Her hands moved under his top, pulling and lifting. He raised his arms and let her take the shirt off his back. She ran her hand down his spine, then back up again, her fingers reaching the back of his neck and tangling themselves in his hair.
He deepened his kiss, lifted his body, rolling her onto her back. His hands cradling her face, he moved his lips to her neck, trailing kisses down the firm, corded muscles to her collarbone. He slipped a finger under her singlet strap and moved it aside, kissing the spot where it had been, then traced the neckline of her singlet with his lips, exploring her curves as her chest rose high with a breath. James wriggled himself lower, lifting the hem of her top and circling her belly button with his tongue. Her skin felt like home to him; a sanctuary, a haven, and he longed to rediscover every inch of her.
When he kissed a little lower, Emma flinched. He realised why. He paused a moment, grasped her hand that had been tangling in his hair, and brought it to his lips. He kissed each finger one by one, then uncurled them and pressed his lips against her palm. He wanted to reassure her, to remind her, that this was not just physical. He’d never felt so connected to anyone on all levels, and he wanted her to feel adored, cherished, and worshipped.
James lowered the waist of her pants slightly. With only a dim wash of moonlight in the room, he felt across her abdomen with his hand and became aware of the change in texture on her skin. He traced the scar with one finger, from beginning to end, and a small sigh escaped Emma’s mouth. This was what had taken her from him all those years ago, what had made her feel she couldn’t stay. But now, it made her even more beautiful, unique, and strong. Pride and love overtook him and he leaned closer and kissed the middle of her scar. Then he placed a gentle kiss on one end of it, sprinkling kisses one by one along the length of the permanent reminder of her infertility. With each kiss she whimpered, from sadness, or relief at finally exposing her vulnerability he wasn’t sure. But she didn’t ask him to stop. Still she caressed his hair, his neck, and allowed him to shower affection on an area she probably never thought would receive anything but pain. He reached the end of the scar and gave it one last kiss in the middle, allowing his lips to linger a moment longer.
‘James,’ she whispered, and he gazed up at her. She curled a finger and he eased himself up to level his face with hers.
‘It’s been a long time for me,’ she breathed into his ear. ‘There’s been no one else.’
James stroked her hair and tucked strands behind her ear. ‘It’s been a while for me too.’
‘Was Jackson’s mother the last one?’ she asked.
He nodded, and it was only then that he realised just how much time had passed since he and Emma had been together. It seemed like a lifetime. And yet, being here with her now, her skin smelling sweet and hot, her touch filling him with longing he ached to fulfil, it seemed like they’d never parted.
‘I barely remember that side of me,’ Emma whispered. ‘All I’ve been focused on is getting well.’ He kissed her face gently as she spoke, then she grasped his face and looked him in the eye. ‘Thank you for understanding me, for being here with me. I just hope it’s worth the wait. I hope I’m worth the wait.’
‘My beautiful Emma.’ James looked into her deep brown eyes with a smile. ‘You already are.’
Chapter 23
Emma became faintly aware of the morning sun warming her face, but her eyes remained closed. She was also faintly aware of her memories from last night, floating in and out of her consciousness as she drifted between awake and asleep…
The moment James had kissed her scar had sent a healing wave through her body. The beauty of the moment took her breath away, and the moments after even more so. The way he’d taken his time rediscovering her, showing such tenderness and respect, had reinforced her feelings for him and reawakened her desire for him. For the first time in a long while, or even ever, her body had felt beautiful, scars and all. Never had she been so overcome with bliss and a sense of connectedness with another human being, it was like they had reached new levels of intimacy they’d never experienced before when they’d been together. Emma sighed, remembering the moment she’d felt truly one with him, their bodies entwined, like all these years he’d been a missing part of her and now they’d reestablished their bond. Nothing could break that bond now, nothing at all.
A phone rang and Emma’s mind switched from half asleep to awake and alert. She rolled over to the sound on the bedside table. James eased himself up to sit on the edge of the bed with his back to her, the phone to his ear.
‘Hello, Mum?’ he asked, and Emma smiled as she saw that James was still completely naked. Then she remembered what else had happened last night.
Lizzie.
‘And what do the doctors say?’ he asked.
Emma propped herself up on her elbows and realised she too was completely naked. She fossicked around for her clothing. She found her bra under the pillow and her undies on the side of the bed, and put them on.
James turned briefly as he listened to his mother on the phone and half-smiled as Emma tried to discreetly get dressed. ‘When is the best time to come see her?’
Emma was worried Jackson might come into the room, so she crawled on the bed looking for her pants and singlet. She reached over the end of the bed to grab her pants from the floor, but from the incoordination of waking from sleep or her rush to get them, she lost balance and toppled off the end of the bed. She grabbed the pants and covered herself with them as James looked at her and held back a laugh.
As he spoke to his mum she fed her legs through the pants, then crawled back on the bed to find the singlet, which she yanked out from under James’ pillow. James didn’t seem in a hurry to get dressed, and Emma, to be honest, wasn’t in a hurry for him to do so either.
She lay back on the bed, trying to ascertain what the situation was with Lizzie and the baby from the one-sided conversation. It didn’t sound like there were any major concerns. She reached out and ran a supportive hand down James’ back, then ran it sideways to curve around his hip. He swapped the phone to his other ear and placed his right hand on hers, giving it a squeeze. Had this not been an important and serious conversation she might have been a bit more playful, but she kept her hand on his hip.
‘Right, well I’ll come by around midday. I’ll get everything sorted out here first. See you then.’ James ended the call and placed the phone on the bedside table. He twisted sideways to face her. ‘Lizzie is much better, her blood pressure is almost at normal levels, and protein levels are improving. Baby has a long way to go yet but is responding well.’
‘James, I’m so pleased. Your parents and André must be exhausted. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.’
He lifted the sheets and slipped back under the covers with her. ‘I know something you can do.’ He teased her nose with his, then gently kissed her lips.
‘You know what I mean,’ she replied, teasing his nose back.
The sound of the toilet flushing turned their heads towards the door, and it was soon followed by the clattering of cutlery and what sounded like a bowl on the kitchen counter.
‘Stay right there,’ James said, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. He turned to the side and leaned over, then stepped into his trunks and stood, pulling them up over his shapely, tight muscles. He had kept himself in good condition over the last several years, no doubt about that. In fact, he seemed in even better shape now. James picked up his trousers and put them on, then fed his top over his head. ‘Back in a sec,’ he said with a smile.
Emma stayed on the bed as he went out to the kitchen. She heard him say, ‘Good boy,’ to Jackson and, ‘I missed you.’ Moments later The Wiggles blared from the TV, and James came back in the bedroom and closed the door.
‘He got his own cereal, and he’ll be occupied for the near future, so, we can spend a bit of time alone.’ He climbed over the bed and laid his warm body next to her.
Oh, how she’d missed this. Missed him. How many y
ears she’d let slip by without him, but never again.
‘You know, he spoke yesterday. Jackson.’
‘What? Oh my God, James, that’s amazing. What did he say?’
‘Bella. My Nonna’s name, can you believe it? And right when we spread the ashes.’ He shook his head. ‘It was bizarre, surreal.’
Emma’s mouth gaped. ‘Holy cow.’ She too shook her head. ‘He didn’t say any words last night, if you were wondering. But he was a good kid, it was a pleasure to look after him.’ No need to tell him about the battery incident now, or the bedtime story near-disaster. She could fill him in on the details another time.
‘I’m so grateful.’ He brushed the hair from her face and nuzzled into her neck.
‘James,’ Emma said. ‘I still plan to go overseas for a while, maybe a couple of months. But before then, after then, I want nothing more than to be with you. Properly, officially, no holding back.’ She moved his face to meet her eyes. ‘Whatever you choose to do for Jackson, I’ll support you. I’ll be there. I’ll move to Queensland if I have to. If you want me, that is.’
He traced the curve of her face and brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. ‘I’ve never wanted anything, or anyone, more.’
Emma smiled, revelling in his unblinking gaze that saw right into her heart and soul. It felt good to be seen, really seen, understood, and adored. She couldn’t imagine that any other man could be more suited to her than James, and even if there was, she didn’t want them anyway. She only wanted the wonderful creature right in front of her.
‘I promise not to lie to you again. I’ll tell you everything. No more secrets,’ she said, and James nodded.
‘No more secrets.’
‘And as for Jackson,’ she clamped her lips together, emotion welling up inside and tears threatening to spill. ‘I’m so amazed that not only do I get to be with my ideal man, but to have a child in my life too? You’ve made my dreams come true, James.’ She swallowed hard.
His eyes became red at the rims and he smiled with a sigh. ‘You have no idea how amazing it is to hear that. To have someone regard Jackson as a gift and not a burden is just…’ he shook his head. ‘I’m just, so grateful.’ He hugged her close.
‘Will you be okay with me going away for a while, once the cabins are all sorted?’
‘Of course. I want you to do what you’ve always wanted to do. Take the opportunity. Just don’t fall for any sexy foreigners and I’ll be right,’ he said.
‘Maybe I’ll have to wear a fake engagement ring to ward them all off,’ she suggested.
James chuckled. ‘Why not a real one instead?’
Emma looked at him, her eyebrows raised.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not proposing, Not yet anyway, but…watch this space,’ he whispered, nuzzling into her neck again.
‘Oh, is that right, JJ?’
‘Indeed. I might surprise you when you least expect it, just you wait.’
Excitement bubbled up inside Emma at his promise, and she couldn’t believe that in the space of one week so much had happened. If her dad hadn’t had the stroke, if she hadn’t come to run the cabins, if it hadn’t been his grandmother’s would-be birthday…they never would have reconnected. Emma smiled at the amazing way life seemed to orchestrate things to occur at exactly the right time, as though there was someone up there, slotting dates into a complex spreadsheet or calendar in order to manage a schedule that would bring about the best possible outcomes for all involved.
‘So, are you going to get me some cereal too or do I have to get my own?’ Emma asked.
‘You’re a big girl, I’m sure you can get your own,’ he teased. ‘I’m kidding. How about I cook a hot breakfast? Eggs, toast, bacon…I’m so hungry I could eat the proverbial horse.’
‘I could eat you.’ She giggled, nibbling at his lips.
‘Hey,’ he said, tickling her in the ribs.
Emma laughed, then gazed into his eyes as he rolled slowly on top of her, his weight bringing comfort and security. ‘I love you, James.’
It was so good to say it again. To feel it again. To know that he felt the same.
‘And I love you.’ He kissed her cheek, and as she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment, he kissed both of her eyelids with a tender softness that sent tingles through her body. ‘I never stopped,’ he whispered.
She held onto the sides of his face, and with her eyes, told him that she too had never stopped, and that she would never stop. As his lips connected with hers in a delicious, passionate unity, a sound came from the living room. A very appropriate sound, which made Emma and James laugh against each other’s lips.
On the Sound Machine, Jackson had pressed the applause button.
Epilogue
Spring…
James’ heart beat faster as he waited at the airport, his anticipation buffered by the amusement of watching people both scurrying around in a rush and standing still in boredom, checking their watches. He was one of those waiting, but he was far from bored. His chin held high, he peered through the crowd so he could spot her as soon as she emerged through the gate.
Five years without the love of his life had been easy compared to the past two months, now that he and Emma were committed to each other. His body ached to be near her again, his lips buzzed with the desire to kiss her, and his heart longed to cement the future of their relationship.
He glanced around at the other people waiting and wondered what their story was. Were they meeting a loved one they hadn’t seen for months, or perhaps years? Or maybe they were greeting a business colleague or an old friend. Airports were rife with untold stories.
When he glanced back, a hint of caramel brown hair caught his attention as it bounced around her shoulders. As travellers filtered through and dispersed, she came into full view.
James smiled wide.
‘Emma,’ he called with a wave.
She spotted him and her eyes lit up. She waved back with a freshness in her smile, and an air of rejuvenation that filled him with joy to witness.
She picked up her pace and dashed towards him, he opened his arms out wide. Emma leapt into him and he lifted her off the ground in a twirl of an embrace.
‘Oh, I missed you!’ she said.
‘I missed you too. So glad you’re back.’ He kissed her cheek then her lips, grasping the sides of her face with his hands.
‘Does absence makes the heart grow fonder?’ she asked with a wink.
‘It sure does, among other things!’ He chuckled.
‘How’s Jackson? I can’t wait to see him.’
‘Good. He even had a haircut! You probably won’t recognise him.’
‘Really? How’d you manage that?’
‘Well, let’s just say you might not recognise Owly either,’ James explained.
‘Oh, Owly had a haircut too?’ Her eyebrows rose.
James nodded. ‘Not that she had much to begin with, but she’s got quite the crew cut now. Very military-ish.’
Emma laughed and her head tipped back, happiness radiating from her. ‘Love it. A pink army owl. Lucky I wasn’t there or Jackson may have made me have a haircut too.’
James ran his fingers through her hair, tangled a little from the long flight. ‘I’ve missed doing this.’
‘And I’ve missed you doing this.’ She smiled. ‘What else have you missed?’ she asked with a cheeky grin.
‘I could tell you, but one thing might lead to another and we might get arrested for indecent exposure.’
Her cheeks flushed. ‘Well, we can’t have that. At least, not right now. But I’m looking forward to tonight, I’ll probably be wide awake come bedtime.’
‘Lucky me.’ He kissed her again, then took her hand. ‘So, let’s get your bags.’ They walked along with the flow of the crowd. ‘And your art book, is it all ready to send to the formatters?’
‘Yep, finished writing the notes and poems to go along with my drawings. Never thought I’d be writing and drawing in Parisian cafés, it was tot
ally clichéd but wonderful.’
‘I bet. And did you think up a title?’
Emma had sent emails updating James on her progress with her book, which she’d worked on in between shopping, tours, eating, and admiring Parisian architecture and Tuscan vineyards.
‘Healing Art — a journey of cancer recovery through creative expression,’ she said proudly.
James squeezed her hand. ‘I love it. And I spoke to Olivia at Mrs May’s Bookstore, she said they’d be happy to buy a few copies to sell in the store.’
‘Oh you did? That’s great! Thanks, gorgeous.’ She smooched his cheek and he smooched hers back. ‘And the cabins are running smoothly?’
‘Of course. You trained me well before you left, remember? Amelia’s reliable as ever, and our newbie Christine’s history in hotel management has sure come in handy. She’s dynamite for business.’
‘I’m so glad.’ Emma jiggled a little as she walked. ‘I’m so looking forward to getting back there and making the place our own.’
‘I know. Still can hardly believe I bought it. Your parents faces when we told them, I’ll never forget!’
‘Me neither. They’re so glad we’re carrying on the business, though I didn’t want to when I first arrived, but now, well, things are different.’
James pondered how significantly things had changed in the past six months since he reunited with Emma. ‘Things are the way they’re supposed to be.’
Emma nodded and smiled. ‘Absolutely.’
They walked through more gates and made their way towards the baggage claim.
‘Can you believe, another year and a bit and we’ll be starting our new roles?’ Emma asked.
James shook his head at how time was flying. His boy was growing up and he felt one hundred percent certain he’d made the right choice in deciding to homeschool him, along with Emma’s help. With Christine as park manager, their role in running the cabins was more to oversee things generally, freeing up more time. ‘I know. I’m looking forward to it. And by then, my VIP program will have run its course. I’m glad I added the option to train a handful of up-and-comers to be my clones.’ He chuckled. His program had been well received by his clients, and now he was further leveraging his expertise by licensing a few of them to become law business coaches with his unique system. It had provided enough income to add to his net worth in order to secure the holiday park, not to mention buying Emma’s parents’ house to live in as their own, while the pair moved further up the road to a one-level, wheelchair-friendly property. But in another year, it would be time to focus solely on running the park and schooling Jackson. It was time to live his dream with his newly formed family unit.
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