Chapter 161
Madison
As she sashayed away, I couldn’t help myself. “I’ll be in touch,‘” I mimicked under my breath, pitching my voice higher. “‘We should catch up properly. I’ll text you.“” I rolled my eyes.
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Jealousy looks good on you, Ms. Harper.”
“I’m not jealous,” I replied automatically, heat rising to my cheeks.
He chuckled, then held out the small boutique bag to me. “For you.”
I took it hesitantly, feeling the weight of the box inside. “The necklace?”
“What were you two discussing?” he asked instead of answering, his eyes scanning my face.
I sighed, clutching the bag tighter. “Your friend or ex–girlfriend or whatever she is took my number. She wants me to update her on your whereabouts so she can ‘accidentally‘ run into you. Like I’m supposed to be her personal Alexander–tracking device.”
“Caroline does this with all my personal assistants. She’s harmless.”
“Harmless?” I repeated incredulously. “She practically threatened me.‘
“She’s dramatic,” he said dismissively. “We’ve known each other since college. Our families are close. She’s a good friend.”
I stared at Alexander, wondering if he actually believed what he was saying. The woman who’d just cornered me, demanded my phone number, and practically threatened me didn’t seem like anyone’s “good friend.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Knight, she didn’t look at you like a friend.” I crossed my arms. “And she certainly didn’t treat me like one.‘
Alexander’s lips curved into that infuriating half–smile. “Jealous, Ms. Harper?”
“Not jealous,” I corrected, “concerned. There’s a difference.”
“Caroline and I hooked up a few times in the past, if that satisfies your curiosity.” His voice dropped. “Ancient history. Nothing worth discussing.”
I tried to ignore the flare of heat that shot through me at his casual admission. It shouldn’t matter who he’d been with before me. His past hookups were irrelevant.
So why did I suddenly want to chase after Caroline and rip that perfectly styled hair right out of her scalp?
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“I don’t care about your history,” I lied. “I care about the fact that she expects me to report your whereabouts to her like some sort of spy.”
“You will not reveal my schedule or whereabouts to her or anyone else. If you do, you’ll no longer be my PA, and you’ll face severe consequences as my girlfriend.”
The way he emphasized “consequences” made my body react in entirely inappropriate ways for a public setting. I knew exactly what kind of punishment he was implying, the kind that left me sore, satisfied, and begging for more.
“Are you threatening to spank me, Mr. Knight?” I asked, keeping my voice low enough that only he
could hear.
His eyes darkened. “Is it a threat if you enjoy it?”
Heat rushed to my face. “That’s not the point.”
“Then what is the point, Ms. Harper?”
“The point is that I won’t betray your trust.” I met his gaze steadily. “You don’t need to threaten me with… consequences… to ensure my loyalty.”
Alexander studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he took a step closer, eliminating the professional distance between us. “Perhaps I want to.”
My breath caught. “Want to what?”
“Bend you over my desk. Pull up that elegant gown.” His voice was barely above a whisper now. ” Turn that perfect ass red while you count each strike.”
I swallowed hard, my body reacting traitorously to his words. “We’re at a charity gala, Mr. Knight.”
“Which is the only reason I’m not dragging you to the nearest private room right now.” He glanced around the crowded room. “Would you like to leave?”
The intensity in his eyes made it clear what leaving would entail. Despite the arousal coursing through me, I shook my head. “We can’t. You’re one of the major donors. People would notice.”
“I’ve already made my donation. The check is signed, the necklace is purchased, and I’ve spoken to everyone who matters. We can leave whenever you want.”
I glanced around, noting the clusters of wealthy socialites deep in conversation, waiters gliding between them with trays of champagne. No one was looking our way.
“Sure,” I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded despite the anticipation building inside me. “Let’s go.”
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Alexander’s lips curved into that knowing smile that made my knees weak.
We made our way through the crowd, Alexander nodding politely to acquaintances but not stopping to chat. The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside.
John was already waiting with the car, standing at attention beside the gleaming black vehicle. As we approached, a small group of reporters spotted Alexander and rushed toward us, microphones
extended.
“Mr. Knight! Mr. Knight! How much did you donate tonight?”
“Is Knight Industries planning to expand its charitable foundation?”
“Can you comment on the rumors about the merger with—”
Alexander raised a hand, silencing them with a gesture. He didn’t say a word, just offered them that million–dollar smile that revealed nothing while seeming friendly. The flash of cameras captured
the moment as he opened the car door for me.
I slipped inside. Alexander followed, closing the door behind him with a decisive click that shut out the shouted questions.
John slid into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb, leaving the frustrated reporters in our
wake.
“Vultures,” Alexander muttered, loosening his tie slightly.
“They’re just doing their job,” I said, settling into the plush leather seat.
“Their job is to make up stories when I don’t give them one.” He turned to look at me, his eyes traveling from my face down to where my hands clutched the small boutique bag. “Are you going to open it?”
“Here?”
“Why not?”
I hesitated, then carefully opened the bag and removed the velvet box inside. The hinge made a soft sound as I lifted the lid, revealing the diamond necklace nestled against black velvet. It was even more stunning up close, the center diamond catching the passing streetlights and fracturing them into tiny rainbows.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“It will look better on you.”
I closed the box carefully and returned it to the bag. “Thank you.”
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The rest of the ride passed in charged silence. When we finally pulled up to his building, I felt like I might combust from the anticipation
“Thank you, John,” Alexander said as we exited the car. “Take the rest of the night off.”
Yes, sir. Goodnight, sir. Ms. Harper.” John nodded respectfully.
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.
