The Rejected Wife: Chapter 41

I pry my eyelids open. ‘Serene⁠—’

‘I’ll get her. You take a nap.’

‘But—’ I begin to protest, but he kisses me deeply. My already fried brain cells give in to the sweetness, the firmness, that mix of comfort and arousal that is him. It’s always been him. Always. And now I’m here with him. I loop my arms around him and kiss him back. Tasting that maleness of him, reveling in the strength of his arms as he gathers me close. Feeling small and delicate against that wall-like chest of his. As delicious as licking chocolate ice-cream. As comforting as being wrapped in fallen leaves in autumn. As warm as sunlight on bare skin. Another cry from the baby cam has us pulling apart. We’re both breathing heavily.

He eyes me with intention. ‘We’re just getting started.’

Then he kisses me again and rolls off before I can react.

He heads into the en suite—and I ogle that perfect arse of his, marveling that this man is my husband. I hear the water running as he washes his hands. He reappears, and again, I can’t take my gaze off those powerful thighs of his as he pulls on his pants. Then his T-shirt.

With a last smoldering look at me, he slips into the next room. Over the baby cam, I hear him croon to his little girl. I watch as he picks her up, holding her against his chest as he rocks her. I hear him talking to her gently. I close my eyes, and tiredness pulls me under.

When I awaken, I’m alone. The shift in the plane’s sound tells me we’ve started our descent.

I head into the en suite bathroom—flying on a private jet still blows my mind. It’s nothing like commercial travel.

After freshening up, I get dressed and peek into the next room. It’s empty.

I step into the aisle and walk toward the front of the plane. Serene is sitting beside Tyler on one of the club-style seats that span the rear cabin. He’s focused on his phone. She’s playing with a handful of toys in her lap.

The moment she sees me; her whole face lights up. She lifts her arms.

I sit beside her and pull her into a hug.

“Did you sleep well, baby?”

She snuggles into me and pushes her nose into the curve of my neck, the exact place where her father bit me a few hours ago.

I look up to find Tyler watching me with a searing look in his eyes. It’s as if he read my mind. I can’t stop the blush stealing over my cheeks. His mouth quirks. He takes in his daughter, then me, and his features soften. ‘You look good together,’ he murmurs.

‘It feels good to hold her, especially now that I—’ I hesitate, wondering how to word it.’

‘Now that you’re my wife.’ He nods. “How do you feel about adopting her?”

“Adopting her?” I still. The thought hadn’t occurred to me. But it makes sense. In many ways, I feel like Serene’s mother, but adopting her would mean I’d also be so in an official capacity.

As if reading my thoughts he nods. “That way, you’ll have legal guardianship over her.”

Emotions press at the backs of my eyes, but my chest blooms with something fierce. Something very much like happiness. A certainty. “Yes.” I nod. “That feels right.”

I rub slow circles over Serene’s back. This connection to her I felt from the moment I first met her is something I can’t explain. It’s like it was coiled under my breast, lying in wait, and sprang to life as soon as I saw her.

Serene wriggles in my grasp. When I let her go, she flops down on the seat between us and begins to play with her soft toys again.

‘We’re landing.’ I glance past my husband to where the sea is now visible.

‘We are.’ He reaches over and snaps the seat belt over Serene, who doesn’t stop playing. Then he nods at me. ‘Buckle up, baby.’

‘Why do you call Mama baby?’ Serene says without looking up.

I exchange a look with Tyler.

‘It’s a term of affection,’ he finally says.

‘It’s because you love her.’ She nods.

‘Um… I’m not sure that’s what it means,’ I demur.

I look in his direction to find he’s staring at me with a strange expression on his face. He doesn’t protest what she said. That gives me hope.

Mind you, it may be that he doesn’t protest because he wants us to project a strong, loving relationship to Serene, but I prefer to think it’s because he’s coming around to the fact that he does love me.

No, he hasn’t yet told me so. But there’s the way he took care of me when he took my virginity, the way he kissed me, the way he’s always been tender toward me… And caring, and putting my comfort first… All of which confirms to me that he feels something for me. He has to. It’s why, the first time we made love, felt so special.

Of course, it could be because I’m more than halfway in love with him. He and Serene are everything to me. I can’t even remember what my life looked like before them. And I’ll always be in her life, which is a comfort. An assurance. I wish he’d give me the same confidence when it comes to him, but there’s something stopping him from committing fully, and I’m beginning to wonder what that is.

‘Fasten your seat belt.’ He nods at me.

I do as I’m told. Then, needing comfort, I place my hand on Serene’s back.

‘Mommy.’ She abandons her toys and places her head in my lap.

‘I’m here, honey.’ I slide my hand over hers and squeeze, then start when a much bigger, wider, brown palm settles over both of ours.

‘I’m here for the both of you. Always,’ he rumbles.

Sometimes, I think this man can read my mind. Tears prick the backs of my eyes, and I blink them away. I shouldn’t be this emotional… But perhaps, the wedding affected me more than I realized. Not to mention, making love to him and feeling a connection that seems like more than he promised. Slowly, it’s sinking in what it means to be this man’s wife… To share his bed, and his life, and his daughter…but not have him declare his love aloud for me. Perhaps, he never will. I need to face up to that.

‘You all right?’ he asks in a low voice.

I sense Serene stiffening and force my muscles to relax. No, he will. I’ll convince him. My daughter is very sensitive to changes in emotions. I’ve noticed how her gaze always homes in on Tyler in a room… And how she seeks me out constantly when I take her to the park. But while she’s happy to spend time with me, she only truly relaxes when both Tyler and I are with her. She, no doubt, notices that my thoughts are in turmoil. I push away all my apprehensions and flash Tyler as genuine a smile as I can muster. ‘Of course.’

He doesn’t seem convinced but nods slowly.

I take another deep breath, forcing the tension from my body. Only then, does Serene reach for one of her soft toys and begin to play with it.

I exchange glances with Tyler, and he mouths, “We’ll talk later.”

I nod, then glance past him—toward the deep blue of the Indian Ocean, its edges brushed with white sand. Beyond that, the paddy fields stretch out in rolling green rows. Then the runway comes into view.

‘Auntie Summer!’ Serene drops my hand and races toward the pink-haired woman who holds out her arms. Serene jumps into them, and Summer laughs up at the little girl. ‘Hey, Ser, those are some great braids.’

‘Mama did them for me.’ Serene kisses her cheek, then wriggles to be let down. Serene bounces toward the little boy with big blue eyes who’s been watching her.

“Mama?” Summer mouths silently. A big smile wreathes her face, and she flashes me a thumbs up.

The tension I hadn’t been aware of in my shoulders slips out. Guess I was apprehensive about how Tyler’s friends would react to Serene calling me Mama. I’m relieved Summer is enthusiastic about it.

‘Matty!’ Serene hugs Matty.

‘Serene.’ The five—going on fifteen—boy stands stiffly before patting her back. He steps back just as quickly.

“Uncle Sinclair!” Serene throws herself at him. Sinclair lifts her up and tosses her high. She squeals.

By the time Tyler and I reach her, I’m grinning. I glance at Tyler to find his lips are curved in a soft smile.

Remember what I said earlier about Serene only relaxing when she’s with me and Tyler. Add Summer and Sinclair, as well as their son, to the list.

Summer flashes me a grin. ‘I’ve heard so much about you.’

I hold out my hand, but Summer steps forward and hugs me. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’

‘You, too.’ I hug her back. Her joie de vivre is infectious.

She squeezes my shoulder. ‘I’m sorry we weren’t there at your wedding, but we’d already booked our villa and were en route to Bali. When we found out Tyler was getting married, we suggested he bring you down here for your honeymoon. This way, we can watch Serene while you newlyweds get a chance to spend time together.’

I shoot Tyler a look. He arches a brow, non-committal. ‘I should have mentioned it to you on the flight, but I was, uh…distracted.’ His eyes gleam, and his lips kick up in a roguish smile as he puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close.

Summer looks between us, and her already incandescent smile seems to grow even more sparkly. ‘Oh, you two look so good together.’

‘Clearly, you got the better end of the deal, Davenport,’ Sinclair booms.

He’s as tall as Tyler, and broad. A couple of gray hairs at his temples give him a distinguished look. As do the lines that radiate from the corners of his eyes. The man’s yummy. Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, he radiates a confidence similar to Tyler’s. The two nod at each other.

Something draws my attention from the corner of my eyes. I glance sideways to find a woman staring at Serene. Then, she looks at Tyler, and the color drains from her face. She catches me looking and glares at me.

What the…? I turn to point her out to Tyler, but when I look back, she’s gone. Weird. I want to dismiss her as a hotel guest, but something about how she’d seemed so angry with me raises my hackles.

I decide to ask Tyler about the woman later.

Serene grabs Matty’s arm. He looks faintly bored but doesn’t protest. ‘Mom, can I show Serene the playroom?’

‘There’s a playroom?’ I arch my eyebrows.

‘This resort has childcare facilities, which is why we chose it. It’s also very romantic.’ She looks between us. ‘Sinclair and I are more than happy to keep Serene overnight whenever you want more privacy.’

‘Oh, Serene’s no bother at all,’ I protest.

‘M-o-m.’ The boy frowns up at Summer. ‘Can we go to the playroom?’

‘Yes, M-o-m, pl-e-a-s-e.’ Serene says, imitating Matty while she looks at me with big eyes.

My heart skips a beat, like it always does when she refers to me as her mother. She’s been doing it since I arrived at Tyler’s doorstep and saw her, but it means so much more to me, now, when I’m going to adopt her. When I’m married to her father.

I bend and kiss her forehead. ‘Of course, honey. If—’ I glance at Tyler, who nods.

‘I’m Matthew.’ The little boy jerks his chin in my direction. ‘Pleased to meet you.’ He doesn’t hold out a hand though.

‘And you, Matthew.’ I reach out to pat him, but he sidesteps me.

He looks at me. ‘You don’t have to worry; I’ll keep Serene with me at all times. I’ll see you in an hour, Mom.” He nods at Summer. Then walks off spine erect, with Serene holding his hand.

‘He can be a little eccentric.’ Summer chuckles. ‘Give him time. He’ll warm up to you once he gets used to you.’

‘He has such good manners.’ I watch the two kids head down the steps at the far side of the reception area and toward a smaller building off to the side. It’s brightly painted and looks like exactly the kind of place any kid would want to go.

“You’re being polite.” Sinclair rubs his neck. ‘I’m afraid I’m getting a dose of my own medicine. I was a bit of a wanker before Summer came along. I fear little Matty is a chip off the ol’ block.’ He looks both proud and disapproving.

‘Is it safe for them to walk around on their own?’ I nod in the direction of the kids.

‘The entire area is a walled complex, and Matty has a sense of direction that never fails. Plus, he’s very responsible. Not to mention, we’ll be sitting there.’ She points to a bar on the other side of a lawn which separates it from the one-story building the kids entered.

“We’ll keep an eye on them and bring Serene by soon as they’re done playing. I’m sure they’ll be joining some activities, and that’ll take a few hours. It’ll keep them busy until dinner time, at least.’

‘But—’

‘Serene already had her nap. They’ll be fine.’ Tyler pulls me close again. ‘There’s security around this resort. And a very limited number of villas. If there’s any place we can relax, it’s here.’

‘Are you sure—’ I study him, trying to read his reaction. ‘I would love to spend time with Serene.’

‘And I want to spend time with my new wife. Alone.‘

My face warms. Under his burning gaze, I feel all of my arguments dry up. My brain cells, once again, melt into a mass of quivering jelly; I lose the connection between my brain and my mouth.

‘We’re in villa number thirteen.’ He nods in Summer and Sinclair’s direction. ‘See you in a bit.’