How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
A successful architect with a promising career in London, Brian's world spins out of control when the man he always saw as a second father betrays him in the most unexpected way.
Left without closur...
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"So, what is it, the thing you wanted to ask me before you go?"
"What do you think?" Wrapping one arm around her, I pull her closer to my chest, to nuzzle against her hair, and leave a long kiss on the top of her head.
After a weekend that completely surpassed my expectations, it's time for me to leave.
But before Olivia drives me back to the airport, I had to bring her to the Magic Fountain. We're sitting on the stone steps next to the cascade, in a quiet corner, away from the flocks of tourists gathered at the foot of the hill.
They all came here to watch the water show. And it's indeed an impressive thing: several moving jets of water rising and falling, hiding before they burst forth again in a spectacular display of colour and light and music, all in sync like a ballet choreography orchestrated to the very last detail.
But I didn't bring her here because of the show, we're here for a totally different reason.
"Olivia," I start tentatively, and she turns her head in the direction of my voice. "Would you take me, this lovely bloke here, to be yours again? I promise to be kind, caring and affectionate... and you promise I get to see you naked, get all hot and wet and pant like a mad woman every day of our lives?"
"God, that was bloody awful," she gasps in feigned shock. "In that case, I have a request too."
"What? You want me to tie you up and spank you a little? That's not exactly my thing, but if you ask nicely, it shouldn't be a problem."
Shaking her head, she presses her lips together smothering a snort of laughter.
"Then what?"
"Would you also vow... you won't come up for air until the moment I don't know if I should moan, cry your name or leave scratches on your back?"
This is why I love her. I just felt a twitch of happiness in my groin.
"That was hot! Too bad we can't put it into practice right away..."
"Deal?" She smiles, a twinkle of mischief flashing in her happy eyes.
"This works fine for me. Orgasm etiquette: ladies first. Always. No problem."
"Deal!" She closes the agreement herself, snuggling closer into my legs, dropping her head back against my chest. "So, this is what you had in mind? To ask me to be your girl again, in the same place where you'd done it before?"
I hum in agreement, rubbing her shoulders.
"The words were rather shitty, I dare say you even did much better last time, but the idea has a lot of potential."
I kiss her temple. "There's something else I need to tell you."
"What?"
"I heard what Kate said the other day. At the wedding. None of that is true."
She glances over her shoulder. "What isn't true?"
"That I've been doing some... travelling. Well, I have. But alone. I haven't been with anyone."
"Oh. So you're hopping onto planes to be with yourself?" Her tone is calm but also holds irony.
"I can't tell you what it is, not yet."
She turns, looking half curious, half scared. "Are you in some sort of trouble?"
"I need you to trust me on this."
"Brian? Please."
"You'll know when the time is right."
She frowns. "Does it have anything to do with your work?"
I remain silent.
"Your family?"
"Just say you'll trust me."
With a frustrated sigh, she nods. I kiss the top of her head and she lets her body relax into mine.
When I hold her tight, it feels like falling home. To the place where you belong, where your memories lie, and your heart is. The warm bed you can't get out of in the morning, the trusting and familiar space where you can be you and everyone knows the unedited version of yourself. Lots of pictures on the wall everyone treasures, countless memories and laughs no one wants to forget.
It's the bench on your parents' back garden. A bunch of kids running amok, driving your sister crazy, but everyone loves them to pieces anyway. It's where you feel relaxed, reading a book with a cup of coffee and Milo snoring at your feet, because the damn dog just loves you without demanding anything in return.
It's warmth on a rainy day. That spot across the threshold where you feel wrapped in a soft blanket in front of the fireplace before you drift off to sleep.
Hopefully now, not alone anymore.
Yes, it's true, the moment I held her in my arms everything clicked back into place.
***
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