Earning Her Love (11 page)

“No more. I’ve read six books now. Two more than I agreed to.” She smiled brightly at the children. “You know what? I think it’s almost birthday cake time.”

The kids squealed and got up off the floor and ran out of the room. Zane didn’t even stop when he saw him step into the room.

“I’ve been looking for you.” He moved in closer to her. She tided up the room.

“Well, I’ve been here, and before I was in the kitchen helping with lunch.”

“I’m sorry.” He truly was. His stomach churned, and his chest ached.

She raised her eyebrow. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s your birthday. Go and enjoy it.” The smile she gave him was more a grimace.

If he hadn’t been sure before that he’d said something wrong earlier, he was now. Reaching for her hand, he pulled her to him. “Come with me. I want to introduce you to some people.” He didn’t give her a choice, he threaded his fingers through hers and pulled her to where he wanted to go.

She followed behind him, and even though he was only holding her hand, he could feel how stiff she was. Something was definitely wrong.

Alex didn’t stop until he was before his friends again. “Mia, I’d like to introduce you to Roger, Anthony, Reece, Brad, and Samuel.”

“Hi.” She waved. “Nice to meet you all. I’m Alex’s friend Mia.” He winced as Mia introduced herself as his friend and not girlfriend. It didn’t go unnoticed by his friends either.

Anthony grinned at her. “I’ve met you before, love.”

Mia’s eyes brightened in recognition. “Yes, while we were grocery shopping.”

“That’s right. I’ve had the privilege of eating your cooking too. Your homemade chicken pie was a favorite.”

“Thank you. Next time I make it I’ll put an extra slice in for you.”

“She’s a keeper,” Anthony gushed.

“I know.” Moving in behind her, Alex gathered her to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. She stayed stiff in his embrace for a moment. Leaning down, he nuzzled her neck, breathing in her sweet scent before kissing the delicate skin just below her ear and whispering in her ear. “You’re mine.” It wasn’t an ‘I love you’, but it was close enough.

* * * *

Alex made distancing herself from him today easy. She hadn’t seen him since the first couple of guests had arrived. It wasn’t until after lunch and close to birthday cake time when he found her in Zane’s room, reading to the children, that he started making it hard to stay away from him. He introduced her to his friends, but she was the one that made it clear they were only friends. After this morning and the last couple of days, Mia was still convincing herself, but she was sure it was best. It seemed more and more clear that Alex was embarrassed by her.

Anthony, the sweetheart, complemented her on her cooking and her confidence that had been slipping all day rose. She sent a grateful smile his way and thanked him, promising to add a slice to Alex’s lunch just for him next time. The beaming smile Anthony sent her way had a genuine smile splitting over her own face.

At Anthony’s praise Alex came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and brought her against him. She resisted the urge to melt into his embrace and stayed firm in her resolve to keep her distance. Her resistance slipped when Alex nuzzled her neck, kissed her skin, and whispered just loud enough for the table to hear, “You’re mine.”

Mia felt like she couldn’t breathe. Her heart seemed to beat too fast for her to help take any air in, and her stomach churned. Shivers, and not the good kind, spread over skin. She forced a smile on her face and excused herself. “I’ll be back. I’m going to help with the cake.”

Pushing herself out of Alex’s embrace, she tried not to run. Making her way to the front of the house where it was quiet, she took gulps of air as she gazed up at the sky. How dare Alex say that to her. He’d been a grade A wanker lately. He’d made her feel things she promised she wouldn’t let anyone ever make her feel again. Alex had been a God send helping her with the accident and moving her in and everything with Zane, but as a boyfriend the last couple of weeks he sucked. Sure, he was amazing in bed, and when it was just them, or even with his family, he was great, but he hadn’t introduced her to his friends. Even when he had chances to introduce her, he hadn’t; she’d had to introduce herself. Mia deserved better. She wanted better. She may have fallen in love with Alex, the Alex she got to be with when they were alone or with his family, but the Alex around other people she didn’t like at all.

“You’re the only woman he’s ever brought around.”

Mia jumped and turned, startled by Catharine’s voice.

“Oh, women have turned up without invites, but Alex has never brought one through my door.”

“He didn’t bring me either. The first time I graced your door I came with Alex to pick up Zane.”

Catharine shook her head. “No. He came through that door clutching you so tight. If he’d brought you just for Zane, he wouldn’t have done that and…” Catharine grabbed her hands and held them tight. “He wouldn’t have brought you or Zane into this family if he wasn’t sure. Alex has to be a hundred percent sure he wants something before he acts.” She let go of Mia’s hands and brought her in, hugging her tight. “You’re Alex’s first real relationship.” She took a step back and cupped Mia’s face. “I think he’d given up on finding a woman he wanted to settle down with. I knew the moment I saw you that you would be amazing, because if Alex chose you I knew you’d have to have passed a very thorough list.” She chuckled and stroked Mia’s cheek. “I’ve never seen Alex look at anyone the way he does you.” Her smile was so bright it was almost blinding. “His years undercover turned him hard, but you, you changed him. Thank you.”

Oh God. Mia’s stomach dropped, and she groaned. “No. Don’t thank me. You’re wrong.” She stumbled back away from Alex’s mother. “Alex doesn’t want me. Today is the first time he’s introduce me to his friends, and even then I did the introduction. We’ve seen his coworkers out, and the same thing happened. That isn’t the action of the man you described.” Mia took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. “I will be forever grateful for all he and you have done. I’m happy to be his friend and have him adopt Zane, but the last couple of weeks have made it clear that Alex and I are just meant to be friends and nothing more.” Mia gathered Catharine’s hands in her own and squeezed them.

Mia hoped she’d convinced Catharine. She didn’t want any more heartbreak in her life, and one thing was for sure after listening to Catharine, Mia knew Alex was going to break her heart, and if he did, she’d never be able to put it back together this time. Mia could handle, and had handle, a lot of things in life, like being disowned by her parents, the people who should have loved her unconditionally. Being dumped by her baby daddy, kicked out of her school, and learning to do everything on her own. But she would be torn apart if Alex broke her, because she wouldn’t just lose him, she’d lose his family, and Zane would lose everything he deserved.

Catharine let go of Mia’s hands, wrapped her arm around her, and guided her toward the house. “Oh honey, I love you no matter what. Let everything settle and my boy get used to having someone to love, and I promise you he’ll stop acting like an idiot.” She held Mia tight and wouldn’t let her retreat as she walked back into the house. “Come on. Let’s go do the cake and give that son of mine his own son.”

* * * *

He’d fucked up again.

His father yelling for everyone to gather at the table had him shaking his head out of his sulking. “Gather around. I want to wish my son a happy birthday. I’m proud of all my children, but Alex is my oldest and the work he’s done with the police and how he treats our family is remarkable. I’m blessed to have him as my son. Happy birthday, Alex. I love you. Everyone raise your glass and help me wish Alex a happy birthday.”

Everyone raised their glasses. “Happy birthday.”

His mother spoke up next. “Thank you all for coming. We have all been busy the last couple of weeks getting this party ready, but we have also been helping get a gift ready for you, my amazing son. Come here, Zane.”

Zane came through the crowd beaming. Both his dimples showed. He was the most adorable child ever. He held a thin present in his hand. Zane handed it to him.

“Mummy asked me something a long time ago nows.” Everyone laughed around him. “She said that’s yous wants to be my daddy. She askeded if I wanted that.” He nodded his head like crazy. “I so do.” He looked down at the present in Alex’s hands. “Open it.” He helped Alex rip the paper off the present, and Alex saw a clear folder with a document inside.

Alex opened the folder and lifted out the papers and read them. It was the papers all drawn up and ready to adopt Zane. All he had to do was sign and Zane was his. Alex searched for Mia and found her next to his parents, clutching his mother. She smiled at him.

Alex looked back at Zane. His heart thudded, and butterflies fluttered in his stomach. “I love you, little buddy. Are you sure you want me as your daddy?”

Zane threw himself at him and clung on. “I loves you sooo much. Yes. I wants yous to be mys daddy. I wants to be a Douglassss.”

A pen appeared to his right, and he took it. He placed the papers on the table and signed the documents. Once everything was signed he held the papers up in one hand and grabbed his son with the other. “I’d like you all to meet my son Zane Douglas. The best birthday present ever.” Alex looked to Mia. “Thank you.”

Alex’s mother, sister, Mia, and even his dad and brothers were teary-eyed. Everyone cheered. Zane clutched onto him tight, and he felt like the richest, most luckiest man in the world.

“Can I call you daddy now?”

Alex wasn’t even embarrassed when tears slid down his cheek and his voice came out in a horse whisper. “Yes. I am your dad. Daddy, Pa, or Father. Whatever you want to call me, buddy.”

Zane nodded. “I loves yous, Daddy. Happy birthday.”

Alex didn’t remember much after that. Owen took the paperwork and told Alex he’d send it off on Monday and make a rush on having everything back so they could change the birth certificate and other documents. Zane didn’t leave his side. Alex knew right now surrounded by his friends, family, and loved ones, he was the luckiest, richest man in the world. Needing the woman he’d fallen for, he grabbed Mia and kissed her. She seemed startled at first and then sank into the kiss. It was Zane, who was still in his other arm, that had him easing away.

“Oh, gross. They’re kissing again. They’re always kissing,” Zane mumbled.

Everyone around them laughed

Chapter 7

When Alex had kissed her in front of everyone at his birthday party, Mia’s promise to distance herself and resist Alex vanished. She couldn’t do it and didn’t want to. She knew they would have to talk, but that could wait for another day. After the party Alex changed back to the guy she’d originally met. The man he was when they were alone.

It had been a week since the party, and Mia was hesitant to talk to him, she was scared that if she brought up her fears, the talk could backfire on her. She knew they’d have to talk soon though, because she got her cast off next week and wouldn’t need to stay at Alex’s anymore. Strange, she didn’t call it his house or usually think of it as his, she thought of it as home, and that terrified her.

Today was a rare day. Since the party, there had been an influx of Alex’s friends coming to visit. Mia couldn’t get rid of them, some seemed to live at the house now. She had never cooked so much food in her life. It was game day, which meant all the Douglases went to Chad’s rugby match this afternoon. Zane had stayed at Alex’s parents’ house last night, so she and Alex were alone for the first time in weeks.

It was the perfect time to have the talk they needed. Mia hesitated though. It was so nice snuggling in bed. She drew lazy circles on his chest and breathed in his masculine scent. He played with her hair, twirling and twisting it around his fingers, the slight pull every now and then was nice.

“Move in with me.” The rubble of his voice sent warmth through her. “Get rid of your apartment. Live with me.”

Easing up, she hugged her legs to her chest and stared down at him. “That’s a huge step, Alex. Are you ready for that?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

Here was her chance. She had to say what she needed to. “I know I live with you now, but it will be different once I don’t have my apartment to fall back on. I haven’t had much of a choice the last couple of weeks. This week you’ve been awesome, and you’ve always been amazing when we’re alone, but before this week you were kind of an arse to me when it came to certain things like acknowledging me to your friends and coworkers. It made me wonder if you’re ashamed of me. If I’m really telling the truth, you still haven’t introduced me to your friends as your girlfriend. I introduced myself to your friends, and I didn’t even introduce myself as your anything.” Mia was on a roll now. Letting go of her legs, she knelt and backed up on the bed. “I like you, Alex.” She loved him, but she wasn’t going to tell him that, especially now. “But I don’t like how you make me feel sometimes.” She sighed and got off the bed. “If you can’t tell your own friends, who have practically moved themselves in here the last week, that we’re together, then I’m leaving next week when I get my cast off, and I think we should just be friends, no benefits.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Alex.

Alex sat up, looking dazed at her rant. “What on earth, Mia? What the hell was all that?”

Taking a calming breath in, she slowly let it out, telling herself not to cry. “Just what it was. We needed to have this talk, and I’ve been putting it off. Plus, we’ve had an endless amount of guests. It’s nice to know your friends love my food at least. Am I not good enough to be known as your girlfriend? Am I too young? Too stupid? Not pretty enough? They probably think I’m not just your baby muma, but your chef too.” The stupid tears fell, and Mia couldn’t stop them. “I didn’t want this. You chased me.”

She frantically wiped the tears and backed away as Alex got off the bed and stalked toward her. Her back hit the wall, and she debated if she could crawl to the exit to get away. Alex boxed her in, his hands settling on either side of her face.