Three months later …

BROCK

The past few months have done wonders for all of us. My mum has blossomed now she’s no longer living under my father’s thumb and our relationship has come along in leaps and bounds. For the first time in years, Josh, mum and I feel like a real family again. I’m still haunted by my father’s death, but I’ve come to terms with it. I know it wasn’t my fault. It was just unfortunate that his aneurysm chose to rupture moments after our heated altercation.

Rupert seems like a new man as well. Lighter. His daughter’s funeral was hard on him. The following day, he decided he needed some time away. Jade tried her best to talk him out of leaving, but in the end it was to no avail. We never asked where he went, but when he arrived back a few weeks later, he was a different person. Wherever he went had done him the world of good.

Rupert has become family to us, especially Jade. So when I finally talked her into selling her apartment and moving in with me, he came along too; my house is plenty big enough for the three of us. We set him up in one of the bedrooms on the ground level, so Jade and I still have our own space and privacy. I gave him a job in my company: he’s my chief liaison officer. Although he’s old enough to retire, he was keen to get back to work and I was thrilled to have him join my company. With his integrity, he’ll be an asset.

The coroner and his team have now identified eight of the nine bodies. Along with Sasha, the seven other women went missing while working for M. One of them was only seventeen. The ninth body is male, and they’re yet to figure out who he is. He wasn’t an employee, so they think he may have been either an ex-lover, a client, or just someone who pissed M off.

M has yet to go to trial, but there’s no doubt in my mind she’ll get life. The detectives have a mountain of evidence against her and assure us they have an ironclad case. Her assets were seized by the police department, as profits of crime. So, even if she was to ever walk free, which she won’t, she’ll be homeless and broke. Jade’s apartment was safe because it was in her name and paid for out of her earnings. Rocco’s charges were downgraded to an accessory to murder when he sang like a bird and became a crown witness. He’ll still be facing a hefty sentence, but might get to see the light of day in years to come.

Today, I’m excited and a bit anxious on my drive home from work. I have a surprise planned for Jade and I’m not sure what she’s going to think of it. She told me a few weeks ago that her time with me has been the best of her life. I feel exactly the same. I’m totally besotted by her. The love I feel for her only seems to grow stronger with each passing day. I never believed life could be this good. I couldn’t imagine life without her in it. She’s my happy place—my best friend, my lover and the reason I look forward to waking up every morning.

As I pull into the driveway, something she said to me last week when we were lying in bed, plays over in my mind. I’m looking forward to making a lifetime of beautiful memories with you. It’s ironic that her words didn’t freak me out in the slightest. The bachelor life I once led is long forgotten. Thanks to Jade, I’m a new man. A lifetime with her by my side is exactly what I want. Hence my surprise. If my girl wants beautiful memories, then that’s exactly what she’s going to get.

I told Rupert of my plans for tonight, so he organised to go out for a few drinks with some of the guys from work. I have her all to myself for the next few hours.

When I enter the house, I head straight to the kitchen; I have no doubt that’s where she’ll be. She’s still keen to open her own restaurant, and has been taking part-time classes at the local TAFE. She’s already an exceptional cook, so in my opinion the classes aren’t needed. In saying that though, when I see her face light up as she talks about the things she’s learnt that day, I’m glad she’s doing something she loves. Seeing her happy is all I want.

‘Hey, sweetheart,’ I say, snaking my arms around her waist and burying my face in the crook of her neck. ‘Something smells delicious.’ And I’m not just referring to the food. Her scent is my drug.

‘Hey,’ she replies turning in my arms and sliding her hands around my neck. My heartbeat accelerates when she looks into my eyes. I’ll never tire of her beautiful face. ‘How was work?’

‘It was good, but I missed you,’ I say, brushing my lips against hers. I always miss her when she’s not around.

‘I missed you too.’ She laces her hands through my hair before pulling my lips down to hers.

Groaning into her mouth, I deepen the kiss as I lift her onto the counter. It’s only on rare occasions I get to take her anywhere I want now. I don’t mind Rupert living here—he’s a great guy—but I do miss the spontaneity our sex life once had.

My hands travel up her sides, taking her shirt as I go.

‘What about Rupert?’ she enquires when I draw back from the kiss, pulling her shirt over her head.

‘He’s having drinks with some of the guys from work. He won’t be home until later.’

‘I love how well he’s fitted into your company,’ she says, reaching behind herself to hastily remove her bra.

‘And I love you,’ I reply as my hands cover her magnificent tits.

‘Oh Brock,’ she moans the moment I replace one hand with my mouth. I’ll never get my fill of her.

‘Wrap your legs around me,’ I command. When she does, I lift her, carrying her over to the island in the middle of the kitchen. Laying her down, I step back and pull her yoga pants down her incredible legs. I wanted to give her the gift first, but that will have to wait now. She always manages to distract me.

Dropping her pants to the floor, my fingers trail a path over the silk fabric of her panties. A growl forms in the back of my throat when she arches her back and pushes her hips towards my hand. I crave her so much sometimes it scares me. Entwining my finger and thumb in the side of her underwear, I tear them easily from her body before shoving them into my pocket. Even though Jade lives with me now, my obsession with ripping off her panties hasn’t diminished in the slightest. I’ve set up an account for her at the lingerie store. It’s an expensive habit, but it’s worth every fucking cent.

I delve my fingers into her sweetness and she whimpers at the contact, throwing her head back. The noises she makes are like music to my ears. My cock is so hard it strains painfully against my pants. Since we’re alone, I wanted to take my time with her, but my good intentions have flown out the window. I need to be inside her more than I need my next breath.

I pull down my zip and free myself before drawing her to the edge of the bench. I slide inside her heaven as she wraps her legs tightly around my waist. Moving my hands behind her body I draw her torso to mine. Pulling my hips back slightly, I push all the way inside her again. I can feel her tits pressed firmly against my chest through my shirt as my mouth crashes into hers. I need skin against skin, but I don’t have time to remove my clothes. I’m too lost in these incredible feelings she gives me.

‘I love you so much,’ she whispers against my lips, making mine curve into a smile.

She doesn’t tell me often, but when she does, it’s amazing. I can’t even find the words for how it makes me feel.

*

After we shower, we head back downstairs for dinner. I still use Erika for the housekeeping and shopping, but Jade cooks all the meals. I wouldn’t have it any other way—I love her cooking. Her talents are endless.

‘I made the most amazing caramel and apple tarts in class today,’ she says, when I take a seat at the breakfast bar so I can watch her as she prepares our food. ‘We’re going to have them for dessert.’

Shit, that reminds me—the surprise.

‘You know I’m going to get fat eating all these sweets you keep bringing home.’

‘Never. I’m more than happy to help you work off the extra calories.’ She gives me a knowing look, and my cock stirs again. If she keeps this up, we’ll never eat.

‘You enjoy those classes, don’t you?’ I ask, trying to change the subject. If I don’t, this conversation will only end one way—more sex. Rising from the bar stool, I pick up my suit jacket.

‘I do,’ she replies smiling as she glances over her shoulder. I love seeing her happy. She’s a different person to the woman I met all those months ago. She’s more carefree.

After stashing the envelope in the back pocket of my jeans, I clutch the small pouch in my hand as I approach her. Standing behind her, I dangle it in front of her eyes.

‘What’s that?’ she asks, turning to face me.

‘It’s a gift. I bought it for you today.’

Her gaze moves between the pouch in my hand and my face as she smiles.

‘Open it,’ I say, laying it in her palm.

‘Wow … it’s beautiful.’ She gazes down at the round glass locket in her hand.

‘It’s a memory locket. You said you wanted to make beautiful memories with me, so I thought this would be a great way to keep a record of them. I’ve already added a few charms to get you started.’

‘Brock,’ she whispers as her eyes meet mine. ‘I—I don’t know what to say.’

She doesn’t need to say anything, she’s given me so much already. More than she’ll ever know.

‘The love charm speaks for itself, but the other two charms are to go with this.’ I remove the envelope from my pocket. After she places the locket on the counter beside us, I hand it to her. Her hands slightly tremble as she opens it. She carefully unties the ribbon and unfolds the invitation. I hear her gasp. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign or not, but I’m hoping it is. It took a lot of work to set this up for her.

‘Pierre Hermé,’ she says, as her wide eyes meet mine.

‘I’ve heard you mention him a few times, so I’ve arranged for us to fly to Paris so you can spend a day with him. You’re attending one of his creative workshops.’

‘But—’

‘What? You don’t want to do this?’

‘Are you kidding me? Of course I do, I’m just shocked. You do realise he’s one of the most famous pastry chefs in the world? How …?’

‘I know who he is, and I have my ways.’ I smirk. Money talks, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.

She pauses briefly before looking down at the invitation in her hand again. As she rereads it, her smile grows. She then picks up the locket and studies the charms inside.

As well as the word love, there’s a plane and a tiny cake. They represent our journey to Paris and her day with Pierre Hermé. I intend to fill the locket with lasting memories before we return to Australia. If anyone deserves them, it’s her.

When her eyes finally meet mine again, I’m surprised to see them welling with tears. By the width of her smile I’m guessing they’re happy ones. ‘Thank you,’ she squeals with excitement as she throws her arms around my neck. ‘I love you so much.’

Hearing her say that is all I’ll ever need.