Chapter 14 Stuck With Him
Skylar couldn’t get away as she had planned. In another twenty minutes, Lillian left after giving her explicit instructions. Caleb too rushed to his car, ready to leave, taking her grandparents with him to the hospital for a complete check-up.
“We’ll be back in two hours,” said her grandpa. Skylar’s jaws dropped with shock to see them all leave. She sneaked a look at Christian, who looked relaxed, and watched them go. Was he not going anywhere? Her eyes went wide with the realization. She was stuck at home with two hyperactive kids and only Christian for company! Was this a deliberate plan?
“Sure. There’s no rush. We can manage the kids until then,” assured Christian, not even looking at her dumbstruck face.
“Fine then. See you later,” said a pleased granny as they climbed into Caleb’s car. After they left, Skylar glared at Christian.
“Don’t you need to go somewhere too? I can manage on my own.”
“Nope! I’m on holiday.”
“Then go out to enjoy your holiday!” she suggested out of desperation, striding angrily towards the nursery to give the twins a bath.
“I’d rather stay in and enjoy with you.” He followed her all the way to the nursery as if they were the parents of the twins.
“I’m sure you would be of no help to me.”
“Try me!” Skylar entered the nursery to see the twins amidst a pile of toys that they had emptied from their toy closet!
“What are you doing? Why have you taken them all out?” she asked, totally at her wit’s end.
“We lost Spiderman, Aunt Skye!” said Vivienne with a pout.
“And Ironman too. How will we play now?” asked Blade, again going through the toys on the floor.
“If I find your superheroes, will you listen to your Aunt Skye all day?” asked Christian, squatting on the floor with them.
“Yesss! Please! We will listen to Aunt Skye always!” promised Blade. Christian looked up at Skylar’s jaw-dropped stare, focused on him, and winked. She rolled her eyes and looked away, but he had the feeling she had softened a little.
He sat with them on the floor and sorted through the mess, picking up the toys and arranging them back on the shelves. The kids helped him with the job while Skylar stood watching them. She hadn’t known this side of Christian existed! He might be an asshole, but he was good with the kids. Not only the kids, he was good with everyone but her!
“Oh, look Uncle Chris! I found Mickey Mouse!” exclaimed Vivienne, picking up the figure and kissing it. “Oh, and his car too!”
“That’s great! Give me a high five!” Skylar smiled at his enthusiasm. The way he made them clean up their mess was really worth applauding.
She went to their washroom to prepare for their bath when she heard them cheering with happiness. “Yay! Thank you, Uncle Chris, for finding Spiderman and Ironman!” they chorused.
“So now will you be good little ones and take a bath with Aunt Skye? We can’t afford to have her angry with us, right?” asked Christian, and the twins agreed.
“Yes, Uncle Chris. We will make her happy. Promise!” said Vivienne.
“I promise to be good, too.” Skylar couldn’t help the smile that played on her lips. She had to accept that he was pretty good with the twins. In fact, he was better than she was!
“Time for a bath! C’mon, let’s splash!” said Skylar and Christian looked up with interest as if she had invited him for a bath with her!
“Let’s go!” he said, as he sprang to his feet. Skylar’s mouth hung open at his enthusiasm. Would he come into the washroom now with them? No, that would get too cozy!
“Umm, I can manage now. Thanks for your help,” she said, following the excited twins into their washroom. Christian followed her with a twinkle in his eyes, ignoring her remark.
“We want Uncle Chris to splash around with us,” demanded Blade, who seemed to be his fan.
“Sure, champ! I’m not going anywhere!” he helped the little boy strip to his underwear and dip into the bathtub. Skylar helped Vivienne do the same. They bathed the children, who splashed them with water too. Every time her arm brushed with him, goosebumps erupted all over.
Totally drenched, Skylar was acutely aware of Christian’s gaze on her. It made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. With her top totally drenched and clinging to her body, there was nothing left to the imagination.
“Yay! It was the best bath of my life!” exclaimed Vivienne while Skylar dried her. Christian helped Blade, and they rushed inside their room to wear the clothes Skylar had laid out for them.
Skylar drained the bathtub and cleaned up the mess while Christian stood watching her work. “What are you waiting here for? Do you need a bath too?” asked Skylar with an eye roll. However, his laugh immediately made her realize her slip of the tongue. She wanted to hide somewhere in embarrassment.
“Yes, will you please do the honor?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Do it yourself. I’m not your slave!”
“Not a slave. You’re my future wife, the soon-to-be mom to my unborn children.” Her jaws dropped with shock as she gaped at him. Did he really think she would marry him and give birth to his children?
“You’re crazy, you know. Keep on dreaming!” The twins rushed out of their room to the playroom, leaving them alone to argue. Christian grabbed her arm and swung her around to face him.
“I don’t just dream. I make them happen.” Skylar’s heart skipped a beat when her eyes met his. The sheer determination she saw in them wasn’t to be taken lightly.
“Leave my hand, Christian.” She tugged at her arm, acutely aware of his gaze checking her out.
“No.” He pulled her into his arms, crushing her drenched body to his chest. Electric sparks erupted like fireworks between them.
“You can’t always escape the inevitable, Skylar. It’s time you face reality. It’s time you accepted our relationship.” His eyes held her gaze while she stood frozen, as if under a hypnotic spell. She couldn’t budge an inch as strange sensations coursed through her body.
“I..” she started, but he dipped his head until inches away from her.
“I’m going back to New York with you.” His plan brought her out of her daze with a jolt.
“Why?” she asked, gazing up at him with confusion.
“To meet your boyfriend. Why else? I’ll get rid of him forever from your life first.” Her jaws dropped to the floor. What did he plan to do with her non-existent boyfriend? Who would want to be her boyfriend knowing about the threat looming ahead of them?
“What do you plan to do with him? Are you sure you’re just an entrepreneur and not some cold-blooded psycho killer?”
“I can be both. Don’t force me to go overboard.” He leaned in to threaten her.
“Uncle Chris, are you kissing Aunt Skye?” asked Blade, peering into the washroom with wide eyes. It brought them back to reality and Christian released her arm.
“You can kiss her! She’s bootiful!” said Blade, making Skylar gape at the little guy with disbelief. He was the perfect disciple for Christian!
“I will soon!” said Christian, holding her stunned gaze. She was done at the washroom and rushed out to her room, her whole body flushed with a strange heat. Skylar hadn’t expected that answer from Christian. She had expected him to decline it.
She locked the door and changed out of her wet clothes, opting for a pair of shorts and a top instead. It didn’t look like she could go out the whole day. She was stuck at home with an asshole Christian and his spoiled little disciples! She opened the door and went out to see that Christian had taken them to the backyard for a game of football. A few other children from the neighborhood had joined them, too.
Could she have the cup of coffee she missed in the morning? She had just poured herself one when Christian walked into the kitchen.
“Where’s mine?” He leaned over her to peer at her steaming mug with longing.
“Here, you can have this. I’ll get myself another.” His face lighted up, and he grabbed the mug thankfully.
“Thanks, I needed this so badly. Handling kids is so much hard work! We will surely keep a nanny or two for ours.” Skylar took the mug of coffee from his hands.
“Give it back. I’m not marrying you, let alone having babies with you.” Her cheeks flamed at the thought. She wouldn’t marry him or have physical intimacy with him. He chuckled and took a sip before handing it back to her.
“Ew! I’m not taking it back.” He laughed and leaned in more toward her.
“What will you do when I slide my tongue into your mouth? What about when I swirl my tongue against yours?” Skylar forgot her coffee and ran out of the kitchen. She took two steps at a time to climb up to her room as if the devil were chasing her. She wouldn’t stay here a minute longer. Locking her door, she dumped all her stuff into her suitcase, ready to leave.
Despite her fury, his dirty words echoed in her head all the time, causing a flutter in her stomach. What was this strange sensation?