Chapter 305
Madison
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She turned back to Alexander. “We really must catch up properly, Alex. Away from all this noise and pretense.” She gestured vaguely at the gala around us. “Dinner next week? I’ll have my assistant call yours.” Her eyes flicked briefly to me, the implication clear.
Alexander took a sip of his scotch, neither accepting nor declining her invitation. “You’ve certainly made an impact tonight,” he said instead. “Gabriel seemed impressed with your expansion plans.”
“Business was always foreplay for you,” Katherine laughed, touching his arm again. “Some things truly never change.”
I sipped my drink, the gin burning pleasantly down my throat. The conversation continued around me, Katherine expertly weaving tales of her London successes while dropping intimate references to her past with Alexander. “Remember that little bistro in Paris?” and “You always did prefer the Amalfi Coast to the French Riviera.”
Each casual mention stung like a paper cut, reminding me of their shared history.
Alexander maintained his composure, neither encouraging nor discouraging her reminiscing. His responses were polite but measured, revealing nothing of his true feelings.
Eventually, a silver–haired woman in a stunning navy gown approached our group. “Katherine Sinclair! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. The Vogue editor wants to discuss featuring your sustainable collection.”
Katherine’s eyes lit up. “Duty calls,” she said, squeezing Alexander’s arm one last time. “Think about dinner, Alex. For old times‘ sake.” She leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to his cheek, dangerously close to the corner of his mouth. “It was lovely meeting you, Madison.”
As she glided away, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“You okay?” Alexander asked, his voice low.
“Fine,” I replied automatically. “She’s not what I expected.”
“And what did you expect?”
I hesitated. “Someone less…”
“Overwhelming?” he supplied.
“I was going to say ‘tactile,‘” I admitted.
A hint of amusement flickered across his face. “Katherine has always been physical. It doesn’t mean anything.”
But it clearly meant something to her. The way she touched him referenced their shared past and marked her territory, all of which screamed ownership.
“She seems very successful,” I said carefully.
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Chapter 305
“She is,” Alexander acknowledged. “Katherine always gets what she wants.”
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The words hung between us, loaded with implication. Had she wanted him back? Was that why she’d returned to New York?
I remembered what Hazel and I had discovered during our research: Katherine was supposedly “seriously dating “a CEO in London. Had that relationship ended? Or was it just a gossip? Or was Katherine playing games?
I watched her walk away, her crimson gown flowing behind her like blood in water. Every man’s eyes followed her path across the room. I couldn’t blame them; she was magnetic, the kind of woman who dominated any space she entered.
“What are you thinking?” Alexander’s voice pulled me back to reality.
I took another sip of my gin and tonic, the bitter liquid matching my mood. “Nothing.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. He never believed me when I said “nothing.”
“Is Katherine your ex–girlfriend?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
“Yes.” His answer was simple, direct. No elaboration, no explanation.
I nodded, unsure what else to say. What right did I have to ask for details? Our arrangement was clear: exclusive but temporary. His past relationships weren’t my business, even if one of them had just sauntered back into his life wearing a dress designed to make men forget their own names.
“You never mentioned she was back in New York,” I said, the words escaping before I could stop them.
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I didn’t know until tonight.”
“Really? She said she flew in yesterday. She didn’t call to let you know?”
His eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering in their depths. “Katherine likes surprises.”
I didn’t know how to respond. Katherine had certainly surprised me tonight, appearing like a crimson vision from Alexander’s past.
I took another long sip of my drink, letting the gin burn down my throat as I turned to watch the couples swaying on the dance floor. The jazz band played something slow and intimate, the saxophone notes wrapping around the room like silk.
I wondered if Alexander would ask me to dance. If he’d wrap his arm around my waist and pull me close, making a statement to everyone–especially Katherine–about where his interests truly lay.
Instead, he finished his scotch in one smooth motion and set the empty glass on a passing server’s tray.
“Why did you bid two hundred thousand dollars for dinner with Katherine?” I asked, unable to contain the question any longer. “Are you planning to go?”
Alexander’s gaze sharpened. “No.”
“Then why-”
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Chapter 305
“Because I didn’t want anyone else to,” he said simply. 1
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I blinked, processing his words. “You spent two hundred thousand dollars just to make sure no one else had dinner with her?”
“The money goes to a children’s hospital, Madison. I would have donated regardless.”
“But the dinner-”
“Is something I have no intention of claiming.” His voice was firm, brooking no argument.
Before I could press further, Katherine materialized beside us again.
“Alex, darling,” she purred, placing her hand on his arm. “I’ve been cornered by every fashion editor in the room. Exhausting but necessary.” She leaned closer, her perfume enveloping us. “We really must meet again properly. Think about dinner? I’ll wait for your answer before my schedule fills up with work commitments.”
Alexander’s expression remained neutral, neither accepting nor declining her invitation. He simply nodded once, noncommittal.
Katherine’s smile faltered for just a fraction of a second before returning to full wattage. She squeezed his arm. Perfect. You have my number.” Her eyes flicked to me, assessing. “Lovely meeting you, Madison. That dress really is divine on you.”
With that, she glided away, leaving a trail of expensive perfume in her wake.
“I think we’ve made enough of an appearance,” Alexander said, checking his watch. “Ready to leave?”
Relief washed over me. “Yes.”
Alexander placed his hand at the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd toward the exit. As we left, I felt a strange mix of emotions: happy that he hadn’t accepted Katherine’s dinner invitation but confused that he hadn’t rejected it either. What game was he playing?
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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.
