Ava was awakened by a light knock on the door. She was confused for a moment; she didn’t recognise the sheets, or the bed, or the room. Last night came back to her as a freight train mercilessly ploughing through her sleepy mind. There was a second knock on the door. Ava sat up and called for them to enter, making sure the cover was up around her waist. She had been sleeping in her tank top and panties since she didn’t have any of her nightclothes. The older woman from the night before walked into the room with a smile on her face.“Good morning, miss Ava,” she said.“Good morning, Anna,” Ava replied. At least she thought that was the woman’s name. The smile she got back had her thinking she had been right.“I have some new clothes with me and some make-up,” Anna told her and put the bundle she had in her arm on the dresser. “Thank you,” Ava said.“Not at all. Let me have a look,” Anna said, walking up to Ava and turning her head to look at Ava’s cheek. Anna made a tutting noise. “Ba
Zane looked up at her.“Say whatever you want,” he told Ava. “Obviously I can’t say I’m your girlfriend. How about I tell them you hired me as a private nurse?” she pondered.“Why is it fucking obvious you can’t be my girlfriend?” he asked. She thought he sounded angry, which confused her. Were her questions irritating him?“Because you told me yesterday it wasn’t what this was. I can’t go around telling people you are my boyfriend and then pretend to turn a blind eye when you pick up other women. Anyone that knows me know that isn’t what I would do,” Ava explained. “Right,” he said. But he didn’t sound happy. Maybe he just wasn’t a morning person, Ava thought. They sat in silence for a while longer. They had both finished eating when the two men Ava vaguely remembered had driven them from the club last night entered the dining room. “Ava, this is Tom and Ryder. They will take you shopping and anything else you need. Just let them know where you need to go and they will make sure y
“Since this morning, apparently,” Ava said, hooking her arm into Gabriel’s. “And I might need your help to pick out more than a dress,” she added.“Ava,” Gabriel whined. “I told you, just because I’m gay, it doesn’t mean I like shopping,” he objected.“Please, pretty please? You are the only one I can trust. I know you will tell me the truth about what fits and what doesn’t. And I will spill the tea, and it is a really, really excellent tea to spill,” she begged. “Damn you and your knowledge of my weaknesses. It better be the best tea I have ever heard,” he groaned. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said. They headed into the first shop to start their hunt. Ava felt bad she had to lie to her friend, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. She didn’t think she would survive if Gabriel cut her out of his life. He was a good man, but Ava knew when she more or less voluntary signed a sex contract, she had become a glorified sex worker, a pet. She didn’t think anyone would like someone
After lunch, Ava and Gabriel headed back and found the salon. They were greeted by a small woman that had energy rolling off her. She was happy and sparkly, and Ava found it contagious. She introduced herself as Tammy, Jill’s friend.“I love your hair colour. The honey blond is so right for you. We will make it into your signature look. We’ll just have to work a little on the style. When was the last time you went to the hairdresser?” Tammy asked Ava as Ava sat down in her chair.“Oh, let me see. Five years ago?” Ava said hesitantly.“No, I dragged you to one when Joan got married. That is like three years ago,” Gabriel corrected her. “That’s true.” Ava nodded.“Oh my. Well, that explains it.” Tammy said.“Is it that bad?” Ava asked.“No, not at all. It just has no shape. I would love to just put in some layers and freshen it up a little. Would that be okay?”“You’re the professional. I trust you,” Ava said. Ava spent a couple of hours being pampered, getting her hair and nails done
Zane stood at the bottom of the stairs and looked at his watch, five minutes to six and still no Ava. He felt his irritation grow. If she thought she could get away with defying him, she had another thing coming. He wouldn’t hesitate to go up there and drag her down. The rhythmic sound of heels hitting the stairs made him look up. Ava was walking down the stairs. At least Zane thought it was Ava. This creature looked like an angel if God had added sexy temptress to the list of angel requirements. Gone were the dull clothes and messy hair. Zane had always suspected Ava’s clothes were hiding her true form. But looking at her now, he realised he had underestimated her natural sensuality. She was wearing a soft pink dress with silver sequins strewn all over it, making the light bounce off it. It created the illusion that she was sparkling. The left arm had a full sleeve, and the other arm was bare. There was no cleavage to speak of. But the waist was cinched and made her full breast and
The grip at the base of Ava’s neck wasn’t painful. In a way, it was comforting, and to her own horror, Ava found herself liking it. She knew Zane was claiming her as his. She would rather be his than being left exposed to the two men across the table who were both drooling over her. She still wasn’t entirely comfortable in her dress; it drew far too much attention to her. But at least Zane seemed satisfied with it. And it had the desired effect on the two men. They were definitely distracted as they started talking business. Ava listened to the conversation while sipping her cocktail. It tasted okay, better than most of the ones she had tried before. She had a hard time keeping up with the discussion around the table. They seemed to use codewords. She guessed that would be wise since they were in public discussing what Ava presumed to be illegal things. After listening for a while, Ava understood the jest of what they were saying. The two men were trying to sell something, drugs, Ava
“Put your guns down,” Zane growled at Victor and his men. Victor made a jerky nod with his head, and they all put their guns away. Zane and Jax also put theirs away and sat down at the table again. They must have stood up as they drew their guns, Ava thought. Ryder and Tom still had their guns out, but they lowered them. “Have a nice evening, Victor, and give my best to your boss,” Zane said, dismissing the four men for the second time.“The same to you, Mr Velky,” Victor said. It only took them minutes to exit the restaurant. When they did, Ryder and Tom put away their guns and Ava felt herself relax. Jax moved to a seat opposite her and Zane. He had a smile on his face. A waitress appeared at the table. Jax ordered a steak, medium, without having been offered a menu.“I’ll have the Steak au Poivre and the lady will have the seared lamb,” Zane said. He hadn’t looked at a menu either or asked Ava what she would like. Ava thought she should be upset about it, or at least object and ask
Zane was standing at the bar, talking to the club’s manager and Jax. Ava’s revelation there had been an increase in the number of overdoses from impure drugs made Zane inform his manager to keep an eye out. As they were talking, Zane had a clear view to where Ava sat. She had turned her back towards them, looking out over the crowd. She was showing of her almost naked back and Zane found the view tantalising. He also enjoyed all the men, and some women, who were also looking at his angel. She didn’t seem to notice how much attention she was attracting; how natural and easy her sensuality was. He lost track of the conversation he was having when a man approached her. Zane could see her tense up. He was ready to stride over to her when Ryder handled the issue. Zane looked on as Ryder took up post next to Ava, he was now free to go back to the conversation with Jax and the manager but found he was irritated.“Zane?” Jax asked.“What?” He sounded harsh and irritated even to himself. “Any