Chapter 51

Chapter 51
“Oh!” Ray groaned as he came inside me. I felt the warm liquid fill me, and I knew the risk I was taking—but in that moment, I was feeling him too. My legs were weak.

He pulled out and collapsed beside me, panting as I also caught my breath. My nipples were still hard, and my thighs slightly ached, but all I could do was lie there, staring at the ceiling.

“Oh shit, that was amazing,” he said after a pause, turning to kiss my cheek while I kept my eyes on the ceiling. “Wait, did I hurt you?” His voice suddenly sounded worried. “Lex?”

“No, you… it was good,” I said honestly, then turned to face him. “I'm not on the pill and—”

“I’m clean, don’t worry. And about the pill, I can make a call—it’ll be delivered in an hour.” He brushed some hair off my face.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely audible. With everything going on, he somehow felt so sweet—so loving right now. He reached for my hand, laced his fingers with mine, and kissed it. I was still catching my breath when he spoke again.

“Marry me.”

“Huh?” I sat up, blinking.

“Marry me. I want you to marry me. Lex, will you marry me?” Each sentence landed harder than the last, and I just sat there frozen. Why? Did Helena already get to him? That was the only way this made any sense.

“Ray, I… I think it’s the sex. I’m that good, huh?” I gave a weak smile, trying to laugh it off. “They say after sex, people get attached. I think that’s what’s happening here. Don’t worry—it’ll wear off.”

I tried to get up, but he grabbed my wrist gently. “No.” He looked me straight in the eye, serious.

“I’ve been with a lot of girls. That I can’t deny. But none of them felt like you. I am okay with time—winning you over in a year, two, more. But if you give me a chance now, it’ll save both of us time, you know?”

“Um…” I swallowed hard, still confused. Never in my life had I imagined marrying anyone but Elliot—let alone a celebrity. “Can I think about it?”

“Of course. And I’ll speak to my management. I’ll annul the contract.”

“I’m afraid we’ll still need the contract. Gia—”

“Anything you say, baby. I’ve got you, even if you change your mind.” He leaned in, and I just stared at him with his eyes closed until he reached my lips. That’s when I closed mine too.

His kiss was quick, soft. I kissed him back—just as quick. We did that back and forth, soft kisses but before it could lead to more— the door flew open.

I sat up immediately, covering my breasts. “Oh. It’s you.” I relaxed a little when I saw Dylan.

He stood in the doorway with an unreadable expression, eyes darting between me and Ray.

At first I didn’t understand why he looked so cold—I mean, I’m twenty-one, Ray’s my boyfriend… it made sense.

But then I remembered myself on that damn piano, legs spread wide for him. “Shit,” I muttered, looking down.

“Man, do you mind?” Ray came up behind me and kissed my back.

Dylan just nodded, reached his phone from his pockets and walked out.

I jumped out of bed, scrambling for my clothes. I heard an engine rev, so I rushed to the window. Yep, Dylan was already in his car. Ximena was outside begging him to stay, but he wasn’t listening.

I watched as she even stood in front of the car, forcing him to stop—but he didn’t. He kept going, and she had to jump out of the way as he sped off recklessly.

“Fuck.” I shoved a hand through my hair. I didn’t even know why I wanted to explain myself to him. He’d made it clear—he didn’t want me that way.

Wiping my face, I turned back to Ray, who was still in bed, one brow raised.

“Dylan’s feelings are… complicated. He hates me, but he’s also kind of protective,” I said as I zipped up my pants.

“So he’s in love with you?”

“Dylan doesn’t love anyone—not even his mother. He almost ran her over just now.”

“You’re changing the topic.”

“Dylan’s the imperfect child. You met Paris, right? My stepsister? She’s the perfect one. I’m the black sheep. He gets that. So he kind of protects me like a sister.”

“I understand,” Ray said.

I nodded and headed toward the door. “Get ready—we’re leaving.”

“I thought it ends Sunday?”

“I need the pill. And I can’t stand these people.”

“Anything you say. I’ll get the guys ready.”

“Good, because I didn’t come with my car,” I muttered, then walked out.

I went straight to the library where my dad was waiting. I already knew he was going to disown me—might as well get it over with.

But just before I pushed the door open, I heard their voices: “She’s not right for him, he’ll make her more miserable,” Dad said and I froze. Miserable? So he knew I was miserable?

“Think of the influence, Derek. The Taylors—this isn’t just ordinary power. This is next level,” Helena insisted. “And besides, why do you care now?”

“She’s my daughter, Helena. I’m only tough on her so she doesn’t follow her family’s footsteps.” Oh yeah, he was talking about my mom’s family—most of them were into illegal shit, or just addicts.

“Wrong,” Helena snapped. “She’s not your daughter. Plus, this will be payback for all you’ve spent on her. The Taylors…” I didn’t hear the rest. My hand flew to my mouth to stop the sound trying to escape.

I knew it. I’d always suspected it, but I’d convinced myself not to overthink it.

But now? God. That’s why he never really cared. That’s why I never felt like a real daughter.

Because I wasn’t his blood. I wasn’t his daughter. I wasn’t a Sanders. Shit!