by Mandy Baggot
Emma felt the loaded stare but was unmoved. She’d wanted to tell Dominic the truth, well a version of the truth someone his age could understand, but Guy had been adamant. He didn’t want that. Not yet. When Dominic was old enough to understand, when he was safe and secure in their love, then there would come a time. Right now he was only to know one thing. That Guy and Emma were happy. That they were together and they were getting married, becoming a family.
Explaining the truth to her dad however, had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. He hadn’t understood at first. She had seen the shame and hurt on his face. But Guy had held her hand the whole time, supported her through every word.
‘I wasn’t completely sure. We had a DNA test done,’ she replied, coolly.
‘Thank God for modern technology. Speaking of which, I’m still having terrible trouble with that bloody coffee machine,’ Ally muttered.
The front door banged open and Dominic came sprinting into the room, two plastic bags swinging from his hands.
‘They won! And you’ll never guess what…Guy scored!’ he announced, launching himself onto the sofa next to Emma.
‘Just one? Only one?!’ Ally teased, standing up and taking the bags from Dominic.
‘They won, two-one,’ Mike announced, as he and Marilyn entered the lounge.
‘And it was flippin’ freezing! I’ve got chilblains where they really shouldn’t be,’ Marilyn stated, rubbing her hands together.
‘I’ll serve this takeaway up shall I? Did you remember everything, Mike? Because if I don’t have my egg rolls I go green and start talking Mandarin,’ Ally threatened.
‘Blast!’ Mike reacted.
‘Don’t tease the poor girl,’ Marilyn chipped in, giving Mike a thump on the arm.
Guy entered the room, his kit bag over his shoulder, his hair damp from the shower.
‘Hey, Guy, tell Mum about the goal. Mum, it was awesome,’ Dominic enthused, grinning with pride.
‘Come on, you. You’ve been moaning you’re hungry all the way home in the car. Let’s go and help Ally serve up dinner,’ Marilyn suggested, taking his arm.
‘Did you get chips to go with mine?’ he asked, standing up and following his grandad.
Guy put down his bag and Emma stood up. He paced towards her, putting his arms around her and holding her close.
‘How was it? It was the first game since…was it OK?’ she asked, squeezing his body tight to hers.
‘The press were outside when I arrive, lots of questions about the trial, a few accusations, unkind remarks but Finnerham, they have been so supportive to me,’ he responded. He raised his head from her shoulder and held onto her hands.
‘When the trial is finished it will all be over, for good,’ Emma reminded him.
‘We don’t talk about it now. We forget it until then. We have time to be a family, to plan the future…to organise costumes for Copacabana,’ he said, smiling.
‘Please, Guy, not tonight. Ally’s still hoping I’m going to give the lead role to her,’ Emma said.
He laughed and then he kissed her. A long, sensual loving kiss that told her exactly how he felt about her. She drew him in, deepening the kiss and relishing the way it felt to know she never had to let go. He pulled away, bent to unzip the top of his bag. He pulled out a string of fairy lights and shook them up and down.
‘I thought…for the garden. A little food, some Merlot…do you remember?’ he asked, his eyes thick with lust.
‘Yes. I remember,’ she said, her hand on his chest. ‘I’ll always remember.’
About the Author
Mandy Baggot
I’m an award-winning novelist of strong contemporary romance and characters you’ll fall in love with. I am also a full member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a contributor for Loveahappyending Lifestyle.
As well as being a self-confessed Twitter addict, I also like to show off my singing talents on YouTube! I’ve auditioned for X Factor, appeared on ITV1s Who Dares Sings and I long to duet with Bryan Adams. I love white wine, mashed potato, country music, Corfu and World's Strongest Man.
I live very close to Sting in Wiltshire with my husband, two daughters and two cats called Kravitz and Springsteen!
About HarperImpulse
HarperImpulse is an exciting new range of romance fiction brought to you from the women’s fiction team at HarperCollins. Our aim is to break new talent from debut authors and import the hottest trends from the US, bringing you the very best in romance. Whether that is through short reads for your mobile phone or epic sagas that span the generations we want to proudly publish romance fiction that gets everybody talking.
Romance readers, come and meet the team at our HarperImpulse Facebook page or follow us @HarperImpulse!
Writers, we are simply looking for good stories! So, what are you waiting for? To submit, e-mail us at [email protected].
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First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2013
Copyright © Mandy Baggot 2013
Cover Photographs © shutterstock.com
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Ebook Edition © July 2013
ISBN:9780007543946
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