Chapter four.

Alex stayed in the office long after Bridget left. The rain had stopped, but the air still felt heavy, charged. He could still smell her. Something citrus-sharp and clean, lingering on the chair where she’d sat. He could still see the flush on her cheeks when Jake walked in, the way her shoulders stiffened, the way she’d looked at Alex afterward like she was daring him to do something about it.

He hadn’t.

He’d let her walk out.

Now the silence was suffocating.

He paced once, twice then stopped at the window. Pressed his palm to the glass. Cold seeped into his skin, but it did nothing to cool the rage still simmering under his ribs.

Jake’s smirk. The casual way he’d said “She always comes around.”

Like she was a habit he could pick up again whenever he felt like it.

Alex’s fist clenched.

He pulled out his phone, and found her number.

Typed: *Meet me at the mansion. Now.*

Sent it without explanation.

He didn’t wait for a reply. He grabbed his keys and left.

The drive to Evergreen Ridge took twenty-three minutes. Long enough for him to replay every second of the almost-kiss. Long enough for the guilt to try clawing its way back up. Long enough for want to drown it again.

The new house sat at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Modern lines, dark cedar, floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over evergreens. He’d barely unpacked. Boxes still stacked in the foyer. The place smelled like sawdust and new paint.

He left the front door unlocked.

When her car pulled up ten minutes later, headlights cutting through the dusk, he was waiting on the porch. Arms crossed. No jacket, shirt sleeves still rolled.

She got out, slammed the door and walked up the path like she was coming to fight.

“You don’t own me,” she said before she even reached the steps.

He didn’t move. “I want to.”

She stopped two feet away. Breathing hard, eyes blazing.

“You summoned me like I’m your fucking employee after hours.”

“You came.”

“Because I’m pissed.” She stepped closer. “And because you texted me like you had the right.”

He caught her wrist just enough to stop her forward momentum.

“I don’t have the right,” he said quietly. “But I’m taking it anyway.”

Her breath hitched.

He pulled her inside, kicking the door shut. He pushed her back against the foyer wall. Her bag hit the floor. Neither of them cared.

His mouth crashed down on hers.

No preamble. No gentleness. Just teeth and tongue and the taste of her surprise melting into hunger. She kissed him back like she was trying to win. Hands fisting his shirt. Legs parting when his thigh pushed between them.

He broke the kiss long enough to rasp against her mouth, “You let that boy talk to you like that today?”

“I told him no.” Her voice was wrecked. “I told him to leave.”

“Good girl.”

The words hit her like a spark. She arched against him. Moaned when his hand slid under her blouse, palm flat against her stomach.

He kissed down her throat, biting lightly. “He doesn’t touch you. Ever. Say it.”

“He doesn’t touch me.” She gasped when his fingers found the clasp of her bra. “Ever.”

Alex yanked the blouse open, buttons popping. He pushed the fabric aside, cupping her breast. Thumb circled her nipple until it peaked.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured.

“Because you’re pissing me off.” She dragged his mouth back to hers. “And because I want this.”

He groaned, lifting her. Her legs wrapped around his waist like they belonged there. He carried her to the living room that was still half-empty, just a leather couch and a coffee table. Dropped her onto the cushions. Came down over her.

Clothes came off in a frenzy. Her trousers. His shirt. Her panties dragged down her thighs. His belt clinked open.

He settled between her legs. One hand braced beside her head. The other slid down, fingers finding her slick and ready.

“Fuck,” he breathed. “You’re soaked.”

“Been like this since your text.” She rocked against his hand. “Since you said *furious*.”

He pushed two fingers deep inside her and curled them.

She cried out, back arching.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

Her dark, desperate eyes fluttered open.

“I’ve lived twice your life,” he said, voice rough. “I know exactly what this body needs. Let me show you.”

She whimpered. “Show me.”

He worked her harder. Thumb on her clit. Fingers stroking that spot inside until her thighs trembled.

“You just got out of college,” he whispered against her ear. “And I still can’t keep my fucking hands off you.”

“Alex—” Her voice broke.

“Come for me.” He pressed harder. “Now.”

She shattered. Loud. Unashamed. Nails digging into his shoulders. His name on her lips like a prayer and a curse.

He didn’t stop until she was boneless. Gasping.

Then he pulled his hand away. Licked his fingers clean while she watched, eyes wide.

She reached for his zipper.

He caught her wrist. “Not yet.”

She frowned. “What?”

“Not until you’re mine completely.” He kissed her once, soft this time. Almost tender. “I want all of you. No half-measures. No going back to him. No pretending this is just anger.”

Her chest rose and fell. “You’re asking for everything.”

“I know.”

She stared at him for a long moment. Then nodded. Once.

He helped her dress carefully. Buttoned her blouse with shaking hands. Kissed her forehead when she shivered.

Then he drove her home.

The ride was silent. Streetlights sliding over their faces. Her hand rested on his thigh the whole way. He covered it with his own.

When they reached her father’s house, she unbuckled.

“You’re going to ruin me,” she said quietly.

He looked at her. “I plan to.”

She got out and closed the door softly.

He watched her walk up the path. Watched the porch light catch her hair. Watched until the front door closed behind her.

Then he pulled out his phone.

Typed: *Tomorrow. My office. We finish what we started.*

Sent it.

Her reply came before he even shifted into drive.

*You’re already ruining me.*

He exhaled then drove away.

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.