Page 37 of An Angel's Share
“I think money will work. He seems pretty hung up on it. And I’m happy for him to say it’s his decision. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me.”
“Are you and Jonno getting together, or is it just the baby you’re going to raise together?”
Oh dear, the million dollar question. We’ve hardly discussed that ourselves.
“I’ve told Aoife I’ll do whatever she wants. If she wants to go public with me as the father now, fine,” Jonno dives in, whole hearted conviction in his tone. “People will know after the baby is born anyway, as I want to be fully involved.”
“But are you together, as a couple?” Daddy’s persistent. “For example, are you getting engaged? Married? Or just living together? Or living separately but together?”
When did my dad get so up on people's living arrangements? Marshall grins at his brother. He knows better than most that living arrangements can be tricky and come in all shapes and sizes.
“I only ask as I think about Marshall at his house. I need to know so I know what I’m supposed to say or not say.” Seamus rolls his eyes at his brother. “Kids, eh Marshall.” They both grin at each other, looking a lot younger and healthier than their years.
I’m not sure what to say. How to respond to that. I look at Jonno, but his face is still blank. What’s wrong with him?
I decide to go for it. “We’ve said we are going to be a couple. Live together. As soon as I tell Liam, we will be living as one family.” I hold my breath, waiting for aretraction. If Jonno has changed his mind, he better fucking say now.
But he nods. “That’s right, Seamus. I’d like to think that you’ll support us. I want to be with Aoife and the baby. I intend to move here.”
My jaw drops in shock. He never mentioned that before. My eyes fill with tears as I look at him. He would move his life here? He loves his family, but he would move away from them for me? For us?
He smiles, and all my fears completely melt away. It’s as if the sun has shone brighter and I’m basking in the light and heat.
“Don’t cry, Rua,” he says, his voice soft and loving. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” He picks up my hand and holds it.
Marshall looks at my dad and they both get up to leave. “I love you, daughter,” Dad whispers as he kisses my head and touches Jonno on the shoulder. Marshall kisses my head and gives Jonno a squeeze.
I feel like my heart is going to burst. I realise that I’m relieved. Relieved that Liam is finally going to be history. That someone else is on my side, prepared to do anything for me and the baby. I know as I look into the chocolate brown eyes with gold flecks, I will not be alone again.
Dinner is my penance.Purgatory cannot be worse than what I am subjected to. Liam trying to make barbed comments at Jonno and Marshall all evening. The competition for who is the funniest, who is the better at sport. Who knows more about sports? Who is more popular in London? Who has the most friends? All entirely onesided traffic as Jonno answers none of the infantile questions. And only a few of the others without any conviction or enthusiasm, leaving Patrick, Liam, and all the heads of his departments none the wiser as he was so vague.
Jonno leaves halfway through the competition—oh sorry, dinner—to take a call from Evie, and then steps out again when James calls. He returns to the table, talking quietly to Marshall, but not joining in Patrick and Co’s continued efforts to showcase how great they all are.
I’m exhausted, and make my excuses to leave to have an ‘early night.’ I’m dozing when I hear my door go. I’m sure I locked it, so I lie still to see what the hell is going on. His scent hits me and I know he’s here. Cardamom and Bergamot. I smile into the darkness as he stands at the side of the bed and doesn’t say a word.
I hear the rustle of clothes being discarded and the bedclothes move as he slips in beside me. Oh fucking hell, he’s so gorgeous, and my mind has conjured up the images of his body from today. Its glow in the sunlight, how his muscles moved as he thrust into me. I can hear myself panting. Will I ever be able to play it cool?
He's not said a word as he moves his hands over my body. Nuzzling up my neck and licking the shell of my ear. I shiver, the pleasure coursing through me. His natural warmth heating me up from the outside as well as the inside.
“Let me love you tonight, Rua. Feel how hard I am for you.”
His voice comes at me in the darkness—low, husky, wanting. I move my hands onto his length, my breath stuttering at his size. He hears my gasp. I feel his grin.
“You like what you feel. I want this inside you, loving you. Everything is for you tonight, baby.”
“Yes, Jonno. Love me. I want it all.”
It’s the last coherent sentence that leaves my mouth, as he proceeds to show me how much he loves and wants me, telling me how much he treasures me. Everything is about me, about us, how he can’t keep away. I pull him in, I want to climb inside him as much as he is inside me. He sets my soul on fire, and I’m happy to burn with him.
17
Jonno
I need to leave.After my phone call from James, things are starting to accelerate. Investigations need to be completed. I need to tell her I’m leaving for a couple of days, but reassure her I will be back for the board meeting. I’m not sure I’m going to be strong enough to do it.
As I melted into her body last night, I feel like I left something else there. And not just my son. I think I gave her my heart to hold. It’s a bit battered, and to be honest has only just got used to being used for more than its one official purpose.
I’ve never really been affected by any emotions. It’s not even as if I could say it was down to someone hurting me, or not getting over some heartbreak or other, because I’ve never found anyone interesting enough for that. Everyone was so bland—outside of my family, of course—I just did not care deeply for anyone to allow them to affect me that way.
