This Man Confessed (45 page)

I
’m in Paradise.

After Jesse got the all-clear from the doctors a full week after he awoke, we left the hospital, me leading him. He refused the wheelchair that was delivered to his room, which I wasn’t surprised about at all. My big, strapping man had been laid up for three weeks, dependant on others to care for him, so I couldn’t deny him the dignity of walking out of the hospital, even if it took us an hour. We returned to Lusso, where Cathy fussed and flapped around like a mother hen, ensuring cupboards were full, washing was done, and the whole place looked like it did on the launch night before it had been lived in. Then I gave her a few weeks off. We needed privacy in our home. I needed to look after Jesse. I needed to nurse him back to the man I know and love.

The first week was a washout. Streams of constant visitors plagued the penthouse, including Jesse’s parents. It’s still odd and a little strained, but I can see a light in my husband’s eyes that I never have before. It’s different to the sparkle of lust or the deepening in anger. This is peace.

The police paid numerous visits during that first week. It was probably too soon, but Jesse insisted on getting the chore out of the way so we could resume
our
normal. Patrick stopped by with my work colleagues, expressing his sincere apologies for putting me in such an awful situation, but he wasn’t to know, and neither was poor Sal. She’s well and truly back to dreary, plaid skirt-wearing Sal, but she seemed happy enough. Mikael withdrew from the deal to buy Rococo Union and Patrick offered me my job back, but I politely declined and Jesse didn’t try to convince me otherwise. I can’t return to work, and I really don’t want to.

For the following three weeks after that first hectic one, there was constant contact, just how he likes it. We bathed every morning and indulged in hours of tub-talk. I redressed his wound; he rubbed Bio Oil into my tummy. I cooked breakfast; he fed it to us—both naked. He read his pregnancy manual out loud; I listened intently. He chose to skim past the parts that would put his ridiculous worries to rest, and I chose to snatch the book from his hand and read those parts aloud to
him
. He would scowl; I would grin. He wanted lots of sex, but I didn’t want to hurt him, which is ironic after the constant battle we’ve had in this aspect of our relationship since I’ve been pregnant. It’s been hard. My raging hormones are not improving.

Now, four weeks later, I’m spread-eagled on the bed in the main bedroom of Paradise. I’m naked and I’m basking at the highest level of Central Jesse Cloud Nine.

“Comfy?”

My head lifts so my eyes can locate the whereabouts of my Lord, finding him standing in the doorway of the bathroom, naked, just how I like him.

“No, because you’re not in here with me.” I pat the mattress, and he blasts me with his smile, reserved only for me. He doesn’t lie next to me, though. He spreads my legs and crawls up between my thighs, resting his freshly shaved chin on my growing tummy and looking up at me with those glorious greens.

“Good morning, my beautiful girl.”

“Good morning.” My fingers seek out his wet hair, and I sink farther into the bed on a contented sigh. “What are we doing today?”

“I have it all planned out,” he declares, nibbling on my midriff. “You will do what you’re told.”

“Does it involve cards?” I inquire casually, but far too hopefully. I’ll ensure that I lose this time, so there will be no need for the transfer of power.

“No.”

I’m disappointed. “Does it involve sleepy twilight sex?”

I feel him grin around the flesh that he’s nibbling on. “Maybe later.”

“Then I’ll do whatever you want,” I advise him, my thighs clenching at the thought of sleepy twilight sex, and my mind wishing the day away so later gets here faster.

“Your day starts right now, Mrs. Ward.” He plants a set of loud kisses around my bellybutton before sitting up and straddling me. He reaches over to the bedside cabinet and retrieves an envelope. “Here.”

“What’s this?” I ask on a frown, gingerly taking it from him. I don’t like surprises from this man.

“Just open it.” My nerves increase when he commences nibbling that lip and I see cogs starting to fly.

I’m not sure that I want to open it, but curiosity is drowning my apprehension, so I slowly pull it open, flicking eyes back and forth between Jesse and the envelope. Slowly pulling out the piece of paper, I unfold and read the first line.

That means nothing to me. I read on, but I can’t make heads or tails of the legal lingo. I can make sense of the obscene amount of numbers that follow the pound sign halfway down the page, though.

“You’ve bought another house?” I blurt out, looking over the paper at him. I say house but judging by the figure, which I now notice has the words “For the sum of” written next to it, it could be a castle…or maybe even a palace.

“No, I’ve sold The Manor.” The lip biting has just sprung into the realms of cannibalism. He’s chomping furiously as he gauges my reaction to that statement.

“You’ve what?” I’m trying to sit up, thinking maybe being upright might lessen the shock, but I won’t find out because I’m being pushed back down to the bed.

“I’ve sold The Manor.” He lays down over me and clasps the sides of my face in his bag palms.

“I heard you. Why?” I don’t understand. I planted the seed, I know, but I never expected him to take a bit of notice.

He smiles down at me and lowers his lips to mine, teasingly. I’m desperate to know what has instigated this, but I’m also desperate, as always, for his magic mouth. I drop the document and fall straight into the rhythm he’s set, finding his big shoulders and feeling my way up to his jaw. I’m distracted for now, but he won’t get away without an explanation on this. The Manor is all he knows, even if he’s not utilizing the facilities anymore.

“Hmmm, you taste heavenly, lady.” He bites my bottom lip, pulling back so it drags through his teeth lightly.

“Why?” I press, keeping him close to me and wrapping my thighs around his narrow hips. I’m not letting go until he spills.

He gazes at me thoughtfully for a few moments before drawing breath. “You know when you’re a kid? At primary school, I mean.”

“Yeah,” I say slowly, my brow scrunched up, my eyes undoubtedly inquisitive.

“Well…” He sighs. “What the hell would I do if the babies asked me to go in for one of those open days these schools have?”

“Open day?”

“You know, when daddies stand up and tell their kids’ classmates that they’re a fireman or a copper.”

I squeeze my lips together, desperate not to laugh at him when it’s clearly a worry.

“What would I say?” he asks seriously.

“You’d tell them you’re The Lord of The Sex Manor.” It’s no good. I’m laughing. God love this man. My fast disappearing hipbone is grasped and my laughter increases. “Stop!”

“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, lady.”

“Please stop!”

I’m released and recovering from my bout of hysteria when I catch his concerned expression. He really is worried. “You would tell them that you own a hotel, just like we’d tell the babies.” I can’t believe I’m trying to give him an out.

He rolls onto his back, and I quickly resume position and sit myself on him. He grasps the tops of my thighs and looks up at me. “I don’t want it anymore.”

“But it was Carmichael’s baby. You wouldn’t sell it when your mum and dad demanded it, so why now?”

“Because I have you three.”

“You’ll always have us three, anyway.”

“I want you three and nothing to complicate that. I don’t want to lie to our babies about my job. I would never allow them to spend any time there, which means my time with you and the babies would be limited. The Manor is an obstruction. I don’t want any obstructions. I have a history, and The Manor should be part of it.”

I feel untold relief and the smile invading my face is proof of that. “So I get you all day, every day?”

He shrugs sheepishly. “If you’ll have me.”

I dive on him, smothering him all over his wonderfully handsome face. But I’m quickly sitting up again when I think of something. “What about John and Mario? And Sarah? What about Sarah?” I have no loyalty to the woman, despite my compassion, but I don’t want her attempting suicide again. However, John and Mario I love.

“I’ve spoken to them. Sarah’s taking up an opportunity in the U.S. and John and Mario are more than ready for retirement.”

“Oh,” I say in acceptance, but I suspect they’ve all picked up a tidy little sum for their services to The Manor, no matter in what capacity they served. “And will the members renew under the new owners?”

He laughs. “Yes, if they like playing golf.”

“Golf?”

He smiles. “The grounds are being converted into an eighteen-hole golf course.”

“Wow. What about the sports facilities?” I ask.

“They’re all staying. It’ll be pretty impressive. Not much different to my setup, except the private suites really will be hotel rooms and the communal room will serve as a conference room for businesses.”

“So that’s it, then?”

“That’s it. Now, I need to get you ready for the rest of your day.” He goes to sit up, but I pin him back down.

“I need to freshen up my mark.” I point to his pec, where my perfect circle has nearly disappeared. Then I look down at my own barely visible bruise. “And you need to work on mine, too.”

“We’ll do it later, baby.” I’m lifted and placed on my feet. “Go take a shower.” He slaps my bum, sending me on my way, and I wander off without complaint and with a stupid smile on my face. No Manor, no Sarah, and Jesse all to myself…and the babies.

After soaking myself under the lovely hot water and shaving everywhere, I dry my hair roughly and start rummaging through the wardrobe for something to wear.

“I’ve picked something,” he says from behind me, and I turn to see him wearing a pair of loose swimming shorts, holding up a short lace sundress.

“It’s a bit short, isn’t it?” I run my eyes up and down the delicate piece of clothing, with tiny straps and a floaty skirt.

“I’ll make an exception.” He shrugs and unzips it before holding it at my feet. By that little statement, I assume we’re not going anywhere public. I watch him kneel before me so I can step into the dress, and he secures me before standing back and clasping his chin in his hand thoughtfully. “Cute.” He nods in approval and takes my hand, pulling me to the double doors that lead to the veranda.

“I need shoes.”

“We’re paddling.” He dismisses my concern and leads on, walking around the veranda and over the grass until we’re at the gate that leads down to the beach. “Can we paddle on our backs?” I ask cheekily, and he stops, looking down at me with amused eyes.

“Pregnancy does wonderful things to you, Mrs. Ward.”

I know my forehead has just wrinkled. “I always want you this much.”

“I know you do. You’re missing something.” He produces a small calla lily from behind his back and tucks it behind my ear. “Much better.”

I reach up and feel the fresh flower, smiling up at him a little bemused, but far too content to inquire further. He winks, kisses my cheek, and leads on, turning when we get to the sleepers to ensure I take them carefully. “Watch that piece of splintered wood,” he says, pointing to a jagged edge on one of the sleepers. “Careful.”

“You should have let me put some shoes on, then,” I say, skipping that step and leaping down to the next.

“Ava, no jumping. You’ll shake the babies up.”

“Oh, shut up!” I laugh, jumping my way down the rest of the steps until my feet are warm and sinking into the golden sand. “Come on!” I start to run down to the shore, but as soon as my head lifts from my feet to look where I’m going, I stop dead in my tracks.

They are all looking at me. Every single one of them. My eyes run down the line of people, noting everyone I know, including Jesse’s family. I gasp, a little delayed, and swing round, finding Jesse towering over me, looking down at me on a smile.

“What are they doing here?” I ask.

“They’re here to witness me marrying you.”

“But we’re already married,” I remind him. “We are, aren’t we?” I’m suddenly considering the possibility of him announcing that we’re not married at all, that The Manor, in fact, had no license.

“Yes, we are. But my mum and dad missed our day, and we should have done it this way before.” He takes my hand and tugs my reluctant body gently, until I follow his lead down to the shoreline, where both of our families and all our friends are waiting, all smiling, all relaxed. They part, letting Jesse pull me through, and I look at each of them in turn, but all I get are happy faces. I can do no more than shrug a little, demonstrating my surprise. It’s only now that I register Jesse’s shorts are white and so is my sundress. We’re getting married again?

I’m positioned in the wet sand with the gentle waves lapping at my feet, and then we’re greeted by a man who looks as relaxed in his attire as Jesse, me, and all of our guests. I’m quiet and accepting as he welcomes us and joins our hands in the space between our close bodies. I repeat the words being asked of me as I look up into Jesse’s addictive eyes and smile around each and every word I say to him. I reaffirm everything. I renew my promise to love, honor, and obey him and I reach up to kiss him gently on his luscious lips when I’m done. I’m on autopilot, just doing what is asked of me, but not because I don’t know what else to do, but simply because it’s what I’m supposed to do. Despite everything, I entrust myself to this man. He leads the way and I follow. Because I know it’s where I belong.

When it’s his turn to speak, the registrar steps away and Jesse moves in closer, lifting both of my hands with his and resting his lips on them, leaving them lingering for the longest time. “I love you,” he whispers, stroking his thumbs where his lips have just left. “An eternity with you wouldn’t be enough, Ava. From the moment my eyes fell on you, I knew things would change for me. I plan on devoting every second of my life to worshipping you, adoring you, and indulging in you, and I plan on making up for empty years without you. I’m taking you to Paradise, baby.” He stoops and clasps me under my bum, lifting me high so it’s now him looking up at me. “Are you ready?”