kalani depradine

I was holding onto my seatbelt like my life depended on it. I was tense with no sign of ever getting comfortable in my seat. That's impossible when I was currently on my way to what felt like my own personal hell. Being surrounded by obnoxious, rich women has never been on my bucket list of things I thought I would get up to in New York City. Despite how others would die to be apart of an elitist society, it would be a hard pass for me.

I wasn't sure what to wear and was on facetime with Paige the entire morning. We went over attire and makeup and small mannerisms I didn't know I had which needed to be gone. I had to keep reminding myself I was doing this for the sake of Grayson and I's relationship. Marrying him means being a representation of him.

I sucked in a deep breath when we arrived outside the building. There was underground parking and he had now just parked the car. I wanted to ask if he would walk me in, but I didn't have to. He got out of the car and opened my door for me. Helping me out, my heels echoed on the cement as we entered the elevator with a man standing inside. He was in the uniform of a tuxedo. My arm curled around Grayson's as I looked up at him. The muscle under his shirt was firm and comforting. His eyes weren't on my face but instead on my hand with had my ring on it.

"I wouldn't make you do anything I didn't think you were capable of. These women should be worried about you, not the other way around," he kissed my forehead.

We left the elevator and my eyes widened at the foyer we were in. It felt like I had stepped into a palace belonging to the queen. It looked Victorian era beautiful. Waiting in the seating area was Paige. As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, she shot to her feet to approach us with a smile.

"I knew you'd look perfect," Paige pulled me into a hug. It was exactly what I needed. She was going to be my back bone while here since Ivy would be missing this meeting. "We haven't started yet so we can enjoy some appetizers and get away from my annoying overbearing brother," she brought attention to his hand yet to let go of mine.

"I'm not overbearing," Grayson muttered but still wouldn't let go. "I'll be here at six sharp to pick you up. Text me if you need anything," he leaned down to kiss my lips. It was possessive like he was marking his property. The sick part of me wished he could've done this with other woman other than Paige in the room.

"I will," I assured him, his forehead continuing to rest against mine. I felt like a toddler being sent off to kindergarten. I could see the worry glisten in his eyes about forcing me to interact with these woman I knew would be a handful.

"I love you," he reminded me and my heartbeat picked up as it usually does anytime he says sweet things. Before I could respond, he pulled his hands off of me then ventured into the elevator.

-

grayson astor

Walking away from her felt like I was doing her a disservice. It hurt my insides and physically pained me. I know these women. I grew up with half of them. They're vultures and will pick at any sign of weakness Kalani shows. I would've done anything to get her out of being apart of this stupid group of brainless women, but it's out of my control. I, more than anyone, know what's expected of women in this world. But I also know the type of woman Kalani is. I've seen the way she defends me with my father and I know she's fully capable of taking care of herself. She's the strongest person I know.

Thoughts of what is happening with Kalani is exactly what was distracting me the entire time during my meeting with my father. It was supposed to be business talk, but I knew he'd find a way to bring Kalani up. Still, I periodically checked my phone for any messages she might send me. Nothing yet.

"I thought you were playing a sick joke. But to bring the girl to the society? Grayson, really?" My father straightened in his seat. We were in his home office discussing real estate and liquid funds as per usual. Discussions with him are always about money.

My father thinks I'm marrying Kalani to make some sick point to him—to go against my father's wishes by marrying someone who isn't apart of our world. If that was the case, I would've chosen someone who wasn't the mother of my child. Lord knows how outraged he would be for me to have a child with two different women. But I don't need to explain myself to him. I don't need to explain my relationship with Kalani.

What upsets me is him thinking I would just allow anyone into our family. I know everything there is to know about Kalani. I've known everything since the moment she told me she was carrying my child. She's not apart of our world, but I know she'd fit in perfectly. Her parents raised her with morals and values many of these women don't have. She's a rare find, he just doesn't understand it.

"Grayson," my father tried to reason with me by changing my mind. He gave me the look he always does when he wants things to go his way. It works on Paige and Matthew. He still has his claws in them. It usually works on me too. But I wasn't going to cave. Not when it came to my daughter or my fiancé.

"If you're going to try and persuade me into marrying Marianne, it won't happen. I am marrying Kalani and our wedding is in less than three months," I glanced down at my phone when it buzzed but I was quickly disappointed because it was just my brother sending me a stupid meme.

"You need a boy and she won't give you more children."

"She will," I argued.

It was a stretch. Kalani and I haven't talked much about more children, mainly because neither of us wanted one. Not to mention, Kalani is young and really cares for her career. She sees herself going back to work after Amelia turns one and she expects me to have shorter work days to help care for Amelia so she can go back to work part time. Realistically, it would be near to impossible with me becoming CEO. Which means, I cannot see her having another baby any time soon. And that's probably for the best because I can't see myself having another child either. I cannot see myself loving anyone as much as I love Amelia, so for the next baby's sake, it's better if I stop at one.

"Kalani and I's relationship is none of your concern. You should start preparing for your retirement and departure from the CEO position. I would like to start my position effective immediately after the wedding," I looked at my phone when I received a text from Paige saying she would be taking Kalani home from the meeting. I was relying on using Kalani as my escape. But like on cue, Amelia's crying blared through the baby monitor. Thank you Amelia.

I got up and went up the stairs to the nursery my parents have specifically for her. Amelia was on her feet, using the side of the crib for support as she cried.

"I'm right here, princess," I cooed when she rose her arms for me to pick her up. I rocked her back and forth in my arms, rubbing my hand along her back. Her head rested on my shoulder while her arms went around my neck. She's slowly getting bigger and it feels like just yesterday her and Kalani were moving into my place. "Are you ready to go?" I whispered as I kissed her cheek. I picked up her jacket from the rocking chair and carefully put it onto her for us to head downstairs and leave.

"Where are you going? Are you sure you're not staying for dinner? The cook is making casserole," my mother followed me to the front door. "Please don't give me the same treatment as your father. You know I love both Kalani and Amelia." That I know to be true. My mother has taken the time to get to know the both of them. She's more excited about this wedding than I am which is shocking. She's always been a sucker for love and I'm convinced it's because her and my father lack it.

My mother grew up in this world and married my father when she was eighteen and he was twenty five. It was an arranged marriage. My grandfather told my father it was time for him to settle down. Seeing as my mother is a Vanderbilt, they saw the marriage being beneficial for the both of them. Merging two powerful families like the Vanderbilts and Astors was a dream come true for my grandfather.

"I would never," I leaned down to kiss both her cheeks. "But Amelia is not feeling well. I think she misses Kalani," I lied because I needed any excuse to get out of here. It's not like Amelia could hold me accountable for my lies.

"Tell Kalani I said hi," she left me with those final words before I was in the car driving away. From the rear view mirror I could see Amelia reaching for her toes to play with. Kalani won't be happy with Amelia being as energetic as she is considering it's so close to her bedtime.

I expected Kalani to be home by the time I got there, but she wasn't which left me time to play with Amelia for a bit. I bounced her up and down on my lap while I sat at the desk in my home office. So far things were rolling smoothly with Astor Incorporations Shanghai. We would be breaking ground this week and my timeline was playing out perfectly.

Amelia took her slobber filled hands from her mouth, placing them on my face and on my suit while she turned to look at me with a gummy smile.

"Amelia, princess, what have we said about fingers in the mouth?" I pulled my face away from her when she giggled. She babbled on, almost like she was trying to respond. I tickled her stomach and had her laughter fill the air. She is the reason I've now had the housekeepers clean every inch of this house everyday. Amelia is teething and wants to put everything in her mouth.

"Gray?" Kalani's voice echoed throughout the house. With a few clicks of her heels, she arrived in my office. I had to resist from staring at her in complete admiration. The longer I stare, the more stunning she becomes. She's like a walking work of art.

"How did it go?" I nervously asked her, hoping she'd tell me the honest truth.

Her expression was puzzled like she didn't expect me to ask how things went. She sat down across my desk with a sigh.

"Good," she gave the worst answer she could have given. But I wasn't going to push her on this. She'd talk if she wanted to. So I gave a small nod instead. "Is she hungry?" She removed her heels. Her feet curled up beside her and her fingers squeezed the balls of her feet. She did it casually in attempt for me to not notice, but I did. Her smile was shy like she was embarrassed she couldn't go four hours in heels.

"I fed her earlier but she didn't finish her milk, so she'll probably get hungry soon."

"Okay. I'll go try feeding her again," she came around the desk to take Amelia who was just as excited to see her. Just when she was about to leave the office, I called her name.

"If you don't want to attend the meetings again, you don't have to," I made sure she understood she isn't forced to go. As much as I care about appearances, I care about her more. If I learned anything recently, it's I'm not willing to make decisions for the sake of appearances if it means hurting Kalani. Her happiness is my first priority and I could never have her attending the meetings unhappy while I benefited from it.

"I know," she answered.

"I'm going to run you a bath," I informed her and she smiled as a thank you on her way out. I was quick with finishing up what I was doing before grabbing her heels and going up the stairs to our bedroom. I set them down in her closet then went to the bathroom. Kneeling on the ground, I ran the water until it got warm. As it warmed, I lit a few candles I know she likes because they help her relax. I added her usual bubbles and salts just as she entered the bathroom. She passed me, going into her closet to change.

"Are you going to make me bathe alone?" Kalani spoke from where she was.

"Is that an invitation?" I went into my closet to begin undressing. I rarely use the bath tub, but the thought of taking one with her made my cock swell. Before I got into the bath, I made sure to turn the bathroom lights off, allowing the candles to be the only light.

She entered the bathroom with nothing but a silk robe. When she untied it, it slid off her body easily. I drank in the curves of her body, then reminded myself this is about her and not me. She's doing me a huge favour by attending these meetings and I intended to make sure she understood I appreciate her.

Dipping her toe into the water, I pushed my legs apart to welcome her between them. She laid with her back to my chest. The bubbles came up to her neck and her hands danced around to play with them.

My arm hooked around her torso, hiding my lips in her neck. She tilted her head to make room for me. I cupped her breast, feeling the hitch in her breaths. They're still sensitive and I was cautious not to squeeze too hard. But god, that was hard. Keeping my hands off her beautiful, little body is the biggest challenge I've ever faced. Especially when throughout her entire pregnancy my sex drive was high. Looking at her stomach and knowing she was carrying around a piece of me made me happy.

My other hand slid between her legs that she was slowly spreading open for me. But it wasn't until my fingers went in that she released the noise I'm absolutely obsessed with. The noise of surprise for how good it feels for me to touch her. Her arms went up, letting her hands rest at the back of my neck.

"You like that?" I kept the pace of my fingers steady while my thumb continued to rub her clit. She was squirming in my arms, unable to contain how good she felt.

She leaned further into me when my fingers drove deeper. And I could tell she was about to come from the way her tiny nose scrunched like she's fighting everything in her not to let it out. But she always does. And when she does she holds onto the nape of my neck and lets out this scream making me run wild and making me want to fuck her until she can no longer remember any other name but mine.