It was chaotic, unstructured, but he loved it. He was happy, he had his own family. Leah and Lucy were both settled. For the first time in his life he was totally, completely, entirely contented.
"It's that Gala dinner on Saturday," James reminded Leah. "Did you get something new to wear?"
She had her back to him and was pretending not to hear.
"It's for charity, Leah, I insist."
He wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.
She still had her difficulties. For example, she couldn't believe that in a designer dress, with her hair styled by Lucy and wearing the fabulous jewels he had given her, she would look stunning.
"Okay," Leah said.
James looked over at Lucy; there was an understanding between them.
"Go shopping together, buy yourself something as well, put it on the account."
Lucy nodded. "Thanks James," she said, and the moment passed.
He looked around the kitchen. He didn't think he could last another hour. He was hungry. He wondered if he should suggest sending out for something or risk a slice of that home-made cake.
He held Jake closely. "I'll go and change, then I'll take him upstairs," he said.
Leah and Lucy looked at each other.
"Playtime," Lucy said quietly.
Leah opened the enormous fridge and found a casserole that Mrs Andrews had made, and she put it in to warm.
"I suppose I'll have to go on Saturday," she said to Lucy.
"Yes, it's part of the deal," Lucy replied.
When they attended a function, she would get ready first.
In a dress suggested by Lucy and with jewellery chosen by James, she would stand and watch him get dressed. He would come from the en-suite and put on his evening clothes. He transformed into the successful, impressive tycoon, another part of his world. During the evening, she would see him merging confidently, smoothly with the rich and the powerful.
There was a magnetic aura around him; men would want to network and the beautiful women were drawn to him. She would feel unsteady, and have difficulty recognising the man who rolled around the floor with Jake and let the puppy ruin his expensive suits.
But then, in the darkness of the car, as they were driven home, he would hold her hand, kiss her gently and reassure her.
Their love would grow.
"Are you going out tonight?" she asked Lucy.
"Only for an hour."
Lucy was seeing Harry, James's driver. It was early days, still. Just a few short, hesitant
dates, and they were all hoping it would go well. Harry was a great guy, but James was still so protective of her.
The noise level from above increased. They could hear James pretending to be a wild animal and Jake squealing with delight, both rolling around the floor, and jumping on the beds.
"Do you want me to go and give Jake his bath?" Lucy asked. "James always gets him too excited."
"Thanks," Leah replied.
"The meal won't be ready for a while," Lucy grinned at Leah. "There's still time for you."
Leah stood at the bottom of the wide, curving staircase. Her heart still flipped and her knees still felt weak, her desire rising as she made her way slowly upwards.
It always happened: the same need for him, the same overwhelming obsession as she went upstairs.
Playtime.
ALSO BY JULIET MICHAELS
A FRAGILE HEART
Is Elena ready to love again?
Elena Walsh is happy with her simple, quiet life. Well, most of the time. At work she keeps herself busy, and at home she has more than enough to worry about, taking care of her troublesome younger brother, Josh.
But one morning, an accident leads Elena stumbling straight into the path of Guy Silver, an intriguing, complicated man. And as Elena begins to get to know him, it becomes clear that there’s more to Guy than first meets the eye, not to mention the fact that he’s a billionaire ...
So why in the world does he seem interested in her? You see, Elena can’t believe that someone like Guy could like her. She’s always had issues with her figure, and lacks confidence in herself and others ...
Set against the beautiful backdrops of London and Italy, A Fragile Heart is a light, gentle yet surprisingly moving contemporary romance about a shy, curvy girl and the complicated billionaire who captures her heart.
Out now!
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
ALSO BY JULIET MICHAELS
A VENETIAN SUMMER
Who will Daisy Choose?
Daisy Potts is young, carefree and single – spending her summer teaching English in the beautiful city of Venice. But her time in Italy quickly begins to heat up when she meets Salvatore, a handsome, enigmatic older man from a wealthy Venetian family.
And as the two grow close, Daisy begins to find out more about Salvatore’s past, eventually leading her to a surprising discovery.
Soon Daisy’s carefree summer is turned upside down, as she is forced to confront a past relationship of her own: with Italian student Alex. Now Daisy finds herself at a crossroads: which man will she choose?
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Italy, A Venetian Summer is a light, gentle yet surprisingly moving contemporary romance about a young English woman who finds herself caught between two handsome, complicated Italian men.
Out now!
Amazon.com
Amazom.co.uk
ALSO BY JULIET MICHAELS
AN IRISH PASSION
Is Jane willing to take a chance on a stranger?
Jane Harkness has always envied her twin sister Victoria. Victoria is slim, happily married and pregnant, while shy curvy Jane is still looking for something more than her current lot in life.
But when she accidentally has a run in with a mysterious, leather-clad biker, Jane’s whole world is about to turn upside down. Soon she finds herself whisked away by Jack Flynn – a playful, handsome Irishman with a mysterious past and a few secrets.
Can Jane discover more about this handsome stranger? And why in the world does he seem interested in her? You see, Jane has always lacked confidence in herself and her figure ...
Set against the beautiful backdrops of England and Ireland, An Irish Passion is a light, gentle yet surprisingly moving contemporary romance about a shy, curvy girl and the complicated Irish billionaire who captures her heart.
Out now!
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Obsessed (BBW Billionaire Light Romance) Page 15