For the fifth time, Jayden wondered how the girls’ shopping trip went. He felt like such a jerk for leaving Alex, but Britney and Beth had been so insistent, dragging him out before he had the chance to see Alex.
Lunch with Mr. Marcelo, Britney, and Beth was excellent, and although there wasn’t much discussion about the property he was interested in because Beth and Britney pretty much took over the conversation, he quite enjoyed it. When lunch was finished, Jay wanted to leave straightaway, but Britney insisted he come up to the office on the top floor to look at the property’s paper. It was an invitation he couldn’t resist. Thus, he found himself in Mr. Marcelo’s office, going through countless papers relating to the property, and by the end of the afternoon before he left, Mr. Marcelo invited him to join a cocktail party he was hosting. Jay knew refusing the powerful Marcelo was simply not done, and he rushed home to change into something proper, secretly hoping to see Alex.
No one was home except for Beth, who happily informed him everyone had an emergency meeting with the wedding planner. Feeling deflated, he went upstairs and changed.
Not long afterward, Jay found himself in one of the restaurants of the Marcelo’s Hotel with Britney once again, who was even sexier now dressed in her sleek beige, strapless gown.
“Sweetie, you simply must meet Mr. Weatherson,” Britney said near his ear, giggling. “He’s such a darling.”
Jayden knew Britney had a bit too much to drink, and she had been giggling, clinging onto him, and touching him inappropriately.
“Perhaps another day, Britney,” he said, scanning across the room at the elegantly dressed guests. Most of them were powerful businessmen from around the States, and with them their wives. Oddly enough, he found it all very boring and dry.
He was talking to Mr. Weatherson and his wife about his trip to New Zealand and the things he had done there when he saw the two people he most wanted to avoid. His heart missed a beat and then thumped fast as he lapsed into silence.
“And?” Mr. Weatherson prompted, waiting for him to continue.
“Ah, you young men simply love danger,” Mrs. Weatherson said, shaking her head. “I couldn’t do it, you know. Heights—”
“I never want to go to New Zealand. Don’t even know where it is,” Britney slurred and started laughing loudly. When she stopped, she took another sip of her champagne. Then she glanced at Jay. “Darling? Is everything all right?”
Jayden nodded, still gazing at the couple on the other side of the room. Britney curiously looked in that direction and saw Sarah and Kyle.
“I had no idea Daddy invited them.”
A few seconds later, the couple reached them, and Britney said, “Sarah, darling.”
“Kyle,” Jay said, his voice a polite mask.
“Jayden,” Kyle replied, nodding his head stiffly.
Jay turned to Sarah. “How have you been?”
“Good, thank you,” she replied coldly.
“Who invited you?” Britney asked Sarah.
“Why, your father, of course, dear Britney.”
“Daddy should never invite the likes of you, darling,” Britney replied politely, her tone suggesting otherwise.
The tension among the four people was thick, and Jayden felt sick just being there. He wanted to leave immediately. “You two have a good evening,” he said and then turned away.
Britney toddled after him. “Jay, wait for me.”
“What a stupid woman,” Sarah said, glaring after them.
“And very sexy,” Kyle murmured.
“Disgusting,” Sarah said, shaking her head.
Kyle turned to look at her. “You want him back, don’t you?”
Sarah glared at him, clearly telling him it was none of his business.
“I saw the way you looked at him.”
“So? Yes, I want him back. I’m only playing hard to get. He’ll come back.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“He’ll come back. He loves me,” Sarah said confidently.
“How do you know?”
“He’s still hurting when he sees us together. I can see it in his eyes,” she replied, staring off at Jayden, who was now standing on the other side of the room.
“Are we still together?” Kyle asked curiously.
“Yes and no.”
“Do you ever love a man for who he is, Sarah? Or do you love a man only because he’s bloody rich?”
“I believe that is none of your business,” she snapped.
“You only want him back because he’s a billionaire,” he snapped back.
“Better than you who’s going bankrupt, right? And you’d better not gamble away all my money, too. I won’t let you, you swine!” she hissed near his ear.
“Shut up,” Kyle growled.
“You know where you belong right now without me and Daddy? That’s right, on the streets. And your bed partner is that cleaning girl at Buon Appetito.”
“You’ve gone too far, Sarah,” he swore under his breath, his eyes dark and dangerous.
“Have I?”
Kyle gritted his teeth and stalked away. Sarah sipped her wine, half smiling and half sneering. She knew he was going to see that bitch Britney again. But what the hell could she do?
At first she had been jealous and angry after she found out Kyle had been sleeping with other women, Britney included. After a while, however, she turned cold toward him and couldn’t care less what he was doing. In fact, she broke up with him many times, but he kept crawling back. The fact was he’d be homeless without her. At least after the hot sex he had with Britney, he’d ask that woman for money to tide him over instead of coming to beg from her. She only gave him the bare minimum for his survival, of course. In their broken relationship, she was the one wearing the pants. To her, he was just an item, an accessory. And he was going to be useful for once for the plan she had to get Jayden back.
How she wanted Jayden back, and she couldn’t believe she had been so wrong about Kyle. She thought he was such a good catch, making billions of dollars with his companies. Only it was all a lie. Those weren’t his companies, but somebody else’s. In fact, he was only an employee and had stolen money to solve his gambling debt.
How she wanted Jayden back. Jayden had been the perfect boyfriend. He could have been the perfect husband if only Kyle didn’t tempt her with his smooth words and good looks. And yes, she admitted to herself, if not for the fact she cheated on him. But now, she vowed, she’d get him back, no matter the obstacles or consequences.
* * * * *
“Come on,” Britney said, dragging the reluctant Jayden along the hotel corridor. “You’re dragging your feet.” She laughed.
Jayden smiled politely as he followed her. Up on the top floor of the hotel, Britney unlocked the door of the penthouse with a swipe card. She leaned back against the slightly ajar door and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Come on in. What would you like for a drink?” she asked huskily, her lips near his as she moved her body ever so close to his, an invitation no man ever resists.
Jayden said, “It’s late, Britney,” and unwrapped her arms from his neck.
“But don’t you want to come in?” she asked, pouting her lips to full effect so he’d want to kiss her.
“No. You need your rest. Good night,” he said and turned to go. He walked into the elevator, and a few moments later, he was gone.
Britney growled and stomped her feet. Once she thought she had gotten her frustration out of her system, she turned on her heel, shoved the door open, and slammed it shut.
“You’re not getting very far with him, Britney,” a male voice said.
Britney threw her clutch on the sofa and tiredly dropped herself there. She propped her feet up. “Why does it have to be him, Daddy?”
“Now, you know very well why it has to be him. He has made more than a killing in these past years.”
“He’s so damn slow and tedious. I offered myself to him many times, but he hasn’t even yet
taken the hint. He wouldn’t even kiss me just now.” She sat up straight as a thought suddenly struck her. “Do you think he’s gay, Daddy? Maybe that’s why he’s not interested in having sex with me.”
Mr. Marcelo raised a brow at his daughter. “He’s not gay, Britney. A man knows when another man is gay.”
“Oh! Daddy, how much longer must we do this?”
“Until we can get all the money we can,” Mr. Marcelo replied. He sat down beside Britney and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Sweetheart, we need his money to tide us over. We need his money if we are going to survive in this world. You know very well we are about to go bankrupt.”
“I know, Daddy,” Britney muttered. “But it’s just so boring. Jayden doesn’t want me. He’s not interested in me.”
“Ah, but that’s what he wants you to think,” Mr. Marcelo said, touching the tip of her nose with his finger. “You’re a beautiful girl. What man doesn’t want you? Now, be a good girl and do as Daddy said. I heard Jayden has a girlfriend. Is that true?”
“Daddy!” Britney snapped. “That mousy girl is not Jayden’s girlfriend. I’m going to be his girlfriend.”
“Then you’d better do something quick. Beth said Kelly’s hens’ night is tomorrow night.”
“Ah, yes. Kelly’s bachelorette party. I think I shall come along,” Britney announced. “Beth will welcome me with both arms.”
“And do what you must do,” Mr. Marcelo said. “Good night, sweetheart. Don’t you let your old man down.”
“I won’t, Daddy,” Britney replied meekly.
Mr. Marcelo kissed her forehead and then left. Alone, Britney went about showering and preparing herself for bed when the doorbell range.
“At this hour?” She groaned as she stomped toward the door. She pushed the intercom button and shouted, “Who is it?”
A male face appeared in the small LCD screen on the wall to the left of the door. “It’s me, darling.”
Britney’s face lit up immediately. “Oh, Kyle!” she screamed with excitement. “Come in. I’m so bored.”
Once the door opened, Britney threw herself into Kyle’s arms and started kissing him passionately.
“You missed me that much, huh?” Kyle said once his lips were free.
“Yes. Yes,” she said as she enthusiastically led him to the bedroom.
* * * * *
Chapter 16
The day had been long and filled with unexpected events. Jayden felt like a zombie as he drove home at three in the morning. At the same time, however, he felt exhilarated. With the window down and the fresh breeze on his face, he felt at peace. It was therapeutic, to say the least.
Once home, he quietly sneaked through the front door and tiptoed up the stairs to his bedroom. There, he slid in and quietly made his way to the wardrobe in the dark. He felt like a damn thief in his own bedroom, but he couldn’t take the chance of waking Alex. She was probably tired after her shopping expedition with Kelly and Stephanie. Knowing them, they’d probably made Alex try on every piece of clothing they could find for her.
He shut the wardrobe door and switched on the light. Once he found his pajamas, he tiptoed to the bathroom to shower. Ten minutes later, he was back into the darkness of his bedroom. The idea of sleeping on that uncomfortable sofa yet again caused him to groan unpleasantly. Perhaps Alex wouldn’t mind him sleeping beside her on the bed. After all, she couldn’t very well protest when she was asleep.
Mind made up, he went to the large, luxurious bed and slid in between the sheets. He rested his head on the soft pillow and sighed with satisfaction. He spread his arms out, hoping to touch the sleeping Alex beside him. Only there was a cold, empty space. He frowned and spread his hands out farther into the forbidden side.
He bolted up and switched on the bedside lamp. The room flooded with dim, glowing light. The space on the bed beside him was empty. He glanced around the room and saw a lump of a person cocooned under a mountain of blankets on the sofa with only a mop of dark hair visible.
Good Lord! Alex had stolen his bed—twice! What did she want to prove? That she could comfortably sleep on the sofa and he couldn’t?
In a flash, he was standing by the sofa, gazing down at her. She looked to be in a deep sleep, though he couldn’t see much of her except for her hair. Damn it. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he knew she’d be sore in the morning.
He bent down and slowly pulled the blanket away. Before he realized what was happening, he swore under his breath—stunned at the sight he beheld before him.
Alex was in deep sleep all right. She looked so peaceful and—dear God—so damn enticing he couldn’t help but keep gawking at her. It was only a moment later that he realized she was not wearing her pajamas she usually wore. Tonight she wore a pink T-shirt and sexy grey short shorts that showed way too much of her slim, shapely legs.
Jay stroked his fingers through his thick hair. Was it just him and the fact that he was getting too tired, or did Alex’s skin look soft and smooth? And yes, he wanted to touch her, slowly running his fingers up her legs.
Perhaps he had been standing there ogling at her for too long because she suddenly shivered delicately, drawing herself in and turning over.
He bent low and scooped her into his arms. Her hair brushed against his nose as she turned her sleeping face toward his. The wonderful smell of spring danced around him. He brought his nose closer to her hair and inhaled deeply. He sighed, loving the scent as he gazed at her face. Suddenly, he wanted to kiss those luscious lips.
Jayden! the voice at the back of his head said. You’re tired and you’re hallucinating. Put Alex to bed and then go to sleep.
He nodded at that sound advice and turned on his heel. At that moment, Alexandra fluttered her eyes open.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice soft and husky, like those hot babes in James Bond movies who were ready to seduce Bond. Only he knew too well Alex was not trying to seduce him. Her next words confirmed that.
“Put me down.”
He stared at her. There was something different about Alex. He also noticed her lashes were long, thick, and dark.
“Well?” she queried. “Aren’t you going to put me down?”
He cleared his throat, still too stunned to register the fact that she had changed so dramatically.
“I’ll put you down when we reach the bed,” he said finally.
“My bed is that way,” she corrected tiredly, pointing to the sofa.
“Your bed is there,” he replied, nodding to the bed. “And don’t argue with me. Go back to sleep.”
“Bully!” she grumbled sleepily, her eyes closing and her fist weakly punching his chest.
“Ouch!” he chuckled, teasing her. Her punch felt like an itch to him. “Why did you do that?”
Alex opened her eyes. “‘Cause I want to hurt you,” she retorted.
“Why do you want to hurt me?”
Alex wanted to say, Because you lied to me. Instead, she said, “Put me down, Jayden.”
“All right.” He gently put her down on the bed. Alex immediately rolled off and marched back toward the sofa. Jayden swiftly caught her arm and swung her around.
“What?”
Jayden realized her thick, bedroom-tangled hair looked different. The color had changed. It was ash brown with a hint of blond, and under the dim light, it was glossy. Her whole complexion looked healthy, fresh, and milky.
Alex was beautiful, and he felt his gut churning with acid and his body shuddering with desire. She looked too damn sexy and tempting. She was about to give him a heart attack. No, maybe he had too much wine back at the party, and now he couldn’t seem to concentrate or see things clearly. Yes, he was drunk. His brain must be playing tricks on him.
No kidding, Jayden, the voice at the back of his head said. You hardly had more than two glasses of wine.
“Well?” Alex prompted, frowning at him, folding her arms across her chest.
Jayden shook his head to clear his thoug
ht. “The bed is this way.”
“I’m too tired to argue or fight with you now. We’ll do it in the morning,” she announced.
“It is morning, and we’re not fighting,” Jay said, moving closer.
“Yes, we kind of are,” she replied, unfolding her arms impatiently, which drew Jayden’s attention to her chest. He realized she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath that thin T-shirt that said clearly “I’m No Angel” in big, bold letters. How ironic because looking at her now, she damn well looked like an angel—a very sexy one at that.
“In what way?” he asked with his head cocked to one side, studying her.
Alex pulled her face. She wondered what they were doing, talking about nonsense when she knew they both were tired and in need of a lot of shuteye. She thought she should get away from him; otherwise, she’d probably start shouting at him about his lies.
She shrugged her shoulders and turned on her heel.
Jayden didn’t know what came over him. He should have just left it at that and let her return to her uncomfortable sofa and him back to his inviting soft bed. He, however, acted before he could think. He swiftly and smoothly got off the bed and pulled Alex into his arms.
Alex blinked, her sleepiness gone. She was now aware of his strength and warmth against her body, excitement bubbling up in the pit of her stomach.
Jay ran his fingers through her hair, mesmerized by her newfound beauty. Yes, her hair was soft and silky under his touch.
“Your pupils are dilated, Jay,” she said, grinning, knowing he liked her new look.
“What?”
“Your pupils are dilated,” she repeated.
“Yeah?”
“Yes. We humans are like that. When we see what we like, our pupils dilate.” She grinned cheekily.
“Right,” he responded, still at a loss as to what she was talking about. To be frank, he didn’t care. He just liked listening to the sound of her sweet, husky voice, inhaling her scent, and gazing at her pretty face he had the urge to kiss so badly.
Alex cocked her head to one side. “Do you like what you see, Jay?”
That brought him up short. He stopped stroking her hair and frowned. Is she implying something?
Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Page 13