Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Read online

  “May I ask you a question?” She started.

  “What?”

  “Does touching a woman make you feel disgusted? I mean, like, really gross you out?”

  Jayden blinked. “What?”

  “I mean you’re gay, right? Doesn’t the thought of touching a woman gross you out?” she asked, her brows rising.

  That brought him up short. He had forgotten the fact that he was supposed to be gay. And how the heck was he supposed to know whether gay men feel disgusted at the thought of touching women?

  “Well,” he began, searching his tired brain for an answer. “I don’t know about gay men—I mean other gay men—but I surely don’t feel grossed out at the thought of touching women.”

  “So, um, touching me right now doesn’t gross you out?”

  Jayden wanted to laugh, only he knew he shouldn’t because she’d be suspicious.

  Heck no! You feel just right in my arms, my sweet, he wanted to say to her. But of course he didn’t.

  “No, not at all.”

  “Really?” Alex prompted. “Right.” She nodded and took a step back, almost reluctantly. “Right, then. Good night,” she said and turned on her heel.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” He chuckled.

  “What?” she said over her shoulder.

  “The bed.” He nodded that way.

  She raised her brows, challenging him. “And you’ll sleep on the sofa?”

  “Nope. I’ll sleep on the bed with you.”

  “No,” she replied simply.

  “Yes,” he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him.

  She laughed. “Jayden, I don’t think so. It’s not safe.”

  “What’s not safe?”

  “I told you before. I used to sleep on the sofa so I’m comfortable with that.”

  “No. You’ll sleep on the bed with me, missy.”

  “It’s not safe,” she said, frowning at him now, seriously pulling herself away from his tight grasp.

  “Don’t be silly. I’m gay. What could happen?” he said.

  A lot could happen, Jayden, she wanted to shout at him. I know you’re not gay.

  Instead, she said, “Right. Nothing could happen of course. But still—”

  Jayden bent down, scooped her up, and marched to the bed. Before Alex knew it, she was on the bed and Jayden was on top of her. She couldn’t move away.

  He chuckled. “If you run away, Alex, I’m going to kiss you.”

  She laughed, her soft voice echoing in the room.

  He smiled, loving her beautiful laugh.

  “You? Kissing me?” She scoffed, her brows rising in doubt. Nada! There was no way Jayden was going to kiss her. It was simply a threat because if he were going to kiss her, he’d blow his entire masquerade he had so cleverly built.

  “Really?” she prompted, her head cocked to one side as she studied him. “I don’t believe you. You’re gay, mister, so behave like it.” Then she shoved his rock-hard chest so he’d move away. He obediently shifted aside, freeing her.

  Alex sat up and gave him the look that said, “I told you so.”

  “Wuss,” she said, grinning, feeling quite satisfied she had won the argument. She landed her feet on the carpet and stood up, intending to head back to the sofa. In a flash, Jayden caught her wrist, pulled her back on the bed, and rolled himself on top of her.

  Alex had no idea what just happened. She could see Jayden on top of her, grinning—the type she had never seen on his face before. She was suddenly alarmed. She felt butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

  Jayden brought his hands up and cupped her face. Slowly, he lowered his head to hers. Once his face was only inches from hers, their noses nearly touching, and his hot breath against hers, he said softly, “I’m no wuss, Alex.” Then he fastened his firm lips against her soft ones.

  His kiss was not hard and demanding, but soft and gentle. He deepened the kiss as his fingers dug deep into her hair and his tongue stroked along her half-open, quivering lips.

  Alex was shocked into stillness. Her body was ablaze with small flickers of fireworks she didn’t know existed. When Jayden slid his tongue into her mouth, her breath caught at the back of her throat. She felt as though she were floating on air, and the fireworks within her became more powerful—exploding into a myriad of colors.

  She didn’t realize she was responding to his kiss as her hands come up to wrap around his neck. When she finally realized she was kissing him back, Jayden suddenly stopped and pulled back, totally breathless.

  Alex didn’t know that she too was breathless and that her heart was pumping like mad, as though she had run a marathon.

  With his face still practically touching hers, she could see his blue eyes that were—oh God—blazing with passion. She didn't understand the meaning of fire in the eyes until that moment. Yes, she could see fire in Jayden’s eyes—an intense, powerful blue flame that was alive. In reaction to that realization, her heart did a somersault, and her stomach knotted in dread and excitement.

  She covered her hands over her mouth because she couldn’t believe what had just happened. Then, because she couldn’t stand him staring at her so intensely like that, like he didn’t regret what he had just done one bit and that he’d be glad to do it again, she quickly turned over and gave her back to him.

  Jayden moved over so his lips were near her ear, his hand touching her bare arm. She could feel the heat there, burning on her skin and sending her head reeling.

  “Don’t you dare sneak away, or I’ll do it again,” he whispered.

  Alex shivered, both at the thought of that possibility and at the fact that she could feel his warm breath against her skin, her senses tingling.

  “I won’t run,” she whispered, her voice quivering. Then she shoved him back. Jayden obliged her need for space. “Stupid man,” she muttered under her breath and quickly pulled the blanket up and over her head, hiding from him.

  Jayden lay back on his side. Then he switched off the light, grinning from ear to ear. Damn, he had just kissed Alex, and he didn’t care one bit if that behavior was not that of a gay man and that she might be suspicious. He couldn’t wait to do it again, quite soon.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 17

  Jayden woke up feeling refreshed and alert. Despite the late night, he had managed to get a good sleep. He sighed with satisfaction as he stared up at the ornate ceiling. Then everything that happened the day before flashed back. The thought of Alex caused him to grin. He glanced to his left and noted she was still sound asleep. Damn! So last night hadn’t been a dream after all.

  She groaned and stretched a little as he held his breath, wondering if she was going to wake up and see him ogling at her, thinking about her in such an ungodly manner. Oh yeah, he was thinking about her full lips, thinking about licking his tongue along the soft flesh.

  She didn’t open her eyes or show any sign of waking up. He sighed with relief. Suddenly, she moved to him and snuggled against him, her head now on his arm, her face resting against his chest, and her hand resting on his stomach. Not to mention the fact that one of her legs was resting on the top of his. He stroked his fingers through her long hair. He couldn’t help himself and moved his face to hers so his nose touched her hair. A moment later, he drifted off to sleep again.

  When he woke, Alexandra was watching him, her eyes large and curious as she studied him.

  He said warmly, “Morning.”

  “Sorry,” she said, “I don’t know how I ended up here.” She made a motion to move away from his arm. He stopped her and gently drew her back.

  “Aren’t you sore?” she asked.

  “No,” he lied, even though his arm was numb. He, however, didn’t mind. “So did you have a good sleep?”

  Alex nodded as she gazed at him. She had to agree it had been comfortable sharing a bed with Jayden. Now, however, it was time for revenge. The only problem was she wondered if she had the willpower and the confidence to go through with it. She had neve
r done anything this reckless before. In fact, she never thought she’d come up with such an idea. It was extraordinary and very unlike her, to say the least.

  After the makeover, however, she knew she was now comfortable in her own body and was quite confident that she would be able to go through with her plan. Her hand, after all, had been forced. She had no other choice. Revenge was so sweet.

  Jayden touched her nose. “What are you smirking about?”

  “Nothing,” she replied, a delightful twinkle in her eyes. Suddenly, a fluttery sensation erupted within her. She sat up, trying to calm herself down. “I’ll go and shower now,” she said and quickly rolled off the bed before Jayden could pull her back.

  “Don’t be too long,” he said lazily.

  She glanced at him. He looked almost like a puppy wanting to be petted. She shrugged her slender shoulders as if she didn’t care and strolled to the bathroom, making sure she swung her hips just a little like those supermodels do on the runway. He’d surely appreciate that.

  Jayden surely did appreciate that as he watched her until she shut the bathroom door. He rested back on the piles of pillows, gazing out the window at the lovely sunshine outside.

  In the shower, Alex made sure she scrubbed herself well until her skin was glowing. Afterward, she went about moisturizing herself and doing her makeup as she was taught by Lisa, the beauty therapist, so she’d look naturally beautiful.

  “You can do this,” she said as she stared at herself in the mirror. Two could play at his game. The tables had to be turned. She nodded her head with a determined look on her face. With only a thin towel wrapped around her slim body, her hair slightly wet, and her milky skin soft and glowing, she headed out the door. She made sure Jayden noticed her before she headed toward the walk-in wardrobe.

  Jayden sat up, his interest piqued as he watched her finding her clothing in the big wardrobe. He wondered if seeing Alex every day and him pretending to be gay was a good idea after all. He also wondered how long he’d be able to last not exposing the truth that he was not gay, that he was attracted to her, and that he couldn’t stand not touching her.

  “Jayden?” he heard her soft voice, so smooth and sweet like melted chocolate that it made him flare with desire. Shit! He needed coffee. He needed to clear his head.

  He cleared his throat. Hoping he didn’t sound like a wolf in heat, he responded, “Yeah?”

  “I need help. I don’t know which dress I should wear.”

  “Yeah. Sure,” he said, shaking his head. Alex having a dilemma of choosing a dress to wear for the day? Surely not!

  “I’m sorry. I mean, Kelly and Stephanie bought me lots of dresses. They said they wanted to see me in them. I feel like I’d let them down if I don’t wear them.”

  “Understandable,” he said. “Why don’t you show them to me?” He swung his feet to the floor as he got up.

  “Yeah,” she said, and out she came.

  Jayden nearly had a heart attack. Right in front of him, with nothing on but her cute pink, lacy undies and bra stood Alex.

  Jayden felt the breath knocked out of him. He tried to calm himself down and not make a scene. Only it was hard because Alex looked like a Victoria’s Secret model, who at that moment was showing their new season’s underwear collection. She was all so sexy and hot that Jayden couldn’t help but keep ogling at her and wanting nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her. And do so much more.

  “Well?” she asked, an eyebrow rising. “Which one?”

  Jayden blinked. What the heck was she talking about? Oh right! The dresses, which were in her hands, one on either side of her.

  “Which one?” she asked again.

  “I’m not sure. Try them both on and see,” he suggested, at a loss because all he noticed was her milky soft skin and her shapely body that could make her a model—a lingerie model—if only she were a little taller.

  “Okay,” she said, smiling. “Here.” She handed one for him to hold. Jayden absentmindedly took it and continued watching her.

  Alex was actually very nervous. She thought he looked as though he were about to eat her whole. For what other reason would he stare at her so intensely? Like she was his delicious dessert?

  Stay calm, Alex, the voice at the back of her head said. Be confident. Show him. After all, you want him to suffer, don’t you?

  Besides, he wouldn’t be able to touch her because he was supposed to be gay.

  She slowly pulled the light-blue, off-the-shoulder dress down her body, the light material touching and caressing her skin. After tying the string at her waist, she said, “Well?”

  Silence. Blue eyes staring intensely.

  “Well?” she repeated, a little nervous this time.

  Jayden had to admit she looked amazing in it. “It looks good,” he said, wondering when the heck she asked him that question.

  “Yeah, I like it, too,” she said, her hands smoothing the fabric about her waist. “Let me try the other one,” she said, undoing the string.

  Jayden had a mental picture of what he would like to do to her next. After she had slowly taken that dress off, he’d like to pull her into his arms and start kissing her, and then—

  “I’ll have to take my bra off to wear that one,” she said almost absentmindedly.

  “Huh?” He jolted, wondering if she was going to take her bra off and get dressed right there in front of him.

  Oh, yes, sweetheart, do that.

  Alex bent low toward him so her face was inches from his. He glanced down and saw her creamy cleavage parading enticingly before his eyes. She grabbed the dress from his hand, stood up, turned on her heel, and strolled back to the walk-in wardrobe.

  Damn! She wasn’t going to take her bra off in front of him after all.

  A moment later when she returned, his eyes widened in delight. The printed sweetheart corset dress fit her perfectly, showing off her slim body, shapely legs, and not to mention those gorgeous breasts. Holy shit! It was only morning, and he was already excited. This was going to be hard, in more ways than one.

  All right, Jayden, he told himself, Alex will be gone soon. Only a week more to go, and then she’ll be gone, back to good old New Zealand.

  The thought of her leaving, however, didn’t sit well with him. He realized he had become attached to her, that he liked her company, that he might have more feelings for her than he previously thought, and—oh shit—that he might be falling in love with her after all.

  Alex put her hands on her hips and showed off the garment like a model would at the end of a runway. “What do you think?”

  “I think it looks great,” he said, a tight feeling in his chest. He simply wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her and then tell her he loved her.

  “Jayden, are you okay?” she asked, concern showing in her soft voice. She came to stand right in front of him and stroked her fingers through his blond hair. “Are you worried about your sister’s wedding?”

  He looked up at her and thought, No, sweetheart, I’m worried what’s going to happen to me when you’re gone.

  “It’s okay,” she said, sitting beside him. “Everything is going to be all right.”

  Jayden didn’t know what came over him. It just felt right that he pulled her onto his lap. She obediently obliged and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then Jayden snuggled his face against the side of her neck and slowly started kissing her.

  Alex sucked in her breath from the excitement erupting within her. She tightened her arms around his neck and groaned. His lips against her skin were so hot. She didn’t want it to end, but she knew it must. She only wanted him to want her, break down, and confess to her that he wasn’t gay and that he might be in love with her. It didn’t seem to be going that way, however, and she didn’t want to get hurt in the process.

  She pulled back. “I’m hungry,” she announced. “Can we go down and have our breakfast now?”

  Jayden blinked. He was still so lost in his own emotions and his want fo
r her that it took him a few seconds to register what she said.

  “Of course,” he replied, trying to regain his composure. “You go down first. I need a shower.”

  “Okay,” she said, getting off his lap.

  He didn’t feel like letting her go. He felt as though she were leaving him forever. His gut twisted with dread.

  He watched her giving him a lovely smile before she shut the door.

  “Jayden, what have you gotten yourself into?” he muttered under his breath as he got up. After showering and dressing himself in a pair of Calvin Klein jeans and a T-shirt, he headed down the stairs. He heard loud voices as he opened the dining room door. He saw his father earnestly talking to Sam, his future brother-in-law, who couldn’t seem to keep his hands away from Kelly. Alex was sitting beside Gracie on the far side of the dining table, having breakfast. They were chatting away like old friends.

  “Jay,” Sam greeted loudly. “How are you? Long time, no see, man.”

  “Hey, Sam,” Jayden greeted, smiling as he strolled into the room. He glanced at Alex, who was watching him.

  “Good to see you,” Sam said.

  “How was business in Hawaii?” Jayden asked.

  “All sorted. Now it’s holiday time.” Sam chuckled. He looked at Kelly and winked at her, a promise in his eyes.

  “Good. Hey, have you met my girlfriend Alex?”

  Alexandra felt her heart melt because Jayden had just told Sam she was his girlfriend—in a sincere, warm tone.

  “Yeah, Kelly introduced us,” Sam said. “Good choice, man.” He winked knowingly.

  Jayden laughed. “So what’s the plan for the day?”

  “Just me and my lovely bride today,” Sam said. “What about you?”

  “Nothing planned,” Jayden replied sheepishly.

  Alex picked up her cup of tea and sipped, disappointment building up in her stomach. So there’d be no chance of her ever seeing New York while she was here after all. She might as well go back to bed.

  They chatted for a while longer, and then Sam ushered Jay to one side once he had the chance.