Chapter 341
Madison
Tuesday morning’s bright sunlight slashed through the half–open blinds of my apartment as I finished the last sip of coffee. I was already running through the day’s schedule in my head. I glanced at my new blue dress hanging on my closet door, the price tag still attached.
What had I been thinking?
I adjusted my black pencil skirt and smoothed my cream blouse before grabbing my laptop bag. The Manhattan Project files were organized in perfect, color–coded folders, my favorite part of being a project manager. Organization kept me sane, especially when other parts of my life felt wildly out of control.
Like my feelings for my boss. Or ex–arrangement partner. Or whatever Alexander was to me now.
When I arrived, the executive floor was quiet. I set my things at my desk and checked emails before preparing Alexander’s morning coffee.
His office door was closed. I knocked twice, balancing the coffee cup in one hand.
“Come in.”
Alexander sat behind his massive desk, his suit jacket draped over his chair, and his sleeves rolled up to expose his muscular forearms.
“Good morning, Mr. Knight.” I kept my voice professional as I placed the coffee on his desk.
He glanced up, blue eyes piercing through me like they always did. “Ms. Harper. You’re early.”
“Your 9:30 with the marketing team was moved to 9:15.” I pulled out my tablet, swiping to his schedule. “After that, you have investors at 10:30, lunch with the board at 12:45, and the Hotel opening tonight at 7:00.”
Alexander took a sip of coffee, eyes never leaving mine. “And what about you? What’s on your schedule today?”
“Project team meeting at 9:30, site visit at 11:00, and I’ll need to prep materials for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Busy woman.” His lips quirked up. “Too busy to handle both roles indefinitely.”
I nodded, a mischievous thought crossing my mind. Soon, he’d hire someone to replace me as his PA, and I wouldn’t need to stand here every morning, pretending my heart didn’t skip when he looked at me. Maybe he’d hire someone who’d be perfect for him. Maybe Katherine could be his PA.
The image of Katherine fetching Alexander’s coffee made me smile involuntarily.
“What are you smiling at?” Alexander asked, leaning forward slightly.
I schooled my features. “Nothing important, Mr. Knight. Just thinking about the project.”
“Hmm.” He didn’t sound convinced. “Is there anything else on today’s agenda I should know about?”
“No, that covers everything.” I turned to leave, eager to escape before my professional facade cracked.
1/4
“Ms. Harper.”
I paused at the door. “Yes?”
“Why haven’t you RSVP’d to my birthday celebration?”
“What party?” I turned back to face him.
Alexander’s eyebrows shot up, his coffee cup pausing halfway to his lips. “The annual Knight Industries. celebration for my birthday. This Thursday evening at The Summit.”
“I…” I blinked, channeling my best surprised expression. “What invitation?”
“The invitation was sent to all senior staff and project managers.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “You didn’t receive it?”
“No, I didn’t.” I shifted my weight, maintaining eye contact. “Was it mailed? Maybe it’s delayed.”
Alexander set his coffee down with deliberate precision. “It was sent electronically to your work email yesterday evening.” He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Interesting that it didn’t reach you.”
The email had definitely arrived; I’d seen it last night while shopping with Hazel. But admitting that would mean explaining why I hadn’t responded, and I wasn’t ready for that conversation.
“Technology,” I shrugged with a small smile. “Always reliable until it isn’t.”
“Indeed.” He leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving mine. “Perhaps I should have our IT administrator look into our email system.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing serious. Probably just ended up in my spam folder.”
Alexander’s lips quirked up at one corner. “Ms. Harper, are you avoiding my birthday celebration?”
“Of course not!” I answered too quickly. “Why would I do that?”
“That’s precisely what I’m wondering.” He stood, rounding his desk with fluid grace. “One might think you’re attempting to maintain professional distance.”
I swallowed hard as he approached, stopping just close enough that I could smell his cologne. Not close enough to be inappropriate if someone walked in, but close enough that my heart rate accelerated.
“Professional distance seems appropriate,” I managed, proud that my voice remained steady.
“Does it?” He tilted his head slightly. “After everything?”
“Our arrangement ended, Mr. Knight.”
“The arrangement may have concluded, but your position as project manager requires your attendance at company functions.”
“I understand.” I kept my tone neutral. “I’ll check my spam folder immediately.”
“No need.” He waved dismissively. “Consider this your official invitation. The Summit, Thursday at eight.
Formal attire.”
“Thank you for the invitation. I’ll be there.”
Alexander moved closer, just barely invading my personal space. “I’ll have a dress delivered to your apartment
tomorrow,”
“That’s not necessary.” I thought of the blue dress hanging in my closet. “I’ve already purchased something appropriate.”
His eyebrows rose in obvious interest. “Have you? What color?”
“Blue.”
“Midnight blue? Like the dress I bought you for the Maxwell event last month?”
“No, this one’s different.” I fought the urge to elaborate.
Alexander studied me for a moment, and I felt the weight of his gaze like a physical touch. “I look forward to seeing it.”
“It’s just a dress,” I said, attempting nonchalance.
“On you, nothing is ‘just‘ anything.”
“Was there anything else you needed, Mr. Knight?” I asked, desperate to escape before I did something stupid like throw myself at him.
“Yes, actually.” He returned to his desk, pulling out a leather portfolio. “The project contracts need signature. And we should discuss the timeline adjustments.”
your
Back to business. I could handle this version of Alexander. I moved to the chair across from his desk and set my tablet down.
“I reviewed the contracts yesterday,” I said, accepting the pen he offered. “The terms align with our original agreement.”
“Sign here and here,” he indicated, his finger brushing mine as he pointed.
I signed quickly, aware of his proximity. “About the timeline-”
“The investors want to accelerate by three weeks,” he interrupted. “Is that feasible?”
I calculated mentally. “It would require additional resources and overtime for the construction team.”
“Budget isn’t a concern. Feasibility is.”
“It’s possible,” I admitted. “But it will require some adjustments to the workflow.”
“Make it happen,” Alexander said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Whatever resources you need, you’ll have them.”
“I’ll update the timeline and distribute it to the team this afternoon.”
“Excellent.”
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.
