The Things I Do for You (The Alexanders 2)

Just then Kay’s voice blared through the speaker on his desk. “Mr. Alexander, your next appointment is here.”

He fumbled with the button until he managed to engage the intercom. “I need a moment, Kay.”

Then he scrolled through the entries on the site. The first page was an introduction from Raina with several pictures from her most recent modeling jobs. He clicked on a few of the menu items at the top. There was a gardening column and a guide to dressing for different body types. He clicked on the last menu item labeled “About Raina.”

He heard his office door open but didn’t raise his head. “Dammit, Kay. Not now! They’ll have to wait,” Nick snapped.

“Well, I hope that’s not how you talk to the poor girl most of the time.”

Nick spun in his seat. Raina stood just inside the doorway, her hand still on the knob. He could see Kay standing in the background.

“I told her not to tell you that I was your three o’clock appointment. I wasn’t sure if you’d see me otherwise. Is it okay that I’m here?” Her voice was strong but she looked a little uncertain.

“Of course it is. I’m just surprised to see you.” He stood and met her in the middle of the room. “How are you? You look amazing.”

She was wearing a loose white T-shirt and denim shorts. She was still thin, much too thin, but her eyes were bright and the flush was back in her cheeks.

She’d never looked more beautiful to him.

“I’m doing much better. I’ve been eating the blandest food ever. I’ve never been so tired of chicken broth and toast but at least I can keep it down.”

She pressed a hand against her lower abdomen and a pang went through Nick as he thought of their child. He was going to miss seeing Raina’s body change as the baby got bigger. He was going to miss everything. Like he missed her.

“Our baby is the size of a lime now,” he blurted.

Raina smiled softly. “I see you’re still reading that pregnancy book.”

He looked at her until she met his gaze. “I still care about what happens to you. That hasn’t changed. That will never change.”

Raina crossed the room and launched herself at his chest. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I’ve done nothing but think about the things I said to you. I was so stupid. You’ve never asked me for anything. All you’ve done is give, give, give. If anyone is the user in this relationship, it’s me.” She looked up at him, her eyes wet. “I never should have accused you of using me for money, Nick. That was vile.”

“Nothing has ever hurt as much as thinking you didn’t trust me. All I want is to be everything you need, Raina. From the moment we met, I’ve been trying to be a better man. For you.”

“You are all I need.” She put her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. “I realized how stupid it was that I ever listened to anything Steven said. It was just so much easier than trusting that this could be real. But he did have one good idea. He said he’d assumed you’d asked me to put an ad for the foundation on my website. Which was a great plan, actually. So that’s what I did. See?”

She pulled him by the hand over to his computer. When she saw that it was already on her website, she looked up at him. “You already saw it?”

“No, I was about to take a look. That’s why I was so impatient with the pushy client who couldn’t give me an extra five minutes.”

Her lips twitched. “Well, you might as well just watch it.”

He sat in his chair and pulled her on his lap. She leaned over and used the mouse to scroll down the screen. Then she clicked on something and a video started to play.

Hello, Legsters!

If you’re watching this you must have seen the email blast that went out this morning. I’m really excited to tell you that the second half of my new reality series will be broadcast right here on the Legs blog. Contact me for advertising opportunities. Also, anyone who makes a donation to The Alexander Foundation will win a free day of advertising here and the chance to win a trip to Washington D.C. to meet me in person.

The Alexander Foundation provides summer activities and programs for at-risk youth in Virginia. It’s a great cause, so go to the website in the comments and donate now!

Smooches!

“You didn’t have to do that, sweets. I don’t want you to feel like you have to bail me out.”

“I wanted to. Plus it’s my family’s foundation, too.” She kissed him softly on the forehead.

He pulled her back against him and held her tight. “I’m never going to be as rich as Silvestre.” Raina started to protest but he stopped her with a finger against her lips. “I need to say this.”

It galled Nick to say it, but it was true. He was doing pretty well for twenty-seven but he was never going to reach the heights of someone like Silvestre who owned private planes, yachts, and probably islands.