The Pitch: City Love 2 (21 page)

He led me up the flight of stairs to his bedroom.

Moonlight and the glare of the streetlights filtered in through two tall French doors. Paul closed the pair closest to the bed, shutting out the city twinkling in the distance. He pulled the blinds, then flicked on the bedside lamp. It cast a warm glow over the room.

Paul walked to me, his eyes glittering in the half-light. They held love and desire, and just a hint of mischief – that same irreverent look I’d first fallen for. He gently circled his hands around my waist then dipped his head down to meet my lips.

I was greeted by the slow burn of a kiss that spoke of a man prepared to take his time, and I felt my stomach clench. I would have been happy for him to throw me on the bed and have his way with me. Instead, he broke away from the kiss and traced slow, lazy circles just below my jawline with the tip of his tongue. I released a contented sigh.

Slipping the strap of my dress off, he stroked my bare shoulder with the palm of his hand.

“I like your dress,” he muttered, then pulled me in for another kiss.

Thumb caressing my collarbone, his kiss was deeper and more insistent this time. I dived into it like a woman starved, demanding more.

“Uh uh,” he whispered. “No rushing me tonight, you hear?”

He stepped back and turned me around so I was facing the French doors. He found the zip of my summer dress and undid it slowly, letting it float noiselessly to the floor. Still behind me, he removed my bra so I stood almost naked in nothing but my heels and underwear.

He brushed my hair away and bent down to taste my shoulder. As his tongue traced a path to my ear, his hands wound around me possessively. He groaned when he cupped my waiting breasts and teased them to taut peaks. His body pressed into me from behind, molding itself to mine. I could feel the length of him ready, needy for me.

I tried to turn around and he tightened his grip. “Not yet.”

His hands traveled down, across the expanse of my stomach and lower still. I moaned when his fingers found me wet and ready.
“Paul.”
I felt like a whining child, but I wanted him –
now
.

He remained silent but I could feel him grinning into my shoulder.

I whimpered as his fingers taunted me, sending a wave of electric shivers through me from my head to my toes. He held me as I tried to push away when his ministrations became too much. My legs felt weak and I suddenly didn’t want to be standing anymore. “Paul,” I gasped, shuddering.

He backed us up to the bed and lay me down across the cool, cream sheets. Finally. I reached up to push his shirt off but he grinned again, his eyes pools of calm contentment.

Easy for him, I thought. He wasn’t the one teetering on the edge.

Before I could lift his shirt, he dived deftly below. His tongue found my warm center and I cried out, my legs digging into his shoulders. He gripped my hips firmly and he didn’t stop for a breath, not even one damn gulp of air.

I was losing control. Fast.

“Paul,” I begged.

He ignored me and involuntarily I rose up beneath him, tipping my hips toward him. He didn’t shy away. He simply held onto me tighter until my body sparked alight, shock waves of pleasure rolling from my center until I felt as though I was going to split at the edges.

“Please,” I whispered, desperate to hold on.

He was relentless. The fire burned in my fingers and toes until finally I could stand it no longer. I reached down and grabbed his shoulders in an attempt to pull him on top of me, but all I got was a fistful of his shirt.

I screamed, loud and long, as I found my release, shudders erupting from deep within me. My fingers gripped his shoulders and my legs slipped onto the bed below, sapped of any strength. When I opened my eyes, I blinked several times. I attempted to focus on the ceiling – on anything – but I felt listless, removed from myself. Or perhaps that was just because I couldn’t feel my body anymore. Had I been burned alive?

Paul slipped from beneath my legs and stood at the end of the bed, watching me with a satisfied smile. He removed his shirt then let his pants drop to floor, not taking his eyes from mine, until he stood completely naked.

Okay. Maybe I was lucid enough to focus on
that.

I watched as he climbed on top of me but discovered I was still unable to move.

“Hey,” he said to me, from above.

“Mmmpf.”

His lips quirked. “It’s good to lose control now and then.”

“I’ll get back to you on that when I figure out if I’m still alive or not.”

Deep, rolling laughter filled the room and judging by the way my stomach flipped at the sound of it, I was definitely still alive.

“Let’s see if I can revive you.” Paul looked at me meaningfully and my eyes widened when I registered his intent.

Moments ago it was the only thing I’d wanted. Now, I was wondering if I had the strength. I shouldn’t have worried. The moment he slipped inside me, my body responded in spite of itself. I pulled him closer, pushing myself up so my breasts brushed against his chest as we found our rhythm.

We moved together in a sort of desperate dance, eager for more but holding enough back so we didn’t push ourselves immediately over the edge. Paul moved with sure, long strokes, wringing out every last drop of ecstasy that was pooling in my body. His self-control was admirable, but destined to be short lived. I arched my hips up and wrapped my arms around his neck, pushing him deeper still.

“Madeleine,” he groaned, sounding like he was in pain.

I weaved my legs behind him and brought us deliciously closer to the edge. With a few final thrusts, we rode the wild ride to its climactic finish, both of us crying out.

He collapsed onto the bed beside me. We lay breathless and blissfully exhausted, a mass of wrecked, quivering muscles.

After a while, he reached over and grabbed my hand. “I love you. Got it?”

“Got it.” I exhaled a long breath. “And I love you too.”

*

Honolulu reminded me of the Gold Coast, with its tall high rises overlooking the ocean. There was a constant bustle to the place, yet it was relaxed. I wondered how the locals felt about living in a continual holiday atmosphere. From what I could tell, they didn’t seem to mind and their regular, friendly greetings seemed genuine.

Paul rented a cottage about half an hour’s drive from Honolulu. It was worth the wait. A weatherboard bungalow, it was only a few simple rooms – nothing too luxurious – but it had everything we needed. The view was obviously the selling point. The cottage fronted its own secluded stretch of beach, shared by a few other similar houses, which were unoccupied.

We spent the first few days sleeping late, strolling along the perfect soft, white sand and swimming in the ocean. We took a few trips into Honolulu for meals and shopping, but mostly we kept to ourselves.

On our last night there, we were sitting on the deck of our cottage, staring out at the horizon. The endless stretch of sea lay still like a slumbering animal, the only sign it was alive and breathing were the gentle waves lapping at the shore.

When Paul’s mobile phone rang, we both frowned. Neither of us had been receiving many calls during our time away. Both of our businesses were closed for the Christmas break and our families had been giving us privacy.

Paul’s frown deepened when he read the display on his phone. He answered it.

“Laura?”

His ex-wife.

“Yeah, we’re still here. We leave tomorrow. Is everything okay?”

A long stretch of silence followed. I had a strong feeling it wasn’t a social call and suddenly wondered if his boys were alright. I reached over to place a hand on his arm, but to my surprise he brushed it away and stood up. I watched, perplexed, as he walked to the water’s edge.

I couldn’t hear the conversation and waited. I caught the low bass of Paul’s voice now and then, but it was a deep melody rather than intelligible words. After what seemed like a lifetime, Paul ended the call and joined me on the deck again. I opened my mouth to ask him if everything was alright but paused when I saw his expression. His face was unusually pale.

“Paul?” I asked softly.

He blinked and met my eyes, looking as if he’d only just remembered I was there.

I smiled reassuringly. “Is everything okay?”

He swallowed and returned his focus to the horizon again, running a hand roughly through his hair.

My smile disappeared. “Is something wrong with the boys?”

“What?” He shook his head quickly and turned back to me. “No. Nothing like that.”

Thank God. “Is your wife alright then?”

He nodded slowly as if still trying to absorb his recent phone conversation. “Yes. She’s fine.”

He blew out a long breath, then sat down beside me. He reached over and grabbed my hand, grasping it tightly.

“The boys are going to be living with me for the next three months,” he announced.

I sat back in my seat, still holding his hand. Relief flooded my body. The news was completely unexpected. “That’s good, isn’t it?”

Paul sighed. “It’s fantastic. Laura and Gabe are taking an early honeymoon. When they return Laura says she’s prepared to consider altering our arrangements permanently.”

“That’s wonderful,” I breathed. “Aren’t you excited?”

Paul’s eyes met mine, and he swallowed. “Try more like terrified.”

Paul was quiet when we made our way to the airport the next morning.

We checked our bags in and headed straight for the nearest café, more worried about coffee than food. Ever since Laura’s news, Paul hadn’t been able to eat much. The expert barista produced our order in record time, so we located a small table and sat opposite each other, inhaling the warm scent of our lattes like it was our lifeblood.

“I’m going to take some more time away from the office, while the boys are on school holidays,” he told me. “Greg is well versed on the ACB account if you need anything.”

“It should be fine,” I replied. “The campaign is due to start in two weeks and you’ve had the media booked since last year.”

Paul nodded. I watched as he swirled the contents of coffee. I reached over and squeezed his arm.

“Hey,” I said.

Paul glanced up at me, then back at his coffee. “The new living arrangements mean you won’t be able to stay over at my place – initially anyway.”

I nodded. It didn’t come as a complete shock. There was no guest room for me to sleep in and Paul obviously wanted the boys to settle in at his place before I shared his bed.

Paul glanced at me, misreading my silence. “It’s only for a little while.”

“It’s fine.” I threaded my fingers through his. “I understand, Paul. Although I’m not going to lie. I’ll miss you.”

He shot me a pained look. “Tell me about it, but I think it’s the right thing – for now.”

“I agree. We’ll survive.”

He sighed and set down his cup of coffee on the table. “I let Laura down a lot over the years,” he said softly. “She all but raised Jack and Noah on her own in the early days when I was setting up NTRtain.”

“You’re very hard on yourself.”

“I deserve to be. I failed them.”

I didn’t know what to say. The expression on his face said it all: regret, mixed with guilt and sadness.

“Paul,” I started.

He shook his head. “Don’t, okay? This isn’t self-pity. I’m just stating facts.”

“You’ve never forgiven yourself,” I said softly.

Paul’s face twisted in pain. “How could I?”

“Laura’s giving you another chance. She’s forgiven you.”

“Only because I spoke to her and the boys about it,” he said flatly.

“When?”

He looked up from his coffee, his blue eyes appearing darker than usual. “A few days after our conversation at my place, when you encouraged me to see how the boys felt.”

“And what did they say?” I asked.

“That they’d like to spend more time with me.”

“That’s great. Don’t you see? Maybe that’s what Laura and the boys needed to hear from you. I don’t know why you never had the conversation earlier.”

“Because I didn’t deserve to.”

“Stop punishing yourself. The only thing it’s achieved so far is to keep you from your kids.”

Paul nodded. “I see that now. Thanks to you.”

I flushed. “I didn’t do anything – ”

“Yes, you did. You got me thinking about it again, even if I didn’t want to.”

“You mean I’m pushy and opinionated? I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

His face broke into a genuine smile this time. “I mean it. Thank you. I’m only sorry the new arrangements will make things more difficult for our relationship. I know it’s a lot to ask.”

“Alright, I’m going to be pushy and opinionated again,” I said. “Get over it. I already have. See it for what it is: a wonderful opportunity.”

“I love you.”

My breath caught in my throat at his passionate stare. “I love you too,” I whispered.

Paul released my hand and gave me a gentle smile, sitting back in his seat. “After the divorce, when Gabe came into Laura’s life, I was worried about a stranger being involved with the boys.”

“Is Laura concerned about me?” I asked, alarmed.

Paul shook his head. “No, nothing like that. She’d like to meet you at some stage, but that wasn’t what I was getting at. When Laura met Gabe, I saw the way he made her light up.”

“Were you jealous?” I asked carefully. I knew things between Laura and Paul were well and truly over, but it seemed an odd thing to be telling me.

He shook his head and reached over to take my hand again. “Not jealous. Shocked. I realized we’d never had that sort of relationship. We have a great friendship and we once loved each other, but there was never that spark between us. It made me realize our whole marriage had been missing something right from the start.”

Paul toyed with my thumb, stroking it in small circular motions. “Actually, you’re right. I was jealous for a while. I was happy for Laura – I’d never been able to give her what Gabe has – but it left me feeling like I was missing out.” He looked up at me, the intensity in his blue eyes surprising me. “Until now.”

I pressed my lips together to stop the emotions I could feel threatening to wash over me.

He reached over and stroked my cheek. “Laura can see it in me now too. How I’m different when I’m with you. If things get a bit chaotic over the coming months with the boys, I want you to remember something.” He leaned across the table and kissed my forehead lightly. “You’re my spark.”

*

“The more I get to know your boyfriend, the more I like him.”

I looked over at Scarlett. She was reclined comfortably in one of Paul’s outdoor chairs. We were sitting in his front courtyard overlooking the city and I had a feeling it was Paul’s view, rather than Paul himself, that Scarlett had taken a liking to. It was New Year’s Eve and we were waiting for the nine o’clock fireworks to start.

“Think of all the poor sods all over the city, who have been camped out since six this morning. Bugger that. We’ve got the best seat in the house,” Scarlett said.

I just smiled and sipped my wine, because she was right.

“This is the perfect way to spend the night,” Cate agreed. She was sitting on my other side appearing equally relaxed. “No overcrowded pubs, no drunk guys leering at you and trying to kiss you at midnight. This is much nicer.”

“You’re so tame,” Scarlett said.

Cate looked put out. “You’d rather some strange man trying to grope you and put his tongue down your throat? Smelling of alcohol, no less.”

“It’s got a certain appeal.”

“So does sitting here in a family environment celebrating the night with my friends where I can actually hear them,” Cate replied.

Scarlett’s mouth twitched. “A family environment? You’ve got middle-age envy if you ask me.”

“I do not!” Cate’s face reddened and she looked flustered. “Besides, what’s wrong with having the kids here?”

“I’m glad you don’t mind,” I replied, and gave her a warm smile.

When Paul had suggested hosting a New Year’s celebration at his place with a few of our friends, I knew it was a great idea. We’d invited my girlfriends and Max, plus Greg, his wife and two kids. I was a bit worried how my girlfriends would react to being invited to a ‘family event’ but they’d all accepted happily. I should have known that Cate wouldn’t have minded in the least.

“Of course I don’t mind, silly! And Noah is so gorgeous, I could just eat him,” she finished with a sigh.

I gave her a sharp look. “Don’t say that to Fancy Feet’s face, he’ll probably kick you,” I warned. While I didn’t disagree with her – Noah was an indisputably cute seven-year-old – he also hated being called cute.

“Who’ll kick you?” Paul asked, joining us in the courtyard.

“Noah, if you call him cute,” I replied.

Paul winced and turned to Cate. “I wouldn’t risk it.”

Cate laughed lightly, finding the whole thing gorgeous, no doubt.

Max and Christa emerged from the house behind Paul, bearing a cheese and fruit platter, which they set down on the outdoor table. I was really pleased to see that Max and Paul were getting along. Max was the kind of brother who would make an effort regardless of what he thought of my boyfriend, but when I’d discovered them in the kitchen earlier debating the finer points of cricket and the latest Ashes series, I knew Max genuinely liked Paul.

As Christa sat down opposite us, there was a wild roar from inside the house and she paused, alarmed.

Paul caught her look of concern. “PlayStation championships, I’m guessing. The competition is intense.”

I smiled to myself as Christa resumed taking a seat. Greg’s children and Paul’s boys got along well and we’d hardly seen them all night.

Max shot Christa an amused look. “Maybe you should go in there and finish them off,” he suggested. “She’s something of a Mortal Kombat warrior.”

Christa blushed bright red and swatted Max’s arm. “Shut up. Just because you can’t beat me.”

“It’s true. My girlfriend beats me up – repeatedly.” He sat down beside her and reached for the cheese and crackers.

Christa shook her head at him. Changing the subject, she directed her gaze at Paul. “How are the boys settling in, Paul? They seem pretty happy here.”

There weren’t enough chairs for Paul to sit down, so he stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders. “Really well, thanks.”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes at us thoughtfully. “How about you two? How are you doing?”

I shot her a curious look. “We’re fine,” I said. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

Scarlett shook her head at me. “You’re missing my point. It’s wonderful for Paul that the boys are here, but how do you manage to, you know, relieve yourselves?”

Cate looked horrified, while the rest of our party averted their eyes awkwardly.

“It’s only for a while, Scarlett. We need to let the boys settle in before I start staying over,” I told her.

“And not everyone has your complete lack of restraint,” Cate added, still upset.

I turned slightly so I could see Paul’s face. He grinned down at me, unperturbed. I rolled my eyes and he just shrugged.

“Hey, I think it’s a very valid concern,” Scarlett pressed on. “I’ve always wondered how people with children get around it.”

“But it’s not
your
concern,” Cate replied.

“And I’m pretty sure there’s plenty of couples with children that manage to have healthy relationships,” Christa said reasonably.

“It’s easier when they’re younger, actually,” Paul commented.

I looked up at him in shock, surprised he was even entering into the conversation. He was usually such a private person. All I could figure is that he felt relaxed around my friends.

“What’s easier?” Greg and his wife stood on the porch watching us curiously.

I liked Greg’s wife, Natasha, the minute I saw her. She exuded a sort of petite elegance, which I admired. It was not to be underestimated, given the amount of testosterone she was surrounded by. Their two teenage boys had inherited Greg’s stocky frame and were as boisterous and mischievous as he was. Tonight she stood by Greg’s side in a fitted jade green dress with a high neckline, her dark hair twisted expertly into a loose up-do.

“Sex,” Paul told him.

I choked on my wine.

“Oh, yes.” Natasha nodded knowingly. “It’s much easier when they’re little. They sleep far more.”

Greg grunted. “Tell me about it. When they’re older, it’s very late at night or you have to rely on invites to friends’ houses, which never happen often enough.”

“And thank God for sleepovers,” Natasha told us.

“Interesting,” Scarlett mused.

Natasha shrugged and came over to make her selection from the food platters. “It does mean you have to become more creative.”

Scarlett’s eyes lit up. “Creative. I like the sound of that.”

“Yes. You can’t just opt for traditional measures all the time.” Natasha grabbed a grape and popped in her mouth, casting her eyes around our little group. “That’s if you’re keen, I guess. Sadly many couples we know become quite lethargic about the whole thing as their kids get older.”

“I’m keen.” Greg came up behind her and tried to squeeze her backside. She swatted him away and he grinned at her. I had the feeling the two of them still maintained a very healthy relationship.

She looked around our group curiously. “Why the talk of this? None of you have kids yet, do you?”

Scarlett pointed at me. “I was interested in how it would change things for those two, now the boys have moved in.”

“Of course.” Natasha smiled at me. “This is all new to you. You’re being thrown in the deep end.”

“And she’s not allowed to stay over at the moment,” Scarlett told her helpfully.

I shot Scarlett a warning look. It was time for her to butt out.

Natasha turned to Paul and rubbed his arm in a gesture of friendly sympathy. “Of course. It will take some time for everyone to adjust, but from what I’ve seen the boys are doing really well here.”

“It’s only been a few days,” Paul said, “but yeah, they seem happy.”

“Good. I’m sure they’ll welcome Maddy when the time’s right,” she said.

“In the meantime,” Scarlett announced, “they’ll just have to get more creative. I can give you some tips if you like.”

Paul observed Scarlett with a wry smile. “I’ll put you on speed dial.”

Scarlett shrugged. “I’m here whenever you need me.”

“What a comforting thought,” Cate muttered from beside me, and we all laughed. “How about we round the kids up for the fireworks? They’re going to start any minute.”

“Great idea,” I said, standing.

Greg and Natasha went inside to find the boys, while Scarlett pulled out a cigarette and made her way down the stairs to the street.

“Let’s go find some champagne,” Christa suggested to Cate and Max, and they disappeared inside.

I turned to face Paul. His blue eyes were twinkling at me.

“I’m so sorry about that,” I said.

“Your friends? Forget about it. I’ve had to endure Greg’s inappropriate sense of humor for years. Scarlett’s amusing.”

“But far too often a major pain in the you-know-what.”

“She’s just trying to help.”

I huffed. “By getting involved in our sex life? I don’t think so.”

“She has a point, though.”

I stared at him. “You want to get creative, do you?”

“I wouldn’t rule it out, especially given you’re not sharing my bed at the moment.”

“Mmm.” I gave him a coy smile. “Interesting.”

Paul laughed. “Very interesting.”