Christian returned home only to find Skylar fast asleep, waiting for him on the patio. He felt guilty to have kept her waiting for so long. They had so much to catch up on that they soon lost track of time. He patted Skylar’s cheek tenderly to wake her up. If his leg would have been better, he would have carried her inside.
Skylar stirred, waking up with a start. She immediately gasped to see him hovering over her. “Oh, I fell asleep.” She got up to follow him into the house.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, baby! Knox and I lost track of time. We had so much to catch up on.”
“And Andrea?” prodded Skylar, giving him a jealous look.
“She was away at some club.”
Skylar felt a little better to know that he wasn’t spending time with Andrea. “Did you have your dinner?”
Christian shook his head. “Just some appetizers and beer. I wanted to have my dinner with you.”
“I too wanted to eat with you. Shall we?” Christian nodded, relieved that she didn’t react to his late arrival. They ate together while Christian told her about Escapades.
“Knox wants us to meet his group of friends there. Will you accompany me to Escapades this Sunday?”
“Not this weekend. We can go later. I want you to accompany me to New York to attend Eva’s wedding this weekend.” Christian’s eyes widened at the information.
“To Alexander?” he asked with amusement.
“Yes, maybe. How did you know?”
“It was quite obvious. Wasn’t it? Do I have an invitation? If not, I could opt out.” Christian didn’t want to travel again, at least not for a month.
“Yes, you have an invitation from Eva. If you can’t travel, I will go all by myself. I can’t afford to miss her wedding.” Christian didn’t reply as they silently finished dinner. He would have to check his schedule, having just joined work after so many months.
“So what do you propose to do?” she asked after dinner.
“I’ll see! They should have informed us beforehand.”
He left to freshen up while Skylar cleared their dinner and wrapped up the work. She sighed, realizing she would have to attend their wedding without him. She quickly changed and lay down to sleep, feeling upset.
Later, when Christian joined her, she feigned sleep to avoid an argument with him.
Christian sighed at seeing her already dozed off to sleep. He had thought of listening to Knox tonight. He wanted to see whether he had any sexual problems. But maybe it would have to wait.
The next day, Skylar was grumpy since morning. Knox came over to their office at lunchtime and Christian introduced her to him. She had wanted to talk to Christian about his plans of going to New York, but Knox’s presence made her stop.
The entire day, she waited for an opportunity to ask him. In the evening, their chauffeur dropped her off at home since Christian had gone over to Escapades to meet Knox’s friends. For the first time after marriage, Skylar felt neglected.
Had Christian outgrown his feelings for her? Didn’t he love her anymore? A million questions started erupting inside her head. She needed to clear her mind or she would go crazy.
Katherine and Joanna had left for the day, and the mansion was quiet and lonely. She was sure Christian was having a good time with his friends tonight.
She sat under the pergola and stared at the vibrant hues of the setting sun reflected across the sky. It was a beautiful moment, and she sucked in a deep breath.
She tried to look at the positive side of things. Christian had stayed away from friends for years. He had lived a lonely life here, submerging himself at work. Now that he found friends, he deserved to connect with them. Even she had close friends she valued. She shouldn’t hold a grudge on him because of this. As for Eva’s wedding, she couldn’t force him. He was still recuperating!
Sighing, she smiled, feeling much better. Later, she had her dinner and called Hayley to know more about the wedding. Christian hadn’t arrived, and she retreated to the bedroom. For an hour, she lay on the bed waiting for him. What was he up to? Was Andrea too with him?
She had almost dozed off when the bed dipped and Christian joined her. He kissed her head tenderly.
“I’m sorry, baby! I’ll make it up to you tomorrow,” he whispered, making her smile sleepily.
The next morning at the breakfast table, Christian announced his plans to accompany her to New York. “We’ll go on Friday and return immediately after the event. So pack up for both of us while I wrap up a little work.”
“Thank you! I didn’t want to go without you.”
“I know. I’ve postponed everything for you.” Skylar reached out and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Would it be a problem for you?” Christian shook his head and turned his other cheek for another kiss. She showered kisses all over his face, making him smile at her enthusiasm. It was these brief moments in life that made him happy. He knew he had been avoiding her lately, but he would soon fix that. He didn’t want a half-hearted lovemaking with her, but the very best experience ever. It should be as satisfying as he had dreamed it to be. He wanted their first time to be special.
After a hectic day at work, Skylar returned home early to pack while Christian stayed back at the office for a meeting. With only one day left in between, they both had to overwork before they left for New York.
Christian returned home late, with the limp back in his gait. Skylar was immediately concerned. He hadn’t been regular with his therapy ever since his friends reappeared in his life. Every evening she had to disappoint Paul Young, who came over to train him. Christian would soon have to set a proper schedule for himself.
“You should consult a doctor here, Christian. You haven’t been consistent with your therapy either.”
“I know. After we return from New York, I’ll take it up religiously. I promise.”
Skylar’s heart went out to him. Despite his condition, he was trying his best to make her happy. She massaged his legs just like Ted used to in Cleveland, and he fell asleep in no time.
The next day was even more hectic, and they returned home late and retired to bed early. They had an early morning flight the next day.
With her hectic schedule, Skylar hadn’t found the time to buy a dress for herself. Maybe she would buy one in New York.
“Ready? Let’s go.” They left for the airport and soon boarded their private jet.
“How’s the pain today?” she asked him.
“It’s gone. Thanks for the massage. You have magic in your hands. You can be a better therapist than Paul, I think.” He winked at her, making her blush.
“What’s the use? I don’t think you want me the way you used to,” she said, getting up to go to the bedroom. Christian rolled his eyes and followed her there.
“What makes you think so, hmm?” he asked, grabbing her hand to stop her.
“I just felt it. Do you and Andrea have a history together?”
Christian frowned and led her to the bed. “Sit down, Skylar. Tell me, are you jealous of Andrea? I thought we had dealt with this before. Don’t you trust me?” He looked hurt as he held her chin to force her to meet his gaze.
“What else should I think, Christian? Ever since she reappeared in your life, you spend more time with her than at home.”
Christian shook his head with a sigh, releasing her chin and settling down against the cushions comfortably. He pulled her into his arms, resting her head against his chest. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his heart.
“I don’t spend time with Andrea. She’s busy with her life. I spend time with my best friend, Knox. He introduced me to his gang. They’re cool people, but I don’t have so much time to meet them every day. They’re all single and live life recklessly while I have you. I’d rather spend my evening with you.” He planted a soft kiss on her head while Skylar smiled with relief.
“So you weren’t with Andrea?”
“No. Even if I was, we aren’t interested in each other romantically. She is a close childhood friend, that’s all. They had a traumatic childhood and both are against marriage. Their parents had a very turbulent married life that ended in both committing suicide when we were in our sophomore year. So, you have nothing to feel jealous of. Andrea was and will always be just a good friend and nothing else.”
“I’m sorry, Christian. Are you disappointed that I doubted you again?” she looked up at him, hesitating a little.
“No, I’m glad you took it out of your system instead of bottling it all up inside you.”
“It’s just that I’ve grown so used to you. I missed you terribly when you left to catch up with your friends. I’m such a terrible wife.” Christian kissed her forehead and cupped her cheeks to make her look at him.
“No, Skylar. You aren’t a terrible wife. I’ve been a terrible husband for abandoning you here and going away to enjoy yourself with my friends. It was selfish of me knowing you know no one here. Next time onwards, we’ll go everywhere together. Will that make you feel better?”
“Yes.” She smiled with relief, but he dipped his head to claim her lips.
“Then kiss me, baby! I need you to energize me.”