Читать книгу Destined to Fly - Indigo Bloome - Страница 11

I embrace Alexa as close as I acceptably can in the presence of the children. Martin is driving the limo fast, but within legal limits, to Adam’s penthouse in South Beach, Miami.

Adam is Leo’s brother. He inherited the same wealth as Leo and he is, potentially, Robert’s new boyfriend, based on their recent successful rendezvous in London. I contacted Robert, Alexa’s husband, after we received the letter, informing him that she was at great risk again. He agreed without hesitation to meet us on the East Coast and Adam offered his place as the meeting point given its convenient location and additional security. It also had a helipad if we happened to get hold of Leo in time. So our plans seamlessly fell into place.

I thought it would kill me not to discuss and work out a response to Jurilique’s letter, as per Alexa’s request, but in the end it worked out for the best. We’ve been able to ensure the kids weren’t affected and still enjoyed their holiday, and I’ve been able to make arrangements during the evening when Alexa has been asleep. If she thinks for one second I would let that bitch lay another finger on her, she can’t know me as well as I thought.

After pulling a few medical strings, I’ve been able to access Elizabeth’s medical records from when she was in hospital with appendicitis two years ago. It appears that she has type A blood rather than type AB like Alexa, so it is impossible for her to have the same unique allele, or alternative gene, that we discovered Alexa has during the experimentation process, which is something of a relief. But that’s assuming that this type of anomaly is genetic, rather than, say, being triggered by some specific medical condition or reaction … that would be highly irregular, though everything about Alexa’s blood is unusual to say the least. From the tests we have done to date, her particular anomaly only appears to relate to XX chromosomes, not XY, thereby specifically impacting females. If this finding proves to be true, there is then no need to test Jordan’s blood, and we could confirm that the children are of absolutely no value to Xsade, or anyone else for that matter. I haven’t wanted to bring it up with Alexa until we know for sure. Given that she wasn’t keen on the idea of testing the kids in the first place, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie, not wanting to upset her further given everything she is going through.

This may be good news for the kids, but from my perspective, this knowledge puts Alexa at significantly greater risk because she appears to be one of a kind, at this stage anyway. I also know that, once a company such as Xsade discovers what we know of the composition of Alexa’s blood, they would keep her in their facilities as a human laboratory rat until they extract every last detail about her to fulfil their research requirements. Who knows if she’d ever see the light of day again?

I know I’m a dominant presence in Alexa’s life, but I also know I’ll need more than a strong hand and weighted odds to be able to convince her of our plan. She must be made to understand that under no circumstances will I ever submit her to personal risk and danger. Thankfully, I will have a few people on my side before we embark on such a discussion.

Finally, we arrive at South Beach. I open the car window hoping that the crystal-clear sky and the smell of the ocean spray will lighten her mood, but it is clear to me that this change of plans has heightened her anxiety, maybe even sparking anger. Nothing I haven’t handled before, just the circumstances are now more extreme.

We stall at a boom gate before security allows us entry and we descend into the darkness of the garage. A security team surrounds us as we pull in to park and Martin turns off the engine with a relieved look on his face that I register through the rear-view mirror. A bystander would have to conclude that our arrival, surrounded by such heavy security, indicates fame, politics or the filthy rich! Alexa takes a deep breath before allowing me to escort her out of the car. She indicates for the children to stay behind in the car and promptly shuts the door on them.

‘Jeremy, tell me what the hell is going on here?’

She is seething, not a good start.

‘We can talk about it in the apartment, AB. Not here.’ I shift her aside and quickly open the car door. ‘Come on, kids, you can hop out now. I have a surprise for you upstairs.’

I help them shuffle out of the limo, more to avoid her death stare than anything else and we make our way to the lift. If we weren’t in Miami, I would swear I’d been frostbitten by the icy atmosphere.

Martin enters a convoluted code and the lift finally begins to ascend. When the elevator doors open, even I’m taken aback at where we find ourselves. It’s a penthouse suite that looks out toward the aquamarine waters of Biscayne Bay and the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

I’m temporarily distracted by the view as the kids rush past calling out, ‘Daddy, Daddy’, and then I notice that both Adam and Robert are standing by the mirrored bar in the centre of the room. While they are in the midst of hugs and introductions, I turn to Alexa, whose face has gone from furious red to deathly pale and for a moment I don’t know quite what to think. She appears to have gone into shock so I gently guide her to the lounge, sit her down and fetch her a glass of mineral water in between greeting the men.

It has been a while since I’ve seen Adam but I’ve known him for almost as long as I’ve known Leo, and that’s well over a decade. He isn’t as tall as his older brother and has a stockier build, but he has the same light brown hair and blue eyes and seems as friendly and outgoing as ever.

Robert looks simultaneously relaxed and nervous, which I suppose would be the case when your children first meet your ‘new man’. It’s weird to think that they need to go through what we’ve just been through with the kids. Everyone has appeared pretty adaptable to date so hopefully that will continue.

It has taken the children all of two minutes to notice the swimming pool just beyond the sliding glass doors so now they are hassling Alexa for a swim. ‘Please, Mummy, please. Can we? We’ve got our swimmers in our luggage. Can we?’

I’m not sure whether she is going to faint or be furious, which is strange because she is usually so easy for me to read, but then again, I’m still adapting to the ‘mother’ version of Alexa.

‘Why don’t you ask your father? He seems to have more of an idea about what is going on than me,’ she responds quietly and I swallow my discomfort at her words, knowing that our change in plans has hit her hard.

The kids take her words in their stride and merely bounce back to Robert. ‘Go on, dad, please, can we?’

He looks toward Adam, who shrugs. ‘Sounds like a great idea to me.’ He picks up the intercom and asks for the luggage to be brought up. Robert walks over to Alexa and affectionately squeezes her shoulder; she doesn’t respond.

‘How about we leave you two alone for a bit?’ He glances cautiously at me. ‘I’ll get the kids organised. We can talk later.’ He gives me a very blokey ‘good luck, mate, she’s all yours’ look before bunching Elizabeth and Jordan up in each arm. ‘This way, kids. Let’s take a look around.’

Martin remains stationed at the lift doors looking nonchalant.

I walk over to AB and kneel down before her so we are at eye level. She is sitting still though shivering and deathly white. ‘Please, have a drink of water. You need some colour back.’

She eventually swallows a little as I bring the glass to her lips. The last time I knelt before her like this was at the InterContinental when I asked her if she would spend the weekend with me. God, what am I asking her to do now? Is it any better? Shit. She might hate me forever.

‘Alexandra …’

‘Don’t you dare “Alexandra” me, Jeremy.’ Her voice is low and lethal. ‘What the hell have you done?’

‘We are meeting here to work out the next step.’

‘Next step! My next step is perfectly clear and has been since I received the letter. I am giving the Witch what she wants so she will leave us alone. That is my next step, J.’

‘Well, unfortunately, I beg to differ.’

‘You can beg to differ all you want but that’s what I’m doing.’ She gets up off the lounge and strides over to the lift where Martin is standing and attempts to press the button. I’m not sure whether she truly expects that she can leave, or is just proving a point to herself. Martin blocks her, knowing that she is not to leave the apartment without my express consent. ‘Martin, please?’

He shakes his head but remains resolute. ‘Sorry.’

‘There are other options, sweetheart. Honestly, we can get through this without her blackmailing you.’

My words and Martin’s actions seem to break something within her as she spins around and lashes out toward me, her small fists pounding against my chest. ‘Don’t you understand, there are no other options.’

I hold her against me as her bravery dissolves and she bursts into tears, knowing she is fighting an invisible fight, shadow boxing. A fight that we know we can’t both win. I’d do anything for her not to be going through this anguish, not to experience the pain she is being forced to experience. It’s hurting both of us and I vow that Jurilique will pay for putting her through this nightmare. I lower her body back onto the lounge, still holding her tight.

‘You must understand that you are not alone in this,’ I say with the same level of intensity, and add with conviction, ‘I will not allow you to hand yourself over to that evil woman, Alexa, under any circumstances. As I said before, it will be over my dead body.’

‘God, Jeremy, please … you can’t … The kids … the risk … you have to let me go, you must. I survived once, I’ll survive again.’

Oh god, this is almost killing me, just as it is breaking her. She is so distraught, so fragile.

‘I don’t think you understand me, sweetheart. I’ve lost you to her once. I will never allow that to occur again. I’m sorry it has to be like this, but it is the only way.’

Her sobbing reaches new heights causing the pain in my chest to intensify as if I’m being stabbed. Her face looks as if she is experiencing the exact same sensation. This is the first time she has reacted this way since receiving the letter, almost as if she is finally giving herself permission to express the distress she must be feeling, knowing the kids now have their father around. She has experienced a watershed, something has broken in her.

I hadn’t realised she was keeping herself together to that degree for them, but of course she would. That’s what a mother would do, wouldn’t she? Anything to protect her children, and there is no doubt Alexa is a formidable lioness. I’m not a parent but I imagine I’d be exactly the same.

‘I must … I have to …’ Her words are muffled as she sobs hard into my chest and all I can do is hold her for as long as it takes. Forever, hopefully. She is the love of my life and I know she won’t be leaving this building until we have worked out a way forward that doesn’t involve her returning to Xsade and walking back into the hands of that psychopath. Even if she hates me for it.

I’m not sure how long we’ve been entwined in each other’s arms on the lounge by the time Adam deposits two cups of green tea on the coffee table. The kids are squealing in delight in the pool with Robert, and poor Alexa looks like she has been put through an emotional wringer.

‘Hi, I’m Adam.’ He stretches out his hand to Alexa as a way of introduction. I feel a little guilty that this hasn’t already happened; it is his place, though these are unusual circumstances and I’m sure he’ll understand.

She quickly wipes her eyes, her natural politeness kicking in. ‘Hi, I’m Alexa. I’m so sorry about this mess.’

‘Not at all. Thanks for sharing your man with me,’ he responds with a cheeky wink. God, could this be any more awkward? Much to my surprise, his acknowledgement makes Alexa smile for the first time in ages.

‘My pleasure, Adam. I hope you are enjoying each other.’ She too, gives him a wink with her puffy, tear-stained eyes. This may not be too bad after all, what a relief.

‘Would you like me to show you to your room? I thought you might like to freshen up.’

‘That bad, hey? Jeez, what a first impression.’ She smiles weakly at him. What is it about gay men and their ability to connect with women? At least she is smiling, that’s more than I could achieve. I keep my arm around her as he shows us to our room.

‘How long are you expecting us to be here, Adam?’ Even in the state she is in, she doesn’t miss the opportunity to ask him, not me, in the hope of eliciting some answers.

‘That is entirely up to you, my friend.’ Good answer. He shows us to our suite and indicates the fresh towels. ‘Mi casa, su casa. Don’t rush, I’ll be out bonding with the kids.’ With those words he closes the door behind him and leaves us with our green tea, our luggage and each other.

She looks exhausted, overcome. ‘Please tell me, what are we doing here, Jeremy?’

‘I’m sorry you’re not happy about this, sweetheart, honestly I am.’ I smooth a few strands of hair away from her accusing eyes. She no longer has the resolve to keep me at a distance. ‘We need to make some informed decisions about what is best for you and your children and we can’t do that without Robert’s input.’

‘And Adam?’

‘It looks like he’s as much a part of his life as I am yours, my love.’

‘Great. Anyone else you think should be involved? Do you have my parents’ number?’ she adds sarcastically.

‘You know I wouldn’t do that without your knowledge, but there is someone else …’ I trail off, not knowing whether now is the best time to mention it.

‘Oh god, who?’

‘It looks like Moira has located Leo —’

‘Leo is coming here?’

‘Sometime in the next 24 hours.’

‘I don’t believe this!’

‘We are here to help, and we will get through this together.’ I go over to place my hands on her shoulders and this time she does have the energy to brush me off. This is not good.

‘I need some time alone, J, to thinks things through.’

‘We are all here to support you, Alex.’

She glares at me. ‘Support me in every way except in what I have decided. Yes, believe me, your support is loud and clear — everything on your terms.’

‘You’re not going to do anything rash, are you?’ I suddenly can’t keep the concern for her welfare from my voice.

‘Can I get out of this apartment without your assistance, or approval?’ she asks acerbically.

‘Well, no. Not unless you decided to abseil from the balcony.’

‘Exactly, just as I thought. Another ambush and I’m trapped. Again. Well then, no, I won’t do anything rash just yet. I need to think. I’m going to have a shower in an attempt to clear my head.’

I feel terrible. She has been hurled into the unknown one too many times since she met up with me. I’m not even sure how much more she can take. She’s strong, but the circumstances she has found herself in since our weekend together would be sure to break a weaker person.

‘Okay. Good.’ I try to remain calm but I’m not sure the panic I’m feeling on the inside is completely masked. If she were to do anything that involved self-harm … I can’t think like that! It must be old ghosts haunting me and bringing out past fears from being unable to save my own brother. But I know extreme circumstances can create irrational behaviour … No, she’s not like that, it’s not in her psyche. ‘Can I get you anything before I leave you alone?’ I ask gently, concern catching my voice.

‘Nothing just yet.’

Thank god, she finally softens and holds my hand, kissing the back of my hand to let me know there is still hope for us, even though there is pain.

‘Don’t take too long though. You know I start to twitch convulsively when I can’t lay my eyes on you.’

A tired laugh escapes her. I return a kiss on her hand and leave her in peace, at least for a little while.

I join the others poolside where Adam is entertaining the kids with some form of water volleyball. I kick off my loafers and join Robert, dangling my legs in the water.

‘How is she?’ he asks.

‘Pretty pissed off at me bringing her here, but I know she never holds a grudge for too long.’

‘Yes, thank god for that.’ We both laugh empty laughs, recognising our shared knowledge of Alexa’s personality.

‘How serious is it, Jeremy? How much danger is she in?’

‘I’m not going to lie to you, Robert, it’s very serious and she is in real danger. They seem to know our every move. We received another threat this morning before we came here.’

‘Shit, really? She’s not considering going, is she?’

‘She believes it’s the only way the kids will be safe. She’s not willing to risk anything when it comes to them.’

‘I can understand that. But they need their mother. I’m not willing for her to risk anything for that arsehole company.’

‘I know, that’s why I need your help to convince her that it’s not an option you’re willing to sanction on the kids’ behalf. Based on what we already know, the children are of no value to Xsade, only Alexa.’

‘Can’t she just send some of her blood to them and be done with it?’

‘I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately, having conducted their own experiments on her and having hacked into our systems they’re aware that, given certain scenarios, very specific hormones are released into her blood. So they need both her body and her blood to discover what we know.’ I decide not to mention any of the healing characteristics; the fewer people who know that the better.

‘Well, we just have to come up with another way. We need to keep her safe. Even though I’m not married to her any more, Jeremy, she still means the world to me and our kids. I couldn’t bear for anything to happen to her.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it. We just need to convince her of the same thing.’

‘You do know how stubborn she can be?’

‘Why do you think I’ve called for reinforcements? I’d never be able to do this alone.’ We share knowing yet concerned smiles.

‘Well, we’ll do whatever we can to keep her and the kids safe.’

‘Thanks, Robert, I really appreciate your help. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask, how was London?’

‘Let’s just say it was like a homecoming in every possible way,’ he says with a smile that reveals his joy in the decisions he has recently made in his life.

‘That’s great, I’m really pleased for you.’

Pleased for his happiness though still unsure of my own, I lift myself up to go and check on Alexa, when he says, ‘Now we just need to get this mess sorted and everything will be perfect.’

I look down at him hoping his words are true. ‘Absolutely, that’s the plan.’

On my way back to our room, I remember I haven’t checked in with Martin regarding the envelope that woman was trying to hand to Alex and backtrack to the lift.

‘Hey, Martin, have you opened it yet?’

He nods. ‘It states that sending her blood alone is an unacceptable proposition and outlines exactly when and where she should be in seven days time before their “campaign” begins.’ He hands me the note.

‘Fuck.’ I automatically rub my hands through my hair after having scanned the words.

‘I know. It’s not good.’

‘What’s not good? Why are you swearing, J?’ Alexa’s voice startles me.

‘Oh, sweetheart, there you are. I was just coming in to check on you.’ Her wet hair is slicked back and she is wearing a white cotton robe tied around her waist. Could her timing have been any worse?

‘What’s happened?’ She immediately notices the note between my fingers. I anxiously look at Martin, not wanting to hand it over.

‘Jeremy, please, don’t insult me.’

‘I would never insult you, just promise me you will never go to Jurilique, ever, and it’s yours.’ I can only hope.

‘You know I will never do that. Give me the damn note.’ Her voice indicates that she is not to be messed with. There is absolutely no playfulness left, so I reluctantly hand it over.

She reads it and abruptly collapses to the floor in a crumpled heap as if her legs can no longer bear the terrible weight she carries. She rips the note to shreds as if it is poison in her hands and her entire body starts trembling. ‘What am I going to do? She’ll never leave me alone. Unless we find her, she will find me. We know that’s the truth. She probably knows exactly where I am right now, even after your surprise detour. I can’t take any more of this, I just can’t. I’m captive here and I’ll be captive there. There’s no way out, no end in sight.’

There is nothing I despise more in myself than being at a complete loss for words or unable to take action. Unfortunately, that is exactly how I feel at this precise moment … utterly redundant. Moments pass as we wonder what will happen next. I don’t know what to say or how to console her.

Fortunately, Robert walks back inside leaving the kids outside drying themselves with their towels. Alexa looks up at his face and suddenly kicks into gear in a way that shocks us all.

‘Right, if you want to know how to support me in the short-term, this is how. Robert, you’re on kid duty as the responsible parent for the next twenty-four hours. Jeremy, I need a drink and make it strong. I need to feel numb for a while.’

Robert and I both try to speak at the same time before her words and strengthened voice override ours. ‘I don’t ask for much and this is what I’m asking.’ She then adds in the same clear, firm voice. ‘I’m deadly serious. I need a drink. Now.’

Okay, clearly we have reached breaking point. Robert and I look at each other and nod, knowing full well that if we were in her shoes, we would have demanded exactly the same thing days ago.

Adam appears, suggesting that we make our way up the spiral stairs to the sun deck and he’ll bring up some drinks. I nod in agreement and attempt to dislodge Alexa from her seated position on the floor surrounded by the scraps of scattered white paper. She appears to have gone back into shock.

Eventually, realising she is incapable of moving herself, I pick her up in my arms and carry her upstairs away from the children and deposit her on a comfortable sun lounge with a view as far-reaching as the eye can see. She has her swimmers on under her robe. She must have been going out to join the kids.

I’d go down and fetch a hat but I don’t want to leave her in this state so high up, given the nothingness in her face. This whole situation has finally taken its toll, become too much. I think back to being at my hotel, One Aldwych in London, just after she had been abducted. All I wanted was a drink to numb the pain. How can I condemn her for wanting the same thing? Her body is immobile so I gently push her head back and stretch out her legs so she is fully relaxed on the lounge, as I wait anxiously in the silent breeze for Adam.

Finally, he arrives with two Long Island Iced Teas. I raise my eyebrows, questioning his choice.

‘Well, she did say strong. Here’s the intercom if you need anything else.’

I thank him for the drinks and wave one in front of AB’s face to get her attention.

‘Your drink, m’lady,’ I try to say as light-heartedly as possible. She finally comes out of her trance and takes hold of the long glass, rips the straw out along with the umbrella Adam has decorated it with, and gulps it down. This could get very messy, very fast. She draws breath only to repeat her action, downing three-quarters of the drink in record time. I have to physically prevent myself from stopping her by removing my added extras and taking a sip as well. Finally, she makes eye contact.

‘This is good.’ And polishes off the rest. ‘I’d like another.’ She looks directly at mine and I deliberately take a huge mouthful before handing it over. Bloody hell, it’s strong even for me.

‘Promise me, you’ll at least try to sip it?’ I add hopefully but to no avail.

After about ten minutes of silence between us, with me anxiously awaiting her next move, she finally speaks. ‘Ah, that feels so much better.’ She picks up the intercom. ‘Hi, Adam, that was perfect. Would you mind making another just like it? Excellent, thanks.’ I can tell by the look on her face that she is enjoying my reaction to her shenanigans. ‘What a great guy Adam is, don’t you think?’

‘Yeah, he is. Looks like you two will get along just fine.’

‘Don’t look so disheartened, Jeremy, I’m meant to be the one feeling that and for the next few hours I just want to forget about everything. Otherwise my brain and heart may implode. Can you do that for me?’

She discards her robe and I’m left with the breathtaking vision of her curvaceous body in a retro, red halter-neck bikini, soaking up the sun. For someone under so much stress, she looks stunningly gorgeous. If anything, having kids has given her body more shape and her breasts look sensational. I can’t believe my dick instantly springs to life. I feel like a teenager with the impact she has on me.

‘Yes, I will always do anything for you, sweetheart.’

She scoffs. ‘Only if it is aligned with what you want.’

‘And you know that what I want is always what is best for you.’ I kiss the top of her forehead. ‘I’m just going to get your hat, sunglasses and your next round of beverages. Stay put.’

‘Where else could I go?’

When I return with a tray holding the drinks, some Lebanese bread, tzatziki dip and sunscreen, Alexa is nowhere to be seen. Her robe is still on the sun lounge, but she has vanished. I slam down the tray on the side table and quickly scan the area. Shit, please no. Not again. My stomach goes into free fall. I have been gone less than five minutes. I race around the structure where the stairs come up from the apartment, then to the other side, my heart pounding in fear.

Nothing. No one. I run to the edge of the balustrade and look below, hoping, knowing she would never jump. It’s not in her nature. I scan the sky with the fleeting thought that maybe a helicopter has scooped her away, not that I heard any noise. Oh, god, no. Please, this can’t be happening again.

Then suddenly I feel her fingers pinch my butt and I turn around in a frenzy to grab hold of her with all my life, sheer relief mixed with angst and anger at her antics. She tries to run, but I capture her around her waist and haul her over my shoulder.

‘Never — do — that — to — me — again!’ I slap her butt on each word, and she is screaming and laughing as I unceremoniously dump her beautiful body back on the sun lounge. ‘I swear to god, Alexa. You just about gave me a heart attack.’

She’s laughing uncontrollably now; once she starts, she always finds it hard to stop. Still beside myself with fear, adrenaline surging through my veins, I quickly pick up the tie from around her robe and deftly wrap it around her wrists, tying each of her hands to the side of the lounge.

‘What … what are you doing? You … can’t …’ She staggers between her hysterics, laughing so much she has no hope of preventing my actions. I ensure they won’t loosen.

‘This way, at least I know you will stay put.’ Much better, I think to myself. She looks so sexy restrained to the sun lounge in her bikini. Now that I know she is safe, I’m pleased that she has had a good belly laugh.

‘Jeremy, please untie me.’ She’s still laughing at my reaction. ‘Anyone could come up.’

‘After having you vanish on me like that, I don’t care what they think. You know I’ll go to any extreme to keep you safe. After that behaviour, how can I trust you not to disappear again? Besides, everyone just left for an early dinner, so I’m afraid there is no reason whatsoever to untie you.’

Finally, she is able to get her breathing under control. She tests her restraints. ‘Honestly, you know this is not necessary. Release me.’

‘Never. You just about scared me to death.’

‘But I can barely move.’ She struggles again.

‘Exactly, sweetheart, that’s my intention and it gives me great peace of mind. More than I’ve had for days, actually.’ I allow a smile onto my face.

My innuendo is impossible for her to ignore. I place her sunglasses over her eyes and the hat on her head. I can’t resist kissing her lips while I’m in the vicinity, knowing there’s physically not much she can do to resist me.

‘Well, could I at least have my drink please?’

‘Are you going to apologise?’ I hold the drink up toward her face.

‘For pinching your butt, never!’ Her cheekiness is contagious.

‘Alexa,’ I admonish, and move the glass away.

‘Okay, I’m sorry, but it was pretty funny.’ Her giggles begin again.

‘You know as well as I do that the word “but” negates everything that comes before it.’

‘Alright, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you, really. I was just having some fun. Can I now have a drink? Please. I shouldn’t have to beg.’

‘It’s so good when you do, though …’ I raise the potent drink to her lips and she takes two quick mouthfuls.

‘It’s nice to see you laugh, AB. It’s been a while.’

‘Yeah, great, I laugh and end up tied to a chair.’

‘But this way, I get to look after you.’ I feed her some bread and dip before taking off my shirt and straddling her trapped body. Her sharp intake of breath confirms she likes what she sees. ‘And do what I want with you.’

I nuzzle my face in between her bountiful breasts before nipping her pert nipples through the fabric of her bikini, which is met with both struggles and squeals of delight. I trail my kisses along her belly before pausing at the top of her bikini bottoms to look up at her face. Her eyes are fused with lust and excitement.

‘God, I love you like this, but to go any further would be indecent.’ Confusion crosses her eyes. ‘We are here to drink. After all, that is what you requested.’

She unconsciously attempts to move her arms toward me, momentarily forgetting they are trapped. ‘Jeremy!’

I shift away from her to pick up the drink and have a sip, and then pass it to her for another few mouthfuls. Her body relaxes back into the lounge, absorbing the feeling of the alcohol.

‘You’re right,’ I say. ‘These are good, aren’t they? You know, our life would be so much easier if you just accepted what I asked of you, knowing it is always in your best interests. Perhaps the easiest option is to just keep you captive myself until all of this passes over.’

She looks at me, assessing my seriousness. If only she knew.

‘No, Jeremy, don’t even joke about it.’

‘Perhaps that is the solution. I’ve been trying to reach a compromise, hoping you would come to your senses and give yourself to me rather than the Witch.’ I take another sip and offer it again to Alexa. ‘So much food for thought. Choice or no choice.’

‘Choice, choice is always better,’ she replies with haste. ‘But she has given me no choice. I can’t protect anyone unless I do this. You must understand. I need you to understand, J.’

‘But you need to understand that I must protect you, and it seems that you have given me no other choice.’

The last thing I want to do is embark on another futile debate with her when she has finally given herself permission to let go and be comfortably numb for a while. So after a quick scan of the environment I confirm that we are atop one of the tallest buildings in SoBe, Miami, hopefully guaranteeing our privacy. It would be such a shame to waste this decadent opportunity.

‘It’s the lack of choice that —’

I ignore her words as I eagerly embark on my sexual mission. Knowing distraction is by far the best strategy at this stage, and with my target being trapped on the lounge, well, let’s just say it’s my best-case scenario under difficult circumstances.

Her cries of protest about choice quickly turn into cries of pleasure as I focus solely on liberating her body and mind and doing what we do best. I can’t deny the sheer joy I receive from having unhindered access to her body. So much joy, that I spread her legs wider to gain greater access to the playground my lips and tongue love to explore. My palms can’t get enough of massaging her sensational breasts now sitting squished together above her bikini top. As my tongue escalates the tension on her sweet spot and I roll her nipples firmly between my finger and thumb, she arches her back and calls out my name. I want her as much as I’ve ever wanted her. I know we’ll never be able to get enough of each other. Her pleasure is my world. She is my world and I’ll never give her up. Ever.

The sexual tension between us is electrifying as I tease her clitoris with my tongue and feel her body tighten against mine, struggling to free her bound wrists. I can feel her conflicted fight for both control and surrender and I cherish that in this moment, I can control it for her. I can give her the release she needs, take away her fears, her apprehension, her hurt, even if it is only for a few moments. I feel her build and I want her to explode with the passion that is so much a part of who she is, who she has allowed herself to become. But not yet.

I establish a smoother rhythm. I want her to ride with me, forcing her to come with me on my terms, terms I know she loves. She is panting, her heart thundering in her chest. I realise how much tension I’ve been holding onto while facing the risk of losing her. I want this control, need it at this juncture of our lives where we seem to have control over little else, so I play with her body as if it is the last time I’ll have access to it. I want her to feel every bit of extreme pleasure pounding through her.

Without pausing I want her to build again, from a higher starting point, until her orgasms cascade over each other so she becomes mindless for as long as possible, so she becomes mine for as long as possible, unresisting and fully surrendering to the needs of her body. I continue my relentless kissing and sucking and playing, and feel her swell. I’m needing to be closer to her than ever before.

Her voice is hoarse. ‘Please, now Jeremy, release me.’ Finally her words concur with her body’s desires.

‘I thought you’d never ask, sweetheart.’ And she gives herself over to her body and to me, exploding in ecstasy as I ignite her clitoris with forceful suction that coincides with my twisting and releasing of her nipples and she screams uncontrollably. I suck up her juices as quickly as they are expelled in the spasms contracting every muscle within her sex.

She is riding uncontrollable waves, they are picking her up and taking her away from the pain and heartache of the real world and I want to give her more, more of this freedom: knowing she can’t deny me access, knowing she won’t say no, knowing she won’t run from me and knowing that we need this more than anything, this physical closeness, this union, our togetherness. I need her to feel raw and pleasured, need her to release herself to me so she understands this is how we are meant to be … never apart, never separated.

I drop my jocks and take her. She is wet and contracting around me. I fasten my mouth over hers so she can taste her own pleasure and consume her from above and below, catching her cries and spilling my own tears on her face. I blanket her body with mine as she spasms with a joy she has no control over, no say in, no choice but to lay beneath me and accept. Passion trembles through her muscles rendering her mind utterly numb, just as she wanted. She is overcome, incapable of words; the only thing left is her shuddering from the aftershocks of her multiple orgasms — for the short term at least.

The passion between us has only intensified over the years, as if our absence from each other served to escalate our sexual urges and lovemaking. Now more than ever, I cannot get enough of the woman I love. If only she granted me the same access to her mind, we could work through this together rather than be at loggerheads with one another.

I pull up my pants then reluctantly draw hers up as well. I release her wrists and snuggle her limp body into mine on the lounge, enjoying the silence and closeness I sense I’ll be granted for a while longer. I can’t help but ponder in the back of my mind how she is going to respond to Leo’s plan. How she reacts remains to be seen and, knowing Alexa as I do, may well be completely beyond the power of any of us to control, even given our best intentions.