Laura lay back in the bed not sure what to do. She looked at her watch it was nearly 11am. She had told Ellie she would be home around midday. She should get up and go. But, was Jake coming back? What if she left and he came back? Maybe he had gone for a run? Or maybe just maybe he had realised his mistake and run back to London?

She rolled onto her stomach and buried her face in the pillows. Too many questions, too much to thick about. Had she really spent several hours in the same bed as Jake Harrison and not only that but she had managed to make him lose control. She had seen it in his face several times; when he had pulled her onto his lap, when their naked bodies were entwined, and as he had thrown his head back surrendering to oblivion.

He had fallen asleep and when he had woken he pulled her to him and she had seen it again in those eyes that were as dark as coal; the loss of control, the confusion at what was happening but there had been something else. Something she couldn't figure out right now.

She giggled into the pillows thinking of what she had done during their lovemaking. Where had this

come from?

He had been like a man possessed when he had pulled her into the room and literally threw her onto the bed. She knew her dress was only fit for the bin the ripping sounds had confirmed that. But, she didn't care she had felt more alive in the last week than she had in a long time.

When Chris made love to her she now realised that he was not thinking about her needs. For him it was sex there was no tenderness, no concern for her. Jake had been considerate, passionate, it had been overwhelming. It scared her to think how he had affected her this way.

She gingerly climbed out of the bed her feet padding lightly across the thick carpet. As she reached the bathroom she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her body was bruised beyond belief. She stopped in shock to look at them touching her thighs she yelped in pain they were far too tender. Her skin flushed as she remembered how she had got them and a slow smile crept over her face as she walked on into the bathroom.

She managed to reach for her toothbrush and slowly brushed her teeth. Thinking a shower would soothe her aching body she reached into the shower to twist it on. She was shaky as she stepped underneath the rainfall shower head. You could fit a small army in this shower she thought standing still in there allowing the hot water to roll off her skin wincing as it touched the tender areas of her exhausted body.

She tried to reach for the shower gel but her arms were too heavy to grab it so she stood there oohing and ouching as the water continued to fall onto her bruises. She turned slowly letting the water run down her back. Opening her eyes to see Jake watching her with a storm of emotions passing across his face. He was dressed in jeans and an old teeshirt that looked as if it had seen better days. His hands in his pockets as he leaned against the sink unit.

'Jake, I. I thought you had gone.' He shook his head and took a step forward. 'I was hungry went to get us some breakfast. You staying in there all day? Shall I join you?'

Flustered she shook her head and began walking out then realised she was naked and the towel was next to him. She stood trying to maintain some modesty hoping he could not see the signs of their lovemaking. He seemed to be oblivious to them as his eyes were locked on hers. But he smiled and laughed quietly at her obvious embarrassment. He pulled a towel off the rack then walked over to her and wrapped her in it as she stepped out. His arms sneaking around her waist inside the towel. He began caressing her damp skin and her body despite its pain was reacting to it. As his fingers moved up to cup her breasts she made a sound and he stopped to look down at her and then pulled the towel back.

'Fuck did I do that?' His face was shocked at the bruising he saw. 'Well, I didn't see anyone else in here this morning and I don't think bed bugs would do it.' Her face contorted in pain and amusement as she looked up at him.

Jake threw his head back laughing and pulled her close. 'My poor baby what did I do to you.' Her head rested on his chest. He had showered she could smell his cologne the citrus invading her brain and threatening to be her undoing again.

Jake turned and took down a fluffy robe from the bathroom door. It was huge and enveloped her but he seemed to like that as he pulled it close around her body and tied the belt into a knot. Smiling in satisfaction as she was covered from head to toe.

He took her hand and turned it over kissing her palm. 'I'm sorry I did that to you Laura.' His eyes searched her face concern in his eyes and she smiled sweetly up at him. 'I forgive you as I think I heard you mention something about food. I am starving.'

He had smiled and kissed her on the nose leading her back out to the bedroom and guiding her to a big overstuffed armchair. Beside it was a trolley and instead of tea and toast which she would have been quite happy with, there was a marvellous array of dishes to tempt any appetite. Her eyes lit up as he lifted the lids off each plate.

'Did you say this was all for you?' He sat down in the chair opposite her and began pouring out a cup of tea. 'No of course not I asked the chef what you would want after a busy night of mad love making and he suggested this.'

'What oh my God you didn't tell people we, bloody hell that's like, oh no Jake.'

'Laura I actually said it was because of the wedding and you had had a late finish. But, nice to know that spending time with me is so repugnant.'

'No, I don't mean that I just don't want people here gossiping. We're a small team you know.'

He flashed a grin at her and stood up to pass her tea to her then heaped pancakes and fruit onto a plate. He placed it in front of her and she reached for the syrup pouring a generous amount over the food.

She hadn't realised how hungry she actually was. Remembering that last night she had not eaten much she tucked into the pancakes. Looking up as she finished off the last one she caught Jake watching her with an amused look on his face.

'What?' She laughed as she looked over the trolley at him.

'Nothing, I am just impressed at how you managed to devour that much food so quickly.'

'I think I missed a meal yesterday.' He nodded. 'Sure you did.' She picked her napkin up and threw it at him. 'I did, seriously I was on my feet most of the night.'

'I think I can recall quite a long period of time when you weren't on your feet.' His lazy gaze drifted over to the rumpled bed clothes. Laura could feel herself colouring up as his eyes settled back on her face. She looked down unsure of how to respond.

'I had a good time, can I say that? I mean I don't know what the correct words should be for something like this.'

For the second time that morning Jake threw his head back laughing. She liked seeing him laugh. His whole face changed his eyes twinkled and his face relaxed as he enjoyed the moment. 'Oh Laura, I don't think I have ever met anyone like you.'

She cocked her head to the side staring at him from under her lashes. 'And is that a good thing?'

He reached over and lifted her hand and leaned over to kiss it again. 'Yes it is Miss Jones.'

After her second plate of pancakes which Jake had insisted she ate she looked at her watch and grimaced. 'I need to go home. Charlie will be waiting for me and I want to spend the afternoon with him I have not seen much of him this week.'

'Tell me if I am overstepping here but how come you have your nephew living with you? Your brother/ sister is not around?'

Laura's face clouded over as she thought back to that awful night when the police had arrived at her door. They had taken her to the hospital immediately but by the time she had arrived Emma was gone. She had slept beside Charlie's bed that night crying for the loss of a sister she barely knew. She had lost her sister a long time ago to her addictions and had not seen her for several years. Their contact had been brief. Emma had only got in touch when she needed money. Laura had been stunned to get to the hospital and discover she had a nephew she had never met.

They had got through the last year or so together and had become a little team. She loved him as though he were her own and he was so like Emma his mannerisms, his temper tantrums. For Charlie life was stable now and it had been obvious he was traumatised from his life with Emma.

She looked at Jake he was staring at her with a burrowed frown on his face. 'I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you.'

'No it's fine. Where to start really. My sister Emma died and for some reason she had named me as his guardian. Amazing really.'

'Amazing why?'

'Well, she was an addict spent all her money on drugs, spent most of my money bailing her out when she ran up bad debts. And she was sensible enough to leave a will naming me as Charlie's guardian. I am still surprised to this day that she did that.'

'Where is his dad? Sorry am I asking too much?'

'It's fine. Honest answer no idea. I don't know who his dad is. He talks about him sometimes so he definitely was around at some point. But, no one came forward after, so I don't know anything about him. He was not on the birth certificate and there were no papers or anything that could give a clue.'

Jake nodded slowly. 'If my child was out there I would want him with me.' Laura looked across at him noticing that he had become withdrawn as she spoke about Emma.

'So today is an important day for us I need to spend some much needed time with him and let Ellie have the afternoon off. She's our aupair well to be honest she is like a member of the family now. Only been with us a few weeks but he loves her so that is great for me. Means I can work and not feel guilty.'

She stopped and looked at him. His face was shadowed in thought and he was definitely thinking of something other than what she was telling him.

'I should get dressed.' She stood up. 'Thanks for breakfast and well last night, this morning. I didn't expect it but it was nice.'

She looked down at him, his face was amused now and he raised an eyebrow at her comments. 'I don't know how you make me so damn tongue tied. I don't normally have a problem talking to people.'

She turned and walked towards her bag pulling out clothes to put on.

Jake came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. He swung her around to face him and lowered his head to gently kiss her. 'I don't want to let you go.'

Laura felt herself go dizzy as he kissed her, right now there was nothing more she wanted than to drag him back bed but, she knew Charlie would be looking out the window waiting for her to come home and she was already late enough.

'Look you don't have to but, if you like come home with me.'

Jake raised an eyebrow as she made this comment. She pushed him away. 'I don't mean it like that. I just meant if you like come and spend the afternoon with us. We are only going to the beach. Charlie has a new kite so we might try and fly it if I can get it working properly.'

He touched her cheek as she finished speaking. 'I would love to come home with you. You should know I am bloody excellent with kites so bring it on.'

'Ha okay well let me get changed. I need to check in on everyone before I head off. So give me thirty minutes?'

Laura headed towards the bathroom to get ready. Stopping as Jake called her. 'You don't want to get changed in front of me.' She felt that all too familiar flush washing over her. He laughed and headed towards the door. 'See you in the car park in 30 mins.'

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Jake was driving back to London he was astonished at the last 24 hours and his behaviour. What had brought on this throw caution to the wind attitude he had suddenly adopted?

Having woken up next to Laura for the second time he had been struck by a wave of emotion he had never felt before. He couldn't explain it and it terrified him. He had watched her sleeping her face so innocent completely unaware of who he was and his intentions. It had been an intense moment and he had hurriedly left her room shaken to the core at the sudden depth of his feelings.

He had gone back to his room fully intending to leave the hotel as quickly as he could. The sharp reality of his situation had freaked him out. But, having listened to the message his Mother had left him on his phone and seen the missed calls he had suddenly thought that he would rather spend the day with Laura than go and see her.

Wandering down to the kitchen he had tried to appear nonchalant as he requested breakfast for the pair of them. Chef Louis had rolled his eyes but said nothing as he and his team had prepared breakfast.

He had taken the trolley to Laura's room and when he hadn't seen her in the bed for a split second he thought she had gone. But, hearing the shower had soothed the worry that had appeared. He had known he shouldn't go in but, he had pushed the open door and stepped in. She had been standing so quietly under the water and watching her had moved him beyond words. When she had turned he should have looked away but he couldn't help himself. Then seeing what he had done to her body with the bruising he felt he had stamped her she was his woman now. But he didn't really have the right to say anything of the sort and he knew it.

He had sat listening to her talking about her sister. Anger had flushed through his veins thinking of Will and how the family were being excluded from his son's life. This Emma sounded a piece of work. His opinion of Laura had changed radically this weekend. She seemed to be the sensible one in this travesty. How he could convey that to his Mother was not going to be easy. He doubted she would even listen.

She had invited him to spend the afternoon with her and Charlie. He had been stunned and touched in equal measure. Saying yes quickly and then regretting it just as quickly. But then realising that he didn't want to leave her yet. He had followed in his car from the hotel parking outside her little house. Upon walking inside he had been struck immediately that it was a happy home. You could see it as you looked around. It had her stamp all over it. Well chosen pieces of furniture which she told him she picked up in auctions one of her weaknesses. She had giggled as she said she loved shabby chic. He had no clue what that meant but had smiled back as she enthused about the dresser in her hall. He thought back to his home yes he enjoyed it but he had chosen nothing and it was not as welcoming as Laura's home.

It had been a magical day there was no other word to describe it. They had gone to the beach he had taught the boy how to fly a kite and he was transported back to when he and Will had been children playing with kites and running around being silly. It was a rare thing for him to behave like this he had no other family members with young children around him but, he had enjoyed this moment of fun and freedom.

When Charlie had gone to bed he had refused to let Laura tuck him in and demanded Jake do it. After reading three stories Charlie had finally started falling asleep but he had pulled Jakes hand and held it over his chest as he drifted off. He was dumbstruck and looking over his shoulder as Laura made a sound it appeared she had been too.

She had disappeared downstairs and made them omelettes and salad for dinner. The kitchen was small and cosy. Pictures drawn or painted by Charlie hung on any available wall space. She was tired he could see it. He was exhausted himself there was nothing more he wanted than to crawl into bed and sleep but he would have to head back to London for that. There was no way she would let him stay. He wanted to fall asleep with Laura wrapped in his arms but it was not going to happen with Charlie so close by.

When Ellie had arrived back he had taken that as a sign to head off. At the door he had kissed her softly not wanting to encourage either of them but also realising that the last few hours had seen enough activity. The kiss had been sweet and gentle she had clung to him and seemed sad to let him go.

He opened the car window feeling a wave of tiredness hit him. Pushing the button for some music he was struck by a thought. There are moments in your life that are infinitely significant today had been one of those. He smiled and begun singing along to the song playing.

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Laura lay in her bed unable to sleep. The day had been surreal on so many levels. She began listing the things in her head hoping it would bring sleep.

First off she had slept with Jake and it had been amazing, incredible. It was almost too good to be true like something you read in a book. For some reason he had seemed to enjoy making love to her and definitely enjoyed the way her body had reacted and felt.

Secondly he had been incredible with Charlie. She had sat on the beach watching them playing and flying the kite. She couldn't get her head around what had changed and why Jake had suddenly become someone she could see featuring in her life. They could have been father and son playing together was an easy familiarity in the way they behaved around each other. When she had seen the two of them in Charlie's bedroom her breath had caught in her throat. It was what every child should have; a parent who loved them unconditionally and Jake had been sitting there like a Dad would sit with his son. Making funny voices as he read the stories to Charlie. She had seen how enthralled Charlie was with Jake. It scared her that he had become attached to him in such a short period of time. He was her priority and she would not let anything further upset him. Had she made a mistake letting Jake spend the day with them?

He had left reluctantly and she had let him go feeling the same. What was going to happen? Did this mean anything to him? She knew that tomorrow she would need to break up with Chris. Whatever happened between her and Jake she was now certain that Chris was not someone who should feature in her life. Jules would be delighted when she found out.

Jules hmmmm she would need a good talking to tomorrow. Or should she? Maybe she should be buying her some flowers to say thank you for the crazy weekend.

Laura fell sleep smiling, hoping that somewhere someone was thinking of her. She kind of knew it wouldn't be Chris. How had she not seen it before? Why had it taken this event to make her see sense?

There was only one person she wanted thinking about her because she was thinking about him.

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Jake fell into bed and for the first time in that bed in a long time he slept through the night. His dreams consumed by Laura and a little boy who he had fallen in love with that day…..