Chapter 198
Alexander
I returned with two glasses of amber liquid, handing one to Anthony. “Ms. Harper, you’re welcome to join us. I’m sure we could all use a drink after the day we’ve had.”
“Thank you for the offer, Mr. Knight, but I should get going. Early start tomorrow.” Madison avoided my gaze, but I could see the flush still coloring her cheeks.
“If you’re sure,” I conceded, letting my voice drop slightly. I’d make her pay for this hasty exit tomorrow. The thought sent a rush of heat through my body. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”
I watched as she walked toward the door, her ass swaying tantalizingly in that tight dress. Damn Anthony and his terrible timing. Another twenty minutes and I’d have had her screaming my name again, bent over the kitchen counter this time.
“Goodnight, everyone,” Madison called over her shoulder. “It was nice meeting you.
As the door clicked shut behind her, I turned my attention back to my unwelcome guests, taking a long sip of whiskey.
Anthony swirled his drink. “Have you received any news about Katherine?”
The question hit like a sucker punch. I kept my expression neutral as I settled into my leather armchair, gesturing for them to take the couch across from me. The living room lights cast soft shadows across the modern furniture, highlighting the expensive art pieces lining the walls.
“Let’s not start with that,” I said, voice deliberately casual. I took a long sip of whiskey, savoring the
burn that traveled down my throat.
Anthony dropped onto the couch, his arm automatically going around Lyla’s shoulders as she settled beside him. “Just curious, man. It’s been a while.”
I fixed him with a hard stare. “No, I haven’t heard from her. And no, I haven’t reached out either.”
“Not even once?” Anthony pressed, leaning forward.
“Not once,
,” I confirmed, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. The ice clinked against crystal, filling the momentary silence. “She made her choice. I made mine.”
Lyla crossed her legs. “I’ve heard she’s doing well.”
“Good for her,” I replied flatly.
“Are you still thinking about her?” Anthony asked, his doctor’s instinct for probing uncomfortable topics showing through.
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I set my glass down harder than intended. “Did you come here for drinks or to play therapist about Katherine?”
“Just curious,” Anthony held up his hands in mock surrender, a grin playing at his lips. “You’ve been acting different lately. Thought maybe-”
“Maybe nothing,” I cut him off. “Drink your whiskey and tell me about this wedding you keep postponing. When are you finally making an honest woman of Lyla?”
Lyla laughed, the sound bright against the tension I’d created. “Soon. We’ve set a date for spring.” She nudged Anthony playfully. “Unless he gets cold feet again.”
“My feet are perfectly warm,” Anthony protested, pulling her closer. “It’s the venue that keeps falling through.”
I leaned back, grateful for the change in subject. “The great Dr. Williams, unable to book a simple wedding venue. I’m shocked.”
“Fuck off,” Anthony chuckled. “You try finding a place that satisfies her Italian family and my mother’s ridiculous standards.”
“Your mother wanted ice sculptures of our initials,” Lyla reminded him.
“She’s impossible,” Anthony groaned. “Last week, she suggested releasing doves during the
ceremony.”
“Inside the church?” I asked, eyebrow raised.
“Exactly!” Anthony threw up his hands. “Can you imagine? Bird shit everywhere during our vows.”
Lyla shook her head. “I drew the line at live animals. Though I did agree to the string quartet.”
“Very generous of you,” I smirked, refilling our glasses. The familiar ritual of pouring drinks settled something in me. This was better, easy banter instead of probing questions about my past.
The amber liquid caught the light as I handed Anthony his refreshed glass. The tension in the room had eased, replaced by the comfortable atmosphere of old friends sharing drinks.
I leaned back in my chair, letting the plush leather embrace me.
“So,” Anthony said after a comfortable silence, “it didn’t seem like you two were working when we arrived.”
I stiffened slightly, my glass halfway to my lips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, Alex.” Anthony’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Ms. Harper’s hair was a mess, your shirt was buttoned wrong, and that hickey on her neck wasn’t exactly subtle.”
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Lyla nudged him with her elbow. “Anthony, don’t embarrass him.”
“Embarrass him? This is Alexander Knight we’re talking about. The man has no shame.” Anthony grinned. “So, are you two dating or what?”
I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, considering my response. “It’s just sex, Anthony. Nothing more.”
“Just sex?” Anthony leaned back, his expression skeptical. “You know, this is the same guy who told me on the golf course that he was ‘focusing on work‘ and ‘managing‘ his sex life. Remember that conversation, Alex? When you claimed you were practically celibate?”
“I never said I was celibate,” I corrected him, taking another sip of whiskey. “I said I was being careful.”
“Right.” Anthony’s grin widened. “Careful enough to fuck your assistant in your penthouse when you knew we were coming over.”
“We didn’t know you were coming over,” I shot back. “You showed up unannounced.”
“We had plans!” Anthony protested. “You invited us for drinks, remember? Not my fault if you forgot because you were too busy getting your dick wet.”
Lyla smacked his arm. “Anthony! You’re impossible.”
I chuckled despite myself. “You haven’t changed a bit since college, have you?”
“Nope.” Anthony raised his glass in a mock toast. “Still the same lovable asshole. Speaking of which, what happened to that whole ‘I’m too controlled to need sex‘ bullshit you were spouting on the golf
course?”
“I never said that,” I lied.
“You absolutely did.” Anthony pointed an accusing finger at me. “Leo and I were giving you shit about turning down all those models, and you got all high and mighty about how you were ‘focusing on work‘ and ‘adapting‘ to your situation.”
“That was different,” I said dismissively. “The context was-
“The context was you lying to your best friends about getting laid.” Anthony laughed. “And now we catch you with your pants down–literally–with your assistant.”
I set my glass down with a sharp clink. “I don’t need to discuss my sex life with you or anyone else.”
“Whoa, touchy subject.” Anthony raised his hands in surrender, but his eyes still danced with amusement. “I’m not judging, man. Just giving some friendly advice.”
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“Which is?” I arched an eyebrow.
“Maybe cool it with the casual hookups,” Anthony said, his tone shifting to something more serious. “Especially with employees. That shit gets messy.‘
“It’s under control,” I assured him.
“That’s what they all say.” Anthony leaned forward. “Look, if you want to date Madison Harper, or anyone else for that matter, go for it. But this casual sex arrangement? It’s a ticking time bomb.”
“Anthony’s right,” Lyla added softly. “These situations rarely end well.”
I took another sip of whiskey, letting the burn distract me from my irritation. “I appreciate the concern, but my arrangement with Ms. Harper is private and mutually beneficial.”
“Mutually beneficial?” Anthony snorted. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“You know what I mean,” I said flatly.
Anthony’s expression suddenly turned more serious. “Is this because of Katherine? Are you still waiting for her to come back?”
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.
