Total pages in book: 214
Estimated words: 202638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1013(@200wpm)___ 811(@250wpm)___ 675(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 202638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1013(@200wpm)___ 811(@250wpm)___ 675(@300wpm)
‘Ava, this is Chris,’ Jesse’s tone suggests he would rather not be introducing me to Chris. ‘He was the acting estate agent of Lusso.’
Of course. I knew I recognised him. He smiles a slimy smile, and I immediately dislike him. My aversion to estate agents is not lessened, even by this exclusive property agent. They are all the same, whether selling dumps or penthouses.
‘Hi.’ I put my hand out reluctantly, and he takes it. His palm is sweaty. I want to escape to the toilets to wash my hands immediately. ‘It’s nice to meet you.’ I fake a sincere smile and notice Jesse smiling mildly, looking at my fingers in my hair.
‘It’s an absolute pleasure.’ he drawls. He won’t release my hand, and I flick nervous eyes to Jesse when Chris moves in closer, keeping a firm hold of my hand. ‘I love this dress.’ He runs his eyes down my front, prompting me to lean back slightly.
This is one brave man – either that or extremely stupid. Jesse is stood at his side in a nanosecond, jaw muscles going into overdrive. He’s physically twitching. Honestly, it’s always estate agents. Chris is soon removed from my personal space by a short, sharp yank of his shoulder. He stands back, where Jesse has put him, and watches as Jesse moves in, picking me up and taking my seat before resting me back down on his thighs.
‘Chris, you’ll do well to keep your hands and your eyes to yourself. Do that and I might not break your fucking legs, understand?’ Jesse says it so calmly, but there is no denying the cutting edge to his tone.
I watch as Chris backs off with a justified worried look on his face. ‘Jesse, I apologise. I assumed she was fair game.’ he splutters.
‘Excuse me?’ I cough. Is he joking?
I feel Jesse tense beneath me. I panic. If I don’t hold him down on this stool, Chris here will be slayed in two seconds flat. I place my hand on his leg and squeeze slightly. The heat is pouring from him and his heart is stabbing my back. I would love to set him on this cheeky swine, but I also want to see the night through without having to put an ice pack on Jesse’s abused fist.
He lifts from the stool slightly and pulls me to his chest. ‘I suggest you fuck off now.’ he snarls maliciously.
I push back against him and throw Chris a fuck-off-if-you-know-what’s-good-for-you look. He backs away vigilantly, and I doubt very much that he’ll be back any time soon.
I crane my head around and give Jesse an inquiring look. ‘Murderous?’ I ask.
I get my very own scowl followed by a smothered face. ‘Deadly.’
‘Are all the women fair game?’ This is news.
He shrugs. ‘You don’t join The Manor if you aren’t sexually adventurous.’
Oh, lovely. I look around the bar, which has thinned out since the band started and the upstairs opened. The people I’m sharing company with look like any other people, but they are all here for one reason and that has nothing to do with the posh sports facilities that The Manor boasts. One thing is certain, judging by all of the prestigious cars that are often parked outside – they are all very rich people.
‘How much is the membership?’ I ask. My curiosity is getting the better of me.
He works his face right into my neck. ‘Why, do you want to join?’
‘I might.’ I say flippantly.
He bites my neck. ‘Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, lady.’ He pulls me up further onto his lap. ‘Forty five.’
‘A month?’ That’s not bad.
He laughs. ‘No, grand a year.’
WHAT? ‘Shit!’
He clamps his teeth on my ear and then rolls his hips into my bum. ‘Mouth.’
I moan a little at his evident hard state. Forty five thousand a year is ridiculous money. These people must all be stupid or desperate, but as I look around, there are no particularly ugly men and women. They all look like they could get some if they wanted to.
‘Hey, does Kate pay that?’ I know she’s not short of a few quid, but she is very shrewd with her cash.
‘What do you think?’ he asks on a little laugh. I don’t know? Did Jesse waiver the membership fee because she’s my friend? Would he do that?
Oh! ‘Sam,’ I say in realisation. ‘Sam paid.’
‘At mates rates, of course.’
He applies mates’ rates for membership to his sex haven? I’m on another planet at the moment. This sort of thing is way past my comprehension and here I am, dining and drinking with these people and dating the owner. Who would have thought?
‘I wish you had refused.’ I grumble. Kate might be laidback, but I can’t help thinking that she is coasting towards complete disaster.
‘Ava, what Sam and Kate do is their business.’
I scowl to myself. ‘How many members are there?’ I really am very interested in the workings of The Manor and the lifestyle these people choose to lead.