by F. C. Clark
‘You’re working?’
‘Not really, just a few calls to London.’ He closes his laptop and rests it on the table. ‘Did I wake you?’
I shake my head. ‘No.’ I lean over the banister surrounding the bungalow. ‘God, it’s so amazing here.’ I turn to face him. ‘What’s the time?’
Luke looks at his watch. ‘Four forty. Have you not altered your watch?’
‘No, I have you to tell me the time.’
Luke makes room so I can join him on the daybed.
‘What time did you wake up?’
‘Three thirty, thanks to jet lag.’
‘You’re going to feel like shit later.’
He shakes his head. ‘God, I love your mouth!’
‘I know you do. That’s why you married me. I’ll make a drink – do you want one?’
‘You sit and I’ll make it,’ he offers.
‘No, I like taking care of you.’
I came prepared. I brought world peace – that is, tea bags – in my luggage.
I return to Luke, who is sitting quietly. It’s strange to see him so rested.
‘Here.’ I pass him his tea and from my robe pocket I produce a packet of digestives, which I place between us.
Luke chuckles. ‘I bring you to Bora Bora and you brought tea and biscuits.’
‘Of course!’
He leans across and kisses me tenderly. ‘You’re just a homely girl.’
We lie in silence, drinking our tea and listening to the ocean. The sky is already lightening in the east. The night sky is losing its denseness and sunrise is fast approaching on what I imagine will be a magnificent day.
I place our mugs on the floor and rest my head on Luke’s chest, listening to his heart beating.
‘Tell me something about you that I don’t know.’ I raise my head and look at him.
‘There’s nothing to tell. You know more about me than anyone else.’
‘There must be something.’
‘If you’re looking for information on my past relationships, forget it.’
I frown. ‘That’s not what I meant. Besides, they weren’t relationships; they were mainly one-night stands, and you can keep those stories to yourself. I still can’t believe you used to tie someone up.’
Luke chuckles. ‘You can’t have an opinion on something unless you’ve tried it.’
‘OK, this conversation is not going to plan. Now I have a very disturbed image in my head.’ I sigh. Of course I’m bloody jealous.
‘Kate, I didn’t have a connection with her… Yes, she was a model but she wasn’t—’
‘What?’ I look up again. ‘You never said she was a model.’
‘There seemed no point.’ He runs his hands through my hair.
‘Er, I think there is a point. So you mean to tell me Miss Whiplash was a model? Well, this just gets better. Bloody hell, look what you ended up with – the girl next door who’s getting fatter by the day.’ Give me a gun!
‘Christ, Kate.’
‘What?’ I bite back.
‘Look at me.’
‘No.’ Petulant Mrs Sutton is lying on the bed.
He laughs. ‘Kate. I love you. You’re stunning and fucking hot – hotter than any girl I have ever been with.’
‘I can’t help the way I feel, Luke.’
‘It’s in the past, Kate. You’re my world, you know that. Not just you but our family.’
‘I know, I’m being stupid. I get jealous. There will always be a part of me wondering.’
‘Wondering?’
‘Like-minded people and all that. Am I good enough for the powerful Mr Luke Sutton?’
He runs his hands through my hair. ‘I’ve told you, Kate, I never saw you coming. It’s me and you against the world, OK?’
I nod.
‘Do you understand how hard it will be for me to watch you parade around in a bikini?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘That’s my point. You have this power over me.’
‘If we’re talking about heat, you are burning hot, and you know it.’
‘It’s not the same,’ he says and raises his brow.
‘Of course it is. You could have any woman you wanted.’ Undoubtedly he has.
‘May I remind you that other men find you attractive? Bradley Taylor is a perfect example.’
True! He did want to carry me to his bed.
‘I would never be unfaithful to you.’
‘That may be so, but he wanted you.’
Jesus. What have I started? I only wanted to know something deeper about my husband.
I move next to him. ‘Tell me about Paul.’
Luke takes a breath and closes his eyes. Even now, talking about the death of his best friend is painful. I stroke his cheek sympathetically.
‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I just wondered what he was like, and I couldn’t ask Max.’ How did Max ever get over losing his son?
‘The truth is, I don’t think about him.’
‘Is that because it hurts too much?’
‘Maybe. I blocked him from my mind after the incident… And then I was thrown into a completely different world, and I had very little time to think of him or what had happened.’
‘The army? And was that the best thing for you?’
‘At the time I had reservations. I questioned Max’s motives. Christ, I was seventeen. He dumped me at the army barracks in Hereford. I was the closest person he had.’
I kiss him gently. ‘Max was protecting you.’
‘I know that now. At the time, I was angry with the world.’ He sighs.
‘You were entitled to be, Luke. Christ, they killed your best friend.’
‘Nothing to what Max was going through.’
‘It must be awful to lose a son.’
‘Paul was a lot of fun.’
‘Not like Max,’ I say.
Luke grins and shakes his head. ‘No, nothing like Max. Well, that’s not strictly true. Max would do anything for me, and for you. Paul had the same trait.’
‘He sounds lovely.’
‘We had some good times and some… interesting times. We got up to stuff, just teenagers pushing our luck.’
‘He looked like Max.’
Luke nods.
‘He would have loved you. In fact, he would have tried his luck with you. A down-to-earth girl like you would be his type. He hated the Chelsea crowd.’
‘I wish I could have met him.’
Luke touches my face.
‘The man who owned SGI back then. What was his name… Anderson – right? Where is he?’
Luke looks at me, alarmed. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Is it unfinished business, Luke? I mean, he killed Paul – well, not literally but…’
He takes a breath. Have I hit a nerve, or is there something else?
‘You don’t need to worry about him.’
‘Oh. I…’ What’s up, Sutton? ‘Luke, you can talk to me.’
He’s silent, but I see something else. It never occurred to me that Luke might be looking for him. Perhaps he wants to settle the score.
‘There is nothing to say.’ His words float in the air, but I don’t believe him.
‘Have you got over Russia? I see the look on your face every time I mention it,’ I say.
‘Baby, you’re safe. That’s all I need. When I think what you went through, Kate, it crushes me.’ He bites his lip. ‘You were so brave.’
‘I don’t think I’m brave. I was shit-scared, Luke… And Ivor’s visit?’
‘I don’t trust him,’ Luke announces.
I smile. ‘I know.’
‘Don’t ask me to, not yet. He has to earn my trust. I understand what he means to you, but I need time
.’
‘I would feel the same if it were you. It’s hard to explain, but I trust him.’
***
‘Come on. You promised me a day with other human beings.’
‘We went on a boat trip yesterday and to the town, plus an evening on the beach.’
‘Alone, Luke, we were alone.’
‘Besides, I never agreed to anything.’
‘Yes, you did. Last night, when we got back from dinner, you said we’d spend today on the beach and at the pool.’
‘Baby, you misinterpreted my words.’ He slips his T-shirt over his head while I wait, a beach bag in my hand, ready to leave.
‘No I didn’t. We’ve barely left the bungalow. All we’ve done is eat, sleep and sunbathe naked.’
‘Just the way I like you.’
I open the door. ‘I’ll go on my own.’ I wedge the door with my foot as I wait.
Luke sighs and gives in.
The beach is our home for the day. Luke arranges two sunbeds and a parasol a fair distance from civilisation – and other people. I slip off my cover-up to reveal a white bikini with a glossy cream snakeskin pattern. It’s minuscule.
Luke glares. ‘Is that it?’
‘I’ve been naked every bloody day. To be honest, I’m feeling a little overdressed, so yes, this is it! Come on, Mr Irrational Sutton, let’s go for a swim in the pool.’
We walk hand in hand across the pure white sand, the sun beating down on us, and head to the large pool. It’s incredibly tranquil, with guests lazing around sunbathing and quietly swimming. Luke keeping a firm grip on my hand, we step into the water and begin to leisurely swim the length of the pool.
‘See, this is not so bad. The other human beings aren’t bothering us. They’re enjoying their holiday.’
‘Give it time. Some arsehole will assume we want to be friends.’
‘Cynic.’
‘Realist.’ His lips make contact with mine, purely an alpha male display. I swim away. He swims after me, pulling at my feet and grabbing my arse, making me laugh.
Having spent most of the day on the beach, after lunch I insist on taking a walk. We head towards the snorkelling area, which is supposed to be amazing.
Having got over the fact I will have to swim with the fish, I immerse my face in the water to gain a greater understanding of marine life. Luke is excellent – I wish I could say the same! Within an hour we are heading back to our sunbeds.
‘What did you think?’
‘The water was crystal clear, and I swallowed a lot of it.’
‘Yes, I’m aware of your love of swallowing,’ he says, laughing.
I slap his arm. ‘Luke!’
His laugh is contagious.
‘I have my moments.’
He leans to me and plants a kiss on my lips. ‘Yes, you do… Can you scuba dive?’
‘No. Honestly, all those fish.’ I grimace at the thought. ‘It’s not for me. What about you?’
He nods. ‘I’m a qualified rescue diver. It was part of my job.’
‘Of course.’ Why does this not surprise me? ‘Actually, I am amazed they never taught you how to cook.’
‘That’s why I need you.’ He snakes his arm around my waist, drawing me closer as we walk.
‘Why don’t you book a dive?’ I say.
‘No.’
‘Why not? You book a dive and I’ll get a back massage.’
No response.
‘Luke, I mean it. If you don’t book it I’ll do it for you.’ I yank his arm. ‘Luke.’ My voice becomes stern. Wow, the Sutton in me makes an appearance.
‘OK.’
Shit, it worked. Now I need to remember the tone I used. But I know that Luke would only surrender if he wanted to.
He leaves me alone to book our day tomorrow. I leave a gift for him on the sun lounger. Fifteen minutes later he returns and picks up the gift bag.
‘A little something for my controlling husband.’
‘Caring.’ He sits down and pulls out a book. ‘Five thousand baby names. Are you kidding?’
‘You seem like you need a job.’ I giggle.
His hand skims my stomach then wanders further up, slipping under my bikini top and caressing my breasts. ‘I have one.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes, fucking my wife.’
How can such vulgarity cause my clit to twinge? Jesus Christ, where’s that bloody palm tree? I feel I might need to be restrained!
‘Kate, Kate.’
My eyes reluctantly open to Luke touching my cheek.
‘What time is it?’
‘Seven o’clock. I need to leave.’
A wave of nausea washes over me. I bolt out of bed and make it to the bathroom just in time.
‘Baby, are you OK?’ Tenderly, Luke strokes my back.
I stand up. ‘I’m better now.’ I go to the sink and brush my teeth.
‘I think I should stay here with you, just in case.’
‘Oh no you don’t. Please go and enjoy yourself, but can you cancel my massage? I’m going back to bed.’
‘I’m not happy about leaving you.’
‘Luke, you’re never happy about leaving me.’
‘Promise me you’ll stay here and rest. There’s breakfast waiting for you in the other room – breads and fruit.’
I kiss him then slip back into bed. ‘Go and have some fun. I love you.’
After a lazy morning, I feel a little bored. I decide to visit the pool and have some lunch.
Another day means another bikini: this time it’s khaki, with an oversized white linen shirt on top. I leave a note for Luke.
Dear husband,
Feeling hungry, so you will find me by the pool.
I hope you had a wonderful time, and I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Love you,
Your wife and two babies xxx
I head towards the pool area, which seems busier than yesterday. A member of staff finds a bed for me, and I peruse the menu then order a chicken Caesar salad and a fruit cocktail. While eating I skim through a pregnancy book Luke brought with him. I glance at the birth section and the graphic images but decide I’m not ready for this. I opt for five thousand baby names instead.
As the sun beats down on my body, I start feeling a little too hot. Slowly, I walk into the pool, acclimatising my body before I swim. After a few lengths I sit on the side, my legs dangling in the water, while the sun dries my skin. Nearby is a neighbouring holidaymaker. We make eye contact.
‘Hi.’
‘Hello,’ I respond.
‘Another amazing day.’ He has an American accent. He’s maybe in his early forties. He has dark hair with a generous amount of grey running through it. Just an average man.
‘Every day is amazing here.’
‘You’re British?’
‘Yes, and you’re obviously American?’ I ask. He seems friendly.
‘Yeah, from Boston.’
‘Oh – I’ve never been to Boston.’
He offers me his hand. ‘Daryl Forrester.’
‘Kate Sutton.’
‘Let me guess – honeymoon?’
‘Yes, and you?’
‘Anniversary, except my wife is sick in bed… Too much sun and a little too much champagne.’
‘Oh no, I hope she gets better soon. You don’t want to waste good weather like this.’
‘Where’s your husband?’
‘Scuba diving. He should be back soon.’
We chat for a while. He has been married for five years, has a two-year-old son, and works for a bank. However, it seems bizarre to explain that I am trying to release a clothing line. I mention that Luke owns a business too.
From the corner of my eye I spot a body slide in the water and swim under the w
ater towards me. Suddenly he surfaces.
‘Luke.’ How very apt that he should appear like an Adonis rising from the sea of love, with water running down his tanned torso!
‘Kate.’
Our dark eyes meet and his lips claim mine. I know him, and the meaning behind the hot, lingering kiss.
‘How was it?’
‘Good.’
‘Sorry. Luke, this is Daryl Forrester from Boston, his wife is ill in bed… Daryl, Luke Sutton, my husband.’
‘Good to meet you, Luke.’ He holds his hand out to a reluctant Luke.
‘You too, Daryl. I’m sorry to hear your wife is unwell. Would you mind if I borrowed mine?’
‘I need to check on Zoe. Catch up with you soon.’
‘Hope she’s OK.’
With that, Daryl gets up and leaves.
Luke has my attention. His firm grip on my hips and his dark lustrous eyes tell me he wants me. Already my body tenses, knowing how this will play out.
‘I needed some lunch and a walk.’ Why am I justifying myself?
‘You could have ordered room service.’ He kisses me hard.
I pull away. ‘You’re crossing over to the dark side.’
He looks frustrated. ‘Fuck. I can’t explain how I feel.’
‘Tell me.’
‘Get up. We’re leaving.’
‘What?’
‘Unless you want me to fuck you in this pool, I suggest you move, because I need you now.’
I drape my arms across his shoulders. ‘What if I don’t want to?’
‘Then I will carry you.’
I laugh. ‘Christ, Luke, where is your self-control?’
‘Move. If I wait any longer, I will fucking come.’ His lip curls and his dark eyes are on fire. I control this part of Luke: my finger is on his pulse. He needs me more than anything else in life. Perfect.
A few minutes later we are walking down the wooden path to our door. Our bungalow is secluded so I begin to untie my bikini top.
