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“Alexander, that’s not…”
“Shhhh. I insist.”
“I don’t want you wasting money on me like that,” she protested.
He leaned back and looked at her, a smile twitching across his lips. “Claire. You do remember who I am, right? Hiring security to protect the woman I love is not wasting money.”
She looked up at him and let out a half-laugh, half-sob. “I just wanted some shades for the cottage,” she sighed in resignation. She leaned her forehead against his chest before leaning back. “I got your suit wet,” she whispered.
“And it will dry.” He tilted her chin up to look at him. She was so beautiful to him, with her blue eyes and full lips. Right now, he hated seeing them so red and so traumatized. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m going to draw you a bath and make you lunch. I’m not going back to the office. We have some things to talk about and decide once and for all.” He smoothed her hair back from her forehead.
“I’m supposed to be working Fortune Favors today,” she protested.
“I’ll have Davis work him. Today, you’re staying with me. Finish your water.” He handed her the bottle before walking into his bedroom and the large bath. He started the water in the tub, tossing a bath bomb in the water and turning on the jets. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and leaned back against the counter. “James, I need you to call Morrow Security. I need a detail on Claire. I’m not going to have this happen again.”
“Is she alright?”
“She’s shaken, but she’s not physically hurt.”
“I’ll call them as soon as we get off the phone.” James paused on the other end for a moment. “Alex, you’re my cousin. You’re like a brother to me, more than my own, and I care about you. You and Claire are going to have to nip this in the bud before one of you does get hurt. I know you can handle the rumors and conjecture, but from what I know of Claire, she’s a gentle woman who has captured your heart. Confront the scandal head-on. Put it out there and embrace the truth. You know that honesty is the best remedy.”
Alexander smiled. “Your mother always said that to use.”
“Yes, and it has served us well all our lives. You brought me into this business with you, and I’ve been by your side this entire time since everyone else walked away from us. Trust me on this.”
Claire was getting the same advice from Ginger at the other end of the house. “I was terrified.”
“Well, they can be rabid. But do you love him?”
“Yes. Yes, I do love him.” It was the first time she had said it out loud, and it felt good to say it.
“Then maybe the two of you should just face the music and come clean. I mean, yeah, you can continue risking your careers and personal lives by denying the affair and hoping the storm blows over, but why? Why hide what you’ve got? You’re happy. He’s happy. And hell, one more billionaire off the market is a good thing.”
Claire rubbed her eyes, feeling the tension headache starting. She said goodbye to Ginger and hung up the phone. There was one thing that was very clear – through all the rumors, all the nasty newspaper articles, and tawdry paparazzi photos, their love for each other burned bright and unwavering. Claire knew that whatever choice they made would have far-reaching consequences, not just for themselves but for their future together as well. They could not continue to hide in the shadows forever. Alexander was right. They needed to talk this out and make a decision. She walked through the house to the bathroom to find him leaning against the counter in thought. At some point, he had removed all but his trousers and white button down. The tub was almost full. She walked to it and turned off the water before slowly undressing. She slipped into the hot water, letting the heat soothe away the tension she had been holding in.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Claire spoke, her voice soft but firm. “Alexander, we can’t keep hiding forever. The longer we deny our relationship, the more damage we do to ourselves and to each other. It’s time to face the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.”
Alexander nodded slowly, his expression grave as he looked up at her, meeting her gaze. “You’re right, Claire,” he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. “We can’t let fear dictate our actions any longer. Societal expectations be damned. It’s 2024. It shouldn’t matter who I fall in love with. Who you fall in love with.” He unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off, letting it fall to the floor. “If I want to kiss my horse trainer, then I will kiss her. If I want to take her to dinner, then I will. And no one has the right to question us.” He slipped off his trousers and then slipped into the tub with her. He laced his finger with hers as he leaned in to kiss her. “Together. We’ll face the scandal together,” Alexander said, his voice steady and unwavering. “No matter what the world may think of us, we’ll stand united in our love and our commitment to each other. Nothing else matters.”
Claire met Alexander’s gaze with a silent nod of agreement, her heart swelling with a sense of pride and determination. In that moment, she knew that they were embarking on a journey that would test their resolve like never before, but she also knew that they would face it together, hand in hand, united in their love and their unwavering belief in each other. She leaned towards him, kissing him with every ounce of love she had in her body. “Together.”
Alexander drew her closer, kissing her hungrily. He needed her, and the worry that she could've gotten hurt still weighed heavily on his mind. She would have security and they would make sure she stayed safe.
Claire felt her resolve fading with each of his kisses, all thoughts of horses and racing gone from her mind. Claire closed her eyes, letting her head fall back as Alexander trailed his mouth down her neck, his hands like brands against the small of her back as he held her tightly to him, their hips grinding together. She moaned at the feel of his erection against her. He stood up, pulling her to her feet with him. He held her hands as he stepped from the tub, lifting her from it and holding her tightly against him. He carried her towards the bedroom. “I need a few hours with you.” He set her down and let his fingers trail down the soft flesh of her arms. “I do not like having to share you all of the time,” he remarked. “Even if I’m just sharing you with the horses.”
Claire smiled. “Poor baby,” she whispered, reaching out to tug him closer. She slipped her hand around the back of his neck, pulling his lips to hers, their eyes locked in hungry need. Claire threaded her fingers through his hair, holding tightly to him as their kisses grew more passionate. She gasped as he lowered his lips to her breasts, gently taking one peeked nipple in his mouth and suckling.
Alexander grabbed her wrists, pulling her into his arms and forcefully backing her up against the wall, his lips coming down on hers in a bone-crushing kiss that left them both gasping. “Now,” he whispered huskily. “I don’t want to talk about racing. I don’t want to talk about horses. I don't want to talk about the damn paparazzi and their prying eyes. I want to make love to you. And that’s what I'm going to do.” He gazed down at her, his eyes tracing the line of her swollen lips. He forced his knee between her legs, pinning her between himself and the wall. He gazed down at her, his heart beating in his chest as he slid one hand under the edge of her breast, this thumb quickly finding her nipple. Ruthlessly, he rubbed her already sensitive peak with his thumb. “Do…I…make…myself…clear?” he questioned through clenched teeth, his eyes narrowing.
“Yes, sir,” Claire answered breathlessly. She knew Alexander was right. Everything could wait until morning. She reached out and grasped his head, pulling his lips back to hers, arching her body against his hand.
“Good.” Alexander kissed her, his body aching with need. No, need wasn’t even strong enough to describe what he was feeling. He reached to the tight chignon she had her hair up in, finding each pin, pulling them free, and letting them drop to the floor one by one. He fisted one hand in her hair, holding her head still as he allowed his tongue to explore her mouth, the taste of her fueling his lust in a way no woman had ever done before. Slowly, his touch like fire against her skin, Alexander trailed his fingers from her neck, past her breasts, down her stomach to the junction of her thighs. Making love to a woman was never a problem for Alexander; he knew exactly how to play Claire. Her body was quivering against him already. “Open your eyes,” he whispered.
Claire looked at him, her eyes locking with his as he slid his hand between her legs, stroking her slowly, knowing she would never be able to last long. The first time they made love, when they kissed in his office, he let her be the aggressor, Alexander allowing her to do whatever she wanted. But not tonight. The intensity of Alexander’s eyes added just a touch of fear to their play, which excited Claire even more. She could feel him against her and slid her hands down to grip his hard cock.
“No!” he growled. “Put your hands back where they were.” He stopped his slow torture until she did as he said. Alexander smiled wickedly, lowering his head to her breast, tracing lazy circles around her hardened nipple with his tongue as he stroked her, dipping his fingers inside of her and then out. She moaned, her nails digging into his shoulders. He nipped at her with his teeth as she began to tremble. He quickly looked up as he moved to the other breast. Her face was flushed, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, and her eyes once again closed as she leaned her head back against the wall. She tensed against him, and he stopped, withdrawing his hand.
Claire’s eyes flew open as he backed away from her. “You fucking shit!” she hissed. Alexander raised his eyebrows in response. Her heart banged in her chest, and she got mad. “You’re gonna pay for that,” she said. She pushed herself away from the wall.
