Chapter 384
Madison
The question caught me off guard, I blinked, scrambling for an answer that wouldn’t give anything away. That’s none of your business.”
“Simple question. Are you seeing anyone?”
“Why do you care?”
“I’m curious,”
“Well, stay curious.” I adjusted my grip on the bags. “My personal life isn’t your concern anymore. If it ever was.
#1
“Just tell me. Yes or no.”
“Why? So you can what? Judge my choices? Catalog them like one of your acquisitions?” I shook my head. “I don’t owe you answers.”
“I’m not judging. I just want to know if someone’s taking care of you.”
The presumption in that statement made me want to throw my groceries at his perfect face. “I take care of myself. I have for years.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“Are you in a relationship or not? It’s a simple question.”
And suddenly, I was done. Done with his questions, done with his presence, done with the way my traitorous body responded to him despite my brain screaming warnings.
“Fine. Yes. I’m dating someone.” The lie came easily, smoothly. “Christopher. The guy you saw at the café. We’re together.”
Something flickered across Alexander’s face. Surprise? Hurt? I couldn’t tell, and I refused to care.
“Christopher,” he repeated slowly.
“Yes. So you can stop worrying about whether someone’s taking care of me.‘ Christopher does that just fine.”
Alexander’s expression went carefully blank. “The one at the café. When I came in the day before yesterday.”
“That’s what I said.”
“How long?”
“How long what?”
“How long have you been dating him?”
I calculated quickly. “Long enough. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get these groceries home before they
1/5.
Chapter 384
+25 Bonus:
spoil.” I started walking again.
“I don’t believe you.”
1 stopped. “What?”
“I don’t believe you’re dating him.”
Heat flooded my face. “I don’t care what you believe.”
“He looked at you like he wanted something. You looked at him like he was a customer.” Alexander moved closer. “That’s not how people in relationships look at each other.”
“You’re basing this expert analysis on what? The thirty seconds you saw us together?” I laughed. “Maybe we’re just private. Maybe we don’t feel the need to grope each other in public.”
“Or maybe you’re lying.”
“Believe whatever you want, Mr. Knight.” I met his gaze head–on. “But I’m with Christopher. We’re happy. And you showing up here doesn’t change that.”
“If you’re so happy, why won’t you look me in the eye when you say it?”
Damn him. Damn his ability to read me even after five years. I forced myself to meet his stare without flinching. “I’m with Christopher. That’s the truth. Now stop following me, stop showing up at my café, and go back to your life in New York.”
For a long moment, neither of us moved. The world continued around us. Cars passed. People walked by. Somewhere, a dog barked. But in our bubble, time suspended, stretching tight with unspoken words and old
wounds.
“You’re lying,” Alexander said finally, his voice low. “But I’ll let it go. For now.”
“How generous.”
“I am here for work, Madison. The development project is real. Which means I’ll be in Connecticut for the next week or two, whether you like it or not.”
My stomach dropped. “A week?”
“Maybe longer, depending on how the assessment goes.” He adjusted his cufflinks, the gesture so familiar it hurt. “So you might want to get used to seeing me around.”
“Stay away from me and stay away from my café.”
“I can stay away from you, but the café is a public establishment. I can’t very well avoid the only decent coffee in town.”
“There are plenty of other coffee shops here.”
“None of them are as good as yours.” His mouth curved into something that might have been a smile. Professional opinion, of course.”
11
“Of course.” I shifted my weight, eager to end this conversation. “Goodbye, Mr. Knight. Enjoy your stay in
2/5
Chapter 384
+25 Bonus
Connecticut. Try not to terrorize any other former employees while you’re here.”
I walked away before he could respond, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs. Behind me, I heard nothing. No footsteps. No voice calling my name.
Good. Maybe he’d finally gotten the message.
I didn’t look back to check. Looking back would be a weakness, and I’d been weak enough for one day.
Christopher. I’d told Alexander I was dating Christopher. The lie sat uncomfortably in my chest, but it was necessary. Self–preservation. The only way to make Alexander understand I’d moved on, even if it wasn’t entirely true.
Christopher was nice. Successful. Interested. Everything I should want in a partner.
Everything except the one thing that mattered: he wasn’t Alexander.
“Stop it,” I muttered to myself, turning the corner onto my street. “You don’t want Alexander. You want what he represented. Security. Excitement. Someone who saw you.”
But that was never real. It was an arrangement. A business transaction that I’d been stupid enough to catch feelings during.
The grocery bags cut deeper into my palms with each step.
Behind me, the unmistakable purr of the Aston Martin’s engine grew louder.
“Get in the car, Madison.”
Alexander’s voice carried through the open window, smooth and commanding, the same tone he’d used to close billion–dollar deals.
I kept walking. “No, thank you.”
The car crept alongside me, matching my pace exactly. “You’re carrying heavy bags. Just get in.”
“I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“I never said you weren’t capable. I’m offering you a ride.”
“And I’m declining.” I shifted the bags, ignoring how my fingers were going numb.
“Madison.” His tone sharpened. “Get in the car before you drop those bags.”
A woman pushing a stroller slowed, watching our exchange with undisguised curiosity. Great. Small town gossip moved faster than wildfire, and I was currently providing premium fuel.
“You’re creating a scene,” I said through gritted teeth, still walking.
“Then get in the car.”
I stopped, exhaling slowly through my nose.
“Fine.” I yanked open the passenger door. “But only because you’re making a spectacle.”
3/5
Apter 365
+25 Bonus
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.
