by F. C. Clark
‘Have you ever lost someone – on the job?’
‘The ones you lose you never forget.’ He takes a breath. ‘I’ve been trained to deal with dangerous situations, but I failed to protect my wife.’
‘No, don’t say that, Luke. You didn’t let me down.’
‘Soon I’ll have three of you to protect.’
‘Does that worry you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can I ask you something army-related?’
‘Go ahead.’
‘I know you run Sutton Global, but have you done a job for – whoever it is that you worked for with James and Scott – since we’ve been together?’
He remains silent for a few seconds before he blurts. ‘No.’
‘When I was in hospital and you were there dressed in your black 007 outfit, you looked like you. I mean, you were made for that job.’
‘It was – I repeat, was – a huge part of my life. The truth is, once you’ve been part of a team like I was, you’re never truly free.’
‘What? They own you?’
‘No, but I would never turn my back on them. We’re loyal to each other.’
‘James said I keep bringing you out of retirement.’
‘True!’
I can’t think about it. Thankfully Luke’s phone rings. He steps out of the bath to answer the call.
‘Yes?’ he says rudely, grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist, which is a shame! ‘Give me five minutes and I’ll call you back.’ He puts the phone on the marble top and holds out a towel for me.
‘Mrs Sutton, you are officially clean.’
I giggle and stand up. ‘Thank you.’
He holds me close. ‘I need to make a phone call.’
‘OK.’
I gaze at my naked body in the bedroom mirror. Firstly, my bruising, which is slowly fading. I hope that means Russia will also start to fade from my memory. My wound is almost healed and will probably leave a scar. My eyes fall to my stomach. Do I look pregnant? My breasts are bigger and feel more sensitive. This is bloody madness.
Dressed in my usual Abercrombie T-shirt, I head towards the office. From the doorway I watch him. God, I crave him – always. I walk towards the desk and straddle his lap while he continues to talk on the phone. Life is most definitely getting back to normal in the Sutton household. I slip my T-shirt over my head and Luke cautiously observes my naked body. Whether he wants to play my game or not, his erection presses through his shorts. I love that he fires up so bloody quick.
He holds the receiver away from his ear. ‘Baby, give me a minute,’ he whispers.
Really – did he just ask me to wait?
My lips begin at his jawline, while my hand disappears inside his shorts and I wrap my fingers around his hardness. Fuck it! My desire takes hold of me. Like I have a choice! He knows I yearn for him. Wet and ready, I rise up and very slowly let him sink inside me. His eyes close and his breathing becomes laboured. He seems lost for words, so I take the phone from his hand.
‘Say goodbye, Luke,’ I whisper.
‘Kate… You…’
My mouth covers his and slowly my hips begin to work. He groans and the sound vibrates through my core, almost like a mating call. I pull away, not only to breathe but also to watch his face.
‘We both need this,’ I say.
He grips my hips, taking charge of our rhythm, and kisses me hard on the mouth. I feel a sharp pain in my side.
‘Argh!’ I say, wincing.
‘Jesus, Kate, it’s too soon.’
‘No, it’s not. Please, Luke, I need this. Normality is what’s saving me from crumbling.’
He lifts me onto his desk and gently lowers me so I’m lying across his paperwork – which I always seem intent on fucking with!
‘You have to be honest with me. Tell me if it hurts…’
‘I promise.’
He stands between my legs. In one thrust, he buries himself deep within me. His movements are slow to begin with, but gradually quicken – thankfully.
‘Is this OK?’
‘Yes,’ I whisper.
He continues to thrust as his fingers work their magic on my clit: a Luke Sutton hand job has to be the most rewarding treat.
It takes no time for my body to climb; I was turned on after our bath. My orgasm arrives in an intense rush. I can’t stop it.
‘Luke.’ Sensation washes over every part of my body and goose bumps erupt over my skin. This is what he does to me. I have no idea if he needs to come, as I’m still high on him. I needed my Sutton fix. He drives himself into me with power until he comes.
After his orgasm, he lowers his head to my stomach, pressing his lips gently on my skin. He slides out of me and takes my hands, he helps me sit up.
‘Do you feel OK?’ he asks.
‘Better, and you?’
‘I just had sex with my beautiful wife, what do you think? I’m not sure Bradley Taylor appreciated you ending our call.’
Oh, crap – that’s not a name I want to hear while I’m still dripping with passion from my husband.
‘Tell him it was a booty call.’
‘I think the words “fucking” and “Bradley Taylor” should never be used in the same sentence – especially by my wife, who he wants to—’
‘Er, please, your children may hear.’
‘Are you really going to throw that at me?’ He nips the end of my nose.
‘Too bloody right I am.’
‘As much as I love having sex, I do think you need more time to heal.’ He lowers his face to my abdomen. ‘I don’t know if you can hear me, but Mummy needs to rest.’
His words make me cry.
‘Baby, why the tears?’
‘I love you and now I love our babies growing inside me. This is it – this is our life now, and nothing will ever be the same again.’
‘I agree, it is overwhelming.’
‘What do you think – boy, girl? Do you want to know? Actually, let’s not find out. This is the one thing neither of us can control.’
7
I reach for my phone. It’s four o’clock in the morning, yet I feel wide awake while Luke sleeps peacefully. After twenty minutes of staring at the dark ceiling, I know I won’t get back to sleep. I get up and make my way to the landing, stopping at the spare room across the hall. As I stand in the doorway, memories of my first night at the palace come flooding back. I think we could change this room into a nursery!
The house is peaceful. I sit at Luke’s desk and sip my tea. Something woke me: I could guess at various reasons. Ivor springs to mind. Why hasn’t he been in touch? How long do I give him before I ask Luke to track him down? Which he won’t, of course. The last time I sat alone at Luke’s desk was the day after I met Matthew Williams and pissed Luke off. It was also the day I fled to Sandbanks. I have a thought! A brilliant plan forms in my mind. I prepare a small hamper containing enough food for a few days – and potentially some bribery material.
‘Luke.’ Tenderly, I stroke his face. ‘Luke.’ He stirs, then slowly opens his eyes.
‘What’s wrong?’ He props himself up on his elbows and tries to focus.
‘Nothing. I know it’s early, but I have a plan.’
He looks at his watch. ‘It’s five in the bloody morning, Kate…’ His head returns to the comfort of his pillow. ‘You should be asleep, not planning.’
‘I’ve been awake for a while. That’s when my brilliant plan hit me.’
He groans. ‘The words “brilliant” and “plan” coming from you at five in the morning worry me.’
‘You know what my brain is like.’
‘Unfortunately.’
‘Stop moaning and drink your tea. So, the plan is Sandbanks.’
‘What?’ he says.
‘It’s Saturday, we can go
for one night.’
He sits up. ‘I thought we were going to see your parents today? You told Harry about the twins yesterday. I think they should know.’
‘We can stop and tell them on the way home tomorrow. Besides, I’ve already texted Harry not to spoil our double surprise.’
He runs his hands through his hair.
‘I woke up with something on my mind. Alexis and Harry are OK, sort of, and Ivor – well, who knows where he is? And last night when we made love Philip Cooper didn’t enter my head – thank God.’
‘Good.’ Luke touches my cheek.
‘I think it’s Sandbanks. That house means so much to me – our first Christmas, your proposal. I don’t want to think about the men who took me from there. I’ve packed some food, so all I need is my delicious husband to take me.’
‘How much further to go?’ I ask.
Luke gives me a sideways glance. ‘You made this journey yourself, alone! You should know the route.’
‘That’s unfair.’ Defensively, I fold my arms and look out of the window.
He squeezes my thigh. ‘Forty minutes.’
Whatever, Luke!
‘Kate.’
Silence from me.
‘Baby, look at me.’
I turn my head to view his stunning smile.
‘I wasn’t trying to upset you.’
‘You know I feel guilty, especially when you throw shitty comments at me. I put us all at risk.’ I cradle my stomach.
‘I hate to admit it, but Philip Cooper would have taken you wherever you were that day. It just so happened that you were alone, which made it easier for him.’
‘Don’t try to make me feel better.’
‘As much as I love telling you when you’re wrong, it’s true.’
I feel confused. ‘How do you know?’
‘Sullivan and Parker hacked into his home and office computers. They were full of details about you. He’d been watching you and knew your routine.’
‘Jesus Christ, he was watching me? When were you going to tell me?’
‘He’s dead, and Ivor is dealing with his own things. Why would I worry you?’
‘Worry me? Luke, don’t keep me in the dark, it pisses me off!’
‘Kate, you have enough stress at the moment.’
‘Shutting me out stresses me, Luke. Anyway, have you heard from Ivor?’
‘No.’
‘If you say so.’
‘Don’t get arsey. I haven’t spoken to Ivor.’
‘Do you know what amazes me?’
‘Tell me,’ he snaps.
‘The weasel was watching me, and so was Ivor!’
Luke looks at me.
‘And of course my devoted husband’s security team was watching me, but no one saw each other… There must be some seriously hot contenders for the hide and seek winner!’
Luke laughs. ‘Fair point – an oversight that I have dealt with.’
‘Are you still watching me? I don’t mind if you are.’
‘I don’t watch you. I simply monitor your movements.’
‘Really! That sounds like a posh way of saying you’re watching me.’
Finally, we arrive at our beautiful beachfront home in Sandbanks. Luke opens the front door and switches off the alarm.
‘Ready?’
I shake my head. ‘I don’t think I can go in.’ Unexpectedly I begin to cry. ‘This seemed such a good idea earlier and now…’
He pulls me to him. ‘Let’s take this one step at a time.’ Gently, he lifts my chin and looks deep into my eyes. ‘Trust me.’ Surprisingly, he lifts me in his arms. ‘Close your eyes.’
I link my arms around his neck and lean my head against him while inhaling his Sutton scent. He walks inside and kicks the door shut behind us. I hear his shoes against the wooden floor, then he stops and lowers himself, but keeping me firmly on his lap.
My mind is in a state of turmoil. I tremble in his arms.
‘Baby, look at me.’
I shake my head. ‘I can’t.’
‘It’s just us. Kate, please look at me.’
His words and soft tone coax my eyes to open, but I can’t move.
‘I’m sorry, this is was not how I planned it.’ My heart pounds against my chest. Luke must feel it too.
‘Give yourself some credit – returning here is not an easy task.’
I look up into his eyes.
‘Take some deep breaths.’
I mirror his action, and my heart rate begins to slow. I look around. ‘The doors?’
‘Repaired, with extra security.’
‘Oh.’
I get off Luke’s lap and leave him sitting on the stairs.
‘Fuck.’ I look out of the window. ‘This is so fucked up.’
‘You’re right this is fucked up, but it’s still our home.’ He joins me and takes my hand.
‘I was standing in this exact spot when I called you. Alexis was over there.’ I point. My eyes flit to the back doors and then the front door. ‘The men… Two, no, I think three, were on the decking and…’ I take a deep breath. ‘I remember the sound of the front door, there was a really loud bang, and then I think there were more of them. That’s when we ran upstairs.’ I walk towards the stairs, taking Luke with me. We reach the next level and stand at the bathroom door. My fingers skim the woodwork, which looks as good as new.
‘They smashed through this door.’ My hands feel clammy and my mouth is dry.
‘I can still hear your voice telling me to stay alive and that you love me.’
No more. I can’t take any more. I crumble into Luke’s arms and cry with such force that I can barely breathe. Again he scoops me up and carries me to our bed, where he simply lies with me as slowly I forget about the world.
For the second time today my eyes open. This time I am met by a stunning view of the sea. Reluctantly I get up from the warm bed, but as I reach the last step I see him outside on the raised decking. I could stare at him all day, but he turns – he always sees me no matter where I am. Luke opens the door, bringing the chilly air in with him.
‘How do you feel?’ He seals his words with a cold kiss.
‘Like a complete lunatic. Christ, I can’t remember the last time I cried like that.’
‘You look better. I have been waiting for you to let go. You made the right call coming here, this was the key.’
‘I hope so.’
Luke looks at his watch. ‘It’s one o’clock.’
‘Bloody hell, is it?’
‘You needed the rest.’
‘Lunch?’ I link my arms around his neck. ‘What do you fancy to eat? And, yes, I’m on the menu.’ I smile and take a deep breath. It feels good.
‘Well, in that case I’ll take my wife and her hamper.’
‘Good choice.’
We eat in our new kitchen, which is the only room that is decorated. After I clear away our lunch, I join Luke on the decking. He slides the door closed and locks it. The weather is chilly, but the sun beats down. I link my arm through Luke’s as he guides me down the wooden steps and onto the beach. The wind is invigorating, blowing away my awful memories – I hope. The beach is empty apart from a few locals. We walk along the sand until I can barely see our house.
Luke stops and pulls me into his arms. I rest my head against his coat and we silently look out at the glistening sea.
‘I love you.’ His words pierce my heart.
I gaze up to his face. ‘I love you too, always.’
‘Good. Let’s get you all home for a nice warm bath.’
True to his word, he holds my hand as I step into a warm bath filled with bubbles. Right here, right now, the house is beginning to feel like our home once more. The bath has an amazing view of the sea. As I turn around, another amazi
ng view is also on offer. A naked Luke Sutton steps into the water. It’s official: I will never tire of looking at him.
‘I’ve been thinking.’
‘Twice in one day? Careful.’ He smirks.
‘Oi!’ I splash some water over his face. ‘Watch your back, Sutton, this could be dangerous.’ I laugh. ‘Seriously, the spare room opposite our bedroom in the palace.’
‘The palace? I think you can drop the nickname and just call it our home.’
‘It’ll always be the palace to me. Anyway, I think we should turn it into a nursery. What do you think? I’m sure the twins would like to be together.’
‘That makes sense.’
I pause and look out at the sea before I look at Luke, who is watching me closely.
‘I wanted to ask you what happened to the evil scumbags who took me. I mean, are they still lurking in a bush somewhere?’
‘Unlikely.’
‘But you don’t know that.’
‘I do. Drop it, Kate.’
‘How do you know?’
His dark eyes lock on mine.
‘Shit – is it bad?’
‘This conversation is over and it will never be spoken of again. Understand?’
‘No! You’re shutting me down again. It’s the same when I mention Ivor’s name.’
‘What do you want from me, a detailed report of all the people who worked for Philip? You won’t like the truth.’ His tone is raw. ‘When I say trust me, I mean it. As for Ivor, I have intel that he’s still in Russia, but he hasn’t contacted me. Our agreement was that when he feels the time is right we will set up a meeting.’
‘Oh.’ I digest his statement. ‘Thank you. See, little bits of information are all I need.’
‘Let this conversation be the last.’
‘One last question, Luke.’
He shakes his head.
‘Joseph Morley and George Williams?’
Luke remains guarded.
‘I know there’s more to it?’
‘We discussed this in Russia.’
‘Not really. You said don’t go there.’
‘I said let’s not kick the hornets’ nest. If we investigate either man it could be damaging for us, and for what? They’re not likely to implicate themselves, Kate.’
