Page 82 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

I thought we started to come together during the honeymoon. She desired me. I saw it in her eyes, felt it in every touch. Why was she fighting it? She kept her heart guarded under thick walls and a lock. I wanted in. I wanted her heart, body, and soul.

I thought back to my father. The man I despised with every bone in my body. He drowned in alcohol, chased Liberty’s mother till there was nothing left but scandal, betrayal, blood, and ultimately death. He dragged this family through destruction obsessing over a woman he couldn’t have, like a man obsessing over water in a desert.

As much as I hated to admit it, I almost felt sorry for him at this moment. Now that I felt the same intense emotions and obsession over Liberty, I could understand the pull he had to Lily Smith.

Liberty had turned me into an addict for her with every touch she allowed me, every kiss I took and she gave. I never needed anyone before, but I needed her. I craved her.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Liberty

Alexander took us to a fancy restaurant for dinner. He looked like he fit right in while I stood out like a sore thumb. He was dressed in his signature expensive clothes, while I wore jeans with a simple blouse and my signature chucks.

Aware of glances being thrown our way all night, I enjoyed my wine a little bit too much. It certainly made me relax and helped me ignore all the curious stares. They were probably all wondering what Alexander Caldwell, one of the wealthiest and most successful businessmen in London, was doing with someone like me.

I wasn’t particularly gorgeous, my cheekbones were too high, my lips too full, my skin too pale, and my hair too dark. My mom slipped once and said I was a spitting image of her and my grandmother, although she refused to tell me who my grandmother was. When she said that, I was confused since my mother had blonde hair. Much later I learned she bleached her hair and colored it blonde.

I definitely wasn’t rich to compensate for my looks, but I probably had more morals and standards than this lot that was glancing my way. If they only knew this was an arrangement, they’d have a field day.

During dinner, I quietly observed Alexander’s interaction with Brandon. I had to give it to Alexander, he was very attentive and actually listened to Brandon, giving him his full attention. One day, he’d make an excellent parent. I could understand why Brandon liked my husband. Hell, I liked him too… a bit too much.

Alexander said this marriage could be real, if I only let it. Could I let it? Brandon obviously liked him. Loved him, even… and his family. We got along great during our honeymoon. I found that I enjoyed talking to him, getting to know him. But it took a lot more to make marriage real, didn’t it?

I wished I could get Lena’s advice. Even Layla’s advice would be welcome, although I’d be scared to hear what she’d come up with. Layla went back to Scotland before we came back from the honeymoon, and now I wished she was still here. Her words from the nightclub came back to me… when she accused me of being scared of people leaving me. But this sense of family with Alexander wasn’t real… right?

Occasionally, Alexander and Brandon would both ask me questions and I’d smile, giving a short answer, refusing to be pulled into a faked sense of a happy family. I kept smiling and sipping on my wine, that was the maximum extent of acting I was willing to do. Until the highlight of the evening happened.

We almost made it through the whole dinner when Elizabeth strolled in with an older gentleman.

“Well, well,” Elizabeth couldn’t just make my evening and ignore us. “Look who we have here. Hello, Alexander.”

I guess she was going to ignore Brandon and me. I remained smiling, thankful I had enough wine in my bloodstream at this point, to stay calm. Maybe a better term was mellow.

If I thought I ever saw Alexander cold and distant, I was wrong. He was pure ice now as he stared at Elizabeth and her companion. I would not want to be in their place. I curiously watched them, wondering what he was pissed off about. Maybe something bad happened between her and Alexander.

“Elizabeth,” Alexander just nodded. I had to give it to my husband, he knew how to give a cold shoulder. “You remember Liberty, my wife. And this is Brandon, our little guy.”

A piece of my heart fluttered away from me that very moment and would belong to Alexander forever. Maybe we could give this an honest try? In my tipsy stage, I decided he just earned some points in my book and I would give him a treat when we get to bed tonight.

“Hello,” I greeted them both with a smile.

I found it interesting that Alexander never acknowledged the gentleman with Elizabeth. I curiously shifted my eyes to him and found him familiar. His face went through some harsh times, and his eyes were cold with the hint of cruelty and sadness in them. He watched me like a hawk, no animosity in his eyes, but there was something in them I couldn’t quite place. Regret maybe?

He kept staring at me, making me a bit uncomfortable. I smiled at him, unsure of the etiquette, and a gasp left his lips.

“Seems I was right,” Elizabeth spat at me, dragging my attention to her. “You were after him all along.”

Ah, the daggers were out. I raised my glass and toasted. “So it would seem,” I chuckled. Maybe I was a tiny bit past the tipsy stage.

“Liberty and Alexander are going to make babies,” Brandon jumped in and I promptly laughed. “Right, Liberty? I saw you kissing.”

I waved my hand, chuckling, trying to clear my throat before answering.

“Yes, we were kissing,” Alexander answered, his blue eyes watching the old gentleman with cold eyes. Then his gaze returned to Brandon and his lips curved into a small smile. “We’ll see about babies.”

Brandon nodded seriously and I was thankful not to have to say anything else. I loved how Alexander’s composure softened when he talked to Brandon. I could see he genuinely cared about him and his welfare. Even the way he ensured to introduce me as his wife to Elizabeth; maybe he cared about me a little bit too.

Maybe that was the reason he wanted to give this marriage a chance?

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