HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 33

Xander's POV

“Thank you, Stanley.” I say to the middle aged man as he pulls the car up in the winding driveway. I really couldn't stay in the office after what had happened without losing my mind. So, I called Stanley to come take me home.

“You're welcome, Mr. Gold. I'm just doing my job.” He smiles while I alight from the car without his help. 

The maids rush toward me when I walk through the front door but I ignore them, looking past them into the house for my wife. After the hours I have just had, all I need is her. I can't believe I just thought that. For a few seconds, I realize that I have managed to stun myself into silence.

Unsurprisingly. 

“Welcome, Mr. Gold. I will take your briefcase.” One of the maids finally walk up to me to take my briefcase. 

I smile at her and hand her the briefcase.  Sometimes, I get sick of seeing a lot of them around the house. How many maids can one really need? They certainly don't provide privacy around the house. It had never bothered me before until now. 

Pulling at my tie that already seems to be choking me, I make my way to the kitchen where I know I will find Alexa. Since she invited Sofia and Dave over for dinner, I'm sure she is already preparing a feast. 

I stop by the kitchen entrance when I see her. She doesn't see or notices me, her brows furrow in concentration with airpods stuck in her ears while she moves seamlessly across the kitchen. There seems to be a lot going on and the foods already smell amazing.  Suddenly, I'm aware of how hungry I am even though I had lunch about four hours ago.

Time for a refill.

I walk into the kitchen and stand behind her. I don't touch her and it must be the maids excusing us that makes her realize that I'm around because she tenses for a few seconds before looking over her shoulder at me with a beautiful smile on her face. Peace. She feels at peace in a kitchen.

“Hey,” she smiles and butterflies sings and flutters in my stomach.

Really, Xander?

Butterflies?

I almost tsk at myself. Get it together, man.

“Hi,” I whisper back. Unable to help myself, I step up behind her and wrap my hands around her, slowly drawing her to me. I catch her tense under my touch and panic that I might be over-doing it but before I can pull away, she molds herself into me, a breathless sigh escaping her lips.

“What are you making?” I ask her.

“Sofia's favorite food,” she tells me. I brush away her new strands of hair that are sticking to her face from the sweat. Even drenched in sweat, she looks happy. And stunning. My breath catches all over at the sight of  her.

“Hmm,” I hum. What I don't tell her is that Sofia has many favorite foods that I can't keep up with. By tomorrow, the woman would have another favorite food.

“You are home earlier than I expected.” She says, not bothering to move away from my hold.

“Yeah,” I breathe. I can tell that she knows something is up but she doesn't pushes which I'm grateful for. 

“I'm going to pull away so I can watch you.” I tell her.

She chuckles softly, finding my words funny. “You want to watch me cook?” There are stars in her eyes when she turns to look at me.

“Yep,” I tell her. “I can assure you that I know nothing about helping out in the kitchen otherwise I would have offered to help.” I explain.