Page 6 of This Woman Forever
Until she reaches under my arms and pulls me back to standing, taking hold of my cock. I suck in air. Something tells me she’s trying to distract me. “It really is the dumbest thing you’ve ever said,” I say quietly, staring into her dark eyes. “And do you know what your wisest words will ever be?” I ask, cupping her between her legs.
“What?” she asks on a hitch of breath.
I kiss her neck, suck, before working my way down to her boob and refreshing my mark. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she explains that to her mother on their shopping trip tomorrow. “The wisest thing you’ll ever say, baby, is...” I slip a finger into her, looking up and relishing the ecstasy coating her face. “... I do.”
“Yes,” she whispers, holding my shoulders as I work her. “And now you can fuck me.” She takes my biceps and walks me to the bed, trying to push me down. No. I spin us and, rather than pushing her front forward onto the bed, I ease her down to her back, scanning every inch of her perfect, tight body as I do. I don’t miss her flinch as her raw flesh comes into contact with the sheets. There will be no fucking. But her damaged back won’t be damaged for long, therefore my reason to be gentle will be gone too.
But perhaps by then, when she’s my wife, we’ll have had some breakthroughs.
Perhaps by then, she’ll finally admit what we both know.
2
Ava and Elizabeth leave the penthouse together the next morning at eight on the dot, and Joseph leaves shortly after to visit some old friends. So once Cathy has finished clearing up the breakfast things, I send her on her way, leaving me alone to start making plans. My first job is to call Larry Hanna, a counsellor who plays at The Manor from time to time, although I haven’t seen him for some time. Mind you, I haven’t seen much since I met Ava.
“Ward,” he says, his voice deep and suggestive of his age and background. Aristocracy. “How the devil are you?”
“Sober,” I grunt, and he laughs. “I need some help.”
“With?”
“A wedding venue license.”
There’s a small pause. “For The Manor?”
“Yes, for The Manor. Don’t worry, The Manor is still The Manor.” For now. “I’m getting married, and I’d like to have the ceremony and reception there.”
“At your sex club?”
My shoulders drop.
“And you’re getting married? To whom?” A gasp. “Oh, the young little interior designer? I’ve heard about her.”
“I bet,” I mutter. “Her name is Ava.”
“Ava. Nice. And what does the whip-wielding, hard-hearted bitch make of this?”
I sink on the stool, reminded that Sarah is a big something I need to deal with. “Larry, can we get back to the matter at hand, please?” I need to remember this man has something I need.
“I can put you in touch with the right department. They’ll have you complete some forms, make an application fee, and then they’ll send an inspector to look at the space and ensure it meets regulations. They can only approve one area for ceremonies, not the entire venue. Then they’ll take it to the councilors meeting, usually held on the last Friday of the month, and a decision will be made.”
“That sounds quite long-winded.”
“From start to finish, usually three to six months.”
I baulk. “Months? Larry, I need it to happen much quicker than that.”
“How quick?”
“Within the next week.”
He laughs, and the rich, baritone sound irritates the shit out of me.
“I’ll wave your membership fees for a year,” I say flatly, and his laughter stops in a second.
“That’s bribery.”
“I don’t believe any money is passing hands. I’ll make it two years if you find me a registrar too. Call me.” I hang up and get to ordering Ava’s wedding present—the big one and the little one, a car and a watch—and then sort a new bed for our suite at The Manor. And, actually, I email some decorators too. One for The Manor’s extension, and one for my office. In half an hour, both are lined up. I’m winning this morning.