A Playboy's Love Affair (17 page)

“Oh no, don’t you go playing your game evading my questions. I’m not going to play it this time. Are you pregnant?” he asked.

“I-I don’t know,” she said, closing her eyes.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

Snapping her eyes open, she said, “I’m late all right, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“How late?” His fingers pressed harder into her flesh.

She pulled her arm, trying to free herself from his grasp. “Five weeks.”

“Aw fuck!” He let her go. “I thought you said you were on the pill.” Alex ran his hands over his face stepping back. What the hell? A baby? He was just coming to terms with himself about loving and losing the one woman that took away his heart when she walked out on him. And now this—how was he supposed to come to terms with something as big as the four-letter word: ‘baby’?

Carly straightened her back. “Listen, there’s no need for you to worry yourself. For starters it’s not the first time I’m late, so I’m not worried. In the slight possibility that I am, it’s not your baby. It’s mine. Good day, Alex.” She turned on her heel.

“Carly!” Alex called after her. “Don’t you dare play that old trick on me because it won’t work!” He strode toward her, pointing his forefinger at her in warning. “If you’re pregnant you have no right to keep me away from my kid, and this time I’ll take you to court if I have to.”

“What, you’re going to take me to court like you didn’t last time? You’re going to make me sign another contract which happened to be the biggest trick ever?” Rage clouded her gaze. “What, you didn’t think I’d find out that you’d never execute such a ridiculous agreement? That if there was anyone you could really sue for damages was Matt for breach of contract?” She closed the gap between them. “What did that gain you, I wonder? Alex, you should know better by now. You want to take me to court then do it, don’t threaten me. But first you’ll have to prove my baby is yours, and guess what? It isn’t because it doesn’t even exist.” She waved her hands in front of her. “I’m late, so what? Big deal. Not your problem.” She adjusted her bag handles. “Please don’t fancy yourself with being a father because you won’t be one, and don’t look for me either. I’ll put a restraining order against you if need be. It’s a warning Alex, the only one I’ll give. I’m tired of playing games.”

Alex studied the hurt hidden behind the anger in her gaze. “All the restraining orders in the world won’t keep me away from what’s mine, even if that means I have to take you to see a doctor myself. Fuck Carly, how could you not realize you were late until now? That’s plain irresponsible.”

Carly caught her breath and took a step back. “Why do you care? In case you forgot, you’re never having kids. You said so yourself, so why are you all worked up? What, does it matter to you? Look at you talk about being responsible, it’s laughable as you’re the god of recklessness. Don’t you dare come talking to me about being irresponsible! Leave me alone, Alex. Once and for all just let me be.” Carly walked out of the family room.

Alex stood motionless. He ran his hands over his face, and sat on the couch resting his head in his hands. What was he supposed to do now? Even if she truly wasn’t pregnant, the seed of doubt was already planted, Alex wondered if Carly had planned not to tell him if it turned out she was having his baby. If he weren’t in full use of his five senses, Alex would stalk her even if that made him look like he’d really lost it. But that wouldn’t help things one bit. There had to be a way to get closer to her, to make her see they were good together, baby or no baby. Although that last was a curveball he’d never expected. The thought of the possibility about being someone’s dad scared him to death. Alex already felt sorry for the kid.

No. Wrong. Whether there was any father material in him or not didn’t matter, he sure could learn how to be a dad.

First things first, he had to get Carly back. He’d worry about being a father later. Alex excused himself from Paul and Kiera, and went home to design a plan to woo the woman who’d stolen his heart.

Chapter Twenty

Carly hadn’t expected to see Alex so soon after she came back from her getaway with him, she buried herself with work. She took on more projects than she normally would—her way of forgetting her real problem, Alex St. Jones. Carly took pride in her work. Every time she drew a new design, played with colors, textures and created different views of the same room in different shades, but her pride crumbled time and again when she realized Alex was the muse to her creations.

She wanted to get him out of her mind, heart and soul, but bringing herself to do that was just too hard. Carly had been well aware from the time she signed his stupid contract that walking away from it and from him unscathed wouldn’t be avoidable.

The wounds weren’t visible to the naked eye, but they were there because the internal pain reminded her of it every minute of the day. Eventually they’d have to cross paths given their relationship with Paul and Kiera. Carly just hadn’t imagined it’d be this soon.

When he’d walked in her direction, butterflies had danced in her belly. Carly wanted to run to him, hold him, kiss him, and most of all tell him she was sorry for leaving. But her pride wouldn’t let her do just that. Instead, she threw it all back at him. If Carly had ever wanted a chance at finding out whether they could be a real couple, that had been it, and she’d literally tossed it in the trash. But, how could she not react that way? Every time Carly thought of him, his words played in her mind: he’d never get married, have kids, give up his single status, and most importantly there never would be anything serious between them. The realization of it still stung, his words were engraved in her memory and she couldn’t forget about them. She’d tried, oh how she’d tried.

Alex looked as good as ever. Why did this have to happen to her? Accepting the fact she’d never be able to get over him had been hard enough. Alex was exactly the type of guy her mom always warned her about. He was the bad boy no mother ever wanted for her daughter. The thing was his kind of bad boy came with a sign that read ‘sinfully irresistible’. His was the kind even a blind woman wouldn’t be able to walk away from.

Then, there was the pregnancy thing to deal with. Carly pushed her chair away from the desk, swirling it to face the glass wall. She’d never been late but had flat out lied to Alex. He was the last person she wanted to discuss her dilemma with. After seeing him, she’d decided to take the tests when she got home. Carly was afraid to see the results but needed to know. Such was her luck all three tests flashed the wrong answer. Well, it was the right answer just not the one she hoped for.

She’d seen the doctor this morning only to officially confirm her fears. What would she do with a baby if she still didn’t know what to do with herself? Having a baby meant reprioritizing her life, putting her career on hold.

The thought of having a baby by herself gave her goosebumps. Carly couldn’t fathom the thought of taking care of someone so little, so fragile—that was a big responsibility that required someone willing, someone that wasn’t her. Carly played with the thought of letting Alex know, would he even care? No matter her thoughts, she’d have to tell him eventually. The severity of the situation wasn’t something to keep away from anyone, especially not him. Regardless, Carly was still saddened by the fact Alex would never be a one woman man.

She angled her head to see Liv, her assistant, walk in with three men at her heels holding the most gorgeous red roses arrangements she’d ever seen. “What’s this?” Carly asked in surprise.

Liv beamed at her. “They’re all for you. Aren’t they gorgeous?”

“Who sent them?” Carly walked to one of the arrangements.

Liv blushed. “Alex did. There are more.”

Carly stepped in front of one of the men carrying an arrangement. “I don’t want them. Please take them all back.”

“Sorry ma’am. We’re not allowed to take anything back,” the man replied.

Carly turned to Liv for help, but she only shrugged in response. The men filled her office with about thirty or more arrangements of all sizes. There was barely any room left to walk. What was Alex trying to do to her? When the men dropped off the last arrangement, Carly walked back to her laptop and instant messaged him.

Carly M:
Under other circumstances I’d personally call you and thank you for the flowers. Unfortunately that’s not the case. Send back those men and tell them they need to take it all back.

A St. Jones:
Darling… I’m glad to hear you received my flowers. Thank you for letting me know my men followed my instructions. I’ll make a note to send them an extra generous tip.

Carly gasped at his response, what did he think he was doing? He couldn’t invade her workspace just because he felt like it.

Carly M:
What’s your deal, Alex? What do you want?

A St. Jones:
I want to be the man you want.

Carly M:
The man I want is so sweet he’d never bring flowers because he’s more original than that. He respects my wishes because he’s not a snob.

A St. Jones:
Then, I’m exactly the man you want. I’m sweet and I respect all your wishes, it’s just that sometimes I like to show there’s more to what you think you want. Now, about the flowers, point taken. I could’ve been more original, I thought of taking you on a hot air balloon ride, but in your state I didn’t think it wise. About that last: have you been to the doctor yet or will I have to take you myself?

Argh, such a pompous ass he was! Carly closed the instant message window; she was done chatting with him. Taking a deep breath, her senses betrayed her allowing her to enjoy the delicate roses’ fragrance surrounding her. Carly rolled in her chair to one of the arrangements and pulled out the small card hidden in the middle of the roses. “I didn’t think Alex had it in him to send roses,” she muttered.

Darling… I’ve missed you.

Alex

“Huh?” Carly read the note again and moved on to the next arrangement.

Sweetheart… Give me a chance. Allow me to show you this can work.

Alex

“Did he write all these himself?” she reread for the third time his handwritten note and continued on to the next arrangement.

Carly…darling, I promise you I’m worth a try.

Her jaw quivered as tears clouded her vision. She quickly stepped through the arrangements, removing all the handwritten cards.

Sweetheart… You’re the one for me.

Fat tears rolled down Carly’s cheeks as her gaze moved through each of the handwritten notes spread on her desk

Babe… Give me back my heart.

Carly covered her quiet sobs with her hands.

Love… Let’s start over…

More tears rolled down her cheeks.

Carly… Let me be yours, darling.

She couldn’t make herself read the rest. It was all too much to take in. Her stupid hormones were making her all teary, and sentimental. She wanted to ignore him, go on with her life but with notes like these it was impossible not to run back to him. Carly leapt to her feet, grabbed her bag, and left the office. If there really were second chances, this was hers. She’d been a fool walking out on him. She’d give him a chance—Correction, she’d give them a chance. Carly would tell him face to face they were indeed having a baby. How he’d react to that bit of news was unknown. Alex probably would be as scared as she was, at least they’d be together.

Carly stopped by the ladies room on her way up to see Alex. Her reflection in the mirror only confirmed she looked a mess. Puffy eyes from all the crying stared back at her. Gosh, her nose was as red as Bambi’s, but it didn’t matter. Carly was getting her man back, for better or for worse she had to know what if this time things did work out. She left the ladies room and took the elevator to Alex’s firm on the thirty-fifth floor.

Carly took deep breaths trying to slow her loud heartbeat pace. Darn anxiety, her hands were sweating cold, her knees felt like Jell-O. But…her spirits were up. She lied her way in pulling her best face and talked the receptionist into giving directions to Alex’s office. Carly breathed in slowly as she turned the knob.

“Oh my God!” she exclaimed. The same super model he’d been with at her client’s nightclub grand opening had her arms around his neck, purring something in his ear. Carly regarded them wide-eyed from where she stood by the door. Alex dropped his hands from around the woman’s waist the moment his gaze met Carly’s.

“Carly!” he called, pushing away from the woman.

Carly shook her head. Her face was contorted with heartbreak. “I’m such a fool.” She shut the door.

“Carly, stop!” Alex was a few feet behind.

She double-timed, adding more distance between them.

“Carly, listen to me.”

She kept up her pace. Getting away from Alex was a must. Thanks to her lucky stars a man held the elevator for her.

“Hold it!” Alex yelled, only it was a second too late because the elevator’s doors closed just in time.

He didn’t deserve a single tear from her, except her emotions won over allowing quiet sobs escape her throat. The curious gazes with silent questions surrounded her in the elevator ride on her way down to the lobby. Carly had to make it to her car before she really broke down. How could she move on now?

Carly dropped to her knees the moment she walked into her condo. The memory of the woman’s arms around Alex’s neck was still fresh in her mind. How could she have been so stupid to believe he’d changed, that he was serious about them being together? A playboy was always a playboy, who was she trying to kid into thinking she was the one to tame him? The thought of it alone was laughable. Carly couldn’t stop the tears from coming. Her hands held her head willing her mind to stop all the thoughts rushing through it by the second. She forced herself to walk to her bedroom.

Hugging a pillow, Carly laid on her bed. She was terrified about having a baby by herself but giving it up wasn’t an option. The truth was, there’d never be a right time to have a baby. Doing what was best for her was all that mattered, that also meant getting away from this place, from Alex. The only thing holding Carly back in L.A. were her two best friends, but they’d always be there regardless of where she was. Her decision was made. Moving on was hard but not impossible, both her and her baby deserved a new start.