She wondered how he would respond to her putting her job first, but his eyes were impossible to read.
There was a short silence, and then, leaning forward, he kissed her gently. ‘Then we’ll be there.’
For a moment she didn’t register his choice of words, and then suddenly she realised what he’d said.
Taking a breath, she said tentatively, ‘I didn’t know you were planning on coming.’
His gaze was steady and unblinking. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for anything.’
And, tugging her body towards him, he lowered his mouth and deepened the kiss.
* * *
The next two days fell into a pattern. They woke early, then made love until the morning light grew bright enough to wake their son. They had their meals on the terrace, swapping between the pool and the beach as the sun rose. Then, after George had gone to sleep, they retreated to Aristo’s bedroom where they stripped one another naked, making love until they fell asleep.
It was the hottest day today, and they had gone to the beach in search of a breeze.
Stretching out her legs, Teddie gazed up at the cloudless sky. ‘I forgot to tell you—Elliot texted me.’
Aristo frowned. ‘Is there a problem?’
He watched as she glanced across to where George was jumping over the tiny waves that were undulating across the pale sand. Her uncomplicated connection with their son was still a source of wonder and joy to him. As was the new easiness between them.
She shook her head. ‘No, it’s good news. Apparently Edward’s invited a whole bunch of his celebrity friends to come to the opening night. There’s a tennis player, some actors, and that singer who sang at the Super Bowl—I can’t remember her name.’
Picking up her hand, Aristo kissed it. ‘It doesn’t matter. They’re going to love you.’
Teddie smiled automatically. But not as much as I love you.
Her heart beat faster as he leaned forward and brushed a few grains of sand from her arm, apparently unmoved by her words.
Unsurprisingly, as they’d been inside her head.
She glanced up at him, and then quickly away. Why was she being so spineless about this? It was the perfect opportunity to tell him the truth, but the words stayed stubbornly in her throat as he laced his fingers with hers.
‘Of course they probably won’t all turn up.’ She smiled.
‘They will. And I’ll be there too,’ he whispered, nuzzling her neck, his warm breath making her pulse jump.
‘Thank you for doing this.’ She gave his hand a quick squeeze. ‘You’ll probably find it insanely dull as you already know all my tricks.’
His eyes gleamed. ‘Not all of them,’ he softly. ‘If last night was anything to go by.’
He had never felt so relaxed. No—not just relaxed, he thought reflectively. He felt liberated. Not only had he won Teddie back, he hadn’t thought about work for days. Of course he was checking his email, once in the morning and once again in the evening, but the project he’d been working towards for years no longer seemed quite as important as the woman sitting beside him and their son.
How could anything compete with getting to know George and sharing his bed with Teddie?
He glanced down at their hands, at the way her fingers were entwined with his. And it wasn’t just about sex. He wanted to hear her laugh, to make her laugh. He wanted to watch her fix her hair into that complicated bun thing that seemed to defy gravity. To hear her mischievous voice as she pretended to be the lonely giraffe in George’s favourite bedtime story.
Four years ago he’d always had a sense that she was holding herself back, and he’d mistakenly assumed it was because she wasn’t committed to him. Now, though, she had admitted the truth about her past. He had gained her trust. And that knowledge was an aphrodisiac more potent than any sexual act.
He looked up as, pulling her hand free, she nipped his arm with her fingers.
‘You’re about to be taken off the guest list,’ she said threateningly, but she was laughing.
He grinned. ‘Wouldn’t matter. It’s your big night. Whatever happens, I’m going to be there in the front row—that’s a promise.’
She leaned against him. ‘I can’t believe it’s happening.’