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“I can’t get my head around it.” Jake utters for the hundredth time as we lie in bed, our bodies entwined. My exhaustion has dissipated, giving way to mind-numbing silence after the events of the evening.
We finally have freedom … from her.
We’ve been home for a few hours and yet mostly all we’ve
done is lie together and talk. Hours spent regurgitatingthe fact that there is no other baby, wondering how his family are going to react and how different things will be from now on without it hanging over us. It’s still too surreal to really believe and emotions between us have been swirling like crazy.“I can’t believe it’s over,” I exclaim out loud, hearing him sigh again. A happy heavy relief kind of noise.
“Me either, it feels like it’s been consuming me … us
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Nora is staying here aa housemaid since Jake’s going to be here at least once a week and Mathews is training the new security to be positioned here since we’ll be taking him to the new house; their choice of course, always so loyal to Jake.Jefferson will be keeping on driving Jake around when he’s here and Mathews will be spending time chauffeuring and protecting me in the Hamptons, as well as training the new security staff at the house. Jake has kept on the previous owner’s house staff and once we’re moved in, they’re all coming back to work as they did before. Jake has this all effortlessly organized and everything smoothly in place.I admit the thought of cooks and cleaners and chauffeurs is no longer something I balk at; a life looking after my child without the stress that most mothers endure sounds like heaven to me. I know how lucky I am not to have to worry about mundane house tasks or troubles with money. I am finally acce
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Gazing up at the crappy brown building that houses “The Haven” homeless shelter, an internal wave of anxiety builds up inside of me, like an all-consuming black hole, now that I’m faced with old memories. Jake is standing behind me with hands on my shoulders, a kiss on my neck brings me back to the present.“Call me and I’ll come, okay?” His voice is a reminder that I can do this, I can be strong enough because of him.“I know. Now leave, before I change my mind about going to the hotel first.” I giggle as his hand skims my ass; he’s a tempting distraction to what I know I need to do.“If I’d known you were this torn about it, I would’ve applied a little more pressure.” He smirks wickedly, letting his hand trail lower under my dress. I laugh and shove him off playfully with my butt, which only serves to c
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“No, actually I’m currently looking toward a new career. One more fulfilling in which I can help children who have been abused; like I was.” I lift my chin proudly, meeting her eye ready to take on her response in a non-emotional way. I am at peace with how I am going to handle this.Her eyes glaze over, and her eyebrow rises as she sighs, acting as though ‘little girl Emma’ is at it again, being over-dramatic, making herself out to be the poor defenseless, innocent child.She is no mother of mine. I can see it now. I’ll never call her my mom again; she’s never been deserving of the title. In the short time Sylvana has known me she’s been more of a mom to me than Jocelyn ever was.She’s pondering over how to respond, no doubt bringing memories of our last meeting fresh to her mind, afraid that raging and violent Emma may strop out again. That tiny trigger of annoyance builds higher at her silent pause.
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I push the door open with one hand and pull out my phone with a heavy sigh, slowly inhaling as I inhale fresh air.I’m okay, I really am okay.I text Jake, asking him where he is, letting him know I’ll come to him. I need the air and the walk. I need the time to myself to let all that happened in that room sink in. I want to walk to him smiling, to show him that I’m so much stronger than I ever have been before.She never fought for me, she never told me she loved me, but then she never did.I’m not the one who is broken or unlovable, she is. Yes, I am scarred, but I’m healing, and I’ve finally found my way into arms I know will always be waiting for me.Jake is watching me over a mug of coffee in the small café. My tears have finally stopped. I’m not heartbroken, just resigned and letting go of all that pent-up emotion; part of me is relieved. There really are no other words for it. His eye
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“I haven’t given you anything but me, and you've given me all of this.” I wave my arms around at the five-star hotel room, the ring on my finger and then run a hand down my stomach, finding his hand there and I entangle our fingers. “You gave me the fairy tale, the perfect sexy man, the crazy opulent lifestyle and the happy ever after, Jake, all I gave you was some scared girl so afraid to love.” Tears fill my eyes.“That is the most amazing gift you can give anyone. Having you is more than all this combined. You saved me from myself, from an empty life of parties, fame, women, and booze and driving myself into the ground with work. You gave my life meaning and feeling. You gave me a purpose and completion, Emma. I know it took a while for me to stop and realize that I had it all, but we’re here now and I promise that this is only the beginning, this will only get better. We have so much more to look forward to and this baby will chan
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The view up here of the sea, beyond the large wide windows facing us, is perfection.“It’s gorgeous.” I breathe, letting go of his hand to walk forward and trail my fingers over a furry throw on the back of a beautiful armchair in the softest camel colored fabric. Immersing myself in the peaceful serenity of this room and catch my breath as I spot a large, traditional, dark wood crib nestled in a nook by the en suite door near the bed. Jake has obviously chosen this. It looks like it belongs there, perfectly suited to the old meets new style and cozy features of the room; the wood matches our bedframe. I turn and smile at him with damp eyes and a lump in my heart. His returning smile telling me he knows what I’ve spotted; a special moment passing between us that Miss. Briggs. is completely oblivious to.“What do you think, Mr. Carrero?” Monica is almost kissing at him with her pouty voice, but I’m too absorbed in the vision aro
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I groan as he pulls back, sucking my bottom lip, moving in to kissing me passionately, his hand smoothing down my naked abdomen, meeting the apex of my thighs with a welcome moan.His phone vibrates across the countertop beside me, making me jump and giggle as he pulls back slightly with a lusty expression to retrieve it. He curses under his breath and throws me a naughty half-smile.“Saved by the bell.” He growls, his voice low and sexy. He still has his hand between my legs cupping my warmth gently while he retrieves his phone and sticks it to his ear.“Jake Carrero, speaking.” He leans in and kisses me again slowly, that tongue dipping into mine mercilessly despite the phone almost poking me in the face.“Uhuh.” He props up his phone with one shoulder and returns to running his other hand over my exposed breast, leaning in to trace his tongue up my neck and send a thousand tingles through me. He obviously doesn&rsquo
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“Then tell yourself that she loves you. Remind yourself of why you’re asking her.” I croon softly, aware Jake’s messing with the damn coffee machine, making it look complicated as hell to work, a frowning and confused look glazing over his face. I think it’s more impatience than anything.“I want her … every day, every night … I want to be able to call her and be like hey, babe, I’ll see you at home.” Daniel sighs heavily. “Fuck, I sound as soft as Jake right now.” At least he’s calmed down now, and he hasn’t noticed that his attack is over; talking about Leila is calming him without him even realizing it.“Yep you kinda do, he’s a sucker for love too.” I smile at Jake’s wide strong back and flutter my lashes as he glances over at me; all manly attempts at nonchalance disappearing.“Should I be concerned about you two on the phone?”
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