Chapter 44
JAX
There’s a loud knock on my office door, which flies open before I have a chance to answer.
Caleb appears, almost vibrating with excitement.
“Leah’s in labour, the twins are on the way. Gabriel just called.” His words come out in a gush, and I grin back at him.
“What are you doing here? You need to go.”
I know how devastated Caleb was to have missed Callum’s birth.
Leah delivered early, and he was stuck in the US with me.
The twins may be different in personality, but their bond is undeniable, and when Gabriel finally found love with Leah, Caleb was over the moon.
When Callum was born, it was almost like he had a child of his own.
“I have an investor’s meeting, they’re all waiting in the meeting room,” he says.
“I’ve got this. I take it Simon will be there?”
I already know that he will be. He spent yesterday afternoon running through his part of the presentation with me, to ensure he hadn’t missed anything.
Caleb nods.
“I’ve listened to your spiel more times than I care to think over the years. I can probably repeat it verbatim.”
“Are you sure? I know you’re trying to get the FHG permits through.”
“Go. I’ve got you covered.”
Caleb doesn’t need me to say it again, he flies out the door, leaving a whirlwind of excited energy in his wake.
“Send Leah my love,” I shout after him with a chuckle.
“Will do,” comes a distant reply.
I log onto the server and download a copy of Caleb’s presentation. As management, we have a directory set up to cover each other in cases like this, when someone needs to step in.
Once it’s downloaded, I head up to the meeting room.
“Ladies, gentlemen, it’s good to see you. Caleb has been called away, so I’ll be taking you through today’s presentation.”
I go around the room, shaking the hands of all those present. We’ve all met before, when I was involved in the initial discussions. Simon nods in my direction. I shoot him a look that lets him know I’m not here to step on his toes. I know he’s got this.
The presentation goes well. I really have heard Caleb give it enough times to deliver it myself.
I enter my office and check my phone.
CAL:
Beautiful twin girls.
ME:
Congratulations to everyone.
I smile at the message and click on the photo of a tired-looking Leah, holding two tiny bundles.
Gabriel is grinning down at her and their two latest additions, his love shining through.
Leah’s made it to thirty-seven weeks. Between her mum, Francesca and Kat, I know they’ve all been helping out after the doctor demanded full bed rest following the New Year.
New Year.
My mind wanders to Kat.
Is she there too?
My body hardens at the memory of us together. The storm kept us trapped within the summerhouse until five AM, not that either of us complained. The time flew by as we enjoyed each other’s bodies.
When the storm finally subsided, we’d crept back into the manor like a couple of naughty teenagers, narrowly missing Betsy, who was heading down to the kitchen.
There was not much talking about the future.
We discussed our Christmases, my parents, and her siblings.
I left her at her bedroom door with one final smouldering kiss, but when I emerged a few hours later, she was gone, a note pushed under my door, explaining that she was being called back to London to deal with an emergency at one of the hotels.
Coincidence?
I sigh.
We’ve hardly spoken since the New Year. Work and life are pulling us both in different directions. I can’t even blame Kat. Two days after I returned to London, I was required to fly to the US for a week, only to have one of our older clients demand my presence at a meeting.
I can’t regret the time we spent together.
When I opened my eyes in the shower and saw Kat standing there, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth, her body on full display…
My cock was already throbbing simply from her proximity.
When I pulled her into my arms, there’d been no rational thought, only a driving need to sink into her silky depths until she was screaming and coming around my cock.
I know Kat wants to keep our relationship professional, and I appreciate that. But I also crave the woman, like I’ve never craved another. The simple thought of her ties me up in knots, has me breaking out in a sweat, my body tingling with need.
I sink into my chair, adjusting myself.
I open my laptop and type out an email, copying in Simon and Caleb, outlining the meeting. Trish, Caleb’s PA, took the minutes, but I want to give my take. It’s something we’ve always done after every investor or client meeting. Gut feel. Make sure everyone is on the same page going forward.
My phone pings.
More pictures.
Caleb grinning down at one of the twins nestled in his arms, while Gabriel stands next to him, the other nestled in his. Both brothers are looking proud as punch.
I know Caleb and April are waiting. She’s just got her business off the ground, and they now want to ensure Lofton House has been renovated before they think about starting a family.
With April being fostered, I know they’ve even discussed fostering.
And knowing how they’ve both worked closely with the young adults and children in the community, I can see it being a serious possibility.
Children and a family are not something I’ve thought too much about.
Emma and I discussed it, but after our relationship ended, I pushed all thoughts aside.
Since then, my relationships have been more friends with benefits than anything stable or long-term.
As an only child, from a broken marriage, it’s not something that has driven me.
Before bringing a child into this world, I want to know I’m in a stable, loving relationship.
This time, when my phone pings, it’s pictures of April holding one of the twins. Francesca grinning down at her latest grandchildren.
Is Kat there?
My mind always wanders to her. Where she is, and what she’s doing, it simply can’t help itself.
My laptop pings this time with a notification.
PERMITS.
Something I can get my teeth into.
I click on the attachment and begin going through the details, pushing all thoughts of Kathryn Frazer and babies out of my mind.