Chapter 42 - You and me against the World

Roses POV

I rubbed my eyes, yawning, and slowly opened my eyes. I looked at the other side of the bed while tangled in the cover; it was empty.

I smiled as I remembered last night; it was so passionate and magical. It felt like Troy transported us to the past, our beautiful days in London.

After what happened between Kate and me, I made a decision; I wouldn't run away from Troy anymore. I was going to give a chance to us, our love. I still loved him so much. I wouldn't sacrifice my and Alec's happiness because of anyone else anymore. Now I wanted to focus on our happiness and had a happy life with my two men: my son and Troy. My two princes.

I wrapped the cover around my body and got up. I noticed my suitcase near the bed.

Troy... So thoughtful as always.

I smiled and went to take a shower.

After putting on my clothes, I left the room to check Alec, but I stopped when I heard Alec and Troy's voices coming from the kitchen.

I leaned against the door frame, smiling, and started watching my boys who were making breakfast. Or more correctly, trying to make.

"Oh, shit!" Troy exclaimed, pulling his hand away quickly as he burned his finger.

When he lifted his head up, he saw me and instantly hid his hand behind his back reflexively, giving me a nervous grin.

"Good morning." I greeted them as I straightened and approached them.

"Mommy! Good morning." Alec exclaimed happily and ran towards me, putting a bottle of chocolate syrup on the counter.

I bent down, beaming, and hugged my son, placing a soft kiss on his hair.

"We are making waffles." He informed, excited.

"Oh, really? I am starving." I said, giving him a warm smile, and ruffled his hair.

Then I approached Troy who was roaming my body from head to toe. I pursed my lips together, trying to hold my smile; I liked my effect on him.

"Morning." He said huskily and placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

I gave him a bright smile and grabbed his hand. I checked my son, making sure that he wasn't looking at us; he was eating the waffle without giving any attention to us. Then I turned my gaze from him to Troy and placed a soft kiss on his finger which he burned a few minutes ago.

"Is it better?" I asked in a provocative tone and bit my lower lip seductively, looking into his eyes.

"A little. Maybe you should kiss it again." He replied huskily as he closed the distance between us and wrapped his arm around my waist, leaning towards my ear. "But I have a better idea." He whispered in my ear and placed a chaste kiss on my lips, catching me off guard.

"Troy!" I exclaimed in a low tone and checked Alec; fortunately, his back was towards us. He gave me a boyish grin and mouthed 'I love you'. I beamed at him and took one of the waffles.

"Mmm... delicious." I commented as I took a piece of it and ran my tongue over my lower lip seductively without taking my eyes off Troy.

He gulped, looking at my lips, his gaze intense.

"Don't tempt me, baby." He whispered in my ear and pulled my earlobe between his teeth. I pursed my lips together, trying not to moan.

Troy pulled back, grabbing my wrist, and pulled it towards his mouth. He bit my waffle which I was still holding in my hand and winked at me. I gave him a dirty look, trying to hold my smile. He chuckled and walked towards Alec.

After having breakfast, Alec went to wash his hands, leaving Troy and me alone.

"Thank you for everything. I have to go to the fashion house, but when I come back, Alec and I will go to the hotel." I informed, giving Troy a grateful smile.

"What?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"It will be better if we stay at the hotel. I don't want to disturb you anymore." I explained.

"Rose, you and Alec aren't going anywhere. You will stay with me here." He refused and frowned. "And... After last night, I thought..." He mumbled and sighed, rubbing his neck. "I thought that we were back together." He added, looking into my eyes hopefully as he rested his hand on top of mine on the table. "Do you regret what happened last night?" He asked, a mixture of fear and stress in his eyes.

"No, Troy. I don't regret it." I replied, giving him a bright smile, squeezing his hand, and cupped his cheek. He breathed deeply in relief. "But are you sure? It won't be easy. Your family, my family and the paparazzi. Do you want all of these?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

"Rose, I want you. I am not interested in what others think about me. I am ready to do everything to be with you. I don't want to stay away from you anymore. And I promise I will do everything to protect you and Alec. Please, don't push me away. Life without you is torture for me. I don't want to spend a minute away from you anymore." Troy stated and gave me a begging look. "Please, I want you and my son beside me. I love you so much." He added, squeezing my hand.

I smiled and nodded. "I don't want to stay away from you too. I love you so much, Troy."

A wide grin appeared on his face. He leaned towards me and brushed his lips against mine.

"Great! You will stay here." He said happily and winked at me. I nodded, smiling. "By the way, I am planning to talk to my mother about us today."

"Oh..." I mumbled nervously.

"Don't worry. She likes you. Everything will be good." He tried to assure me.

"I hope so." I sighed, ruffling my hair nervously.

"And my driver brought your car." He informed and placed a soft kiss on top of my hand.

"Thank you." I gave him a warm smile.

"You are welcome." He winked at me and looked at his wristwatch. "My housekeeper is about to arrive. She will look after Alec while you are in the fashion house. I would gladly spend time with him today, but I have to talk to my mother." He informed. I nodded. He stood up and leaned towards me. "See you soon, my love." He placed a soft kiss on my lips. "I will miss you."

I smiled happily. "I will miss you too."

***

I couldn't concentrate on my sketch in the office; my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't stop myself from thinking about Troy and grinning sheepishly.

I looked at my wristwatch and checked the time. It had been an hour since I arrived, but I missed Troy terribly.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, interrupting my thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Eduardo walked in, giving me a bright smile, and closed the door behind him.

"I discovered a great restaurant near here. You will adore it. How about dinner with me?" He asked cheerfully as he sat down on the chair beside my desk. "Please accept. I missed you."

"Ed..."

"Rose... I can't forget you. I accepted to come here because of you. I wanted to see you and convince you to give me another chance." He admitted, giving me a hopeful look.

"Ed, we tried, but... I am sorry." I gave him an apologetic look. "You are dear to me. I really like you as a friend, nothing more."

"I got it." He forced a smile. "So it is true. You are with your ex-brother-in-law." He sighed sadly.

"It isn't like that." I mumbled and bit my lower lip nervously.

"It was predictable from his gaze. When he saw us together, he was ready to kill me. However, I didn't know he was your brother-in-law." He commented and smiled lazily, full of sadness in his eyes.

I sighed, ruffling my hair. "When Troy and I met, he wasn't engaged to my sister." I pursed my lips together and entwined my hands. He gave me a questioning look. "He is Alec's father." I informed.

His jaw dropped, and he looked at me with wide  eyes. "Oh..." He mumbled, trying to pull himself together.

"Please don't tell anyone. My family doesn't know about this situation. We didn't tell them."

He nodded and stood up, placing his hand into his pocket. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." I gave him a grateful smile. "I wish you happiness. I hope you will happy with him."

"Thank you. I hope you will find a woman who will make you happy." I said, standing up.

"I think it is time for me to go back to Rome." He gave me a sad smile as he approached me. "Take care of yourself!" He hugged me. I hugged him back.

"So do you! Have a good flight!" I gave him a warm smile as I pulled back.