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CHAPTER

THIRTY-ONE

NOURA

It happened on a Thursday. It was a sunny, pleasant day in the city. The sort of day that made you want to walk where you were going instead of sitting in traffic.

I remembered strange little details like that, as though the day were imprinting itself strongly on me before my brain even knew why it should.

I woke up in Banks’s arms. He’d stayed the night for no other reason than he’d wanted to. He’d been at my apartment, takeout in hand, when I’d gotten home from a shoot the night before. He’d kissed me like he’d never get enough. We’d had a quiet, intimate meal together that still made me feel warm in my chest just to think about.

For my part, I’d outright admitted to myself that I was falling hard. The man was irresistible when he decided he wanted something, and he wanted me.

I was a little sleep deprived after that night. He’d fucked me several times, waking me up at odd points of the night, each one with a tireless desperation that to this day make my whole body clench in memory.

We couldn’t resist each other, that much was clear.

And I was starting to feel hopeful about us, about where we were headed, and what we could become.

A cheerful Banks had even taken me to church the previous Sunday. He’d led me in on his arm, seating me in the middle of his family like he did it every week. His brothers had grinned at him, elbowing each other. His parents had gaped. I couldn’t keep the blush off my cheeks or the smile off my face for the entire service.

We were starting to build the foundation for something powerful and profound. A real marriage? Perhaps. For the first time I let myself consider it, at least.

The only thing that could hold us back at this was ourselves.

Or so I thought.

Banks had kissed me passionately goodbye on the sidewalk outside my building. He’d gotten into one of his cars, and I’d walked from the apartment to my gym that morning. Chester and I, of course, and even Jovie tagged along. She had a callback at nine, so she’d have to cut it short but she could fit in an hour workout with me beforehand.

I remember that as we were walking, she’d grabbed my hand and beamed at me. “Banks and Noura sittin’ in a tree,” she’d chanted softly. She was happier than anyone about how things were progressing in my strange marriage. It made her outright giddy. She was painfully young and she’d been through a lot, but she was still an optimistic soul. She was sure that my husband had, against all odds, fallen in love me, and that love would conquer all.

It was a sweet moment, the kind that stays in your mouth for a long time, counteracting some of the bitter flavors that come after.

My trainer pushed Jovie and me through a strenuous and satisfying workout.

“Will you be home in time for dinner tonight?” I asked her on her way out.

“I should be,” she replied.

“Well, call if you’re not, and don’t forget to eat a decent meal. Humans need food to survive,” I reminded her. She was like me, constantly monitoring her food.

She rolled her eyes like the teenager she was but rarely acted like. “Okaaaay, Mooom,” she mocked with a smile. She softened it all by kissing me goodbye on both cheeks.

I was still smiling as I walked into the locker room. I changed into a serviceable black two-piece swimsuit and went to do my laps. The gym boasted a good-sized lap pool, but the whole room was rented out for my personal use for this slot of the morning. It was still one of my very favorite perks of becoming a Castelo.

Chester waited just outside the room’s only door to the rest of the gym while I swam. There was another door into the cavernous room, but it was Employees Only and locked at all times. Chester still double-checked it every time before he left me to my swim.

It was a nice balance where Chester could do his job, and I could enjoy one of my favorite activities in absolute peace.

It was the time of day I used to clear my head, swimming mindlessly, letting my body and mind float free of care. I didn’t count laps. Most of the time I didn’t even set a timer for myself. I simply swam until I’d reached my limit.

That day my mind wouldn’t go blank, and I didn’t mind. It was too full of Banks, and in a good way. I swam with a light, and admittedly, besotted heart.

I remember the heat of the room, the delicious feel of the cool water sliding over my skin. I remember the irritating but familiar smell of chlorine.

And then it all came screeching to a halt.

My hand touched the side of the pool, my body curling, feet purchasing a good grip for the return push. I propelled myself forward.