I came out of the bathroom to find Alex sat on the bed. He brushed a kiss across my brow and went into the bathroom to shower. After we’d both dressed, he rushed us downstairs barely giving me time to slip on my shoes. When we made it to the kitchen, I realised why. The table was set for breakfast and it looked amazing. Alex fed me strawberries dipped in chocolate and blueberry pancakes. He poured my coffee and treated me like a queen. That theme carried on all day. We walked into town hand in hand and had lunch at the cafe we used to go to before.

I’d noticed a couple of men following us and it had me feeling uneasy, but when I mentioned it to Alex, he’d shrugged it off telling me he always had security following him and as his wife I would have it too. I’d worried for a second he was doing it because he didn’t trust me but I brushed that thought aside. Last night he’d shown me the side of him I remembered all too well, he may not admit he trusted me, he might not trust me fully but I think he was on his way; at least I hoped he was. The day had gone by like old times, we’d laughed and teased each other and the past had been forgotten. It was bliss. And then we’d walked through the front door and everything changed. As soon as Violet saw us she burst into tears.

“Violet,” I asked in shock. “What’s the matter?” I rushed over to her and pulled her close.

“A woman from the local newspaper rang while you were out.” She said unsteadily.

“Ok, what did she want?”

Fear hit me when I glanced at her nervous face.

“She wanted to know how I felt about working for a woman who manipulated an old man into leaving her his life savings.”

I frowned. “I don’t understand?”

“She said she has a source who’s given her proof you bought your house using money given to you by a dying man who you’d promised to marry.”

“What?” I exclaim shocked. “Who on earth would make up such a stupid lie?”

Violet shook her head. “I don’t know sweetness.”

I turned to Alex and paled at the look of fury on his face. “You don’t believe it do you?” I asked him in a whisper.

His silence was answer enough.

“You believe it, of course you do. You always think the worst of me,” I said sadly before I made my way to the kitchen and out through the patio doors into the garden. When I saw the bench, I sat down heavily and closed my eyes. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. Tears slip through my closed lids. I’d got my hopes up today thinking things could go back to how they were, but that dream had just exploded. I’d let my guard down and my repayment was Alex accepting sick, twisted lies about me just like he had before.

Who was doing this to me? Who the hell hated me so much to make up such lies? Why did only one name pop up in my mind? Sofia had tried on our wedding night to cause trouble; I’d known she’d lied to Alex about me being outside, would she do this too? The lie was ridiculous, anyone who looked into my mortgage would see I have one. I don’t own my house and I saved up to put the deposit down. Jon had offered to help me, but I’d refused, it was something I’d always wanted to do on my own. Now someone was making my hard work seem like I’d rinsed an old man. What proof could they have? It wasn’t true so they would have to make some up, just like the fake photos Alex had received. It worried me how far they’d go to get me out of Alex’s life. A sob tore from my throat and I couldn’t stop it. I was helpless again, the one thing I’d promise I wouldn’t be.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sat wallowing in my misery, but I’d cried myself out and my head was throbbing. Hearing footsteps behind me I turned to see who it was.

“Alex.” I greeted my voice hoarse from the tears.

“Callie.” He sat next to me and picked up my hand. I stiffened and tried to take it back, but he wouldn’t let go.

His sighed loudly. “I’ve just been on the phone to David to ask him to find out who the person is behind the call. It turns out the caller is bogus, and the story is made up.”

“I could have told you that.” I snapped.

“No baby I don’t think you understand. There is no paper and no story being written. It was either a hoax to get a story or someone looking to cause trouble.”

“So no one is printing a story about me?”

“No.”

“How could you be so quick to believe it?”

“I didn’t believe it.”

I raised my eyebrows in disbelief.

“Ok for a split second I almost had, but one look at your face and I knew it wasn’t true.”

“Why did you look so furious then? Why didn’t you say something?”

“I was too angry that someone would do this to you.”

“Oh.” How I wanted him to be telling the truth.

“We’ll get to the bottom of it Callie, we’ll find out who is out to blacken your name.”

“I hope so. It sucks being accused of things.” I leaned into him and rested my head on his shoulder.

“I can imagine.”

I shook my head. “No, you can’t. You can’t possibly know how it feels. You haven’t been accused of cheating on the person you love and then thrust out of their life like you mean nothing to them, to realise their words of love must have been lies because how else could they dismiss you like rubbish without first hearing you out.”

He’d tensed as I’d spoke. I guess I shouldn’t have spilled everything, but I was so sick of being treated like the bad guy when I felt so hurt.

“I’m so sorry, baby. You’ll never know how much.”

“You broke my heart, Alex,” I whispered.

“I broke my own too.”  He whispered back. “We’re in this together Callie, no matter what.”

“I wish I could believe you.”

“You will one day; I’ll make sure of it.” He gave me a gentle squeeze.

The question on the tip of my tongue needed to be asked. Did he believe I hadn’t cheated on him now? I couldn’t ask, though, I was too scared of the answer. It was cowardly, but I kept my mouth shut.

“Come on, let’s get you warmed up. Violet will have the kettle on I’m sure.”

“Is she ok?”

“She’s fine just really angry. She had a few choice words for the caller and some of them even shocked me.”

I laughed. “She has the mouth of a sailor.”

“Yes she does, it reminded me not to get on her bad side.” He grinned.

Using the hand he still held he pulled me up from the bench and curled his arm around my waist. “I promise we’ll find out who is doing this.”

“I know.”

“David will have answers soon.”

“He’s a good friend.”

“Yes, he is. Let’s get you a cup of tea and then we can retire for a rest, I’m sure you’re feeling worn out.”

“I don’t think I could sleep.”

“Who said anything about sleeping?” He winked.

I blushed at the hot look he sent my way.

“I’ll take that pretty blush as your agreement.”

“Ok.”

Violet was in the kitchen and Alex was right, she has the kettle on.

“Callie, are you all right?”

“I am now,” I assured her.

She gave an angry glance at Alex and led me to a stool. “This will help.”  She told me as she placed a cup of tea in front of me making me smile.

“You can get your own.” She pointed at Alex and bustled off.

“Oh dear, I think you’ve upset her.” I laughed.

“Yep, she’ll be prickly for a week now.” He complained, but I saw him smile.

He’d have her talking to him again by the end of the day I had no doubt.

“Drink up Callie, we have plans remember.”

I took a sip, but it was too hot. “Forget it, by the time I’m finished with you, it will have cooled down. Let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. He moved quickly and before I knew it he was cradling me in his arms and carrying me out the door towards the stairs.

“Alex,” I hissed. “Violet might see us.”

“I don’t care; I’m not embarrassed by my desire for you.”

“Well I am, I don’t want people to see, they’ll know what we’re about to do.” I groaned.

“You’re mine, Callie.”

That was all he said, and it was all it took for me to stop talking and start using my mouth on his neck. I felt his shiver as my tongue slid over his exposed collarbone and I grinned against his skin. He quickened his step and I heard a door open, and then I was moving through the air and landing on the bed. Before I could even lean up on my elbows Alex was on top of me and his mouth fused to mine. Our hands got tangled as we fought to get each other’s clothes off making me giggle and him chuckle as he finally gave in and climbed off me so he could strip. I did the same while watching him. He lay down next to me on the bed and pulled me on top of him; I lined myself up with his erection and took him slowly into my body, pausing to allow myself to adjust to his size even though I was so wet, it was still a struggle. Once he was fully inside me I closed my eyes and rejoiced in the connection I felt. Alex’s hands came to my hips, and he gripped them tightly as he lifted me up and down gently.

“It’s not enough.” He groaned and then I was suddenly on my back with him still inside me. He leaned down to kiss my lips and then he took one of my nipples into his mouth and all my thoughts fled. Alex took me like he couldn’t get enough of me and as I felt myself getting closer and closer to the edge, his thumb brushed against my clit once and that was all it took to throw me into oblivion. Somewhere close I heard him groan my name and his weight settled heavily on me. He kissed my neck causing me to shiver, and I tried to lift my hand to rub his back without luck. The crying lag and now this had worn me out and no matter how much I tried to fight it, my eyes closed and I knew sleep was going to take me.