Alex noticed Sophie was avoiding him.
She was polite but distant, her words clipped, her gaze never lingering on him for too long.
Even when they were heading out for an important dinner with a potential business partner, she barely spared him more than a courteous nod before retreating to her cubicle.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly why she was acting this way.
But he had no intention of letting it slide.
Grabbing his things, he walked out of his office without a word. He didn’t have to check—Sophie would follow. She had no choice.
The elevator ride down was silent.
The air between them was thick with unspoken words, tension simmering beneath the surface.
Alex leaned against the elevator wall, sneaking a glance at her. Her face was carefully neutral, her fingers clutching the notepad she carried for meetings.
He smirked to himself. So she wants to pretend nothing happened? Fine. But let’s see how long that lasts.
The elevator dinged open.
They stepped into the lobby, walking side by side but with just enough space between them that it felt intentional.
When they reached the garage, the black car was already waiting. Alex slid into the backseat without acknowledging her. A second later, Sophie climbed in beside him.
The ride was quiet.
He could feel her discomfort in the way she sat stiffly, her hands clasped together in her lap.
He could also feel her resolve slowly cracking.
But he let her sit in silence, watching the city lights blur past the window.
Five minutes later, they arrived at the suite.
It was a luxurious restaurant, a private section reserved exclusively for their meeting. The moment they stepped inside, Alex barely had time to speak to Sophie before the business partner arrived.
“Alex Donald,” the man greeted with a firm handshake.
“Mr. Hayes,” Alex returned, his voice smooth and confident.
The man’s gaze flickered to Sophie. “And this must be your secretary?”
Alex nodded. “Sophie Carter.”
Sophie smiled politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hayes.”
They settled into their seats.
Sophie opened her notepad, prepared to take notes as Alex and Mr. Hayes dove into business discussions.
For the next half hour, the conversation was strictly professional. Numbers were discussed. Deals were negotiated. Decisions were made.
Sophie remained focused, writing down key points, but she was hyper-aware of Alex’s presence beside her.
And then—just as the meeting began to ease into more casual topics—she felt it.
A slow, deliberate movement beneath the table.
And then—she felt it.
A brush of heat against her knee. At first, she thought it was an accident, but then Alex’s palm slid upward, his fingers tracing the sensitive skin just above her stocking. Her breath hitched, her pen freezing mid-scribble. She shot him a sideways glance, but he was the picture of composure, nodding along to whatever Hayes was spouting.
His hand moved higher.
Sophie’s heart pounded as his fingers crept up her thigh, his touch so light it was almost torturous. She clenched her jaw, willing herself not to react, but her body was already betraying her. His fingers danced closer to the hem of her skirt, teasing the edge of her lace garter. She bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood, her nails digging into the leather of her chair.
Alex’s hand stopped just short of where she needed him most, his fingers tracing agonizing circles on her inner thigh. Sophie’s chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, her nipples hardening beneath her blouse. She could feel his heat, his intention, and it was driving her insane.
Hayes laughed at something Alex said, completely oblivious to the war raging beneath the table. Sophie forced herself to smile, nodding along like her entire world wasn’t being reduced to fire and need. Alex’s fingers dipped lower, brushing against the damp fabric of her panties. She gasped softly, her eyes darting to Hayes, but he was too busy puffing on his cigar to notice.
Alex leaned back in his chair, his face a mask of calm, but his hand was anything but. His fingers crept beneath the edge of her panties. Sophie’s thighs trembled as he traced her slit, his touch so freaking intimate it made her want to scream. He teased her with slow, deliberate strokes, each one sending electric shocks through her body.
Her back arched ever so slightly, her hips shifting in her seat. She wanted to grind against his hand, to feel him deeper, harder, but she was trapped in this sick game. Alex’s fingers pressed harder against her clit, the pressure building like a storm. She could feel herself unraveling, her body teetering on the edge of oblivion.
And then—he stopped.
Sophie almost whimpered at the loss of contact. Alex’s hand retreated, leaving her throbbing and desperate. She shot him a glare, but he just smirked like the devil himself.
Hayes droned on about some deal or another, but Sophie couldn’t focus. Her skin was on fire, every nerve ending screaming for Alex’s touch.
She hated him for it.
Hated how easily he could reduce her to a trembling mess with just his hand.
But worst of all—she hated how much she fucking loved it.