Olivia found her mind drifting to a time when she used to

perform this same intimate task for her ex–husband, how she

had taken such pride in ensuring his shirts were perfectly

pressed, his ties properly arranged. She had been so devoted

then, so eager to please him, that she didn’t notice when their

mate bond began to fade.

She was so lost in the memory, that her fingers tightened

unconsciously around the fine cotton of Alexander’s shirt, and

when she finally came back to reality, she realized with horror

that she had squeezed the fabric.

The once neatly pressed shirt now had wrinkles spreading

across the cor to the torso.

“Do you have some particr grudge against my clothes?”

Olivia gasped and turned around to find Alexander standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on the wrinkled shirt in her hands.

*Author*

Olivia didn’t know what to say or how to react. So, she tried to

smooth the shirt out as much as she could, folded it neatly and

set it aside. Then, she moved on to one of the suit jackets he

packed.

Once again, her mind began to wander. She even forgot that

Alexander was standing right behind her, watching her movements. From the way her shoulders moved, he could tell

she was upset. About what, he couldn’t tell.

She continued working, until she folded thest piece of clothing and deposited everything into the closet. When she turned around, she was startled to see that Alexander was still

standing there. It was apparent that he’d watched her throughout, and now she wasn’t just embarrassed, she was also

nervous.

And that was a dangerousbination. Olivia started

searching for something to fill the awkward silence. Before she could stop the words, or think of something better, she blurted, “Is there anything else you need me to take off?” She

immediately froze as the unintended double meaning of her

words hit her.

Alexander smiled slowly. Olivia walked right into that one. The

Alpha would never let such a golden opportunity to tease his

secretary pass him by.

“Well, I suppose I’d catch a cold if I took everything off!”‘

And without another word, Alexander turned and left the

room, leaving behind a mortified Olivia.

Alone now, Olivia sank onto the edge of the bed. The look on

Alexander’s face as he turned away was burned into her mind.

No matter how she reyed the scene in her head, she didn’t

know what that look meant.

She buried her face in her hands. Her biggest fear was that this

interaction might have given Alexander the wrong impression

of her.

Olivia remained in that spot for some time, and when the

embarrassment finally fizzled out, she rose to her feet and

returned to her room. She pulled herptop and went to sit at

the desk in the room. She was staring nkly at the screen,

when her phone buzzed with an iing message from

Steven.

Steven Miller: Ben Wilde would like to postpone today’s

nned event’s until tomorrow. He’s extending an invitation

for Alexander to attend a wine tasting at his private vi this

evening by 7pm instead. Please inform Alpha Alexander about

this.

Olivia read the message twice. After that awkward interaction

with her boss, she’d hoped she wouldn’t have to see him till

muchter. But the universe had other ns.

Rising from her chair, Olivia made her way down the hallway

to Alexander’s room. She stood before his door for a moment,

gathering her courage, then raised her hand and knocked softly.

“Alexander? I have a message from Steven about Ben Wilde.”

Silence.

She knocked again, a bit louder this time. “Alexander?”

Still nothing. Perhaps he was in the shower, or maybe he had

stepped out without her noticing. Or perhaps, and this thought

made her stomach tighten, he was deliberately avoiding her

after their ufortable encounter.

Olivia pressed her ear closer to the door, listening for any sound.

But there was nothing still. She finally backed away from the

door. She would leave him alone for now, and respect his space.

The only option was to return to her room.

Nearly an hourter, her phone buzzed again. Steven’s name

appeared on the screen.

Steven Miller: Ben Wilde has inquired again. He says if

Alexander cannote to the estate, he would be happy to

bring someone to Alexander instead. He seems quite eager to

meet. What should I tell him?

Olivia stared at the message with a low groan. It dawned on her

that she couldn’t just let Alexander be. She had to get a response

from him.

With a deep breath, Olivia gathered all her courage and walked

back down the hallway. She knocked on Alexander’s door again

with more determination this time.