Seared scallops with a vibrant citrus reduction arrived as the first course. The presentation was immaculate, befitting a restaurant of this caliber.
“God, this is incredible,” I said after my first bite, closing my eyes briefly to savor the flavors.
When I opened them, Alexander was watching me with an intensity that had nothing to do with scallops.
“What?” I asked.
“You make the same expression when you eat something delicious as you do when-”
“Mr. Knight,” 1 interrupted, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “We’re in public.”
He smirked, clearly pleased by my reaction. “I was merely making an observation.”
“Well, observe your food instead.”
“I prefer my current view.”
I took another bite of scallop, refusing to let him fluster me. “We’re here to eat lunch, Mr. Knight. Not to stare at each other.”
“Yes,” he agreed, his voice low and smooth as he finally picked up his fork. “We are here to eat. So eat, Madison.
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Something in his tone made it sound like a command rather than a suggestion. I complied, focusing on my food instead of his intense gaze. The scallops were perfectly seared, the citrus reduction adding just the right amount of brightness to each bite.
“How are the scallops?” he asked casually.
“Divine,” I replied, reaching for my wine. “Probably the best I’ve ever had.”
“I thought you’d appreciate them.” Alexander took a bite of his own, his movements precise and deliberate. ‘ Chef Paloma sources them from a small fishing operation in Maine. They’re flown in fresh each morning.”
I was about to respond when I felt something brush against my ankle, I froze, wine glass halfway to my lips. Alexander’s expression remained unchanged as his foot slowly traced up my calf.
“Something wrong?” he asked innocently.
I set my glass down carefully. “Not at all.”
His foot continued its journey, sliding higher until it rested against my knee. “You seem distracted.”
“I can’t imagine why,” I muttered, trying to focus on cutting my last scallop into perfect pieces.
“Multitasking isn’t your strong suit?” His foot pressed gently against my inner thigh.
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1 glared at him across the table. “I’m excellent at multitasking.”
“Prove it.” His challenge came with increased pressure from his foot.
The waiter appeared at that moment with our second course: pan–seared sea bass with truffle risotto.
Alexander withdrew his foot as the plates were set before us, his expression giving nothing away.
“This looks amazing,” I said to the waiter, grateful for the interruption.
“Chef’s specialty,” the waiter replied before disappearing again.
Alexander took a bite of sea bass. “Tell me about your meetings this morning. Any concerns from the team?”
I blinked at the sudden shift to professional topics. “Thomas has some questions about the sustainability requirements. He thinks we might be overreaching with the current timeline.”
“Thomas always thinks we’re overreaching.” Alexander dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. “What do you think?”
I considered the question while taking a bite of the risotto. Just as I swallowed, I felt his foot return to my leg, this time higher.
“I think-“My voice hitched slightly. “I think his concerns have merit. We should revisit the timeline for the green certifications.”
“See? Multitasking.” His smile was predatory as his foot inched higher. “Continue.”
I took a deep breath, determined not to let him win this little game. “Lucas provided some interesting insights about the structural elements. He suggested modifications that could save us both time and money without compromising quality.”
“Did he now?” Alexander’s foot reached the hem of my dress.
“Yes. I’ve asked him to prepare a detailed proposal for our review.” I maintained eye contact, refusing to break. ” I also spoke with Sophia about streamlining our approval processes.”
His foot retreated slightly. “Impressive first day, Ms. Harper.”
“Thank you, Mr. Knight.” I smiled sweetly before taking another bite of sea bass,
The rest of lunch continued in this manner: professional conversation interspersed with Alexander’s not–so- subtle touches beneath the table. By the time dessert arrived a decadent chocolate soufflé with gold leaf—I was equal parts irritated and aroused.
“One bite,” Alexander instructed, holding a spoonful of soufflé across the table.
I leaned forward, allowing him to feed me the spoonful of chocolate. It melted on my tongue, rich and velvety.
“Good girl,” he murmured so quietly only I could hear.
Heat flared through my body at his words. I quickly reached for my water, needing something cool to counter the warmth spreading through me.
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After Alexander settled the bill, we stepped out into the bright afternoon sunshine. The Bentley was already waiting at the curb.
“Back to the office?” I asked, shielding my eyes from the sun.
Alexander checked his watch. “Actually, there’s been a change of plans. I need to stop by the Thornton property first. The contractor called with an issue that requires immediate attention.”
“Do you want me to head back to the office and continue the team meetings?”
“No.” His hand found the small of my back, guiding me toward the car. “I want you with me. Consider it a learning opportunity.”
The driver opened the door, and I slid into the backseat. Alexander followed, sitting closer than strictly
necessary.
“What kind of issue?” I asked as the car pulled away from the curb.
“Structural concerns with the east wing.” He loosened his tie slightly. “Nothing catastrophic, but something we need to address before proceeding.”
I nodded, pulling out my phone. “I should let my team know I’ll be delayed.”
“Already taken care of.” Alexander placed his hand on my knee, stopping me. “Your afternoon is clear.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Presumptuous of you.”
“Efficient,” he corrected, his hand remaining on my knee. “There’s a difference.”
“Is there?” I challenged, surprising myself with my boldness.
His hand slid higher, fingers tracing patterns on my thigh through my dress. “You enjoyed lunch.”
It wasn’t a question. “The food was excellent.”
“Just the food?” His fingers continued their lazy exploration.
“The company was… stimulating,” I admitted, my breath catching as his hand inched higher.
The privacy partition slid up silently, creating an intimate cocoon between us and the driver, effectively sealing us off from the outside world.
“This visit to the Thornton property will take approximately forty–five minutes.” His hand moved to cup my face, turning me toward him. “How do you suggest we pass the time until we arrive?”
“I could review the project files,” I suggested innocently.
“Always the professional, Ms. Harper.”
“You hired me for my work ethic, Mr. Knight.”
“Among other qualities.” His thumb brushed across my bottom lip. “But work can wait. For now.”
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Alexander’s mouth descended on mine with hungry precision, his lips warm and demanding against my own. The kiss was a masterful blend of restraint and passion, perfectly calculated yet somehow wild at its edges.
His fingers threaded through my hair, angling my head just so, while his other hand maintained its maddening path along my thigh.
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Chapter 211
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
