Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
‘I know it’s been a long time.’ She hiccups over her words. ‘But just remembering how terrified I was when I thought I’d lost you makes me feel it all again. And I panic. Because look how in love I was with you back then. Look how much I needed you. Twelve years later, all of those feelings have multiplied by a million, and the thought of losing you cripples me, Jesse.’ She breathes in shakily.
I close my eyes and make sure I hold on to her that little bit tighter. ‘No one’s going to take me away,’ I vow, meaning it with every fibre of my being.
‘You talk like you’re indestructible.’
‘I am. If I have you and the kids, nothing can touch me, Ava.’ I force her away and scan her face, wiping her cheek of tears. We don’t talk about the events of that day. Lauren is still locked up in a padded cell somewhere under constant assessment, and there’s a restraining order in place in case that ever changes. Which, I’m advised, won’t. Premeditated attempted murder, carefully plotted and very nearly carefully executed. No one will be seeing her for a very long time. ‘Don’t cry, baby. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.’
Reaching for my hair, she tugs on a huff mixed with a little chuckle. ‘That’s not funny.’
‘Shut up and kiss me, woman.’
She’s on me like a lion, all parts of our horrid past pushed away, leaving room for only the good memories. The amazing memories. Memories that we build on every day of our beautiful existence together. Just us and our babies.
Chapter 5
As I dip and weave through the traffic on Park Lane the following week, the roof of my DB9 Volante down, the wind rushing past, I dial Drew to pass the time on my way to the health club. Just passing the time.
‘Afternoon!’ I greet, all chipper when he answers.
‘Yes, what do you want?’
‘That’s no way to greet a friend.’ I grin to myself as I sail through an amber light and switch lanes, ignoring the honking of some knob in a Bentley.
‘What do you want?’ he repeats, sounding utterly bored by the conversation that hasn’t even got off the ground yet. I’m about to remedy that.
‘Just wondering how you’re feeling now you’re claimed for life.’
‘I was claimed for life before I put a ring on her finger.’
I smile, all warm and fuzzy on the inside for my mate. We’d honestly lost all hope for the kinky fucker by the time Raya came into his life. ‘Congratulations, mate. I’m happy for you. So when’s the big day?’
‘A couple of months. Exact date to be confirmed.’
‘Shit, you’re not messing around, are you?’
‘Did you just say that?’ He laughs, truly amused. ‘You had Ava down the aisle within weeks of meeting her.’
I smile as I zip into my designated parking space outside the club and hop out, grabbing my sports bag from the boot. ‘Go big or go home. I’ve just got to the club. I’ll catch you later.’ Hanging up, I jog into reception, looking around for John. ‘Hey, Gaby,’ I call to one of the girls who works the reception area. ‘You seen the big man?’
A neon-pink, clawlike talon points up the stairs to the gym floor. ‘Trying out the new weight machines.’
I take the stairs two at a time, emerging into the open-plan gym at the top. It’s quiet now, the mums all departed to go collect their kids from school. Another hour and it’ll be crammed again after everyone has knocked off work. I spot John across the way and put my hand up when he nods to me as he loads weights onto the end of a bar. I hope I’m still lifting when I’m his age. He makes time every day in between helping us run this place so he can keep that huge body huge. He flicks his head, telling me he’ll meet me in the office, so I make my way there.
I walk in and find Cherry at Ava’s desk. Her head flicks up. ‘Jesse.’ She’s up from her chair and quickly straightening out her skirt. ‘Ava asked me to check some invoices before she left to go and get Maddie and Jacob. But if there’s anything you need . . .?’
I throw my bag on the couch. ‘I’m good.’
‘Tea? Coffee? Water?’ She comes around the desk, smiling brightly. ‘Anything?’
I falter in my steps towards the filing cabinet, looking back with a curious brow. Was there suggestion in her words just then? ‘I’m good,’ I repeat, detecting a definite twinkle in her blue eyes.
‘Well, if you think of something . . .’ Her teeth sink into her bottom lip.
Is she coming on to me? She must be twenty years younger than me, and though it’s a painful thought, I can’t deny the small part of my ego that thrives on that. Yep. Still got it. But this woman needs to be told that I only have it for my wife.