Bare All Read online

  Eden was always a beautiful house. Now it’s stunning. The whole place has been transformed but has retained the original features, a mix of old and new. My eyes jump around, trying to see everything as Will sets me on my wobbly feet and leads me into the kitchen first.

  It has been refitted with chunky, solid-oak worktops and cream-coloured units. The walls are tiled, in the places that make sense to have tiles, and painted a light sage green on the rest. There’s now a breakfast bar island in the middle of the room with high-backed, dark leather stools and a vase of tall flowers in the centre. “Cream leather would have been my first choice, but with our girls, they would have ended up this colour anyway.” Will’s smile is hesitant.

  “It’s stunning.” I speak at last.

  “I wasn’t sure if you’d ever see it...Baby...” I glance at Will and he has tears in his eyes. I step in close and hold him. “I did this for us...so that we could be a family...” I reach up and wipe a stray tear as he continues. “When I saw it was for sale, Eva, I couldn’t believe what I had done. To you. To us... But when the agent told me you agreed to sell the woodland too, I thought I’d lost you forever. I thought you’d never come back... but I did it anyway, praying that you would one day. That you might be able to forgive me one day, but I never dreamed that... you’d still love me.” Will’s voice has grown quieter and rougher. Tears stain his cheeks and I kiss them away.

  “I’ll love you until the day I die. Maybe longer.” He gasps.

  “‘Til death do us part?” I watch his uncertain eyes and nod slowly. “You’d still marry me?” he says so fast the words are blurred. I watch his eyes for a moment longer.

  “Yes. Call me crazy, but I love you.”

  “Can I show you our bedroom?” He really smiles at last, and I giggle. He grabs my hand and practically drags me upstairs. I note somewhere in my brain that it’s a new staircase. Solid wood. I love it.

  Following an extensive introduction to our new bed, Will showed me around the rest of the house, and after cooing over the beautiful bedrooms for both of our girls, Will leads me to another door. “This is the nursery,” he says, and pushes open the door. My eyes fly to his.

  “When did you...?”

  “The morning after you told me you were pregnant. I called the designer when I went to get us breakfast. Do you like it?” Do I like it? I bloody love it! Soft, muted pastel blue, great for a boy or girl. Thick, heavy curtains that will help baby sleep... There’s even a rocking chair in the corner. “We can change it if you don’t.” There’s an anxious note to Will’s voice, and I realise I need to speak again.

  “Will...” I turn and take his face in my hands. “It’s... beautiful. Thank you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes.” I nod and kiss his lips lightly. Until he takes over the kiss and consumes me.

  “Is it wrong to have sex in the baby’s nursery?” he asks between kisses as his hands slip under the hem of the shirt I’m wearing.

  “I don’t know...and I don’t care.” I grab his hair and pull his wandering lips back to mine as he lifts me off my feet. My legs wrap around his waist, my arms around his neck, and he walks towards the closest wall and pins my back to it as he drops his boxers.

  He’s inside me in one thrust. I bite my lip, a satisfied smile already pulling my mouth upwards.

  “Baby...” Will pulls away to see my face. “Can I...? It’s quite rough like this. Hard...?”

  “Yes,” I gasp.

  “You’re sure? It won’t... hurt her?”

  “No. Please. Do it hard.” I arch into him, driving my weight lower. He still looks unsure, so I reach for his balls and cup them lightly. “Please?” I tempt him again, and gently, rhythmically, pull down until he can’t hold back, and his hips drive home in heavenly, deep thrusts as I use my thighs to move with him, sending him deeper. Harder.

  I dip my face into his neck; the mint and citrus smell is divine. Especially mixed with sweat and sex, and I lick my way to his ear. I bite softly on his lobe, and his intensity increases further, making me gasp.

  Oh! God, yes! Keep doing that.

  I whimper as the feeling builds. This is going to be huge. Will continues to take my breath away with every body-jerking movement, and I grind against his advances, catching my clit on his pubic bone. I’m so close!

  I cry out, and he slams into me. Twice. Thrice, and I fall apart in a shuddering mess as I reach the pinnacle. Will grows and pummels ferociously for another three strokes before he groans, long and low, in my ear. I can feel him twitching inside me as aftershocks ripple through my body.

  Will pulls out quickly and flips us around, his back to the wall. He folds down to the carpet, and I curl up in his lap. My whole upper half is being rocked with his hard breathing.

  “God, I love pregnant sex,” I mumble. I turn my head and kiss his chest, and Will chuckles.

  “So do I, baby. So do I.” And then he adds, “Does it feel different? For you?”

  “It’s more intense. Everything is more sensitive. Especially my breasts.”

  “They’re definitely bigger.” I can hear his grin.

  “Yeah? Give it a few months, and they’ll be bloody balloons.” His hand skates up my side and cups one gently, his thumb flicking over the hard bud of my nipple. I jolt.

  “How sensitive is it?” He looks down at me, and I tilt my head back, his thumb still tantalising.

  “Very.”

  “Bed,” he growls. “Now.” And he shifts his grip on me and stands fast. I squeal as he runs towards our new bedroom.

  Chapter 12

  Will holds open the door from the street to my office building on Monday morning, and I smile my thanks as I walk through towards the lift.

  “No stairs today, baby? Are you too tired?” Will grins as he pushes the call button and wraps an arm around my waist.

  “Yes,” I grumble playfully. The lift doors part, and we step in. Will moves behind me and rests his hand on my belly. It’s his new default position.

  “You don’t look pregnant with clothes on.”

  “Not yet, maybe.” It won’t be long until I look like I’m expecting a football team.

  “I can still see your breasts are bigger though.” He kisses my neck, and my head falls to the side on its own. I press back into his chest as his lips tease and promise wicked things.

  The lift pings, announcing our arrival, and the doors slide apart smoothly. I stand straight and move forward to disembark. Will grabs my arm. “Wrong floor, baby.”

  “No. It’s not.” Will steps out after me, and when we round the corner into the new office space, I hear his breath catch. “So...like I said, there have been a few changes.” I glance at his face as he takes it all in. There’s no one else here yet, but it’s obvious all fifteen desks are busy and occupied from the clutter on them.

  His eyes finally land back on mine. He swallows hard. And then a cheeky smile lights his face. “There are a lot of desks here, baby.”

  “Hmm. Come on. I’ll show you.” I giggle and hold out my hand. He takes it and brings it to his lips before following me to my office.

  “So...” Will directs his attention from place to place again, his eyes jumping around like a box of frogs. “It looks like I need to catch up with your work situation...?”

  “Short version? I needed more hands and found a successful events company that was closing because the owner was retiring. We came to an agreement. I got his staff and contracts, and he gets an ongoing commission and retirement income.”

  “You’re bloody incredible.” Will pulls me to him and kisses me dizzy, until the lift pings and staff start to arrive for the day.

  “You want to meet everyone?” I ask him, struggling for air.

  “Of course, baby. I need to know who’s working with my future wife.” Will is cool as a cucumber, and I’m all hot and bothered. Fuck these stupid fucking hormones! “You catch your breath. I’m going to say hi.” He flashes me a mischievous, knowing smile and strides
out of the door. I grab onto the desk and lean over, opening my chest and slowing my breathing. I need to not be flushed and flustered when I go and greet an office full of people today.

  When I emerge into the communal area, I can feel the atmosphere. It’s thick and heavy. Expectant. I glance up, and Will is perched on a desk with a gaggle of women eating out of the palm of his hand. My eyes narrow.

  “Morning, everyone!” I call brightly, and get only some people’s attention. Those who are capable of looking my way. Will stands and saunters over to me, all eyes on us now. “So, what’s new?” I ask, trying to focus on work. Will stands right in front of me and tips my chin up.

  “Baby?”

  “Huh?”

  “How come these good people don’t know we’re getting married? Aren’t they event organisers?” What? Why would they...? He’s teasing me. “Alyssa here...” He jerks his head towards the general direction of her desk. “She’s an expert on weddings. She told me.”

  “Aha.”

  “So, maybe she and I could discuss it?”

  “Umm... okay?” Will’s smile is luminous when he seals his lips on mine and dips me backwards. He stands me straight, fast.

  “Is it...?” I’ve come to recognise that anxious look in his eyes. He’s worried about the baby. Again.

  “Fine,” I whisper and push up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips lightly. And realise everyone is still watching.

  “Good. Continue.” He pulls out a chair for me and indicates I should sit. Then he drags over another chair beside it for himself. His hand rests on my knee as he relaxes back in his chair and looks around expectantly.

  “So.” I clear my throat. “Shall we have a quick run-through? How’s everything going?”

  I try to listen as everyone summarises their client lists and progress, but crap! It would really help if Will wasn’t touching me. If his fingers weren’t circling over the underside of my knee. Even through the jeans. I shift and cross my legs the other way. His hand slips higher, and I yelp and cross them the other way again.

  I grab his hand and hold it tight at my side, making him chuckle. He leans in and speaks quietly right into my ear. “Concentrate, Eva.”

  “I would if you’d stop!” I hiss.

  “...And the team builder is at ten thirty today, so...” Alyssa adds to whatever the hell else she just said. Her cheeks are as red as a phone box.

  “I love how sensitive your body is. All of it.” I splutter, and Will sits back in his chair, a smug grin on his face. “Sounds like you have a busy day, baby. I’ll let you get on. Do you want some tea before your nine o’clock?”

  “My nine o’clock...?” My bewildered eyes search his mischievous blues.

  “The catch-up with Glenn? Whoever he is.”

  “Right. My...Glenn.” I swallow hard and nod. “Yes. Glenn. The guy who retired...”

  “I’ll get the tea.” He kisses me soundly before he strides out, towards the rooftop terrace.

  “Bloody hell,” I wail and fall back in my chair. I look up at the faces turned my way and clear my throat. “So, that’s Will. My fiancé. He’s...Christ, I don’t know the word.”

  “Hot?” Someone giggles. I don’t know who.

  “Yep. That. And a lot of other things besides. So...” I push up to my feet with my hands on my thighs. “If there’s nothing else...?” I glance around, and everyone shakes their heads. “Great. I’ll be in my off...”

  I almost jump out of my skin when someone yells my name. It sounds wrong. Too urgent. “Eva!” I look over to the door and see Gary rushing through it. Davey catches him and pulls him back by his shirt.

  Oh! Crap!

  Not at work, please!

  “Sweets, please! I’m sorry. Just give me five minutes. Please!” he yells, struggling against Davey’s grasp.

  “It’s your call, Blue. You want to talk to him or not?” I look in Gary’s desperate, sad eyes and I want to make the pain go away for him... but I can’t. I can’t do it.

  I shake my head and Davey jerks him hard, slamming him back into a wall. I turn away, unable to watch a moment longer, and Gary wails something I don’t understand. My feet freeze, just for a second, before I walk as fast as I can (without running) to my office. And then realise Will is about to come this way.

  Shit! I don’t want him to see Gary. I spin around on the threshold and gasp. Will and Gary are locked together. Not fighting. Hugging.

  Gary is almost in tears, and Will is...trying to comfort him. What the hell happened here?

  It doesn’t matter. I... it doesn’t matter. Will glances up when he feels my eyes. His face is so sad it’s torturous. I look away, shaking my head and wondering how the hell this happened.

  Oh, yes. Lies. That’s how.

  Davey jogs towards me, all eyes watching his progress. Welcome to the spectacle that is my life. Enjoy the fucking show, people!

  “Blue?”

  “Two minutes. That’s it.” He nods and whistles to Gary and Will, as I walk on wobbly legs to my desk and sit before I fall.

  Gary charges through the door within seconds, and then stops dead, just over the threshold.

  “Eva...” he begins. And then runs at me.

  “Stop!” I hold both my hands up, pushing my chair further away from him. He freezes as though I pressed pause. “Don’t. Don’t...touch me. Just tell me why you’re here.” I’m aware Davey and Will are hovering, just outside the door, but I keep my attention on Gary.

  “I’m sorry. Eva...Sweets...I’m really fucking sorry.”

  “I know. I know that you are...but...” I shake my head, trying to find the words. “It’s just too soon.” My voice is trembling.

  He searches my eyes and then drops his head. He nods. “Bells...she wanted to come...”

  “No.” I shake my head firmly when he looks up at me. “I get it. I understand why and how it happened...but...you should have known better, Gary. So should Bells. I can’t... I won’t...do this again. Not ever.”

  “Dan,” he whispers, and I see the light of understanding dawn.

  “Yeah. Dan.”

  “But...Will said...”

  “Will is different. He didn’t know better. He has never experienced better. His whole life, betrayal...it’s just what happens in his world. He built a business from it, because it was so bloody normal for him. People screw him over and leave him to deal with it. You did. You did know better...and I love him. Whether I want to or not, I’ll love him for the rest of my life. But I don’t need you. And I don’t need anyone else.”

  I see the hurt my words have caused, and I’m sorry. I am, but they’re also true. After everything with Dan, I won’t ever explain to people who should know better what I am and am not capable of.

  “So...maybe after you’ve had some time...we could talk?”

  “Maybe.” He nods once and turns to leave, his head hanging low with one hand curled around the opposite forearm across his midsection. I watch Davey pat Gary’s shoulder as he walks past him. Davey gives me a look I don’t understand, before he follows Gary out, and Will walks towards me.

  I press my lips together, my breathing shaky as tears fill my eyes, and I watch his cautious progress. He quickens his step and Will pulls me to his chest, stroking my hair and kissing the side of my face, again and again, until I’m calm.

  “These people are going to think they’re working for a bloody nut job!” I hiccup as I wipe my eyes. Will steps back and brushes my hair from my face, tucking it behind my ears as he speaks softly.

  “But if they knew, even part of the story, they’d realise they’re working for the strongest, kindest, most loyal woman in the world.” I give him a watery half smile and sit when he guides me back to the chair. “Do you want me to stay?”

  “No. I’m okay. You go do you.” He frowns but nods, worrying his lip.

  “Hold on, I left your tea somewhere.”

  “Thank you,” I tell him a minute later when he returns with the cup, leaves it on my desk and k
isses me goodbye.

  Will calls back to me, all the way in my office, from the front door. “Sweetheart? When is our next scan?” I hear the gasps. He’s doing this on purpose. Git! I fold over, banging my forehead on my desk. “Just let me know later, then?”

  I give him a thumbs up, holding my hand high in the air, without lifting my head, and pray this day will end soon.

  Just before ten thirty, I, along with all the staff, assemble in Scott’s club, now called Bailar.

  Scott gives me a wide, genuine smile that lights up his eyes as I enter. “Wow! You got a tan.”

  “Yep. It’s kind of impossible to avoid with a month in Greek summer sun.”

  “Are you ready to salsa?” I nod, smiling to myself. Oh yeah, I’m ready. “Have you done this before?”

  “Oh...a few times,” I tell him vaguely.

  “Great. Come over here, and we’ll show your guys what they’re going to do today.” I follow Scott to the centre of the dance floor as he introduces himself and two other guys, his in-house salsa instructors, to those that haven’t met him yet, and he runs through the format for the day. “So...Eva? Shall we?” I nod and place my hand in his when he holds it out, and the music starts.

  It doesn’t take more than a few bars for Scott to realise I’ve held out on him. His eyebrows jump. He spins me and raises his dance game to strictly level. “A few times, huh?” He smiles as he places my hand on his waist, spins and picks it up again. “A few hundred?”

  “I wasn’t counting!” I laugh and duck under his arm when he spins me again. He’s pretty good. I bet Will can salsa. I can’t wait to find out. Maybe I should bring him along when the place is open?

  The music fades, and we get a round of applause. “Something like that, then?” Scott laughs, his arm still around my waist. “Did you want to teach some?” he asks.

  “God no. I’m just here for the dancing.”

  “Aww. And I thought you came to see me,” he teases.

  “Yeah. That too.” I laugh. I really do love to salsa. It’s a guaranteed serotonin booster.