EPILOGUE
MATTYTOOKLULU’S hand as they walked through the cool, soft sand on his Whitsunday Island resort, which he’d closed to other guests for the duration of their stay. A warm breeze blew, sunset painting the sky in pink and gold. It had been two years since their wedding, and for their second anniversary he’d decided to celebrate by revisiting their honeymoon destination, where he’d shown her the beach for the first time.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked. Lulu looked beautiful tonight in a sheer and shimmery kaftan that moulded to every curve, the same colours as the sunset. Her copper hair loose, streaming down her back. Lit up like fire in the golden light.
He smiled. ‘I have a surprise for you.’
She smiled back. He’d never thought Lulu could look more beautiful than she had on their wedding day, in a magnificent vintage wedding gown under a bower of roses at their Lake Como villa, but he’d been wrong. Each day surpassed the rest, as if she were created anew each morning, just for him.
‘I don’t need surprises. You’re enough.’
She gazed up at him, her tropical green eyes filled with warmth and love. He understood, she was enough for him as well. He wanted for nothing with Lulu in his life. Each day, now complete.
Since their wedding, they’d spent time travelling the world, chasing summer. Visiting his houses, his hotels, and resorts. Even though they had plenty of places to stay they kept two homes. Easton Hall, now renovated to its former glory, and Villa Arcadia. Both, places of rustic idyll. Innocence and pleasure.
He looked down at Lulu, her gaze heated. Lips parted; pupils blown wide. A delicate flush on her cheeks. Okay. He grinned. Perhaps more pleasure than innocence... But he wasn’t complaining. Life was an adventure in hedonism with his incredible wife.
An adventure in other ways too. After some thought and a little encouragement from him, she’d submitted her stories and illustrations about their stupendous childhood adventures to a publisher. Soon, Lulu would have a series of children’s books in her name and could add author to illustrator on her résumé. Warmth like the sun kindled in his chest, his pride at her achievements. She amazed him every day, the way she overcame and grew. He gently squeezed her hand, she squeezed back.
‘What are you thinking?’ she asked.
That he couldn’t wait to get to where they were going. Even though she said she didn’t need it, Matty loved to surprise her as a way of thanks. For freeing him from the exhausting quest for belonging he hadn’t even realised he’d been on.
‘That every day with you is the happiest day of my life.’
She sighed. ‘When I thought you couldn’t make me swoon even harder... Oh... Matty... This is beautiful.’
They’d arrived at what he’d organised, a tent of jewel-coloured silk high on the beach. Surrounded by flaming torches, waiting for night to fall. The floor was covered with soft blankets, strewn with plush pillows. With champagne on ice and a basket full of delicacies, he had everything he needed to celebrate how much he loved her.
‘You did this for me?’ Her voice trembled, cracked.
‘A romantic picnic for two,’ he said. ‘I’ve given the staff the night off.’
They wouldn’t be disturbed unless he called for something. They were as alone as they could possibly be. Shipwrecked together. He led her inside, and they sank into the cushions. The waves a gentle hiss on the sand in front of them. He grabbed the champagne from the ice bucket, poured two glasses.
‘A toast.’ He held up his glass to her. ‘Happy anniversary, Mrs Bainbridge.’
‘Happy anniversary to you, Mr Bainbridge,’ Lulu replied.
That once disparaged family name held no power over him any more. Not now that he and Lulu shared it with each other. It was only a name, not something that defined him. Anyhow, it was the name his sister carried too, and he loved her. With so much love in his life, there was simply no room for negativity.
Lulu looked out over the ocean. Blue turning to purple as the colours in the sky deepened. She took a sip of her champagne, put down her glass. ‘It’s going to be hard to leave here.’
‘Where would you like to go next?’
She looked up at him and smiled. ‘So long as I’m with you, the “where” doesn’t matter.’
His heart felt as if it would burst. Matty put down his glass to join Lulu’s as he leaned into her, cupping her cheek. Stroking his thumb over her soft skin. Their lips touching, their breaths mingling as the kiss deepened. Lulu slid her hand under his shirt, stroking his back as he became fire, each nerve setting alight as he eased her onto cushions behind them.
‘Are you thinking of skipping dinner and going straight for dessert?’ he asked.
Her breaths came in heavy gusts. ‘I thought that was your idea.’
‘Then dinner can wait a little while.’
‘I was thinking...’ Lulu’s copper hair fanned out behind her. She took her lower lip in her teeth, worrying it. When she released it, he kissed the reddened flesh better.
‘Yes?’ he murmured against her mouth, contemplating where to kiss next.
‘Maybe we could try for a baby.’
Matty stilled, sat up. They’d talked of family. Wanted children. But they’d never talked about a timeframe.
‘Now?’ he asked.
A baby. A family.
‘It’s what I was hoping, if you want.’
‘I want everything,’ he said, his voice rough with emotion. He stroked his hands over the silk of her dress, her nipples tight under the fine fabric.
‘Are you...wearing anything under that?’
Lulu’s lips curved into a seductive smile and his desire speared low and hard.
‘No.’
He eased the filmy fabric over her head. Tossed it aside. She lay on the pillows and blankets beautifully naked, arms above her head. The sunset painting her skin rose gold.
His mouth watered. He was starving, but not for food.
‘I see you came prepared.’
She laughed, the sound lighting him up like the flaming torches surrounding them. His breath caught as she tugged the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head. She cast it aside as he worked his way out of his shorts and underwear till he lay gloriously naked as well, the sea breeze cool on his overheated skin.
It was as if they were the only two people left on earth.
‘I need you,’ he murmured.
‘I need you too.’ Her voice was a fervent whisper in the approaching twilight. ‘Now. Don’t wait.’
She didn’t need to ask. He kissed her again. Moved over her body, skin to skin. Into her as she opened for him. Sliding deep, welcomed by the hot velvet depths of her as she arched into him with a moan. Losing himself utterly as they moved together in perfect synchronicity. Breathing each other’s breaths, their hearts beating like one.
He’d never felt so unprotected as he lost himself to the ecstasy that was his wife. With thrusts and gasps and scorching pleasure they came as one. Shuddering. Replete. Matty was overcome by the same sensation as he’d experienced on his wedding day.
That this was the first day of the rest of their lives.
As they drifted back into reality, still joined, he looked down at her, Lulu’s eyes dreamy and half focussed. A flush across her chest and throat. Lips plush, pink and well kissed.
‘Every day, Lulu, you honour me,’ he said. ‘You are my beating heart.’
‘I love you, Matty. You always hold mine.’
Whatever adventures were yet to come, they were in it together. For ever. Lulu lifted her hand, threaded her fingers into his hair. Pulled his head down.
‘You showed me the world,’ she whispered against his lips.
‘You led me home,’ he said before deepening their kiss.
And there was nowhere else in the world he’d rather be, than home with her.