The soft click of Alyssa’s heels echoed through the foyer as she descended the stairs.
Alexander was standing by the living room window, his phone pressed to his ear, his back to her.
He was speaking in low, measured tones.
business, she assumed.
Then he paused.
He turned his head slightly, his eyes sweeping over her as she reached the bottom step.
For a brief moment, his gaze lingered.
Taking her in.
Then he turned back to his call.
That’s it?
Alyssa stood there, waiting.
Not even a compliment?
Am I not attractive?
She bit the inside of her cheek, feeling a flicker of irritation.
She had dressed up.
Done her makeup.
And all she got was a glance?
She walked to the sofa and sat down, crossing her legs.
She watched him as he spoke.
His voice was deep, commanding.
Every word he said seemed to carry weight.
She was hungry.
Ravenous, actually.
But she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
I’ll just wait until he’s done.
I’m not going to seem desperate.
Her stomach growled.
Loudly.
Alyssa’s eyes went wide.
She pressed her palm against her stomach, her face flushing a deep crimson.
She looked down, biting her lower lip.
Please don’t let him have heard that.
Please, please, please.
She dared to glance up.
Alexander had lowered his phone.
His glasses had slipped slightly down his nose, and he was looking at her over the rim.
His gaze was unreadable.
Her face burned like a tomato.
“There are pancakes on the dining table,” he said, his voice calm.
“And milk.”
He didn’t wait for her response.
He simply adjusted his glasses and returned to his call.
Alyssa let out a quiet breath.
She placed her bag on the sofa and stood up.
“Thank you, Mr. Alexander.”
He didn’t reply.
Too absorbed in his meeting.
She walked to the dining room and saw the plate of pancakes waiting for her.
Steam was still rising from them.
A glass of warm milk sat beside it.
She sat down and took a bite.
The pancake was soft, buttery, and perfectly warm.
The milk was soothing.
Her eyes drifted toward the kitchen, half-expecting to see Granny Emily bustling about. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
But there was no one.
She ate quickly, her hunger getting the better of her.
When she finished, she carried the plates to the sink and was about to turn on the tap when a voice spoke behind her.
“Don’t worry about that. Someone will take care of it.”
She turned around.
Alexander stood a few feet away.
His white shirt was stretched taut across his chest, hugging every contour of his body.
She could see the outline of his abs beneath the fabric.
His shoulders were broad.
Imposing.
Her eyes trailed down to his waist.
His legs were long.
Powerful.
She looked at his face.
Sharp jaw.
High cheekbones.
Full lips.
He’s really handsome.
Her gaze lingered on his lips.
She quickly looked away, her heart hammering in her chest.
The moment stretched like a held breath.
Alexander caught her staring, not at his eyes, not at his face, but at his lips.
A slow, knowing smile curved across his mouth, and he stepped forward.
Alyssa’s heart stuttered.
She stepped back instinctively, but he kept coming, closing the space between them with an unhurried confidence that made her pulse race.
Her back hit the cold wall.
Damn it.
There was nowhere left to go.
“W-What are you doing?” she stammered, hating how breathless she sounded.
Alexander didn’t answer.
Not with words.
He leaned down, his body casting a shadow over hers, and she felt the warmth of him seep through the thin air between them.
His lips brushed against hers—just barely, just enough to make her forget how to breathe.
Then his lips grazed her ear.
“You have all the time in the world to admire me,” he murmured, his voice low, teasing, laced with amusement.
“But right now, Mrs. Blackwood, we have to go. Someone is very excited to meet her daughter-in-law.”
He pulled back slowly, his gray eyes glinting with mischief as he took in her reddened ears.
Alyssa’s face burned.
“Who the hell was admiring you?”
She said it too fast.
Too defensive.
Even she didn’t believe it.
Alexander’s smile only deepened.
He didn’t argue.
He simply extended his hand.
“Give me your hands.”
She hesitated, then held them out.
His fingers were warm as they wrapped around hers, and she watched, mesmerized, as he slid a ring onto her finger.
A simple diamond.
Elegant.
Understated.
It fit perfectly.
“How did you know my ring size?” she asked, lifting her hand to admire it.
Alexander turned and walked toward the entrance.
“You have slim, long fingers. I guessed.”
She blinked at his back.
Guessed?
Alyssa grabbed her bag from the chair and hurried after him.
Outside, a white Dodge waited.
He opened the door for her, a small gesture, but one that caught her off guard.
Inside the car, the silence was comfortable but charged.
She stole glances at him as he opened his laptop, his fingers already flying across the keyboard.
He really was a busy man.
She didn’t even know what he did for a living.
She made a mental note to ask later.
“Can I ask one question?” she said finally.
He turned to her, giving her his full attention.
Those gray eyes pinned her in place, and for a moment, she forgot what she was going to say.
Earlier, in the dining room, she had thought he was going to kiss her.
She had closed her eyes.
The memory made her cheeks warm all over again.
She swallowed.
“If they ask how we met… what should we say?”
Alexander’s gaze didn’t waver.
“We won’t be asked that.”
“But if we are—”
“Then you’ll know what to say.” A faint smile touched his lips.
“You’re an actress, aren’t you? Improvise. I’ll follow your lead.”
He turned back to his laptop, the conversation closed.
Alyssa stared at his profile.
He really is a busy man.
I don’t even know what he does.
She looked out the window, watching the city blur past.
Her phone buzzed.
She unlocked it, scrolling through her messages.
Still nothing from Kai.
No calls.
No texts.
I hope he’s okay.
She didn’t notice the man beside her glance at her for a long moment before returning his attention to his screen.
The car pulled up to a sprawling estate that made Alexander’s house look modest.
Alyssa stepped out, her heels sinking slightly into the manicured lawn.
The building before her was enormous.
Ivy climbing its stone walls, tall windows catching the golden afternoon light.
It was the kind of house that belonged in a period drama.
She felt a hand settle on the small of her back.
“Let’s go in,” Alexander said softly.
She smiled up at him, and they walked in together.
The foyer was grand, with a crystal chandelier and marble floors that reflected their footsteps.
Before Alyssa could take it all in, a blur of motion came barreling toward them.
A little boy crashed into Alexander’s legs, wrapping his small arms around him.
“Daddy!!!”
The word hit Alyssa like a physical blow.
She froze.
Daddy?