve to.”
“Yes, but Steve knew you were off limits, that you are mine. He crossed a clear line that I drew and not just with who he practiced his shit on, but alsohowhe carried it out, although the former is my ultimate bone of contention.” I devote some time to her ear, licking and kissing and biting. Pacifying? Fuck me, I do not want to have to deal with a demand to fire Sarah. “He accepted a whip from someone he hadn’t met before and never even clarified the limits. You could have been mentally unstable for all he knew.”
“I probably was at that specific moment. And anyway, you’re mine. You’re off limits too, you know.”
“I know.” I relent, sighing. “I know, baby. Never again, but I think you’ve demonstrated your grievance with Sarah.” I bet her neck doesnotlook pretty this morning.
“So you’re not getting rid of her?” she asks, sounding...shocked?
Ava can’t appreciate it, but Sarah cannot leave The Manor, and not only because I couldn’t run it without her. “She’s an employee and a close friend. I can’t sack her for doing something I asked her to, Ava.”
“She planned it, Jesse.”
“What do you mean, she planned it?” Planned what? Me being pathetic? Me cheating?
“The text that I got from John.”
“What text?”
“The one she sent from John’s phone saying I should go to The Manor.”
What the hell?Wait— “You think Sarah lifted John’s phone and sent you a text?”
“Yes.”
I laugh, and it’s a nervous laugh. “Don’t be daft.”
“I’m not being daft. I have it on my phone, I’ll show you.”
“Ava, Sarah wouldn’t do that.” Fuck me, she totally would. And yet, I can’t confess that. I can’t openthatcan of worms.
“Do you think I imagined it?”
“No, I’m thinking that you were drugged on Saturday night and maybe you’ve made a mistake.” I am absolutely begging the gods that hate me that she made a mistake, because that isnota problem I want to deal with.
“I’ll show you. She wants you.”
“Well she can’t have me, she knows that. I belong to you.” Ava accepts my lips on her cheek when I kiss her.
“You do.”
So we’re clear. Good. Enough about The Manor and the people who walk the rooms. “Lean forward so I can bathe your back.” Easing her forward, I flinch at the sight of her maimed back, my cheeks blowing out, my heart hurting. “I’ll be gentle.”So gentle.
“I like you rough.”
