Page 86 of This Woman Forever

“You look edible.”

I stall by the mirror, smiling at myself. I look complete. That’s how I look with Ava clinging to my front. “You taste divine,” I whisper, turning my face into her neck and biting.

“You sound sexy,” she whispers, pushing onto my hips. I growl, she laughs, and I walk on, looking forward to getting this done with and returning home so I can resume this easy bliss. And fuck her some more.

I feel the new concierge’s eyes follow us through the lobby as I carry Ava, my palms spread over her arse cheeks in an attempt to cover them. “Morning, Casey,” she sings, breaking out of my neck.

“Morning, Ava. Morning Mr. Ward.”

“Mrs. Ward,” I grunt.

“Lighten up,” Ava says over a laugh.

“No.” I open the door of my Aston and get her inside, pulling her belt round. “Those shorts, Ava,” I sigh. They take Daisy Duke’s to a whole new level.

She pushes me out of the car and pulls the door closed.

Insolent.

But today, I’m feeling amenable. Loved up. Relaxed.

And punishment fucks are so much more fun than arguing.

John meets us outside The Manor, and I definitely catch his interested look as I lead Ava inside. Yes, her shorts are non-existent. No, I’ve not put my foot down. We’ve only just made friends. Which reminds me... are John and I okay now? We’ve not really... talked about it. About anything. I look at him flanking me, see him peek out the corner of his eye, even through his shades. I think we’re good. “Ava would like to go swimming,” I say, and he smiles. He already knows this because I texted him in preparation.

“You do, girl?”

“It’s hot out there,” Ava says, all too casually, making me look down at her in disbelief. It’s not hot. It’s warm. Definitely not warm enough to warrant her outfit. But, in the name of peace and tranquility, I will keep my mouth zipped. Because, unlike my wife, I can be reasonable.

I hurry her through The Manor and check the fridge as soon as we get to my office, mentally cheering when I find what I hoped I would. I pull it out and dive right in, taking a seat opposite John, casting my eye across the piles of strewn papers. What the hell has he been doing with it all? “What’s happening?” The first dip is the best, and I hum, satisfied.

“Camera four went down,” he replies.

“Another one? How many is that?”

“Four. I’ve managed to fix three of them, albeit they’re temporary fixes, but the camera around the side by the garages needs more than my limited tech and DIY skills.”

I roll my eyes. Not long until the new system is installed. “Thanks for trying.”

“An engineer was due Friday.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll chase them up.”

“The contract states a twenty-four-hour window for call-outs.”

“I know.” He gets up and wanders away, and I find Ava still by the door, distracted.

“Baby,” I say, snapping her back into the room. “You okay?”

“Yes, fine.” She shakes herself back to life and comes to the desk, sitting. “Daydreaming, sorry.”

“What about?”

“Nothing. Just watching you settle now that you have your peanut butter.”

I’m settled because she’s with me. The peanut butter helps, I suppose. “Want some?”

“No.” She grimaces as I fix the lid. “How’s Sam?”

Hmmm, what should I say? Ava hasn’t mentioned her brother being at Kate’s. “Shit. He won’t talk about it. How’s Kate?”