Chapter 321
Madison
The words hung in the air between us. Alexander’s fingers stilled.
“End it,” he repeated flatly.
“Yes. Keep things purely professional between us. No more dinners, no more other activities. Just boss and employee.”
Alexander studied me for a long moment. “Is that what you want?”
No. “Yes.”
“I see.” He leaned back in his chair. “And your mother’s medical bills?”
“I’ll figure something out.” I lifted my chin. “I appreciate what you’ve done for her, but I can’t continue like this.
“Like what, exactly?”
“Like…” I gestured vaguely. “This. The pretending. The sneaking around. Being your dirty little secret while you parade Katherine around town.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “You think I’m parading Katherine around?”
“The evidence speaks for itself.” 1
Alexander sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Madison, those photos aren’t what they look like.”
“Really? Because they look like you’re rekindling things with your ex.
“They’re business meetings.” 6
I scoffed. “With your hand on her back? Looking at her like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like…” Like you used to look at me. “It doesn’t matter. The point is, I don’t want to be part of this anymore.”
Alexander leaned forward, his eyes intent on mine. “The photos you saw were from a business meeting between Katherine and Georgia. They’re collaborating on a new fashion line for Knight Industries. I was there as a courtesy, nothing more.”
“Your hand was on her back,” I insisted.
“A habit from when we were together,” he admitted. “Nothing more than muscle memory.”
I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to believe him so badly.
“Someone leaked those photos to the press with a false narrative,” Alexander continued. “We’re investigating who did it and why. But I assure you, there’s nothing romantic happening between Katherine and me.”
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“Then why didn’t you tell me about these meetings?” t
“Because they weren’t relevant to us.”
“Not relevant?” I laughed incredulously. “Your ex–girlfriend is back in town, working with your company, and you didn’t think that was worth mentioning?”
“No,” he said simply. “I didn’t.”
His bluntness stung. “Well, it matters to me. I don’t want to be blindsided by gossip about my…” What was he to me?“…about my boss.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Is that all I am to you? Your boss?”
“That’s all you should be,” I said firmly. “This arrangement was a mistake from the beginning. We should end it now before things get more complicated.”
“And if I don’t want to end it?”
My heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“What if I want to continue our arrangement?” His voice had dropped to that low, seductive tone that always made my knees weak. “What if I enjoy being with you? What if I like having you around? What if I like having you in my bed? What if I enjoy the way you respond to my touch, the sounds you make when I’m inside you?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “That’s not–we can’t-”
“We can,” he countered. “And we have. Quite enthusiastically, if I recall.”
Images of our encounters flashed through my mind; his hands on my body, his mouth claiming mine, the way he made me feel things I’d never felt before.
“This isn’t about sex,” I managed.
“No?” His eyes glinted. “Then what is it about?”
“It’s about respect,” I said. “I don’t want to be your secret girlfriend while you’re seen publicly with someone else. I don’t want to be the subject of office gossip. I don’t want to wonder if I’m just a placeholder until something better comes along.”
Something shifted in his expression. “Is that what you think? That you’re a placeholder?”
“Isn’t that what this arrangement is? Temporary convenience?”
Alexander was silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving mine. “Think carefully before you make this decision, Madison. Once our arrangement ends, there’s no going back.”
“I have thought about it.” I stood up, needing to put distance between us. “I don’t want to be in this arrangement anymore. I don’t want to be the woman you sleep with while being seen with someone else. I don’t want to be your secret.”
“I’m not asking you to be my secret.”
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“But that’s what I am!” The words burst out of me. “No one knows about us except my mother and Hazel; they think it’s real. Meanwhile, you’re all over the tabloids with Katherine, looking like the perfect power couple.”
“Those photos were taken out of context,” Alexander insisted. “There’s nothing between Katherine and me.‘
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, suddenly exhausted. “This isn’t working for me anymore. I want out.”
Alexander studied me for a long moment. “If that’s what you want.”
His easy capitulation caught me off guard. I’d expected him to argue and convince me to stay. His acceptance felt like a confirmation of my worst fears, that I didn’t matter enough for him to fight for.
“It is,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
“Alright then.” He nodded once. “Consider our arrangement terminated, effective immediately.”
The finality of his words hit me like a physical blow. This was what I wanted, wasn’t it? So why did it feel like I was making a terrible mistake?
“What about my mother’s medical care?” I asked, hating that I had to bring it up. 1
“Her care will continue as agreed,” Alexander said. “I’m not a monster, Madison. I won’t punish your mother for your decision.”
Relief washed over me. “Thank you.”
“Is there anything else?”
I shook my head, suddenly desperate to escape his office. “No. I should get back to work.”
“Of course.” He turned his attention back to his computer, dismissing me. “Oh, and Ms. Harper?”
I paused at the door. “Yes?”
“Don’t forget my coffee. Double shot.”
The casual reminder, as if we hadn’t just ended something significant, stung more than it should have. “Right away, Mr. Knight.”
I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a shaky breath. It was done. The arrangement was over. I should feel relieved, liberated.
Instead, I felt hollow.
Chapter 322
+25 BONUS
Chapter 322
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.
