Chapter 45
CHAPTER 45
ELIJAH
X ander’s island is beautiful.
The house, its surroundings, and the fact it’s totally private. It’s patrolled by a full-time security team that ensures all guests are protected and a team of staff who are well-paid and have all signed NDAs.
“Oh, Elijah, this is amazing.”
Pen sighs, as we walk hand in hand along the shoreline, the evening sun warming our skin.
“It really is,” I say, my eyes never leaving the woman in front of me. I can’t believe how different I feel in the short time we’ve been together.
Pen makes me feel like a new man. My heart rate picks up when we’re together. I’m smiling a lot more, the world seems lighter, brighter. Everyone has noticed and is questioning what has changed. I remember a time when my life was always like this. The time before. It’s like I’ve jumped back in time fifteen years. But I haven’t. I have responsibilities now, and Pen does too. I own a business, have a daughter. People who rely on me.
I now understand why Pen walked away from our business venture; her illegal activities would have made starting up our business impossible. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Looking back, I see it was probably for the best. After the past few weeks, being with her, working alongside her day in, day out, unable to touch her would have been torture. I would never have been unfaithful to Darra, but wanting someone is a problem when you’re with someone else. Maybe fate knew this and made Pen leave, saving us both a lot of heartache.
Oh hell, I sound like my mother!
Pen runs towards the waves, splashing through the surf. Her face alight.
My breath halts at the sight, and I wonder how Kristophe could let this amazing woman go? His loss, my gain.
Pen turns to me, her face glowing, and I charge forward, sweeping her into my arms and swinging her around. She squeals, and I silence her with my mouth.
As always, she melts against me, her legs wrapping around my waist, her tongue teasing the seam of my lips as it demands entry.
“I’m so happy.”
She pulls back and looks down at me, her legs wrapped around my waist.
“Me too,” I say.
Our foreheads touch, and we stay there for a moment, enjoying the sound of the waves gently breaking on the shore.
Pen drops her legs, and I lower her until she stands in the surf.
She takes my hand in hers and interlinks our fingers, bringing them to her lips.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” I say, looking down at her.
She smiles. “I shall send a thank you to Kris,” she tells me.
I frown. “What?”
What has Kris got to do with this?
Pen’s hand comes up, and she smoothes away the wrinkle I know has appeared between my brows.
“Kris refused to marry me after I went back. He told me I deserved to be happy.”
Pen tries to walk on, but I pull her to a halt and take her other hand in mine, making her look at me.
“Didn’t he make you happy?” I ask.
Ashamed at the spark of joy beginning to spread through my chest.
She gives a small smile.
“He did, but I think we both realised we weren’t marrying for love.”
I incline my head but say nothing.
“We reached that point in our lives where we wanted to settle down, start a family. That old adage. I love him as a friend, and I respect him greatly, but I wasn’t in love with him.”
My heart stalls as she mentions starting a family. How had I forgotten that is what Pen wants?
As if reading my mind, Pen places a hand over my heart.
“Don’t panic. I’m not expecting a marriage proposal or a sperm donation.”
She grins at my expression.
“When I left the US, I knew I was saying goodbye to that part of my future. I’m just happy enjoying what we have now.”
A heaviness settles in my body.
She wanted those things with Kristophe, but not with me? I close my eyes as my stomach clenches hard. When I open them again, Pen is staring at me, her sparkle waning.
“Come on, let’s get some food,” she says before I can open my mouth.
“Good plan. I asked the chef to make your favourite.”
This time, when she smiles, she’s back to old Pen, and I wonder whether I imagined it.
“My favourite?”
“The perfect tuna melt.”
Pen takes a bite, her eyes closing as she lets out a low moan.
“O.M.G.,” she says. “This is…”
She doesn’t finish her sentence as she takes another bite.
The chef has produced a culinary delight. Or at least in Pen’s eyes.
I take a bite of my own. The melted cheese enhances the flavour of the tuna and toasted panini. I have to admit it is delicious.
“I can’t believe you’re finally eating a tuna melt,” Pen says, grinning.
“Fine, I’ll admit it is delicious, although not something I would usually eat.”
Although I am not as strict with my diet as I was when Pen originally knew me. Then, it was all measured out and calculated. I even knew the exact carb and fat count on the takeaways we ordered.
It’s my turn to laugh when the chef brings in a selection of grilled fish and vegetables.
“I wasn’t going to force you to eat my favourite,” Pen says, leaning over and gripping my hand. “But I really appreciate the sentiment.”
Pen snags my panini from my plate while I load up on the fish and vegetables.
“Lottie messaged me,” Pen says eventually as we’re finishing up the pavlova the chef prepared.
“Did she?”
Somehow it doesn’t surprise me. My daughter loves Pen, always has done from being a little girl. It always surprised me that Darra was so free to let Pen near our daughter when she’d always envied her.
“She did. She told me she was sorry my engagement ended, and she hoped she could stay with me when she gets back for a girls’ weekend.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“What? She’s nearly fifteen. Is it surprising?” Pen says. “I am a super cool godmother.”
“That you are,” I admit truthfully. “Thank you for always being there for her.”
Pen’s hand snakes across the table and squeezes mine.
“It’s been a pleasure. She’s an amazing young woman. She’s a lot like her father.”
I freeze at her words, and Pen’s hand tightens on mine.
Only Gabriel and Leah know the whole truth. I haven’t wanted it to affect my family’s relationship with my daughter. Not that I think it would, but—she’s my daughter, even if not by blood.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I say.
Pen’s brows furrow.
“About Darra and me.”
“Elijah, I know you and Darra had issues. You don’t need to explain,” she says.
“I wish it was only that.” I look across at her before turning away and running a hand through my hair. I inhale before turning back, my eyes locking with Pens.
“I married Darra because I didn’t want to be that man.”
Pen moves her chair closer and rests a hand on my bicep. The muscles flex under her fingers. It’s always the same when she touches me.
“You married her because she was pregnant. You would never have done what my father did and walk away from your child. That’s not who you are.” She smiles as she grips my arm once more. “Whatever happened in your marriage, you will always have Lottie. She’s the best of both of you.”
I let out a sharp bark, making Pen jump.
“That’s what I thought. That I was doing the right thing. I could never turn my back on my child. Darra knew that.”
I lock eyes with Pen and see as realisation dawns.
“Lottie isn’t my daughter, Pen. At least not biologically.”