The Billionaire and His Castaway (Alexa Riley Promises #3)(19)

“I did.” I kiss her neck again before pulling back to look in her eyes again. “I tried anyway. Then today I kind of snapped and your brother just let me in.”

She glances at the door like she thinks he might come bursting in the room at any moment.

“He’s not coming, baby. He knows he f*cked up. He lied.”

Her mouth falls open a little bit.

“There has never been anyone but you. When I told you that on the island, I wasn’t lying. I never once in my life chased after a woman, and I will never chase after one unless it’s you. You, I’d chase forever, even if it meant I’d never get you. I’d still make the chase just to try.”





Chapter Eleven





Madeline




A tear slips free and then another. “I should have known.” Why hadn’t I questioned my brother?

I guess because I didn’t think he’d lie to me, but I was wrong. I’m sure he thinks he had his reasons, but it’s still beyond messed up. I’d been on that island with him. I knew how he felt. I could see it in his face, but I questioned myself. I’d never been on the receiving end of a man’s affections before.

I’ve been miserable. I’d never wanted to leave that island, not even after everything they’d told me he’d done to get me there. I’d wanted to stay. I liked the idea that he’d fought so hard to get me close to him. But it shattered me when Mark made it seem like it was something he’d done before.

“Don’t cry. No one can rip us apart again unless we let them. And I won’t let that happen. I will always come for you. Always.”

“I love you,” I tell him. I never stopped over the past few months, even when I wanted to hate him, I still loved him.

“I love you, too, my sweet Madeline.”

He turns us so I’m lying on the bed, and he moves over me, pushing the towel out of the way. His big hand rests on my little baby bump, and his eyes are just a touch teary.

“On the island? How?”

“I guess I wasn’t so good with remembering my pills, or maybe I was and they just failed. I don’t know. But it seems like we made a baby. On the first try.” I can’t help but shrug my shoulder and let out a little laugh as Kenton smiles at me.

I can’t believe I’m showing already. Most of the stuff I’ve read online said I wouldn’t for a while. But it looks like our little one is ready for the world to know. I was so overwhelmed when I got back and missed my period. Then I missed it again four weeks later. It was then I had to tell Mark I needed a pregnancy test. I was scared to tell him, but he did so without question. He lied to me, and now looking back, maybe this was his way of trying to help. I was so upset about being separated from Kenton, I couldn’t leave the house. I had no desire for anything. Then I found out I was having his baby. A spark inside me grew because I knew deep in my heart that if I told him, he’d want to be a part of the baby’s life. And that meant a part of my life. I could never reconcile what he’d shown me when we were together with what Mark told me. Now I know it was because it was all a lie. I met the real Kenton when we were stranded, and I believed everything he said. I should have gone with my gut instead of letting someone else tell me how to feel. I could punch Mark in the face for what he did, but Kenton is here now, and all’s right with my world.

“I came here every night and sat on your front steps. Mark threatened to get a restraining order, and I backed off a little.” He looks up to me and gives me a sad smile. “I just stayed on the other side of the street. But every night I came here and hoped you’d leave. I only needed one second to explain and make you see that what happened was because I care so much for you. From the moment we met, I’ve been gone for you, Madeline. I’ve felt like I couldn’t breathe these past two months. And now here I am, with you in my arms.”

He leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips. I melt into him, missing his touch. His hand rubs my baby bump, and he pulls back.

“And now we have this. Our love made this little miracle, and we’re going to be bound together for the rest of our lives. Tied to one another in every way possible.” He reaches in his pocket and takes out a small box.

My hands go to my mouth, and I look up at him in shock.

“Madeline, I bought this for you after the night of the fundraiser when I first saw you. I had it with me on the island, and I’d hoped you’d leave there wearing it.” He takes a deep breath and continues. “Things changed and didn’t go according to plan, but I came here today to kick in the front door and drag you out if I had to. Then that plan changed, and here I am, holding you and finding out I’m going to be a dad. This ring has been with me through all of this, and it’s time I put it on your finger where it’s meant to be.”

He opens the box and pulls out an enormous emerald-cut diamond solitaire. I don’t know much about rings, but I know this sucker would make Kim Kardashian jealous.

“Oh, Kenton,” I mumble around my hands, unable to move.

He gives me a shy smile like he knows the ring is a breath away from being obnoxiously big. “I just wanted to make sure everyone knew you were taken.” He pulls my hand from my mouth and slides it on. “There. Perfect.”

I stare at it, seeing it sparkle in the light, and I’m stunned silent for a moment.