The Billionaire's Dance (Billionaire Bachelors - Book Two) Page 5

  “Time for photographs,” she heard a voice call. She grimaced until Alex looked at her, with their precious son resting in his arms. For one moment they shared a real smile. Her mask fell away. The love she had for her son and the love starting to grow for Alex was shining through her expression. His breath seemed to catch and he was about to say something, when the camera flash snapped them both out of the moment.

  He turned from her and spoke so no one else could here. “Let’s get these pictures over with. We don’t need to announce to everyone in the room this is a shot gun wedding.” He placed her arm through his and headed towards the rest of the family.

  “Come on Alex, everyone here knows why we did this so I don’t see why we need to have this huge masquerade. We could’ve just as easily taken care of our marriage in a courthouse and not put on a big show.”

  “There’s no way my father would ever allow one of his sons to get married that way and I’m sure your father feels the same. Jessica, this marriage may be happening because of our son but we’re married now. It needed to be started this way. Something about our relationship needed to be done correctly,” he finished.

  Jessica gave in without any more protest and allowed the photographer to place her in many different poses with Alex and her family members. She felt as if her cheeks were going to crack, she’d been holding the same expression so long. All she had to do though was look at her son and she was able to continue.

  Jacob may have been an unexpected surprise she didn’t even know she wanted but she couldn’t imagine her life without him. There was nothing she wouldn’t sacrifice for him. She would give up her entire world to make his better. She could live in a loveless marriage because that meant her son was with his father and would be loved, cherished and spoiled.

  The photographer was finally happy with the shots he’d captured and Jessica was able to step away and gain control of herself once more. She heard a hearty laugh and glanced up to see Alex slapping his brother on the back, as his features lit with mirth. She sucked in a breath at the beauty of the man.

  Alex was the most handsome man she’d ever known. From his dark, silky hair, piercing blue eyes and devastating smile, to his rock hard stomach and sculpted arms. When you added in the confidence, which was as second nature to the man as breathing, he was every woman’s dream come true.

  She knew there were plenty of women who would love to be in her place. They wouldn’t have even cared if Alex loved them or not. They would just love to have him on their arm. He was a trophy for sure. The thought caused a small giggle to bubble up inside of her. She’d heard of all the men with their trophy wives. Well, it looked like she’d snagged herself a trophy husband.

  “It’s time to head out back for the reception,” Joseph said in his booming voice, which could be heard by everyone. The announcement made Jessica’s head snap up to attention. She thought this was the reception. Why did the wedding keep getting bigger and bigger?

  She saw Alex hand their son over to his mother, then he was at her side. “I know you’re tired but in a few more hours we can get out of here and rest,” he reassured her.

  They walked through the huge Anderson mansion and as they crossed through the patio doors, her breath was once again taken away. The backyard had been transformed into a fairytale. She looked around in awe. She’d grown up wealthy but what the Anderson’s had made her family look like middle class.

  There was a white carpet laid out from the back door to a group of tents. Thousands of cascading lights looked like diamonds raining from the sky. Tables were set up with beautiful settings and waiters were at the ready, loaded down with trays of champagne and appetizers.

  A small orchestra was playing in the center of the whole affair, with a beautiful dance floor waiting for people to occupy its space. As they walked out she noticed more people were at the reception than had attended the wedding. She knew some but not all of them.

  “Do you like everything?” Joseph asked, seeming to appear from nowhere.

  “It’s amazing but you really didn’t need to go to this much trouble. Some cake and champagne would’ve been fine,” she said.

  Joseph let out a hearty laugh and then leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Only the best for my boys and the beautiful women they choose to marry,” he said before he walked away to visit with some of the guests in attendance.

  “Try not to feel too overwhelmed. I got really flustered when I walked out these same doors on my wedding day but now I will cherish those memories forever,” Amy said. Jessica was surprised to see Lucas’s wife standing there with her

  Jessica knew the story of Lucas and Amy’s rocky start. Amy had been working for him and found herself pregnant with Lucas’s child. They’d married for the sake of the unborn baby but things had seemed to work out great for them. It was obvious to anyone around them they loved one another. It also seemed Alex was following in his brother’s footsteps and getting married due to an unplanned pregnancy.

  They had one daughter who was over a year old and obviously loved. Amy was also looking very pregnant with baby number two on the way. Their marriage had ended up working out perfectly, which sent a bout of sadness through her. She didn’t see how her and Alex could end up with the happily ever after Amy had gotten.

  “You startled me,” Jessica finally managed to say. “This whole thing is a little bit overwhelming.”

  “I know how you feel and it doesn’t seem like it right now but you will appreciate all of this someday. You’ll have the pictures to pour over and the memories of the perfect wedding to tell your children,” Amy said comfortingly.

  Jessica didn’t think she would ever be appreciative of the wedding but she wasn’t going to voice that to her new sister-in-law so she decided to change the subject.

  “How far along are you?” Jessica asked.

  “Six months now,” Amy said, beaming. “I couldn’t be happier. I love Lucas, Jasmine and this entire family so much. I was in a similar circumstance as you, not that long ago but it worked out so much better than I could’ve ever imagined. This family loves big and I’ve seen the way Alex looks at you. I know you’re scared now but know I’ll be there for you if ever you need a woman to talk to. Things do get better,” she finished and then gave Jessica a hug before joining her husband.

  Jessica watched as the other couple embraced like they’d been apart for months instead of mere minutes. She felt slight jealousy at the obvious love radiating from the happy couple. She didn’t expect to ever have Alex look at her the way Lucas was looking at Amy. She shook herself out of the mood and decided to enjoy her evening, since she wouldn’t be able to get out of it.

  Once Jessica decided to let go of her worries she found herself enjoying the reception. The cake was incredible. It had five layers with water cascading down the center. There were tiny flowers and butterflies created from frosting and she was almost afraid to cut it and ruin the great work of art.

  Alex swiped a piece of the frosting and stuck his finger in his mouth, making her stomach churn with desire. How watching a man lick a bit of frosting off his finger could be so dang sexy, she’d never know?

  When Alex’s hand fit gently over hers, they cut the cake and her worries fell away. Whenever he touched her, the rest of the world could tumble down and she wouldn’t notice. She looked up into his eyes and forgot what they were doing. He leaned down and kissed her intimately, to the delight of the crowd. His mouth tasted sweet from the frosting and she could feel shivers running down her spine.

  The laughter pulled Jessica from her thoughts. She gently fed him and the look of lust in his eyes as her fingers grazed his mouth made her knees go weak. She started to tremble, praying the rest of the audience didn’t notice. Then he fed her a small piece of cake and heat shot throughout her body. She sucked his finger into her mouth and the lust instantly in his eyes was enough to drop her to her knees.

  When he wiped a piece of frosting from her lips and then licked the tip of his finger,
she actually swooned. She thought swooning was just a Hollywood movie moment but if he hadn’t been there to pull her close she would’ve fallen into the table.

  His eyes smoldered to a dangerous level and he pulled her close, kissing her with far less restraint than he’d exhibited earlier. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave into the passion she’d been feeling since he’d first stepped through her door.

  “Well, I guess that’s some great cake,” she heard the chuckling voice of her father.

  Jessica’s head snapped back and she stared at her husband with horror. She couldn’t believe she’d kissed him like that in front of so many people. He smiled down at her and turned toward the guests.

  “We need to get this over with. I want my wife to myself,” he said with laughter.

  “Here, here,” she heard Lucas shout, as he lifted his glass to toast the couple.

  Jessica heard the sound of Jacob letting his mom know it was time for his own dinner and was relieved to get a few minutes of privacy, as she took him into the house to eat. As she rocked Jacob, she reflected on the overwhelming day.

  She’d watched Alex with her son and wanted to think he was only marrying her because he was trapped into it. But she knew he genuinely loved Jacob. She knew he was happy to be a father. It wasn’t what either one of them had expected but he’d quickly taken to his role as father and he was doing an amazing job.

  She wasn’t anxious to get back out to the reception. She knew most of the people out there had to be talking about how poor Alex had to marry to make his son legitimate. It made her very uncomfortable. Even though no one had treated her badly or said anything negative, they had to be thinking she’d trapped him. Even though she had plenty of her own money, Alex Anderson was a real catch. He could literally choose any bride he wanted but the choice had been stolen from him the minute he found out he was a father.

  As Jessica took a few moments longer rocking Jacob, she heard footsteps enter the softly lit den. “I’m glad to have a few moments to speak with you alone,” Joseph said softly. “I know all of this has been a little overwhelming for you and I just wanted to let you know how happy I am you’re a part of our family,” he continued, as he sat down next to her.

  “I’m very pleased to join your family, Joseph. This is all quite overwhelming though,” she finished speaking with a nervous laugh.

  “I understand how you feel Jessica but know you have a lot of people to turn to for support. Also remember that lasting marriages have started with less going for them that what you and Alex have. I think your union is off to a great start. You have this beautiful baby boy and it’s obvious to anyone who watches, you and Alex have chemistry. I can understand if you’re afraid to admit love yet but I see the way you look at my boy and it fills my heart with joy,” he finished.

  Jessica didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to admit her growing love for Alex but she couldn’t tell his father a lie either so she thought it best to simply keep silent.

  “Let me take that amazing grandson of mine and lay him down so you can get back out to the party,” Joseph offered. She was reluctant to hand Jacob over but knew she was just being silly.

  “Thank you,” was her only reply and then empty handed again, she had no choice but to head back outdoors.

  “It’s time for our first dance as a married couple,” Alex said to her, taking her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor. All her worries washed away again as he pulled her close into his arms. Dancing intimately with him was a prelude to sex. The way he moved his hips against hers and rubbed on her lower back had her insides burning.

  When he bent down and kissed her on the neck, goose bumps appeared and a light shiver spread throughout her middle. He gazed into her eyes and neither of them needed to say a word. Her breathing increased as he whirled her around the floor and she breathed a sigh of relief as the song came to an end.

  She didn’t think she would’ve been able to remain in his arms much longer without beginning to undress him. She’d never been such a wanton woman before she’d met Alex.

  The next half hour passed slowly as she was passed from one person to the next on the dance floor. She enjoyed her father-daughter dance and a few tears fell as he told her how much he would miss his little girl being only his.

  She laughed with both Lucas and Mark, genuinely enjoying Alex’s brothers. She couldn’t understand how Mark hadn’t been snatched up yet. Of course, from her understanding, all the Anderson males held onto their bachelorhood like a rancher held onto his prize bull.

  After being whisked around, she was once again in Alex’s arms and it felt like coming home. “Are you ready to get out of here,” he whispered in her ear. Before she had a chance to reply, the music stopped.

  “I hope everyone is having a great time,” Joseph spoke into the microphone. There was an outbreak of applause at his words.

  “Good, good. Now I would like to make a toast for my son and beautiful daughter-in-law. I couldn’t be happier to have you join our family, Jessica. You are a true blessing and a perfect match for our stubborn son, who we happen to think is just about perfect. Although, we were worried no woman would ever put up with him.” The crowd erupted with laughter.

  “All joking aside, we’re grateful for this union and the blessing of our first grandson. Katherine and I both wish you the best and hope your marriage will be filled with laughter, joy and surprises. And best of all, remember a little fight now and again makes life exciting and gives you a chance to make up,” he said with a wink.

  “Katherine and I have a wedding gift for you we couldn’t quite gift wrap,” he said with a chuckle. “A new family needs a real home and not to be living in some apartment in the city. We got you a place about a mile down the road from here. It’s all set up for a nice honeymoon since Jessica doesn’t want to leave somewhere without the baby. We do insist on babysitting so you two can get some alone time together though,” he finished.

  Jessica gasped at his words. She couldn’t believe Joseph and Katherine had bought them a house. What if this all fell apart within a week, or even a month? So many people were already involved in their union and now they would have a home, which she would get attached to. She watched as Alex strode over to his father and gave him a huge hug, then did the same for his mom.

  She didn’t realize tears were falling down her cheeks until Alex came back and gently wiped them away. “If you don’t like the place, we can find something different,” he said, mistaking her anxiety.

  “No, it’s just we aren’t in a real marriage. This is all too much.” She couldn’t say anymore and quickly hugged Joseph and Katherine and then excused herself to check on the baby.

  Alex stood there, shocked for a few moments and then he was angry. He’d been enjoying the wedding and his bride and then she had to remind him it was a forced marriage. He knew she was having a hard time with the whole situation but a lot of people had gone the extra mile to make it enjoyable for her. He needed to keep his guard up around her or he could see himself getting hurt deeply.

  The party finally slowed down and they were able to make their escape. Jessica gathered up Jacob, while Alex grabbed their bags and they ran through the throng of people to the awaiting limo.

  Birdseed flew at them and cameras snapped and they were both more than grateful to be inside the safe confines of the limo. They didn’t have a very far drive, thanks to the generosity of his parents.

  Jessica was exhausted and more nervous than ever being alone with her husband. Was he going to expect her to sleep with him, or would she be allowed her own room? Did she even want her own room? The thought of sharing a house with the virile, masculine Alex and not sleeping with him seemed worse.

  She was going to have to wait and see what happened.

  They arrived at the gated driveway within a few minutes. Jessica rolled her window down to look out. The driveway seemed endless and was flanked by huge pine trees on either side, giving privacy to the house stil
l hidden from view. When they turned another corner, the driveway opened up to a huge circular turn-around done in colored bricks. In the center was an enormous water fountain with angels dancing in the center, looking as if they were splashing each other.

  Jessica didn’t know what to say. The home was a smaller version of the Anderson Mansion. There were three stories with wrap around balconies on each level. There were five huge columns across the front, giving the home a southern plantation look. She was immediately in love with the place. She was afraid to step inside because the minute she did she knew she’d be even more in love and never want to leave. She had plenty of her own money. When things in the marriage failed, as she knew they would, maybe he would allow her to buy the place and stay there. She was tired of apartment living anyway.

  The driver opened her door and she reached in for Jacob but Alex had him already. “I can take him,” she said, not liking him taking control all of the time.

  “I’ve got him. Go ahead and check out the house. I’ll come back for the bags in a few minutes.”

  She wanted to argue with his high-handedness but decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. He would win once again but she was exhausted. The door opened, which surprised her, as she didn’t know anyone was there.

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. I have a snack prepared for you in the kitchen and your room has been prepared. Would you like me to lay down the baby so you can look around?”

  Alex handed Jacob over to the woman, which Jessica immediately was going to protest. She wasn’t going to let him hand her child over to a stranger. “Jessica, this is Tina, our cook. She’s worked for my family for over twenty years and is one hundred percent trustworthy,” he said, noticing her concern.

  Jessica still wanted to rip her baby away from the stranger but knew she would look bad in doing so. “I will walk with you to the nursery so I know where Jacob is. Are baby monitors set up so I’ll be able to hear him in other parts of the house?” Jessica asked with concern.