as I acknowledge how hard it will be for him to let me go, or for me to be taken away from him again, but I also know I don’t have a choice. I must do this for my children and for our future together. Surely he realises there is no other way. A tear slides down my face and his kiss is now tender against my cheek instead of against the precious jewellery encircling my wrist. More than anything, right this second and forever more I want Jeremy’s body and soul with me, just as he is now, with focus, dedication and an intimacy and knowledge that has only strengthened between us over the years.
He has been swelling in anticipation since rendering me topless and it is only a few seconds before both our pyjama bottoms are tossed to the floor. He holds himself above me, allowing me to feel his heat and hungrily caress his body.
I am more than ready for him, but suddenly he is in no rush; he kisses me in four places and lingers on sucking and nibbling of each one of my erogenous zones until I’m as wet with perspiration as I am below with desire. His lips reach my lips, his teeth nibbling, his tongue playing until I’m rapturous with desire and he slowly slides his full length into me. I wrap my legs around his taut butt as he anchors my hands to the bed with his. He adjusts slightly to find the perfect pressure point deep inside me, matching the same pressure with his tongue, almost suffocating my mouth with the same fullness as below.
We build together, we move together and we erupt together in perfect synchronicity and with a whispering scream we cry out each other’s name in the height of our shared ecstasy. At this moment there is a part deep within me that fully comprehends that having finally found me again, he will never let me go.
Alexa
It would have been sad to leave this magical artificial world under normal circumstances, let alone the cloud of threat we are under. The kids want one more ride around the park on the monorail to say goodbye before we depart and I can’t say no. Who knows if we will ever be back here?
Jeremy seems more than agitated when I agree to their request as he moves around the apartment making sure we have packed everything. ‘There is just so much stuff.’
I can’t help but laugh. ‘Welcome to the world of kids, J. There is always stuff, everywhere, every day.’ I grab hold of his waist as he flies past me in a flurry. ‘What is it? You don’t seem yourself today.’
I wasn’t sure whether I’d done something to specifically bother him or whether he was finally starting to crack under the stress of our undiscussed situation.
‘I’d just rather you not go on another ride. Haven’t you all had enough?’ Something is definitely bothering him. His anxiety has been rising as our departure grows imminent.
‘How about I go with the kids and you stay here and have a moment on your own to get everything together? There’s really only your work things and we’re all set.’
The kids are playing rock, paper, scissors next to us so I have my ‘everything is perfectly under control’ face and voice on. I’m getting better at it and he seems in no mood to be confronted by my concerns.
‘No, Alexa, I’m not letting you out of my sight.’
It is this statement that triggers the realisation in my mind that I actually haven’t been alone with Elizabeth and Jordan since the first night we arrived. Jeremy has been with us constantly. They immediately look toward Jeremy sensing the change in the tone of his voice.
I embrace him, pulling his head toward me so I can whisper: ‘Please, one circuit on the monorail. It will be good for us and it will give me an opportunity to be with them alone.’
‘No, what if —’
I quickly cut him off with a promise. ‘I will take Martin and one of those other minders. We will get on, complete one circuit and get off at the same station. I promise you. Please,’ I plead with him. ‘We’ll be fine, honestly.’
Exasperation shifts to acceptance as he extracts me from his arms and strides out to arrange it personally with Martin. I sigh into the room as I acknowledge how even the simplest of things in my life have become increasingly complicated since meeting with Jeremy all those months ago.
He kisses me out the door, holding my chin between his fingers and making direct eye contact, as if to ensure he has my undivided attention. ‘One circuit — no getting off.’
I stand on my tiptoes and peck his lips. ‘I love you too, J.’
We leave serious Jeremy behind and the kids are thrilled we have the green light to go. Thankfully, they don’t understand the particulars of why this needs to be such a big deal, and are now so used to being trailed by our keepers, they don’t ask any questions. And so, we say farewell to a place they have loved visiting, one last time.
Jeremy appears to be calmer and in a much better mood when we return and even has a skinny flat white and a firm embrace waiting for me. He visibly relaxes the second we walk in.
‘See, safe and sound.’
‘Just as well, sweetheart, or I would have had Martin’s head.’
I look warily toward Martin, not necessarily doubting the sincerity of Jeremy’s words. He nods his thanks to Martin; they have already been through more than enough drama together because of me. It will end soon, I reassure myself. As soon as I give Jurilique what she wants. I hope. I stop my brain from considering the possibility of any other outcome.
I quickly drink my coffee as the minders take our bags to the stretch limousine waiting downstairs — more fun for the kids.
‘Alrighty, let’s go.’ We gather our things together as the kids pick up their newly-acquired stuffed animals and we assemble ourselves into the lift and out into the limo. I lean into the car to ensure the kids are settled in their seats and as I back out to collect my other bag, Jeremy shoves me straight back inside and closes the door. Good grief, what now?
The doors immediately lock and the kids stare at me with wide eyes and surprised faces. No doubt the look on my face isn’t helping. I gaze out the tinted windows to see Martin has apprehended a woman with a white envelope in her hand. She looks shocked and immediately drops it on the ground and tries to pull away from his grip. Hotel security arrives, though I can’t hear what they are saying with the windows up.
It appears to get sorted out rather quickly. Jeremy nods to Martin and he bends down to pick up the envelope and place it inside his jacket pocket. Jeremy then slides into the back of the limo with us as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. The kids remain silent, which is unusual at the best of times, awaiting my response.
I decide now is not an appropriate time to question Jeremy and suggest a game of I-spy for distraction as the car slides smoothly out of the Disney fantasy and into the real world. Jeremy looks relieved at having avoided my inquisition yet again.
The return trip to the airport seems to be taking much longer than I remembered on arrival, but the kids are chatty and happy so I fully engage with them and enjoy their giggles and recollections of our past week together. That is until I see high-rise buildings glittering in the distance against a clear blue sky and Martin is driving the limo on the freeway directly toward them.
Shocked, I turn to Jeremy.
‘Do you have anything you need to share with me?’ I utter the words under my breath, thankful the kids are now happily absorbed in their technology and not me. His grip around my hand tightens
