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)
‘You’re a case, Jesse Ward.’
‘And that’s just one of the reasons why you love me.’ I refrain from saying loved. ‘Tell me more.’ I roll us a little, taking her to the grass so she’s on her side facing me. ‘What else is there? What else do you remember?’ I’m hungry for more, anything more.
I can see the effort it takes her to think, trying to pluck more memories from the black pit that is her mind, and I’m quick to stop her, placing a hand over her hip so she looks at me. I don’t want her straining. ‘Don’t force it. More will come.’
‘I want them now.’ Her whiny voice and slumped body make me smile. I’d love them all now, too, but patience is a virtue and all that bollocks. Which is a joke, coming from me. But, for the sake of Ava and my sanity, I mustn’t push her more than she’s already trying to push herself. If anything, I should take comfort in the fact that she desperately wants to find me in that mixed-up head of hers.
‘Come.’ I get us up and sling an arm around her shoulders, snuggling her close. ‘That’s enough exertion for one day.’ Her mind and her body must be beat.
I walk her back into the house, following the sound of my ringing phone. I can’t disguise my tenseness when I see the number, because I just know who it is.
‘You okay?’ Ava asks, looking up at me with concern.
‘Just a sales number.’ I reject the call and block the number.
Done. I can’t risk Sarah knocking Ava off her high. Too much progress has been made today. Great progress.
I’m feeling hopeful, and dirt from my past isn’t going to tarnish it.
Chapter 32
I open my eyes the next morning to Ava beaming at me from where she’s lying on her side, mirroring me. Her hand is on my hip. Mine on hers. ‘What’s got you so happy at this time of the morning? Because I’m yet to put my cock inside you.’
She chuckles, moving in closer until her breath is spreading across the skin of my chest. ‘I love watching you sleeping. You look so angelic.’
I smile sleepily and close my eyes again, wrapping an arm around her naked back and pulling her closer. ‘Angelic? You mean godly, right?’
‘Right. And I’m happy I remembered something.’
She’s on a high, so happy with herself, just for remembering that small thing. I forbid myself to dwell on the fact that she might not be so thrilled when everything else comes back to her, the good, the bad, and the downright fucking hideous. It’s kind of crazy. On the one hand, I’m willing the memories forward, begging they come to her. On the other, I’m dreading it. Part of me is hoping they continue to drip through, little bit by little bit, giving her a chance to grasp it all, rather than them flooding back and probably sending her head into chaos.
‘Is that your phone?’
I frown, listening. ‘I must have left it downstairs.’ She’s out of my arms speedily, and I’m not too pleased about it. ‘Hey!’
‘It might be the kids.’ Her naked back disappears out the door, her urgency hampered by that lingering limp.
On a groan, I drag myself up, not bothering with any boxers, and make my way downstairs. I find her with the phone to her ear. ‘That FaceTime thing isn’t working,’ she says down the line, her fingers in her hair.
I grin when I look down her naked body, grabbing the coffee down from the cupboard. ‘Put it on loudspeaker,’ I demand.
‘Hey, Dad!’ Jacob sings, followed by Maddie.
‘Hey.’ I grab the cups down and Ava fetches the milk. ‘You missing us?’
‘A little.’ Maddie sniffs, and I smile. ‘Nan said we’re coming home on Monday.’
‘That’s right.’ I look at Ava and see she smiles to herself. ‘What have you two been up to?’ Don’t ask about the boy. Don’t ask about the boy.
‘I’ve been shell hunting on the beach with Hugo,’ Maddie declares, bold as fucking brass, almost proud, because she knows she’s well out of trampling distance. I grind my teeth and throw a glare at Ava, one that suggests she should take the reins before our daughter ruins my mood.
She takes the phone quickly and walks off, getting herself away from my bristly presence. Hugo. Fucking Hugo. ‘That’s nice, darling. What about you, Jacob? Caught any more fish?’
‘A twelve-pounder today, Mum!’ He sounds so excited. Why can’t Maddie find something she’s passionate about – something other than boys?
They chat happily for a while as I busy myself with the coffee, and then she says her goodbyes, a sad edge to her voice. I look up as she disconnects and sighs. She’s falling into despondency. I need to distract her.
‘Hey, eyes up here, baby.’ They instantly flick up and find me. ‘I have a surprise for you.’