Ant shoots me a don’t encourage him glare, and I feel sorry for Gerwyn, since he must get this kind of brush off all the time.
Ant gives him a sigh. “Remember, Ger, this move to the UK isn’t about you and G.A.T.A., it’s about you and Nevilles. Not running off to conference meetings every five seconds.”
“You don’t need to point that out,” Gerwyn says. “I’m well aware of the additional workload, thank you.”
“Good.”
From that one simple interaction I get a glimpse of the kind of boss Ant is day to day, and it’s not the smooth, chatty man I saw at Finn’s party. It makes more sense now how Ant and Gerwyn can have the occasional battle, as I can’t imagine Gerwyn is the kind of guy to sit back and take it.
I watch Ant driving in silence, questioning how well I truly know the man I’m in love with.
Gerwyn’s revelation about his alcoholism is still churning in my stomach, which is another good reason I didn’t opt for the knickerbocker glory.
I just hope one day my boyfriend feels comfortable enough to open up and tell me the true history of his past, and his life, and his journey.
I try to lighten the conversation by focusing on how much I enjoyed dinner, and Gerwyn joins in with enthusiasm but Ant doesn’t, staring at the road ahead. He paces on ahead of us when we reach the house, leaving the front door open in his wake.
“Don’t worry,” Gerwyn says when he sees the surprise on my face. “He gets like this sometimes. He’ll be fine by the morning.”
He says it so naturally, like it’s a common occurrence.
“Coffee?” Gerwyn asks when we reach the kitchen, but Ant comes up behind me, his bad mood hidden behind the kisses he lands on my neck. I’m about to say yes please to a liberica bean extravaganza before bed, but Ant takes my hand, already directing me away from the breakfast bar by the time Gerwyn turns back from the coffee machine to face me.
“I guess that’s a no then, Cass? I thought you’d be keen for one.”
Ant answers him before I can.
“It’s a no. We’re heading upstairs. You’re staying over with Richard tomorrow night, I’m guessing?”
Gerwyn shrugs, not meeting Ant’s eyes.
“I was going to see how the schedule pans out before calling it either way.”
“Don’t bother cutting your knight in shining armour session short. Get the G.A.T.A. effort out of the way for the weekend and we’ll see you on Sunday, unless you’re too busy campaigning to be arsed to join us.”
Ant still has a hint of a scowl on his face, but Gerwyn really must be immune to this side of him. He doesn’t react at all.
“Sure. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“Night,” I say and Gerwyn smiles at me, ignoring Ant completely.
“Night, Cass.”
I’m happy to be climbing the stairs with my incredible man in a tuxedo, but a part of me wishes I could switch into PJs and stay up for a coffee and a chat with Gerwyn before we make our exit. I’m about to tell Ant how much I loved the evening as soon as we’re through the bedroom door, but he grabs me by the shoulders and throws me straight down onto the bed.
His eyes are fierce as he pins me. His smirk is filthy as he stares.
“I’ve been desperate for your cunt all night.”
This is a side of my boyfriend I know well, at least. My legs are already parting as he raises himself enough to hitch my dress up.
“You haven’t been thinking about my cock this evening though, have you?” he hisses. “It’s all been about mindless chat and small talk.”
I feel weirdly guilty.
Ant snakes his fingers inside my panties, pushing three straight in without so much as a rub of his thumb against my clit.
“You’re not nearly wet enough,” he says. “But that’s ok, you can take it.”
He flips me onto my front with force and I’m not ready at all when he tugs my panties down around my thighs.
“Want my cock?” he asks, and even though my stomach is fluttering with nerves, I nod with a yes, please.
He grips my hips and slams his cock inside me in one thrust, and I must definitely be getting used to this side of him, because I manage to take it with just a whimper, even though it hurts.
He’s rougher than usual, pinning me down hard enough to bury my face in the cushions at the top of the bed. I’m gasping for breath by the time he takes hold of my hair and yanks my head back.
“Forget thinking about the crusader and his bullshit. My cock should be the only thing on your fucking mind.”
He’s thrusting deep enough that I grit my teeth as he carries on hissing words at me.