Chapter 49

Erica

The spray of water against her back did nothing to cool the heat she felt as Marcus knelt in front of her, his head buried between her legs. She held on to his hair as his tongue delved between her folds, teasing her perfectly while she held herself steady against the glass of the shower.

"Jesus, you're so good at that," she moaned, pressing her head back and locking her knees so her legs didn't give out on her. "So fucking good."

Marcus hummed in acknowledgement, the vibration of his deep moans teasing her deliciously. Nudging her legs further apart, his fingers teased her entrance before dipping inside her, curling against the most sensitive part of her. Tightening her fingers in his hair, she called out his name, reaching above her to stabilise herself on the showerhead.

"Baby, baby, please. I'm gonna slip if you keep that up."

He chuckled in response, burying his fingers inside her as he lavished attention on her clit with his tongue. Her eyes closed as she turned her head towards the stream of water, her cries becoming more urgent.

She called out his name, wave after wave of pleasure wracking her body as her orgasm ripped through her. Slipping down the shower screen, she grabbed desperately at the showerhead, only for Marcus to move her leg over his shoulder to secure her in place. Making a satisfied noise, he repositioned himself and attacked her clit with renewed passion.

Succumbing to the pleasure, everything else faded away until only a whisper of a thought lingered in her mind.

There were worse ways to start a birthday.

"So. Would you like your present?" Marcus asked as they sat at the breakfast table. His eyebrows wriggled suggestively as he took a bite of his croissant.

"I thought that was my present," she replied, a shiver of pleasure going through her as a reminder of their fun in the shower.

"Are you kidding me? That's a present for me, baby. I love getting between your legs." Standing, he bent down to kiss her forehead. "I'll be back in a second, okay?"

Watching him leave the room, Erica felt her heart flutter as he navigated the boxes in the hallway, still needing to be unpacked. Every time they tried to organise their new home, they got distracted with each other's bodies. Every day with Marcus was sweeter than the last and her love for him grew more and more intense.

It was rather terrifying, just how fast things had moved for them, and yet the progression of their relationship had felt completely natural to her. After spending so much time together after their respective marriages ended, locked away in their little bubble of grief, it was surprising nothing had happened sooner.

But Erica wouldn't change a thing about her time with Marcus.

In fact, if she had to go through the humiliation and hurt of Alex's infidelity, she would. If it meant she would end up right back in this moment, she would live it all a thousand times over.

"Okay, close your eyes," Marcus said from the hallway. Licking the sugar from her fingers, she followed his instructions as a frisson of excitement raced through her body. Straining to hear something, she couldn't help but smile as she heard his approaching footsteps.

"You're already grinning," he said. "You don't even know what it is yet."

"I can't help it," she giggled. "I love receiving gifts."

"And I love you," came Marcus' voice next to her ear as he placed something cool around her skin. "Happy birthday, Erica. Open your eyes. "

Ignoring the chills that raced across her chest, she opened her eyes, immediately gasping at the small pile of presents littering the table. "What is all this?" She asked, looking up at him. Her hand felt for the necklace around her neck, not sure what to respond to first.

"You look overwhelmed," he said. "Why not start with the necklace?"

She nodded, glancing down between her breasts and the charm of a cute little ghost hanging between them. Giving her a crinkly smile, he chuckled.

"Don't worry, they're not all that cheesy. I just couldn't resist."

"I love it," she assured him, meaning every word. It was cheesy. After all, ninety percent of their life was ghost-related. But it was also the reason it was so perfectly them. Alex would have never dared to gift her something so personal and quirky.

To him, a gift meant an expensive piece of exquisitely beautiful jewellery and a bouquet of expensive flowers. Every year without fail, she'd gasp at the latest diamond to add to her collection and smell the delectable fragrance of the floral arrangement he'd picked.

Every year, she was beyond grateful.

But diamonds, no matter how beautiful, were so impersonal. A cheesy little silver-plated ghost was worth more to her than all of Alex's diamonds put together.

"So, where do I start?" She asked, gesturing at the pile.

"Wherever you want," he shrugged. "Just leave the envelope 'till last, okay?"

Making an excitable sound, she reached for the biggest of the gifts, tearing at the wrapping paper. Upon seeing the brand of her favourite shoe store, her heart stuttered in her chest. Sure enough, inside the box was a pair of the most stunning boots she'd ever laid her eyes on.

"You remembered," she said, grinning at him. "I can't believe you remembered."

"I paid attention," he said modestly. "You practically salivated against the window when you saw them. I knew I had to get them for you. "

"You're so thoughtful," she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

A fact that became painfully obvious once Erica had finished opening the presents, admiring her pile of gifts. An old edition of her favourite book, a new bottle of her favourite perfume, and some more supplies for her crochet hobby. With a new curling wand she'd had her eye on, and a handful of naughtier gifts, Marcus had thoroughly spoiled her.

"Okay, the envelope now," he said, handing it to her.

"I don't know how you could top all of this," she said, cutting along the seam. Pulling out the two tickets, she frowned, looking up at him. "Are we going somewhere?"

"Just look," he said, his eyes dancing with excitement. Curious, she turned the tickets over, her heart leaping out of her chest.

"Oh, Marcus," she breathed. "You didn't."

But he had. In her hands, she held two tickets for a flight to New Orleans. This could only mean one thing, and she had never been more excited in her life. "Are we going to the Lalaurie mansion?"

"And a handful of other places," he said, laughing as she threw her arms around him. "You're excited I take it?"

"So excited," she agreed, releasing him after a moment. "It'll be weird going on someone else's ghost tour, though, won't it?"

"I bet it's not as good as ours," he teased. "Even if our ghosts aren't quite as famous as Lalaurie."

"I don't know what to say, Marcus," she said, looking around at her gifts. Surprisingly, she felt a lump in her throat that she didn't know how to explain. It wasn't as though someone hadn't spoiled her before. But never this personally . Never by a person who knew her as well as Marcus did.

"I love you," she said simply.

"Quite right, too," he replied, kissing her nose. Turning his head at the sound of the door, he pulled a face. "Sit and enjoy your coffee. I'll get the post."

Thanking him, she took her seat again, her fingers running over the flight tickets .

She couldn't believe Marcus had gone through so much trouble for her. The flights alone must have cost him a small fortune.

He thinks he doesn't deserve you.

She frowned as a long-forgotten conversation with Josh floated through her mind. It had been the night they told her parents about their relationship. After dinner was over, they went to the pub, along with Lottie and Liv.

Erica remembered Josh and Marcus sitting in a corner for what seemed like hours, talking away in hushed voices. When she confronted Josh, he'd spilt the beans, albeit reluctantly.

"He thinks he doesn't deserve you. Look at all the positive things that have happened to him since you entered his life. He doesn't know how to thank you."

"He doesn't need to thank me," she replied with a frown.

"Well, he believes he does. His business is booming. He's got this awesome new house. He's happier than ever. It's all down to you."

"No. No, Marcus is one in a million. He'd have achieved all this without me. I just planted the seeds for him, but he's the one that keeps people coming back. I wish he'd see himself through my eyes."

She had planned to tell him exactly how she saw him later that evening. But as the drinks kept flowing, her conversation with Josh went by, forgotten. She could kick herself for that.

Especially now, when his thoughtfulness proved it was she who did not deserve him.

"Letter for you," Marcus said, entering the room. "Seems important too." Handing over her mail, he took a seat, taking a sip of coffee as he sorted through his own letters.

Putting aside the obvious birthday cards, Erica opened the official-looking envelope and pulled out the documents inside. Gasping, she covered her mouth with her hand and stared at the words on the paper, not sure if she was reading them correctly.

"What?" Marcus said, looking at her curiously. "Baby, what is it? "

Unable to speak, she handed over the confirmation of her divorce, written in black and white. She was no longer legally married. She was free.

"Holy shit," Marcus said, looking at her over the top of the papers. "Congratulations, gorgeous."

She returned his grin, giggling at the absurdity of the situation. Here she was celebrating her birthday with the man she loved, spoiled beyond belief, only for her ex-husband to give her the best gift of all.

Her entire future.

"We need to celebrate," she said, glancing around the room for inspiration. "We need to get absolutely shitfaced and fuck like rabbits."

His eyes flashed in approval, undressing her mentally as his gaze roamed her body. Her heart leapt as she swayed towards him automatically before a knock at the door interrupted them both.

"Hold that thought," Marcus said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "It's like a bloody circus here this morning."

Erica leaned back in her chair, playing with the ghost charm hanging from her necklace. She was finally a divorced woman. Finally free of any connection to Alex. The feeling was incredible and almost intoxicating. She never realised how much his refusal had impacted her until she felt the relief of knowing it was all behind her.

Almost on cue, her phone buzzed, Alex's name popping up on the screen, a new message alert flashing obnoxiously. For a moment she considered ignoring it, however curiosity won out.

It was the last time she'd ever hear from him after all.

Happy birthday, my love, the text read.

I hope this message finds you well and that you're enjoying your birthday morning. If this was last year, I'd be waking you with diamonds and the biggest bouquet I can find. Unfortunately, someone else has the honour this year.

I could get angry about it, but that doesn't help anyone. Instead, I'll just be patient. I know you'll come around, Erica. You loved me far too much to move on so fast. I'll forgive you for your time with whatshisname, just as you'll forgive me my time with Sophie. We both made mistakes, but we belong together.

I hope you like your presents, my darling. All my love.

A x

That was… odd.

"Um, Marcus?" She called, frowning as she reread the message, walking into the hallway. "Marcus, Alex just text me—"

"Asking if you got your flowers, by any chance?"

"Hm? What do you—" Looking up from her phone, Erica widened her eyes at the bouquets littering their hallway. Flowers of all colours and shapes sat in various vases and displays. "What the fuck?"

"This came with them too," Marcus said, holding a diamond necklace from one finger. "What the fuck is going on?"

Good question.

These were not the actions of a man who had just signed off on his divorce. It made no sense. But she had the papers sitting on the breakfast table. It was official.

"Erica?" Marcus said, looking as confused as she felt. "If not Alex, then who the fuck divorced you?"