Page 13 of The Enemy's Daughter

Heading back to the office, Alaric ignored everyone and sat down at his computer. Putting a search in for Bella Reed, he waited for what the internet would pick up. It was a split second, and images of her came up. There were not many, and most of them were with her in the background, or on her father’s arm.

There was one single photo that he zoomed in on, and it was of her with her mother just before the accident.

Leaning back in his chair, Alaric didn’t like the guilt that suddenly swamped him. He wasn’t used to this feeling, not at all.

The date was set, and he had already ordered some flowers. He had a babysitter set for his puppy. Tonight, he intended to step it up a notch.

Fucking Bella had been on his mind, and from her picture, he figured he could think of someone else while he took her. Being in her company, his body had responded to her in ways he’d not experienced with another woman.

“Get your shit together, Patterson. This is not about fun. This is about revenge.” Closing the internet, he focused on his work, and started to plan for the next couple of weeks. He arranged a booking at a fancy hotel for two weeks. Next he pre-booked restaurants, and by the end of the day, he was more than happy with his progress. He always kept a suit at the office, and before long, he was driving across town toward Bella’s apartment.

Nothing was going to get in his way.

****

“They’re so beautiful,” Bella said. Red roses were her favorite, and Blue stood at her door with at least a dozen of them. She hadn’t done much dating in the past few years, and she figured his job paid well considering the expense.

She wondered if it made her a little weird to be worried about a guy lavishing her with gifts.

“Only the best.”

“Thank you. Let me grab a vase. I don’t want these to spoil.” She left the door open for him to enter, and walked toward the kitchen. The skirt of her dress swished around her knees, and she hoped she looked okay. She was more than a few pounds overweight, and finding good fitting clothes was difficult. She partially filled a vase, and put the roses inside.

“I like your place,” Blue said.

“Thank you. I like to think of this place as a compromise.”

“A compromise?”

“Yeah. I wanted to make my own way in the world, and my dad didn’t want me to leave the safety of the family home. Anyway, he agreed to allow me to pursue my own dreams providing he got to pick where I lived. This was what he picked, and of course he fully furnished it for me.”

“Of course.”

“You don’t have any kids, right?”

“No, I don’t. I imagine I’d be protective of them.”

“You’re not wanting to have an heir or something?” she asked, arranging the flowers, and stepping back.

She went to turn around but collided with Blue’s hard, muscular chest. He caught her, and when she looked up into his eyes, she froze. He was so close, and he smelled so good. Licking her suddenly dry lips, Bella didn’t fight.

“It’s not something I’ve thought about.”

“Thought about?” What had they been talking about? She couldn’t remember.

“A son. A daughter? I don’t care what I have, or if I even have one.”

“Oh.”

“I told you, Bella. I’ve lived my life, and I don’t have any regrets. I chose my career over everything else.”

That was right. A career. She didn’t know exactly what he did, but that was something that would come in time.

In time?

Blue cupped her cheek, and she didn’t pull away, nor did she push him away. His touch brought her body to life, which was crazy considering that she never went for his type. He was handsome, and his entire presence filled the room.

“Damn, I want to kiss you.”

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