“I’m not afraid of anything.”
I knew that wasn’t true but I’d let her believe that until she realised otherwise, if she ever did.
“Are you afraid of anything, Mia?”
Mia thought for a moment. “I don’t think so. Something bad happening to people.”
“Which people?” Heidi stole another sweet.
“You lot.” Mia shrugged. “I think they’re going to score again.”
They did, Cassian getting this one, which made him very happy and sent the girls wild.
“He’s going to be in a good mood after this,” Fleur leaned over to me. “Want the girls to have tea with us? I’ll bring them back for bedtime. Give you some alone time.” She jabbed me in the waist and winked, about as subtle as a sign across the sky.
I wasn’t going to say no. Heidi and Mia knew Fleur well, and it meant they’d probably get a trip out in one of Thane’s boats.
“If you’re sure you want four of them with you?”
“I’ve got Finn and Ruby coming over with Elias and Elsie. I don’t think two more will make any difference.”
So when Cas came out of the changing room, he was met only by me.
“Where are the other two?” He frowned, searching for them, as if they were hiding in the blades of grass.
“We have three hours with no small people.”
His expression changed from victorious to deadly. “Really?”
“They’re with Fleur.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
TWENTY-TWO
Cassian
“How quickly can you walk back?”
She shook her head, laughing at me. “You’re acting like you’re desperate.”
I shrugged, realising I was losing most of my dignity. “This is the first time in over a week I have you on your own.”
She shook her head again, looking away but smiling. “You knew what you were getting into. Single mum. Two kids.”
“I know exactly what I’ve signed up for. But three hours on our own shouldn’t be wasted.”
She laughed again, stopping on the coastal path and pulling me back with her hand that was in mine. “I think I need a kiss before I’m ravaged.”
That wasn’t something I was going to argue about. I pulled her into my arms and met her mouth with mine, taking my time to remember how she tasted, how she felt, her softness and strength ever present no matter her mood.
“Feel better now?” The kiss ended, a seagull swooping over us, shouting about something, maybe about our performance.
“Much. Can we walk slower? I mean, really, you only need twenty minutes.” Her eyes danced.
“Twenty minutes when we’re in a rush because one of the girls is awake.” I was not accepting that. “That’s an exception.”
“Really? We’ve had a lot of exceptions then?”
