Chapter 17%
The sun was just beginning to rise when I slipped out of bed.!!
Cameron was still asleep, one hand draped across the empty space where I had once laid. His face was calm–peaceful even. But I couldn’t bear to stay.
Not with the weight in my chest. Not with the truth swelling inside me like a secret waiting to break free.
I closed the door behind me quietly and made my way to the other end of the resort. Past the private gardens, up the stone steps, to the secluded suites Roger had reserved.
I knew Jackson would be there!
He always was when I needed him–even before I realized I wanted him.2|
I knocked gently.
The door opened, and Jackson stood there–barefoot, hair messy, shirt half–buttoned, eyes still heavy from sleep.
“Alicia?” he asked, surprise melting into warmth. “What’s wrong?”
I stared at him, chest rising, the words catching on my tongue. My hand unconsciously touched my stomach, like I needed to confirm it again.”
“I’m pregnant,” I whispered.
His eyes widened. “Wait… are you serious?“!
I nodded slowly.
And to my surprise, his expression didn’t twist with confusion or fear
He smiled.”
Really smiled.
Like it was the best news he’d ever heard.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me in a rush, pulling me against his chest, holding me like I might break–or maybe like I already had.
“That’s amazing,” he breathed into my hair. “We should get married. If you want to. Do you want to?”
I pulled back, gently cupping his face
“No,” I said softly: “I’m not ready. Not yet. This wasn’t planned “1
“But the baby-”
“I don’t see this child as a mistake,” I interrupted, voice steady despite the trembling in my limbs. “I know this a know I used you, and i won’t lie about that. But this baby? I already love them.”)
I looked away, eyes glassy.
“I always wanted a baby. I just didn’t expect it like this.”
Jackson reached for my hand. His thumb brushed over my knuckles like a silent promise.!!
all started as revenge. I
“We’ll be better for that baby,” he said. “We’ll make sure they never grow up in pain. Never have to wonder if they’re loved”
My breath hitched. Something in my heart shifted again–something I’d been too afraid to name.
He leaned in, slow and sure.
His lips brushed mine–tender at first, almost hesitant.
Then again, deeper.
And this time. I didn’t pull away.)
I let myself fall!
Into the kiss
Into the safety.”
Into him.
We stumbled back into the room, our lips still locked, breath tangling between us. My hands slid to his chest, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, eager and shaking. His hands found the hem of my dress, slowly lifting it up and over my head, his eyes never leaving mine!!
“God, Alicia..” he whispered, volce rough, reverent.
His hands ran down my sides, slow and warm, as if memorizing every inch of me. When his fingers met bare skin, we both froze for a moment–just breathing, just feeling
Then I pulled him closer
We sank onto the bed, limbs tangled, hearts pounding beneath skin that suddenly felt electric. His lips kissed a path down my neck, over my collarbone, soft and steady, until I couldn’t think anymore.
“Jackson.” I whispered, breathless.
“Alicia” he replied against my skin, his voice a plea, a promise.!!
We moved together–not out of revenge or desperation, but something gentler. Something real
Our clothes melted away between kisses and soft gasps. Our bare bodies met beneath the sheets like puzzle pieces desperate to be
ni mama alim. Lie sama follian fram mu lan
11:28 AM c d
complete. I arched into him, every nerve alive, his name falling from my lips in soft moans that I no longer tried to hold back.
My nails traced along his spine as he held me tighter, his forehead pressed against mine, our breaths synced. He kissed me like he meant it. Touched me like I deserved it. Loved me like I’d never been loved before.
Time blurred.
There was no past, no Cameron, no pain–just this. Just the heat of his body. The warmth of his mouth. The rhythm of our hearts colliding in the silence &
We whispered each other’s names like secrets we were afraid to lose.)
He kissed me again and again, slower, deeper, like he never wanted to let me go.
And in that moment, I didn’t want him to.8
Back in the villa, Cameron woke to cold sheets and silence!
His eyes blinked open, confused at first, then alert.
“Alicia?” he called
No response.
He sat up quickly, checking the time. Past seven.l
He got out of bed, still calling her name. Still hoping she was just in the bathroom, or out on the patio watching the waves.
But the room was empty.
He opened the door, asked one of the bodyguards stationed outside. “Where did she go?
“She left a little earlier, sir. Said she was walking to the other side of the resort.“8
Cameron’s stomach turned
00
He walked the corridors barefoot, not bothering to dress properly–anxiety bleeding through his movements. He knocked on doors. Checked lounges. Garden paths. Nothing W
Then, at the very edge of the private suites, he noticed a door cracked open.
His heart stilled
He stepped forward
Quietly,
Soft enough not to be heard.}
And that’s when he heard it.
A voice
Alicias.8
Moaning.
His name.”
But not for him.
“Alicia… Jackson breathed.0
Cameron’s world stopped.
He pushed the door open–slowly, carefully–and saw them.!!
Tangled in sheets. Bodies pressed together. Skin to skin. Her hands in Jackson’s hair. Her face turned in pleasure, flushed and glowing in
a way
she had never looked with him
He didn’t speak at first.
He simply stood there, breath caught somewhere between rage and heartbreak.
And then, finally–his voice broke like glass!!
“What the hell is happening here?“!
