‘I get to choose?’ I ask.
‘Why not? But I’d like to point out that Bermuda’s the perfect location.’
Although I can hear the humour in his voice, I’m not entirely sure he’s joking. I know what Bermuda means to him, but it’s off the cards. It’s too far away. I want everyone to witness our wedding day, everyone who’s near and dear to us, including Sara. And if that’s going to happen, then it needs to happen in England. There’s only one choice. It’s the perfect, obvious decision. I’d love nothing more than to get married at our new home.
‘Thoughts?’
The sponge comes to my groin, tickling across my labia. Closing my eyes, I give out a tiny groan. If I’m not careful, he’ll have me mesmerised, hypnotised and caving in to his will.
‘In England,’ I murmur. ‘Surrey. At the house.’
I’m half expecting him to come back at me with another delicious touch of the sponge and a quick ‘Are you sure?’ But his answer comes immediately.
‘Done.’
‘Done?’ This time I turn so quickly, he doesn’t have a chance to hold me in place. I fix my eyes on his face and what I see there perplexes me even more. He’s deadly serious.
‘And dusted,’ he adds. ‘When?’
I narrow my eyes and think again. The Daniel Foster I’m used to would want this tied up as quickly as possible, but I’m in no rush. I’d like to savour the build-up. I’m going to test this apparent change of character a little further. If he’s faking, then he won’t be able to keep it up for long.
‘Next summer.’ I watch his face for signs of impatience, and find none. ‘When the sweet peas are out.’
His lips curve upwards.
‘Perfect.’ He kisses me again.
Leaning my head back against his chest, I decide this is too good to be true. There’s no way Mr Foster’s asking me what I want, and then simply giving it to me. I’m going to test him a little more. He touches the sponge along the length of my right thigh, in and out, finally reaching my crotch again. Pressing it firmly against my clit, he sends me into a spin. At the same time, his left hand comes to my right breast, gently tugging at my nipple.
‘I want my family there,’ I manage to breathe. ‘And yours too. Your sisters.’
‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.’
The sponge has gone now. Fingers are working at my clit, slowly, patiently. Fighting back the surge of warmth in my groin, I resolve not to let him distract me with pleasure.
‘I suppose you’ve made a start on the studio.’
I tilt my head back, to one side. He touches his lips against my ear lobe.
‘I’m waiting for you to look at the plans. No rush.’
‘And the decorating?’
‘Your home. Your choices. I’ve done nothing.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
And now seems to be just the right time to ask about the personality transplant.
‘What’s going on?’
The finger stops.
‘What do you mean?’
His arms relax, allowing me to face him. I readjust my position, straddling his lap and holding his shoulders. He brings his hands to the small of my back.
‘Well, if I’m not much mistaken, you’re listening to me and taking my lead.’
‘That’s because my future wife gets whatever she wants.’
‘But I thought you got whatever you wanted.’
‘And all I want is you. I’ve already got it.’
‘Seriously? No more bull-dozing?’
‘Well,’ he smiles, ‘maybe just a little … here and there.’ He becomes serious. ‘But habits can change and they will change. I’ve already made a start. How am I doing?’
‘Very well. But seriously, what have you done with Dan?’
‘He’s right here. Like you said.’ He taps the side of his head. ‘It just turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks.’ He wafts the same hand through the bubbles, lazily, watching them part and drift. ‘I’ve learned a lot over the past few weeks.’
‘Such as?’
‘Lobsters never stop growing and they taste with their legs.’
I wrap my hands around the back of his neck, forcing him to look at me.
‘Your life came to a crashing halt, and that’s all you learned?’
‘Good God, no. I also discovered that cows can sleep standing up, but they can only dream lying down. The internet’s a very useful thing.’
‘Joking aside.’
‘Joking aside,’ he repeats, serious again. The hand returns to my back. ‘When something like that happens, they say it changes you. I never believed it, but it’s true. I almost lost everything when I crashed that bike. Every day’s precious, Maya. I need to slow down and smell the roses … and the sweet peas.’ He traces a thumb across my forehead, down my cheek. ‘It made me think about what’s important, and what’s not.’ He brushes the thumb across my lips. ‘I love you. You gave me my life back, and I want to make you happy. That’s all that’s important to me now, and I’ll do anything to make it happen. I won’t always get it right, but I’m going to give it a damn good try.’
I shake my head in disbelief.
‘You remember asking me what this was?’ he asks. ‘In the lift?’
I nod.
‘Asset stripping. Those were the words you used. And you remember my answer?’
‘Mergers and acquisitions.’
‘Working both ways.’ He points at my chest, then his own. ‘We’re in the process of merging, acquiring
