[BL] A Marriage Ruled by Family, Saved by Desire Chapter 22: What Love Holds Onto

~Alistair’s POV~

Alex went silent, the air in the car turning heavy and tense. He looked away toward the house before finally whispering the words I dreaded most.

"My mother."

The mont the word left his lips, the warmth of the car seed to evaporate. I felt my heart drop into my stomach. My mother-in-law. The woman who looked at like I was a stain on her family’s legacy.

"Your mother," I repeated, my voice flat. I sat up straighter, the pleasure from the remote completely forgotten.

Alex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he shifted his weight on top of . "She called right after you left. She claims there’s a major crisis with one of the overseas holdings, sothing only I can sign off on in person. It’s in Singapore."

"And you believe her?" I challenged, my eyes searching his. "Alex, this is a trap. She’s trying to get you away from . She’s trying to put you in a room with ’useful’ people and talk sense into you."

"I know what she’s doing, Alis," Alex said, his voice pleading. "But if there really is a legal issue with the holding, I can’t just ignore it. I could lose the entire sector. I have to go, just to be sure."

I looked out the window at the dark driveway, my jaw tight. I knew he was right about the business side of things, his mother was manipulative, but she was also a shark who knew exactly which buttons to press to make him move.

"When?" I asked.

"Friday morning. I’ll be back by Tuesday."

"I’m coming with you," I said instantly.

Alex shook his head, reaching out to cup my face with both hands. "Baby, no. You know how she is. If you co, it’ll be a three-day war. She’ll spend every second trying to make you miserable, and I’ll be stuck in etings unable to protect you. Stay here. Stay where you’re safe and comfortable."

"So I’m supposed to just sit here for three days while she whispers in your ear?" I felt a surge of protectiveness burning in my chest. "Alex, I don’t trust her."

"Trust ," he murmured, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. "I’m the one who chose you. I’m the one who loves you. No matter what she says, or who she brings around, I am yours. Nothing changes that."

I looked into his eyes, those sincere, beautiful eyes, and I felt my resolve soften. He was right; I couldn’t stop her from trying, but I had to trust the man I married.

"Fine," I said, reaching up to grip his wrists. "But if you don’t call every single hour, I’m getting on the next flight. I don’t care about the ’war’."

Alex let out a relieved chuckle, his nose brushing mine as that dark, hungry glint returned to his eyes. "Deal. Every hour," he promised. "And don’t worry, baby... I’m going to fuck you so thoroughly tonight that it makes up for every night I’m gone. You’ll still be feeling long after I’ve crossed the border."

A smile curved my lips as my fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him back to for another kiss. "That’s your job, baby. You don’t leave this house without reminding who you belong to... and reminding yourself that I’m yours."

Alex’s expression softened into one of pure, raw devotion. "What would I even do without you, Alis? I love you so damn much."

"I love you more, baby," I murmured back.

We stayed like that for a long mont, tangled together in the front seat of the car, the silence of the night wrapping around us. But then, thinking of the empty house waiting for this weekend, I pulled back slightly.

"Since you won’t be around this weekend..." I started, watching his reaction closely. "Roman invited to his birthday party. Am I allowed to go?"

Alex’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. He pulled back just enough to look in the eye, his gaze searching mine. "Do you want to go?"

I sighed, leaning my head back against the headrest. "Not really. But I’m going to be so lonely if I’m just here by myself while you’re gone."

"You have to learn how to stay ho alone sotis, babe," Alex said, his voice a mix of teasing and genuine possessiveness.

"I don’t like being alone, Alex. You know that," I murmured, pouting just enough to make his resolve crumble.

He studied for another beat, then let out a resigned breath. "So, you really want to go to this birthday party?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes, baby."

Alex reached out, thumbing my jawline. He clearly wasn’t thrilled about it, but he wasn’t going to keep locked away while he was in another country. "Okay. You can go. But only if the driver takes you and waits for you. I need to know you’re safe, okay?"

"Okay, baby," I agreed, a sense of relief washing over .

"Co on," Alex said, leaning over to plant one more firm kiss on my lips before opening the car door. "Let’s go inside."

The mont we stepped into the privacy of our bedroom, Alex didn’t let go far; he pulled into his arms, his hands wandering as he helped out of my dayti clothes.

His fingers brushed over my cock with a slow, deliberate tease that made my breath hitch. He didn’t stop there. He leaned in, lips and tongue exploring my chest, tracing my nipple in a way that made laugh softly before it made shiver.

I burst out laughing, squirming in his grip as the sensation sent a jolt of nervous energy through . "Stop, baby! Alex, that tickles!"

He looked up with a wicked glint in his eyes, nipping at my skin just hard enough to make shiver. "Why put them on at all?" he said, flicking a glance at the silk nightwear already laid out on the bed. "We both know they’re coming off the mont we’re in bed."

I reached out, cupping his face and pulling him into a soft, lingering kiss. "Because it turns on when you take them off before anything else," I said softly. "Daddy."

A low growl vibrated in Alex’s throat. "Okay, baby. Have it your way."

He took his ti helping into the cool, dark silk, his hands smoothing the fabric over my shoulders as if he were unwrapping a gift. Once I was dressed, we both climbed into the oversized bed. I didn’t waste a second, imdiately curling into his side and resting my head on his broad chest, listening to the steady, comforting thrum of his heart.

I was just starting to relax, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine, when the sharp, digital chi of his phone cut through the silence.

I watched him stiffen. He grabbed the device and stood up abruptly, turning his back to as he typed a rapid response.