Beneath This Man (48 page)

He pushes my hair from my face gently. ‘You find Kate and I’ll get the drinks.’

‘Okay.’

‘Go.’ He turns me around, sending me on my way.

I make my way through to the summer room, avoiding the toilets, even though I could do with a wee. The dance floor is busy and I spy Kate immediately, her red hair a beacon in the crowd. I step onto the dance floor as Otis Reading’s
Love Man
kicks in and Kate screams, thrilled at my arrival and the track.

‘Where have you been?’ she yells over the music.

‘A tour of the communal room.’ I shrug, but then the hideous thought of Kate up there stamps all over my mind. Oh God no!

Her big blues widen in astonishment, and then her pale face breaks out in a big grin. This does not assist in ridding my head of such unbearably awful thoughts. She grabs my hand and I grasp my dress so I can join her. Sam and Drew are very well oiled and performing some pretty criminal moves as they attract the attention of many women on the dance floor. Kate doesn’t seem to mind. She keeps her hand in mine and rolls her eyes at her wayward fellow and his cheeky grin. She is as laidback and unthreatened as ever, but Sam, it would seem, is not so. He soon yanks her away from a man dancing a bit too close for his liking.

I jump and have a mild panic attack when a back presses up against mine, but his smell soon invades me and I turn my face into the chin that is resting on my shoulder.

‘Hey, my beautiful girl.’

‘You made me jump.’

‘How did you know it was me?’ he asks.

‘Natural instinct.’ I can’t help but smile at him.

He smiles straight back. ‘I’m going to dirty you up.’

He is? He reaches down and shifts my dress up ever so slightly, and then hunkers down behind me, taking me with him. He starts slowly circling his hips, placing his palm on my lower stomach and guiding me around with him. My rotating hips soon catch on to his tempo and we’re in sync and in time to the band, who are doing an amazing rendition of the famous track. I throw my head back on a laugh when his arm appears suspended at the side, drifting up and down as he grinds his hips into mine, our circling speeding up and slowing in unison to the beat as I’m swayed from side to side and back and forth. Kate and Sam are in a tight clinch and Drew makes a grab for a woman who’s blatantly asking for it.

I place my hand over his on my stomach and let him do his thing, with no reservations and no concern for the dozens of women around us, who are all suddenly well aware of Jesse’s presence on the floor and have all upped their game in the dancing department. Their attempts to catch his eye will be in total vein. His chin is resting firmly on my shoulder as he dirties me up with his glorious, gyrating hips and with no regard for who is watching. It’s all about me.

 ‘Oh God, I love you.’ he says in my ear, kissing my temple, then clasping my hand and sending me out on a little spin before returning me to his waiting chest. The dancers applaud, and the band kicks into Stevie Wonder’s
Superstitious
. I hear Kate squeal from behind me. ‘More dancing?’ His eyebrow arches on a confident grin as he slowly sways me from side to side.

‘Drink.’ I plead.

‘You can’t keep up with your God, sweet temptress.’ His voice is husky.

We’re the only ones in an embrace as everyone around us gets down to the current offering from the band. Jesse’s right; they are really very good.

He runs his nose up the side of my face and then circles it slowly. ‘Are you happy?’

‘Deliriously.’ I don’t hesitate. That is the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer. I pull him closer to me. There is too much space between us.

‘Then my work here is done.’ He pushes his face into my neck and breathes in deeply, and I smile in pure and utter bliss as he holds me tight, cocooning me in his arms. I’ve never been so happy, and I know I never will be. I can deal with his past.

‘Your temptress is dying of thirst.’ I say quietly.

I feel him grin against my neck. ‘God forbid.’ he says, releasing me under duress. ‘Come on, I don’t want to be accused of neglecting you.’ He turns me in his arms and starts guiding me from the dance floor.

As I reach the edge, I’m aware of the sudden absence of Jesse’s warm palm at the base of my back and I turn to search him out. My eyes are immediately assaulted at the sight of Jesse’s alarmed face as four women – two of which are voice number one and three from the toilet – grab and stroke him as they manhandle him back onto the dance floor. These women really don’t have any self-respect. I see Kate, Sam and Drew all with incredulous looks on their drunken faces as the women work together to restrain their prey. The poor man is trapped, and short of slapping them down, he’s going nowhere. His distressed face is a result of anxiety because of me watching him fighting off the pack of wolves trying to nail him. And after our recent encounter in his office, he knows he’s not the only one who wants to trample. God only knows what he would do if this situation was in reverse. The dance floor would be a bloodbath.

I walk calmly over to them and Jesse stops struggling against them, watching as I approach. His sudden submission has the women halting in their feeding frenzy. I put my hand out to him and he takes it immediately, all of the women dropping their hands from my man’s body and watching me calmly claiming what is mine. I pull him towards me and spread my contemptuous glare on all four silent women. I say nothing, even though I’m boiling inside at their audacity. I turn, pulling Jesse from the dance floor. I hear a few gasps and definitely a whoop from Kate, but I don’t look back. I’m relishing in the fact that for once, I’m leading Jesse. This has absolutely never happened and it doesn’t for long. I’m scooped up and carried the rest of the way to the bar.

‘I love it when you’re all possessive.’ he says contentedly. ‘Kiss me, now.’

I want to point out that I only trample when necessary, but that would be a pointless exercise if ever there was one. I link my arms at the base of his neck and drown in his mouth while feeling a whole lot of eyes on us. Maybe the memos won’t be required after all.

‘There.’ He places me on my customary stool and waves Mario over, who produces my drink immediately from behind the bar, along with two bottles of water.

I pick a bottle up and start swinging the water willingly before Jesse has the opportunity to demand it.

He perches on the stool opposite and gives me an approving smile. ‘Mario, how’s the stock?’  he asks, as he stands back up and leans over the bar, running his eyes up the long row of endless glass doors. I glance over and see dwindling shelves.

‘Ah, Mr Ward, you have thirsty members this evening,’ He laughs as he removes some empty bottles from the optics. ‘I’ll do a stock take tomorrow. We have a delivery arriving on Sunday.’

‘Good man.’ Jesse says, sitting back down on the stool and placing his foot on my stools footrest. ‘Are you okay?’ He reaches over and straightens my diamond.

I stifle a yawn as I nod. ‘Fine.’

He smiles. ‘I’m taking you home. It’s been a long day.’ I welcome his suggestion. It has been a very long day. Trampling takes a lot out of you.

John walks into the bar, claps Jesse on the shoulder and nods at me. ‘You good, girl?’ he rumbles, and I nod at him too. I’ve suddenly lost the power of speech. I’m absolutely exhausted.

‘I’m taking her home. Everything okay upstairs?’

‘S’all good,’ John confirms. He nods at me, and I’m yawning again. ‘I’ll call for your car. Take her home.’ He gets his phone out and gives a few short, precise instructions before giving Jesse the nod.

‘I need to see Kate.’ I manage to mumble through my tired state. I go to lower myself from the stool but Jesse places his hand on my knee to stop me.

John performs that deep baritone laugh that reverberates through your entire being. ‘I think I may have just seen her disappear upstairs with Sam.’

Oh?

Jesse joins John in his amused state. ‘Do you want to go and say goodbye?’

‘No!’ I know my face is screwed up in disgust and they laugh harder. Copping a load of Kate and Sam in the act? No, thank you. Oh God, will anyone else be joining them? Where’s Drew? I frantically shake my stray, uninvited thoughts away. ‘Take me home.’ I shudder and drop onto my tired feet. All things considered, these shoes are incredibly comfortable, considering I’ve been in them for over seven hours.

Jesse and John exchange a few words, but my brain won’t allow my ears to listen. I do, however, home in on him telling John not to expect him in tomorrow which means I’m getting my lie in with him, and I’ll be performing an Oscar worthy hissy fit if he wakes me up with the dawn chorus and presents me with my running kit.

I say goodbye to Mario and John and let my head fall onto Jesse’s shoulder as he leads me out of The Manor and puts me in his car before sliding in behind the wheel.

‘I’ve had the best day.’ I murmur dreamily, as my body moulds into the cool, soft leather. I really have, brazen hussies aside.

I feel his palm fall lightly onto my thigh and circle lazily. ‘Baby, I’ve had the best day, thank you.’

‘Why are you thanking me for?’ I yawn again, my eyes getting heavy. It’s me who’s been spoiled and lavished with attention.

‘For letting me remind you.’ he says quietly.

I turn sleepy eyes onto him and smile, watching as he starts the car and pulls out hastily. I close my eyes and give in to my exhaustion. He’s reminded me all right, and I’m so glad I let him.

‘Evening, Clive.’ I feel the vibrations of Jesse’s voice drift into my body, which is secured firmly to his chest. I can’t believe how tired I am.

‘Mr Ward, should I get the elevator for you?’

‘No, I’ve got it. Thanks.’

In my comatose state, I wonder if Clive lives here. He’s supposed to be one of two concierges, but I’ve never seen the other one. I hear the penthouse door being kicked shut and in no time at all, I’m lying on the bed. I think I might leave the dress exactly where it is. I curl up on my side.

‘Come on you. Let’s get you out of that dress.’ He rolls me onto my back.

‘Leave it.’ I grumble sleepily. I have zero energy.

I hear him laugh. ‘I am not sleeping with you fully dressed, lady. Not ever. Come here.’ He pulls me up by my hands and moves my legs to dangle off the bed, before removing my shoes. ‘Up you come.’ I’m tugged lightly to standing position and turned around. ‘How do you get this thing off?’ he asks, as his hands drift across the back and then down the sides of the dress.

I reach over my shoulder and point at the concealed zip. He grasps it, drawing it slowly down my back, and then pushes it off my shoulders. I step out and then fall back against his chest.

‘I think I might just leave you in this,’ His appreciative voice wakes me slightly as his palms smooth down my sides over the delicate lace of my corset and onto my hips. ‘Teeth?’

‘Please.’ I start walking towards the bathroom with his palms resting on my waist.

He lifts me onto the vanity unit and loads my brush up with toothpaste before running it under a tap. ‘Open.’ he orders, and I let my mouth drop open, giving him access to my teeth.

He sets about brushing them with care, circling slowly and patiently while he holds my jaw. His concentration frown is set firmly in place and his eyes are shimmering with contentment, and I know it’s because he’s undertaking a task of his self-appointed job; looking after me.

He pulls the brush out. ‘Spit.’

I empty my mouth and let him wipe away the stray paste from my lips, watching me as he slips his thumb into his mouth and sucks it off. I’m exhausted, but I’m not that exhausted. I spread my thighs and grab the front of his shirt, pulling him as close as I can get him.

He grins at me. ‘Has someone woken up?’ He cups my face with both hands and drops a tender kiss on my lips.

I’ve not completely woken up, but one of his hands in the right place and I will. ‘It’s you. It’s instinctive.’ I still sound half asleep.

‘I never in a million years thought I would ever say this, but I’m not going to take you tonight.’ He circles his nose with mine, and I shift my hips forward in invitation. Now I’m the brazen hussy. He pulls back and gives me a stern look on an arched brow. ‘No.’ he mouths and drops his hands from my face. ‘Do you want to wash your make-up off?’

I’m shocked. ‘Are you denying me?’ I ask in disbelief. So it’s one rule for him and another for me? My jilted state has woken me up good and proper now. 

He starts chewing that lip, watching me curiously. ‘I guess I am. Who would have thought?’ He shrugs and runs a wash cloth under the warm tap. ‘Show me that beautiful face.’ I look up at him and he gently wipes the damp cloth over my scowling expression.

‘But I thought we were going to make friends properly?’ I’m very slighted and it’s obvious in my tone.

He pauses and the edge of his mouth lifts. ‘Are we not friends?’

‘No, we’re not.’

‘Oh?’ His brow furrows. ‘Would you snuggle with someone you’re not friends with?’

I purse my lips and place my palms on his firm arse, pressing him up against me. ‘I might if my non-friend promises to make friends with me in the morning.’

He laughs lightly. ‘Deal, let’s go snuggle.’ He lifts me from the vanity unit. ‘I love you in lace, but I love you more naked and all over me. Let’s take it off.’ He strides into the bedroom, puts me on my feet and reaches around to unclasp all of the hook and eyes that are running down the centre of my back, letting the bodice fall to the floor before drawing my knickers down my legs.

He steps back and starts undressing himself as he nods towards the bed. I clamber in and settle down, my earlier tiredness returning as soon as my head hits the pillow. Jesse climbs in and lets me crawl onto his chest where I’m at my happiest. I feel his arms settle around my body and I’m drifting off, just like that.

‘Tomorrow, we get all of your things from Kate’s,’ He shifts, pulling me further onto his body. ‘On Monday, we tell Patrick, and I think you should be letting your parents know that I’m more than just a friend.’

I mumble an inaudible acknowledgment of his words. Moving in officially doesn’t seem like such a concern now, but I’m mindful that Patrick and my parents might be a completely different scenario. Actually, Patrick I’m not so concerned about either, even with the Mikael situation, which I still haven’t worked out how to deal with. My parent’s opinion, though, has eclipsed everything. To the outside world, Jesse might seem like a controlling tyrant and he is to a certain extent, but he is also a whole heap of other things. I’m not sure my Mum and Dad will see past his obvious need to smother me and control me. They will see it as unhealthy, but is it unhealthy if you accept it? Not because you’re frightened or vulnerable, but because you love them immeasurably and the times when you want to scream with frustration, and maybe even strangle them, are trumped by the times like this. He’s challenging all right, and I fight him to a certain extent, but I’m not deluded enough to think that I’m the one wearing the trousers in this relationship. I know exactly why he is like this with me. I know he lives in fear of me being taken away from him, but I live with the same fear. And I’m not sure that Jesse’s fear is an unreasonable one – not with my developing knowledge of his history.