CHAPTER SIXTEEN

      ‘IT’S AMAZING HE could find a door to match your old one,’ Marion said as she looked at Vivienne’s new bathroom door. ‘Amazing that the man came on time to do it as well,’ she added.

      ‘Jack said all his contractors come on time,’ Vivienne said, very happy with the door. It had even been painted the same colour, Bert explaining that he’d taken a scraping of the paint when he’d come to look at it the first time. It had only taken him half an hour to remove the old door and put in the new one. Marion had dropped in once she’d seen Bert drive off.

      ‘In that case I’ll certainly be giving Jack a ring if ever I want something fixed. Tradies give me the willies, the way they’re never reliable.’

      ‘I know what you mean. Jack won’t tolerate workers who are late, or unreliable, or don’t do things up to his high standards.’

      ‘Hmm. A difficult man to work for, then,’ Marion said.

      ‘Difficult. And demanding,’ Vivienne agreed. ‘But fair.’

      ‘Still, make sure you get a proper contract with him. You can’t be too trusting, even if Jack is normally a fair man. He might try to get you to do this job under the table, so to speak. You know, cash in hand. There’s no security in that. Where money is concerned, even the fairest man might be tempted to take advantage. And you’re vulnerable at the moment, Vivienne, even more vulnerable in the coming weeks without me around to warn you to be careful. Jack didn’t get to be as successful as he is without being a bit ruthless on occasion.’

      ‘Don’t worry. I won’t let him take advantage of me. But, might I remind you that you never warned me about Daryl?’

      Marion sighed. ‘I have to confess that Daryl took me in as well, the handsome devil. He was an accomplished charmer all right. Though, looking back, I suppose he was always too good to be true. Too ready with the compliments, if you know what I mean.’

      ‘Yes. Yes, I certainly do know what you mean,’ Vivienne said, recalling how over the top he’d been in his praise of her. Not just her looks but other things, things which she knew weren’t true. But she’d lapped it up all the same, thinking he was praising her out of love, imagining that he’d been blinded by loved, whereas in fact she’d been the one who’d been blinded.

      Jack, on other hand, was thankfully light on the compliments. Yes, he’d called her beautiful and gorgeous at times, but that was par for the course with men who wanted to have sex with you. And, yes, when in bed he did say nice things about her body. Especially her breasts and her bottom. But he didn’t rave on at length, for which she was grateful.

      What he did at length—last night especially—was make love to her. Impossible to call it anything else this time, Vivienne conceded Jack had showed her that sex with him didn’t have to be kinky or quick or in unusual places and positions to be stunningly pleasurable. He’d surprised her with how long he could spend on foreplay, caressing, admiring and gently exploring every inch of her body before finally entering her, where he rocked gently back and forth, kissing her every so often, bringing her ever so slowly to climax in the most satisfying way.

      Then, after a short rest during which they’d lain in each other’s arms and talked about what plans they had for Francesco’s Folly, he’d made love to her again. Once again he’d been in no hurry, remaining still inside her for ages whilst he’d played with her breasts and told her how lovely they were, and that he could stay doing what he was doing for ever. Which was what it seemed like he did, in hindsight.

      Vivienne knew she should have been exhausted today. Instead, she felt more alive than she ever had before. She could hardly wait to see Jack again tonight.

      ‘I have to go get ready for work,’ Marion said, breaking into Vivienne’s thoughts. ‘Now, forget all about dastardly Daryl. He’s not worth thinking about. See you tomorrow, love.’

      Marion’s advice reminded Vivienne of her decision to go to Daryl’s engagement party. Once again, she no longer felt as strongly about doing so. If truth be told, Daryl was fading from her mind. Yes, it still stung, what he’d done. And yes, he didn’t deserve to get away with it scot free. But would she really have the gall to confront him at his engagement party? It would take courage; she could see that now. Jack hadn’t wanted her to go at first, then he’d said he did. Something about closure—he was probably right. She supposed she could do it, with him by her side. He wouldn’t let anything horrible happen to her. Of that Vivienne felt confident. He was a man who could be relied upon.