by C. Shell
I blink at her wondering if I head her correctly. This has to be a mistake. "Your husband?" I croak out past the lump lodged in my throat.
"Yes, didn't Alex tell you we were married?" Her face is twisted with hatred as she continues. "How sad that you really believe he cares for you. He could never care for you. You are nothing but an easy fuck. I normally look past his discrepancies but he crossed the line parading you out in public last night. "
"He never told me," I whisper.
Words have left me as I try as I try and absorb what she is saying. I wipe at the tears as they flow down my face. My mind is spinning with questions.
When did they get married? I know she does not live here so what kind of marriage do they have? Is it an open marriage? Why is it not public knowledge? Did he ever care for me? How will I survive this?
I glance behind me at the sound of Alex storming out of his bedroom. The distress evident across his face as he nears us.
"What the hell are you doing here Lexy?" he yells. She jumps looking nervous.
He reaches for me but I duck out his grasp heading back to the bedroom. I frantically look around until I find my purse and phone. I have never felt pain like this before, not even with Travis.
I hear them yelling at each other in the other room but I am too numb to comprehend what they are saying. I use my phone to call a cab while pulling on a pair of drawstring gym shorts of his. I leave my shoes, dress, and necklace not wanting anything that he has given me.
When I re-enter the living room Lexy is gone and Alex is sitting on the sofa with is head resting in his hands. I rush around him needing to get as far away from him as possible. Grabbing my arm he turns me around to face him. The anguish splashed across his face is not enough to deter the hurt and betrayal coursing through my body.
"Please listen to me before you run away. You don't have all the facts." He paces in front of me running his hand through his hair.
"Are you married to her?" "Is this what you wanted to talk about this morning?" My voice cracks as tears start falling down my face again.
"Yes to both," he says hanging his head in defeat. "Our marriage is a farce that is based on legal papers not love. We have never gone public with the marriage and have both had other relationships. My mother had a clause in her will that said I would only gain full control of her shares and the company when I was married. Lexy is a long time family friend with money of her own, so it made sense at the time to marry her in name only in order to keep my families company."
My head hurts. This is what Derrick must have been referring to last night with his snide question about Lexy. What a fool I must have looked to him.
"Did you ever love her?" Even as I ask the question I realize I don't want to know the answer but I need to hear it.
He curses under his breath and bows his head."No. We once tried to make the marriage real but it didn't work. I don't love her. She means nothing to me and I have been working to rework our agreement and divorce her but it is complicated and will take some time to finalize."
I am such a fool. Once again a rich boy plays me like an idiot.
Taking a shaky breath I kiss him good-bye on the cheek and start walking back towards the front door needing to get as far away from him as possible. I can't think being this close to him.
The sounds of glass breaking stops me in my tracks and I turn around to see a glass vase scattered across the living room floor. Tears are falling down Alex's distraught face.
"You promised you would not leave me," he yells out his eyes full of hurt. "Your Mine Jessica, you can't leave me."
My hurt turns to anger as I yell back at him," And you promised not to hurt me. Look how that turned out. I need time to think Alex. You lied to me and I don't know if I can get over that."
"How long?" He asks taking a step towards me.
Shaking my head I answer," I don't know. Just give me time to figure all this out. I can't promise you anything or give you a time frame."
I walk out of his penthouse and down the elevator where my cab is waiting for me. I am numb as I cry silently just wanting to get home where I can safely hide from the world. Realization hits me that Travis never broke me. As much as I cared for Travis he never really had the power to break me. Alex did. Alex just broke my heart into a million pieces.
My phone buzzes and I look down to see a text from him.
Alex: I will give you time but I am not giving you up. I am sorry I hurt you and I will work until the day I die making it up to you. You are mine Jessica.
Laying my head on the back of the cab seat I cry the whole way home realizing for the first time that I am totally screwed.
I have fallen in love with Alex Harlow.
To the Reader
Thank you for reading Beneath Him by C. Shell
Jessica and Alex's story continues in the next installment of the
emotional and sexy HARLOW series available soon...Embracing Him
Get updates and find me on:
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http://cshellauthor.wordpress.com
About the Author
I have loved books and romance novels since I was in high school. The happy endings and endless possibilities are alluring and addictive. I currently reside in Texas and when I am not thinking up my next bad-boy character I am working in the community rescuing dogs while being a wife and mother to my wonderful family.
Check out my other books:
My Tessa
Lilies and Steel
Escape