Page 15 of This is Where I Leave You

Marcus bolted inside. Cady frowned and shutting the door, turned to him and saw that he had dropped the flowers and striding close to her, he pulled her into his arms. Burrowing his slender fingers into her hair, pulling it free from the loose knot, he grabbed her and kissed her. And kissed, kissed, kissed her. Forcefully, urgently at first and then tenderly and slowly, he explored her mouth passionately, all the time running one hand through her hair and grasping her neck with the other. Cady kissed him back just as urgently and as he moved his hand lower over her body, to grasp her sides tightly, she stopped and broke free from the kiss. Panting, Marcus reached for her hand and rubbing her palm for her thumb, said softly, “I’m sorry, I just had to kiss you. Cady, I know that this is wrong and very, very bad timing, not to mention hideously appropriate, but I have wanted to do that for the longest time, and after the other day, I just had to come back and do it again.”

His eyes crinkled and Cady saw pain etched on his flushed face. He patted his palm over his heart. “You’re in here, Cady, always have been, it’s killing me to see you in so much pain, but this is it. Make or break, as the saying goes, I am here. For you. I expect nothing.”

He looked stricken and dragging his palms against his face, said, “I offer you everything. When and if you want it.”

Cady was still processing his words when she heard the door click behind her, the flowers on the floor the only proof of what had just occurred. The uneventful Friday afternoon nap was not to happen for Cady.

CHAPTER 17

As the taxi pulled away from the restaurant, Georgina placed her handbag on her lap and almost hugged it. She was so happy! Dinner had been amazing, she had had a wonderful time. Ben was not only gorgeous, but also attentive and funny and the conversation had not stopped once. Born in London, Ben had moved to Paris for work five years ago, and now at 35 he was the youngest CEO the company had ever had. He knew his stuff too, it was nice not to have to dumb herself down with him as they talked about their careers. Georgina was used to men eating out of her hands personally and professionally, but normally when she started telling them about the work they had employed her to do, their eyes either glazed over or descended to her chest for the rest of the exchange. Ben however, was interested and seems to understand a bit about IT himself. George had found herself aroused mentally and physically and also, if she had to admit it, he made her a little nervous. Not terrified nervous, but nerve zingingly nervous, excitement fizzing through her body at the proximity of him. It was new, and it did scare her, but like any other drug, she wanted more. And as she sped back to her hotel to get changed to meet him for the evening, she fully intended to enjoy her time in Paris for once. Turning off the independent voice in her head telling her to get a grip, she mentally perused her suitcase for something to wear. Damn, as usual, she had packed for all business all the time. Hmmm, luckily the hotel was a small French boutique one, so with any luck she could pick up something new from there. And maybe even some new perfume. And shoes to match, or course….and she might even pick up some new underwear too….George continued to hug her bag, grinning like an idiot at the prospect her night out presented.

***

Cady was dressed in sweat pants and a baggy pink t-shirt when the doorbell rang. Her hair in a messy loose bun, she blew a wisp away from her eyes and answered the door awkwardly in her rubber gloves. Standing there with a very confused look and a bottle of wine was Luke.

“Er, hiya, did you forget our appointment?”

Cady looked at herself, and then back at her house. She had started a cleaning frenzy, currently the contents of all her cupboards were scattered across the kitchen and the smell of cleaning products was quite pungent.

“Sorry, I did actually, come in.” Cady moved aside for Luke to enter, suddenly very aware that she was dressed as a scruff and had a fine sheen of sweat on her skin. Motioning for Luke to sit on the couch, he smiled and passed her the wine.

“I know it’s late, but happy birthday anyway!”

Cady took the wine. Birthday, what was he talking about?

“Er right, thanks…er, would you like a glass? I just need to have a quick shower if you don’t mind.”

Luke stood up, taking the wine back. “It’s ok, you go, I’ll sort the wine out.”

Cady nodded and dashed upstairs to the bedroom, stripping off her sweats and throwing them into the basket behind her. Grabbing some fresh underwear, she pulled out a pair of jeans and a cute white sweater and dashed to the bathroom, shutting the master bedroom door behind her.

Ten minutes later, she was back downstairs. She felt fresher but suddenly tired. To her surprise, Luke was sat watching TV with a glass of wine in his hand. The scene of him sitting on the couch was oddly familiar and comforting and Cady chose to sit beside him on the couch. Luke, not hearing her come in was startled and nearly dropped his glass.

“Sorry,” Cady chuckled. “Are you o- oh, oh….ouch!”

She was suddenly bent in half on the sofa, sharp pains stabbing her in the stomach. Jesus Christ, this hurt…

Luke hurriedly put his wine down on the coffee table and knelt by her feet.

“Are you ok?”

Cady was scared, and in pain. The baby….

“No I think I need to go to the hospital, I’m four months pregnant.”

Luke had taken her hand by now and his grip suddenly tightened. “You’re what?”

“I’m pregnant! This hurts, can you please get me to a hospital!”

Luke ran for the phone.

“The phone’s dead, there’s no dial tone! Have you got a mobile, I left mine at the office.”

Luke cursed himself for leaving his phone locked in his desk. Truth was, with his ex constantly bothering him with so called ‘work calls,’ he had been jolly well glad to leave it.

Meanwhile, Cady was cursing herself for cutting the phone off her landline and hiding her mobile. It would be flat now, anyway.

“Have you got a car? Can you drive me there?” Cady looked at him imploringly. The pains were shooting up and down her stomach now, making it rock hard. She was tensed up with pain and sweating quite a bit now with panic and alarm.

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