Up in Flames (15 page)

She was glad Alex had talked her out of killing them that day. At least there wouldn’t be any more blood on her hands.

Now that the order was gone, no other child would have to go through what she had, no matter what their power. Cara placed her hand over her stomach and sighed in relief.

Just as she lifted her teacup to take another sip, a knock sounded at her door, and she turned a confused look at Alex. “Were we expecting anyone else?”

Alex shook his head. “No.”

Cara’s assistant stuck her head in the door. “Sorry to bother you, Senator. But a Dr. Marcone is here to see you?”

Cara’s hands actually began to shake, and she quickly set her cup down before she spilled the tea.

“Send him in,” Alex replied.

“Alex,” Cara chided softy, but Alex ignored her and headed for the office door to greet him.

Hayden strolled in the door, and Cara thought for sure her heart was beating so fast it would jump clear from her chest.

“Hayden,” Alex said as he walked forward, his hand out in welcome.

Hayden shook it and smiled slightly in response. “Alex. Good to see you.”

Hayden’s gaze kept shifting to Cara’s. He looked so incredibly good. She wanted to run to him, but she didn’t dare get up. Not until she heard what he had to say and find out why he was here.

Alex slapped Hayden on the shoulder before letting go of his hand and heading to the door. “I’ll leave the two of you alone.” He sent Cara a firm look. “You have a few things to talk about.”

The door shut, and Cara struggled to breathe. “You look good,” she said, then bit her lip.

Hayden’s lips lifted on one side in that adorably boyish grin Cara liked so much. “So do you,” he said, then frowned. “God. I’ve missed you, Cara.”

A lump filled her throat. For all her confidence, all her bravery, she suddenly felt so scared and unsure. “You have?” Her lips began to tremble, and she cursed before covering her mouth with her hand. “I still struggle with the crying sometimes.”

Hayden smiled softly as he began to walk toward her.

“Hayden…I never stopped loving you,” she said in a rush. “I tried everything to get over you. To forget. I even kissed another man—”

Hayden came to a stop and scowled. “You what?”

“I felt nothing. It was nice, but not at all like yours. I wanted so many times to come talk to you, but I was so afraid you wouldn’t want to see me after what happened… I’ve never been afraid of things before. Now I—”

“Cara, stop.”

He made it around the desk. He spun her chair so she faced him and placed his hands on the armrests. “Dad told me what you said over my bed that day. I understand what it was that scared you so much. I had hoped Alex would get through to you, but when you never came back, I convinced myself you had gotten over me, that it was all just an illusion because I was all you knew in those first few weeks.”

Tears slipped from the corner of her eye and slid down her cheek. She sniffed and shook her head. “It was never an illusion, and I never got over you. Alex tried—”

Hayden put his finger in front of her lips. “I was stupid,” he whispered. He squatted down and looked up at her, his hands still braced on the arm of the chair. “I should’ve come after you. I should’ve told you that what you did that day didn’t matter to me. I should’ve told you how much I loved you, how much I still love you.”

She smiled and cupped his face in her hands. A face she’d missed so much. “I need to tell you something,” she said.

He grinned. “Later.”

He stood and tugged her to her feet.

“Hayden,” she said a little louder. “I need to—”

Before she could say another word, he cupped her face and brought her lips to his, cutting off anything else she might say. Her moan was lost in his mouth as he slipped his tongue past her parted lips to mate with hers. She loved the way he kissed, the way he was so gentle yet demanding all at the same time.

She placed her hands at his waist, burying her fingers in the material of his shirt, holding tight as his kiss deepened. God, it felt so good to be back in his arms, to feel his hands touching her face, his lips blending with hers.

“I love you,” he whispered against her lips.

Cara smiled as his hands slid down her back, pulling her body flush with his. She knew the second he’d noticed. A crease wrinkled his brow, and his eyes narrowed. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away, holding her at arm’s length so he could stare at her slightly protruding stomach.

Cara bit her lower lip, bracing herself for whatever reaction he might have. She hoped for happiness, but judging by the look on his face now, she wasn’t so sure happy would be the right word.

He stared down at the small bulge that was their baby, and Cara’s heart almost stopped. He looked angry. This wasn’t how she wanted this to go. Not at all.

“Hayden—”

He frowned angrily at her. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

She nodded. “When I couldn’t hide it anymore.”

He scowled at her and dropped his arms. Cara felt like crumpling to the floor. She’d gone from getting him back to losing him in all of about five seconds. He was furious.

“I only recently found out. At first I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I was sick and so tired. I had these awful mood swings. I was terrified there for a while that I was backsliding, that the emotions were going to get the better of me. Alex is the one who figured it out. He took me to a doctor to confirm it. I’ve only known myself about three weeks.”

Some of the anger on Hayden’s face began to fade. “At first I wasn’t going to tell you. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The thought of being in the same room with you and you not wanting anything to do with either of us would send me into a crying fit. Alex insisted. He even said that if I didn’t, he would. He said you deserved to know.”

Hayden put his hands on his hips and stared at her.

“In my defense I tried to tell you before you pulled me out of the chair.”

His lips twitched, and Cara felt a slight ray of hope. His anger was fading. She took a tentative step toward him. “I think it was that morning in the gym.”

He shook his head slightly. “I’m a doctor. I should’ve known better.”

She grinned. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

“I could never think clearly when you were…” He smiled softly and reached out to cup her face. He tilted his head and frowned. “Did my sister know about this?”

Cara shook her head. She’d been too careful about hiding it, hadn’t she? “I don’t think so. She came by to talk to me, but I didn’t tell her. Why?”

“I just remembered something she’d said earlier.” He leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers.

“What did she say?”

“That it wasn’t just about me anymore.”

Cara smiled slightly as she remembered her talk with Hayden’s sister. She’d admitted still being in love with him but had made Miya promise not to say anything. Cara was glad she hadn’t kept that promise. “Miya was looking at me awfully hard at one point. I thought the outfit I had on hid my stomach, but she must’ve noticed. Are you still mad at me?” she whispered.

“I was never mad at you,” he breathed. “Just shocked.”

He dropped his hands and placed one over her stomach. She rested her hand over his.

“Are you happy about this, Hayden?”

“Yes. Very,” he whispered, and Cara released a soft sigh of relief. He pulled away and looked down at her. “Do you know what it is yet?”

She nodded.

“Well?” he asked.

“Does it matter?” she asked.

His grin widened. “No. I don’t care. It’s ours. That’s all that matters.”

* * * *

Two weeks later, after a long secluded trip with Hayden so they could spend some time together uninterrupted, Cara and Hayden returned to Rhinari. Although they were still debating whether to live in her apartment at the senate complex or Hayden’s apartment, which was actually bigger.

Cara had no doubt Hayden was who she was destined to be with. She was stronger now, more confident in herself and her new emotions. She loved him, and he loved her. She couldn’t be happier. She only wished her dad was still around to see them.

They’d all gathered at Chris’s apartment in the senate complex for a family celebration—her and Hayden’s upcoming marriage and birth of Lord Sidious Marcone’s first grandchild. Hayden looked so much like his father. He’d explained to Cara that all male Marcones had the trademark white hair and gray eyes. The girls tended to look like their mothers.

“So, what is it?” Miya asked. “Will I have a niece or a nephew?”

“It’s going to be a…” Hayden said as he wrapped his arm around Cara and held her close. They shared a secret smile before Hayden turned back to Miya and said, “Surprise.”

Everyone laughed as Miya slapped her brother on the shoulder. “That’s so not fair. I’m the one who got you two back together. You should at least tell me.”

“No way,” Hayden said, chuckling. “You’ll give it away with your shopping for it.”

“I will not,” she exclaimed with indignation.

“How many things have you already bought this baby?” Hayden asked with amusement.

“Just a few things.”

“The nursery at the lake house is overflowing,” Sidious said from his position by the bar. “Between your sister and your mother, this child will want for nothing.”

Cara smiled at that. She was glad their baby would have what she hadn’t: a large extended family who would love it unconditionally.

Hayden pointed at his parents. “I’m watching the two of you,” he said. “I won’t have you spoiling my child.”

“We get to spoil your children just like your grandparents spoiled you,” his mom, Mikayla, said with a smile. A very wicked one that Cara recognized often on Hayden.

“Oh, boy,” Hayden groaned. “We’re in trouble, Cara.”

She didn’t believe that for a minute. Look how Hayden had turned out, spoiled and all. She giggled and placed a kiss on Hayden’s cheek. “No, we’re not. I think it’s wonderful.”

The door opened, and Hayden’s Uncle Taron and Aunt Alyssa, plus their children strolled in.

“Hey, guys,” Hayden said as he held up his hand in welcome.

“There he is,” Alyssa cried as she rushed forward and gave him a huge hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

Alyssa turned to hug Cara as well. Taron came forward and placed a big wet kiss on Cara’s cheek, making her laugh.

“You haven’t met Aspen yet,” Hayden said as he motioned a beautiful young woman over. She was incredibly tall with dark brown hair and deep chocolate-brown eyes like her father. “Aspen, this is Cara. Cara, this is my cousin, Aspen. She’s Taron’s daughter.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Cara said.

Aspen smiled and pulled her close for a hug. “We’re family now. We can dispense with the formalities.”

Cara happily returned Aspen’s hug. She’d never met a family like Hayden’s. They were so warm and welcoming, so accepting. She loved it.

“And there are the beasty twins,” Hayden said with a smile as two very tall and very gorgeous men came forward.

They had long black hair and eyes such an usual shade of blue-gray, just like their mother, Alyssa.

“Beasty twins, my ass,” one of them growled. “Hello, beautiful,” he said as he leaned forward and placed a kiss on Cara’s cheek. “Welcome to the nut house.”

Cara laughed as the other one bent forward and kissed her cheek as well.

“It will probably take you a while to tell us apart, but I’m Shane, and this is Sabin.”

“Interesting names,” she said.

“Interesting parents,” Sabin remarked, making Cara smile. His gaze landed on Chris’s assistant Sharna, and his lips spread into an adorably devilish grin. “Watch me get Chris riled.” He walked toward Sharna and yelled, “Sharna! Hey, baby!”

Sharna squealed with laughter as Sabin picked her up and gave her a big hug. Sharna had a full, curvy figure with long red hair and very pretty blue eyes. She had a smile that lit up a room and an easy personality that put most everyone at ease. Everyone in the family loved her.

“Oh, lord,” Hayden mumbled as he shared a chuckle with Shane.

“Put my assistant down!” Chris snapped from the other side of the room.

“What’s the matter, wuss? Jealous?” Sabin taunted.

Sharna slapped him on the shoulder. “Stop it,” she chided playfully.

“I’m gonna kill him,” Chris grumbled as he strolled past Hayden, heading to the bar.

Hayden and Shane laughed.

“What’s that all about?” she asked.

“Chris has a thing for his assistant, but he won’t make a move.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s the best assistant he’s ever had, and he doesn’t want to lose her.”

“Well, that’s just stupid,” Cara said. “Maybe I should tell her to do what I did to you.”

Hayden winked, making her insides flutter. Would it be wrong for her to kiss him right here in front of everyone? She certainly wanted to. She loved it when he got that devilish gleam in his eyes. It made her feel all warm inside.

“Oh,” Shane said, smiling. “What? What did you do?”

Hayden shook his head. “Let’s not go there.”

“Oh, no. I think we need to go there,” Shane teased.

Hayden shook his head and walked off, Shane trailing behind him. “Come on, man. As the first of us to get married, you gotta go there. It’s the law.”

“What law?” Hayden asked with amusement as they continued toward the bar.

Smiling at her husband’s crazy family, Cara glanced toward the large terrace and caught sight of Alex leaning against the far wall. He wasn’t watching her; he was watching Miya as she laughed at something Aspen said to her. Cara frowned and strolled over to stand by him. Why was he just standing there watching her?

“She’s very pretty,” Cara said.

“Yes. Very pretty,” he replied as he lifted his glass to take a sip, his eyes still on Miya.

She had her dark brown hair pulled to one side and braided. Sabin walked over and tugged at her braid. Her deep green eyes sparkled with devilment as she and Sabin teased each other. Miya was petite but carried herself in a way that made her seem much bigger. Men couldn’t take their eyes off her and her perfect curves. Especially Alex.

This wasn’t the first time Cara had caught him watching Miya. The longing she could see in his eyes broke her heart. Alex wanted Miya so much but refused to do anything about it for reasons Cara still didn’t understand.