Hayley had invited the Lachlan's over for dinner. She wanted to know what Ray's plans were to get Alexis and a dinner seemed like the best place to ask without appearing as one of those nosy moms. She'd serve them dinner then ask for his help to clear the table when they were done. In the kitchen she'd corner him and ask him why he kept staring at Alexis all night. It was a solid plan. In her head. In reality things went sideways the second they stepped through the door.
JR was still holding a grudge against Vince for keeping him away from her all those years ago. Every time they were in a room together, they glared at each like teenagers. Not that Vince actually cared. She'd taken him aside on her wedding day and asked him to bury the hatchet with her soon to be husband and surprisingly he'd said he held no grudges. But JR? Sometimes she wo
"What was the purpose of having this dinner again?""None of your business." she snapped"Okay. I'll be here when you're done snapping. I deserve to know why I have to share a table with Vincent when it's not necessary." JR said kissing her cheek then going back to his food. Of course he was right. She hadn't told him why she invited the Lachlans for dinner but in her defense, he had a way of ruining things. Especially if he found out what she was doing. Hayley shuddered. Her husband would go berserk, that was for sure."So Ray how is work?" she asked throwing a piece of chicken in her mouth."It's okay..... ""That boring. Huh?"
Alexis looked around the club. It was packed and the line outside went as far as two blocks down. Marjorie whispered had been in New York for only a few days already knew all the cool new clubs. As if that wasn't shocking enough, she led them straight to the front of the line, where she spoke to a bouncer who after a few seconds, smiled and let them through. The people on the line groaned, complaining to the bouncer but Marj turned around, stuck her tongue out at them, then proceeded into the club.They followed her and Alexis didn't miss the way Ray paved the way for her pushing guys aside. He seriously acted like her bodyguard making her wonder why he did it. She also didn't know whether to like it or not. All through dinner she'd caught him watching her a few times and the look in his eyes unsettled her. Since she didn't want to dwell on it, she
Ray watched Alexis scurry to the bathroom. He'd studied her for years and he knew her like the back of his hand. He would go as far as to say that he knew her better than his hand. Her moods when she was sad, happy, angry, manipulative -especially when she wanted something from her parents- she knew what to do or say to get whatever it was she wanted. But today? Today she was edgy. Dare he hope it was because of his confession? Otherwise, why would she be all nervous around him if what he said hadn't affected her? And to think he was going to take it back.For the past two days, he had been trying to come up with a plausible explanation as to why he'd said what he had. His excuses included saying that he was in love, but with someone else. Someone she didn't know. Or he could have said that he only told her that to annoy her. He was still in the process of concocting some believable lies
was behind a building waiting for him. What was taking so long anyway? He said he would meet her there in five minutes and that was ten minutes ago. He better have a good excuse formaking her wait for so long. After a few more minutes, she went looking for him since patience wasn't one of her virtues. Rounding the corner, she realized that place looked familiar. Or was it the building? Alexis shrugged thinking she was wasting precious time instead of going to find him. Where was he?She opened the first door and peeked inside. It was empty so she went to the next one. And the next and the next and they were all empty. She would have given up of the wind hadn't carried the sound of voices to her. A laugh to be exact. Following the direction of the wind, she walked and came to a stop on the other side of the building. Two people were talking and laughing and Alex
"Oh my God Alexis...." she stopped midway realization dawning. "Am I interrupting something you guys?""Yes," Ray growled jumping off the bed. "Next time try knocking first," he told her and then he was gone."Wow. Sorry" she yelled at his retreating figure then turned back to Alexis. "You won't believe what just happened""What?""There was a man in my bedroom""And?""He is drop dead gorgeous.""Where did he come from?" Alexis asked finally paying attention."Dropped from heaven I hope. And you should hear him talk Alexis. I almost had
Henry walked in, careful not to make a sound. His friend was a grouch in the morning and he didn't want to deal with him especially after the long gruelling flight he'd just had. Aside from jet lag, he was a little bummed. The move from England to America hadn't been easy but thanks to Ray he'd gotten his American citizenship faster than most people. The perks of having well connected friends. Don't get it twisted, he wasn't the kind of man to abuse his friends. In fact, the only reason he accepted the help was because he needed to start a new chapter. Relocating was the first step to leaving his past behind.Growing up in an orphanage, he had to fight for every scrap of meal if he didn't want to go to bed hungry. Unlike Raymond, he didn't grow up a privileged kid. For the most part of his life he'd detested rich kids because they had everything wh
Henry pretended to be busy unpacking but occasionally his eyes strayed to the bed. He couldn't help it. From the little he'd seen and heard, Marjorie was close to Ray meaning he would see her around. A lot. And while half of him wanted to keep seeing her, the other half warned him about getting distracted. He'd moved here to start afresh. It would take a lot of time and effort to accomplish his goals, to make a name for himself. Wanting to see more of Marjorie alone, was a problem. Already he knew that he'd give up a lot, to be with her for one day. She was stunning, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen actually, and he was spellbound. He wanted to know her, make her smile or laugh so those dimples of hers could make an appearance. All this after just meeting her in less than an hour. What would he do after a day, week, month? If he didn't distance himself from her, she'd have him wrapped around her finger in no time. He couldn't allow
"Hey dad. Can I have your realtor's number?""Why? Are you planning to buy a house?""Apartment actually. I think it's time I moved out""Move out?" JR snapped his head up so hard that the glasses resting on his nose fell crookedly to the side. "Why?"Alexis rolled her eyes. This was going to take all day "Because I'm old enough to have my own place.""No you're not.""Yes I am. Please don't be difficult about this. I really think it's time I live on my own like every twenty three year old out there""Those twenty three year olds out there a
Five years later "Natalia Catherine Lachlan, what are you doing?"Startled, she gasped and dropped the bowl full of flour, on the floor. "Nothing. I promise I didn't do anything""Then why is your face covered in flour? And what is that in your hair?""It wasn't my fault mommy. Jamie told me to do it"Alexis would have laughed but Talia needed to be taught a lesson. She was always blaming her little brother for everything she did even when it was clear she was the one who'd committed the crime. Ray and her grandfathers had spoiled her rotten. She had been folding the laundry when she
"That doesn't make sense""It is clear how much your boyfriend loves you and no matter how many times I've tried to scare him away, he wouldn't budge. He is so much like his father that I want to punch him every time I see him""You're such a bully. Why do you have to take your anger out on Ray? Your problem is with Vince. Not his son""But I don't want him to marry you even though he really is the right man for you. You're making Vince a part of this family. It's frustrating honey""I think you're getting old since you don't remember that Vince is Jasmine's husband." she didn't even want to understand what he was talking about so she let him be. If they started arguing about Ray, they'd never leave the house. Changing the subject she ask
"Wow you look like a princess""You forget that she is a Princess" Jazz bumped her mother smiling. They'd gone all out with the dress, a dazzling beaded bodice on flounced tulle ball gown that made her feel like the princess they kept calling her and the makeup was kept to a minimum. Her shoes were a pair of embroidered ivory lace heels that completed her look. She couldn't begin to imagine what they'd done with the venue.Ray had insisted on getting married in a church which was funny because normally the brides were the ones who did that. Not the bridegroom. But this was the man who loved her and wanted to make all her dreams come true. To him, that included giving her a church wedding. He really wasn't like any other man she knew, excluding her father of course. Last night he'd insisted on not s
"True" he replied straightening from the bed to stand in front of her. Slowly he took off his clothes, starting with the jacket then the bow tie. As he untucked his shirt, he noticed how her breathing had hitched and decided to give her show. Which was pure torture for him because he could see her glistening center from where he stood. Spread out and ready for him. But he was never one to back down from a challenge, especially if it involved her so he unbuttoned his shirt with trembling fingers. Inwardly rejoicing when he was one less button away from being naked. Then came his belt, pants, and boxers which proved to be difficult since he still had his shoes on. Alexis tried to close her knees together but he knelt between her to stop her, not wanting to lose sight of that wet pussy and kicked his shoes off while cursing because the action was taking too long. He snapped his head up when he heard her giggle.
"Ray" Alexis breathed, letting out air she hadn't known she'd been holding. It took a lot of effort on her part to keep a neutral expression on her face. A few minutes passed as she just stood there staring at him, afraid of blinking in case he was an apparition. When she was convinced that he was real, she let her shoulders sagged in relief. At that moment she wanted to do a lot of things like hugging him or kiss him or slap him but her body wouldn't move. She was frozen in place not actually believing her eyes. It was him. He was there, standing in front of her looking dashing in a tuxedo suit. Her breath caught in her throat and she wondered if this is the same man she'd seen in that orange jumpsuit. There was no trace of that man at all. The beard he'd had from days of not shaving was gone. The Ray standing in front of her was different and dare she say happy? But why would he be happy? Shouldn't he still be mad at her? And when did h
"Lexi you have an hour to get ready. Red or black?" Jayden barged into her room announcing. He had two gowns on either hand, holding them up for her to see."Did I miss something?""Yeah. Dad needs you to accompany him to this event he has to attend so hurry up""Really? Why can't mom go with him? I don't feel like going anywhere" she grunted letting her head fall back on the pillow. The police had told her that Copeland was the killer but it would take them a few days to let Ray go due to the amount of paperwork that needed to be signed. Add the fact that most government officials were on holidays, they'd said a week at most. She didn't know if he would come to see her or if he'd keep being mad at her. God forbid he went to see Odessa first. The thought of them together made her pull the
"We found photos of you and your girlfriend, together and apart. It looked like he had been stalking you for a while. We also found the clothes he had worn when he'd killed ConnorGrey. They were hidden in his closet and the DNA matched. We're still investigating but all I can say for now is that your business partner was obsessed with your girlfriend. It happens when people think they're in love but by killing Mr. Grey, Duke Copeland had taken his obsession to the next level. There's no saying what he would have done to Miss Rutherford hadn't she ran from him. These kinds of cases are a bit hard to solve because we never really know when the perpetrator's behavior escalates. Most stalkers start out innocently. It's always to keep someone they love safe or just wanting to know the person's every move. Until they feel betrayed or something snaps inside them. Then they s
She swallowed. How did he know about her apartment? Did Ray tell him? "Thank you. That was really nice of you""Anything for you my little bird," he said taking a bite of the bagel. It was the second time he'd called her that. She didn't want to know why he kept calling her 'little bird'. If she asked too many questions, she'd spook him. So she kept her mouth and ate her breakfast. Alexis was so busy trying to find a way out instead of actually eating, that she missed her mouth and spilled coffee on herself."Crap," she said standing up. Copeland did too."Don't worry. I'll get you something to clean the mess with" he said hurrying to the kitchen. She couldn't stop him this time so she did the only thing she could think of. Ran out the door barefoot. There was an elevator but she kn
Alexis paced back and forth in front of her bed fuming. She should have taken her mother's advice and pulled Odessa's hair. That damn woman was everywhere. She'd left home willing to give Ray a chance to explain himself. She was so ready to listen until she saw Odessa, sitting there and talking to him like she had every right to. But then again it was her fault, wasn't it? She'd served Ray on a silver platter when she'd told Odessa she could have him.Even so, she didn't think Ray would fall for her tricks. They'd signed the divorce papers. So then why did he keep seeing her? Wasn't there a rule about not keeping in touch with exes or something? Dammit. Why was she letting that woman get to her? Her intention hadn't been to fight with Ray. She had carried the ring in the hopes that he'd get down on one knee and propose the right away after th