Alex had no idea the meaning of Beth’s apology, but she knew she’d find out later, when her mind was clearer. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, a smile on her lips.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 23
Alexandra softly groaned and fluttered her eyes open. She stared for a moment up at the chandelier above her, lost and confused. The sunlight hit the many crystals and made beautiful spectra across the room, and she gazed at them in wonder. Slowly, everything came back to her. She realized she was in Jayden’s room and in his bed. She frowned, touching her forehead as she remembered the dinner with the girls at Parcha, dancing in the club, and Kyle annoying her. She remembered running from him through the crowd, him catching up with her in the corridor, and then—blank.
She groaned and sat up, her head pounding away like a bad car engine that was about to explode. Gosh, she smelled terrible and felt very stuffy, too. She brought the strands of her long hair to her nose and sniffed. Jesus! She smelled like she hadn’t showered for days. Being the hygienic person that she was, she couldn’t stand the smell of herself right now. Thus, she moved out of bed, intending to hit the shower ASAP. Instantly, the world spun and moved past her. She closed her eyes and concentrated, commanding herself not to faint. A few seconds later, she felt better and carefully made her way into the bathroom.
She took her time showering, allowing the droplets of hot water to pound down on her, kissing her skin until it was blushing pink. She shampooed and conditioned her long hair, cleaned her face, and even brushed her teeth. Feeling refreshed and a bit more alert, she got out, wrapped herself in a big, fluffy towel, and quickly moisturized her body and face. She returned to the bedroom and intended to go back to bed since she felt awfully spent, when she realized that she hadn’t dressed properly. She reluctantly went into the walk-in wardrobe, found her panties, and put them on. Suddenly, she felt as though she might faint and groaned in dread. Not wanting to be found unconscious and half naked, she grabbed for a man’s shirt near her hand, dropped the towel to the floor, and put on the shirt. Then she found the white top way too large for her person. Oh well, it would have to do. She got one button on when she knew if she didn’t get into bed soon, she’d definitely faint there and then in the walk-in closet.
She steadily made her way back into the bedroom, crawled onto the bed, got in between the sheets, and rested her head against the soft pillows. Not a moment later, her world blacked out. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was low and the room shone with a bright golden-orange color.
She groaned and moved to sit up.
“Don’t sit up too fast. You’ll hurt yourself,” came the male voice that sent her pulse racing. She glanced up and saw Jayden heading to her from where he sat on the seat near the window.
He sat beside her on the bed and tested her temperature by touching the back of his hand on her forehead. “Cool,” he said. “Good.”
Alex removed his hand from her forehead and cast her eyes down, a light rose color creeping up her cheeks. That was when Jayden knew she was back to her normal self. The drug had worn off. He also noticed she was wearing his shirt and hadn’t even bothered to button it up properly. It was parted in the middle and showing her skin beneath, especially that lovely cleavage of hers that was very enticing indeed. Her hair also smelled wonderful, too, like spring. It reminded him of their earlier meeting at the Thompsons’ house in Dunedin. Did she just have a shower? When did she do that? How could she manage? Shit! He should have been here looking after her.
“Why didn’t you call for me when you woke?”
Alex blinked. “I’m sorry? What?”
Jayden cupped her face and looked intensely into her eyes. “Next time call me when you need help going to the shower. You could have fainted and broken your neck or skull.”
Alex blinked again. He was right of course. How stupid of her. Almost every part of the bathroom was made of marble. And yes, she did faint, albeit not in the bathroom, but fainted nonetheless. Not wanting to be seen like a stupid ninny, she said, “I’m fine. I can look after myself.”
Jayden wasn’t happy with that. “Alex, I’m responsible for your wellbeing, and I don’t want anything to happen to you, understand?”
“Because you don’t want my dad or Peter to hunt you down and kill you?” she asked curiously, repeating his words from earlier when she refused to take pills for her headache.
“No, Alex, I’m worried about you. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you.”
Alex swallowed. She saw the passion in his words and it really affected her. What did he mean? Was he truly worried about her wellbeing?
“So can you remember anything from two days ago?”
She frowned at him. Two days ago? Had she been out for that long?
“Can you?” he asked again.
What can I remember? Of course she could remember everything that had transpired two nights ago and had to groan depressingly. She hoped Kyle hadn’t violated her. She was pretty sure he hadn’t because she didn’t feel like her body had been violated. She felt fine except for the headache and cloudiness of her vision. In fact, she felt all warm and cozy, like someone had been looking after her particularly well.
“Well?”
“I don’t remember anything.” She lied, glancing up at him. She gasped because now he was so close to her that his face was mere inches from hers, and she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. She stared into his eyes and then—Bam! It was right there before her eyes. Everything flashed back to her. She remembered Jayden kissing her forehead, his words of love as he was cuddling her in bed, and his hard, warm body against her. And yes, she remembered Beth’s apology, too. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Well?”
“Leave me alone,” she muttered and turned away, intending to avoid him.
Jay grabbed her arm gently and pulled her back to him. In fact, she was now half sitting on his lap, and Jayden realized she wasn’t wearing her pajama pants. Her long, slender legs were bare. She struggled in his arms and the harder she fought him off, the more his shirt peeled off her body. Did she not realize her body was nearly naked in his arms and her gorgeous nipples were nearly on show if not for the thread of his shirt clinging onto her for dear life?
Jayden really couldn’t help himself. She was too tempting, and thus, he moved his head to her and desperately took her lips against his, kissing her passionately.
Alex was shocked. Oh my God! He was kissing her again. She felt his firm lips pressing against her soft ones and his tongue stroking her slightly parted mouth. In response, her body melted under his touch, and she felt warm and fuzzy inside, like a million stars burning brightly in the night sky. She closed her eyes and groaned in pleasure, surrendering to his experienced kiss, her headache completely forgotten.
When he moved his head back, Jay said, “Miss Alexandra Stewart, I’m sorry I lied to you, but I’m not sorry you’re my hired girlfriend and that I’m in love with you.”
Alex’s heart beat so fast she thought she’d die from a heart attack at any moment now. Because she didn’t know how to response to his unexpected confession, she licked her lips and whispered, “Really?”