Olivia

    “I mean it,” I insisted, crossing my arms. This is just for drinks and sleeping. Don’t expect anything else.”

    “I wasn’t expecting anything,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the road. “You’re the one giving me ideas.”

    “Excuse me?”

    “You heard me. His voice dropped lower. “Standing there in that emerald lingerie earlier, looking at me like you wanted to be devoured.

    My face burned. “I did not!”

    “Really?” Alexander nced over, one eyebrow raised. Then why tell me to turn around? Why let me see you in nothing butce?”

    “I was being practical,” I stammered. “It saved time.”

    “Practical,” he repeated, his tone dripping with disbelief. The way your nipples hardened when I zipped up your dress? The way you shivered when my fingers brushed your skin? That didn’t feel practical.”

    “You’re delusional.”

    “Am I?” He kept his eyes on the road, but his voice became rougher. “You have no idea how fucking hard it was not to bend you over right there. Those panties hugging your ass, your tits practically spilling out of that bra…”

    “Alexander!” I hissed, my body betraying me with a rush of heat between my legs.

    “What?” He shrugged innocently. “Just stating facts. You looked incredible. Any man would have wanted to rip that lingerie off and fuck you senseless.”

    I swallowed hard. “You’re being inappropriate.”

    “You were the one who told me to turn around without the dress on.” His hand moved to my thigh, his thumb tracing small circles through the fabric of my dress. “Especially when the lingerie is barely covering your breasts and pussy.”

    “Stop it,” I whispered, but made no move to push his hand away.

    “You know what I thought when I saw you standing there?” he continued, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. “I thought about pushing those panties aside and tasting you. Spreading you open with my tongue until you begged me to fuck you.”

    “Keep dreaming,” I managed, trying to sound dismissive despite the heat flooding my body.

    Alexander chuckled, finally removing his hand from my thigh as he turned onto a busier street. “Oh, I will. Vividly and in great detail.

    I turned to look out the window, willing my racing heart to slow down. What the hell was wrong with me? I’d just met his family, was in the middle of a fake rtionship arrangement, and here I was getting turned on by his crudements.

    It had been a mistake to stand there in just lingerie. I’d thought he wouldn’t really notice, that it would be quick and impersonal. But the way his eyes had darkened, how they’d traveled slowly over every inch of exposed skin… God, what had I been thinking?

    And now his words kept reying in my mind. Spreading you open with my tongue. Fuck you senseless. I pressed my

    thighs together, trying to ignore the throbbing between them.

    My eyes darted to his hands on the steering wheel, those long fingers that had brushed against my skin. What would they feel like elsewhere? Inside me, curling against that spot that made me-

    I cut the thought off abruptly. This was ridiculous. He was my fake fiancé. A business arrangement. Nothing more.

    “You’re quiet, Alexander observed, breaking into my thoughts. Thinking about what I said?”

    “No,” I lied.

    “Liar.” His voice was soft but certain. Your cheeks are flushed.”

    “It’s hot in here.”

    “I can turn up the AC, he offered, reaching for the controls.

    “It’s fine.”

    We fell into silence again, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. I tried to focus on the passing scenery, the lights of the city blurring past the window, anything but the man beside me and the heat pooling between my legs.

    “We’re almost there,” Alexander said after what felt like an eternity.

    I nodded, not trusting my voice. The car turned onto a familiar street, approaching his building. In a few minutes, we’d be alone in his penthouse. Just the two of us. After everything he’d just said….

    “Last chance to change your mind, he offered as we pulled up to the building. ‘I can still take you home.”

    I hesitated, knowing the smart choice would be to go back to my apartment. To put some distance between us before I did something stupid.

    But the thought of my empty apartment, with its silence and my own thoughts forpany, seemed unbearable right now.

    “No,” I said finally. “I’ll stay.”

    Alexander’s eyes met mine, something dark and hungry shing in their depths. “Good.”

    The word hung between us, loaded with promise and warning. I swallowed hard, and my throat suddenly dried.

    “Let’s be clear about something,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the flutter in my stomach. “If you try to do anything stupid, I will kill you.”

    His lips twitched. “Noted. Though I should point out I’m not the type of man who forces women to do anything. When theye to my bed, it’s because they want to be there.”

    “Well, I won’t be begging you to fuck me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

    Alexander’s eyes darkened further, his gaze dropping to my lips. “We’ll see.”

    The elevator ride to his penthouse was silent, charged with electricity. I stood as far from him as the small space allowed, but I could still feel the heat radiating from his body. The scent of his cologne filled my nostrils, expensive and masculine.

    When the doors opened, Alexander ced his hand at the small of my back, guiding me into his apartment. The touch sent sparks up my spine.

    8:07 bpm /b

    “Drink” he asked, heading straight for the bar.

    “Please. Something strong.”

    He poured amber liquid into two crystal tumblers and handed one to me. Our fingers brushed, and I nearly jumped at the

    contact.

    The whiskey burned pleasantly down my throat, warming me from the inside. I kicked off my heels with a sigh of relief. wiggling my toes against the plush carpet.