Broken, he picked up the phone. It was 1am. He wondered if Jules slept or if she stayed awake too, thinking of him. He dialed her number, waiting for her to pick up. He didn’t know what to say. It didn’t matter though, because she didn’t pick up. Alex tried again. This time, Jules rejected the call so Alex knew she was awake. In a moment of weakness, Alex ended up calling her several times to no end. Finally, he gave up and fell into a restless sleep filled with red hair and green eyes.
“Look at you,” Donna said the next day at the club. “What have you done to yourself?”
“I’m fine,” Alex insisted.
“Talk to Jules.”
“After everything I did? No, Don. I can’t stoop that low. Jules doesn’t deserve this. She deserves someone better.”
“Apologize, then.”
“She deserves more than an apology.”
“At least talk to her.”
“I called her. She didn’t pick up.”
“You called her? That’s it?”
“How is it done, Donna? I don’t know how these relationships work. Help me.”
“You’re an idiot,” Donna replied. “I’ll convince her to give you a chance to talk to her.”
“Don, I’ll lose focus again.”
Suddenly, Donna hit him across the head.
“Ouch,” he protested, angrily. “What was that for?”
“What the hell do you mean you’ll lose focus again?” Donna demanded. “As if you’re extremely focused right now.”
“Don-”
“You didn’t lose focus. Your dad overreacted and you fell for it. Please stop being stupid, Alex.”
“Jules won’t even talk to me,” Alex replied, rubbing his head miserably.
“Leave that to me.”
He looked at her warily but nodded.
Chapter 18 – Jules
Donna threw down the striking pad.
“Love, are you okay?” she asked Jules.
“I’m sorry,” Jules said shaking her head. “Let’s try again.”
“No, let’s talk,” Donna said, sitting on the floor and beckoning Jules to join. The floor was padded with soft MMA mats.
“Is everything alright?” Donna asked.
“Everything is great. I got promoted, Don,” Jules said happily.
“I’m really happy to hear that,” Donna said earnestly. Jules talked about her job for a while, feeling hollow inside the whole while. She had received the call yesterday. Mr. Parker had promoted her to Executive Brand Manager, increasing her salary and perks by two folds. Jules had felt extremely happy. She had been working for this promotion for half a year now and it felt good to finally achieve it. But late at night, Alex had called her repeatedly, shattering Jules’ happy bubble.
“Alex told me tried to call you last night,” Donna begun, as if reading her trail of thoughts.
“He did,” Jules confirmed.
“And I don’t blame you for not picking up,” Donna said.
Jules waited for her to continue.
“Jules, I’ve known Alex since I was 10. We practically grew up together. Alex had never had a real relationship before he met you.”
“So I’ve heard,” Jules said dully.
“I actually thought Alex was incapable of feeling any real emotions. Casual flings were all he knew. It was amusing watching him fall for you so hard. I always told him one day he will meet a girl who will shatter his playboy demeanor. He always said I was wrong. So I had a ‘told you so’ moment when he fell in love with you.”
Jules smiled sadly at that.
“I’ve seen the way Alex talks about you. He adores you. He absolutely adores you. It was such a nice change to see Alex completely heads over heels for someone. It’s normally the other way around.”
Donna held her hand.
“At the Manchester tournament, you should have seen him when he won. We expected him to be happy, to be exuberant. He wasn’t. That night, he picked up his phone about fifteen times to call you. He couldn’t bring himself to. I think he was expecting this win to make him forget you. But he was wrong. Alex has been so focused on his career that I think it scared him when he met someone who meant more to him than his career. He always put his training before everyone. He tried to push you away to find an explanation for why his priorities had changed. You came before everything. You still do.”
“I don’t,” Jules shook her head. “He left me because he thought I was coming in the way of his training. He said he has lost his focus since he met me.”
Donna rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how unfocused he is without you. Much more than he was with you.”
Jules shook her head. “What do you want me to say, Donna?”
“I’m not asking you to forgive him. But can you please talk to him once? Face to face?”
Jules instinctively shook her head. She didn’t know if she would be able to handle it without breaking down. Just seeing his beautiful face might be too much for her.
“Do it for me,” Donna said. “He’s broken without you. I want you both to find some closure. Talk to him once. Please.”
She sounded so sincere that Jules reluctantly agreed. Bidding goodbye to Donna, she headed for Alex’s private training room.
Chapter 19 – Alex
Donna warned him beforehand. She sent a text, telling Alex the difficulty she went through to convince Jules to talk to him. She also begged him to be honest with her and to follow his heart.
When Jules entered the room, he felt an ache in his heart. The familiar pale face. The beautiful green eyes. The soft red hair. The petite, small figure. He had to avert his gaze to stay calm. She didn’t say anything and he didn’t move from the ring. He watched as she picked up a pair of gloves, to match the ones he was wearing, and climb into the ring.
For a minute, they stood across each other, not speaking. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“Thank you for- for agreeing to talk to me,” Alex begun.
“I did it for Donna.” Jules said briefly.
“Right,” Alex said.
Silence again.
“How have you been?” Alex asked, lamely.
“Great,” Jules said. “I got the promotion I wanted.”
“Wow, Jules,” Alex said, sounding genuinely happy. “I’m proud of you.”
Jules shrugged. “And you, for winning your big tournament.” For the first time, Jules smiled. A small smile yet a smile nonetheless.
“Jules-I-” Alex begun. “I’m sorry,” he finished lamely.
“Is that why you called me here?” Jules said, a trace of anger in her voice.
“I’m sorry,” he shook his head as if trying to clear it. “I’m-I’m trying to- I don’t know how these things are done but- but Jules, I- I miss you and- and life without you is- is terrible and- and depressing and- I’m so sorry, Jules,” he was stammering by now.
Jules looked unimpressed. She moved forward till she was at arm’s length to him. Suddenly, she punched him in the stomach. Alex winched as her gloved hand made contact with his torso. She hadn’t used all her strength but it left a dull pain. He deserved that much.
“You’re an asshole,” Jules said. “You’re pathetic at saying sorry,” she pulled her arm back again and punched. Alex let her hit him, staggering back a little. “You think you can tell me you miss me and I will come back to you?” Jules said, her voice rising. “You think I’m just like any other girl you’ve played with? You think I’ll gladly take you back because you said sorry?”
“I don’t think you’re like other girls, Jules,” Alex said, rubbing the spot she had hit twice. “If I did, I wouldn’t be standing here and begging your forgiveness.”
“I don’t see you begging,” Jules said.
“I was scared, Jules. Scared of how much you meant to me. Scared of what the future will hold for us. And after I won at Manchester, I realized that no win or tournament is worth losing you. I’m sorry, Jules. I made a mistake. Please.”
Jules
was unforgiving. She shook her head. Alex could see tears in her eyes now. “You hurt me, Alex. You blamed me for your failure. You listened to your father. You insulted me. And you think you can say sorry so casually?” Tears were rolling down her eyes now, breaking Alex’s heart. He tried to reach out to her but Jules pushed him away. She hit him again. And again. And again. All the while, she told him how much he had hurt her. Finally, Alex had to hold her arms to stop her from throwing punches.
“Jules,” he said, holding her arms as she struggled. “Please calm down.”
When he was certain she won’t hit him again, he released her arms cautiously. Suddenly, Jules was hugging him, holding him tight. “You’re horrible and heartless but I miss you too. I miss you every day and every night. I miss you so much and I don’t know how to handle it.”
Alex hugged her back, murmuring words of apology and begging her to forgive him. He hated himself for leaving Jules in this state. Jules pulled away, shaking her head.
“I can’t forgive you,” Jules said, wiping tears off her face. “I miss you terribly but I can’t take you back.”
Alex felt desperation engulf him. He begun to plead with her again, telling her how much he needs her in her life. But Jules just shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Al,” she said. He watched helplessly as she threw down the gloves.
At the door, she turned back to him.
“And Alex,” she said. He raised his head. “I’m pregnant.”
Alex stared at her in shock. Jules didn’t wait for a reply before departing. She had told him she was on the pill before they had sex. He never imagined she would become pregnant. He sat there for what seemed like hours. Jules is pregnant, he kept thinking over and over again. Jules is pregnant with our child. When he tried to imagine a life with Jules, having kids together, growing old together, it didn’t seem difficult or farfetched at all. The thought made him happy. But Jules refused to forgive him.
Jules was pregnant. They could have a child together. They could get married and move away. There were so many possibilities.
But Jules hated him. And he was broken.
Chapter 20 – Jules
Alex called her again while she was at work. She ignored the calls, not wanting to hear what he had to say. She didn’t want to break the strong appearance she was putting on up until now. Alex could break it easily and she had to keep resisting.
It was still very early in her pregnancy. Sam estimated it was her second week. Jules had decided to keep the baby. Her father had comforted her, and told her she can handle it. He had always been a feminist, firmly believing that women did not need men to support them. Jules had instantly felt better listening to his motivating speech.
Presently, she was in her new office, overlooking the sales trends. She hadn’t set up the room yet. It was an exquisite looking room with plump, blue couches by the window. Her desk was made of blue glass with tall and elegant black chairs. There was a coffee table on one side of the room. The nameplate outside her office door made her smile every time she saw it.
Juliana Evans- Executive Brand Manager
She heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” she said, expecting it to be her assistant. She stood up in surprise when she saw Alex.
“Al,” she said, frowning. “How did you get in here?”
This area of the office was exclusive to employees and special guests.
“Charmed the receptionist,” he replied casually. “She was very interested in my MMA training.”
“I’ll have to complain about that girl now,” Jules said shaking her head. She walked to the front of her desk to meet Alex.
“Nice office,” Alex commented.
Jules was silent.
Alex crossed the distance between them, pulling her closer and pressing a kiss to her lips. Jules didn’t object. She kissed him back before gently detangling herself from him.
“Please don’t, Alex,” she pleaded. She knew her resolve to stay angry at him would break if he kept this up.
He nodded and backed away but not before pressing a kiss to her forehead. Jules took a seat on one of the couches next to the window and Alex followed, sitting beside her.
“When did you find out you’re pregnant?” Alex asked.
“Three days ago,” Jules replied.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why would I?” Jules snapped, sharply.
Alex held her hands. “Please Jules. Forgive me.”
He was pleading with her again.
“I’ll think about it, Alex,” she replied curtly. “I can’t blindly trust you again.”
“Take your time,” Alex said.
He brought down his face to her level, staring into her eyes. Jules closed her eyes as he kissed the corner of her mouth. He left gentle kisses down to her jaw. Against her will, Jules found her hands tugging at his hair, pulling him close. His lips trailed to her earlobe as he bit down gently. Jules moaned softly, brushing her lips to his cheeks. She could feel rough hair as her lips touched his jaw. Alex licked her lower lip, begging for entrance. Jules opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth. Just as the kiss became heated and she found his hands trailing up her leg, she pushed him away. She was breathing hard by now and suddenly needed fresh air. She got up, threw open the window and walked to her desk. Desire was surging through her body as she tried and failed to calm down. She pressed her palms to her forehead, trying to cool herself. Suddenly, she felt his body press into hers from behind. His large frame surrounded her smaller one. Automatically, she titled her neck to the side, allowing him to kiss her. She twisted her head back, connecting her lips with his as his hands travelled up beneath her dress. She felt him squeeze her breasts. Instinct told her to stop right there but she was overcome by desire. She had been deprived for too long.
“Do you want me to stop?” she heard Alex murmur against her neck. His hand unhooked her bra from the front and she silently thanked god for making her pick out a front hook bra today. He was rubbing her breasts gently now, his lips on her neck.
“If you stop, I will never forgive you,” she heard herself whisper back, resting her head back on his shoulder. “If you stop-” she felt his finger trace her hardened nipple. “If you stop-” she begun again, trying to throw another threat at him but unable to think coherently because of the movements of his hand.
“I get it, love,” she heard him whisper behind her. His hands trailed down to the front of her underwear and she felt his fingers at her wetness. He inserted a finger inside her, ever so gentle. Her head rolled back on his shoulder as her mouth fell open, trying to draw vital air. One arm trailed up to his neck behind her as the other clutched the bicep of the arm doing wonders to her lower body. He pumped in and out slowly. She was leaning all her weight on his body now. Whimpers left her parted lips. She could feel his breath on her neck. Feeling a bulge pressing into her back, she ground her hips into his lower body as his fingers kept pumping. She heard a groan vibrate through his chest. His fingers helped her arousal until she trembled and shook. When he withdrew his fingers, Jules bent forward on her desk, leaning onto it. She didn’t trust her knees to support her. Suddenly, she could no longer wait. Turning around, she tugged at his belt, pulling down his jeans. Hungry kisses were exchanged as she pulled his jeans down enough to free his erection. Her dress was pulled up as she kicked off her heels. Her underwear was discarded on the floor. Alex hoisted her up on her edge of her desk. His fingers were at her inner thigh again, brushing gently and making her shake with need.
“Alex,” Jules breathed. “Please.”
He brought himself to her entrance and slowly thrust into her. She cried with the satisfaction of finally having him inside her. Her hands clutched his neck as he pulled out again. Their lips met in a heated kiss as he rocked back into her. She moaned into his mouth, crying out his name. Their moans were controlled; they were fully aware of being in an office room with the door unlocked. She felt his hand on
her left leg, pulling it up to his waist. She cried out at the increased penetration, no longer caring if anyone heard. It was lunch break, she told herself. Most people are gone. She bit down on her lip as he rolled in and out agonizingly slowly. The heat from his body combined with the cool surface of the desk beneath her was driving her crazy. Detangling her upper body from him, she leaned back on her desk, supporting her weight with her elbow. Her legs wrapped around his thigh as he continued to thrust in and out. Her head rolled back and she cried, repeating his name again and again.
“Fuck,” she heard him swear above her. “You feel so good, Jules,” he groaned. She pushed herself up, wrapping her arms around him again, needy moans escaping her lips as she hung on to him. His hands pressed into her back, pulling her close. “You feel so fucking amazing,” he said between thrusts and gasps. She felt him lift her hip higher and bring her down to meet his thrusts. Her name tumbled from his mouth along with curse words as he tried to express the intensity of his feelings. She bit down on his shoulders to stop herself from screaming. As she came closer, she almost did scream but Alex covered her mouth with his for which she was grateful. It would give a very wrong impression if they heard screams from her office on the first day of her moving into it. She bit down on her lips as she came. After a couple more thrusts, she felt him release into her. They lay there frozen for a moment, and then their grips slowly loosened. Alex pulled out of her gently. They held on to each other, breathing hard. When they finally let go, it was hard to make eye contact. They had just had sex on her desk when they were supposed to be broken up. Alex backed away, pulling up his jeans and hooking his belt. Jules stayed on the desk, unable to comprehend what this boy did to her every time she saw him. He picked up her underwear and gently slipped her legs through it. She slid off the desk as he pulled it all the way up, in its place. He straightened up and looked down at her as she hooked her bra in place and slipped her feet into her heels. A finger was placed under her chin as he implored her to look at him. Jules complied, staring into his brown eyes.
Romance: The Bad Boy Affair: A Second Chance Romance Page 84
