BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 39

"Daddy! I'm ready to go swimming now, and so is Mummy!" Oliver shouted as he burst into the living room. His wide smile lit up his cherubic face, and he looked every bit like an angel with his armbands snugly fitted on his small arms and a pair of bright blue swimming goggles perched atop his tousled hair.   I couldn't help but smile down at him—my little boy, my world. "Daddy and Uncle Jack need to get our swimming shorts on quickly, buddy, and we'll meet you out there," I replied warmly.

Oliver's eyes sparkled with excitement as he darted back toward the garden where the inflatable pool awaited "Don't go in unless mummy or I are here Oliver, just sit there and wait for me or mummy!" I warned him

"Ok Daddy" he replied to me with excitement but sat on the sunlounger anyway. As I ran to catch up with Jack.

"Since when was I coming to sit in the pool?" Jack asked in mock protest as we made our way toward his bedroom.  "Since now! Come on, chop chop!" I teased while giving him a playful pat on the shoulder. His expression morphed into one of exaggerated dismay—a perfect blend of reluctance and amusement that brought laughter bubbling up within me.  Jack sighed dramatically but couldn't suppress a smirk as we entered his room.

"I suppose being splashed by your enthusiastic offspring isn't too bad," he conceded finally, pulling on his swim trunks while glancing over at me—the easy banter between us always felt familiar.

Moments later we found ourselves outside where Oliver had already plunged into blissful chaos—water flying everywhere as he leaped around

"Watch this!" he yelled before executing what looked more like an awkward cannonball than anything else—his laughter ringing out pure and untainted amid ripples forming around him like magic spells cast into reality.  Suddenly it struck me just how beautiful this simple moment truly was: surrounded by sunshine; immersed in joyous sounds;

But then my gaze drifted toward Winter.  She lay on her lounger, adorned in a bikini that clung to her curves like a second skin. My heart raced as I took in the sight—the way her hair glistened under the sunlight, how her laughter danced through the air, effortlessly captivating me. As ashamed as I was to admit it, she was making me hard just by existing at this moment; she had an allure that pulled at every fibre of my being.

Jack sauntered up to Winter with an easy smile. "Enjoying the weather?" he asked casually.  "I sure am," she replied, flashing him that radiant smile—a smile that made my heart swell with something deeper than mere attraction. This woman right here held my heart and future within her hands without even knowing it.  After weeks filled with chaos—endless filming schedules and late-night rehearsals—and Jimmy's death, it was refreshing to see Winter finally relaxed. We were all together: Oliver playing happily by the pool while we took refuge from our hectic lives for just one glorious afternoon.

"Uncle Jack! Will you jump in and swim with me?" Oliver's voice rang out like music through our little paradise.  I couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm; this was what family life should feel like—joyful moments shared amidst simple pleasures.  "Sure thing, my little guy! Anything for my favourite nephew!" Jack shot back playfully as he walked toward Oliver.

I chuckled softly at his playful spirit. "He's your only nephew," I teased, relishing this familial banter while feeling gratitude wash over me for these moments we shared.  As Jack dove into the pool with Oliver splashing beside him, "Hey buddy," I called out playfully as I approached Oliver on deck. "Where's that ball Grandma brought you?"

  "It's by Mummy!" he exclaimed gleefully, eyes wide with excitement at what seemed like endless possibilities of fun ahead.

Just then Winter's phone rang. She answered quickly but furrowed her brow in confusion—a sign that something wasn't right.

"Hello?"

"Hold on Taylor; I can't make sense of what you're saying." Her tone shifted rapidly from casual enjoyment to concern etched across her features like dark clouds rolling in unexpectedly over clear skies.

"What's wrong?" My voice dropped an octave instinctively as dread crept into my chest when noticing her change in demeanour.

"TAYLOR!" she snapped into the phone now wearing worry-like armour—a stark contrast to her earlier relaxation by the poolside.

"No! I will not! I'm coming now; don't leave the fucking station—and whatever you do... don't go outside!"  With each word spoken through gritted teeth laced with urgency—my gut twisted tighter around itself—I stepped closer towards her until there was no distance left between us.

"No Taylor! You need to stay put; fucking listen!"  She ended abruptly and lowered her phone slowly—the weight of unspoken fears hanging heavily

Her brow furrowed deeply now; worry etched itself into every feature of her face—a stark contrast from moments ago when laughter danced upon them like fireflies at dusk. "Taylor went to pick up a new script this morning and... It sounds like your fire station is being mobbed by paparazzi outside."

"No way am I letting you go there," I declared sternly yet protectively as dread pooled inside me like a leaden weight.

"I have to, Lewis! Just watch Oliver for me please," she pleaded, her voice edged with desperation.

I shook his head vehemently. "I'm going with you! Jack—watch Oliver; don't let him out of your sight. Don't leave him by the pool on his own. Don't let him in the pool on his own." Each word dripped with urgency as if they could somehow shield us from whatever awaited at the station.

"Yes, Dad!" Jack replied mockingly but there was an undertone of seriousness that belied his jest. "Mum is on her way over anyway."  "Yay! That means Grandma can come in the pool with me!" Oliver shouted joyfully from behind us.

"Will Grandma make her special cookies for me?" he asked innocently, eyes sparkling with childhood wonderment.

Our laughter rang through the air like a fragile melody—an oasis amidst rising tension. Even Winter cracked a smile; it was fleeting yet precious against a backdrop painted dark by fear.

"I'm sure if you ask her, Oliver," Jack said knowingly, shooting a wink toward Oliver as if they shared some secret pact—one forged over countless cookie-filled afternoons to get my mum to bake cookies.

"We need to get changed," I muttered reluctantly as we headed toward our rooms.

As I slipped into jeans and an old t-shirt stained with memories of better days, worry gnawed at me from within. What could possibly compel Winter to venture out now? She was usually so cautious when it came to the paparazzi now she was going to be around them willingly.