by F. C. Clark
The door to my office opens and Luke strides towards us.
Charles shoots me a look.
‘Hi,’ I say.
‘Kate.’ He looks at my guest. ‘Charles.’ He extends his hand.
Charles stands. ‘Luke. I hear congratulations are in order.’
‘Yes. Thank you.’
‘You are a very lucky man. We may have not seen eye to eye over the years, but I do believe Kate is the best asset you have ever acquired.’
‘Asset? Cheers, Charles,’ I respond, laughing.
‘I would like to steal my wife if you have finished your lunch?’ Luke says.
‘Yes, of course. Lunch was…’ He tilts his head, still processing our conversation. ‘Entertaining.’
‘My wife is the most entertaining person I know.’
‘Quite possibly.’ Charles kisses my cheek. ‘Kate, if you need anything you have my number, and I will keep a close eye on Alexis.’
‘Thanks, Charles.’
He walks out of the room.
‘Why are you here? Are you making sure he leaves?’ I link my arms around Luke’s neck and he gives me a quick kiss.
‘No. Like I said, I’m here to steal you.’
I frown. ‘Why?’
‘You asked for some time together. You never ask, and I appreciate that you never complain about the long hours I work. So, now you have me. Let’s go.’
‘Go where?’
He shrugs. ‘Wherever we want to go.’
I laugh. ‘What about your meetings?’
‘Postponed.’ He takes my hand.
‘Postponed!’
We stand side by side at the lift.
‘Where’s Max?’
‘He’s got the afternoon off.’
‘He might meet Valerie.’ I can’t hide my excitement.
‘Or he may have an afternoon to himself.’
‘You’re shit at playing my game of romance.’
‘Yes, I am.’
The empty lift arrives and we ride alone to the basement. Luke holds open the door of the Bentley for me.
As we drive away, I ask, ‘Where are we going? You must have a plan.’
‘No plan. Where would you like to go?’
‘I don’t know. The palace? Or is there somewhere you want to go? This feels naughty – like skipping school.’
‘You like naughty Luke.’ I watch his face come alive as he checks for traffic.
I laugh. ‘In small doses.’
‘Noted.’
God, I love it when he’s playful.
We drive through the streets of London. Luke knows many of the shortcuts, which I love as we pass buildings and townhouses I have never seen. Fifteen minutes later, Luke tries to find a parking space.
‘King’s Road?’
‘Yes.’
He points and I follow his finger.
‘Seriously? You want to go baby shopping?’
‘Why not?’
‘I haven’t bought anything yet.’
‘So, let’s make a start.’
My emotions are fragile today. As I enter Bambino, I feel like I might either laugh or cry. The shop is filled with stunning furniture, clothes, high chairs, cots, moses baskets…
I hold up a pink baby-grow. ‘Luke.’
‘It’s so small.’ He takes it and lays it across my bump. ‘I think the babies have some growing to do yet.’
‘Speaking of growing, I need to buy some maternity trousers.’
Luke cups my growing bump. ‘That means our babies are safe.’
‘I guess.’
‘OK, where shall we start? Nursery furniture or clothes? You choose.’
I feel like a child in a sweetshop: there’s too much choice and I don’t know where to begin. I have an image of the nursery in my head, so furniture is where we start. Luke walks around, shaking cots, reading about the materials they are made of. He’s so protective of our babies, watching him fills my heart with joy.
We agree on white French-style cots, a large changing table and two side units, two cribs, plus bedding sets in white and pink. Once the furniture choices are made we continue to browse. After half an hour, there’s a growing pile of baby clothes, plus maternity trousers and jeans for me, on the sales assistant’s desk.
‘Kate.’ Luke holds up a delicate pale pink dress.
‘It’s beautiful, but we have quite a lot.’ I never thought I would be having this conversation with Luke Sutton, the man who builds businesses and hotels! My heart could burst.
He looks at the sales assistant. ‘Two of these – in nought to three months.’
I laugh. ‘They will never want for anything, will they?’
‘Well, not while they’re babies, but they will have to work for what they want in life.’
‘Agreed.’ I pick up the most delicate pink baby-grow with a white collar. ‘Luke, look.’ I hold it up. ‘Why does everything look so adorable?’
Again he looks at the shop assistant. ‘Two of these, please.’
‘OK, that’s enough.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m bit overwhelmed, to be honest.’
‘Let me pay and we can leave.’
I walk away knowing the last hour has cost an obscene amount of money. Even though I have a healthy bank account of my own, I still struggle with Luke’s wealth.
‘Kate, ready?’
‘Yes.’
Luke’s arms are full, so the shop assistant helps him to carry bags and boxes to the car. The furniture will be delivered. There’s no rush.
I slide in the Bentley. ‘That was fun, thank you.’
‘It was. I don’t shop unless it’s for cars or underwear.’ He raises his brows.
‘I didn’t think you were going to stop. But we still have to get a pram and—’
‘I’ve ordered the pram.’
‘What?’ I turn to him. ‘You’ve ordered a pram? When? And shouldn’t we have decided that together?’
He leans across and kisses me. ‘I was going to surprise you.’
‘Well, you have! Luke, I might not like it.’
‘As I see it, a pram is the equivalent to purchasing a car.’
‘I don’t think so,’ I say and sit with my arms folded.
‘Let me ask, do you approve of my taste in cars?’
‘Yes, but—’
He runs his hand down my cheek. ‘Then allow me this. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.’
He looks excited. How can I rain on his parade, even though I’m cross?
‘Fine.’
He reaches for his phone and begins to search. ‘Here.’
I look at the photo. ‘Really?’ I look at him.
‘I thought you would like it.’
‘Do you like it because it’s a good sturdy pram or because of the Aston Martin name attached to it?’
He offers me his best Sutton smile. ‘Both.’
‘I hate it when you’re right, but I really like it.’ Silver Cross and Aston Martin – pregnancy seems to be opening up a whole new world for both of us.
‘Are you hungry?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good, I know the perfect place.’
We begin to drive through the busy Chelsea streets, and within twenty minutes we’re climbing a steep road leading to Primrose Hill. I know where we’re heading: Luke’s sacred place. It’s part of our history. Luke drives into the car park and stops.
‘I see you want to wine and dine me this evening.’
‘Simple – that’s what you want.’ He points to the burger van. ‘Simple is what you’ve got.’
‘What would you like to eat?’
‘Hmm – a cheeseburger with onions, mustard and a coffee.’
‘Wait here.’
I watch him walk to the burger van. He looks like a model in his black suit and white shirt, but right now he’s just my Luke. He turns to look at me, and I wave. How can I love someone this much? He’s undeniably easy on the eye, but the feelings I have for him go much deeper than that. Sometimes I love him so much it’s painful.
When he opens the door, I’m met by the smell of fried food.
‘Here.’
Luke passes me a yellow box. I open the lid to reveal a huge burger.
‘How the hell am I going to eat all this?’ I look at Luke, who clearly does not share the same reservations. He takes a bite from his double cheeseburger, and the hotdog he ordered sits on the dashboard.
We sit silently, with the best view in London: iconic buildings stand tall, from the BT Tower to the London Eye. Every time we come here it feels comfortable.
After the burger, Luke begins to eat the hotdog.
‘Christ, where do you put it all?’
‘I love food.’
I nod with my mouth full. Scrummy burger – definitely a guilty pleasure.
‘I can’t eat any more. Here.’
I give him the last half of my burger – which means a long run for him later.
‘Where’s my coffee?’
He passes me a bottle of water. ‘They didn’t have decaf.’
‘Water!’ I roll my eyes. ‘I think I could manage one cup of coffee.’
‘Rules are there for a reason.’
I laugh. ‘You just gave me heart attack food and yet you won’t give me caffeinated coffee?’
‘Yes.’ He stifles a smile, knowing I have a point.
I sit back and drink my dull bottle of water.
‘We haven’t been up here for a long time.’
‘No.’
I turn to him. ‘Do you still run up here?’
He nods, taking the last bite of my burger.
‘Does it remind you of Paul?’
‘Not now. But when he died I came up here all the time.’
‘What about when he was alive? Did you meet here?’
‘Yeah, almost every day. We’d kick a football around, hang out.’
‘How old were you when you met?’
‘Almost sixteen. He was slightly older than me.’
‘Did you both drive?’
‘Yes. I learned to drive when I was sixteen. We had a family holiday in Australia and we stayed on a huge farm. I drove a jeep around for the entire time and I came home ready for a car, but I had to wait until I was seventeen.’
I shake my head. ‘You’ve had such a privileged life.’
‘Are you referring to money?’
‘Not just money but also experiences, which money controls.’
‘I can’t change my childhood.’
I take his hand. ‘Of course not. It just blows me away.’
‘You know that you have changed my life, Kate.’ He looks at me. ‘You see me, not my money.’
‘Always. Don’t get me wrong: I know money is important. I grew up watching my parents struggle to pay bills, but Harry and I never went without anything. You’ve never had to worry about money.’
‘No.’
‘Money doesn’t rule my life, but money rules what we can do in life.’
‘I understand, and would never take it for granted. You know how hard I work, Kate.’
‘You work harder than most. But I need to remain grounded.’ I look away. ‘It’s hard.’
‘Dealing with money?’ he asks.
I nod. ‘It changes people. Even for the babies. We may live in a big house and be able to offer them everything, but I want them to know the value of money.’
‘And they will. I remember, when I was eleven I wanted a remote control car.’ His face comes alive. ‘My mum said if I wanted it I had to work for it – and I did. Every weekend I cut the grass, washed cars – you name it, I did it. I’m sure I invented jobs just to earn extra money. What I’m trying to say is, I agree with you: we will provide our children with the best tools in life, but they will have to carve out their future.’
‘OK,’ I say.
‘They’ll be grounded – they have you as their mum. Christ, you keep me grounded.’
I laugh. ‘Enough money talk now! How about a bath and French toast?’
‘You have missed a small detail.’
‘Of course I have!’ I giggle at him.
He looks at the rear of the car and laughs.
‘I don’t think so, Sutton. I can just about move after that burger, and I need to take these bloody trousers off.’ I look at my stomach, which I swear has grown in the last hour.
‘Home it is, then. You can bathe, then I will make love to you, and then you can feed me.’
‘Perfect.’
21
My fingers swirl through the hot soapy water as I lie back in the bath, the morning sun filtering through the shutters. However, my tranquillity is short-lived, as Luke bursts into the bathroom, panting and dripping with sweat.
‘Good workout?’
Luke nods. ‘He kills me.’
‘Must be an age thing. Martin’s how old?’ I laugh.
‘Younger than me.’ He smiles and gives me a damp kiss.
‘I’d better tell him to go easy on you.’
‘He flies out to LA for boot camp training,’ Luke says, stripping. My morning view just keeps getting better.
‘That’ll knock you on your arse.’
‘You’re staring at me.’
‘You’re stark bollock naked, what do you expect?’
Luke steps into the shower to rinse away the residue of a Saturday morning workout. My mind drifts to a different kind of workout – my pregnancy libido is killing me!
‘What are you thinking about?’ Luke asks.
Sex. ‘About my parents,’ I say.
‘Let the dust settle. They’ve all met. Malcolm and Susan are OK, so give it some time.’ He turns the shower off and wraps a towel around his waist.
‘Do you think they will ever be comfortable being in the same room together? I mean, for things like birthdays and Christmas.’
‘At some point. I think they’ll all get used to things. Ivor and Katenka have kept a low profile so far.’
‘They’ve been missing for most of my life, so yeah I would say they’ve definitely kept a low profile.’
‘You don’t need the stress.’
‘Well, there’s not much I can do about that, is there? I can’t change what’s happened. Mum and Dad are coming over tomorrow for dinner. It’ll be nice to spend some time with them, and Mum wants to go baby shopping.’
‘Like I said, they will be fine.’
‘She gets excited when I talk about the babies.’
‘They’re a perfect distraction – for all of you.’
‘You’re right.’
I get out of the bath and begin to towel myself dry. ‘What’s your plan for today?’
‘Work.’
‘OK.’
‘What time will Adam be here?’
‘In a couple of hours. Barney doesn’t want us at the theatre until this afternoon.’
‘Good – we have time to play. You know how much I love a Saturday morning fuck.’
‘Let’s be honest – every bloody morning is the right time for you.’
He takes my hand and walks me to the bed.
‘I need you.’ He seals his words with an unexpected kiss that sends my pulse soaring and makes my clit scream his name.
My arms link around his neck. He lifts me onto the bed and lowers his lips to my nipples, gently caressing them. Small eruptions of sensation flood my body. My back arches against the bed and my hips sway, needing his touch.
‘Luke.’ There�
��s no response. His lips and tongue continue to tease my nipples.
‘Luke.’
Again, he maintains pressure.
‘Luke, touch me.’
His mouth leaves my nipple. ‘Where?’
‘Everywhere.’
His lips travel to my neck. ‘I think you should be more specific.’
‘Luke, don’t. Not this morning.’
His kiss is strong and his tongue slowly dips inside my mouth. My body aches for him. I tilt my hips towards him. His hand glides leisurely down my body and his fingers skim my hipbone before they slowly brush against my clit. I raise my hips to his touch, but his fingers slide away.
I break away. ‘I’m a hormonal pregnant woman. Do not piss me off.’
He smiles and nibbles my ear. ‘Would you like me to touch you and let you come?’
I nod.
‘Did you say something?’
He will feel my fist shortly. ‘Yes.’
He strokes my sweet spot, but it is not enough.
‘Luke.’
‘Baby. I love it when you lose yourself to me.’
I can feel my orgasm building.
‘Would you like it faster?’
I nod.
It’s too late.
‘Luke, I’m coming.’ I say no more as he increases speed and pressure, tipping me over the edge, allowing my orgasm to wash over me.
He moves between my legs, spreading them apart, allowing him the space to place his mouth over my clit.
‘Luke… I’m tender.’
‘Relax.’
I try to, but my swollen clit is so sensitive. The warm sensation of his moist tongue gently coerces my body to begin another ride – a different path but with the same outcome. He gently sinks his fingers inside my sex, heading straight to where he knows will guarantee the arrival of my next orgasm.
‘Pathetically needy’ are the only words to describe me. Sensations swirl inside me, even stronger than my previous orgasm.
‘Luke,’ I murmur.
My legs are locked in place with Luke’s arms. All I can do is grip the sheet and ride the shockwave that rocks through me.
My eyes remain closed. With one solid thrust, he immerses himself. I open my eyes. Slowly he begins to work his hips, gradually building up speed, stroking me inside.
‘I can’t orgasm again, Luke.’ I’m spent.
