~Alexander's POV~
It was my father.
I stared at the screen for a second too long, the ringing echoing in the quiet room.
"Answer it," Alis said quietly.
I swiped the screen and put it on speaker, keeping it between us so Alis could hear every word. I didn't want any more shadows between us. "Hello, Dad?"
"Alexander," my father's voice came through the phone, deep and commanding, yet touched with a warmth my mother lacked. "Let me guess, your mother has already made a spectacle of herself at your place today?"
I glanced at Alis, who had his arms crossed over his chest, listening intently. "You could say that, Dad... But she's getting ready to leave now."
I heard a heavy sigh on the other end. "I thought as much. She called me an hour ago, furious because you wouldn't listen to her. She told me some nonsense about heirs and 'necessities.'"
I felt Alis stiffen beside me. I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it firmly. "And? What did you tell her?"
"I told her to grow up and get in the car," my father said bluntly. "Alexander, listen to me. I know your mother can be difficult, but I don't want you thinking I share her views. I didn't marry her for 'heirs.' I married her for a life together. If you've found that with Alistair, then you've already won. Don't let her noise get into your head."
The relief that swept through me was so intense I nearly dropped the phone. I looked at Alis, and I saw the deadly look in his eyes completely vanish, replaced by a soft, stunned realization.
"Thank you, Dad," I said, my voice thick. "That means a lot."
"Just take care of your husband," my father added. "I'll talk to you when things have settled down."
The line went dead.
The silence that followed was different this time, it was light, airy, and full of peace. Alis looked at the phone, then up at me, a slight, shaky smile touching his lips.
"He... he actually defended us," Alis murmured, sounding like he couldn't quite believe it.
"He did," I said, pulling him back into the safety of my arms, his heartbeat steady against my chest. "You know Dad has never had an issue with us. He's always seen how happy you make me."
I rested my chin on his head, eyes drifting to the window. "My mom will give in someday too. She's just slower when it comes to accepting things."
Alis leaned back slightly, looking up at me with a soft, hopeful expression. "I hope so, Alex. I really do."
I smiled at him gently, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "She will. Trust me. Once she understands that what we have is real, that it's strong enough to last a lifetime, she'll have no choice but to accept it. She just needs to see that I'm not leaving, and neither are you."
He finally let out a long breath, a sweet smile blooming on his face. "Okay, baby."
I leaned down and kissed the tip of his nose, the playfulness returning to my voice. "Now, where were we? You were just about to tell me exactly where you want me to take you tonight."
Alis didn't answer right away. Instead, he caught his lower lip between his teeth, biting it softly as his gaze darkened with a sudden, suggestive heat. He stepped closer, his hands sliding up my chest to rest behind my neck, pulling me down until our breaths mingled.
"Actually," he whispered, his voice dropping into a low, seductive purr, "I was thinking of a few things we could do right here. A very long, very private session... just to make sure I'm the only thing on your mind."
I felt the familiar pull of desire, but I stayed firm. I chuckled, leaning in to brush my lips against his ear. "Oh, believe me, we are definitely going to do that. I'm going to spend all night showing you exactly how much I want you. But first, I want to take you out. You've been stuck in this house with the 'vultures' all day. You deserve some fresh air and a drink."
Alis let out a small pout but didn't push back. "Alright," he conceded. "A date first."
Then his eyes lit up with mischief. "But what about the new toys you ordered, the ones from the special collection? Why haven't they arrived yet?"
I smiled at the eager note in his voice. "They're scheduled to be delivered tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," he repeated, a small, satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "I suppose I can wait until then."
"You'll have to, baby," I said softly, "because believe me, I can't wait to use every single one of them on you."
A wicked smile crossed Alis's face as he moved closer, all confidence and control. "You know I come with a certain standard, Alex," he murmured. "A proper date requires planning… something refined."
As he spoke, his hand traveled down my chest, bypassing my belt until he firmly gripped my cock through my slacks.
I gasped, my breath hitching in my throat at the sudden, bold contact.
"But," Alis continued, his eyes locked onto mine with a teasing challenge, "since you didn't plan anything like that for tonight..." He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine, "You just have to take me out for a quick drink. And then, we come straight back home to our bed, where you're going to fuck the drink right out of me."
To emphasize his point, he gave my cock a slow, firm squeeze.
I gasped again, my head light, and I immediately leaned in to capture his lips. But Alis pressed a hand against my chest, holding me back just an inch. "No," he murmured. "You haven't agreed to my terms yet."
I nodded desperately, feeling myself growing rock-hard under the heat of his palm. My heart was thundering against my ribs. "Babe... you are going to be the death of me. That sounds perfect. We'll do exactly that."
Alis smiled, triumphant and beautiful. He leaned into my ear, his breath hot against my skin. "I want to ruin you for everyone else, Alex. I want to make sure no one can ever replace my love or my place in your heart. Because," he whispered seductively, "I'm the only one who can suck you, fuck you, and ride you like no other. Nobody is better than me."
I let out a shaky breath as my restraint finally broke. "Forget the lounge," I said hoarsely. "Let's do a quickie. I don't think I can wait until we get back."
"No, baby," Alis teased, trying to slip away.
I didn't let him. I reached out and started to tickle him, catching him off guard. He let out a loud, genuine laugh, and we both tumbled onto the bed in a mess of tangled limbs. I ended up on top of him, pinning his wrists as we played, the heavy tension of the day finally dissolving into breathless laughter.
Eventually, we stilled, our laughter dying down into a heavy, charged silence. I stared into his beautiful eyes, and the air between us practically sizzled. I leaned down and kissed him, a hot, deep, and demanding kiss.
Our bodies began to move instinctively, grinding our cocks together through our clothes, the friction sending sparks of lightning through my nerves.
Knock, knock.
The sound was like a bucket of ice water. We both froze, breathless and disheveled.
"Sir?" the maid's voice came through the oak door. "Your mother asked me to let you know she's ready to leave. She's waiting downstairs."
I closed my eyes for a second, resting my forehead against Alis's. I let out a frustrated sigh, but the realization that she was actually leaving brought a different kind of satisfaction.
"Okay!" I called back, my voice slightly raspy. "Tell her I'll be down in a minute."