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  “You look done in,” said Beth, greeting him with a kiss.

  “It’s been a hell of a day. What about you?”

  “Nice and peaceful. I took Ellie to the park then picked up some more clothes for her, she’s growing so fast.”

  Riley smiled down at his daughter asleep in the cot in the corner of the living room. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, apart from his wife. Ellie had his dark hair and Beth’s blue eyes. A perfect combination of them both.

  “Where are the others?”

  “Alfie’s at football practice, Holly’s playing at her friend’s house and Archie’s up in his room.”

  Since Ellie’s birth Archie had been much easier to deal with. He doted on his youngest sister in a way he never had with Holly. He helped out feeding her, playing with her, even changing her nappies. Ellie doted on him too, always ready with a gummy smile for him that brought out real human emotion in his eyes. The happy, loving boy he’d once been had been eradicated after he’d witnessed his dad Alex try to rape his aunt Rachel and then been forced to listen to the sounds of him torturing and beating her. Despite extensive counselling that little boy was long gone. However Ellie’s presence in the house had calmed him right down and his aggression and screaming fits had dwindled away, which was fortunate as he was now a strapping thirteen year old, towering over his peers, taking after his father in build, as did his older brother, Alfie. He was capable of causing someone a lot of damage.

  “You ready for something to eat?” said Beth.

  “Yes please,” he said, kissing her again before following her into the kitchen. “Actually, there was something I wanted to put to you.”

  “Oh yes?” she said, rummaging around in the fridge.

  “I don’t know what you’ll think about it.”

  “About what honey?”

  “Having another child.”

  She straightened up clutching an assortment of vegetables. “Really?”

  He nodded. “I understand if not because that will be five kids but Ellie’s so wonderful, all the kids are…”

  She silenced him with a kiss. “I’ve been thinking the same thing myself.”

  “You have?”

  “It feels like one more will complete our family. I didn’t mention it sooner because I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”

  “How I’d take it?” he smiled, cupping her face. “I’d be over the moon.”

  She let the vegetables drop, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  “When do you want to start trying?” she said.

  “How about right now?” he replied, fiddling with the buttons on her blouse.

  “Archie,” she said, relinquishing her grip on her husband and hastily fastening up the buttons Riley had unfastened. “How long have you been standing there sweetheart?”

  “Long enough,” he replied in his dull, flat monotone. “You’re having another baby?”

  “Well, not yet but we thought we might. What do you think about that?”

  He shrugged. “I’m okay with it but they won’t be as special as Ellie.”

  “She is a very special girl.”

  “I hope this time it’s a boy.”

  “You’d like another brother?”

  “Sure, why not? What’s for tea? I’m starving.”

  “I thought I’d do a lasagne.”

  “Awesome,” he said. “Riley, do you want to play on the X-Box?”

  “Sounds good. Get it warmed up and I’ll be through in a minute.”

  Archie left them to it, disgusted by the sound of them kissing. He peered down at Ellie asleep in her cot. He genuinely loved his little sister. She made him feel all the good feelings he used to experience before his dad had gone mad and he liked it. Maybe another baby would make him feel even more?

  He tried not to glower at Riley as he sat beside him. He’d liked his stepdad once but he’d made his mum send him away to his gran’s. Fair enough, he’d done something naughty but it made him furious about how he’d separated him from his family. His mum was just as bad, she’d been in on it too. He’d respected Riley once, loved him as much as he could love anyone, he was so tough and strong but all that had gone when they’d discarded him like a piece of rubbish. One day he was going to get them back for it but at the moment he was being a good boy. Plus he was looking forward to another baby in the house. For that reason his mum and Riley had bought themselves a bit more time.

  CHAPTER 5

  Mikey and Jules staggered through the door of the cabin rather than walked through it, kissing, Jules pulling off Mikey’s jumper.

  “Don’t you want something to eat first?” he breathed. “I don’t mean like that,” he added when her eyes filled with mischief.

  “Do you actually need a rest after driving for an hour?” she said with a raised eyebrow.

  “Yeah but later,” he replied, kissing her.

  “By the way,” she said as his lips moved to her neck. “I brought my bag of tricks.”

  “Not the French maid’s outfit again?”

  “No,” she sniggered. “I got the impression you didn’t appreciate that.”

  “No I did not. Naturally I assumed you’d be the one wearing it.”

  “What can I say? I find it sexy. Don’t worry, I haven’t brought it. Just a few pairs of handcuffs, a whip and massage oil.”

  “And I brought the whipped cream.”

  “God I love you,” she grinned, pushing him back onto the couch.

  An hour later they were languishing naked and sweaty on the rug before the log fire, which hadn’t been lit as they’d made plenty of their own heat. Mikey thought now was the perfect time to pop the burning question but she kissed him and leapt to her feet. He’d never known anyone with so much energy.

  “I’m starving,” she said, wandering naked into the kitchen.

  He pulled on his boxers and jeans and followed her, his mind only half on her chatter about food as he once again went over the words he’d been rehearsing for days. He patted his left jean’s pocket, the box holding the very expensive engagement ring tucked safely inside.

  “Jules,” he began.

  “What do you fancy?” she said, head in the fridge.

  The sight of her completely naked and bent over drove all the words right out of his head. “You,” he said instead.

  She looked back over her shoulder at him with her trademark grin. “Down boy. I need some fodder before I expend any more energy.”

  “And here’s me thinking you were insatiable.”

  “I am but I’m also in a human body and it needs feeding.” She took out a box of eggs, a slab of cheese, tomatoes and spinach. The woman who kept the cabin clean and aired ensured the kitchen was stocked with everything they could need before they arrived.

  “Aren’t you cold holding that lot?” said Mikey.

  “Yep,” she replied, dumping everything on the kitchen worktop. “I’ll fling on some clothes then I’ll cook us some lunch. The last thing we need is me getting hot fat in a delicate area.”

  He opened his mouth to speak but she wandered out of the room, oblivious. He sighed. Now was not the time.

  Mikey decided to try proposing again that evening, after tea when all the washing up had been done, the fire was lit and they were snuggled up together on the couch with a glass of wine each.

  “I love this cabin,” said Jules contentedly, resting her head on his chest as he stroked her hair. “It’s so cosy and peaceful.”

  “I thought cosy and peaceful would bore you,” he smiled, kissing the top of her head.

  “It would if it was all the time. But we all need some peace now and then.”

  It made Mikey sad to think how little she’d had of that in her life. “Jules,” he began. “There’s something…”

  She leapt to her feet, peace and quiet forgotten. “I haven’t cracked open my bag of tricks yet. We need to take advantage of this, with no kids around to overhear. Come on,” she grinned, racin
g upstairs.

  Mikey sighed and got to his feet. “Maybe if I tie her down I might be able to get a word in edgeways?”

  He entered the bedroom to find her eagerly rummaging through the sports bag that she’d stuffed full of her adult toys. “You do know we’ve only come for one night?” he said.

  “I like to be prepared for all eventualities,” she replied.

  “Wait,” he said, spotting his chance. “Let me pick.”

  “Ooh, you got something in mind?”

  “Actually I do,” he said, producing a pair of handcuffs. “Take off all your clothes and get on the bed.”

  “Yes Boss,” she said, flinging off her clothes, scattering them across the floor and leaping onto the bed, grinning as he cuffed her hands to the bed frame.

  “Now you’re finally pinned down,” he said, perching on the bed beside her. “I can talk to you.”

  “Are you serious? You handcuffed me naked to the bed to talk?”

  “Yes. Now be quiet and let me speak.”

  Her eyes flashed. “This had better be good.”

  “I think you’ll approve,” he said, rummaging in his jean’s pocket. “At least, I hope you will.”

  Her eyes widened when he produced the small black box and opened it to reveal a glittering diamond ring.

  “I love you so much,” he began. “These past two years with you have been amazing and I want many more years with you. So, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

  She gaped at him for so long he was afraid his worst fear had come true and he’d blown it.

  “Yes,” she cried.

  Relief washed over him. It had taken him so long to propose because he’d feared that if she turned him down it would ruin their relationship. But his instinct had urged him to go for it and, as always, his instinct had been spot on. He kissed her, stroking her face. “I can’t believe it. Finally we’re engaged.”

  She lifted her head up off the pillow to kiss him, gaze gentle. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too. Jesus, I don’t think you have any idea how much.”

  “You going to unlock the cuffs so you can put the ring on then?” she said, eyes sparkling.

  Mikey got up off the bed, running his hands over the duvet. “Oh shit, I can’t find the key.”

  “Oh ha bloody ha.”

  “I’m serious babe. It’s not here.”

  “What?”

  “I put it on the edge of the bed, I swear.”

  “Has it fallen on the floor?”

  He crouched to look. “No. Oh crap.”

  “What now?”

  “There’s a small hole in the floor, a knot in the wood’s been damaged,” he replied, peering through the hole to the lounge below. “It’s probably fallen through.”

  “Well go and get it. I’m cold.”

  After wrapping the duvet around her he charged downstairs, cursing himself as the biggest moron who ever walked the planet. He finally manages to pop the question, she says yes and he ends up chaining her to the bed.

  He hunted around the lounge floor for the key but it was nowhere to be found. There was a shed out back. Maybe there was a pair of bolt cutters in there? If not he’d have to call someone to bring a pair over but he wasn’t sure he wanted to explain why they needed bolt cutters on their romantic night away.

  “Found them yet?” said a voice.

  He straightened up to see Jules standing at the bottom of the stairs wrapped in a dressing gown with no sign of the handcuffs.

  “How did you do that?”

  “There hasn’t been a pair of handcuffs made that can contain me.”

  “Thank Christ for that.”

  “You want to go upstairs and put the ring on my finger then?”

  “Too right I do,” he grinned, chasing her up the stairs.

  Amber necked the tequila shot, enjoying the burn of the liquid down her throat. She was at a nightclub in Liverpool with her friend Phoebe, the wife of a small-time gangster from Manchester who Mikey had done a bit of business with. Phoebe was willing to put up with Amber’s moods, snobbishness and whining about Mikey because it meant she got to associate with a Maguire, even if technically she wasn’t one anymore.

  “You want another?” slurred Amber. They’d been drinking for a good couple of hours and it was starting to go to her head.

  “Why not?” said Phoebe cheerfully. Amber was paying for everything so what did it matter? She noticed a tall, handsome man at the bar staring at them. “Hey,” she said, nudging Amber. “He’s looking at you.”

  Amber looked to where she pointed and smiled. “Yeah, he’s a bit fit.”

  “He’s coming over,” said Phoebe excitedly.

  Amber rolled her eyes. “Alright, take it easy.”

  The man stood by their table, staring at Amber. “I just want to say, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Judging by his accent he was a local.

  “Thank you,” she said, twirling an auburn curl around her finger, thinking how handsome he was with his blond hair and twinkling blue eyes. “Would you like to join us?”

  “Love to. Would you mind if my friend joined us too?”

  “Where’s your friend?”

  “Over there,” he said, nodding in the direction of a second attractive man standing at the bar, only he was dark haired and dark eyed.

  “I don’t mind,” grinned Phoebe.

  The blond man sat beside Amber while the dark haired one sat next to Phoebe.

  “I’m Parker,” said the blond man.

  “Amber,” she smiled back.

  “I’ve never seen you here before,” he said, giving her a knee-trembling smile. “If I had I certainly would have remembered.”

  “I’m here most weekends but it’s a busy place.”

  “You’re not from around here?”

  “I’m from Manchester.”

  “I must go to Manchester more often if you’re anything to go by,” he said, leaning in closer. “You take my breath away.”

  Amber preened beneath his compliments. She wished Mikey could hear all this, then he might realise what he’s missing.

  Parker ordered drinks for the four of them from a passing waitress and he monopolised Amber’s company for the rest of the evening while his friend, who she discovered was called Adam, chatted with Phoebe.

  Just as the evening was winding down and people were filtering out of the club, Parker slid his hand under the table and up Amber’s knee. She wondered why he’d taken so long about it but he did seem a little shyer than Adam, who had been snogging Phoebe’s face off for the last twenty minutes.

  “I don’t normally do this,” said Parker coyly. “But I’ve got a room in the hotel next door and I wondered if…”

  He was silenced when she pressed her lips to his. “I’d love to.”

  “Great,” he grinned, looking a little relieved. “I didn’t know whether I should ask, I didn’t want to offend you but I’m having such a good time and the club’s kicking out…”

  “It’s okay, I’m having a good time too.”

  He smiled and took her hand. “Adam?” he called.

  “Hmmm?” said Adam, coming up for air long enough to look at his friend, his lips red from Phoebe’s lipstick.

  “We’re off.”

  A mischievous grin split Adam’s face. “Alright, see you tomorrow.”

  “Night,” Phoebe winked at Amber, who smiled back.

  Phoebe often strayed and Amber wondered why because her husband usually found out about her indiscretions and beat seven bells out of her but it never seemed to stop her, probably because she was usually drunk when it happened. Not that Amber really cared, Phoebe knew the risks but she did it anyway. One day her thug of a husband would go too far and kill her but that wasn’t her problem.

  Amber had stayed in the hotel that Parker took her to a few times, so she knew it to be a nice, classy sort of place, which only put Parker higher in her estimation. If he was staying here he had
money because it certainly wasn’t cheap.

  “Why have you got a hotel room if you’re local?” she said.

  “I live on the other side of the city. It’s easier to spend the night here rather than mess about with a taxi home. Everyone should treat themselves once in a while.”

  “My sentiments exactly.”

  They staggered into the room together, kissing, Parker leading her to the bed while unzipping her dress.

  “Take it easy,” she said when he pushed her back onto the bed.

  “Sorry,” he smiled down at her. “But you drive me wild. I’ll try and go a bit slower.”

  Amber like his furious attentions, it went to show how much he desired her and Amber loved to be desired.

  Slowly he peeled off her underwear, kissing her all over, taking his time, working her up into a frenzy so when he slid his tongue inside her she was coming in seconds.

  “Oh yes,” she cried, hips lifting up off the bed.

  Her eyes slowly rolled open and she reached out to him but he got up off the bed.

  “Where are you going?” she said, sitting up when he walked to the door. “Oy, answer me.”

  “Someone wants to talk to you.”

  “What? Who?” she yelled when he opened the door. Amber yanked the duvet around herself when a tall, elegant figure strode into the room. “Oh shit,” she breathed.

  “Oh shit indeed,” said Katia. She looked to Parker. “Thank you. You’ve done well.”

  “No problem. I enjoyed it,” he said, smirking at Amber.

  “You’ll be paid in full.”

  “Paid?” said Amber. “You bastard,” she shrieked, hurling a pillow at him but it fell short of its target.

  “You are such a prima donna,” said Parker. “No wonder your husband divorced you.”

  “Fuck off,” she yelled back at him.

  Parker just chuckled before leaving, closing the door behind him.

  Katia regarded Amber with cold blue eyes, her gaze so hostile Amber felt slightly sick. It was a relief when Katia smiled, dispelling some of the ice.