Chapter 13 Her Boyfriend?
An idea hit Skylar, and she pushed him away with all her might. “Why would I? I will marry him just like Sebastian will marry Erica.”
Seeing his momentary distraction, she sprang up from the bed and grabbed her suitcase. She just needed to escape from the room before everyone else woke up.
Christian was faster and dashed to block the door. “You’re mine! I won’t allow you to marry another!” he barked, mad with fury.
“I will, and you won’t be able to do a thing.” She met his gaze while trying to get to the door, but he stood like a pillar, not budging an inch. It seemed nothing had changed between them even after four years. He was still the most stubborn creature on earth, hell-bent on his wish to marry her. Why? He was handling his business for the last four years. Why did he still wish to marry her even after she admitted to being in a relationship?
“I will kill the man and marry you forcefully if that’s what it takes!” Skylar’s jaws dropped with shock! Was he a wolf in sheep’s disguise? Maybe he was a psychological killer, an abusive man who thought she was an easy target! But what would he get out of torturing her?
“You’re crazy, you know, and I still hate you. Move or I’ll scream the place down now!”
“Do what you want. They all know who you belong to.” Skylar wanted to tear off her hair in frustration. How would she deal with such a man?
“Please, can you move? I need to freshen up!” She tried a different approach this time since anger and argument weren’t getting her anywhere. Christian gazed at her for a split second and then softened a little. He walked away from the door to his washroom.
“This isn’t the end, Skylar. I want to meet your boyfriend before I take you to LA with me.”
Skylar stood frozen on the spot. She had actually cooked up a lie to escape him. Now where would she produce a boyfriend from? Why did all her ideas always backfire? She wanted to fight his decision to take her to LA with him. Her home was in New York and she would never go to LA.
Satisfied with her silence, Christian went into his en-suite to freshen up. His blood boiled after knowing about her so-called boyfriend. The last time he had inquired about her, she had no one in her life. He had been so happy, dreaming of a happy married life with her. Now where did a boyfriend come into the picture? Didn’t she care at all about her parents’ last wish?
Maybe even after four years, her nature hadn’t changed at all. She couldn’t see beyond her own self. The sound of the door closing made him realize she had left his room. A sense of frustration came over him. He wanted to feel her soft body against his own again. He wanted to sleep with her again. When he held her close, he noticed how perfectly she fit into him. He wanted her! It had taken him all his willpower not to crash his lips to hers! Seeing her all grown up like a freshly bloomed flower had him whipped. He couldn’t take his eyes off her beautiful features and well-developed curves.
He stood in front of the vanity and stared at himself in the mirror. He really looked crazy, but only for her! Did she really hate him? The thought made his heart ache with longing.
“But I love you so much that it hurts to not have you in my arms. Marry me, Skylar and get rid of the ache in my heart!” he whispered to himself. It was something he hadn’t admitted to a soul. His family and friends just guessed his feelings for her, but didn’t know the scorching intensity of his love.
For four years he had tried to subdue it, hoping he would unite with her when she matured. How could she choose another man when he loved her so much?
“No one can love you more than I do, Skylar. I’ve loved you constantly for the last six years of my life.”
He splashed his face with cold water. No, he wouldn’t break down. He would fight and win her over, however long it might take. She was born for him! He couldn’t forget her in this life! He wouldn’t give up on her, even if it meant marrying her by force. If he had married her four years ago, she would never have chosen another man over him. She would have been his.
He knew it would be an enormous task to get her to marry him, but he wouldn’t give up. He would drill some sense into her boyfriend’s head first! Then he would get rid of him and whisk her away to LA. With her family and his supporting the wedding, nothing could go wrong. Right?
He was glad that he had kept the day free! Maybe he could spend it with her!
Unknown to what was going on in Christian’s head, Skylar showered and went down for coffee. Now that he was here, Skylar didn’t want to stay in all day and face the man. He would drive her insane. It seemed they couldn’t hold a normal conversation with one another. It always was an argument about their wedding!
So there was only one way to stop him. She had to grab hold of a guy and have a contract marriage with him. Maybe she could offer some sort of payment in return. But where could she get such a guy? Money was not an issue with them, even after her parents’ death. Her grandpa and her dad owned many commercial properties in and around New York. The rent earned them more than they needed.
She quickly got ready to go out before Christian went downstairs. Maybe if she went sightseeing, she wouldn’t have to face him all day! For how long was he staying here? She could ask Caleb. Anyway, she needed to confront him for not informing her about Christian’s presence beforehand. She wouldn’t have come here at all if she knew.
She went into the dining area to see Christian, Caleb, and her grandparents sipping coffee. Why were they up so early? How would she sneak out now?
“Good morning! Are you going out somewhere, Skylar?” Christian’s amused tone stopped her on her way to the living room. Yes, she was thinking of escaping them for the day! It seemed he knew of her intentions. She seethed with fury at the arrogant man. Couldn’t he mind his own business and leave? If he stayed for another day, she would have to leave. It was impossible to live with him under one roof!
“Yes, morning walk! Do you have a problem with that?” she flashed him a fake smile. His amused gaze checked out her attire, and Skylar groaned. Why did she have to wear jeans instead of stretch pants?
“You shouldn’t exercise in those? Why don’t you change into something more comfortable? I might join you too.”
“It seems you two have met already!” chuckled her granny. Skylar fumed at all of them.
“Yes. She occupied my room last night. Maybe she liked it just as I did. We seem to have similar tastes,” said Christian with a chuckle. They all gaped at him in shock.
“I didn’t know it was his. I left the first room as Caleb suggested and opted for the third room,” she clarified, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Caleb massaged his temples, knowing what was coming his way when they would be alone. She wouldn’t let this go.
“I meant that as the first room.” Skylar placed her hands on her waist to glare at her big brother. Was he playing a prank on her?
“It’s not a big deal at all. You two would marry eventually!” said granny, making her face her granny instead with barely suppressed anger.
“So you knew all along that he was here. Yet no one informed me. Why so?” she demanded.
“I asked them not to,” said Grandpa to save them all.
“I don’t believe this. You too, Grandpa?”
The twins were cranky, and Lillian called Caleb for help. “I have an online consultation in ten minutes, Lily!” he said apologetically.
“I’ll help her,” said Skylar, eager to get away from the room. She rushed to the nursery and found the twins giving Lillian a tough time.
“Hi, Skylar!” she greeted her while struggling to feed them. They refused to eat on their own.
“Do you need help? Tell me what to do.”
“Can you feed them? I’ll get their next feed ready and pack it up before leaving. The nanny called in sick and the twins are cranky. I have to report to the hospital in an hour. I’m so lost today.”
“Sure. I’ll handle them.”
“Do you want to listen to a story of a prince and a dragon?” she asked the kids.
They nodded vehemently.
“Yes, please.” She started a fantasy story of a little prince and his pet dragon. The twins were too absorbed to throw tantrums. She fed them in turns, unaware of a pair of eyes watching her deal with the children.
Seeing her interact with them, Christian knew she wasn’t as selfish as she portrayed herself as. He knew what he wanted: an actual marriage and children with her. He wanted a family with her!