Chapter 17: FAMILY TIME

SCARLETT POV

"Come on, Scarlett! Open the door! It's time for breakfast!"

I woke up to the sound of a loud knock, and I had to squint to get my bearings. Sitting up made my head spin, and I stared around the room in a fog. Was I at home? In my own bed? Mixed with fuzzy memories from the night before, confusion poured over me. When I remember being in Alex's arms, I remember feeling a rush of heat and desire. Our breaths mixed as we lost ourselves in each other.

But I couldn't remember how I got home.

I closed my eyes and stroked my face as I tried to figure out what had happened. How did I get here? Before I forgot everything, I could still hear his sweet speech and feel his warm body against mine. It felt like the memories were broken and unfinished because someone had pressed the stop button.

"What happened?" I said something to myself and rubbed my temples.

My phone was on the table and showing a message. With my eyes closed, I reached for it and unlocked the screen. It was Alex's message.

"I dropped you off in secret. Kitten, I can't wait to see you again."

His words made my heart skip a beat and sent chills down my spine. I wasn't awake when he carried me home. I must have been very tired. It was both wonderful and scary to think that he would hold me and keep me safe while I slept.

I woke up when I heard another loud bang. "Hey Scarlett, come on!" Mom is calling!" When my brother Ryan yelled, it was clear that he was annoyed.

I moaned as I got out of bed and put my phone back on the table.

"Right. Having breakfast as a family. My mind was still going fast, so I ran my hand through my hair and went to the bathroom to clean up. I thought the whole night was a dream, but Alex's message made me remember it wasn't.

Trying to wake up, I quickly splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, and arose. It looked like my reflection was a little lost and red. My thoughts were racing with memories of last night, which made it hard to keep my heart rate steady. What did he do to me? It was still too much for me to forget about him.

Ryan was staring down at me from the bottom of the stairs when I got to the middle of them. "Damn, sleepyhead. It took you long enough."

I followed him into the dining room and said, "Good morning to you too." I rolled my eyes.

But what I saw when I walked in stopped me in my tracks. Alex

Alex was sitting at the table with my family, drinking coffee and talking with my parents. The thought of what was going on made me gasp for air. Why did he come here?

We looked at each other when he looked up. Even though his face was perfectly straight, there was a hint of humor in his eyes. He gave me a small, subtle wink as if to say, "Surprise," before I could answer.

My heart was beating, and I felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. I couldn't even get my thoughts to work, let alone react in a logical way. What did he want to play? No one in my family knew how scared I was, but they seemed happy for him to be sitting there.

Of course, he is like a second son for them. More than his own house, he spent his half-life here.

"Good morning, Scarlett!" My mom answered with a happy smile, as if she hadn't just dropped a shock by inviting him to breakfast. "Isn't it nice? Alex has chosen to join us!"

It was hard for me to smile as I slid into the seat next to him. Every cell in my body was on alert. "Um... yes. Really nice."

He said, "Morning, kitten," but it was so quiet that only I could hear him. He held my eyes with that familiar focus that made me weak.

When my stomach flipped, I quickly grabbed my water glass and drank to hide how I felt. My mind was full of thoughts. Why does he have to be here? Does he think this is fun?

He looked completely at ease, which made me feel even more nervous. I was still having trouble believing he was there, even though he was dressed well and stood tall.

After breakfast, my dad turned to me and gave me one of those happy grins he always has. "So, Scarlett, how was your first day at work?" He asked, and his eyes were bright with interest.

The fact that Alex was sitting right across from me made my cheeks feel a little hot. If only Dad knew the whole story...

"Oh, yes," Alex said with a smile as he looked at me. "One of the hard working employee, I've ever met is Scarlett. She doesn't know when to stop."

It hurt my lips, and I almost choked on my toast. Oh, it's clear he was having fun with this.

Next to me, my brother laughed and nudged me under the table. "Scarlett, I guess I didn't know you worked so hard. Maybe Alex here knows you better than we do."

Alex said, "Oh, she's... very dedicated," his eyes showing just a hint of venom. It doesn't matter how tired she is; she still gives it her all.

I looked at him and felt both thankful and scared. "Yeah, I… just wanted to make a good first impression."

"Well, I'm glad to hear you're working hard," Dad said, giving a smile. "Just don't overdo it, alright?"

I faked a grin and a short nod, attempting to ignore the wicked glitter in Alex's eyes as he drank his coffee. I felt to bite him, to show him that I was angry but at the same time I felt warm.

"Don't be overworked like Alex. After a long time he has finally having breakfast with us, always busy with work." Dad praised him.

Oh Dad, the man who made me busy and late night was him only. Not for work. But intense office sex. Now here he is sitting like nothing has happened between us.

"Mate is looking yummy," Stary, my wolf growled.

Shut up! He is already making things harder and now you dont start. Control yourself.

While Alex was licking the honey knife. Argh!

I looked at him with my heart racing. Was he really doing this? In front of my family?

Tonight I will show you not to mess up with me.

"Scarlett, honey, you look a little flushed," my mother said, her expression worried. "Are you feeling alright?"