My wife. Mine. Every inch of that treasure belongs to me, and not because of the ring on her finger, but because we were meant to be.
She wanted a simple day with no fuss and a plain wedding band. And I gave her it all but took her choice of ring into my own hands. I was certain I did the right thing, though almost confessed to her in the bedroom this morning. For more reason than one, I’m happy we ended up fucking instead. Yes, fucking. Not making love, because even when we’re fucking, we are love. We’re not making it, we justarelove.
Not content to watch and compelled by the sight of her, I make my way out into the sunshine.
‘Mr Phillips.’ Her eyes are soft and warm as I bend to press my lips to hers.
‘Mrs Phillips,’ I return, shooting her a sly smirk and enjoying the colour rise in her cheeks. ‘Have I told you how beautiful you look today?’
‘Oh, not for at least ten minutes,’ she replies, smiling up at me.
‘Well, that’s what happens when you take the bus to escape.’
‘We weren’t escaping, Flynn,’ Sorcha interrupts, as she jumps from the steep step. ‘We were just taking the bus for a joy ride.’
‘And stopping for ice cream, it seems.’ At least, if the chocolaty stain on her pretty dress is any indication. I pretend to point at the stain on the smocked front of her dress, flicking her nose when she looks down.
‘Fl-ynn!’ she complains indignantly. ‘I’m too old for you to play silly tricks on me.’
‘When you get to double digits, then we’ll talk.’
‘What’s a summers day without a little indulgence?’ Paisley interjects, taking her step-daughter by the hand. She shoots us a sly wink over her shoulder as she walks away. Louis trails behind, using a tiny plastic scoop to scrape the remnants of watery ice-cream from the small tub in his hand. It mostly ends up on his little suit.
Man, kids are fucking ace.
‘Do you think she was suggesting we grab a little afternoon delight in the bus?’ As I turn back, I catch Chastity staring down at the diamond band. ‘I did okay?’ I ask hesitantly. ‘If you don’t like it—’
‘I love it,’ she says, placing her slender hand on my arm. ‘And I love the inscription.’Today. Tomorrow. Always.‘But I’m still not shagging you in the bus.’
‘Eh. It was worth a try. You might want to bear it in mind for work, though. A new take on taxi cam shots?’
‘Eww. Just no. That premise is so awful. You can’t afford the cab fare, so you screw the taxi driver instead? There’s nothing very erotic about that. It’s just sad and a little desperate.’
I slide my hand into my pockets, pulling out a handful of change. ‘So I’d better not ask what this would get me?’
Chastity sets off laughing, the flowers woven into her hair moving in the slight breeze.
‘Today has been everything,’ she whispers quite suddenly. ‘I wanted to give you something, too.’
‘So we are getting on the bus?’ I wiggle my brows expectantly as she passes the glass of warming bubbles into my hand.
‘I wanted to do this better but I haven’t had a chance really to prepare. Bear with me. And don’t laugh.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it, love.’
‘Here goes,’ she says, pressing a shell into my hand. ‘I picked this up from the beach the night of Paisley’s wedding.’
‘Okay,’ I answer, rubbing my thumb over the smooth surface as I try to keep my bemusement to myself.
‘That’s something old.’ Something I think might be delight pokes me in the centre of my chest. ‘This is new,’ she begins, pulling from her purse a silver Mont Blanc pen. It’s engraved with my name. ‘It’s for you. It means you don’t have to keep stealing Keir’s. My amusement this time breaks free from my chest in a burst of laughter. ‘You don’t work for him anymore. Stop stealing the office stationery. You’re paying for it, too.’ She pats my cheek indulgently.
‘But it’s fun!’ I protest, kissing her head and inhaling a deep breath of her floral scent.
‘This—’
‘Borrowed, I’ve got it,’ I reply, holding out my hand. But as she pushes up onto her toes again, she kisses me on the mouth. A chaste kiss, but with a little nip of teeth against my bottom lip as she pulls away.A promise of things to come.‘Now remember, that’s borrowed. I want it back.’ She giggles cheekily.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll give it to you all right.’ If I have my way, I’ll be giving it to her all night long.
