Free This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas Page A

well.” Dad laughs. “We’ll be hitting the road after breakfast, so I’ll take this opportunity to thank you for your hospitality.”
    I smile at my dad and his graciousness, his manners never failing him. “Is Dan going back with you?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
    “Oh no, has he not told you?” Mum asks.
    Jesse butters some toast and takes my hand, placing the bread in my grasp and nodding at it, his silent instruction to eat. “Told me what?” I ask before wrapping my lips around the edge.
    “He’s staying in London for a while.” Mum starts cutting the fat off Dad’s bacon, and I cough.
    “He’s what?”
    “Staying in London, darling.”
    I swing my eyes across the room to Dan, finding his full attention is on Kate. “Why?” I ask. “I thought he has the surf school to expand.” This is bad news. I drop my toast on my plate and Jesse immediately picks it up and puts it back in my grasp.
    “He says there’s no rush, and I’m not complaining.” Mum accepts a coffee from Pete, and then he places one in front of me, too.
    “No chocolate and no sugar, Ava,” he confirms.
    I look up at him and smile fondly. “Thank you, Pete.” I place my toast back on my plate and Jesse immediately picks it up again.
    “Eat.” He thrusts it in my hand.
    “I don’t want the fucking toast!” I spit out harshly, halting all chopping and sipping at our table.
    “Ava. Mouth!” Jesse recoils, and I can feel my parents’ shocked stares from across the table. I’m shocked myself, but I don’t need him trying to force feed me, and I most definitely don’t need Dan hanging around and complicating an already complicated situation.
    I ignore Jesse’s incredulous stare and my parents’ dumbstruck faces, and get up from the table.
    “Where are you going?” Jesse stands with me. “Ava, sit down.” His tone is a warning, even in front of my parents, but I should know by now that he couldn’t give a flying fuck where he is and who is present. He’ll be mad at me or ravish me wherever and whenever he likes. My parents aren’t going to stop him.
    “Sit down and eat your breakfast, Jesse.” I go to pass him, but his hand flies out and grasps my wrist.
    “Excuse me?” He laughs.
    I look him straight in the eye. “I said, sit down and eat your breakfast.”
    “Yes, I thought you did.” He pulls me back down onto my chair and places my toast in my hand, then leans into me, pressing his mouth to my ear. “Ava, this isn’t the time or the place for you to start throwing your weight around. And have a little respect in front of your parents.” His hand moves to my knee and strokes up the inside of my bare thigh. “I like this dress,” he whispers.
    I smile sweetly at my parents across the table, who have resumed eating their breakfast. He has a nerve. Have some respect for my parents? My teeth clench when he brushes the seam of my knickers and blows in my ear. He was losing the battle, so he saturates me with his touch to regain the power. Damn him. I squeeze my thighs together and pick up my coffee with shaking hands while he continues to wreak havoc on me with his hot breath in my ear. Mum and Dad have spent time with us, and they have fast become used to Jesse’s craving for constant contact.
    He pulls away and hits me with a smug, satisfied stare. Yes, he’s won now, but only because he’s absolutely right. This really isn’t the time or the place, especially with my mum and dad here.
    “Jesse is right, Ava,” Dad pipes up, completely shocking me. “You should watch your language.”
    “Yes,” my mum agrees quickly. “It’s not very ladylike.”
    I don’t have to look at my husband to know his smugness has just expanded into slap-worthy territory. “Thank you, Joseph.” His knee knocks mine under the table, and I knock him right back.
    “So, when are you two honeymooning?” Mum smiles across the table at us.
    “When my wife says so,” Jesse replies dryly, eyeing my toast. “When