We go to my en-suite. “Wow,” she says, pointing at the jacuzzi in the corner. “Did Gabe put this in for you? I’m jealous. I haven’t got one of those.”

How can I tell her I had it installed myself? She doesn’t need to know I have access to a trust fund.

Not yet, anyway…

She steps right up to the bath and turns on the water. “Last one in is a rotten tomato.” She giggles deep in her throat.

I skim my eyes over her body. Her tits are full but perky and her stomach is toned. There are faint stretch marks from when she was pregnant, but they add rather than detract from her loveliness.

I get into the water behind her and wrap my arms around her. “Lean back, Catrin.”

She rests her head against my shoulder. I kiss the soft skin below her ear, then reach for my shampoo. I work my fingers into her scalp, massaging gently.

“Mmm, that feels nice,” she sighs.

“Bend forward and I’ll turn on the shower nozzle.”

She does as I ask, letting the jets of water rinse off the shampoo. I rub her arms, her tits, her waist and her stomach with shower gel, except I don’t touch her pussy. She pushes her ass against me, and spreads her legs invitingly, but I deliberately ignore the invitation.

I rinse her down, shut off the water, then help her out of the bath. There’s a stack of fluffy white towels on the shelf by the door. I wrap one around my waist and hold out another for her, shaking it. “Put your hands on my hips.”

She stands still while I dry her hair and her body, one square inch at a time, paying scrupulous attention to every part of her soft skin. I bend to pat her legs, my face close to her pussy. I inhale her sweet, musky scent, but that’s as far as I go.

She lowers her gaze, and I glimpse the horniness in her hooded eyes. My balls are heavy, but I focus on the task at hand, willing my cock to behave.

All in good time.

We return to my room, and I sit her down on the bed. I perch next to her and her body melds into mine. It’s taking every ounce of my self-control not to kiss her.

She touches my hand. “Are we still playing?” she tilts her head.

God, she’s direct. “Yes… and no.”

“I need to know if this is real.” Her tone is wistful, and it goes straight to my heart.

Fuck it, I want to kiss her so bad. It suddenly dawns on me this is no longer a game. I thought I was in control, had my emotions under wraps. Ha, fucking ha! Catrin has got me right where she apparently wants me; she’s reeling me in like a fish on a hook. I squeeze her fingers. “It’s real.”

“Show me,” she breathes.

“I’m going to be rough.”

“I like that…”

I bring my mouth down on hers, biting and sucking on her divine lips. Fuck, she tastes so goddamn perfect, a heady mixture of sweetness and raw sexuality. Our tongues slide together in a sensuous dance.

She clings to me, her nipples hard against my chest, and my hand moves down between us to rub her pussy, holding her tightly around the waist with one hand while frigging her with the other. Tight, firm circles around her clit. She’s already wet for me, rocking her hips and pushing against my hand.

My breath rasping, I lie her back on the bed and kiss my way down her jaw, her neck, to her lovely tits.

She gazes at me while I suck and bite one nipple and pinch and pull at the other. I roll it backwards and forwards. She writhes and moves her head from side to side. I draw her entire breast into my mouth, sucking hard, and she lets out a long groan. “Please…”

“Yes, baby, yes…”

I inch my way down her gorgeous body until I’m between her legs. She squirms against my face and pushes upwards as I wriggle my tongue into her. She’s incredible, and I tell her so. “Spread your legs wider, Catrin.”

She does as I ask, and I open my mouth to lick at her sweetness. I insert my tongue again and she lifts her ass, so I can go deeper. I bite down on her clit; she hisses out a sharp breath.

“Ah, ah, ah. Not yet.” I push myself up on my arms. “You’re going to come on my cock.”

I flip her over, pinning her on her front as I push into her pussy from behind. All the way in. “Does that feel good?” I push deeper.

“Yes, oh yes. So damn good.”

She clenches around my cock, vice-like. My balls tighten, and I grit my teeth so as not to blow my load too soon.

I tug at her hair, arching her backwards until her throat is exposed. “Stop me if you don’t like it,” I rasp into her ear. My fingers find their way around her neck. She doesn’t flinch, just turns her head sideways as I squeeze.

Only enough that she’ll feel the pressure…

I angle my face and kiss her, my mouth crashing against hers, my tongue pushing between her lips deep and hard.

She moans for me, and the sound tugs at my heart, making it ache in my chest. God, how I love her. I love everything about her. Her kiss, the way her body yields to mine, the way she pushes back at me, meeting my thrusts. I kiss her forehead and squeeze my fingers tighter around her throat. She doesn’t stop me.

I don’t want to go too far.

I release my grip, pull out my cock and flip her over. Her arms snake around my neck as I lower myself on top. She glides her feet up my calves and hooks them around my thighs, her eyes staring deep into mine.

I’m lost to her; it’s beyond my control. Except, I can’t tell her. Not yet.

I push my cock back into her, keeping her fixed in my gaze. “You’re so beautiful, Catrin.”

She slides her hands down my back, feeling me with her fingertips. Then she wraps her legs around my waist, rocking her hips, urging me deeper, taking me so fucking deep I’m touching her womb.

My heart pounds and my breath grates. I fuck her like a man possessed, driving her into the mattress. I bend and kiss her, plunging my tongue into her hot mouth.

Her hands grip my shoulders and her fingers dig into me.

My racing pulse fills my ears with the thudding of my heart.

I kiss her again, our panting breaths touching while I slide out and push in, again and again.

She strokes my face, threading her fingers through my beard with such tenderness it brings a lump to my gullet.

She strains beneath me as I fuck her harder and faster; she holds me tight, her lips on mine. I’m so close, drowning in her stunning green eyes, but I want her to come first. I slide my hand down to press on her clit. She gives a choked breathless moan, and then jerks against me, her sheath clenching my cock as she breaks, gasping out my name.

My dick feels like it’s going to explode, the pressure building and building until I can’t contain it any longer. The relief is intense as I spasm inside her. I stroke her face, my fingers trembling.

God, how I love her.

She nuzzles into my neck and kisses my skin, whispering. “I think it’s time to pick up the kids from school.”

I check my watch. “You’re right. We’ll need to hurry if we’re not to be late.” I gently roll off her and reach for my briefs, hopping from one foot to the other while I put them on.

She swings her legs from the bed and picks up her clothes. “I’ll just go and have a quick wash.”

“How about I get us some fish and chips this evening and you and Becca come over?” I touch her arm when she gets back from the bathroom. “Ben has been begging me to let him invite her for a sleepover. He wants to pitch a tent in his bedroom and pretend they’re camping.”

She leans into me, her scent filling the air. “Sounds like a plan.”

* * *

Later, after we’ve eaten, we put the kids in the bath together, and they’re more interested in creating fake beards with the bubbles than commenting on any differences in their bodies. We moved the sofa cushions into Ben’s tent beforehand, and now they’re ready for bed.

“Daddy, can you read us a story?” Ben begs as I steady him while he puts on his PJs.

Catrin has already helped Becca shrug on her nightie. The little girl stares at me with huge eyes. But when I open Dr Seuss’ Sleep Book she clambers onto my knee next to Ben, listening avidly while I read the rhyming extravaganza.

I wonder if the baby Victoria was carrying was a girl, and my chest pangs. I’d have loved to have had a daughter…

Soon, both kids are yawning.

“Bedtime,” Cat announces, folding their clothes.

We tuck Ben and Becca into their pretend sleeping bags, which are actually duvets.

I switch on the night light and take Catrin’s hand. “There’s a bottle of wine waiting down in the living room with our name on it.”

We sit next to each other on the sofa, and I pour us each a glass.

There’s a sudden sound of barking.

Shit, we left Toby in the kitchen earlier.

What the fuck?

“I’ll go see what’s set him off,” she says in a worried tone.

“I’m coming with you.”

I step into the kitchen to find the dog frantically hurling himself at the door to the garden, barking like there’s no tomorrow.

“Let him out.” Cat is right next to me. “Someone must be out there. He’ll see them off.”

I do as she suggests, the dog snarling and growling as he bounds through the door.

Fuck, there IS someone out there.

I step onto the patio, staring at the dark shape of a person leaning on the gate. Ice replaces the blood in my veins.

Toby takes off, howling like the hound of the Baskervilles.

Wind blows through the hedge, sending a shower of autumn leaves whirling around my feet. Inky black clouds obscuring the moon roll back and light up the far end of the garden. There’s no one there.

Toby runs back, long pink tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

“He had us fooled,” Cat says, grabbing his collar.

Hmm. My pulse thuds in my throat and I feel my expression darken.

She stares at me under the moonlight, her eyes blinking rapidly.

I put my arm around her and she leans into me, her body shaking as we head back into the house.

“Let me just check on the kids,” she says in a wobbly voice. “Make sure Toby didn’t wake them up.”

I close the door and bolt it for good measure. “I’ll come with you.”

She slips her trembling hand into mine; we return Toby to the kitchen and then go upstairs to Ben’s room. I lift the flap to the tent, releasing a pent-up breath as I take in the sight of the two sleeping children. Their small chests rise and fall, their eyelashes fan the apple of their cheeks; they look so goddamn adorable it makes my chest squeeze.

I place a finger to my lips and kiss it, before transferring the kiss first to Ben’s forehead and then to Becca’s.

Catrin lowers herself and brushes her lips to Becca’s brow. The little girl releases a soft sigh, hugs her Paddington teddy bear, and then turns over. Cat kisses Ben’s cheek and tucks the duvet more tightly around him. She’s a good mother, would make a good mother to my son… she’s far more hands-on than Victoria. What the hell am I doing comparing her to my late-wife? Except, now when I think about Victoria I find it hard to picture her face, despite the remorse I feel for the way she lost her life.

A fierce wave of protectiveness washes over me as I go back to the living room with Catrin. I’ll guard Catrin and Becca. Shield them from harm, just like I do with Ben. I won’t let those fuckers get to them. What happened with Victoria was all my fault; I’ll never make that mistake again.

Catrin glances as me nervously; that damn dog must have scared the living daylights out of her earlier. Leaning into her, I lift her chin and press a kiss to her soft lips. “Hey, no need to worry. Toby must have heard a fox or some other wild creature. He’s quietened down now, hasn’t he? We’re perfectly safe.”

A slow smile spreads over her face. “Of course we are.”

Yes, my darling. I’ll make sure of that.