by Mia Caldwell
Christian’s head pounded with anger. But first before he dealt with his uncle he had to make things right with Raina. He just had to.
“Where can I find Raina?”
“I don’t know. She just took off. But I have the car, she can’t have left without me.”
“I have to find her, Kelly, I have to explain,” Christian said urgently.
Briefly, Christian outlined for Kelly why he had gone undercover—why he had needed his disguise and deception.
Kelly listened sympathetically.
“Do you think she can forgive me?” Christian recognized how much he had hurt Raina—what she must have gone through when he’d abandoned her and misjudged her so.
“I think—I think she loves you …” Kelly began, hesitantly.
Christian noted that she didn’t really answer his question.
The two of them went to Kelly’s car and waited for Raina to cool down and return.
They waited.
And waited.
And waited.
The sun was starting to set when they both realized that Raina was not coming back.
Kelly turned to him. “She’ll have gone home, somehow. She wouldn’t leave those kids overnight.”
Christian recognized the truth in that statement and nodded. “I have to go to her. I don’t want to waste another second. I’ve wasted too many already.”
Kelly nodded. “Get in, I’ll drive us.”
Christian shook his head. “Not fast enough.” He pulled out his cell phone. “My plane is here; I’ll have them waiting for us.”
“I can’t leave the car—” Kelly said, slightly disappointed. It would have been exciting to ride in a billionaire’s airplane. “But you go—,” She waved him off. “Go find her.”
Christian turned to hurry off, but Kelly stopped him.
“Wait! She moved houses, here’s her new address,” she said and fished a card from her bag and handed it to him.
He slipped it into his pocket without looking and sprinted off. As he ran he used his cell phone to call the pilot of his private plane. Next he called his driver, Jim to come to the front of the auditorium. When he stepped out, his limo was already waiting and jumped in.
“Let’s go to the airfield,” He handed Jim the card Kelly gave him. “Tell the pilot that’s where we’re going. Step on it, Jim. Get me there in less than an hour and I’ll double your annual bonus.” Christian said and braced himself for the ride.
“Yes, sir!” Jim grinned, excited to put his expert driving skills to the test.
What seemed like mere moments later, Christian was stepping out of his car to the waiting private jet. He got in and signaled to the pilot that he was ready.
As the plane took off, his thoughts returned to Raina.
How could he have been so blinded by his uncle’s treachery? He had known from the start that Roger had a shady past, but Christian believed in second chances and he had offered his uncle one. He had so wanted to believe in his uncle, for the sake of being the only family Christian had left.
He had also made the decision to keep him on even after discovering that the hotels under his management were not doing as well as the rest. He had given him chance after chance.
He had made his decisions based on emotions. Roger was his only living relative and they were tied by blood. But right now, Christian could care less about blood ties. Roger would pay for what he did to Raina and Kelly.
He would be behind bars, Christian thought grimly.
He thought of the load that Raina carried, caring for Jeremiah and the girls. He wondered how she had fared, and he hung his head in shame. He knew how worried she had been about making ends meet, and after Roger’s treachery she must have been so frightened and alone.
And he hadn’t been there for her.
But, He thought with determination, I will be. If she’ll let me, I will be for the rest of her life.
In forty-five minutes, he was at the airfield outside the town on the card Kelly had given him. He stood up before the plane came to a complete halt. Once outside, a cab was waiting and he shoved the card in the driver’s hand.
Twenty minutes and they pulled into the parking lot of a B&B. He looked down at the card and saw that it was indeed Raina’s address. He paid the cab fare, leaving a generous tip and hopped out. He strode to the door and pushed it open. At the reception desk was a young girl with crazy colored hair.
“Hi, where can I find Raina McMillan?” Christian said, flashing her a charming smile.
“Oh, Raina’s away for the day,” she said.
His face fell. Had he miscalculated? Had he come all this way only to find she hadn’t returned home?
His mind began racing. What if she had gotten lost? Or worse, what if she was hurt, or in danger?
Just then a door further on was pushed open and Jeremiah and the girls spilled out followed by a brown haired woman.
“Uncle Chris!” Jeremiah yelled and sprinted to him and threw his little body against him. “I knew you’d come back. I told Aunt Raina. She said not to get my hopes up, but I knew you wouldn’t just leave us!”
Christian’s face reddened with shame. How could he ever have left these children who had welcomed him so freely into their lives? How had he let his anger cloud his judgment so completely? I’ll make things right, he vowed to himself.
“Uncle Chris, we missed you!” Crystal said hugging him from the side.
Chantal smiled serenely and allowed him to hug her.
“Where were you? Why didn’t you say goodbye?” Crystal demanded, her hands on her waist.
“I had to go on a trip but I won’t be going away anytime soon,” Christian promised, hoping against hope that it was true.
“Hi, my name is Susan, I’m looking after the kids today,” the smiling brown haired woman said. “I take it they know you?”
“I’m Chris—Chris, a friend of the family.” He thought it better not to explain the name issues just yet.
“He lived with us, Susan, for ages and ages,” Jeremiah offered.
“Oh, I see,” Susan said with a knowing smile. “I see no harm then in inviting you upstairs.”
“Thank you,” Christian said and hoisted Jeremiah to his shoulders.
He followed Susan and the girls to the stairs behind the reception area. They tromped up to the third floor and he followed everyone into the living room. As soon as he saw Raina’s furniture, he felt at home. He could smell her scent everywhere and memories washed over him. He longed for her with a painful, growing ache. He had to see her. She just had to let him explain.
The kids gave him a tour and he even got a peek into Raina’s bedroom. The bed brought back sweet painful memories, memories he had kept locked away but which now came flooding back. He remembered her soft dark skin, her wild curly hair, and her deep brown eyes that could bring him to his knees in an instant.
He thought of her gentle smile and her loud laughter when something was particularly funny. He had missed her! If she agreed to have him back, he would ensure that she never left his side.
“We have more stuff to bring from downstairs, come on guys, you promised to help,” Susan said walking from the window that overlooked the parking lot. “Besides, I can see your Aunt Raina is back! I imagine she and Chris here have a lot to catch up on,” she said and winked at Christian.
He flashed her a grateful smile. The kids grumbled as they left and he was left alone with his nerves. Ten minutes passed by and then the door to the apartment swung open. Christian stood up as Raina walked in.
The world shrank and all that was left was Raina and himself facing each other.
Her expression was wary and he did not blame her.
“What are you doing here?” There was pain and hurt in her voice, and he hated himself for being the source of it. She didn’t bother to ask how he had beaten her home. The answer was obvious. Billionaires could make miracles happen.
He wanted to take her in his arms there and then b
ut he knew any overtures on his part would be unwelcome. He had so much to say to her.
“Why did you run away today?” he said and regretted the question as soon as it was out of his mouth.
“Why would I stay to talk to a stranger?” she said in a cold tone that did not resemble her normal voice at all.
“I’ve missed you so much, Raina,” Christian said with feeling. She took a few more steps towards him and he grew hopeful.
“What are you here for, Chris—Christian? Or whatever your name is.” she snapped. “I’m tired, and right now all I want is to soak myself in a hot bath and forget about the day. I want you to leave.” Her voice was cold. “You’re good at leaving. It shouldn’t be hard for you to find the door.”
It was going to be as difficult as he had feared. Even in her anger she was so goddamn beautiful. She had lost a little weight, he observed with worry. Her curves which he had been so familiar with looked a little less rounded. He did not like the thin look on his Raina. His Raina. The possessive.
He wanted her as she had been, smiling and happy and with curves. He would do anything in his power to make her smile again.
“You’ve lost weight,” he said unthinkingly.
“What about it?” she snapped.
She looked exasperated and then her shoulders slumped and it tore at his heart. Her pain was obvious. Despite feeling bad, a tiny part of him was thrilled.
It meant that she still felt something for him.
If she had been indifferent, as she was pretending, his presence would not be bothering her.
“What do you want Christian? It’s not fair to show up here and get the kids all excited and then disappear again. What shall I tell them? Had you thought of that?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Raina. Even if it means camping outside in the swamps with gators threatening to eat me for years until you have me back.”
Raina scoffed and the sound filled him with hope. She was still engaging with him—she hadn’t shut him out completely.
Slowly, he approached her and he noticed she stood stock still, wary of what he might do. She didn’t trust him. The thought gutted him.
After a minute her face grew solemn again.
“Why didn’t you trust me, Christian?” she finally said. “Why did you lie to me? Why did you call yourself Christopher?”
“I wanted to find out what was going on at the hotel,” Christian said simply, his voice filled with remorse. And then he told her all of it. How the figures from the group showed that the profit percentage had gone down. It all spilled out. Why he had gone undercover, why he had hidden his identity, his history with other women, why he had suspected her.
How sorry he was.
How ashamed of himself he was.
“Raina, not a day has gone by when I haven’t thought of you. Even when I thought you were a liar—when I thought you were a thief—when I was the world’s biggest idiot—every single day was filled with thoughts of you.”
“I don’t know if I can believe that.” Raina’s voice choked. “I missed you—I needed you. The kids needed you. But you were gone,” she said achingly.
“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.” Christian’s heart was breaking with the pain he had caused her. “Raina, even when I thought I hated you, I loved you. I should have told you every day when I was with you, and if you’ll let me I’d like to tell you every single day from now until forever.”
He saw her wide brown eyes widen with shock, and then soften toward him and fill with unshed tears. Slowly one escaped and trailed its way down her face, leaving a shimmering trail against her dark skin, highlighting her perfect cheekbones. He reached out his hand and gently cupped her face.
“I have no excuses, Raina.”
He pulled her close to him, feeling how her body fit perfectly against him—or, would as soon as she regained some of her curves. Feeling the heat and softness of her stirred his desire and his protective instincts. He wanted to kill the damned bastard who had hurt her—only he was the damned bastard.
She was staring up at him, her lips parted in shock and surprise. He leaned over her, brushing his lips against her forehead, then lowering to trace the path of her tear against her cheek.
“Raina, I never want to be the cause of your tears again—unless they are happy ones.” His eyes begged her to believe him, and if that wasn’t enough, he tilted her chin toward him and claimed her lips with him.
She resisted at first but as his lips moved over hers she began to respond. His arms enveloped her and hesitantly her hand went to his face, tracing his strong jawline as her soft mouth parted beneath his passionate embrace.
“I want so badly to believe you,” she whispered pleadingly.
“I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I should have known better. Kelly told me everything. Raina— I—I don’t deserve you. I know that. You’re a much better person than I am.” Christian raked his fingers through his jet black hair and laughed. “You’ve always been a better person than I am. But, if you’ll let me, I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you and the kids. Please. Please let me.”
“I can’t bear to go through that kind of pain again,” she said, dashing his hopes.
“I never want you to feel pain of any kind ever again,” was his response.
He felt her assessing him, much the same way she had at their first meeting—at that job interview—trying to decide if he was trustworthy, trying to decide if she could give him a chance.
Their eyes locked, his pleading with hers, begging her to believe him, to see his remorse. There, in the depths of his soul she must have read the truth of his words because this time she was the one to pull him toward her and join their lips together.
Christian was surprised, but grateful, as Raina’s sweet kisses rained over him. Their lips moved together as their bodies pressed against each other, both longing for the connection they had felt not long ago, wanting to rekindle the spark between them.
The desire was more than either of them could fight, and neither wanted to deny themselves in the end. Hands moved quickly over bodies, arms and legs became entangled, and the gentle kisses they shared gave way to frenzied, gasping moans.
They had both been starved for the other and now that they could taste, touch, and feel the one they loved, they didn’t want it to end.
Christian slowly lowered her to the floor as she pushed his suit jacket off his broad shoulders and tore at the buttons of his crisp, white shirt. Her hands lingered over the rippled muscles of his stomach beneath the clothing and she gasped when he pushed down the top of her own blouse and bra, and claimed her dusky nipple with his mouth.
She gasped, holding his head to her breast as she writhed beneath him. “Wait—Christian—wait! What about the kids? They’ll be waiting for us!”
Christian barely paused his worshipful attentions to her body to murmur, “Let them wait. We’ve waited long enough.”
He resumed his gentle onslaught and Raina let herself succumb. She let out a soft moan of agreement.
Yes. The kids could wait …
Raina nestled in the crook of Christian’s arm as he gently stroked her hair and nuzzled her forehead.
“I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed us.”
Raina murmured in agreement.
Knowing that they couldn’t avoid the outside world forever, they slowly began righting themselves and pulling on articles of clothing that had been tossed about the room.
They used the short time to reminisce about their relationship. Raina giggled a little when he talked about the interview and how tough yet kind she had been that day.
“I gave you the job out of sympathy,” Raina announced with a laugh.
“I know. I was not a good handyman.” He laughed as well, his warm eyes crinkling around the edges as he watched her straighten her hair. “Raina you’re the most wonderful, attractive, and generous woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I didn’t th
ink women like you existed.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Raina said with a twinkle in her eye.
“However,” he warned, very seriously, “Never, ever, ever, ever invite a stranger into your home again! I wanted to wring your neck that day you did that, even though I was desperate to be near you,” Christian’s voice was kind, but exasperated.
“It was a one off. I’d never do something like that again.”
“I don’t believe you,” he teased. But then, more seriously he added, “But that’s also what I love about you. How trusting and kind you are. How you are always willing to believe the best in people.”
Reminiscing had broken down her defenses, Christian thought. She looked relaxed, with the wary look having left eyes. “I love you, Raina, please forgive me?” he pleaded unashamedly.
Then she said the words he had longed to hear for months and months.
“I love you too, Christian. Of course I forgive you. If you forgive me too.”
Tears threatened to run down her cheeks again as Christian crossed the distance between them and took her into his arms once more. He inhaled her scent deeply and held her tight. He kissed her neck and ran his hand through her hair. God he had missed this! He felt like someone who had been away from a beloved home and was now back.
He realized that his own cheeks were wet with tears.
“I love you so much,” Christian said, his voice muffled by her hair.
Then he pulled himself away and dropped to his knees.
“I know you deserve flowers and champagne and the biggest diamond ring since the Hope diamond, and I promise I will do all of that. I promise, and I swear it. But, I can’t wait. I have to know the answer. Raina McMillan, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Raina laughed and cried and then she cupped his cheeks with her hands. “Yes, Christian, I’ll marry you.”
She went on her knees as well and their lips met once more. She felt so soft and so sweet and he never wanted the kiss to end.
And … it didn’t …
It was another hour before Raina and Christian were able to right themselves enough to invite the children back into the apartment. But once they did, they could not keep the news to themselves.