Chapter 29: Chapter 29

"Hi beautiful"

"Hey, you. Have you arrived at the office?"

"Yes. And I miss you already"

"I miss you too babe"

"Say the word and I'll come back. Let's spend the day together"

"We did that yesterday and the day before that. You have responsibilities Ray"

"You're my number one priority sweetheart."

"And I can't tell you how happy that makes me. But you have to work too"

"Don't you want me anymore? "

" drama queen. See you later"

"♥ ♥ talk later pretty face "

That was how their day began. After they left the resort, Ray had practically moved in. The only time he went to his apartment was when he needed a change of clothes. And that was because Alexis forbade him from even leaving his used toothpick behind. She told him that unmarried couples started out like that. One of them would start by forgetting their toothbrush and before the other one knew what was happening, they'd already moved in together. To be honest, Ray didn't see the problem especially when he was happy to share a house with her but at the end of the day, it was her decision. He loved her enough to respect her wishes. And seeing her happy made him happy so it was a win-win either way.

Being on a Friday, he was looking forward to a long, relaxing, fun and yes, full of sex weekend. It wasn't that sex was the only thing he thought about but when he was with Alexis he couldn't help it. It was the best part of their relationship. The way they connected at that moment was something he hoped would never get old. He'd slept with other women during his 'getting over Alexis' phase and none of them made him feel how he did when he was with her. She was special that way. If he thought for one second that she was ready, he would propose to her and marry her on the same day so he'd be assured that she was his forever. But she was just now starting to have feelings for him. One wrong step and he could screw up big time.

So every time she smiled at him, Ray channeled his inner patience guru. He convinced himself that giving her time was the right thing to do. Unlike him, she hadn't been in love with him for years. At the resort, she'd said she thought she was falling in love with him but she hadn't mentioned it again. He hadn't brought up the subject again because he didn't want to pressure her or influence her decision. He only wished she would hurry up and finish falling in love with him so they'd start a family together. He was also a Lachlan and they weren't known for their patience. So maybe he would just have to help her speed the process.

"Hey, beautiful" Ray asked the second she opened the door. He'd left the office early to avoid rush hour. The thought of being stuck in traffic for hours wasn't so appealing when he could be at home with her. Having dinner. Preferably off her. Which was why he'd stopped on his way to buy a few things.

"Hey. You're earl...." he kissed her, pushing her inside and kicking the door closed with his foot because his hands were full. She immediately wound her hands around his neck pressing their bodies together. Maybe he wasn't the only one who thought about being inside her all day.

Pulling back, he grinned "I brought you something"

"Tampons?" she asked making him freeze.

"Did you want some?"

"Yeah. I kind of forgot to buy them"

With a pained expression, he asked "Is it that time of the month?" say no. Say no. Everything he'd bought was supposed to be licked off her. Literally. She couldn't be menstruating. It wasn't fair.

"Nope. But it's almost time and I like to be prepared"

"Oh thank God" he breathed in relief.

"Why? I'm a woman. This is something that will happen until I'm fifty or sixty" she said scrunching up her nose.

"I know. But I had plans for today. Plans I would have hated to postpone"

"Oh yeah? What are these plans? And what did you bring me?" she asked excitedly. He loved it when she got excited about gifts. Especially ones that came from him. Putting down his briefcase and the bag containing his shopping, he dug into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, taking the red velvet rectangular box out. She snatched it away from him before he had the chance to give it to her. The gasp that left her mouth was worth the small fortune he'd spent on it. "Wow. This is beautiful"

He smiled taking the gold bracelet out and fastening it on her wrist "You are the beautiful one Princess and you deserve everything that's just as stunning as you are"

"Oh, Ray. Thank you"

"Don't mention it, sweetheart. Now there's nothing more I'd like than to see you wearing that bracelet alone."

Tongue in cheek she said "That can be arranged"

"Will that happen today?"

"Right now if you want"

"Well then get on with it." he squeezed her derriere to get her moving. Then he started unpacking.

"Whipping cream, chocolates, strawberries... Ray, are you planning on baking a cake?"

"No. Why would you think that? Do you want cake?"

"What is all that for then if not baking?" she asked pointing at the things he was placing on the coffee table.

"Oh, my dearest Princess. You just wait and see."

"Whatever your plan is, I like the sound of it," she told him taking her clothes off hastily. He went to the bedroom and came back with blankets that he spread in front of the fireplace. Oh yes. This was totally going to be a great way to start the weekend.

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Alexis came to yawning and stretching. She felt Ray's body under her, one part in particular hardening. It was amazing how fast he reacted to her touch. She loved it. Last night had been different but oh so amazing. Ray had introduced her to something she never thought she'd enjoy. She would never look at whipping cream again and not remember how he'd sprayed it all over then licked it off her clean. And the chocolates? Christ. He'd placed them on her, watching them melt and dribble down her length. She didn't know what was hot. Watching the excited and hungry gleam in his eyes or imagining what he was seeing.

Not that he'd had the fun alone. Alexis had flipped him over then sprayed a single line of whipping cream down his chest, stomach and his erection. Suffice to say she'd done her own licking and sucking. By the end of the night, she'd come to the conclusion that sex with Ray was never going to be boring. He was always coming up with ways to spice it up and she couldn't wait to see what he had in mind next. Or maybe she should be the one to make an effort next time. An idea struck her making her smile. Ray was going to love it for sure. Opening her eyes, she looked up at him expecting to see him smirking down at her. The frown she was met with was unexpected.

"Morning. What's with the frown?" she asked attempting to sit up but he tightened his hand just as she heard someone say "Good, she's awake" Alexis whipped her head towards the voice. "Dad?"

"Good morning honey" his face was tight with anger. She noticed her mother beside him and sighed. Of all the days to pop up for a visit. They'd fallen asleep in front of the fireplace because neither of them could move a muscle after rounds of lovemaking. Under the sheets they were naked and her parents were sitting in front of them. Thank God she wasn't among the shy ones or she'd be beet red.

"Good morning. Why are you guys here?"

"We wanted to see you" that from her mother.

"This early in the morning? And what happened to calling first before coming?" she asked moving off Ray. That was a mistake, seeing as he was still sporting a raging hard-on. The low growl coming from her father made her climb back on Ray to save him from embarrassment.

"That is not helping" he murmured in her hair.

"Get off him, Alexis"

"Leave them alone JR," her mother said narrowing her eyes at her husband. He huffed but continued throwing daggers at them. "We're sorry honey. We should have called before coming."

"How did you get in anyway?"

Hayley held up a key "I have a spare"

"Okay. You're giving that back when you leave. And stop frowning dad"

"You can't order me around. I'm the parent here not you" jeez how old was he again?

"And I'm old enough to do whatever or whoever I want. Don't meddle"

"Meddle?" he screeched standing up "How would you feel if you found your daughter on top of some strange guy?"

She rolled her eyes "Ray is not a strange guy. I've known him all my life and I love him"

"You do?" they all asked but she only heard Ray. He looked shocked.

"Of course I do. I thought I told you that when we were at the resort"

"No. You said you thought you were falling in love with me. That's different"

"Well, I love you Raymond Lachlan. Is that clear enough?" he immediately sealed their lips together forgetting that they weren't alone. She heard her mother say something about talking later and threatening her father with sleeping on the couch if he didn't move but she listened as the door opened and closed then really kissed him back. She straddled him and he didn't waste time slipping inside her.

Now, this was one way to start a Saturday. She thought moving over him. They were good together. Falling in love with him hadn't been hard. Ray was easy to love. With his kindness and generous heart, who wouldn't love him. Which brought her to the next question. "Wait. Are you my boyfriend now?"

"It depends. Do you want me to be your boyfriend or your fiancé?"

Her heart skipped a beat "Fiancé?"

"Yes, my love. It's your choice."

"Mmmm and if I say fiancé will you propose to me?"

"Right away. Do I need to get on my knees?" he asked grinding his hips against hers.

"I.... Uh.... Not yet." it was hard to breathe when he did that. In fact, it was hard to do anything but savor the feel of him. She understood why Ray was against wearing a condom so much. Without it, she felt everything. She had no words to describe how amazing it was with no barrier between them. He flipped them over sitting on his knees as he snaked a hand on her back, settling it on the back of her neck. The other one went around her waist and he started a slow rhythm that threatened to unravel her and leave her in a pile of mush.

"Look at me Alexis," he ordered as his thrusts became long and deep. "I love you. So much."

"I love you too Ray," she said just as she came apart in his arms. He wasn't far behind.

Later Alexis found out that her father had punched Vincent. When her mother asked him why, his response was that he didn't like the guy and since he couldn't punch the kid, he went after the dad. You'd think Ray was ten years old with the way her father called him a kid. She was sure that if challenged he would beat James Rutherford Jr to a pulp. She was also sure Ray would never do that out of respect for her and her father. It was more likely that he'd just stand there while her father rained blows on him. So maybe it was better Vince was on the receiving end here. It made sense that JR picked a fight with someone his own size. Although, it didn't end well for him seeing as he slept on the couch for a whole week.

Jayden had appointed himself their weekly reporter. He'd call every Saturday to tell them how things were at home. After weeks of standing his ground, Lucinda had sent home the potential wife she'd brought for Jayden. She had also taken off claiming she was going to a spa. For a whole month. Maybe she needed to find herself a husband or boyfriend. Anything to keep her occupied. Other than that, all was well. She was happy. Marj was happy too. She'd been leaving a few things at Henry's and by the time he realized what she was doing, she would already be moved in. Poor guy. He wouldn't know what hit him.

Marjorie Sullivan was sneaky. Alexis knew that her father wasn't the only one who wanted her to get a husband. Marj wanted that too. So she could transfer the responsibility of the hotel to him. At least that's was her motive for searching for a husband in the beginning. But every time she saw the couple, it was evident they were in love. Henry was smitten and Marj? She was doing everything to keep him smitten. It was funny and cute and dangerous. Alexis wouldn't go as far as to say Marj was manipulating the guy, but it was something along those lines. Hopefully he'd understand that her friend had no patience at all and when she wanted something she did everything she could to get it.

As the weeks went by, Alexis started her company. She hadn't known it would be so much work but she wasn't one to give up. She still needed to steal half of Ray's clients and some days that was the only thought that kept her going.

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