Fated An Alpha Male Romance - K. Alex Walker Page 0,12

paintball to see what “fun” was like, but what they didn’t understand was that Roderick was my parents’ choice for me. I was just following the life path that they’d set for me ever since I was six months old. I didn’t have Gia’s backbone; I barely had a spine. I simply just could not endure from my parents what she endured on a regular basis. I could not be another “disappointment” to them.

“I can’t tell you what to do,” she added. “But the way that you feel about Ethan right now, at least sexually, is the way I feel about Eli even after six years of marriage. One night with Ethan and you’re smiling. You’re glowing. Roderick, he keeps you in a metal box pretty much in the way Daddy does with Mother. And while I’m not saying that one sex-capade with Ethan means that you should be picking out the horse you’ll be riding off into the sunset on, I don’t want to see you become that woman who smiles and waves in public, but then has to struggle with her identity behind closed doors because she’s so empty.”

I calculatedly absorbed her words while I mentally compared Roderick and Ethan. They were both very well-educated and well-respected men in their communities. Roderick came from an upper echelon background very similar to my own, evidenced by the East Lakeshore mansion we currently lived in, and the parties we’ve thrown where everyone from celebrities to major political figures were on the top of the invite list.

I didn’t know much about Ethan’s background, but from his personal accomplishments, I figured that it had to be somewhere along the same lines. He lived in a gorgeous house that wasn’t nearly as opulent as Roderick’s mansion, but was as comfy as it was beautiful. I loved its large glass panes, brick paneled exterior, and overall southern charm. I’d had to stop by there a few times to pick up documents from his home office, and even once to work late on a project with other members of the board.

Roderick had wispy, light blond hair that he wore almost to his neck and gorgeous brown eyes. Ethan had that light-eyed, dark hair combination that made me feel like I was waiting for a turbulent storm on the horizon. But, for all I knew, I’d probably just been a sexual outlet for Ethan. A man that beautiful with that much experience probably had a trove full of women all wanting to fulfill his greatest needs. I couldn’t imagine a woman as inexperienced as I was being an object of his desire.

“I don’t want to think about that right now,” I answered. “Not with the fundraiser tomorrow and Christmas the next day. I need a shower.”

“I’ll leave a change of clothes for you on the bathroom counter,” she said, studying my face. “In the meantime, give me your phone. I’ll call Rick and tell him that you aren’t feeling well, so you’ve been here sleeping off a migraine.”

I jumped up and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “Thank you, Gee. I love you so much. I promise I’ll figure this out.”

I handed her my phone and started towards the house, but she made a noise that caused me to turn around. She waved me over with the screen of my phone turned outward and when I was close enough, I saw the message that was displayed:

Alexandra, it’s Ethan. I was just checking to make sure that you got home safely. Call me when you get this. Or text.

The space between my legs vibrated.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this,” Gia replied, a mischievous grin on her face. I grabbed for the phone but she quickly moved out of the way.

“What are you doing, Gia?” I asked, moving towards her. I felt like we were eight and seven again, and she was hoarding a toy that our mother had demanded that we share.

“Handling it,” she answered. Then, she looked up at me. “It’s handled.”

“Heifer, you are not Olivia Pope.”

“I just told him that you made it home safely and that you had a nice time.”

I relaxed…until I remembered who I was talking to.

“I might have also added a winky face,” she confessed. “And something about doing it again.”

“Gia!”

She laughed and rushed past me into the house. Even though the damage was already done, I still chased her. She was my younger sister; this was how we communicated. She’d do or say something completely off-base and then we’d