Chapter 24 #2
I stare at him. ‘Rebound? Markus, I have been killing myself all these years, waiting for the kids to be a little older. I didn’t want them to suffer. So I waited and waited, and in the meantime things with Simon went from indifference to total indifference.’
‘And here we are now,’ he says, ducking to kiss me again, his face flushed with excitement. ‘I’m so happy I could sing! Is that too twee?’
‘Definitely! But I love that you are twee.’
He checks my face. ‘You don’t seem too fussed, though, about this jaw-dropping revelation?’
‘I’m still in shock!’ I laugh.
‘Think nothing more of it,’ he says, wrapping his arm around me and coming in for another one of those knicker-melting kisses. Oh, go on, then!
It feels so strange and new, to be in his arms the way I never had been before, in such an intimate embrace, chest glued to rock-solid chest. And yet, I know it’s right. It’s a bloody miracle, and apart from my kids, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And speaking of—
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ he says.
‘What’s that?’
‘You’re worried about telling the kids.’
Busted. ‘And my dad…’
‘Please. Your dad would be over the moon.’
‘You’re right. He’s been badgering me for years to get a move on and take my life back.’
But of all people, it surprised me that he would be the one to give me such advice.
When my mum had suggested it, I’d baulked at the idea, of course.
But when he ever mentioned it, it sort of made sense, if it hadn’t been for the simple fact that Markus was (and still is, in my opinion) completely out of my league.
‘But right now, with your mum like this, it’s probably best not to take centre stage…?’
‘You must be joking,’ I say. ‘If I told her that it would boost her energy levels. She’s been badgering me about you for quite some time now.’
‘Has she?’
‘Oh, yes. She’ll be thrilled.’
‘So we tell her then?’
‘And my dad and Aldo, of course. But not the kids. Not yet.’
‘Yes. In time, after your divorce, we’ll break it to them gently,’ he suggests.
I snort. ‘Good luck with Cassie.’
‘You don’t think she’ll accept me into the fold?’ he asks, his brow furrowing.
‘Oh, you’re already in the fold,’ I assure him. ‘Though I think it’ll take her some time to accept her mother sleeping with someone who isn’t her father.’
‘Ah, sleeping… niiiice…’ Markus drawls, pulling me closer to him and nuzzling my neck. And that’s it. I’ve completely lost my train of thought. ‘Come, let’s go. We need to talk. I found a secluded beach, further down. Away from indiscreet ears and eyes…’ He winks, and I practically swoon.
I pause, processing his words. Am I ready for this?
Am I ready to actually, emotionally and physically, let go and have sex with Markus, with everything that’s going on?
Technically, Simon and I have broken up.
I am a free woman. So it’s not a betrayal.
Later, we’ll tell my parents. But for now, all I want to do is walk on the beach with Markus, hand in hand, talk and laugh and be free to be happy and finally, finally love him.
Which I do. And I am mind-blown. Markus is so tender yet urgent.
And oh my God, passionate! I’ve day-dreamed of this moment since I first laid eyes on him, letting myself go to naughty thoughts during our first business dinner that very evening in Copenhagen.
While he talked about merging our businesses, like a love-starved, love-struck schoolgirl, all I could think of was merging our bodies.
And our lives. I never thought that this day would ever come, and now that we’re here, I am going to make the absolute best of this.
Even if I am worried sick about Cassie’s reaction. I mean, let’s be honest. She sees him as part of the family, like my brother or something. She would be utterly appalled by any notions of an attraction between her uncle Markus and her own mother.
‘She’ll be fine,’ Markus says when I confess my worries to him. ‘Eventually, at least.’
*
Much – and I mean very much – later that day, while the kids are on the beach with two of the staff, Markus and I return unseen to the house via another path to break it to the adults. Mum is the first to react, and she does so with such grace and happiness.
‘Come here, you two,’ she whispers and holds us to her. ‘I could not be happier, knowing that my only daughter is with a man who has proven himself a true gentleman and truly in love. Markus, welcome to our weird but loving family!’
‘Thank you, Susan,’ he whispers back, patting her shoulder. ‘All I want is the chance to prove to her how much I love her and the kids.’
‘You finally did it, you old stick!’ Dad chimes, clapping him on the back. My mother is beside herself with joy as she clings on to me.
‘You will be very happy together, sweetheart. I know it,’ she whispers to me. Her embrace feels good, and I want to stay there a little while longer. As long as I can. Perhaps to recuperate all the lost years, or perhaps it simply feels right. This is where I should be now that I’m ready.
‘Mum!’ comes a shrill cry from the living room door. There, standing in the hall, her face tear-stained and fists clenched, is Cassie. ‘You and… Uncle Markus?!’