But I didn’t get to finish the sentence because Jesse was there, his lips on mine, pulling me close and whispering he loved me too.
When we came up for air, I pulled back.
‘You do?’
‘Of course I do!’ He laughed.
‘Then why didn’t you bloody say something?’ I whacked him on the arm. It was like a flea biffing a hippo.
‘Because I was shit scared I’d frighten you off!’
He wrapped his arms back around me, pinning mine to my sides to avoid any more flailing. ‘Believe me, I’ve been trying to work out how and when to say it for months.’
‘Months?’
He looked down at me. ‘Months.’
I stepped out of the house entirely happy and feeling so lucky, after everything, that we had found each other. I should have known it was too good to last.
21
A large, shiny four-by-four was hurtling up the driveway, still currently full of potholes, dips and rises. Until all the machinery and deliveries were done with coming to and fro, we’d opted to leave it alone. I didn’t recognise the vehicle but clearly Jesse did.
‘What the fuck is he doing here?’ he growled.
I looked back at him. ‘Who is it?’
Jesse stayed silent, the relaxed posture of moments ago gone, replaced by a tension so visceral, he was practically vibrating. His hands had clenched into fists and his jaw was rigid.
‘Jesse?’ I asked again.
The car had now stopped. The door opened and out stepped Magnus Montagu-Peak.
Now it made sense.
‘Hello, Felicity.’ He sent Jesse a glance and the barest nod of acknowledgement.
‘Magnus? Can I help you?’
‘Yes. I believe we could be a lot of help to each other, actually.’
‘What do you want?’ Jesse’s voice was practically a growl.
Magnus gave him a look, briefly considered ignoring him and perhaps, wisely, sensing it would not be a good plan to antagonise an obviously already angry Jesse, answered.
‘I’ve got a business proposal for Felicity.’
‘She’s not interested.’
‘Jesse.’ I kept my voice low and my temper in check. I absolutely understood why he wanted nothing to do with this man and why he didn’t want me to have anything to do with him either, but it was my place to tell this arsehole exactly what he could do with his proposal, not Jesse’s.
Jesse shot me a look, his face furious and dark.
‘Why is he still even here? You know what he did!’
‘Could we talk about this in private?’ I asked Jesse, my voice low.
Magnus made a show of looking at his watch. ‘Look. I don’t really have time for your lovers’ tiff. Long story short. We’re acquiring a small chain of boutique, extremely high-end luxury hotels in the Indian Ocean area and we’ll obviously be giving them a complete makeover. Caro tells me you’re the best interior designer so that’s what I want.’ He pulled a piece of paper from the dashboard through the open window and handed it to me. ‘I know you may have… reservations.’ He gave Jesse a cold look. ‘But I think this would overcome those. First-class travel, five-star accommodation, all that sort of thing,’ he gave a flick of his hand, ‘would be provided on top of that.’
