Page 66 of Tainted Love

‘But you think I need to calm down, too?’

‘I, no, not calm down, it’s cute that you’re so excited. Just, maybe remember that Williams might need a little more time to come round.’

‘I know. Bloody men. That’s why I’m hiding the mag. In my defence, he didn’t need time to knock me up.’

I splutter through my mouthful of coffee. ‘Fair point. I’m sure you remind him often enough. Where are they anyway?’

She points loosely in the direction of the sea, completely disinterested.

Taking my coffee to the side of the deck, I watch both men blazing across the water on swanky-looking jet skis, wearing board shorts, bare chests and huge grins. They power straight towards each other, so fast, my shoulders rise to my ears the closer they get and I hold my breath when they’re just metres apart, practically exhaling the words, ‘Holy shit!’ when they both turn right at the last minute.

I watch them for twenty minutes or so before Gregory notices me and rides back towards the boat.

‘Get here,’ he shouts, as he pulls the jet ski up to the steps at the back of the yacht.

Carl fixes me into a blue life jacket.

‘How come I have to wear one of these and you don’t?’

‘Because you’re small and delicate and you’ve never ridden a jet ski before… and I love you.’

Grinning, I hold out my hand for him to help me onto the back of his man toy. ‘You win.’ Tucking into his back, I wrap my hands tightly around his waist.

‘Hold on, baby, I’m going to take you for the ride of your life.’

He skids across the water and sets off in a straight line, turning slightly into the rolling sea. I bounce in my seat, holding onto him tighter with each wave. Water sprays in my face so I can hardly see but adrenalin has me screaming in delight.

‘I want to drive!’ I shout over the roar of the engine and the crashing of water.

‘What?’

‘I want to give you the ride ofyourlife, handsome.’

He throws his head back with a laugh but slows the jet ski to a stop. He unclips the plastic spiral wire that’s attached to his shorts. ‘All right, climb around me and attach this to your jacket.’

‘What is it?’

‘It’s a safety wire. If you come off, the wire unclips and kills the engine.’

‘Am I going to come off?’

‘If you drive like agirl,you might.’

I laugh hard from my abdomen. ‘I’ll show you how agirldrives.’

I twist the handle bar right back and we shoot off across the water, crashing over waves and landing with a thud.

‘Scarlett, slow down, you’re insane.’

‘High and fast, baby!’ I shout, enjoying the feel of his chest chugging against my back and his arms wrapped tightly around me.

I turn us into corners, lifting us out of our seats, water blazing into my face.God, this is fun!

Eventually, I slow us down in the middle of the sea and enjoy his arms roaming across my stomach. ‘I don’t ever want to go home.’

‘Me neither, baby.’

I lean back into him with a heavy sigh. ‘I wish it could be just us, like this, always.’