Sophie lay against Alex’s bare chest, her breath still coming in short, shallow gasps. The aftermath of what they had just done in his office was still buzzing through her veins, leaving her body flushed and tingling.
Alex smirked down at her, his fingers tracing lazy circles on her back. “How was it?”
She tilted her head, meeting his smug gaze. “You already know the answer.”
His smirk widened. “Say it.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “It was…” she paused, letting the suspense linger. “Alright.”
His brow shot up. “Alright?”
Sophie giggled, only to let out a small yelp when his palm landed on her bare ass. “Alex!”
“That’s for lying.” He grinned wickedly. “Now, say it properly.”
Sophie shook her head, biting her lip to suppress another giggle as she quickly rolled off him and reached for her clothes. She could still feel the heat of his hand on her skin, and it made her move faster.
She tugged her skirt back on, buttoned up her blouse, and ran her fingers through her tousled hair in an attempt to fix it.
Meanwhile, Alex took his time getting dressed, watching her with an amused expression as she fumbled with the last few buttons of her blouse.
“Need help?” His voice was teasing.
She shot him a glare but then softened when she saw the playful glint in his eyes. With a sigh, she walked over and helped him fix his tie, smoothing out the collar of his shirt.
As soon as they were both dressed, a sharp knock sounded at the door.
Sophie froze.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she darted a look at Alex. He wasn’t expecting anyone this morning.
The knock came again.
Panic surged through her as she quickly grabbed the room freshener and sprayed it generously around the office, trying to mask any lingering scent of what had just happened.
She rushed to the door and opened it cautiously.
Standing on the other side was a woman—elegant, poised, and breathtakingly beautiful.
She wore a form-fitting white dress with delicate lace detailing along the neckline, the kind that screamed sophistication and wealth.
Her dark, wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders effortlessly, and her makeup was flawless—subtle yet enough to highlight her high cheekbones and full lips painted a deep shade of red.
Sophie blinked, thrown off by the woman’s presence.
The woman’s sharp eyes scanned her from head to toe before arching a perfectly sculpted brow. “Is Alex in?”
Sophie’s stomach twisted.
Who was she?
She turned back slightly, catching Alex already on his feet, fully dressed, his expression unreadable. Sophie hesitated for a second before stepping aside to let the woman in.
As soon as she did, Alex’s jaw dropped.
Then, before Sophie could even process what was happening, the woman strode forward with confidence, wrapping her arms around Alex in a tight embrace.
Sophie stood frozen as she watched them hug—longer than what she would call friendly.
Then, to make matters worse, the woman placed a peck on each of Alex’s cheeks, her perfectly manicured nails lingering against his suit jacket.
A sharp pang of something Sophie refused to name shot through her chest.
She clenched her fingers at her sides, her throat tightening as an uncomfortable heat crawled up her neck.
She shouldn’t feel like this.
After all, she and Alex weren’t… anything. Were they?
Whatever it was they had just done—whatever it was they had started—it wasn’t supposed to come with emotions attached.
And yet, watching him so comfortable with another woman made her insides twist painfully.
Sophie quickly turned on her heels and left the office before she could make a fool of herself.
She barely made it back to her cubicle before sinking into her chair, her pulse racing.
Who was she?
The way Alex looked at her… the way they hugged…
Sophie squeezed her eyes shut.
Stop thinking about it.
She reached for her phone, contemplating calling Benita, her best friend. Maybe she could help distract her from this mess of emotions brewing inside her.
But just as she was about to dial, she hesitated.
Would she sound ridiculous? Overreacting because her boss—her boss, whom she had just had sex with—was with another woman?
No.
She dropped her phone on the desk, exhaling sharply.
A few minutes passed, and just when she thought she had calmed down, her intercom rang.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for it. “Yes?”
Alex’s voice came through the line, smooth and firm. “Come here.”
Sophie swallowed hard.
She didn’t want to.
Not when she still felt the sting of seeing him with that woman.
But she had no choice.
Straightening her shoulders, she forced her legs to move and made her way back to his office.
When she entered, she regretted it immediately.
The woman was still there.
And worse—she and Alex were still standing close, their fingers lightly entwined as they exchanged smiles.
Sophie’s stomach dropped.
She forced herself to look away, keeping her expression blank.
Alex turned to her, his face unreadable. “Mara, meet Sophie, my secretary.”
Sophie forced a tight smile, though her throat felt like sandpaper.
Mara tilted her head, her lips curling into a smirk. “Ah. The secretary.”
Sophie didn’t like the way she said that.
Then, Alex delivered the final blow.
“Sophie, this is Mara… my ex-girlfriend.”
Sophie’s breath caught.
Her heart stilled for a brief second before hammering wildly against her ribcage.
Ex-girlfriend?