The Billionaire's Dance(10)

She'd watched Alex with her son and wanted to think he was only marrying  her because he was trapped into it. But she knew he genuinely loved  Jacob. She knew he was happy to be a father. It wasn't what either one  of them had expected but he'd quickly taken to his role as father and he  was doing an amazing job.

She wasn't anxious to get back out to the reception. She knew most of  the people out there had to be talking about how poor Alex had to marry  to make his son legitimate. It made her very uncomfortable. Even though  no one had treated her badly or said anything negative, they had to be  thinking she'd trapped him. Even though she had plenty of her own money,  Alex Anderson was a real catch. He could literally choose any bride he  wanted but the choice had been stolen from him the minute he found out  he was a father.

As Jessica took a few moments longer rocking Jacob, she heard footsteps  enter the softly lit den. "I'm glad to have a few moments to speak with  you alone," Joseph said softly. "I know all of this has been a little  overwhelming for you and I just wanted to let you know how happy I am  you're a part of our family," he continued, as he sat down next to her.

"I'm very pleased to join your family, Joseph. This is all quite  overwhelming though," she finished speaking with a nervous laugh.

"I understand how you feel Jessica but know you have a lot of people to  turn to for support. Also remember that lasting marriages have started  with less going for them that what you and Alex have. I think your union  is off to a great start. You have this beautiful baby boy and it's  obvious to anyone who watches, you and Alex have chemistry. I can  understand if you're afraid to admit love yet but I see the way you look  at my boy and it fills my heart with joy," he finished.

Jessica didn't know what to say. She didn't want to admit her growing  love for Alex but she couldn't tell his father a lie either so she  thought it best to simply keep silent.

"Let me take that amazing grandson of mine and lay him down so you can  get back out to the party," Joseph offered. She was reluctant to hand  Jacob over but knew she was just being silly.

"Thank you," was her only reply and then empty handed again, she had no choice but to head back outdoors.

"It's time for our first dance as a married couple," Alex said to her,  taking her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor. All her worries  washed away again as he pulled her close into his arms. Dancing  intimately with him was a prelude to sex. The way he moved his hips  against hers and rubbed on her lower back had her insides burning.

When he bent down and kissed her on the neck, goose bumps appeared and a  light shiver spread throughout her middle. He gazed into her eyes and  neither of them needed to say a word. Her breathing increased as he  whirled her around the floor and she breathed a sigh of relief as the  song came to an end.

She didn't think she would've been able to remain in his arms much  longer without beginning to undress him. She'd never been such a wanton  woman before she'd met Alex.

The next half hour passed slowly as she was passed from one person to  the next on the dance floor. She enjoyed her father-daughter dance and a  few tears fell as he told her how much he would miss his little girl  being only his.

She laughed with both Lucas and Mark, genuinely enjoying Alex's  brothers. She couldn't understand how Mark hadn't been snatched up yet.  Of course, from her understanding, all the Anderson males held onto  their bachelorhood like a rancher held onto his prize bull.

After being whisked around, she was once again in Alex's arms and it  felt like coming home. "Are you ready to get out of here," he whispered  in her ear. Before she had a chance to reply, the music stopped.         

     



 

"I hope everyone is having a great time," Joseph spoke into the microphone. There was an outbreak of applause at his words.

"Good, good. Now I would like to make a toast for my son and beautiful  daughter-in-law. I couldn't be happier to have you join our family,  Jessica. You are a true blessing and a perfect match for our stubborn  son, who we happen to think is just about perfect. Although, we were  worried no woman would ever put up with him." The crowd erupted with  laughter.

"All joking aside, we're grateful for this union     and the blessing of  our first grandson. Katherine and I both wish you the best and hope your  marriage will be filled with laughter, joy and surprises. And best of  all, remember a little fight now and again makes life exciting and gives  you a chance to make up," he said with a wink.

"Katherine and I have a wedding gift for you we couldn't quite gift  wrap," he said with a chuckle. "A new family needs a real home and not  to be living in some apartment in the city. We got you a place about a  mile down the road from here. It's all set up for a nice honeymoon since  Jessica doesn't want to leave somewhere without the baby. We do insist  on babysitting so you two can get some alone time together though," he  finished.

Jessica gasped at his words. She couldn't believe Joseph and Katherine  had bought them a house. What if this all fell apart within a week, or  even a month? So many people were already involved in their union     and  now they would have a home, which she would get attached to. She watched  as Alex strode over to his father and gave him a huge hug, then did the  same for his mom.

She didn't realize tears were falling down her cheeks until Alex came  back and gently wiped them away. "If you don't like the place, we can  find something different," he said, mistaking her anxiety.

"No, it's just we aren't in a real marriage. This is all too much." She  couldn't say anymore and quickly hugged Joseph and Katherine and then  excused herself to check on the baby.

Alex stood there, shocked for a few moments and then he was angry. He'd  been enjoying the wedding and his bride and then she had to remind him  it was a forced marriage. He knew she was having a hard time with the  whole situation but a lot of people had gone the extra mile to make it  enjoyable for her. He needed to keep his guard up around her or he could  see himself getting hurt deeply.

The party finally slowed down and they were able to make their escape.  Jessica gathered up Jacob, while Alex grabbed their bags and they ran  through the throng of people to the awaiting limo.

Birdseed flew at them and cameras snapped and they were both more than  grateful to be inside the safe confines of the limo. They didn't have a  very far drive, thanks to the generosity of his parents.

Jessica was exhausted and more nervous than ever being alone with her  husband. Was he going to expect her to sleep with him, or would she be  allowed her own room? Did she even want her own room? The thought of  sharing a house with the virile, masculine Alex and not sleeping with  him seemed worse.

She was going to have to wait and see what happened.

They arrived at the gated driveway within a few minutes. Jessica rolled  her window down to look out. The driveway seemed endless and was flanked  by huge pine trees on either side, giving privacy to the house still  hidden from view. When they turned another corner, the driveway opened  up to a huge circular turn-around done in colored bricks. In the center  was an enormous water fountain with angels dancing in the center,  looking as if they were splashing each other.

Jessica didn't know what to say. The home was a smaller version of the  Anderson Mansion. There were three stories with wrap around balconies on  each level. There were five huge columns across the front, giving the  home a southern plantation look. She was immediately in love with the  place. She was afraid to step inside because the minute she did she knew  she'd be even more in love and never want to leave. She had plenty of  her own money. When things in the marriage failed, as she knew they  would, maybe he would allow her to buy the place and stay there. She was  tired of apartment living anyway.

The driver opened her door and she reached in for Jacob but Alex had him  already. "I can take him," she said, not liking him taking control all  of the time.

"I've got him. Go ahead and check out the house. I'll come back for the bags in a few minutes."

She wanted to argue with his high-handedness but decided it wasn't worth  the hassle. He would win once again but she was exhausted. The door  opened, which surprised her, as she didn't know anyone was there.         

     



 

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. I have a snack prepared for you in the  kitchen and your room has been prepared. Would you like me to lay down  the baby so you can look around?"

Alex handed Jacob over to the woman, which Jessica immediately was going  to protest. She wasn't going to let him hand her child over to a  stranger. "Jessica, this is Tina, our cook. She's worked for my family  for over twenty years and is one hundred percent trustworthy," he said,  noticing her concern.