She tugged her robe tighter, suddenly feeling like the overweight maid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "In here." She finished what was in her mouth and turned to see him standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
He looked delicious in his suit and tie, but the grimace on his face said that he was less than thrilled. Was he judging her for eating cookies at ten at night? For looking like hell after her swim?
Every insecurity she had came rushing back to wrap around her, and she felt alone. Tired. Used up.
"What the hell is this?" He lifted the paper and dropped it on the counter beside him. "You let Stephen film you guys fucking? Really? Who does that?"
"What?" She wrapped her arms around herself. Was this day really happening? "Do you think I'm the kind of girl who would let Stephen film me having sex with him?"
Fucking sounded so crass all of a sudden. Something dirty to be ashamed of.
He ran his hands through his hair and tugged. "No. Yes. Fuck, I don't know. This day has been horrible, and now this."
"Now this?" Jamie pressed her fingers to her lips as tears burned her eyes. "Now what? My ex-boyfriend, who is also your ex-friend, splashes my name all over the place as a worn down, sex-starved slut, and you're upset? I'm no longer Cinderella, with a pretty rags to riches story, but now pretty woman with a horrid past and loose morals?"
"Jamie." He walked toward her, but she held up her hand and pressed it in the middle of his chest, keeping him at a distance.
"No. To hell with you. A
ll of you. I've been kicked a million times today. Get another punching bag, or maid, as it were." She moved past him, feeling his grasp on the back of her arm.
"Baby. I'm sorry. I didn't—"
She whipped around. "No, that’s right... you didn't. You were too busy worrying about your own public image to consider me."
"Jamie." He walked after her, following her into the bedroom, and grabbed her firmly.
She was too tired to fight him, and the inside of her chest felt raw from holding back her need to break down all damn day. She sunk into his hold and let out a soft sob. "I know I'm not good enough. I'm fine with that. I just don't want to be reminded of it." She cried as he rubbed her back of her head and pressed kisses to the side of her face.
"You're far better than me, baby. You know that. These people skew the truth. Stephen won't get away with this. I'll call my attorneys tomorrow. He threw lies into that interview, Jamie. None of that is true." He cupped her face and lifted it toward his, leaning down and kissing her softly. "I love you with all my heart. You're everything to me. Stop focusing on everyone else."
"You're focusing on them too." She pressed her hands to his chest. "I'm heartbroken over everything that happened today, but I'm devastated by the things Stephen said."
"He's a liar and he's jealous. You know this." Alex slid his hands over her neck and pushed her robe from her shoulders, leaving her bare.
"I'm not sex-starved. I just enjoy it more than I should. I'll try and schedule something with a therapist." She covered her chest and glanced down, feeling more embarrassed than she should have.
"Don't you dare. I love you the way you are. You enjoying sex is something I adore." He touched the bottom of her chin and lifted her face. "Don't degrade yourself for another minute. Stephen means nothing, right? I'm your man, and you're soon to be my wife. The rest of these bastards can rot."
"Okay," she mumbled as a fresh wave of tears slid down her cheeks.
"No more crying, beautiful girl." He wiped her tears before pressing his warm mouth to the side of her neck.
Slowly she loosened up and slid her hands over his shoulders, pressing herself to the front of him.
"There you go. Let me in," he whispered against her ear. "Forgive me for being an idiot and not seeing your pain today."
"I don't want to talk about it anymore." She slid her fingers through his hair and clung to him.
He picked her up easily and walked them to the bedroom, setting her down in front of the bed and pressing at her shoulder. "Lie down and let me look at you. You're the best part of my day."
Jamie didn't speak, but crawled up on the bed and lay on her back, watching him undress as he watched her. The thick swell of his chest muscles caught her attention, and warmth rushed through her, budding her nipples and leaving her without a care in the world other than pleasing him.
"You look good enough to eat." He licked his lips before tugging his slacks off and crawling up on the bed to hover over her lower half.
"Then you should eat me." She smirked as he chuckled.
"Fuck, I love you." He slid his hands up her thighs and nudged her legs open before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to her sex. "I plan to, just in case you were wondering. No more thinking tonight. Just open up and let's enjoy each other."