I stared at Alex in shock, scared to open my mouth in case I said the wrong thing. The words fiancée and baby repeated in my head, making me dizzy. And, as inappropriate as it was, all I could think about was how I couldn't compete with that.
"I met Chloe at college," he explained. "We were friends before we started dating."
He sounded pained and I couldn't help but shuffle towards him, hoping that my closeness would somehow help.
"I proposed at graduation. My best friendâLucasâtold me not to. He thought I was too young to settle down but I loved her, so I did it anyway."
I smiled, amused by his stubbornness.
"She said yes and two months later, we found out she was pregnant."
He paused out of need and dragged in a ragged breath.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me," I offered, sensing his reluctance."
"No, it's fine. I want you to know this, Ebony."
And I loved that he did.
"Teddy was born in the August and I fell in love instantly."
A baby boyâwow.
"What a gorgeous name." I inputted.
I wanted him to know that I wasn't repulsed by his past. I didn't care if he had partial custody of his son. It didn't matter that he was a dad.
"I thought so too." He smiled. "Anyway, I bought this house and planned to surprise Chloe on Christmas morning. I never got the chance."
His struggle was obvious and my stomach was in knots as I anticipated the next part of his story.
"I found out she'd been cheating on me. With Lucas."
His best friend!
"Oh, Alex." I cupped his cheek and caressed his jaw, utterly heartbroken for him.
"I didn't know what to think. I was just...numb."
"Yeah, no shit," I replied.
He quietly laughed and kissed me on the cheek.
"What happened to Teddy?" I asked, concerned about him in all of this.
Alex shook his head, close to breaking down.
"I wasn't his father, Ebony. Lucas was." Fuck! "In the blink of an eye, I switched lives with my best friend. He took everything from me. My fiancée. My son."
I couldn't believe it.
"It ruined me."
"Alex." I pulled his forehead to mine and repeatedly kissed him.
I needed him to know that whilst I didn't understand, I sympathised wholeheartedly.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
I didn't know what to think. What to do. Those bastards hurt my Alex and all I wanted was to hurt them in return. Give them a taste of their own medicine.
"I'm okay. I meanâlosing Teddy was hell but it's something I've had to get over. He's not my Son. I have no right loving him."
"But he was your Son, Alex. For nine months while Chloe carried him and four months after he was born."
He nodded.
"You don't just move on from something like that."
He stared at me; gaze full of appreciation.
"Are they together?" I asked.
"One big, happy family."
I took hold of his hand and squeezed, knowing how painful that must be. We said nothing for a while, content with the silence. The severity of his situation dawned on me and before I could stop myself, I brought his hand up to my eyebrow where an unnoticeable scar sat. "You feel that?"
"Hmm."
"My dad threw a glass bowl at my head when I was seven."
He scowled. "Fuck that man."
I smiled becauseâyeahâfuck him!
"Every time my insecurities kick in, I feel for that scar. It reminds me that I survived my dad's abuse. That I'm a fighter."
He slowly caressed my eyebrow before lightly kissing it.
"You're a brilliant person, Alex. Intelligent, passionate, kind." I grinned. "Sexy. Don't let the actions of others steal your beautiful personality. Learn from it. Gain strength. You're a survivor. A fighter."
"Just like you."
"Just like me," I repeated.
We gazed into each other's eyes, the atmosphere around us changing. I felt it. He felt it. And before long, we were desperate to have each other. I tore at his shirt and thanked my lucky stars when his beautiful torso came into view. He tried flipping me onto my back but I resisted, wanting to be the one in control for once.
"Let me," I offered, soothing him with a long kiss.
He settled his hands on my hips and lay back, gifting me his full approval. I brought my mouth down to his chest and kissed, enjoying the feel of his hot skin against my lips. I slowly crept lower, reaching the waistband of his jeans, causing him to shift in his position; desperate, needy.
"Ebony, you don't have-"
Before he could finish what it was he was about to say, I felt for him beneath his boxers. He hissed through clenched teeth, enjoying the moment far too much to offer up any more protests.
"Just relax, Alex."
I pushed on his chest until he was lying flat and kissed all the way down his happy trail. Again, I reach his waistband but rather than stopping this time, I pulled down his boxers and ran my tongue along his shaft.
"Oh God!"
I continued my attack, enjoying the reactions I was receiving. He squirmed from underneath me, though kept his hand on my head as a way of prolonging his pleasure. I took all of him, desperate to please him. To make him forget.
"Ebony. I'm close."
He tried pulling away but I wouldn't let him, making my intentions clear. He threaded his fingers through my hair and grunted as the beginning of his orgasm took hold.
"Ohhhh."
He tightened his hold on my head and bucked his hips, greedy in his release. Then, he searched for my face and smashed his lips to mine.
"Thank you."
I couldn't breathe but I didn't care one bit. Having him kiss me like this was everything I needed and more. Hard, kind, passionate. I wanted to erase all of his pain. Replace it with kisses.
I was desperate for him to see himself the way I saw him. Chloe and Lucas had triggered some sort of insecurity and that was completely understandable. My job was to show him that not every woman would break his heart.
I was going show him what it felt like to be loved properly.
Starting right now.
****
Whoa! Big statement there, Ebony.
She's so screwed!!! ;)