Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

“You clearly don’t since I don’t love you.” Maya shot back. “I didn’t think much beyond you’re a cocky little boy. Now go away before I call the cops.”

She was going to call them anyway but she was too shaken to reach for her cell phone. She wanted to get inside before he did something that could harm her or the baby.

Jonny lunged at her. Maya screamed as he grabbed her, the scream cutting off abruptly when he kissed her. He shoved his tongue into her mouth and Maya gagged. She pushed at his shoulders but he was too strong. Then he let her go abruptly and Maya staggered back, almost losing her footing.

“I’m not giving up on you, Maya.” Jonny whispered.

Then he walked away. Maya could feel the world tilting and staggered into the coffee shop, sagging onto a nearby chair. Her heart was still pounding.

When Jenny arrived a few moments later Maya was still staring into space.

Chapter 10

Alexei got back to his apartment eagerly. He was desperate to see Maya again. After putting her through a lot of grief in the past six weeks he was beginning to realize that he was being incredibly stupid about the whole thing.

He knew she would never cheat on him. Katya was the cheater not Maya. And the barrage of messages coming from Widecombe was clearly putting a lot of stress on Maya. Alexei didn’t want anything to happen to their son. He was just making it worse by assuming that Maya was doing something she shouldn’t and it was unfair to her.

When he was at the office, Alexei decided he was going to make it up to her. He was going to order in Chinese, their favorite meal, and then they were going to watch some horror movies before Alexei took her to the bedroom and made love to her for the rest of the night. Pretty much what had happened the first time they had s*x. He was going to treat her like a princess and hope that she would forgive him.

There was a brown envelope on the mat when he let himself in. Alexei frowned at it, picking it up and turning it over in his hands. Mail was always left with the doorman. Only those who lived in the building could get up to his apartment. So who was leaving this under his door?

Putting his briefcase on the counter island in the kitchen, Alexei opened the envelope and shook out its contacts. Pictures scattered across the countertop and Alexei found himself staring at photographs of Maya and Widecombe. Together. They were talking outside Maya’s favorite coffee place. It took a moment for Alexei to recognize Widecombe with the hair color and his build looking more muscular but the reflection in the window said it was Jonny Widecombe.

Now he looked like Alexei. Alexei didn’t know whether to be amused at his nerve or sick that he was trying to model himself on Alexei.

There were several of Widecombe kissing Maya. Her hands were on his shoulders and it looked like she was kissing him back.

Alexei sagged onto a stool, staring at the photographs. So she had been cheating on him. With Widecombe. How long had this being going on for? Had she been with Widecombe the whole time they were together?

Then another thought shot into his head that made him feel sick to the stomach. Was their unborn baby not his at all? Was it Widecombe’s?

Alexei felt as though nothing was real anymore.

Alexei was still staring at the pictures when the door opened and closed. Moments later Maya appeared at his side.

“Alexei? What’s wrong, love?”

She reached out to touch him. Alexei flinched and Maya drew back sharply.

“Alexei?”

Alexei snatched up the photos and stood, turning to face Maya. Her face was pale and she looked like she had been crying. But these didn’t process in Alexei’s mind as he brandished the pictures at her.

“This.” He snarled. “This is what’s wrong.” He slapped them back down on the counter. “How long have you been seeing him?”

“What?”

Maya looked confused. But Alexei wasn’t going to be fooled this time.

“How long have you been seeing Widecombe?”

“I haven’t.” Then Maya saw the pictures. Her face went white and she snatched it up. “Oh, God, he really did this to me?”

“Did what?”

“Jonny cornered me on the street today and started confessing his undying love to me. Then he kissed me and said it’s not over. Now I know what he was up doing.”

She slapped the photos on the counter before swiping them off. They fluttered to the ground and Maya paced across the kitchen, slapping her hand hard into the refrigerator with a snarl.

Alexei watched her closely. This reaction seemed genuine but he didn’t know anymore. Maya could be genuine or a very good actor; he didn’t know what to think.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“I tried calling you but you were in meetings all day.” Maya turned back to him. “I told Ivan and he said he’d pass the message on.”

“I haven’t seen Ivan all day.”

Maya groaned and kicked at a picture near her foot.

“You know these aren’t real, Alexei.”

“Doesn’t look like they’re fake to me.”

“Have you ever been caught off-guard when someone kisses you? I bet not.” Then the realization dawned on Maya and her face went even paler. “You don’t believe me, do you? You honestly believe these.”

“What am I supposed to believe, Maya? That the woman I’m getting married to is having an affair with someone she claims is her stalker? That you’ve been lying to me for months.” He glanced at her belly. “Is the baby even mine?”

He knew he had pushed it when Maya came towards him and slapped him.

“How dare you?” She hissed. “Of course the baby’s yours. I wouldn’t lie to you about something like that. I would never cheat on your either.” She stepped back, tears in her eyes. “Obviously you believe a stupid little picture instead of the person who really matters to you.”

She pushed past him and down the hall. Moments later a door slammed. Alexei leaned against the counter and put his face in his hands.

What had he done?