Passion after Death.
Leila's point of view.
" Marry me" I muttered. He froze surprised, I stared up at him as well those words surprised even me.
I hadn't thought I would blurt it out like that, I had thought it would be a slow and steady approach but Alexsander Cross had me flustered. His eyes were too bright and alert, maybe I'd have been better dealing with the sickler brother instead.
" And why would I do that princess" He drawled his brow arched in amusement but I could see his confusion as well he was intrigued by my words and he wasn't hiding it well.
" Because you need the construction bid because my family's name can afford you that bid." I huffed and looked away, in feigned arrogance, he did need me but I couldn't push him too much.
" We all know the government likes to say there's equality but we both know that if the project had the stamp of someone from a noble house it's approved," I said snapping my fingers. That was the truth, the country was still run on odd ideals name mattered more than money even when the name couldn't be backed up by cash.
He stared at me maybe stunned that I was able to think for myself.
He burst into laughter after a long bout of silence.
" I can admit that this is a nice offer princess but I'll have to decline" he muttered, turning away, I stilled failure was not acceptable.
" Why" I asked, he paused and turned to me cornering me into the wall again, he lifted his palm and ran his fingers all over the side of my face.
" You're pretty and all but I don't take leftovers. And not the leftovers of the Maloney brat" he shrugged. I saw red, and didn't even remember when I lifted my palm but it landed on his face in a loud slap that echoed in the quiet space.
He looked at me rubbing at his jaw with a dazed smile on his lips, he pulled back laughing, then shrugged as he moved away from me.
" And besides if you know about the arrangements you should know that my uncle has his son in mind as your husband"
I swallowed that was not an option not for what I was planning, I gulped
" And I know that your uncle's son is a sickler," I paused, his eyes widened with surprise.
" It's funny your uncle thinks he can pawn off his inferior son for my family name" I muttered and he growled stalking me as he tried to crowd me, it was an intimidation tactic and it wasn't going to work on me.
" Don't talk about my cousin that way"
" Then don't call me leftovers ever again. I'm no one's leftovers as you so eloquently put it" I hissed, he pulled back.
" How did you know about Ian's illness" he asked and I sighed, I knew because, in two weeks, gossip of the illness and a relapse would leak.
" You think you're the only one with access to news. You're wrong" I replied shrugging.
" Why me" he asked his face still as stoic and showing no impression of what he thought, my mind went back to the events of almost two weeks in front of me, of my cousin and Ben in bed intertwined with one another as they kissed. Ben's words to me were callous and hurtful as if I meant nothing.
The most painful part was that he'd been ready to stand. There and let me die if he could. My resolve hardened
" I need someone who wants revenge as much as I do and I doubt that's a trait Ian has " I offered, he frowned –
" Then Ian will do just as well" he replied
" Not if I don't say he won't. We both know your father is offering a knockoff. I don't mean to be rude but practically I bring more value than Ian ever will, if he dies I'll be his widow, you get to keep my name but I may not have my revenge" I said simply and that was the truth, while the Donahue had substantial wealth they were still unable to make big money, mostly because they lacked the name that would take them there and while my father had money, his clout was worth more, his family dated back to kings.
I knew what I was worth years of being told had ingrained it in me.
His brows were furrowed and I knew I was surprised, most people saw me and thought blonde bimbo, with all th, a t money can buy, they didn't consider my intellect and they didn't buy it either.
" Why do you need me to marry you so bad" he asked, I grinned
" Because that will be taking away the one thing that Ben wants" I drew closer to him smiling softly
" You see you were right about why I was leaving him," I mumbled
" He screwed another woman on the side, that I could have forgiven but what I can't forgive, is his ploy to use my name to get what he wants" I replied and Alex huffed a laugh
" Remind me not to screw you over " he grunted and I shrugged
" I will" I replied as saucily, as I could
" Will your father accept this "
" He'll be glad I'm not marrying a Maloney" she replied he laughed
" Any father would be grateful for that" I heard him mumble under his breath and smiled that was true
" While I like this idea I'm not sure if I want to be married to screw the Maloney over"
" It's going to be a marriage in name only, you can do what you want and I can do what I want. We'll both get our needs met elsewhere." He frowned at me and leaned into me, I blinked rapidly at the nearness of him, at his scent like peaches and coffee a weird combination but very intriguing that had me gulping for breath
" I'll say this only once. If we're doing this, there'll be no others" he drawled his breath warm against my skin, I pulled back a little but was surprised at the heat that filled me, the thought of having a chance with this man was unbelievable and I wanted it a little more than I was willing to admit. I gulped harshly and pulled away from him, pushing at his chest
" Fine I get it stop crowding me" I muttered but he didn't move just stood there like an impenetrable wall.
He leaned further into me and he just grinned looking over my shoulder, as if watching for someone, then he smiled, a bright one that took my breath away like he was meant for me and saw nobody else it was thrilling, he looked to me lifted my chin with his fingers
" Let's see how much he wants you, princess" he muttered, I looked up at him confused, he bent his head in and kissed me hard.
I had been kissed before Ben had done a lot of kissing me while we had been together, light pecks on the lips on my cheek and then harder kisses that had been wet and compared to this had been very sloppy.
I wondered briefly if sex would be like this, hard and consuming. He kissed me like he was trying to make a point, like we were in front of an audience and he wanted it known that I was his.
I wasn't sure when but my arms wrapped around his neck in an embrace pulled me closer to him, I moaned low in my throat, and heat filled me until it felt like I'd combust.
So this was what I had been missing, this level of heat and the unwavering want that came with it
I was not ready for it, but still, I embraced it, I would get my revenge but maybe I could add something to it a little extra as a reward.
He tugged me close, lifting my leg across his waist and grinding against me pulled away tossing my head backward breathless, as his lips ran over my neck in a simple straight pattern that had me jittery, then I heard his voice that familiar voice that I had once loved that had followed me into death.
" What the hell is this"
Ben asked coming to stand by the balcony