by Alexia Praks
Alexandra had the most horrible headache ever. She flashed her eyes open and rubbed her temple, swearing silently. The bright sunlight didn’t help either. She squinted and gritted her teeth.
“Good afternoon, sleepy head.”
She snapped her eyes open, wondering who was in the room with her. She licked her lips and turned to look behind her. Jayden was standing just at the end of the bed, hands in the pockets of his trousers. His white shirt was unbuttoned halfway, showing off his muscular chest.
Oh my God! He was so handsome—just like a devilishly hot Calvin Klein model. She had no doubt he was wearing Calvin Klein anyway. Then she wondered why Jay asked her to be his fake girlfriend when he could have chosen someone prettier—someone like Mary St. Clair. But then again, Jay was gay. Because he wasn’t interested in women, he wouldn’t know which was hot, which was pretty, and which was plain like her. That explained why he wasn’t affected by Mary’s famous charm. God made him a perfect creature, but—
She shook her head and told herself to stop thinking stupid things.
Jayden chuckled and moved onto the bed. He came to sit beside her. “What’s wrong?”
Alex touched her temple again and frowned. “I’ve got the most horrible headache.”
Jay moved closer and peered into her eyes. “You poor thing.” Then he stroked her forehead gently, rubbing her skin so it would ease the tension within her. “You need some aspirin.”
“I don’t want any aspirin, thank you,” she said, her heart starting to do a hard-out disco dance. She could feel his warm breath against her skin. Her insides were exploding with hot, thrilling sensations. This wasn’t good. She couldn’t believe she was excited that a gay guy was paying her attention. How twisted was that!
“Why not? You’ll feel better after some.”
“Because I hate aspirin. I hate any pills. I hate swallowing them. I can’t swallow them properly, and they taste bitter.”
Jay chuckled. Then when he saw her seriousness, he stopped. “Hey, you okay?” he asked, now cupping her face so she would look up at him.
Alex nibbled her lip, her headache now forgotten. “Yeah, why?”
“Your face is red. I know you look flushed when you’re tired.”
Alex was staring at his sensuous lips as he was speaking. What is he talking about? Why am I staring at his lips?
Jayden laughed. “You poor thing. You can’t even think straight. You’re not even listening to me.”
That got her attention. She glanced up to his eyes and saw the mirth there. He was making fun of her. Stupid. Hot. Gay man!
She brushed his hands away and shifted out of bed. “Where am I? Are we at your house?”
Jay made himself comfortable on the bed. “You’re in our bedroom.”
Alex missed the word “our.” She simply nodded and wondered where the bathroom was.
“There.” Jayden pointed to a door to the left.
“Thanks,” she said and rushed in.
Jay waited, and a moment later, she came back out. “I need my things. Where are they?”
“Hold on.” He got off the bed, opened the giant walk-in wardrobe, and grabbed her luggage.
Alex widened her eyes at the array of men's clothing in there, all neatly arranged. Very expensive-looking clothing.
Jay put her bag on the bed. “There you go. I’ll go down and find you that aspirin.”
“Jay, those clothes, whose are they?” she asked, pointing to the wardrobe.
“Mine,” he said, winked at her, and then strolled out the room, whistling.
Alex just stood there, staring at the walk-in wardrobe. Those were Jay’s clothes? Oh, shoot! Her head hurt. She couldn’t think anymore. She raided her luggage, found the things she wanted, and rushed into the bathroom.
She took her sweet time showering. The warm water soothed her aching body. After shampooing her hair and cleaning her face and body, she felt a lot better. She dressed herself in skinny jeans and T-shirt and then did her makeup. Once all set, she rushed out and found Jay sitting on the bed, waiting for her.
“Feeling better?”
She nodded, suddenly feeling conscious of her shabbiness, what with her inexpensive jeans and T-shirt she bought from Kmart at sale prices.
Jay got up and came to stand right in front of her. He touched her temples again with his fingers and thumbs and gave her gentle massages.
“Not hurting as much?”
Alex shook her head. “Uh-uh. I always feel better after a good, warm shower.”
“Good.” He moved to grab the aspirin on the bedside table. “Here,” he said, the medicine in hand.
Alex stared at the two tablets as though those things were going to bite her.
“Go on.” He brought his hand higher.
Alex shook her head. “I’m feeling better, thank you. I don’t need them.”
Jay tried hard to hide a smile. He could see she was afraid she really had to take those tablets. He wondered what she’d do if she had a fever or one of the yearly flus back in New Zealand.
“Go on. It won’t hurt. Just swallow.”
Alex shook her head again and started to dash away.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” He chuckled, grabbing her arm. He pulled her back, and to prevent her from running, he placed one hand behind the nape of her neck. “Right, come on.”
Alex felt warm pleasure where his hand was touching her. Her stomach was all fluttery. He was making her feel things she had never felt before. To hide her emotion, she glared up at him. “You’re not my dad,” she snapped a bit too sharply.
He chuckled. “No, I’m not. But since you’re here and I’m responsible for you, you, missy, will do as I say. I don’t want Peter or your dad to hunt me down and torture me if anything were to happen to you.” He pushed the aspirin tablets in between her lips.
Alex kept her mouth shut. Jay was determined and pushed the tablets into her mouth.
Alex could taste the bitterness, and she groaned in disgust. She signaled for him to get the glass of water for her, her finger pointing and her face all scrunched up.
Jay chuckled as he quickly grabbed the glass. Alex downed the whole lot at once—water and aspirin. Once she finished, she shut her eyes and covered her mouth.
“There, not that bad, right?”
Alex opened her eyes, saw him smirking, and slapped his arm. “Stupid man,” she murmured and placed the empty glass back on the bedside table.
“I’ve got something for you.”
“More aspirins?” She teased. When she turned, she saw him on the other side of the room, retrieving something.
“Of course not.” He came to stand in front of her. “Here.”
Alex glanced down and saw a BlackBerry in his palm.
“It’s for you. Thought you wanted to ring home.”
She watched him grinning, her insides turning liquid warm. “But I’m only going to be here for a couple of weeks.”
“In case you get lost and can’t find me. In case you get bored and want to text me. My number is in there.”
“Oh.”
“No worries.” He chuckled. “So are you up for it?”
She glanced at him, her thoughts still on the BlackBerry. “Up for what?”
“Meeting my family.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, I suppose. Let’s do it.”
“Sure?”
“Uh-huh. Though I am rather nervous.”
“Nothing to be nervous about. Come along.” He grabbed her arm. Alex placed the BlackBerry on the bedside table and followed him.
In the hallway, he said, “Don’t forget. Endearment.”
Alex, who was staring wide-eyed with marvel at her surroundings, said, “What would you prefer? Darling or honey?” Then she laughed.
“I like both.”
“Your house is big,” she commented as they came down the stairs. She looked at her surroundings and felt as though she were in a celebrity’s mansion. Everything was so glamorous with white marble
floor, enormous glass windows that overlooked an immaculate garden, crystal chandeliers, fancy drapes, and luxurious furnishing.
Jay pulled her closer and placed his hand about her waist as they walked toward the drawing room.
Oh dear, this was not at all what she expected. This girlfriend thing was going to be a bit too real.
The moment Alex stepped into the elegant drawing room, she knew she was completely out of place. The three women sitting on that expensive-looking sofa were all dressed in the latest fashion.
Jayden nudged her forward. Alex nervously glanced up at him. Jay smiled at her and guided her toward the armchair.
Granny Beth frowned at the couple, her blue eyes sharp. Gracie smiled at them, and Kelly just clamped her lips together as she waited for the two people to take their seats.
There was only one seat where Jay was leading Alex. Once he took that seat, Alex wondered what she should do. Stand or find somewhere else to sit. Her decision, however, was taken out of her hands when Jay pulled her down and made her half sit on his lap and half on the chair.
“Grandmother, Mother, Kelly,” Jayden began, “this is Alexandra Stewart from New Zealand.”
At this point, Alex didn’t know what to do. What does one do exactly when one first gets introduced to one’s boyfriend’s family?
“Hi,” Kelly said.
“That’s Kelly, my sister. It’s going to be her wedding,” Jay supplied.
Alex smiled nervously and nodded at Kelly. “Right. Hi,” she said to Kelly.
“That’s Mom, you can call her Gracie.”
“Hi,” Alex said.
“Nice to finally meet you, Alex.” Gracie leaned forward and grabbed Alex’s hand. They shook. “Can I call you Alex?”
“Yes, of course,” Alex replied, laughing nervously.
“I like your accent,” Gracie said. “Jay has been telling us so much about you.”
“Oh, thanks.” Alex’s eyes met Jay’s. He gave her a wide grin and winked. Alex blushed. She wondered what kinds of things he had told his family about her. She’d better ask him when they were alone.
Granny Beth frowned. She didn’t seem to like what she saw and said, “So what do your parents do?”
“Um,” Alex began, looking at Jay for help.
“Her dad is retired. Her mom is a sales manager,” Jay said as he pulled Alex fully onto his lap. “Sweetheart, are you feeling better? That aspirin working?”
Alex blinked. Did Jay just call her sweetheart?
“Yes, my head doesn’t hurt as much now. Thank you,” she said, smiling at him tightly.
“I hate traveling, too,” Gracie said. “I get a headache sometimes.”
Alex nodded in agreement.
“So whereabouts in New Zealand?” Beth asked, picking up her delicate Wedgewood china and sipping her tea.
“Down south. It’s a small country. We call it Aotearoa in Maori. It means the land of the long white cloud.”
“Sounds romantic,” Kelly said.
“Maybe we should all go outside. It’s such a lovely day.” Beth interrupted. Though her voice was soft and gentle, there was a hint of command that no one dared disobey.
“Yes, I agree.” Gracie stood.
“Oh, Britney is coming for the dinner party tonight, Jay. You remember Britney Marcelo, don’t you?” Beth asked, looking at her grandson.
“Britney? Oh, yes, I remember her,” Jayden said somewhat reluctantly. Just then he remembered he hadn’t told Alex there was going to be a welcoming party for her.
“Yes, she is coming. Such a nice girl, Britney is. Her dad is Mr. Marcelo. You remember Mr. Marcelo, don’t you?” Beth continued.
“Yes, I remember him. One of Dad’s good friends. Haven’t seen him for a long time,” Jay said, glancing at Alex, wondering if he should mention the party now.
“They just got back from Rome,” Beth said excitedly. “Such a lovely girl, Britney is.”
Alex looked at Beth and knew instantly something was up. She knew the old woman didn’t like her. Beth must be matchmaking Jay with this Britney Marcelo. No wonder he was trying to get away from it all. She patted his arm to show him her understanding.
Jay chuckled.
“Come along now. We shall continue our tea in the garden,” Beth said, elegantly waltzing out the door.
“Oh, it’s so nice to have finally met you,” Gracie commented and hugged Alex.
“Yes. So good to meet you, too,” Alex replied. Once she moved back, Kelly rushed in and hugged her.
“Good to meet you, Alex. We’ll have to find you a dress for my wedding.”
“Oh, right,” Alex commented, moving back.
“Don’t worry. I know lots of designers. They’ll be begging you to wear their dresses. It goes into a high fashion magazine, you know, this wedding of mine.”
“Really?” Alex was shocked. She didn’t expect that. High fashion magazine? Top designers? Oh dear.
At the door, Kelly said to Jay, “Don’t forget we have things to talk about, Jay.” Then she and Gracie walked arm in arm down the hallway.
“They won’t be taking pictures, will they?” Alex asked Jay, looking up at him.
“For the wedding?”
Alex nodded.
“Yes, they will. You don’t have to be in it if you don’t want to.”
“I don’t.”
“Come on, then,” he said, pulling her toward the door.
As they strolled down the hallway, Alex said, “I haven’t forgiven you yet, by the way.”
Jay glanced at her. “What about?”
Alex squared her shoulders and replied, “You forcing those aspirins down my throat.”
“I’ll do it again, you know.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Yes, I will. And besides, the next time you’re sick, you’ll be begging for those aspirins, knowing how effective they are now.”
Alex thought about this and said, “You’re right. I feel better now. So thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned, leading her out into the sunshine. “By the way, there’s a party tonight.”
Alex smiled. “I gathered that from what your grandmother said about this Britney Marcelo.”
He glanced at her. He was surprised she was taking the news quite nicely.
“You’ll be the honored guest. The party is to welcome your arrival,” he added, watching her closely.
Alex widened her eyes in shock. “What?”
Damn! There, not so nicely after all.
“I’ll be the honored guest? The party is to welcome me?” she queried, pointing a finger at herself.
“Yes. To introduce you to the neighborhood,” he said, giving her an apologetic look.
Alex swallowed. “Right. So I will have to make an appearance?”
“You’ll be fine.”
Alex chewed on her lower lip as they approached the others. Yeah, she sure hoped she’d be okay.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 9