Pink Is The Color Of Infatuation

Chapter 6

"She's cute, your wife." Adam said as sat across from Alexander.

Alexander licked his lips. Cute was an understatement. He was attracted to Xael but the woman didn't deserve his trust and he knew himself well enough to know that he would continue to be cruel until he was satisfied.

"You're a lot like me, you know." Adam mumbled, a smile on his face.

Alexander grinned, "Really?"

"Don't get too happy, I was an ass when I was your age. It's a wonder your grandmother still tolerates me now." Alexander laughed softly. Everyone member of the family knew his grandparent's story. It was how they had all begun and the story itself was rather infamous. His grandfather had always been kind and loving and to think of him as being cruel at one point seemed almost impossible...almost.

"Grandfather...I know it doesn't seem like it but I know what I'm doing."

Adam shrugged before standing, "I won't doubt you but be careful. Getting a woman that hates you to fall in love you is a whole hell of a lot harder than it sounds. Trust me, I know." He grinned, his green eyes shining, "Now go and get your wife before she ends up squashed in a pile of hugs."

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Xael found herself locked in a warm, soft embrace. She wiped at her eyes, refusing to let another drop run down her cheeks. She had done enough crying.

"Are you feeling better now?" The nice, warm women asked her as she stood back.

Xael looked the woman over and smiled. She was beautiful. She had soft brown skin, dark brown eyes looked almost black and a welcoming smile. When she smiled wrinkles collected at her eyes and her thick, coarse hair was arranged neatly in French braid.

"Yes...thank you." Xael managed as she ran a hand through her hair. "I don't mean to be any trouble."

"Oh...please. It's no trouble at all. The men in this family are rather difficult, trust me, I know. I birthed them...raised them. They're handfuls. I'm Mahala. Alexander is my grandson and now that you're married, welcome to the family."

Xael was surprised to find that Alexander's grandmother was a negro but in all honesty she more surprised at the kindness being thrown her way. After Alexander hand called her out in front of his family she had run aimlessly through the halls, stopping in the first room she came across. She had expected his family to scorn her but instead she had been embraced.

"Um...Xael. My name is Xael."

Mahala smiled before wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "Now that we've gotten introductions out of the way, how about you tell me what's wrong, if you feel up to it?"

Xael tensed up, swallowing the lump in her throat, "It's not a very...nice story. If I tell you...you'll probably hate me."

"Hate you? Oh, darling...Hate is a very strong emotion. I haven't hated anyone for over twenty years now...I doubt I'll start feeling it again from your story."

"I'd really not...talk about it."

Mahala's smile never wavered as she gave Xael a small hug, "You needn't worry. I'm sure things will work themselves out."

Before Xael could say anything someone cleared their throat catching both of their attention. Alexander stood in the doorway, his arms crossed. His green eyes boring into her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt grandmother but we really must be going." He mumbled as he walked forward, kissing Mahala on the cheek and grabbing Xael's hand. "We'll visit again soon."

Mahala smiled at him, nodding. "Alex...," she called out before they disappeared down the hall.

He stopped to look back at her.

"Don't be too cruel." She mumbled with a stern look on her face.

He grit his teeth, the last thing he wanted to do was lie to his grandmother by promising to be on his best behavior. So he merely nodded before continuing on down the hall, headed for the front door. He pulled her along behind him, helping her into the carriage.

He leaned back in his seat as the carriage began to move, heading back toward his home. He sighed, running a hand down his face. He had thought that humiliating her in front of his family would have given him some solace but it hadn't...not one bit. He glanced at Xael, his eyes moving over her long red lashes and her flushed cheeks.

As if she felt him looking she gazed up, meeting his eyes. He tsked.

She really was adorable to him and it irritated him to no end that he was so attracted to her. The woman couldn't be trusted and yet he could literally feel his breath catching at every bat of those big brown eyes of hers. The carriage came to a halt and Alexander climbed out, pulling her out behind him as well. Before they ventured into the house he ordered his footman to retrieve her clothing.

At the mention of her home she perked up, "Maybe I could go with-," he cupped her chin, placing his thumb over her lips and giving her a look that dared her to even suggest going there.

He finished giving his footman instructions before turning and pulling her along behind him and into the house. As they entered the smell of salted pork wafted through the air. Xael's stomach growled as she realized that she hadn't eaten at all that day.

Alexander raised a brow at her before a scowl crossed his face. He wrapped an arm around her waist and moved toward the kitchen.

Inside it was two women who looked to be middle aged. They both had brown hair put up in high, tight buns and wore maid's uniforms.

One of them turned and noticed Alexander. She smiled kindly, "Ello', Mr. Hugh."

He smiled in return just as the other women turned and noticed him as well. "I want you two to know that I've recently gotten married. This is my wife, Xael." He pulled her forward, "Xael this is Sadie and Marge."

Xael smiled at them and both nodded at her in acknowledgement.

"We'll be spending the rest of the day in bed." He suddenly said, his expression straight.

Sadie, Marge and Xael blushed crimson. "Send dinner up to my room"

Xael's once empty stomach sank. She was no longer hungry. She stiffened beside him at the thought of returning to bed. He noticed. "You are hungry, aren't you?"

She shook her head, "No."

He shrugged, "Once I'm done with you, you'll be starving." He mumbled loud enough for the women to hear. Their faces were beet red at this point. "Excuse us ladies."

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