“Me, too,” she agreed, her heart brimming over with happiness.
Jake gathered her close and kissed her, and she stretched against him languorously, provocatively, wanting all of him again. He was not slow to oblige, and Amy exulted in the sense of belonging to him, not Jake the rake, her Jake, always and forever.
And she’d belong to his wonderful family, too.
No more being alone.
Not for her nor her baby.
Their baby.
The miracle of love, she thought, and gave herself up to it.
Freely.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
NEW Year’s Eve...
Amy watched Free Spirit gliding through the water to the wharf. It was a beautiful yacht, long sleek lines, exuding luxury, glamour, no expense spared in design or amenities. Murmurs of excitement and pleasurable anticipation ran around the select group of Jake’s clients as they waited to board.
Free Spirit...
The name reminded her of Steve. And his blonde. Tonight was their wedding night. But she was not going to drown herself. No way. She was going to have a wonderful night with Jake, a wonderful life with him, too. In fact, she was more free with Jake than she’d ever felt before.
The men in the group wore formal dinner suits, adding style and class to the festive evening. Amy couldn’t help feeling pride in the fact that not one of them looked as handsome as Jake. He outshone them all. The strange part was, she didn’t feel the least bit insecure about it. Jake had only to glance at her and she knew no other woman here—regardless of beauty or finery—held a candle to her, not in Jake’s mind.
She smiled to herself, remembering the women’s magazine with the article on exit signs. It was still in the bottom drawer of her desk at the office, still unread. No need to read it now. Or ever. Jake believed implicitly in the marriage vows. Absolute commitment. For better, for worse...until death do us part.
Since Christmas, she had seen so much more of his family, and they all shared the same attitude. They’d been brought up to view a good marriage as the most desirable state in life, with children as the blessed bonus. Not one of them had anything negative to say when Jake had made the announcement about the baby. Expressions of delight, congratulations, offers of help from all the women were instantly forthcoming. And Jake’s mother could not have been nicer, only too happy to push wedding plans.
Amy shook her head over her initial impression of Elizabeth Rose Carter. Jake’s mother was really a very generous person, wanting everything to be lovely and possibly a little too concerned that it be so. His father had more of an optimistic, let-it-be outlook, confident his children would work out what was best for themselves. Amy considered him a real darling.
As the yacht docked and two of the deckhands started sliding out the boarding ramp, Jake hooked Amy’s arm around his and smiled at her. “Ready to start hostessing?”
“Lead on.” she replied happily.
His smile turned quirky. “Actually you don’t have to hostess. I’ve hired people to do the necessary.”
“But you said...”
“I needed some excuse to get you on this cruise with me.” His eyes sparkled wickedly. “It was my seduction plan. And I see no reason to change it.”
She laughed, hugging him closer to her as they walked to the ramp.
“You know, Amy, you look stunning in red but I’ve got to say, that blue you’re wearing completely knocks me out.” he declared decisively.
“You really like this outfit?” It was a long skirt and tunic in a soft, slinky, royal blue fabric, to which she’d added an ornate silver belt, silver shoes and silver jewellery.
His eyes gleamed gold. “You give it the magic of the night, my love.”
“Mmh...keep up that seductive talk and who knows where it may get you?”
He laughed.
They were both of them bubbling with good humour as they preceded their party onto the yacht. A flight of steps led up to the main sundeck, an outdoor entertainment centre with a long bench lounge, table, chairs. Two hostesses hovered by a bar table which had been set up with wines, beer, fruit juice, iced water.
“Champagne, sir?” one of them instantly asked Jake, her eyes feasting on his every feature.
“Two, thank you.” he replied, indicating Amy be served first.
Jake in control, and not the least bit interested in other women’s interest, Amy observed. As he’d once said to her, any amount of interest was futile when it wasn’t returned.
They moved to a position by the door leading in to the formal saloon, ready to greet everyone as they passed through to check out the luxurious appointments of the yacht.
In the saloon, three long deeply cushioned sofas, their cream upholstery trimmed with terracotta piping, were positioned around a polished granite coffee table, graced by an artistic floral arrangement. Beyond it was the formal dining room, its black lacquered table surrounded by black leather chairs.
Below, there were two queen-size staterooms with full ensuites and two twin bedrooms with ensuites, as well, all of the rooms designer decorated. The rear deck featured a spa-pool, and the bridge deck above them provided more lounging space for a topside view of their cruising around the harbour.
Amy was ready with all the facts and figures about the yacht should anyone ask. Mostly, the clients and their guests wanted to see for themselves, passing by her and Jake after a few words, happy to explore and assess everything on their own.
“Jake, darling!”
Amy glanced back from chatting to one couple to find the voluptuous blonde who’d fallen on Jake at The Watermark, coming on strongly again... Isabella Maddison...red talons raised ready to grab and dig in.
The sight of Amy stepping back to Jake’s side stopped her in mid-pounce. The feline green eyes flashed venom.
“Oh! I see you have your companion with you.”
“More than that, Isabella.” Jake informed her, sliding his arm around Amy’s shoulders and bestowing a smile lit with very possessive love on her. “My wife-to-be. Amy has finally agreed to marry me.”
“Finally?” Isabella echoed in shock.
“Yes.” Amy confirmed, ostentatiously holding up her left hand where Jake had placed a magnificent solitaire diamond ring on her third finger. She wriggled her fingers to make it flash under Isabella’s catty eyes. “I decided to haul him in for good. It’s time we had a family.”
“Well...congratulations.” came the weak rejoinder.
“Do help yourself to champagne.” Amy invited sweetly. “This is a cruise to really enjoy.”