Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

ALEXA

The sound of Elijah’s cry wakes me from my slumber.

My eyes open to unfamiliar surroundings. From the big window staring out into the open sky to the king-sized bed with satin sheets. I let out a yawn before reaching over to soothe Elijah. The bedside clock says it’s just after seven in the morning. Damn, that’s a sleep-in for me.

I quickly hop out of bed and set up Elijah’s change mat to change his diaper. When he’s fresh, I get comfortable on the bed to feed him.

Then, I remembered last night.

Shit.

I shake my head and close my eyes, scolding myself for allowing my body to take charge. But the more I berate my actions, the more I realize how much I crave him still. Just being in his presence is hard because no matter how I try to spin it, my attraction toward him is still there.

Maybe, even more so than before.

When Elijah finishes up, I follow by burping him and then carrying him out of the room. My footsteps are faint as silence is all I can hear inside the penthouse. Inside the kitchen, there is a note on the countertop.

Didn’t want to wake you. Had to leave for the office. I’ll call you tonight.

Another formal message like nothing at all happened last night.

“So, back to normal, I guess,” I mutter to myself.

It makes no sense to stay here any longer, so I pack our things but check the news about last night’s hostage situation. Turns out they caught the guy, and thankfully, no one was harmed during the siege.

Several days pass, and not a single call or text. Although I could have easily texted him myself, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It’s almost as if I made the first move, I’d be admitting I’ve become attached.

And I can’t. There’s too much at stake here.

My mood is all over the place, and bumming around at home only drives my boredom.  Visiting my sisters is not an option, mainly because they’re annoying, and we’ll probably end up fighting.

“Alexa, if something is bothering you, you know you can talk to me?” Mom offers as I sit inside the kitchen.

“I’m fine.”

“Okay, then, can you bring this to your father?”

I let out a huff, carrying the plate of food to Dad, who is in his office. For the last week, he’s barely been home which is probably for the best because I would clash with him too.

With one hand, I knock on the door for him to let me in.

“Mom wanted me to bring this to you.”

“Just put it down, thank you.”

He doesn’t look at me, focused on the screen.

“You’ve been busy with work this week. I’ve paused the show we’re watching. I heard season two is really good.”

His eyes slowly drift to where I’m standing as he observes me. I glance down to see if I have baby vomit or something on me.

“I noticed you weren’t home on Monday night.”

My lips press together while waiting for him to lecture me. He remains silent, not saying a word and waiting for me to answer.

“I stayed at Hunters. It’s not what you think.”

“What do I think, Alexandra?”

“That something is going on,” I say out loud. “Nothing is going on, okay?”

Dad lowers his gaze, tapping his fingers on the desk. “I warned you, Alexandra.”

I throw my hands up in the air. “What do you want from me? I know he was married to Kathy out of convenience. Apparently, they’re getting a divorce. Not that I care. It’s his life. Let him do whatever he wants! He’s so secretive about things, so for all I know, he’s some secret agent working for the FBI.”

My venting doesn’t stop here. “Do you think it’s easy to be around the father of my son and not have feelings? It’s not okay, but I know better than to get involved with a man who doesn’t feel the same way. Imagine, Dad. Imagine being in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way?”

Dad raises his eyes to meet mine with a pained stare. “I know, Alexandra, exactly what it feels like. I watched your mother almost marry someone else. I stood by her hospital bed when she told me the baby wasn’t mine. I know what it’s like to feel pain. But in the end, the truth set us free. So perhaps, your anger shouldn’t be pointed at me, but rather toward the man you claim to be, but don’t want to be, in love with.”

I drop my stare to the floor. “I’m sorry, Dad. I don’t want to fight with you or hurt you. I know you warned me, and I know you’re not fond of him.”

“Alexandra, it’s time for me to let you make your own decisions. I love you, you are my baby girl, but I also can’t hold onto you forever.”

“Dad,” I choke, “I will always be your baby girl no matter what.”

I rush to his side and throw my arms around him. Inside his embrace, it feels exactly like home, down to the kiss he places on my forehead. When he pulls back, I can see his eyes are soft and glassy.

“Wait, what did you mean the baby Mom was carrying wasn’t yours?”

“Long story, for another time. But trust me, all of you girls are mine. It’s in the eyes.” He smiles fondly.

“There’s so much of yours and Mom’s history I don’t know. They should write a romance novel on your lives, like a saga.”

Dad chuckles. “It would be a bestseller, for sure.”

My laughter slows down as I take a breath. “Dad, I need to do something. Can I leave Elijah with you and Mom? There’s something I need to take care of.”

He glances at me one more time. “Go ahead, sweetheart. We’ll always be here if you need us.”

My knock on the door is loud and obnoxious. I wait impatiently, but nothing. Letting out a huff, I bang again, only for Hunter to open the door.

He’s dressed in a pair of sweats and a tee, looking casually sexy. For someone busy with so-called matters, he looks pretty chilled in his outfit.

I push past him to enter the penthouse and ask him why he hasn’t called me. I stop dead in my tracks when I’m inside the main area. Everywhere I look, there are boxes. Stacked up on each other, with not a single thing out.

“What is all this?”

“I’m moving,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Were you going to tell me?” I ask, crossing my arms beneath my chest. “Or are you moving in with Kathy? That’s it, isn’t it? It’s why you haven’t called me.”

The bile rises in my throat. I should have listened to Dad’s warning.

“No, Alexandra,” he tells me sternly. “Please sit down so I can tell you the truth.”

I sit on the barstool next to the countertop, purposely keeping my distance.

“My grandfather was a very wealthy man and had strong family values. When he passed away, he left me his estate. However, there were terms to my inheritance…”

“Terms?” I interrupt. “Like what?”

He drops his gaze to the ground, unable to look at me. “I had to marry and have a child within a certain amount of time. If I didn’t, I lost everything.”

“Your grandfather made those the terms? What an asshole,” I say out loud. “So, Kathy?”

“Part of the plan.”

“But the baby part?”

“After you and I ended, I was devastated but hated admitting it was because I lost you,” he admits in a low voice. “I just became bitter and focused on the money. So, I came to an agreement with Kathy. We try In Vitro and have a baby.”

“Then you lost it…”

“Kathy was never pregnant to lose it. After multiple failed attempts, we had to lie to buy us more time.”

I sit here in shock, unable to move as I try to process what he is telling me.

“I don’t understand. Why did Kathy go along?”

“Because I promised her half the estate.”

My head shakes in disbelief. “And so, these boxes. I don’t understand.”

Hunter lets out a long-winded sigh.

“I gave it all up, Alexandra. I’m done with living a lie. It’s not how I want to begin my life with our son. I have to be out of here tomorrow.”

“So, everything you have is gone?”

“I have an apartment and car,” he tells me. “But what probably hurts the most is my company. I built it from the ground up, and losing my team is hard. I just hope they are treated well for the next buyers.”

I rub my face, trying to make sense of all of this. “But you have a son, so why can’t you keep it all?”

“The contract is specific. I must be married.”

My feet touch the ground as I jump off the stool. “Then, I’ll marry you. Problem solved.”

A slow smile builds across his face. “No, Alexandra. You will not marry me under some ridiculous contract.”

“But, you’re giving up everything. Why?”

Hunter moves to where I stand, his body flush with mine. He towers over me but leans down, inches away from my lips.

“All the money in the world means nothing if I don’t have you and Elijah.” He runs his thumb against my bottom lip. My body trembles, falling apart at his touch. “I want to do this right.”

I throw my hands onto his cheeks and pull him in for a deep kiss. My entire body ignites into a roaring flame when our lips touch. His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me into his as our bodies collide.

“Alexandra,” he breathes. “I need you.”

“Then take me.”

Our kisses become ravenous, and he carries me to the bedroom and lays me on the bed. Slowly, he strips my clothes off and licks his lips, admiring me naked.

“Do you know how perfect you are?”

I pull him into me, missing his touch. We kiss for the longest of times, taking our time, unlike our usual rushing. The slow pace of our foreplay is driving me wild, and soon, I grow impatient.

“Hunter,” I say faintly. “I’m not on birth control.”

He kisses the base of my neck, letting out a soft moan. “I guess we need to find other ways to make ourselves come, huh?”

My lips curve upward into a smile. “Dirty man, I know what you’re thinking.”

Hunter pulls back, gazing into my eyes with a smirk. “What am I thinking?”

I place my hand between us, gently stroking his cock as he groans with delight. His kisses move toward my breasts, but given that I haven’t fed Elijah, it’s not long before we have a problem.

Leaning into his ear, I whisper, “I’ve got another place you can fuck me, Mr. Cash.”

“Don’t tease me,” he warns.

I move his cock toward my ass, desperate to feel him anywhere inside me. We both shuffle to get in position, and he enters me very slowly.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, don’t stop,” I beg, leaning back so he can angle himself in. “I need all of you inside me.”

Hunter moves slowly, careful not to hurt me. I can see he is trying his best not to explode, kissing my breasts and causing me to moan in delight. He pulls back, only for his eyes to widen.

“Your tits are leaking,” he tells me.

“Argh, I knew this would happen. I’m sorry.”

“Alexandra, I’m doing my best not to blow in your ass right now, but this is… fuck, they look so hot.”

And then, just like that, he pushes hard into me, and the familiar build inside my belly spreads throughout my entire body into a blissful orgasm.

We ride it out together, our moans echoing inside the room. Out of breath, we both collapse on the bed, trying to regulate our breathing.

I pull the sheet around me, swallowing with a dry throat. Hunter turns to his side, kissing my shoulder.

“So, what now?”

His hands reach beneath the sheet, gliding between my legs. “How long do I have you for?”

“Forever,” I whisper, “if that’s what you want.”

Hunter climbs on top of me again, gazing into my eyes.

“It’s not what I want,” he murmurs with a fixated stare. “It’s what I need. And forever would be a nice place to start.”

“Forever would be a nice place to start.” I grin.

And just like my father said, the truth will finally set you free. Hunter has released himself of the burden he has been carrying, and I have followed my heart which has led me to this moment.

About to tell my son’s father I love him.

For the very first time.