Chapter 159
Madison
“Something on your mind, Ms. Harper?” Alexander’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I looked up to find him studying me, his expression unreadable. “No, Mr. Knight.”
“Liar,” he said softly. “You’ve been fidgeting for the past ten minutes.‘
“I wasn’t aware my comfort level was of interest to you in public settings,” I replied, surprising myself with my boldness.
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “Everything about you interests me, Ms. Harper. Even your discomfort.”
“How kind,” I muttered.
Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curving into that infuriating half–smile that meant he was enjoying my discomfort.
“You want to know who she is.” It wasn’t a question.
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze directly. “No, I don’t.”
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing me. “I was about to tell you, but if you’re not interested…” He shrugged one shoulder, the movement elegant beneath his perfectly tailored tuxedo. “Then I don’t need to explain.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from asking the question that burned on my tongue. He was playing with me, dangling information like bait, wanting me to reveal my curiosity–my jealousy. I refused to give him the satisfaction.
“Shall we circulate, Mr. Knight?” I asked instead, gesturing toward the crowded room. “I believe the auction begins soon.”
His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Of course, Ms. Harper. Always the professional.”
We moved deeper into the gala, navigating between clusters of Manhattan’s elite. The Met’s grand hall echoed with the gentle hum of conversation and occasional laughter. Waiters glided between groups with trays of champagne and delicate canapés.
Alexander moved through the crowd with practiced ease, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. I remained at his side, the perfect assistant–taking business cards, making mental notes of follow–ups, smiling politely at introductions that were immediately forgotten by the other party.
1/4
Chapter 159
+25 BONUS
“Knight Industries has had a remarkable quarter,” a silver–haired man in a navy tuxedo commented. “Your stock is outperforming expectations.”
“We’ve been fortunate,” Alexander replied modestly, “but I attribute much of our success to our expanded research division.”
I spotted her across the room, still on her phone but watching Alexander with undisguised interest. Her eyes flicked to me briefly, assessing, dismissing.
The silver–haired man turned to his companion. “Have you met Alexander Knight? His company just acquired that waterfront property in Chelsea.”
More handshakes, more business cards, more polite smiles that never reached my eyes. I was a ghost in an emerald dress, visible only when someone needed a drink refilled or a number taken down.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice announced over the sound system. The silent auction will close in fifteen minutes. Please place your final bids.”
Alexander touched my elbow lightly. “Let’s check the auction items.”
We moved toward the display tables lined with luxury goods and experiences. Jewelry glittered under strategic lighting, vacation packages promised escape, and rare wines awaited connoisseurs.
“See anything you like?” Alexander asked, his voice low near my ear.
The question carried a double meaning that wasn’t lost on me. I surveyed the auction items, trying to focus on the charity offerings rather than the heat of his breath against my skin.
“Not particularly,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral as I gestured toward the display. “Though the causes are certainly worthy.”
My eyes skimmed over vacation packages to tropical islands, rare wine collections, and exclusive dinner experiences with celebrity chefs. Nothing that belonged in my world.
Alexander guided me further down the table, where jewelry glittered under strategic lighting. He stopped in front of a display case containing a diamond necklace—a delicate platinum chain with a teardrop diamond pendant surrounded by smaller stones that caught the light in hypnotic patterns.
“This one,” he said, signaling to the attendant who quickly unlocked the case,
“Mr. Knight, I don’t—”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Ms. Harper.” His tone was light but firm.
The attendant lifted the necklace from its velvet display, holding it up so the diamonds scattered light across my face. It was breathtaking and undoubtedly expensive,
2/4
Chapter 159
+25 BONUS
“An excellent choice, sir,” the attendant said. “This piece was donated by Cartier specifically for tonight’s auction.”
I stared at the necklace, mesmerized by how the diamonds caught the light. It was stunning, delicate yet eye–catching, elegant without being ostentatious. The kind of piece that would make any woman feel beautiful.
The kind of piece I had no business wearing,
“Mr. Knight,” I started again, keeping my voice low. “This is lovely, but I don’t think-”
“Your bid, sir?” the attendant asked, interrupting my protest.
Alexander glanced at the current highest bid on the tablet beside the display. Without hesitation, he wrote down a figure that made my eyes widen. The attendant’s professional mask slipped briefly as she registered the amount, which was double what the previous highest bidder had offered.
“Excellent, Mr. Knight,” she said, entering his bid. “I’ll make sure you’re notified if you’re outbid.”
“I won’t be,” Alexander replied with the casual confidence of a man who rarely heard the word “no.”
As the attendant moved away to assist another guest, I turned to Alexander, keeping my voice low. That’s incredibly generous of you to support the charity, but—”
“It would look exquisite against your skin,” he murmured, his eyes dropping to my neck. His voice was low enough that only I could hear him, but the intensity in his gaze made heat rush to my cheeks. “The diamonds would highlight the curve of your throat perfectly.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of the exposed skin of my neck and décolletage. “When exactly would I wear something like that?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light despite the electricity crackling between us. “It’s not exactly appropriate for the office.”
“You could wear it to bed,” he suggested, his voice dropping even lower. “Nothing but diamonds against bare skin.‘
My breath caught in my throat as images flashed through my mind: lying in his massive bed, wearing nothing but that necklace, Alexander’s hungry eyes taking me in.
11
“Or,” he continued, clearly enjoying my flustered state, “you could wear it whenever you’re with me. Clothed or otherwise.”
I glanced around quickly, paranoid that someone might have overheard, but the nearby guests were absorbed in their own conversations. “That’s hardly appropriate conversation for a charity gala, Mr. Knight.”
“Would you prefer we continue it somewhere more private?” he asked, smirking.
3/4
Chapter 159
+25 BONUS
Before I could respond, I noticed movement over Alexander’s shoulder. The mystery woman had ended her call and made her way toward us, her determined stride cutting through the crowd. My stomach tightened with an emotion I refused to name as jealousy. T
Just as she was about to reach us, an older gentleman with silver hair intercepted her, taking her elbow and drawing her into conversation. Her smile remained fixed, but I could see the irritation
flash in her eyes as she glanced over at Alexander.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
