“What?”
“Sorry if I intruded in your affair, man, but I thought I should tell you. Kelly said she saw Kyle and Britney last night. She heard them talking, and it was all Britney’s idea.”
Jayden didn’t know how to respond to that piece of information. He just shook his head in frustration and went out the door.
In the kitchen, Chef Leon was just finishing a lovely chicken soup and Maggie was placing the bowl on a silver tray to take up to Alex, when Kelly poked her head in through the door.
“Maggie!” she called out. “Where’s Mom and Grandma?”
“Out in the rose garden, Miss Kelly,” Maggie replied as she headed to the door.
“Thanks!” Kelly rushed out.
“Take care with that soup, Maggie. Don’t drop it!” Leon muttered as he watched the housekeeper go.
“I won’t. So many things going on in this house,” Maggie said under her breath as she headed for the stairs. Up on the first floor, as she opened the door to Jayden’s room with one hand, she wondered what that horrible groaning noise was. Inside, the bed was a mess, but Alex was nowhere in sight. That sickening groan was getting worse.
“Miss Alex?” Maggie called.
More grunting and groaning.
“Oh dear,” Maggie muttered as she put the tray on the bedside table and rushed over to the bathroom. She saw Alex bending over the toilet bowl.
“Dear me.” She gasped, rushing over to help the girl. “What’s wrong, Miss Alex?”
Alex turned to glance at Maggie, her face ghostly white and her hair a tangled mess. “I’m sick,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“Yes! Yes! I can see that,” Maggie said, rubbing Alex’s back.
Alex turned her face back to the toilet bowl and began coughing out more bile.
“Oh. You poor thing,” Maggie whispered.
Once Alex felt better, she turned to Maggie. “Can you please help me?”
“Yes, of course.” Maggie was about to help Alex up when the door burst open.
“Alex!” Jayden said. “Are you all right?” He rushed in and took her into his arms. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s sick,” Maggie answered because Alex looked as though she were about to pass out.
“Come on. Let’s get you back to bed.” He scooped her into his arms, carried her back to bed, and made her comfortable. “You want something to eat, sweetheart?”
“I am hungry,” Alex commented weakly, wondering why this handsome man was so nice to her. Who is he? He kept calling her sweetheart. Perhaps he’s my boyfriend? My husband? The thought brought a warm feeling within her body. She couldn’t believe this handsome stranger was her husband. It was simply too good to be true.
Jayden picked up the bowl of soup and brought it to her. “Can you handle this?”
“I’ll try,” she whispered, gazing at him, blushing.
“Good,” he said and started feeding her.
“Well, I should go down and prepare afternoon tea, then,” Maggie said, and when she saw Jayden nod, she left them.
* * * * *
Kelly had a dilemma. She didn’t know whether she should tell her mother and grandmother about the event that transpired last night. Her wedding was in two days, and Alex was soon to leave New York. There simply wasn’t much time left to play Cupid, even though she was pretty sure Jayden and Alex had already fallen in love with each other. They simply needed a nudge to confess their feelings; that was all.
As she advanced toward the two elderly women, she was pretty sure they were having a quiet argument. About what, she wasn’t sure.
“She isn’t the person you think she is, Mother,” Gracie said tightly. “Think of Jayden. He’s your grandson. If you keep doing this, you’re going to break his heart. And Alex’s for that matter. Can’t you accept Jayden loves her and wants her as part of our family?”
“I know,” Beth snapped. “Everything just changes all of a sudden. This girl, Alexandra, just turns up in our lives and changes everything.”
“Mother, I understand that. But she’s having your great-grandchild. Isn’t that want you want? Isn’t that why you keep telling Jayden to get married?”
“Yes, yes,” Beth snapped again, fluttering her hands in frustration. “I thought Britney was a good person. I thought she’d be a good granddaughter-in-law.”
Kelly thought this would be a good time for her to interrupt them. She said, “There’s something else you both should know.”
Both Gracie and Beth turned to Kelly in surprise. Obviously, they thought they were alone.
“Britney asked Kyle to spike Alex’s drink last night so he could rape her.”
“What?” Beth was shocked.
“This is simply outrageous!” Gracie said. She was seething with anger. And Gracie never got angry.
Beth shook her head. She sighed as if she were exhausted and couldn’t take in any more. “I need to go and lie down.”
Both Kelly and Gracie watched as Beth made her way toward the house, her head low and her shoulders slumped. They knew she had a lot to think about.
In her luxurious bedroom, Beth gazed into space. In her mind's eye, she remembered her time with her husband, David McCartney—that handsome man she had fallen in love with at first sight. She remembered how much he loved her and how much he wanted to give the world to her. In a way he had, and she found it had never been the luxury of their wealth or social status. It had always been their love for each other.
Is she really hurting Jayden and Alexandra?
She squared her shoulders and agreed she was in the wrong. She turned on her heel and walked out the door.
At Jayden’s door, she hesitantly knocked three times.
“Come in.” She heard Jayden’s voice.
She opened the door and stepped in. She saw Jayden eyeing her in surprise. Then she glanced at Alex. The young woman looked pale and sick.
“I need to speak with Alexandra alone, please, Jayden,” she said.
Jayden hesitated for a moment and then nodded. Beth noticed Alex was holding on to Jayden’s hand tightly, as though she were afraid she’d lose him.
“It’s okay. I’ll be back,” he said gently.
Alex reluctantly nodded. She looked like a frightened child.
At the door, Jayden said to his grandma, “She’s still not herself.”
Beth nodded. The drug hadn’t yet worn off. Once Jayden was gone and the door was closed, she came to sit down on the side of the bed and took Alex’s hand into hers.
“I’m sorry I treated you the way I did, Alexandra,” she began. “If you could just find it in your heart to forgive me. I—I just couldn’t handle the thought of Jayden—” She sniffed, tears brewing in her eyes. “I love Jayden so much. He reminds me of his grandfather, my dead husband. I want what is best for him. I want great-grandchildren. I know Kelly is getting married, but she can’t have kids. She’s infertile. She has this condition, which means she can’t have kids. She tried everything, but there was only disappointment. Finally, she and Sam gave up. I don’t blame them. So I want Jayden to get married and give me great-grandchildren. And I’m so glad he is able to do that.”
Beth moved her hand and gently touched Alex’s flat stomach. “I’m so glad,” she said. “Can you find it in your heart to forgive me, Alexandra? I welcome you into our family with both arms. And the little one, too.” She patted Alex’s stomach again.
Alex bit her lip. She nodded in response to Beth’s apology.
“Thank you, Alexandra. Thank you so much. Now, you must rest. I won’t bother you anymore.” She stood, tucked Alex in, and then left.
Alex had no idea the meaning of Beth’s apology, but she knew she’d find out later, when her mind was clearer. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, a smile on her lips.
* * * * *
Chapter 23
Alexandra softly groaned and fluttered her eyes open. She stared for a moment up at the chandelier above her, lost and confused. The sunlight hit th
e many crystals and made beautiful spectra across the room, and she gazed at them in wonder. Slowly, everything came back to her. She realized she was in Jayden’s room and in his bed. She frowned, touching her forehead as she remembered the dinner with the girls at Parcha, dancing in the club, and Kyle annoying her. She remembered running from him through the crowd, him catching up with her in the corridor, and then—blank.
She groaned and sat up, her head pounding away like a bad car engine that was about to explode. Gosh, she smelled terrible and felt very stuffy, too. She brought the strands of her long hair to her nose and sniffed. Jesus! She smelled like she hadn’t showered for days. Being the hygienic person that she was, she couldn’t stand the smell of herself right now. Thus, she moved out of bed, intending to hit the shower ASAP. Instantly, the world spun and moved past her. She closed her eyes and concentrated, commanding herself not to faint. A few seconds later, she felt better and carefully made her way into the bathroom.
She took her time showering, allowing the droplets of hot water to pound down on her, kissing her skin until it was blushing pink. She shampooed and conditioned her long hair, cleaned her face, and even brushed her teeth. Feeling refreshed and a bit more alert, she got out, wrapped herself in a big, fluffy towel, and quickly moisturized her body and face. She returned to the bedroom and intended to go back to bed since she felt awfully spent, when she realized that she hadn’t dressed properly. She reluctantly went into the walk-in wardrobe, found her panties, and put them on. Suddenly, she felt as though she might faint and groaned in dread. Not wanting to be found unconscious and half naked, she grabbed for a man’s shirt near her hand, dropped the towel to the floor, and put on the shirt. Then she found the white top way too large for her person. Oh well, it would have to do. She got one button on when she knew if she didn’t get into bed soon, she’d definitely faint there and then in the walk-in closet.
She steadily made her way back into the bedroom, crawled onto the bed, got in between the sheets, and rested her head against the soft pillows. Not a moment later, her world blacked out. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was low and the room shone with a bright golden-orange color.
She groaned and moved to sit up.
“Don’t sit up too fast. You’ll hurt yourself,” came the male voice that sent her pulse racing. She glanced up and saw Jayden heading to her from where he sat on the seat near the window.
He sat beside her on the bed and tested her temperature by touching the back of his hand on her forehead. “Cool,” he said. “Good.”
Alex removed his hand from her forehead and cast her eyes down, a light rose color creeping up her cheeks. That was when Jayden knew she was back to her normal self. The drug had worn off. He also noticed she was wearing his shirt and hadn’t even bothered to button it up properly. It was parted in the middle and showing her skin beneath, especially that lovely cleavage of hers that was very enticing indeed. Her hair also smelled wonderful, too, like spring. It reminded him of their earlier meeting at the Thompsons’ house in Dunedin. Did she just have a shower? When did she do that? How could she manage? Shit! He should have been here looking after her.
“Why didn’t you call for me when you woke?”
Alex blinked. “I’m sorry? What?”
Jayden cupped her face and looked intensely into her eyes. “Next time call me when you need help going to the shower. You could have fainted and broken your neck or skull.”
Alex blinked again. He was right of course. How stupid of her. Almost every part of the bathroom was made of marble. And yes, she did faint, albeit not in the bathroom, but fainted nonetheless. Not wanting to be seen like a stupid ninny, she said, “I’m fine. I can look after myself.”
Jayden wasn’t happy with that. “Alex, I’m responsible for your wellbeing, and I don’t want anything to happen to you, understand?”
“Because you don’t want my dad or Peter to hunt you down and kill you?” she asked curiously, repeating his words from earlier when she refused to take pills for her headache.
“No, Alex, I’m worried about you. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you.”
Alex swallowed. She saw the passion in his words and it really affected her. What did he mean? Was he truly worried about her wellbeing?
“So can you remember anything from two days ago?”
She frowned at him. Two days ago? Had she been out for that long?
“Can you?” he asked again.
What can I remember? Of course she could remember everything that had transpired two nights ago and had to groan depressingly. She hoped Kyle hadn’t violated her. She was pretty sure he hadn’t because she didn’t feel like her body had been violated. She felt fine except for the headache and cloudiness of her vision. In fact, she felt all warm and cozy, like someone had been looking after her particularly well.
“Well?”
“I don’t remember anything.” She lied, glancing up at him. She gasped because now he was so close to her that his face was mere inches from hers, and she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. She stared into his eyes and then—Bam! It was right there before her eyes. Everything flashed back to her. She remembered Jayden kissing her forehead, his words of love as he was cuddling her in bed, and his hard, warm body against her. And yes, she remembered Beth’s apology, too. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Well?”
“Leave me alone,” she muttered and turned away, intending to avoid him.
Jay grabbed her arm gently and pulled her back to him. In fact, she was now half sitting on his lap, and Jayden realized she wasn’t wearing her pajama pants. Her long, slender legs were bare. She struggled in his arms and the harder she fought him off, the more his shirt peeled off her body. Did she not realize her body was nearly naked in his arms and her gorgeous nipples were nearly on show if not for the thread of his shirt clinging onto her for dear life?
Jayden really couldn’t help himself. She was too tempting, and thus, he moved his head to her and desperately took her lips against his, kissing her passionately.
Alex was shocked. Oh my God! He was kissing her again. She felt his firm lips pressing against her soft ones and his tongue stroking her slightly parted mouth. In response, her body melted under his touch, and she felt warm and fuzzy inside, like a million stars burning brightly in the night sky. She closed her eyes and groaned in pleasure, surrendering to his experienced kiss, her headache completely forgotten.
When he moved his head back, Jay said, “Miss Alexandra Stewart, I’m sorry I lied to you, but I’m not sorry you’re my hired girlfriend and that I’m in love with you.”
Alex’s heart beat so fast she thought she’d die from a heart attack at any moment now. Because she didn’t know how to response to his unexpected confession, she licked her lips and whispered, “Really?”
Jayden chuckled. “Yes, silly.”
Her heart nearly burst then, with happiness of course. She had to tell herself to calm down before she started hyperventilating. She bit her lip, her eyes gazing up at him in wonder. “Are you going to kiss me again now?”
“Hell yes.” He chuckled.
“Oh.” She widened her eyes, and not a moment after, he claimed her again. She quivered deliciously as he plunged his tongue between her parted lips and explored her innocent mouth, stroking and playing with her.
Alex surrendered herself to him, allowing him to claim all of her again. This was it. This was the moment she had dreaded and waited so long for, the moment she was finally loved.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and responded to his deep, passionate kiss. Her body was alive with fireworks and she knew nothing could be more wonderful than this.
Jay pulled her fully onto his lap as he explored her mouth, bringing her closer than ever. When he released her, he gazed into her eyes. Alex caught her breath at the back of her throat. She saw pure desire burning within his blue eyes as he gazed at her, and a rush of excitement exploded deep in the pit of her stoma
ch.
“Jay,” she whispered breathlessly, feeling more alive than ever.
“I love you,” he breathed against her mouth.
“I love you, too,” she said softly.
He grinned, and before she knew anything, she was on her back, her head on the pile of pillows behind her. Jayden was kissing her throat sweetly as his hand was busy undoing that one button. Then he moved his lips down to her collarbone and lower still to her cleavage as he brushed the shirt down her arms. Once her wonderful breasts were free for him to admire, he couldn’t help sucking in his breath. Sweet Jesus! They were simply gorgeous all right, and he was going to enjoy tasting them.
“Hum, Jayden?” Alex’s soft voice drifted to him.
Jay glanced and saw her face reddening. “Why are you staring at my breasts like that?”
He chuckled. “Because I love them, and I love you. Does that answer your question, sweetheart?”
Alex swallowed and then said, her eyes bright, “What are you going to do to them?” She couldn’t help herself because his stare was beginning to unnerve her. And good God, her breasts were hurting. They felt tight and hard like marble.
Jay’s eyes gleamed. “This,” he said and moved his head down to her breasts. Then he opened his mouth and got her right nipple.
Alex gasped and nearly died of pleasure. Jay continued to suck and kiss her, and Alex’s body shook uncontrollably along with his rhythm. Then he gave the same, undivided attention to her left breast and continued to please her. When he lifted his head, he noted she was dazed. “Does that answer your question?” he asked.
Alex couldn’t reply; she simply nodded. Jay laughed. He thought she was purely adorable. Then he kissed her on the lips again as he positioned himself between her legs.
“Jay?” Alex whispered into his mouth.
“Hum?” he responded lazily.
“I—” She broke off, her eyes cast downward.
He chuckled. “I’ll be gentle,” he said, knowing she was still a virgin.
Alex blushed.
To take her mind off dreading the moment he’d enter her, Jay kissed her again, long and hard and very passionate. As he was doing so, he nestled into her wet, hot womanhood and then broke through her maidenhead.
Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Page 19