Page 112 of The Work Wife

“Here comes the sun to warm you up.” He couldn’t have timed it any better, because at that very moment a thin strip of bright light peaked the edge of the ocean and shot the water with purple and pink.

“It’s so pretty. Do you have it trained or something?” she joked.

“You know I don’t want you to be cold.” He kissed her neck, which was warm. A shiver pulled them apart for a moment.

“I’ve heard the best way to warm someone up is bare skin to bare skin,” she hinted.

Once he made sure everything was secured, he took her below.

He thought seeing the sunrise was the best way to start the day, but he’d been wrong. Making love with Jamie as the ocean swayed them was even better.

* * * *

“How was your trip?” Zane asked as Wes helped Jamie onto the dock in Connecticut later that day. Wes was happy to see the smile on his friend’s face. Marriage certainly agreed with him.

“Smooth. Perfect.”

“Good. How’s the boat?”

“Smooth. Perfect,” he repeated, then leaned in closer so only Zane could hear. “Thanks for leaving the mirrors in the stateroom.”

Zane chuckled and nodded as Kenley walked out, holding a little boy.

“Jamie, this is Zane, his wife, Kenley, and this must be Jasper.” Wes smiled as Kenley passed the baby off to Zane. Wes had never seen Zane so proud of anything. He owned a successful boat restoration business, but it was clear he would give it all up in a second for his family. “This is my wife, Jamie.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jamie said as she reached out to touch the baby’s cheek. “He’s adorable.”

“He’s crawling,” Kenley said with a sigh.

“Heaven help us when he starts walking. I think I may have to build him a cage.” Zane was laughing, but Wes could tell it was a valid concern. No doubt, one every parent had.

A quick flash of envy went through Wes. It wasn’t that he planned to have children. At least not at the moment. Not when his marriage may or may not be classified as real. But Zane had people in his life who would never leave him. He had security and happiness.

Wes wanted that.

Even when Wes had been part of a family, he’d never felt secure and loved the way Zane seemed to be now.

Wes felt something squeeze his hand and looked down to find Jamie’s fingers linked through his. She was there.

She smiled up at him, as if telling him she always would be.

He might have believed in that silent promise, but he was keeping a rather large secret from her. And he didn’t know what would happen when she found out.

He’d wanted to tell her since they got back from Jamaica, but couldn’t. He didn’t want to risk it.

He realized now that he would never have this peace that Zane had until he shared his secrets. He squeezed Jamie’s hand a little tighter, hoping she’d still be there.

* * * *

Jamie enjoyed spending the weekend with Wes’s friends and their son. It was easy to see how happy they were. The way they looked at each other made it clear—even to a stranger—that they were in love.

She looked over at Wes as he set their suitcase on the dock back in Boston and frowned. Something was wrong.

He’d held her at night and smiled and kissed her, but he was tense. She’d seen it when they prepared for large bids, so she knew what it was.

No matter how many times she asked what was wrong, he’d simply said he was fine and offered a tight, unconvincing smile as proof.

“I had a great weekend,” she said as they slid into bed that night.