Libby looked from him to Daisy. ‘It’s been two years, Alex. Are you ever going to tell us who her real father is?’

Alex tensed and his blue eyes hardened. ‘I’m her father,’ he said softly, holding the little girl more tightly. ‘She’s my baby girl, aren’t you, sweetheart?’

He nuzzled her neck and Daisy chuckled happily just as Jenny arrived looking cool and pretty in a blue linen dress.

‘You look great in that colour,’ Libby said warmly, ‘and those shoes look fantastic with that dress.’

Jenny glanced down at herself and smiled shyly. ‘It was kind of you to lend them to me. I’m being really careful how I walk. I’m not used to heels this high. I’m afraid I’ll fracture something. On the other hand, it is nice not to feel so small compared to Alex.’ She turned to him with an awed expression on her face. ‘Did you know that Libby has sixty-three pairs of shoes?’

Alex yawned. ‘Is that all? She’s obviously sold some of them then.’

Libby laughed and thumped him on the shoulder. ‘Vile man. It’s just as well you have Jenny to reform you.’

Alex’s eyes gleamed as they rested on his wife. ‘Reform me?’ He stepped closer to Jenny, enjoying her soft blush. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘Alex!’ Jenny backed away and glanced round self-consciously. ‘I don’t want to shock your father.’

‘Oh, but I do,’ Libby said happily. ‘It’s my favourite pastime. Go ahead. Shock away.’

‘Don’t start, Lib.’ Katy joined them, holding the hands of her two seven-year-old boys. ‘Dad is so much better. He’s trying really hard to relax.’ She turned to Jenny. ‘Where are your twins?’

‘With Andreas and Jago,’ Jenny said, pointing across the lawn. ‘They’re using them as a climbing frame.’

Katy laughed. ‘Isn’t it amazing? Two sets of twin boys in the family.’

Alex reached out a hand and pulled Jenny towards him in a totally male gesture of possession. ‘Actually, I would have rather had them separately.’ He dropped a gentle kiss on Jenny’s head. ‘I worried about you right the way through your pregnancy. You seem too delicate to carry one baby safely, let alone two.’

Jenny gazed up at him lovingly and Libby and Katy melted into the background with knowing smiles.

Jenny and Alex found themselves on their own with Daisy.

‘So…’ His voice was husky and so sexy that it made her nerve endings tingle. ‘Do you fancy slipping away somewhere more private?’

Jenny’s eyes widened. ‘Alex, we can’t.’

He gave a slow smile. ‘You’ve been married to me for almost two years, Jen. I’ve given you two babies. How can you still blush?’

‘It’s you!’ She bit her lip and looked away, flustered, ‘You always make me feel—feel…’

‘Yes?’ He stepped closer again, this time not giving her the chance to back away. ‘How do I make you feel?’

Staring into his wicked blue eyes, Jenny felt her stomach drop away. ‘Oh, Alex, I love you so much.’