Beneath This Man (This Man 2)

I exit before the doors have completely opened and shove the key in the door, leaving it in the lock as I run into the kitchen. I skid to a halt on a shocked gasp when I see two people sat on barstools, both looking really very menacing.

Chapter 34

‘What…how…when…’ I stammer and stutter all over the place. Where did they come from?

‘Hello.’ Mum says, short and sharp. My Dad just sits there shaking his head.

I can’t work out if she’s mad or not. I want to dive on them both and squeeze the life out of them, I’ve not seen them for weeks and here they are, but I can’t gage their moods.

‘How did you get in here?’ I manage to get a full sentence out.

‘Oh, didn’t you know? Your father is a retired cat burglar.’ Mum’s perfectly threaded eyebrow raises at me and Dad sits there looking all disapproving and moody.

‘Mum?’ I frown.

She sighs and stands. ‘Ava O’Shea, get you backside over here and give your Mother a hug.’ She holds her arms out to me.

I burst into tears.

‘I knew she would do that!’ My Dad grumbles. ‘Bloody women!’

‘Shut up, Joseph.’ She gestures with her arms again and I walk straight into them, sobbing like a child and wincing slightly as she rubs my back warmly. ‘Ah, Ava. What are you crying for? Stop it, you’re setting me off.’

‘I’m so pleased to see you.’ I blubber into my Mums grey blazer and hear my father huffing his displeasure at the two women in his life bawling and sniveling. He’s never been one for showing his emotions, finding any sort of affection highly uncomfortable.

‘Ava, you couldn’t avoid us forever, even if we are miles away. Let me look at you.’ She pulls me away from her body and wipes my tears away.

There is no denying I’m my mother’s daughter. Her eyes mirror mine, all big and chocolaty and her hair that matches mine in colour is cut into a short sweeping style. She looks good for forty seven – really good.

‘You have sent me and your Dad wild with worry these last few weeks.’

‘I’m sorry. I’ve had a crazy few weeks.’ I try and sort myself out. My mascara is probably running down my cheeks and I seriously need to blow my nose. ‘Hold up.’ I look at my Mum and then my Dad, who shrugs his big shoulders on a grunt. ‘How did you really get in?’ I’ve been so blindsided with shock and emotion, I’ve forgotten that we’re stood in Jesse’s ten million pound penthouse.

‘I invited them.’

I swing around and find Jesse stood in the archway entrance with his hands resting loosely in his trouser pockets. ‘You never said.’ I splutter. I’m confused.

‘I didn’t want to row over it.’ he shrugs. ‘They’re here now.’

I look at my mother, who is smiling brightly at my challenging man, and then at my father, who executes his I’m-just-doing-as-I’m-told look. I return confused eyes to Mum. She is still smiling brightly and I’m mortified to see that she’s obviously affected by Jesse. I don’t know why I’m mortified, he draws the same reaction from all women and I need to remember that my mother is nearer to Jesse’s age than I am.

Oh God!

‘Urmm, Mum, Dad. This is Jesse.’ I gesture between them. ‘Jesse this is my Mum and Dad. Elizabeth and Joseph.’ I hadn’t planned for it to be like this. I hadn’t planned it at all, actually.

‘We’ve met.’ Jesse says.

My eyes fly to his. ‘What?’

‘We’ve met.’ he repeats himself, which is not necessary because I heard the first time.

His lips are twitching. Okay, I’m thoroughly confused. He sighs and walks towards us until he’s stood in front of me, a bit close for comfort, considering my parents are just there and this is all a bit of a shock for them, and for me.

‘I didn’t go for a run this morning.’ he says.

‘You didn’t?’ I frown. ‘You had your running kit on.’

He laughs lightly. ‘I know. It’s not what I would have chosen to wear to meet your parents, but desperate times.’ He shrugs.

‘You’re making up for it now, Jesse.’ My Mum pats his suit clad arm and my mouth drops open.

What the f**k is going on here? I want to swear my head off, but my Mum hates swearing just as much as Jesse. Well, Mum hates all swearing, full stop. Jesse just hates me swearing, but thinks it is perfectly acceptable for him to rant like a sailor.

‘I’m sorry.’ I reach up and rub my temples. ‘I’m confused.’

‘Sit.’ Jesse takes my arm and leads me over to a stool, taking a seat next to me. Mum resumes position next to Dad. ‘I spoke to your Mum late last night. She was understandably worried about you and asked me lots of question.’ He raises his brow at my Mum who laughs lightly.

‘Nosey, isn’t she?’ Dad tuts, and Mum slaps his shoulder.

‘She’s my little girl, Joseph.’

‘Anyway,’ Jesse continues, ‘I thought it was best for them to come and see for themselves that I’m not a raving loon, keeping you captive in our tower. So, here they are.’

‘Here we are.’ Mum sings. She clearly has no issues with the mature, stunning man who is gently stroking my hand.

I try and recover from shock. ‘So, you met them this morning? Why?’ I ask.

‘I felt I needed to explain myself.’ Jesse says. I look at him and could weep. I can’t believe he’s done this. ‘Ava, neither of us anticipated each other and for very different reasons. I know your parents opinion counts for a lot to you, and as it means so much to you, it means a lot to me too. My priority is you. You’re all that matters to me. I love you.’