Chapter 281
+25 BONUS
Chapter 281
Madison
With a nod to me, Leo headed for the door, leaving Alexander and me alone in the warehouse.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched between us, filled only by the distant sound of rain on the metal roof.
Alexander pocketed his phone and turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “You know, that water stunt was quite satisfying to watch.‘
I shrugged, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. “It just… happened. I saw the bottles sitting there and thought about how she dumped water on me that day at the office.”
“Poetic justice,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting. “She deserved worse, but the water was a nice touch.”
“I’m not usually that impulsive,” I admitted, wrapping my arms around myself. The warehouse suddenly felt colder, the concrete walls amplifying the chill.
Alexander shrugged off his jacket and placed it around my shoulders before I could protest. The fabric was still warm from his body, carrying his distinctive scent.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, his hand finding the small of my back as he guided me toward the exit.
Outside, the rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle. Streetlights reflected in puddles across the empty parking lot, creating small islands of golden light in the darkness. Alexander’s car sat alone, sleek and black against the industrial backdrop.
We slid into the leather seats, and Alexander started the engine. The quiet hum filled the space between us as he pulled away from the warehouse.
“Do you think she’ll keep her word?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“Vanessa?” Alexander’s eyes remained fixed on the road. “No. But she knows we have leverage now.”
“What if she tries something else?”
“Then we’ll handle it.” His tone was matter–of–fact as if dealing with potentially dangerous women was just another Tuesday for him.
I watched his profile as he drove, the sharp line of his jaw, the slight furrow between his brows. There was something both reassuring and intimidating about his confidence.
“So this is what CEOS do in their spare time? Interrogate people in abandoned warehouses?”
“Only on special occasions.”
We fell into a comfortable silence as he navigated through the empty streets. The city looked different at night, transformed into something mysterious and unknown.
“Who’s Katherine?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself.
1/3
Chapter 281
+25 BONUS
Alexander’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, his entire body tensing. “No one.”
The finality in his tone should have been enough to end the conversation, but something pushed me forward.” You called me by her name that night in your penthouse.”
Alexander remained silent, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Just when I thought he wouldn’t answer, he spoke, his voice low. “She’s no one now. That’s all that matters.”
I turned to look out the window, watching raindrops race down the glass. No one. The words stung more than they should have. What did I expect? That he’d pour his heart out about his past love? That wasn’t Alexander Knight’s style.
The rest of the drive passed in silence, the rain creating a hypnotic pattern against the windshield. I found myself drifting, exhaustion finally catching up to me after the intensity of the evening.
When the car stopped, I blinked, surprised to find we were outside my apartment building.
“We’re here,” Alexander said unnecessarily, his voice neutral again.
I gathered my purse, suddenly awkward. “Thank you for the ride.”
“Madison.” His voice stopped me as I reached for the door handle. When I turned, his expression had softened.” What happened tonight stays between us. Understand?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Good.” He hesitated, then added, “Get some rest. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Alexander.” I stepped out of the car, the cool night air a shock after the warmth of the heated interior.
As I rode the elevator up to my floor, I couldn’t help but think about his reaction to Katherine’s name. No one, he’d said. But the tension in his body and the flash of something in his eyes, whether it was pain or anger, told a different story.
My apartment was dark and quiet when I entered. Mom must have gone to bed already.
I moved silently through the living room, not wanting to wake her.
In my bedroom, I changed quickly into pajamas and slid under the covers, exhaustion washing over me in waves. But despite my fatigue, sleep remained elusive. My mind kept returning to the warehouse, to Vanessa’s confession, to Alexander’s face when I mentioned Katherine.
I rolled onto my side, staring at the moonlight filtering through my curtains. Alexander Knight was my boss. My temporary boyfriend. Nothing more. His past relationships don’t matter to me.
I tossed restlessly in bed, unable to shake the memory of Alexander’s reaction to Katherine’s name. The moonlight cast strange shadows on my ceiling as my mind raced through the events of the past few weeks.
Life had settled into an oddly comfortable routine. The Manhattan project progressed smoothly, with our team hitting milestones ahead of schedule. Mom’s health improved steadily. She even tried sneaking into the kitchen to cook last night before I caught her.
2/3
Chapter 281
+25 BONUS
“Madison Harper, I raised you on these recipes,” she protested as I guided her back to the couch.
“And now it’s my turn to feed you,” I replied, confiscating her wooden spoon.
Alexander visited us occasionally, charming Mom with stories and making her laugh in a way I hadn’t heard since before her diagnosis. She’d beam at him like he hung the moon while I pretended not to notice how naturally he fit into our little world.
Between both roles, work kept me busy. The project team respected my leadership, and I grew more confident in my abilities.
The physical side of our arrangement intensified. Alexander seemed to crave my presence more, finding excuses to pull me into his office or penthouse. His touch grew possessive, demanding, yet somehow tender. Sometimes, I caught him watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite read, something beyond mere desire.
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.
