“Self-praise is no praise at all, James,” I laugh, taking a bite myself. The flavour bursts on my tongue. “Oh shit… That is good lasagne.” He gives me a smug grin, his arm wrapping around me. I snuggle into him and keep feeding him until the plate is empty.
“Come on, let’s get ready for bed, baby.” I pull gently on his hand, guiding his sleepy body to the bathroom to shower.
We wash each other with soft, gentle strokes, caressing each other with care and soft murmured words, a serene feeling wrapping round us like the steam. I dry him off before myself and notice his eyes looking hooded and sleepy and pull him back to bed.
We slip under the covers, and I move behind him, urging him to lean back against my chest. I stroke his arms, his shoulders, and his chest, soothing him.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
“How do you feel? Was that okay?” I need to know he’s happy, that he enjoyed it, that this is what he wants.
He turns to look up at me and smiles. “I have a whole new appreciation for women,” he laughs. Then his voice softens. “But Iz, it was amazing.” He rests his head back, cuddling closer. “I want to be forever owned by you. It would be my greatest honour and pleasure.”
My eyes well up with unshed tears, relief flooding me at his words. I can’t imagine how it would feel if he’d just shrugged it off, not after how intensely I watched him unravel for me.
“Time for sleep now. Let me hold you.” I wrap my arms around him.
We shift to lie next to each other, and he curls tighter against me, his head resting on my breast, my arms keeping him close. I savour his warmth, his nearness, his devotion. I press a kiss to the top of his head, inhaling the scent of his hair, and our breathing slows together as we drift to sleep.
Yes, Miss
Chapter 47
Isabelle
I awake in a tangle of limbs, the soft hairs on his chest brushing against my back with every sleepy inhale. A distant buzzing draws my attention, and after a few seconds of brain fog, I realise my phone is ringing. I settle back into James’ chest behind me and decide to ignore it. The ringing stops but then instantly restarts. I sigh, finally opening my eyes and braving the morning daylight. I fumble for my phone, my hand accidentally knocking the wine glass from last night, a splash of blood-red wine dripping down the bedside table.
“Shit!” I hiss, jumping up from bed, my feet hitting something hard and cold. A loud clattering sound jars me fully awake. I slip, gripping onto the bedsheets and praying I don’t fall, suddenly remembering the lasagna plates from last night. So much for getting up quietly; I’d make a fucking brilliant cat burglar.
I roll my eyes at myself as James yawns and stretches. My eyes are drawn once again to the broad expanse of his
Alexandra Ravensbrook
chest, his mussed-up hair, and morning stubble, and I smile to myself, once again picturing him from last night and forgetting all about my phone… Until the ringing starts all over again.
Straightening up, I grab my phone and answer, sinking onto the edge of the bed as I peel a sliver of tomato off my foot, grimacing. Jen’s voice is high-pitched and babbling, and I realise I am not awake enough to deal with this level of excitement.
“Jen, shhhhhhhh. Jeez, it’s early! Calm down, start again.” I wince as I take in the wine stain on the carpet and run my fingers through my hair, trying to finger-comb it into something that doesn’t resemble Cousin It from The Addams Family. I hit a few snags and give up, sinking back onto the bed. James rolls over and starts to stroke my hair, shuffling closer to curl up around me.
“We did it, Iz! Well, Emma did. Remember her? She made a formal complaint to the Teaching Regulation Agency, and they’ve been in touch wanting a statement. They want details from anyone else involved. Rebecca is on it; Daniel is suspended!”
My mind scrambles through everything she just said.
“Iz, you there? There’s more! Oh my god, you won’t believe this! I wish I was there to see his face…” Her voice fades as my mind tries to process that this is really happening. We’re finally getting justice for the women
Yes, Miss
Daniel harassed. “Isabelle!” she shouts. “Are you even listening? She came forward! And she kept the baby! She’s consented to DNA if necessary!”
My mind snaps back to Jen’s voice, and I bolt upright, turning to face James, who lays there, his head propped up on one arm, watching me intently. He rolls his hand in a keep-going motion.
“Sorry, Jen, what?”
“The student he threatened, the one he made get a termination. Turns out she lied to him and said she had, but she moved away to get away from him and kept the baby. She came back for a visit and saw the altercation between James and Daniel in the pub. She emailed Rebecca to say she witnessed it and that it was Daniel who started it. Rebecca got in touch, and they got talking.” She stops, her voice sounding so proud and happy, and I smile.
That bastard is getting his comeuppance, but one thing still troubles me.
I manage to hang up on Jen with a promise to call her later and turn to face James. He looks more awake now as he flops back on the bed.
