She chewed her bottom lip. “Can I take my top off?”
“Sure.” This may not have been the most sensible response.
But my cock seemed to think it was a stellar idea.And why spoil her fun?For Xavier’s sake, this was the right answer. I was destined to sit on the sidelines and let him enjoy his time with her. It was my job to nudge them back into the serious relationship they’d once had.
I looked Emily right in the eyes as she approached. “Let me know if you need anything?”
“I have everything I need,” she said, glancing over at Xavier.
This caused my feelings of loneliness to spike—and they hadn’t even left yet. When they did this place would feel emptier than it ever had. Even after one day, I’d gotten used to their laughter livening up my home. I’d gotten used to having Emily around again. That brief moment of intimacy between us on my dining room table would be something I would hold on to forever.
Soon, all I would have left was the memory of them.
When Xavier arrived yesterday, we’d fallen back into our comfortable, familiar routine. We’d eaten dinner late last night and our conversations had continued into the wee hours. We had even shared my bed, with all three of us falling asleep together.
Exhaustion was finally setting in from my relentless efforts to keep some semblance of balance in a world that favored chaos.
This place was a refuge and I was selfishly committed to upholding a sense of peace until I was strong enough to send them off into a better future together.
Emily was still standing next to me, her bikini top in her hand, her breasts pert and nipples hard.
“Everything okay?” I threw in a smile.
“Xavier says you were born in Jamaica?”
“It’s true. I was born in this house.” I pointed to the farthest window on the end. “That room there.”
“Your mum had a home birth?”
“With a midwife, yes.”
“Was your mum Jamaican?”
“She was.”
Emily twisted her mouth as she though she wanted to ask another question.
I answered it for her. “I’m Jamaican and of course half British.”
“So, how did your mum meet your dad?”
“He was in Montego Bay attending a yacht race.” The stories she’d shared came rushing back. “They met in Dunn’s River Falls. It’s a stunning waterfall a few hour’s drive from here.” I still had the first photo taken of them on the day they met. Mum was wearing a blue bikini—the same color as Emily’s. “Dad saw her splashing around in the falls like a water nymph and was smitten.”
“They didn’t want to live in your castle?”
“Sometimes they did. Mum preferred being here.”
“I can see why.”
Mum had been a free spirit, which was what my stuffy father had probably seen in her—a barefoot island beauty.
“Your father was an Earl?”
“Yes. He served in the Navy just like me.”
Xavier called over. “His dad was an Admiral.”
“That’s why he loved your mum,” said Emily brightly. “She was from the Caribbean. They were opposites.”