Beneath This Man (This Man, #2)(183)

‘You owe me an apology for making me wait too damn long for you.’ His face is completely straight and his words full of meaning.

I smile and tuck myself into his side. I’ve not really had to wait very long for him at all, two crappy relationships aside. While he was battling numerous demons, I was blissfully unaware and going through the motions of any normal young woman. It’s a strange thought.

The elevator door opens and his arm drapes gently around my shoulder as we walk through the foyer of Lusso. ‘Clive.’ Jesse nods at Clive, who nods brusquely in return before he continues with something that has his attention on his desk. He didn’t even acknowledge me or ask how I am. I heard his concerned voice last night when Jesse carried me in. Have I upset him again?

We emerge into the cool, evening air and Jesse bleeps the DBS. ‘Oh, Kate rang. You should probably call her back.’ he says.

‘You answered my phone again?’ I ask, but he just shrugs off my accusation.

I sigh and open my bag to retrieve my phone, but after a little rummage, I discover no phone. ‘Jesse, I’ve left my phone in the tower.’

He makes a long, exaggerated point of demonstrating the inconvenience I’m causing. ‘Here.’ He passes the keys. ‘Hurry up or we’ll be late for dinner.’

‘I’ll be quick.’ I race off, back into the foyer of Lusso, throw a frown at Clive, who still ignores me, and press the code for the elevator. Why is it not on the ground floor still? I wait impatiently for it to return to base, then jump in.

I exit before the doors have completely opened and shove the key in the door, leaving it in the lock as I run into the kitchen. I skid to a halt on a shocked gasp when I see two people sat on barstools, both looking really very menacing.





Chapter 34


‘What…how…when…’ I stammer and stutter all over the place. Where did they come from?

‘Hello.’ Mum says, short and sharp. My Dad just sits there shaking his head.

I can’t work out if she’s mad or not. I want to dive on them both and squeeze the life out of them, I’ve not seen them for weeks and here they are, but I can’t gage their moods.

‘How did you get in here?’ I manage to get a full sentence out.

‘Oh, didn’t you know? Your father is a retired cat burglar.’ Mum’s perfectly threaded eyebrow raises at me and Dad sits there looking all disapproving and moody.

‘Mum?’ I frown.

She sighs and stands. ‘Ava O’Shea, get you backside over here and give your Mother a hug.’ She holds her arms out to me.

I burst into tears.

‘I knew she would do that!’ My Dad grumbles. ‘Bloody women!’

‘Shut up, Joseph.’ She gestures with her arms again and I walk straight into them, sobbing like a child and wincing slightly as she rubs my back warmly. ‘Ah, Ava. What are you crying for? Stop it, you’re setting me off.’

‘I’m so pleased to see you.’ I blubber into my Mums grey blazer and hear my father huffing his displeasure at the two women in his life bawling and sniveling. He’s never been one for showing his emotions, finding any sort of affection highly uncomfortable.

‘Ava, you couldn’t avoid us forever, even if we are miles away. Let me look at you.’ She pulls me away from her body and wipes my tears away.

There is no denying I’m my mother’s daughter. Her eyes mirror mine, all big and chocolaty and her hair that matches mine in colour is cut into a short sweeping style. She looks good for forty seven – really good.

‘You have sent me and your Dad wild with worry these last few weeks.’

‘I’m sorry. I’ve had a crazy few weeks.’ I try and sort myself out. My mascara is probably running down my cheeks and I seriously need to blow my nose. ‘Hold up.’ I look at my Mum and then my Dad, who shrugs his big shoulders on a grunt. ‘How did you really get in?’ I’ve been so blindsided with shock and emotion, I’ve forgotten that we’re stood in Jesse’s ten million pound penthouse.

‘I invited them.’

I swing around and find Jesse stood in the archway entrance with his hands resting loosely in his trouser pockets. ‘You never said.’ I splutter. I’m confused.

‘I didn’t want to row over it.’ he shrugs. ‘They’re here now.’

I look at my mother, who is smiling brightly at my challenging man, and then at my father, who executes his I’m-just-doing-as-I’m-told look. I return confused eyes to Mum. She is still smiling brightly and I’m mortified to see that she’s obviously affected by Jesse. I don’t know why I’m mortified, he draws the same reaction from all women and I need to remember that my mother is nearer to Jesse’s age than I am.

Oh God!

‘Urmm, Mum, Dad. This is Jesse.’ I gesture between them. ‘Jesse this is my Mum and Dad. Elizabeth and Joseph.’ I hadn’t planned for it to be like this. I hadn’t planned it at all, actually.

‘We’ve met.’ Jesse says.

My eyes fly to his. ‘What?’

‘We’ve met.’ he repeats himself, which is not necessary because I heard the first time.

His lips are twitching. Okay, I’m thoroughly confused. He sighs and walks towards us until he’s stood in front of me, a bit close for comfort, considering my parents are just there and this is all a bit of a shock for them, and for me.