Part 8 (1/2)

'And I told you, look me in the eyes and tell me you don't want me.' He stares at me expectantly, like he knows I can't say it.

'I don't want you.' I murmur, looking straight into his green pools. It actually causes me physical pain. I'm shocked.

He inhales sharply, looking wounded. 'I don't believe you.' he says softly, flicking his eyes to my twiddling fingers.

I remove them instantly. 'You should.' I define the words clearly, and it takes every bit of strength I have.

We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity, but I'm the first to look away. I can think of nothing more to say, and I silently implore him to leave before I take the dangerous path I know he'll be. He runs his hands through his hair in frustration, curses and stalks out. When the front door slams behind him, I allow air to rush into my lungs as I sag against the wall.

That was, irrefutably, the most difficult thing I've ever done, which is crazy, because by reason, it should have been the easiest. I can't even begin to understand the whys and wherefores of it. His wounded expression when I conformed to his demands to deny that I wanted him had nearly crippled me. I wanted to scream, ”I felt it too!” but where would that have got me? I know exactly where a against the wall with Jesse buried deep inside me. And while the thought of that makes me s.h.i.+ver with pleasure, it would be a gargantuan mistake. I feel riddled with guilt already at my deplorable behavior. The man is a cheating a.r.s.e. An Adonis to boot, but a cheating a.r.s.e, nonetheless. Everything about this man screams trouble. And he's still got my f.u.c.king keys.

I shudder and head for a shower, content that I've done the right thing. I've put Jesse Ward in his place and saved myself another boat load of guilt. I shall ignore the painful ache in my gut because acknowledging it would be as good as admitting out loud, to myself and Jesse, that...yes, I felt it too.

Chapter 7.

I'm wide awake and my alarm hasn't even gone off yet. On a long, drawn out sigh, I drag myself out of bed and head for the bathroom to take a shower. I've got a busy day at Lusso ahead of me so I may as well get started. I've not slept for s.h.i.+t, and I'm completely ignoring the reason why.

I'm going to be on my feet all day, traipsing around the complex ensuring everything is just right, so I chuck on some baggy ripped jeans a I can't bear to throw them away a a white burnt out t-s.h.i.+rt and my flip flops. I sc.r.a.pe my hair into a loose, messy up-do and pray it behaves later when I pin it up for the evening. I doubt I'll have time to come home and shower, so I get my mini suitcase and load it with everything I'll need to shower at Lusso later. I retrieve a suit bag and put my knee length, cherry red pencil dress in, smoothing it neatly and quietly hoping it doesn't crease. Lastly, I grab black suede heels, my black onyx studs and check my work case is loaded with everything I'll need at Lusso. It's going to be a ball ache lugging it all on the tube, but I have little other option with my car still being kept captive by a certain hot headed, arrogant male. Kate might well be taking Margo to Yorks.h.i.+re.

As I walk down the stairs, I see my car keys lying on the door mat. So, the man's seen sense and freed my car. Does this mean he's also seen sense and given up pursuing me? Has he got the message? Perhaps he has, because there have been no calls or texts since he steamed out last night. Am I disappointed? I don't have time to consider this.

'I'm off,' I shout through to Kate. 'My car's back.'

She pokes her head around the door of her workshop. 'Great, good luck. I'll be there later to drink all the expensive champagne.'

'Oh, yes. See you later.' I run down the path, halting when I see a cheap mobile phone smashed to pieces in the middle of the pavement. I know where that's come from. I kick it into the gutter and continue to my car. Oh, it's good to have her back. I load my things into the boot and jump into the driver seat, only to find myself miles away from the steering wheel.

Laughing, I s.h.i.+ft the seat forward so my feet reach the pedals. I start her up and jump out of my skin when the stereo blasts Blur around my car. Christ, is his lack of hearing an indication to his age? I turn it down, faltering when the words of the track register. It's Country house. I fight the small part of me that wants to laugh at his little joke and remove the disc from the stereo. I don't think I've ever come across anyone so conceited in all my life. I replace the unwanted CD with a Ministry of Sound Chill out Session and head for St Katharine Docks.

When I pull up outside Lusso, I present my face to the camera and the gates open immediately. I park up and see the caterers unloading crockery and gla.s.ses as I get my work case from the boot and head into the building. I've been here a million times, but I'm still completely stunned by the pure extravagance of the place.

As I walk into the foyer, I see Clive, one of the concierges, playing with the new computer equipment. He's part of a team who'll provide a six star hotel-style service, organising anything from grocery shopping and theatre tickets, to helicopter charters and dinner reservations. I cross the marble floor, which has been polished to within an inch of its life, and head towards Clive's huge, curved concierge desk.

I spot dozens of black vases and hundreds of Italian red roses, placed carefully to the side. At least I won't have to chase the delivery of those.

'Good morning, Clive.' I say, approaching his desk.

He looks up from one of the screens, the panic on his friendly face clear. 'Ava, I've read this manual four times in a week and I'm still clueless. We never had anything like this at The Dorchester.'

'It can't be that difficult,' I soothe the old boy. 'Have you asked the surveillance team?'

He throws his gla.s.ses down on the desk in exasperation, rubbing his eyes. 'Yes, three times now. They must think I'm daft.'

'You'll be fine,' I a.s.sure him. 'When do they start moving in?'

'Tomorrow. Are you all set for tonight?'

'Ask me again this afternoon. I'll see you in a bit.'

He smiles. 'Okay, love.' He turns his attention back to his instruction manual, muttering under his breath.

I traipse across the floor and punch in the code for the penthouse elevator. It's private and the only one that goes to the top floor.

I set about transporting and spreading the vases and flowers between the fifteen floors of the building. Arranging these will keep me busy for a while.

At ten thirty, I'm back in the foyer and arranging the last of my flowers on the console tables that line the foyer.

'I have flowers for a Miss O'Shea.'

I look up, seeing a young girl gazing around at the impressive lobby. 'Sorry?'

She points to her clipboard. 'I have a delivery for Miss O'Shea.'

I roll my eyes. Don't tell me they've duplicated an order of over four hundred Italian red roses. That really would take incompetence to a whole new level.

'I've already taken delivery of the flowers.' I say tiredly, walking towards her. I notice the van outside, but it's not the florist I ordered through.

'Have you?' She looks a bit panicky as she flicks through the papers on her clipboard.

'What have you got?' I ask.

'A bouquet of calla lilies for Miss...' She looks at her clipboard again. 'Miss Ava O'Shea.'

'I'm Ava O'Shea.'

'Cool, I'll be two seconds.' She runs off, returning swiftly. 'This place is like Fort Knox!' she exclaims. She hands me the biggest spray of calla lilies I've ever seen a stunning, white, clean flowers surrounded by stacks of deep green foliage.

Understated elegance.

My stomach does a few cartwheels as I sign the delivery girl's paperwork and take the flowers from her, finding the card among the forest of green.

I'm so sorry. Forgive me, please. X Is he? He already apologised for his inappropriate behavior and look where that got me. I start to wonder how he'd know I'm here, but then I remember him picking out Lusso in my portfolio. It wouldn't take a lot of effort to find out the launch date and figure I would be here. My contentment of yesterday evening, after Jesse left the house, is slowly dissipating. He's never going to give up, is he? Well, he can knock himself out. I smile to myself. Knock himself out? Where did that...I flatten that thought immediately.

I place the flowers on the concierge desk. 'Here, Clive. Let's pretty up all this black marble.' He looks up briefly before returning to scratching his head, looking overwhelmed. I leave him to it, getting on with my walk through to ensure everything is in place and ready.

Victoria turns up at five thirty, looking her usual immaculate self a all blonde hair, blue eyes and overdone.

'Sorry I'm late. The traffic's a nightmare and there's nowhere to park.' She gazes around. 'They're all reserved for guests. What can I do, I'm so excited!' she sings at me, while stroking the walls of the penthouse.

'I'm all done. I just need you to do a walk through to make sure there's nothing that I've missed.' I lead her into the main s.p.a.ce.

'Oh my G.o.d, Ava, it looks amazing!'

'It's great, isn't it? I've never had such a colossal budget. It was fun spending so much of someone else's money.' We giggle together. 'Have you seen the kitchen?' I ask.