But my mind still has doubts. Last night, after we made love, I spent a long time awake, planning out our future together. I closed my eyes and thought about the years ahead of us; raising children together, growing old in one another’s arms, overcoming obstacles hand in hand. It’s the life I always knew I wanted, but I was never sure who I’d plan this future with. Now, I know, I want it to be Jaxson.
I know it’s a stupid thing to do, getting my hopes up like this. Even though he told me he loves me, what does that mean for us? Nothing has changed regarding my dad, and he will never allow this to happen. Plus, Jaxson has a life of his own back home. He’s got a business to run. He doesn’t need some young student getting in his way, right?
I know in my own mind that I’ll do anything to keep him. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But my relationship with my dad is important to me too. What will he think when he finds out I’m pregnant with Jaxson’s baby, if my gut feeling is right? What will he think if Jaxson decides to go his separate way from me? I feel a stab of pain at the thought. Would Jaxson ever abandon me like that?
“What’s on your mind, baby?”
I’m startled to see Jaxson awake, watching me. He pulls me closer, protectively, and I sigh.
“I’m just...I’m thinking about the future...what it holds for us?”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear gently. “Well, what do you want it to hold?”
I take a deep breath. “Well...more of...this.”
“Expensive holidays in Thailand?”
I laugh. “No...well, maybe. But I just mean...more of you and me. Lying next to each other like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Because to me...it is. I was scared about losing my virginity...but with you, I’ve never felt so safe. And now that I know you love me. I guess I just want to know what that means for us. Because I don’t want to let this go. I don’t want to let you go. I want to have a future with you, not just what we have right now.”
Jaxson caresses my cheek. “Stella, you’re the brightest star in my life. You’re everything I want,” he growls. “Anything you want, you name it, and I’ll give it to you. I’m in this for the long haul. You don’t need to be afraid. I know it’s going to be hard, especially because of your dad. But we’ll figure something out. I don’t ever want you to think that I'll back off just because things might get tough. You’re mine.”
I close my eyes. “I never believed that anyway...I just...well, you’re this incredible man...you could have anyone. I guess it’s just a little hard for me to believe that you’d choose me over any other woman.”
“I’ve never wanted any other woman,” he growls. “All this time, I was waiting for you. I knew my perfect woman would come along when the time was right...and now is the right time, Stella. You’re beautiful and smart and creative and sexy...of course I want you. Every man wants a woman like you.”
I feel tears sliding down my cheeks and he reaches out to brush them away with his thumbs.
“Don’t cry, baby,” he says in a soft voice. “You’re mine now. My woman. And I’m going to take care of you. I’m going to show you just how special you are. I’m going to treat you like my queen because that’s what you are. You deserve the world, baby, and I’m going to give it to you.”
I lean in to kiss his lips. It still feels so strange to me that I can just kiss him whenever I want, but it’s also more magical than I can ever describe. His tongue slides into my mouth and he presses his body against me. Through his underwear, I can feel his cock alert and ready for me. My heart beats faster. I feel like we’re about to make love again, and I’m more than ready. I want him to take me all day long…
But as that thought strikes me, the door flies open.
Jaxson
I hear the door slam open and Stella moves away from me with a gasp. If it’s housekeeping coming into the room, then I couldn’t care less. Not much can stop me from having Stella right here, right now….even if we do have some interruptions.
But from the look of horror on Stella’s face, I realize that the reality of the situation is much worse. I turn around to see Sam standing in the doorway, his face red with anger. His gaze fixed on me and I’ve never seen a man look so angry.
“You…” he hisses. “I should’ve known. I should’ve known you couldn’t be trusted!”
I put my hands in the air in surrender. “Easy, easy,” I snarl. “You have no idea what’s happening here.”
“You’re taking advantage of my daughter, that’s what’s happening!” Sam snaps. “You’ve been eyeing her up like a piece of meat for the past two days...you never cared about making amends, did you? In fact, this is just your way of stabbing me in the back again isn’t it.”
“No, Dad, it’s not like that,” Stella says desperately, grabbing her robe and pulling it on. “Just listen to me, I can explain…”
“You lied to me,” Sam snarls at Stella. “You knew this would make me angry and you did it anyway. Worse, you tried to keep it a secret. What the hell, Stella? I thought I knew you...my little girl…”
“You do know me,” Stella sobs. “But I’m not a kid any more, Dad. I’m a grown woman and I’ve fallen in love.”
“Love?” Sam scoffs. “You’re not in love. You only met two days ago!”
“I love him, Daddy, with all of my heart. Please listen to me.”
“I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth!”
“Don’t talk to her like that,” I growl, stepping forward. Every possessive bone in my body has stiffened, readying me for a fight with Sam if necessary. I didn’t want it to come to this, but he’s managing to push every single one of my buttons. He comes closer to me, trying to intimidate me by getting in my face.
“I’ll talk to her however I want to, she’s my daughter! Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can’t do?”
“You seem to think we can live by your own rules...you tried to stop me from going after her...but I did. I guess we’re both pretty bad at doing what we’re told,” I growl. “You need to listen to me. Stella is an amazing woman and I’ve fallen for her. I’m not going anywhere. Not now that I know she feels the same way as I do. Not now that I’ve gotten her pregnant. We’re going to be a family.”
Sam’s eyes widen in genuine shock. “What?”
“You heard me, Sam. We’re going to have a baby. We’re going to be a family and get married and build a future together. I’m not kidding around. You’re just going to have to accept it and move on.”
For a second, I think Sam’s going to nod and say it’s okay. For a second, I genuinely fool myself into believing that he’ll put his daughter first. But then his face twists in anger and I know that he’ll never be able to move past this. He glares between me and Stella.
“You mean to tell me that after two days, you’re planning to spend the rest of your lives together? With a baby?” He shakes his head. “No daughter of mine is going to have that man’s child,” he snarls, jabbing a finger in my direction. “You can’t trust him, Stella. He’s a backstabber and a liar and...”
“No, he’s not,” Stella cries. “You told yourself all those things years ago and you’ve clung onto that idea ever since just so that you wouldn’t feel so damn stupid for giving up the chance to work together. You want to believe that Jaxson is the villain here...but if you tell me to leave him, Daddy...then it’s you who is the villain.”
With his eyes filled with fury, Sam grabs Stella’s wrist and pulls her toward the door. “You’re coming with me. We’re flying home today. And you’re never going to see Jaxson again.”
“Dad, please, let me go!”
“No. You deserve better. You’re coming with me right-”
He doesn’t expect me to shove him out of the way, and stumbles letting go of Stella. Righting himself, he turns on me, his hand balled into fists.
“You want to make this physical? Fine. Let’s do this.”
“I don’t want to fight you,” I grow
l. “But you can’t do this to Stella. She’s old enough to make her own choices.”
“Her stupid choice has made it clear that she doesn’t know a thing,” he hisses. He tries to swing a punch at me, but I dodge it easily. His anger is getting the better of him and it’s seriously throwing off his aim. I shake my head at him.
“No, Sam. I’m not doing this.”
He swings again and by instinct alone, I retaliate with a punch to his shoulder. It was harder than I intended and he stumbles back in shock. He tries to run at me again, but I easily stop him with a swift uppercut. Clutching his nose, he glares at me, blood running between his fingers. Stella gasps in shock, but I hold my ground. I can’t show weakness now.
Sam shakes his head at me in fury. “Fine. Have it your way. You’ve corrupted her now...so I guess I can’t take care of her anymore. You can pretend you’re going to marry her and make a life with her, but we both know she’ll be back at my side in a month. We both know you can’t handle a loving relationship.”
“You’re wrong,” I growl, but he’s already turning to look at Stella.
“I’m leaving. Tonight. You do what you want, Stella, since you clearly know best, but don’t you dare come back home while you’re still insisting that you’re going to be with that man forever. You can come back when you’ve come to your senses.”
Stella sobs loudly. “No, Daddy, please don’t go...don’t make me choose…I love him.”
“So you say,” Sam hisses. “So I guess if you love him so damn much you can stay with him, forever. You don’t need to bother with me again.”
With that, he leaves slamming the door behind him. Stella is crying hard now, gasping for air, and I rush to her, holding her protectively in my arms. I can’t believe he just abandoned her like that. But what’s done is done. He’s not coming back. He’s too caught up in his own hate to believe there’s even a chance that we’re in love. He’s so desperate to shun us that he’s rejected his own daughter.
“Don’t worry, baby,” I say. “I’ve got you.”
CHAPTER NINE
Stella
I’ve cried today more than I have in years. I don’t really think of myself as an overly emotional person, but I guess my father walking out really broke my heart. I thought that maybe he’d find a way to forgive me when I told him I’d fallen for his old best friend. But instead, he turned me away entirely.
I considered chasing after him, but I wasn’t going to let him think I’d chosen him over Jaxson. Jaxson never would’ve asked me to choose, especially not with the baby I know is on the way. I can’t believe that even after I told Dad I’m pregnant he chose to walk away. His grandchild is growing inside me and he’s more bothered by a years old feud. I guess today I learned that my father isn’t the man I thought he was, in the worst possible way.
And now it’s like I’m mourning him. He may not be dead, but I’m dead to him, and somehow that’s even worse. I have no idea what I’m going to do now. I’ve lived with my father all my life, even during my studies to save money. If I can’t go home, then where does that leave me?
Jaxson hasn’t said much, just holding me as I cry. But now, as I finally calm down, I feel a bit embarrassed for breaking down in front of him like that. I never expected so much emotion to come out of me. I wipe at my face, hiccuping a little.
“I’m sorry...I didn’t expect to break down like that,” I tell him. He shakes his head at me.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. You’ve had a rough day. You’re my woman, and you can cry on my shoulder anytime you need me.”
I feel a rush of love for him. Each new thing I learn about him makes me feel even more emotion for him. Even though my heart is breaking and it’s hard to focus on anything other than the pain, he’s here like a beacon of hope. With each passing minute I love him a little more.
“I’m so glad you’re here for me, Jaxson. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you today.”
“That’s what I’m here for, to make you feel better.” He kisses my cheek and I blush. I’m not used to this kind of affection yet, but it’s something I think I’d like a lot more of in the future. Only from Jaxson, of course. It looks like Jaxson and I are going to be spending a lot more time together now that I’ve got no home to go back to and I’m carrying his baby…
“Why don’t we head to the beach for the day?” Jaxson asks me. “You should be given a day of relaxation, you deserve it.”
Part of me doesn’t want to go anywhere at all. I feel so miserable that it would be so easy to just curl up and cry all day long. But I think Jaxson knows this is what I need. If I get out there and enjoy myself as much as possible, then this whole thing won’t have been for nothing. I want to be with Jaxson because of all the excitement our time together brings me. I can’t waste the rest of this holiday hiding in the hotel room.
“Okay,” I say with a smile. “I’ll take a shower and then we can go.”
“Maybe I’ll join you,” Jaxson growls in my ear. My heart pounds hard against my chest...and with those four words, all my worries melt away.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Showering takes a lot longer than it should. He makes me come three times while we’re under the steamy water, and not one act makes me feel clean. He brings out this dirty side of me that I never knew I had. By the time we’re actually dressed and ready to go, it’s well past midday.
As we head out into the street, I make for the hotel’s section of the beach, but Jaxson shakes his head at me.
“We’re not going there today. I’ve called a cab. We’re going somewhere a little more...private.”
I grin. “Are you going to tell me where?”
He kisses the top of my head. I love the way he towers over me. It makes me feel so protected by him. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Our cab arrives and we get in, quickly beginning our journey to our secluded paradise. Jaxson insists on sitting right next to me so that he can cover my eyes, making it a true surprise. He kisses my neck gently as we trundle along the road and I feel more relaxed than I have in a long time, even with my father’s response to us this morning still in the back of my mind.
I don’t want to lose my father, but how can I lose Jaxson now when he’s giving me the world.
When the car comes to a stop and the driver opens the door for me, I can feel the heat of the summer sun beating down on me and Jaxson’s gentle hands still over my eyes. I smile.
“Can I look yet?”
“I guess you can.”
He takes his hands away from my eyes and slips one hand into mine. We’re on a secluded cove with a small beach. There are a few tourists farther out snapping pictures in the opposite direction, but the beach is deserted.
“I thought this would be a little more private. I’ve been here a few times just to think,” Jaxson says. I squeeze his hand.
“It’s perfect.”
We head down to the beach hand in hand. The sound of the waves lapping at the sand is so soothing that I feel like I could fall asleep in seconds if I just closed my eyes. I’m a little tired after spending most of last night making love with Jaxson, but it was totally worth it.
And now, we’ve got a place to be at peace. Away from the hustle and bustle of the hotel, I feel good. It almost makes me forget everything I’ve endured over the past twenty-four hours. I’ve been at my highest highs and my lowest lows. With Jaxson at my side, my world has turned upside down in the best and worst way possible, but I can handle it if it means I get to keep him.
As we sit down, I put a hand to my stomach, thinking of my baby. I know it sounds crazy, but I can feel that there’s a child inside me. The moment we made love for the first time, it was like the world made so much sense, and with that came our little miracle. I don’t know if we’re having a girl or a boy, or what the child will look or be like, but it’s ours, and that makes it so magical.
Jaxson strips off his shirt and sits behind me, pulling m
e back against his chest. I nestle into him quietly. Just being in one another’s company feels so perfect. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world just to be here with him.
He’s mine and I’m his.
Jaxson
Stella takes a nap lying on my chest and I stroke her hair as she dozes. It’s easy to believe we’re in paradise here. The water lapping against the shore is clear and blue and clean. The sand is soft and hot and white, unspoiled. The sun is tanning our skin and giving us a healthy glow. This is what most couples dream of doing on a relaxing holiday.
But there are things on my mind. We can’t stay on this beach forever and when we leave, we’re going to have to face reality. Now that Sam has abandoned Stella, I need to step up. I wanted her to be mine and now she is, and I need to make sure she knows that I’ll take care of her, forever. Not just because our baby is growing inside her, something that will bind us together forever, but because I love her. Sam might not be able to handle that idea, but for me it’s a dream come true.
I look down at Stella and feel so much love in my heart for her. She’s so goddamn beautiful with her curvy body, soft blue eyes and dark wavy hair. I can barely believe she’s mine. My cock twinges under my shorts, but now isn’t the time to think about sex. Now, I need to think of our future.
And I’ve got something important to ask her when she wakes up.
She shifts and sits up as though she’s been reading my thoughts. She smiles a little sleepily at me.
“I think I needed that,” she says, rubbing her eyes. She cocks her head to the side when she sees my expression. “What’s on your mind?”
“You,” I growl. I take her hand in mine. I want this to be special for her, and I know I’ve got the perfect location for what I want to ask her. “Stella...the past few days have been crazy. I never thought that something like this would happen to me. I was beginning to think I’d be alone forever. I knew I wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection in my love life. And then I met you and I knew I’d give up everything to be with you. You’re the only thing that matters to me.”
His Unexpected Love Page 5