Chapter 30 30
“Someone?” Stefan couldn't believe his ears. There were more than one ‘someones’ in her life? “Red roses are a romantic gesture. It seems like something a man in love would send.”
He was right about that, Alana though, which was why she suddenly wished it was him who'd sent it.
“This man you came home with… Is he the same guy who called you the other day? The same one you said you weren't dating. Now he's a colleague who comes home with you and kisses you?” Stefan continued as his voice broke on the last word, low but shaking. “Do you have any idea how that looked? How that feels?”
Alana shook her head. Of course she knew, but he was getting it all wrong and he wasn't prepared to listen to her at the moment.
“I don’t wish to argue with you with Juliana in the house—”
“Then let’s not.” He retorted, as he reduced the distance between them even more, “You leave my bed and then go straight into another man's arms the following day? What sort of woman are you?”
“The kind of woman who doesn't get pushed around by anyone, Stefan!” she shot back, voice rising. “Not even you. And I was never in your bed last night. The whole thing happened here. You don't get to tell me who to see and what to do just because we have a child together—”
“So you don't deny it…” He took another sharp step forward, his temper finally slipping. “You're really seeing this man?”
Her breath caught — a flicker of something soft and dangerous flashing in her eyes. Angry eyes watched her from a face made of granite and Alana longed to be anywhere but here.
“Of course not,” she said quietly. “And you’re standing here accusing me like I’ve done something wrong.”
“I’m not accusing you. I saw you,” he said, voice rough. He wanted to touch her. Grab her. Kiss some sense into her, but the thought of that man's lips on hers held him back, “I’m losing my mind because the thought of someone else touching you makes me want to break something.”
Alana’s lips parted, stunned.
He rubbed the back of his neck, voice quieter now. “You said you didn’t want to marry me just because of Juliana. Fine. But don’t expect me to stand here and pretend I don’t care when another man kisses you. I can’t.”
Alana swallowed hard, eyes glistening slightly. “You’re jealous, Stefan. That’s all this is.”
He met her gaze, fierce and unguarded. “Maybe. But it’s because I want you. Because you still get under my skin every damn time I see you. Because when we made love, I let myself believe that we were getting somewhere.”
The room was silent again as they glared at each other. Alana looked away first, flustered and unsure, while Stefan’s jaw clenched as if holding back everything else he wanted to say.
“I'm tired, Stefan. I had a long day at work and I cannot do this anymore,” she whispered, turning toward the hallway. “I'm going to take a shower, and I'd like you to be gone by the time I'm done,”
He didn’t move, just watched her go — and when the door closed softly behind her, he stared at the spot where the roses had been, then at the trash where they now sat destroyed, wondering if he’d just made things worse.
______________
Stefan didn't show up for five days after that, and there were no words from him. Not even to check up on Juliana. It shouldn't have hurt the way it did, but it stung badly.
Emily and Corey had returned from their trip and come to visit, and Emily had mentioned that Stefan had been away.
Alana wondered if he'd walked away from them for good. It wouldn't be surprising. He'd walked away from her before, she thought dejectedly, but Juliana had not been in the picture then. His break would be over soon and he'd be returning to work. Maybe after their argument he'd decided to leave early, but why do it without at least saying goodbye to his daughter?
She was very angry at him, and when she opened her door that morning to find Stefan standing out there, she couldn't hide her surprise or the anger that followed.
“Stefan,” she said, “you're here,”
He didn't move an inch, but ran his gaze over her, taking in her outfit. She was dressed in black trousers and a black knit sweater that clung to her high full breasts and hugged her waist. Her thick hair was parted in the middle, and the long silk strands framed her face, drawing attention to the arched brows and haunting green of her eyes.
Stefan was still mad at her, but damn she was pretty, he thought. She crackled with energy, and just looking at her made his blood heat. “You look surprised to see me,” he said, tamping down his desire for her. “Surely you didn't think I'd never come to see my daughter again, did you? Pretty sure you'd love that,”
It was a terrible start. Bad move to add that last comment, but he couldn't stop himself.
She stood before him, a hand on one hip, drawing attention to her figure, made even longer by her black leather boots. The heels on her leather boots were high. And incredibly sexy.
She wanted to return the jab, so she said, “Well, you hadn't shown up for days, and walking away is kinda your thing… So…” The look in his eyes told her it wouldn't be wise to finish her sentence, so she stopped talking.
“I've been busy house hunting,” he said, “Are you going to let me in or am I supposed to stand out here forever?”
Alana stepped back so he could come in, but the moment she closed the door she was right behind him, “House hunting?” she repeated, “Surely you don't mean…”
“That I intend to stay for my daughter? Yes that's exactly what I mean,”
Without turning to look at her as she processed his words, Stefan went to Juliana and picked her up from her chair. Juliana was indeed happy to see him, and she clapped her chubby hands together, smiled happily and babbled at him.
There was silence for a while before Alana spoke again, “Well, it's a good idea but you should have said something to me at least,”