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The summer holidays slipped away fast. Summer and Mae started primary school a few weeks ago, and I’m still not sure how to feel about it.
I lie motionless in our bed and listen to the silence that has filled the house since Will took the girls over to Mary’s, and smile. He has been so attentive. So...caring. I shouldn’t really be surprised after he took such good care of me when I was hurt, but this is different. It’s... tender.
The way he looks at me. The way he holds me. It’s like he’s finally accepted that he’s loved. And allowed himself to love without limits.
I reach for my phone when it rings, and smile when his profile picture fills my screen, ‘lover man’ flashing over it.
“Hey, baby.” I sound weird. I clear the sleep from my throat. “Hi.”
“Hey. I was just checking if you’re awake.”
“I am.”
“Are you up for some fun today?”
“With you?”
“Of course, with me.”
“Then yes. Bring on the fun.” I laugh at his laugh.
“Great. I have Jack in the car. He’s dying to meet you, Wild Thing. And he’s madly in love with some poor woman he works with, so I don’t even have to worry about him trying to steal my girl.”
“You’re a funny man, Hunter.”
“I know. You love me.”
“I do. I can’t wait to meet him. Should I apologise for the first time we kind of met?”
Will laughs in a carefree way I’d like to hear more of. “I think he loved that. He was just reminding me about it actually.”
“Was he? Well, I look forward to reminding you of what happened after you hung up.”
“Christ,” Will chokes. “You’re going to kill me one day.” I chuckle.
“How long will you be?”
“We’re about fifteen minutes away.”
“Then I’d better get dressed. See you soon.”
“Bye, baby.”
––––––––
I hop in and out of the shower, and dress in denim shorts and a cotton camisole. The first button doesn’t do up anymore, so I need a long top.
Today is September at its finest. Bright blue skies and gentle breezes that invite anyone who will listen to squeeze every last drop out of it in the garden with the barbecue.
Honk! Honk! I dash to the window, and Will’s car is moving up the driveway as he waves to Tom in the orchard. I’m so glad Will kept Tom and Jan on when he bought Eden. I run down the stairs, eager to get to my man, and dash through the front door. He steps out of the car, looking like an advert for the sunglasses he’s sporting, in his jeans with his shirt sleeves rolled up. He honks again. He smiles widely when he sees me. I run towards him, and he steps aside to close the car door.
He catches me easily and our mouths clash; he lifts me off my feet, kissing me until I can’t breathe.
“Hi.” He smiles, and I take my own weight.
“Hi. So...? Where is Jack?” Will turns and motions through the windshield to his passenger. All I can see is the reflection of the trees and the house in the glass. The car door opens and Jack steps out.
I’m confused. Where is Jack? “Eva, this is Scott Jackson. My best mate since school. Jack, this is my Wild Thing, Eva Adams, soon-to-be Hunter.”
“Scott?” I ask, and Will’s face flies back to mine.
“Hey, Eva.” Scott’s voice is too quiet. Will’s attention lands back on him.
“You’re Jack?” He nods, his face growing paler.
“Sometimes. You’re Wild Thing.” I laugh.
“Sometimes.” I glance at Will. His face is set hard. Scott chuckles weakly, dropping his head, his gaze on the gravel.
I look at Will. He’s not even blinking. “So...what kind of fun were you thinking?” My attention jumps from Will, to Scott, and back again. What the hell just happened?
“Let’s go inside. I could use a drink.” Will squeezes my hand tight as we walk towards the house.
“So...you’re not from London then, Scott?”
“No. Devon, originally.”
Oh.
“And...you went to the same dance school?” Will looks up sharply, scowling. “Scott is opening a salsa club. I’m sure you knew that. We’re helping him with the launch.” I give Will what I hope is a bright smile, and his jaw tightens.
––––––––
We enter the kitchen and Will pulls out a stool for me. I give him a really look. He nods sharply. I sit. I don’t know what’s wrong. He was fine on the phone.
I glance down at my shorts. Maybe...? He wasn’t very keen on shorts for Mae’s birthday party. Maybe that’s the problem. I excuse myself to go change while Will wrenches open the fridge in search of drinks.
––––––––
Will flies through the bedroom door about fifteen seconds after me. He kisses me savagely and stalks back down the stairs, leaving me breathless and more confused than I was before.
My fingertips trace my swollen lips, and I go to the walk-in wardrobe to choose something else to wear.
When I emerge, I’m sheathed in a dusky blue, full-length but light-as-air dress I bought in Greece that reminds me of Will’s eyes. I brush my hair out again and tie it up in a messy bun, before making my way cautiously back downstairs.
I can hear the strained tone of the conversation behind the closed kitchen door, but not the actual words, so I’m still none the wiser. I almost feel like I should knock before I enter. I open the door slowly, so that they know I’m coming in, and all conversation ceases.
My eyes go directly to Will. His gaze trips over my body. He still doesn’t look happy.
Why!
“So, drinks?” I ask. Will hands me a glass. “Oh...thanks. Shall we sit in the garden?”
It’s painful. The atmosphere is painful.
“Can I just use the loo?” Scott asks Will.
“Turn left and it’s the first door on your right,” Will tells Scott, pointing in the direction he should take.
“Thanks.”
We both watch him go, Will’s jaw tensing and releasing like he’s squeezing his back teeth together. “Will? What’s wrong? What happened? Did I say something wrong?”
“No! Fuck no! Eva, baby, it’s not you...It’s...” He shakes his head and looks away.
“It’s what!”
“Jack is a honeytrap, Eva.”
“He...” My eyes follow the direction Scott took. “But he...owns a sal... oh.” Scott owns a salsa club. Will owns a hotel. I shouldn’t be surprised. A fragment of a past conversation whispers in my ear. “Your best honeytrap...” Will’s cheeks redden, and he nods.
“It’s not a coincidence he’s your client. And I need to know why.”
“Will...” I take his face in my hands, bringing it back to mine. All the anger has gone. All I see now is...fear. “We’ll sort it. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I know. I... I know that, Eva.”
“But?”
“Can we talk about this later?” he says quietly as footsteps approach. I nod and take his hand. I bring it to my lips and kiss his fingers.
“Sure.” I smile and tiptoe, lifting my lips to his. I need Will to feel secure. I need him not to question us. Not now, not ever. So I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, until he’s returning the gesture like he means it. Like he might pick me up and throw me over his shoulder any second. I didn’t hear Scott, or Jack or whatever he’s bloody called, come back in. I glance over my shoulder when I can feel someone watching me.
“Sorry!” I peck Will’s jaw. “I’m going to see Tom. Looked like he was picking some late berries to me.” I wink at Will on my way out, and he chuckles. At last! It makes me smile.
––––––––
“You’re still hungry?” Will asks, eyeing my second bowl of rapidly diminishing, freshly picked raspberries.
“Kid has Summer’s appetite. I think we should warn the government of a possible food shortage.” I shrug and pluck another berry with my fingers as I sit on the worktop, my legs dangling. Will dips down and kisses my belly.
“Your daddy will feed you as many raspberries as you can eat, baby girl,” he says, his mouth an inch from my belly.
“What makes you think it’s a girl, Daddy?”
“Just a hunch.” Will stands straight and kisses my raspberry lips.
“You’re pregnant?” Scott gasps.
“Yep. Due mid-Feb.” I briefly glance up between berries.
“Congratulations.” I glance up again at Scott. There’s something about the way he said that.
“What? You thought I was just fat? Cheers, Scott.” A laugh bursts free, despite my attempts to look offended at his horrified expression, and his eyes soften.
“You still can’t really tell yet...fully clothed.” Will smooths his hands around my growing bump. “But without them, I can definitely see our baby growing in here.”
“You sure it’s not raspberries?” We all look around as Tom enters, another bucketful of berries in his hand.
“Oh my God. Tom. I bloody love you.” I hop down to take the bucket, and he waves me away and heaves it up on the worktop.
“Pass me that cullender there, Evie, would you?” I reach up to the rack and pass the largest cullender we have to Tom, who fills it and takes the red gold to the sink to rinse it. “You not feeding my girl properly, Will?”
“He’s feeding me plenty. This baby is Summer mark two.”
“Your mum ate plums by the bucketful with you, Evie. Strawberries with your brother.”
“Really? Damsons?” Tom frowns and Will laughs, a proper, head-thrown-back laugh, and Tom looks from one of us to the other. “What?” I mouth at Will, raising my palms to the ceiling.
“I get the feeling that’s an inside joke, son,” Tom says to Scott as Will passes him a Tupperware container for the washed fruit. Tom starts again, tipping and washing.
“No joke. Will’s eyes are exactly the same colour as damsons. Aren’t they?”
“Can’t say I’ve noticed,” Tom says dryly.
“Tom. You and I both know that’s not true. You probably know how many seconds he takes to walk from the front door to the car.”
“2.3—at a guess.” His attention is stuck on the sink but he flicks me a smile and winks.
“What about me?”
“Women are different. Depends on their mood. Especially the pregnant ones.”
“Okay...so today? How long did it take me to get to Will when he pulled up?”
“1.7—or there abouts.” Huh. Once a soldier always a soldier. A trained observer in Tom’s case.
I grin at Will’s wide eyes and raised brows and ask him, “So. Someone mentioned fun today? What are we doing?”
“I was thinking we could go over to Escape.” I try to ignore my stomach flipping at the thought of going to Escape. I haven’t been there since...the blonde.
“Can I have a quick word. Before you go?” I know that look. But I nod anyway. Best to get it out of the way. “I meant with Will, Evie.”
“Oh! Phew, I’m off the hook, but you might be in trouble.” I laugh. “Go easy on him, Tom. I quite like him.”
“Hey!” Will snags my waist. “You better more than bloody like me, baby.” I smirk and push up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
“I love every inch of you. Some inches more than others.” Will snorts a laugh, his eyes dancing with wicked thoughts when I peck his lips lightly. “Come on, Scott, we’ll wait it out in the garden.”
––––––––
“Is he your dad?” Scott takes the seat opposite mine at the garden table and places his drink down.
“Tom? No, he used to work with my dad. He’s been around my whole life.” I suppose he’s the closest thing I have to one though.
“Where is he then, your dad?” Scott raises his glass for a drink.
“He died a few years back.”
“Oh! God, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault, was it?” Scott frowns at his knees.
“So...what did he do for work?”
“He was in the army.” It’s still too ingrained not to tell just anyone he’s SAS. Was. Was SAS.
“And your mum?”
“She lives about ten minutes from here.” I drop my eyes from Scott’s. I still haven’t returned my mum’s calls. I know I should. I know I should let it go. I’m trying.
I take a deep breath and address the elephant in the room. “Will said...that he works with you?” Scott looks up sharply but his eyes soften almost instantly, and a big rush of air leaves his chest as he sags in his chair. He nods once.
“At Cactus?” I’m fishing.
“Yes.”
“But you’re branching out to salsa?”
“I didn’t know,” he says quietly. “I didn’t know you were Will’s...girlfriend.”
“Fiancée, technically.” He breathes a laugh, his eyes downcast.
“He’s a lucky man.”
“I am.” We both look around to see Will striding towards us.
“Hey. You’re still in one piece. Shall we go?” I’m suddenly feeling ants’ nest uncomfortable, but Will is focused on Scott. His eyes heated and intense.
“The most beautiful, loving woman in the world has agreed to marry me. We have two beautiful daughters. So far.” His eyes fall briefly to my belly again. “And I’ll do anything to protect that. Go through anyone.”
What the hell is going on here? Is this something to do with the ex-associate? Will hasn’t even mentioned him since Greece, and I really don’t want to ask.
I reach out and touch his arm. His muscles are tensed. He glances down at me. Blinks. And then smiles. “Let’s go, baby. Let’s have some fun.” I flash him a tentative smile. “Eva?”
“Huh?”
“You need shoes, sweetheart.”
“Oh! Just a sec! I’ll meet you in the car.” I’m about to jump up to go and collect them, but Will produces my sandals from behind his back and flashes a killer smile, before he sinks to his knees and picks up one foot.
“Move over, Cinders.” I giggle as he fastens the second one securely. He holds out his hand and I place mine in his. He brings it to his lips and kisses my fingers before he stands and helps me up.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll do anything, Eva.” His eyes are so intense I lose my breath. My heart stutters and I blink at him. “Come.”
I thread my fingers through Will’s and we all walk over to the car, ready to go to Escape.
––––––––
When we arrive at the hotel just over half an hour later, it’s completely decked out in flowers. Wedding season, I muse to myself. I know our work calendar is chock-a-block with them. Several every weekend for the whole of September. We’ve even got some booked here at Escape.
“Wow! It looks great.”
“You like it?” I can’t quite place Will’s tone.
“I love it!” As we get closer, I can see the miles and miles of fairy lights too. I bet it looks spectacular at night. I release my seat belt and jump out as soon as the car has stopped moving, eager to go see the wedding setup. Up close and personal.
––––––––
I wander inside, my attention pulled from one floral arrangement to the next, from one bunch of see-through balloons filled with metallic confetti to another, as I go. So I don’t notice Bells until I’m almost right in front of her. Her baby bump is now rounded and prominent.
My feet freeze. And she bursts into tears. It’s instinctual. I couldn’t stop if I tried. I run and grab her in a fierce hug. As close as I can get, without squashing her baby. And she grabs onto me so tight, my dress scrunched up in her fingers, I’m pretty sure the material will rip. I don’t care.
“Miss me?” I choke, and she wails harder, burying her face in my shoulder. I rub her back, tears streaking my cheeks, and hold her until she’s quiet. By the size of her, she could go into labour if she doesn’t calm down.
“I’m s...so...sorry. I’m...” I can still feel her shaking in my arms.
“Stop. Bells, stop. You need to relax. Breathe.”
“Do you still hate me?” she asks after several tear-filled moments.
“I’ve never hated you.” I take a step back and push her hair from her face. “I was hurt. I was disappointed. But I’ve never hated you. I thought you knew me better.”
“I do! I do, Eva. I’m...” I pull her close again and take a deep breath. It’s time to let it go.
“Okay.” I nod firmly. It’s done. She gasps and jumps back, searching my face. I reach out and swipe my thumbs over her cheeks.
“What about me?” I close my eyes as Gary’s voice fills my ears. I feel it when Bells steps away from me. And I peek through scrunched-up slits and watch Gary’s boots step in closer. “Do you hate me?”
The words stick in my throat and I turn my face away, the last time I saw him alone flashing through my head. But it’s not Gary running at me as I relive it in my memory. It’s Dan. And I get it. It’s suddenly all so clear. I’m blaming him for what Dan did. Holding Gary responsible for his brother’s crimes, because he reminded me of them so harshly. Because, in my head, it was Dan coming at me with that look in his eyes. Not my friend. Not my substitute big brother. Not a man who was terrified of losing his pregnant wife, but a man who almost killed his.
His hands rest lightly on my shoulders, and I flinch. I hear his breath catch as he gets it too. The weight of his touch lifts for just a fraction of a second, then his fingers clamp down as he steps in, chest to chest. His chin rests on my head as his arms enfold me. “I’m sorry, sweets. I don’t know what else I can say.” I stand, tense and frozen for several seconds, until the reality wins over the fiction. My arms lift around his back, and he squeezes me tighter as my breath judders through my lungs.
When Gary releases me, it’s straight into my mum’s arms. He doesn’t give me a choice about it. But I don’t object. I just want it all over now. I want to put it behind us and move forward.
‘First rule of survival: Keep moving forward, Evie. Don’t stop. No matter how hard, or how pointless it seems. Adapt or die.’
I know, Daddy. I know.
––––––––
When I spot Will, watching from a distance, our eyes lock and I have no doubt about which direction forward is. A slow smile lights up his face and he walks over, leaving Scott at the coffee bar.
Mum hears Will approach and steps aside. He takes my waist, searching my face. “Do you know what an amazing woman you are, Eva Adams?” I breathe out a soft laugh. “Will you marry me?” A smile runs over my lips.
“Yes.” Will arches an eyebrow.
“Yes? Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” I push up on tiptoes to kiss him lightly. Will nods, a wide grin on his face, and Bells takes my arm.
“Come with me.” Her hand slides down to mine and squeezes tight.
––––––––
I follow Bells upstairs to a suite (not Will’s) and walk inside when she holds open the door. My eyes move around the room.
“It’s beautiful.” The space is full of flowers and candles. There are pictures on the walls of Will and me. The girls. Our friends and family. Bells ushers me into the bathroom. The clawfoot tub is filled with steaming, aromatic water—jasmine if I’m not mistaken. Rose petals are floating amongst the many candles reflected on the surface. A long, thin glass is standing on the windowsill between tall pillar candles and orchids.
“Wow.”
“Get in. But don’t be too long.” Bells flashes me a grin, as I turn confused eyes on her, and shuts the door.
Well...it’d be rude not to.
I walk a step over to the windowsill, take the glass stem in my fingers and sniff.
Smells like elderflower. I take a cautious sip. Tastes like elderflower. Yum!
––––––––
After thirty minutes or so luxuriating in the bath, I emerge into the bedroom, wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe. “Sit,” Bells commands as my mum enters and hands me another glass of sparkling elderflower.
“Okay...? Thanks.” I take the glass and perch on the dressing table stool. “What is wrong with you two?” I giggle as Mum whips out a hairdryer, and Bells produces a makeup bag.
––––––––
After another half an hour, I’m declared done. I glance in the mirror. My hair is a cascade of loose curls with two thin plaits threaded, tiny jewels keeping those annoying front bits back from my face. My makeup is barely there, subtle, just how I like it.
Bells appears behind me in the mirror with a padded hanger. My gaze drops over the simple, cream-coloured dress with silver bands of jewelled details that it’s supporting. “That’s beautiful.” I turn to look at the gown properly, my hands running over the silky material.
“Let’s get it on you.”
“Me? I thought it was yours.”
“No. That’s mine.” She jerks her head to another hanger on the outside of the wardrobe door.
I stand and pluck the dress from her hands. There’s a bag on the back. I take a peek inside. Underwear. “I don’t understand? Are we going somewhere?”
“A celebration is in order,” Mum says, running her fingers lightly through my hair. “We’ve all been through a lot.” I draw a breath and nod. She’s right. It’s been pretty tough. A good ol’ time is needed by all.
––––––––
Bells rushes in as I’m positioning the straps of the dress on my shoulders. It feels like heaven against my skin. The satin slides across my body, skimming over each curve like a caress. “You look beautiful,” she half sobs, tears in her eyes.
“Thank you. So do you.” Bells’s dress is floor-length and deep plum in colour, but similar in style. “Shall we go celebrate?” She nods and runs to the mirror to carefully wipe her eyes, then flashes me a brilliant smile. She reaches out for my hand and we leave the suite, heading for the stairs, which have been filled with lighted candles down the edges in our absence.
––––––––
Davey is waiting at the bottom in full uniform. He turns when he hears us, his eyes watching us descend. “You look beautiful, Blue.” I’m feeling suddenly emotional as I take his elbow when he offers it to me. He leads me through Escape towards the French windows, soft, mesmerising music floating all around us.
The girls are waiting just inside the doors with Mary. They squeal when they see us, and run. I crouch down to hug them. They’re all ready to party too. “I love your dresses, girls.” I smile my thanks at Mary, who must have gotten them changed and ready.
“Let’s go, Muma!” Summer squeals, breaking away from me and running to grab Mae’s hand.
“Go where, sweet pea?” I ask her as I stand and brush my dress straight with my hands.
“We’re gwetting mawwied!”
“We’re...?” Davey reaches for my hand and threads it through his elbow, after he offers me a trailing bouquet of white, cream, and the palest yellow flowers.
“If you want to?” His steady eyes search my bewildered ones. I glance down at the dress, and over at Bells and the girls. The flowers in our hands. This is my wedding?
My eyes move from face to face, as it slowly sinks in. This is my wedding? I wait for a second, to feel panicked or unsure, but all I feel is...happy.
I nod, and Bells’s fingers close around the two little hands already searching for hers. Davey produces a ring from his pocket. I know it instantly. “Dad’s ring?” I take it from his fingers and turn it around in my palm.
“You don’t have to keep it as Will’s wedding ring if you don’t want to. It’s just so that you can give him a ring too.”
“Thank you,” I tell him quietly.
Davey slips it back into his pocket, and we follow the girls out.
––––––––
I see Will, waiting at the end of a flower-lined aisle. I can’t help glancing at all the people watching my progress. I see Nikki; she’s focused on Davey. I glance at him and he shakes his head, ever so slightly.
Will turns in my direction when Scott says something in his ear. Our eyes lock, and I float towards him. Until three uniforms block the aisle, their faces hard. Battle ready. “It’s not too late to do a runner, Evie. I can take him.” Sid smirks.
I smile softly and kiss each cheek. They all stand aside, one by one, and Davey delivers me to Will.
“Can I trust you to protect her?” Davey’s voice has dropped to that growly, ‘don’t fuck with me, pal’ tone I know so well. “Believe me when I tell you she’s hard work.”
Will gazes steadily back at him. “I’ll protect her from anything.” Davey stares at him hard for a few more seconds, and then nods once. He kisses my cheek and takes my hand from his elbow and places it in Will’s. I gaze up at Will, his face shining, his eyes full of love, and I know I’ve found my forever.
––––––––
We turn back around and face the room full of family and friends, and Will pulls me into his arms. He looks deep into my eyes before his lips touch mine with a sweet tenderness I’ve never felt before. Tears flood my closed eyes and escape down my cheeks. When he steps back, he has the soft glow of happiness illuminating his whole face. I’m sure I do too. “Let’s go and celebrate, Mrs Hunter.”
***
My feet hurt from dancing. My face hurts from smiling. My arms hurt from hugging. And I’ve never been happier, standing in the centre of an off-duty squad of special ops and honeytraps. Even if I can still see white lights every time I blink from all the bloody photos.
“May I have this dance, Mrs Hunter?” I take a deep breath. Mint, citrus and champagne. My man. My husband. Husband! I turn to face him; his eyes are shining like a sunny day in the mid-Atlantic.
“You can have anything you want.” Sid coughs on his drink. I narrow my eyes at him. Will smirks.
“I look forward to collecting on that later. But for now, I’ll settle for a slow dance with my wife.” Will takes my left hand, looks deep into my eyes and kisses my wedding ring before leading me off to the dance floor.
“Good day, baby?” Will murmurs softly, his fingertips brushing my hair away from my face, as I sway in his arms.
“The best. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Eva. Your forgiveness was so much more than I deserved. Your hand in marriage...I don’t think I’ll ever stop trying to prove to you that you didn’t make a mistake in marrying me.”
My heart aches for this man. This man, who has lived with abandonment his whole life, traded on deception for his whole career. Until now. And it’s so clear he’s trying to find his way as much as I am. “There is nothing in this world that could ever make me doubt marrying you was the best decision I ever made.”
His knuckles graze down the sides of my face, and he leans in, his lips so soft on mine. I stifle a yawn.
“Are you tired?”
“Hmm.” I shrug.
“Just give me ten more minutes, baby. And then I’m taking you to bed.” The corner of my mouth lifts in a smirk. “I thought you said you were tired.” Will laughs.
“I said no such thing.” I’m certainly not anymore.
“Come.” He takes my hand and gets the attention of one of the waitstaff. He says something I can’t hear, my hand clasped in his, and leads me towards the front doors.
Within seconds, a shawl is draped over my shoulders. I glance back, and Bells is smiling at me. “It might get chilly.” She shrugs and winks at Will, who only chuckles and continues to lead me away.
When we, and all our guests, are assembled in the grounds, Will turns me around, his hands on my shoulder. “Watch.”
I gasp as the sky bursts to life, in every colour imaginable. Will side-steps, standing behind me. His hands slide down my arms and settle over mine on my belly, as his chin rests on my shoulder. I’m mesmerised. Colours burst, and stars cascade through the night sky above our heads, reflecting in the lake.
Even after the bangs, claps and whistles fizzle and die, I stay still, wrapped in Will’s arms. Safe and loved. It takes a moment to realise that we’re alone. Everyone has melted away into the night.
“How about one last dance before bed?” Will asks and kisses the hollow below my ear.
“Yes, please.” I turn to face him and remove my shawl. “Just a sec.” I hold onto his shoulder and flick off one shoe and then the other. Oh my God. That is so much better already. But the cool, soft grass on my bare feet is blissful as we sway and move across it, surrounded by candle-lit lanterns and miles of fairy lights. I follow Will’s every step, my body pressed to his, until thunder rumbles over our heads. We both glance up at the sky as fat raindrops start to fall, first in a pitter-patter before gradually increasing to a relentless downpour. I smile through the rain at my man, and he sweeps me up into ballroom bliss.
When we run back inside, both soaked to the skin, we draw every pair of eyes. I fold my arms over my chest and make a dash for the stairs, Will right behind me. “Good night!” we both call, giggling madly as we run and wave.
“Oh my God, I left my...shoes.” Will throws them at the foot of the bed. And the shawl on top of it. “Thank you.”
He smiles softly, prowling towards me like a caged predator. I swallow hard. My lips part, and my eyes drop to his, and that sexy come-hither thing he has going on. He stands just in front of me and runs his thumbs down my arms, across the goose bumps. “Let’s get warm.”
He leads me to the bathroom and flips on the shower. When he turns back to me, his eyes are heated, despite how cold he must be. He holds out a hand, and I place mine in his. He leads me to the shower, both of us fully clothed.
He slips a finger under each dress strap and gasps as he releases them, and the dress, heavy with water, pools around my feet.
I stand still and let him look. It’s not something I’m used to. But the way he’s looking at me it’s...as if I’m sacred. His fingers move to the buttons on his shirt, and my eyes follow each twitch as he frees them, one by one. The sopping material is hanging open and dripping down his thighs. He unfastens the cufflinks, and they clatter to the floor. He waits for my eyes to find his before he pushes the shirt over his shoulders.
I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth. I can feel Will watching my face as my gaze moves across his chest again and again. I reach out my hand tentatively, my fingertips inching forward to brush the red skin and raised turquoise ink.
“Is that...permanent?” He catches my hand and kisses my fingers.
“For life.” My eyes drop back to the thick, cursive text. “Your name, signed across my heart.” His hands move to my hair as I gaze up at him. “My wild thing.”
“When did you...?”
“This morning.”
“Oh!”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it.” I smile softly and peck his lips. “I love you.” I kiss him again. “But...It’s my writing...?”
“Yeah, the guy did it from the picture you took in the woods.” I reach down and undo his trousers. I push them lower, along with his boxers, and he steps out.
“It’s almost a shame to take your underwear off,” Will says, stepping back a bit, his eyes flitting over my body. Then he reaches around and unclasps the bra. “Almost.”
When we’re both more than warm, panting and desperate for each other, Will flips the handle up and turns off the spray. He offers me a heated towel. Then another for my hair. “We’re not consummating our marriage in the shower.”
I don’t care where it happens as long as it’s now. But I step out of the shower and into the bedroom.
He takes my towel and slowly passes it over my skin, soaking up every drop of water. He looks at my face, kneeling in front of me as he dries my calves, before he springs to his feet and lifts me off mine, swinging my body into his arms. And then he lays me down in bed.
He stretches out beside me, his fingertips swirling in maddening circles over my hypersensitive skin until I’m whimpering and writhing, grabbing at his hair and demanding more.
“You want me, wife?”
“Yes!” My mouth seeks his and I feel his smile as I try to move his body over mine.
“You’ve got me, baby. I’m yours.”
“Will!” He moves over me, his weight like a comfort blanket, and slides inside me, slow and smooth. I groan with the fullness at last, my head tipping back, my spine arching. He stills.
“Eva. I want you so badly, baby.” I look deep in his eyes while they search mine.
“I’m yours. You’ve got me. For life.” He growls and lowers his head, sealing our mouths and begins to move in a mind-blowing, body-bending rhythm that melts my brain right out of my head.
I’m just sensation and nerve endings. Hormones and shattered breath. This is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I have no control over my fingernails as they rake his back. My hips, as they move and grind with his. My legs, as they lock around his waist. The screams, as they rip from my throat.
He doesn’t stop. It’s like an express train to nirvana. I don’t know how I got on top. But I sit up straight and grind us both into a frenzy, until I’m flat on my back again, his mouth at my breast and orgasms coming at me like traffic on the motorway. In the fast lane.
My body judders and shakes as he pounds every last tiny ounce of pleasure from me and then he groans, his head dropping to my chest, his arms shaking as his hips thrust one last time and he stills. His muscles are twitching. His breathing harsh. And he rolls off me, snags an arm around my midsection, and buries his face in my hair. “Wow,” he pants. I can hear he’s chasing oxygen too.
“Yeah. Wow.”
***
“Good morning, hubby.” I grin as I watch Will’s eyes slowly blink open.
“Morning, wife.” He reaches for me, and I snuggle under his outstretched arm. “Breakfast?” he asks, rubbing his eyes.
“I thought you’d never ask.” I catch Will’s pulled-together brows, before I disappear under the sheets and he makes a garbled sound, his torso and legs lifting a few inches and falling back down flat with a jerk and a groan as I take him in my mouth.
––––––––
After spending a few more hours consummating our marriage, Will and I emerge into the dining room in need of food.
“Morning.” Will greets anyone who will listen with a warm smile. He pulls out my chair for me and I sit, watching him walk around the table and take his own seat.
“Our flight is at two,” Will informs me.
“Flight?”
“You didn’t think I’d forgotten a honeymoon, did you?”
“I...hadn’t even thought about it.” We haven’t been home that long. “Where are we going?”
“To Mexico. But at some point, you need to see our Paris and Rome hotels too.” Our? Will nods slowly as though he can read my mind. “Yes, Mrs Hunter. What’s mine is yours.”
I can’t even begin to formulate a response to that. Fortunately, I don’t have to just yet, because there are two giggling little girls skipping our way.
“What about work?”
“You have an office full of staff to take care of things for you, Eva. They know we got married yesterday, and are fully aware you’ll be totally unavailable for the next few weeks. And so am I.” Oh, yes. I do, don’t I? “Good morning, angels.” Will greets the girls and stands to pull out a chair each.
“Hewow, Daddy.” Mae grins. Her eyes flick to mine as her dad pushes her chair in.
“Morning.” I can feel my face is pure radiance as I look from small girl to small girl. “Did you both sleep well?”
“Yep.” Summer swipes her hair from her face, looking around the room as Will pushes her chair in too. “I’m hungwy.”
“Really? That’s never happened before.” Summer huffs.
“Nanny Mawy said I’ve got a hell-fy happy-tite.”
“Did she?” I chuckle, and then nod seriously at Summer’s affronted expression. “You do, sweet pea.”
“Girls?” Will begins, and already has their full attention. “Do you remember that Mum and I are going to Mexico today?” I glance over the table at them. I was expecting a bit more pouting, but they both nod eagerly. My eyes narrow suspiciously as they move back to Will. “So, you two will be spending some time with Nanny Joyce and Mary...”
When the giggling starts, my suspicions are heightened. They’re up to something. Or looking forward to getting spoiled rotten for two weeks with their grandmother and nanny. Sweets and more sweets. Will smiles at their giggling and drops his eyes to his coffee cup, trying to hide his smirk.
Hmm. I wonder what they’ve been promised? But all thoughts are pushed aside as breakfast arrives. I’m famished.