Sophie took a deep breath before stepping into the office building. The weight of the other night clung to her, making her every step feel heavier than usual.
Could she really face Alex after what had happened? After the way she had lost herself in him, in his touch, in his kiss?
Her heart pounded as she reached his office door. She hesitated, her fingers trembling slightly as she knocked.
“Come in,” Alex’s deep voice called out.
Pushing the door open, she stepped inside, her breath hitching when she saw him.
He was already at his desk, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit, his dark hair slightly tousled as if he had run his fingers through it moments ago. He glanced up, his piercing gaze locking onto her.
Sophie swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak. “Good morning, Mr. Donald.” She bowed slightly. “I apologize for being late.”
She braced herself for a scolding, expecting his usual sharp tone, but instead, he chuckled. A low, deep sound that sent a shiver down her spine.
“Sit,” he said simply.
Sophie blinked, confused by his unusually calm demeanor. She moved cautiously, lowering herself into the chair across from him. Her palms felt clammy as she folded them on her lap.
Alex leaned back, watching her intently. “How was your weekend?”
Her cheeks burned instantly. Was he seriously asking that?
“I—uh…” she stammered, avoiding his gaze.
His lips curved into a knowing smirk. “I’ll take that as a good one.”
She glanced up at him sharply, her blush deepening.
He tilted his head. “Why did you leave without waiting for me the other night?”
Sophie inhaled sharply. “I—I needed to go home.”
His eyes darkened slightly, as if he didn’t believe her. “I had plans for you that morning.”
Her brows furrowed. “Plans?”
“I was going to prepare breakfast for you at my place,” he said, his tone casual but laced with something else—something deeper. “Then I would have driven you home.”
Her mouth parted in surprise. She hadn’t expected that level of care.
“I— I had no idea,” she murmured, suddenly feeling guilty.
He let out another chuckle, but this time, there was a heat behind it. “Next time, don’t leave without my permission.”
Next time?
Sophie’s heart stuttered.
She nodded slowly, feeling a strange warmth settle in her chest. So he wasn’t pretending like last night hadn’t happened.
He wasn’t brushing it off as a mistake. If anything, he was making it clear that he wasn’t done with her.
Her thoughts were a jumbled mess as silence stretched between them.
Alex studied her, his gaze flickering with amusement. “Do I have any meetings this morning?”
Sophie was still lost in her thoughts, and when he called her name, she jolted upright. “I uh–”
His brows lifted, asking, “Are you okay?”
She nodded quickly, trying to compose herself. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Good.” He smirked. “Now, answer my question.”
She blinked, her mind scrambling to recall. “Oh! No, you don’t have any meetings until noon.”
He nodded, his smirk deepening. “Perfect. Come here.”
Sophie’s stomach flipped. “C-Come?”
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. He patted his thigh. “Sit.”
Her breath hitched.
Her eyes darted to the door. It wasn’t locked. Anyone could walk in.
Alex must have caught her hesitation because, in one smooth motion, he stood, walked to the door, and locked it.
Her pulse skyrocketed.
Before she could process what was happening, he was back in his chair. But this time, when he sat down, he reached for her, gripping her wrist and pulling her forward.
She stumbled slightly, but before she could protest, he had her right where he wanted her—perched on his lap, straddling him.
A sharp breath left her lips.
His hands settled on her waist, warm and firm. “Much better,” he murmured.
Sophie’s hands flew to his shoulders, her entire body trembling from the proximity. “A-Alex… we’re at work…”
His lips twitched with amusement. “And?”
“Someone might—”
He silenced her by tilting her chin up, his thumb brushing over her lower lip. “You’re thinking too much.”
Her breath came in shallow pants. His touch, his voice, everything about him was intoxicating.
She swallowed hard, her body already betraying her as she melted into his hold.
“This is a bad idea,” she whispered.
His eyes darkened. “Is it?”
She couldn’t answer. Not when he was looking at her like that. Not when her heart was hammering against her chest like a drum.
Alex moved slowly, giving her time to stop him, but she didn’t. She couldn’t.
His lips brushed against hers, a featherlight touch that sent tingles rushing through her entire body.
Sophie exhaled shakily.
Then he kissed her—soft at first, teasing, tasting.
She sighed into him, giving in completely.
His grip on her tightened, pulling her flush against him. She could feel his heartbeat against her chest, steady and strong.
Then, the kiss deepened.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, her body pressing closer, heat pooling in her stomach.
Alex groaned against her lips, one hand sliding up her back, the other tightening around her waist as if he never wanted to let go.
Sophie was drowning in him, in the way he touched her, in the way he kissed her like she was something he couldn’t get enough of.
She barely noticed when he lifted her, placing her on his desk without breaking the kiss.
Her legs instinctively wrapped around him.
“This is reckless,” she breathed.
He smirked against her lips. “I’ve always wanted to try this. A secret rendezvous at the office.” His hands were already on her, shoving her skirt up around her waist. Her eyes widened, but before she could respond, he claimed her lips again, silencing every doubt, every thought—until there was nothing left but them.