Page 142 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“Stop defending him,” he spat out angrily. “I heard you on the phone that night before the reception. And last night you called out to him.” He took my mouth in a hard kiss and I let him, returning the kiss. When he stopped, both of us tried to catch our breath, his forehead leaning against mine.

His voice was a soft groan when he continued. “You are a good woman, Livy. Even though you love him, you still saved my family’s face that night. I was so proud.”

Hope swelled in my chest. I shuddered with anticipation. I took both my hands and brought his face close to mine.

“Alexander -”

“I should let you go, but I can’t. If I have to, I’ll lock you away until you forget about him.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I was so scared of this new hope inside me. I loved him with desperation, I was scared to find hope, just to lose it again. “Alexander, why didn’t you tell me about your dad and my mom when we met? Why the marriage scheme, lying, pretense?”

“The first time I saw you, you were twenty-two… barely,” he murmured, his hands holding my face, his lips close to me. “You were walking out of your mom’s building with friends, laughing, young and carefree. I should have known then if I ever saw you again, I’d be a lost cause. Then you showed up at my company, to be my secretary. It was the first time I regretted anything in my entire life. When I saw you in front of that elevator, staring at me, your beautiful mouth slightly open, I regretted forcing your mom to sell her company. Because it was the first obstacle I’d created. Everything that happened with my father and your mom, I had no control over any of it. But your mom’s company, I directly caused it and made sure it happened. And then to find out she was trying to clear my family name! Do you understand?”

“So much lying,” I whispered sadly.

“Yes, and with each day, I wanted you more. At all costs. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, there has been nobody else.”

“But you had dates -”

“Distractions and they failed miserably. I never touched them.”

“Why didn’t you just ask me out? That would have been the normal way.”

He laughed, bitterly. “Was anything about us normal?” He had a point there. “Would you have said yes if I asked you out?”

I thought back at our beginning and all my complaints about him, all my agitations. “Probably not,” I admitted.

“Fucking guilt was eating at me,” he murmured against my lips. “I knew you’d hate me even more if you found out what happened with your mother. If I forced you into marrying me. If there ever came the time when you found out what I did, at least you would be tied to me. I am a cold and calculating bastard. I wanted you at all costs but you ended up bearing the weight of most of those, not me.”

I leaned and placed my lips gently on his. He tasted of scotch and him, my Alexander.

“Husband,” I gently nipped his lip. “I don’t love Callen. I never did.”

His blue gaze snapped to me, surprised, watching me.

“The night of the reception you were on the phone saying you loved him?” I saw hope on his face, and it was the first time ever that he didn’t hide himself behind the cold mask.

“I was talking to Layla,” I told him. “Earlier that day, I’d found out she is my half-sister.”

“You called out Callen last night in your sleep.”

“He threatened to publish a story about Caldwell's history and drag us through the dirt,” I hoped he would believe me. “It was the only reason I tried to talk to you about his company.”

We locked eyes, beyond hoping for a miracle. My mother was right, Alexander consumed my all, and there was never going to be anybody else for me. Ever again.

“Will you dance with me?” My voice was raspy, slightly shaking in fear of rejection. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. Our bodies flushed together.

“Siri,” I cleared my voice, “play “You Make It Easy”.”

The soft music started playing. Closing my eyes, I wrapped my arms around my husband’s neck, leaned my head against his chest and listened to his strong heartbeat. As we swayed to the music, tears pricked my eyes behind my closed lids, my chest swelled with love. His familiar, unique smell overwhelmed all my senses. I was made for him and he was made for me. He was my home.

“Alexander, you are my present and future,“ I whispered softly with my eyes still closed. “I love you. Everyone and everything fades when compared to what I feel for you. I love you so much it hurts. I want you, all of you. Even your irritable, annoying traits. I hate sleeping without you. I hate not seeing you. I hate not talking to you.”

We both stopped and I looked up into that beautiful face. It was time to stop holding back. “My pride was hurt with Callen. He helped in a way after losing mom. But he never had my heart. He never consumed my whole being the way you do. You have my whole heart. Please don’t leave me.”

He pressed his lips hard to mine, leaving me breathless.

“Say it again,” he murmured against my lips, his voice a rough whisper.

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