CHAPTER 236
Arianna couldn’t quite figure out what Xander could want that she had, so she asked directly,
“What kind of reward are you thinking, Xander?”
She quickly added with a playful smile,
“Preferably something within my capabilities…”
Xander smirked, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
"Oh, it’s definitely within your abilities. It’s something only you can give me."
Arianna raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Only me? What could that be?"
He moved closer, so near that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. His voice dropped to a husky whisper,
"Give me a baby, Arianna."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Of all the things she thought he might ask for, she hadn’t expected that.
Her breath caught, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond. His deep gaze held her firmly in place as she instinctively started to pull back, but Xander’s strong arms circled her, preventing her escape.
His expression softened, though his voice remained steady.
"Are you still unsure?" he asked, his tone gentle yet probing.
Arianna wasn’t as resistant as she had been when the subject first came up on their trip to the island. But the request still felt sudden, catching her off guard and leaving her momentarily unsure how to process it.
Having a baby was a serious decision. Shouldn’t they take time to consider all the factors before jumping into something so significant?
Arianna looked up, meeting Xander’s intense gaze. She whispered,
“It’s not that I’m unwilling… It’s just that—”
Before she could finish, Xander’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The smile tugging at his lips was enough to make her realize he had already made up his mind. He cut her off smoothly,
“So, you’re willing then.”
“I—”
Arianna’s protest was swallowed by his lips as Xander leaned in and kissed her deeply. His lips were surprisingly gentle, lingering in a way that made her feel both breathless and warm all at once. His mood, clearly elevated, infused every touch with a tenderness she hadn’t felt from him before.
Her thoughts scattered as his kiss grew more insistent, sending a pleasant dizziness through her. Without breaking contact, Xander swept her off the sofa, cradling her in his arms. His strength seemed effortless as he carried her to the large bed and laid her down softly on the cool sheets.
Arianna’s breath hitched as she felt the weight of his body pressing lightly against hers, his hands slipping under her clothes. The coolness of his fingertips gliding over her skin jolted her back to reality. She managed to press her palms against his chest, her voice strained as she gasped,
“Xander! Your injuries-”
“Mmm?” His voice was rich and full of amusement as if he hadn’t heard her. His deep tone only heightened the magnetism of the moment. He smirked, adding mischievously,
“I’m completely recovered now, you know.”
His words sent a flush up her cheeks as she realized she couldn’t use his injury as an excuse to stop him this time. His intentions were crystal clear.
Gathering her resolve, Arianna shot him a sharp look, her cheeks still warm as she ground out,
“That may be true, but I told you… it depends on your performance!”
She huffed, determined not to let him always get his way so easily. He may have been irresistible, but she wasn’t going to let him take charge without some pushback.
Xander’s smile only deepened, clearly enjoying her challenge.
“My performance?” Xander raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. He brought his lips close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin, and whispered,
“Then watch closely, Mrs. King. I’ll make sure to give you my best performance.”
Arianna’s eyes widened in disbelief. Anger and embarrassment flared inside her. This was not at all what she had meant! How could he twist her words like that?
Before she could protest or even think of a response, Xander silenced her with a heated kiss, his actions leaving no room for argument. The intensity of his touch only grew, and soon, their clothes were scattered on the floor. The temperature in the room climbed steadily as the night wore on, with Xander showing no sign of relenting.
…
By the time the sun peeked through the curtains the next morning, Arianna’s entire body ached. Her muscles felt heavy, and even the simple act of opening her eyes took considerable effort. The memories of the night before flooded her mind—the way Xander had pushed her to her limits, over and over, without mercy.
She had lost count of the times she had gasped his name, her body giving in to his unyielding demands. And then there were the shameful things he had coaxed her into saying, things that still made her cheeks burn.
‘That insufferable man!’ she thought, grinding her teeth in frustration. He was relentless, utterly shameless!
Groaning, Arianna managed to drag herself out of bed, her body protesting with every movement. She slipped into the bathroom, the warm water of the bath doing wonders to ease the soreness in her muscles. The tension began to melt away, and for a few brief moments, she allowed herself to relax and breathe.
Once she felt a little more human, Arianna stepped out of the bath and dried off, heading back into the bedroom. She walked over to the bedside table, almost out of habit, and opened the drawer. Inside was a small bottle—her morning-after pills. Her fingers hesitated for a moment as she picked up the bottle, her thoughts racing.
Xander hadn’t used protection the night before, and she still wasn’t ready to make such a monumental decision.
Having a child was a serious commitment, and though Xander had been clear about wanting one, Arianna wasn’t sure she was prepared for that responsibility just yet. There were too many uncertainties, too many things she wasn’t ready to face.
Taking a deep breath, and looked down at the bottle of pills, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision.
It wasn’t just about her—this was for the sake of the child they might have, for herself, and Xander. He might have been ready, but she wasn’t.
Not yet.
Maybe one day she would feel ready, but for now, she needed more time. She hoped Xander would understand when the time came to have that conversation.
Arianna's forehead creased as her eyes showed a mix of feelings that she couldn't fully understand.
She paused for a second, torn between uncertainty and determination, feeling the heavy burden of her decision on her shoulders.
Just as she was about to make a move, Xander entered the room, still shining from his morning workout. He halted suddenly, his sharp gaze locking onto her. He didn’t say a word, but his presence filled the room, his focus entirely on her.
Unaware of his stare, Arianna opened the small bottle and carefully tipped a single pill into her palm. Her fingers trembled slightly as she raised it, pausing for a brief moment. Then, taking a deep breath, she placed the pill on her tongue, feeling its bitter taste.
The atmosphere felt charged as she stood there, wrestling with the emotions swirling inside her. She hadn’t noticed how Xander’s expression changed, the intensity in his eyes growing as he continued to silently observe her every action.
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