18

Adrienne hesitated for a while and finally dragged her legs over to the bed. She sat down, crossing her sexy, slim legs.

​"Yes, Papi—"

​"Don't call me that; I hate it," he snapped, locking his serious eyes with hers.

​Adrienne sighed and nodded; she could tell it was time to get serious. "I understand. What do I call you when we're alone? I just need to make sure I'm following all your rules here," she said quietly.

​"Alexander is fine," he replied, drumming his fingers on his knee—a habit he suddenly realized he'd learned from watching a certain someone.

​"Fuck," he muttered under his breath.

​"What?" Adrienne asked.

​Alexander shook his head. "Listen. I know you're trying to play your part. But don't overdo it. What you did with my mom down there was over the top. Do you understand?" he asked sternly.

​Adrienne furrowed her brows. "Over the top? I just wanted her not to suspect us. You were being so... so rigid. If I didn't act, she would have suspected something." She took her chance and reached out her hand to place it on his thigh.

​Alexander lowered his eyes to her hand, watching the way her red, manicured nails grazed the side of his thigh in a slow, purposeful manner.

​He didn't stop her; he knew she wouldn't do more than that. Yes, she was an escort, but he could tell that under her escort mask was a naive girl. If not, why didn't she kiss him back at the café?

​Other girls would have seized that opportunity as a stepping stone to their seduction, but Adrienne just froze like a statue, letting him do the awkward kiss alone.

​Adrienne's voice called him back to the present.

​"Listen, I know you don't like me. It's fine; I don't like you either. But for the sake of our separate goals, let's work together as a team for just one year. After that, we would never have to face each other again. Agreed?" she asked gently, peering at his face.

​Alexander stiffened, her words ringing in his ears: 'After that, we would never have to face each other again.'

​Why was he feeling angered by her words? It wasn't like he wanted to stay married for real. Right?

​"Agreed," he answered before the stupid thought could marinate in his mind.

​Adrienne nodded. She was about to stand up and take her leave when Alexander held her waist, stopping her from standing.

​"Is there anything else?" she questioned calmly, but deep down, Adrian's anxiety was starting to rise.

​She fixed her feet on the floor to stop them from bouncing up and down, and she laced her fingers together, battling the strong urge to scrape her knees.

​This was the longest Adrian had worn his disguise; his skin was starting to sweat and itch, and he craved the cool air on his skin. There was no way he was spending a night in his boss's house.

​"The lie you told about working for me—how are you going to keep up?" Alexander asked slowly.

​Adrienne was about to respond when she felt Alexander's hand slip around her waist, pulling her close—too close.

​Her heart launched into its dramatic dance, pounding against her chest. Alexander was so unpredictable. She never knew his next move—or worse, why he made it.

​She cleared her throat, trying to ignore the firm grip of his fingers on her waist. "Well, it might shock you to know that I did go to school. I just never got accepted by any company, which is why I resorted to being an… what are you doing?" Her hand shot up, plastering against his face when he suddenly leaned in toward her.

​Alexander effortlessly removed her hand, his gaze steady. "Keep talking," he murmured, his voice dropping dangerously low as his hand slid higher along her waist.

​Adrienne shuddered, forcing herself to keep her composure. She knew what this was—Alexander testing her resolve again, waiting to see if her feelings had shifted.

​I'm not caving, Papi. It's you who's going to cave first, she smirked inwardly.

​"What I'm saying is, I'm educated. You don't have to worry about how I'd hold a conversation with your mother—"

​"I'm going to kiss you." The husky warning rolled off Alexander's lips as he cupped the back of her head, tilting her face toward his.

​Adrienne froze, her words tangling in her throat. She pressed her hand against his chest, stumbling over her own protest. "Um, I… like that you always warn me when you're about to… but there's no need to—oh no, you're getting closer." She slapped her palms over her face, wide-eyed and shaking her head.

​"Stop staring at my lips, Alexander. We're not a real couple," she reminded him, her voice trembling.

​Alexander smirked, his eyes flicking to hers for a brief, searing moment. "I know." His voice dropped into his deepest register.

​"Then why—"

​"Shh…" His lips brushed the words against her ear. "I just need your lips, Adrienne."

​Before she could respond, his mouth crashed against hers, his grip tightening on her waist as he pressed her flush to him.

​Adrienne turned into stone, her brain switching into loading… mode.

​For the second time today, Alexander Devereux's lips were on Adrian Cole's lips.

​She couldn't let this continue. She was gathering the strength to push him away when—

​The door creaked open.

​"Oh, my darling. I'm so sorry; I didn't realize you two were… busy." Mrs. Devereux blushed, taking in the romantic scene.

​Adrienne's stomach plummeted. Of course. Alexander must have heard his mother approaching—that was why he kissed her. Not because he wanted her. Not really.

​She suddenly felt foolish for thinking otherwise.

​Alexander pulled back but kept Adrienne firmly plastered to his side. "It's alright, Mother. Do you need something?" he asked smoothly, even pressing a kiss to the top of Adrienne's head like the perfect husband.

​Mrs. Devereux cleared her throat. "Oh, no. I only meant to speak with Adrienne, but my doctor insists I sleep early. I'll leave you both. Carry on, children." She smiled and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

​Alexander released Adrienne instantly, shifting away like he'd been burned. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand. "You were saying?"

​Adrienne scoffed, stung by his dismissal, silently vowing revenge.

​Alexander – 2

Adrian – 0

​But not for long. Soon, Adrienne would take back the lead. Soon, she would become the predator.

​"I need to leave. It's late," she said briskly, standing and pretending her pulse wasn't still a mess.

​Alexander chuckled darkly. "Leave?" He rose to his full height, smirking as he slowly unbuttoned his suit.

​"You're home, dear wife. Get ready—and get in bed." He shrugged off his jacket, his voice a dangerous purr.

​Adrienne gasped in disbelief; fear, shock, and anger all warred across her face.

​"I... No, Alexander... I need to leave tonight, Alexander," she stated, abandoning the flirting they'd engaged in a few minutes ago for a moment of necessary urgency. "I can't stay here." Her voice conveyed her seriousness.

​God, no. No fucking way this is happening! Her mind scrambled all over the place.

​Alexander turned his head slowly, his icy blue eyes fixed on her. The gentle facade cracked, replaced by a cold intensity that sent a fresh wave of anxiety through her. "You will not be leaving, Mrs. Devereux," he said, using her new name with chilling finality. "My mother is sleeping just down the hall. Leaving now would invite a level of suspicion that even your brilliant, fictional office romance can't fix."

​He leaned in, closing the distance she had so carefully maintained. His scent—expensive cologne mixed with the faint, familiar note of fresh linen—filled her senses.

​"Let's be clear about the rules of engagement, Adrienne. That performance downstairs was exceptional. You are a natural-born liar, and you turned my mother into your biggest fan in ten minutes flat. That is valuable. That is what I am paying you for." He reached out, his long fingers trailing lightly over the exposed skin of her collarbone. She suppressed a shudder.

​"But you are not running the show. You got carried away, and you almost derailed everything with your loose comments." His voice dropped to a low rasp.

​"Also about Adrian: do not mention him again. Do not wear his stinky perfume again. Do not speculate about my private life. And do not call me 'Boss' or 'Papi' again. It's unprofessional, disrespectful, and frankly, it's blurring lines I need to keep razor-sharp."

​He retracted his hand, finally meeting her gaze. But he was surprised to see a hint of mischievousness in her eyes.

​She tilted her head, her green eyes challenging him. "This Adrian again... Now, the real question is, Alexander..." It was her turn to stride toward him, folding her arms over her chest, "why are you so intimately familiar with the exact scent of your male secretary's neck? Maybe he smells like the only man you actually like to be close to." She raised her brows, smirking.

​Perhaps Adrian could get some information through this interrogation.

​Alexander's frown deepened. He didn't answer immediately, his mind visibly processing her quick, audacious counterattack. Her explanation was weak, but her defiance was strong, and the immediate pivot to questioning his sexuality was a sharp blow.

​"I am familiar with his cologne because he is my secretary," Alexander finally stated, his voice returning to the cold, professional edge. "It's a uniquely cheap brand."

​"Cheap brand? Or does the scent arouse you?" Adrienne purred, running her finger along his sharp jawline. "You need to relax, Alexander. And keep in mind that I don't fall into the class of people who turn you on. Why are you suddenly so possessive about a simple perfume?"

​She watched his jaw tighten, knowing she had successfully deflected the immediate danger.

​Alexander turned his head away, walking toward the dark curtains to draw them open, revealing the beautiful night view of the expensive estate. He stared at the glass, pushing his hands inside his pockets.

​"You will not wear that scent again. It's distracting. Do not make me doubt your focus, Adrienne. You have a job to do," he stated coldly.

​"Understood, husband," she whispered, glancing at his rigid profile.

​Alexander was sharper than she thought. Three times now, he had connected the dots to Adrian. She didn't know how long she could continue to tell lies to cover it up. She had to be extra careful, otherwise...

​Just wait, Alexander, she thought. You have no idea how distracting I'm about to become.

​Alexander cleared his throat. "Now, you will sleep here. In this room. I am confident in the quality of my home's security, and I am even more confident in the severity of my repercussions if you attempt to leave."

​Adrienne swallowed hard, her mind furiously searching for an alternative. "Where will you sleep, then? I signed a no-intimacy clause, Alexander. I won't share your bed."