Chapter 95
I turned to face him, frowning. “Why?”
“Just promise me,” he insisted, his eyes serious.
I rolled my eyes but gave in. “Fine. I promise.”
Satisfied, Alex put the phone away and kept driving. We ended up on the opposite side of town–nowhere near his house.
For a moment, suspicion crept in, and I tensed. “Where are you taking me?”
Alex chuckled “Relax. I love you too much to do anything to you.”
The words made my stomach turn. Love? Was he serious?
We finally pulled up to a small, quiet apartment complex. The place was simple but well–kept. I stepped out of the car cautiously, my heart pounding
And then I saw him
Liam
He was playing in the yard with a toy truck, his cheels rosy and his movements lively. Relief washed over me like a wave. He looked better–healthier,
“What happened?” I asked, my voice soft
Alex came to stand beside me, his tone calm. “He’s getting treated. I felt guilty about how far behind his health was, so I’ve had a team of scientists doing research to help him heal faster.”
My throat tightened as I turned to look at him. “Thank you.”
Alex mat my gate, his expression earnest. “If you really want to thank me, share custody with me, Raina, Don’t rake him away
I looked away, umilling to respond to that. Instead, I said, “I went to see him often”
“You can,” Alex replied quickly. “I’ll bring you here whenever you want.
There was a pause before he added, “And I didn’t lie about Nathan and that woman. I saw them.”
I stiffened, but I pushed the thought aside. I wasn’t here for that. I was here for Lam
Spending time with Liam was exactly what I needed. I hugged him right, played with him, and even rocked him to sleep. For the first time in a while, I felt like I could breathe.
Thad just finished putting Liam to sleep, the warmth of him still lingering in my arms, when I stood up, ready to leave. As I moved toward the door, I felt Alex’s hand grip my arm. His coach was firm, but I could feel a tremor in it that betrayed his usual confidence
“Raina,” he said, his voice low, almost pleading, “What can I do to fix this? I refuse to believe you feel nothing for ve
His words hit me hard, sharper than I expected. I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing “Let go, Alex,” I said, trying to shake off has hold. “Move aside. I feel nothing. You don’t get to decide how I feel anymore.”
I knew it wasn’t true. It was a lie, I told myself. But as much as I tried to hate him, there was always this part of me that still wanted him–despite everything, despite all the hurt, and despite the mess we had become I couldn’t deny that part of me, but I would never admit it to him.
Alex stepped closer, his gaze intense. *I’d like to test this theory of yours,” he said, his words slow and deliberate. “I’m going to kiss you, and if you don’t move, I’ll know you don’t feel anything for me.”
Before I could even respond, before I could tell him how absurd and manipulative his suggestion was, I felt his lips on mine.
It was electric, a rush of warmth and familiarity that I hadn’t expected. Damn it, his liss tasted good. It was gentle, far too gentle, a softness I hadn’t felt before. The kind of gentleness that made me want to stay, to give in, despite everything I told myself.
I screamed in my mind to push him away, to step back and remember all the reasons I couldn’t let him in again. But my body betrayed me. I couldn’t stop myself from reacting. I kissed him back, just for a moment, but it felt like an eternity
When 1 finally came to my senses, the reality of what was happening hit me like a tidal wave. I pushed him off with all the strength I could muster, stepping back with a sharp breath. My heart was racing, my mind in turmoil.
“Damn it, Alex!” I shouted, my hand coming up to slap him across the face. The sting of the slap echoed in the room, but it didn’t feel nearly as satisfying as I wanted it to
“I knew coming here was a bad idea,” vald, my voice thick with emotion. Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel.
1/2
+25 Bonus
Alex stepped forward, his hand on my amm again. “I’ll drive you. You didn’t come here in your car.
1 wanted to argue, to insist I didn’t need his help, but I didn’t have a choice either, nor the energy. My mind was too scattered, and I didn’t want to fight anymore. I just wanted to get away.
you better not talk to me the whole ride. I’m not in the mood to talk
“Fine,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. “But you be
Alex drove me home in silence. I didn’t look at him, and he didn’t speak. The second the car pulled up to my house, I jumped out and hurried toward the
door
“Raina”
I froze at the familiar voice. Turning slowly, I saw Nathan standing there, his expression hard.
“What happened to you?” he asked, his voice low.
I swallowed, my heart pounding, What do I say?
