LOGINI stepped forward, my gaze cutting through the group of pale-faced locals huddled in the courtyard.
"Who knows the Mopan Ridge roads best?"My voice cut through the chaos, sharp and unyielding.A swarthy, wiry middle-aged man looked up instinctively."I do! But the roads right now—"I didn’t let him finish, cutting him off clean."Pull up your payment QR code.""Huh?"The man froze, dumbfounded.A monk rushed forward, anxious."MisI held my phone up, the camera accidentally panning past the car.It caught the girl walking away dejectedly, and Alexander pinching out his cigarette butt, tilting his chin in her direction.The distance made his words inaudible.I watched his lips move.Even from afar, the cold detachment in his posture cut through the air.The girl holding the phone froze, her smile fading into an awkward grimace as she quickly pulled her hand back.Her friends let out quiet hisses, clearly embarrassed.I put my phone away and strolled back slowly.Alexander had already opened the car door, waiting for me.The girls glanced between me and Alexander, realization dawning.They hurried off, pulling each other along.I bent down to get in the car.Alexander closed my door gently before circling back to the driver's seat.The engine roared to life, a deep, throaty rumble."What were you talking about?" I asked."You scared that
My heart skipped a beat."What's so special about Mr. Knight's private route?""The altitude is lower, the slope is gentler. Perfect for taking your time."I bit my lip."Alexander Knight, you're abusing your power.""Guilty as charged. What are you going to do about it?"He admitted it without a shred of shame.I tried to reach back to pinch him, but he laced his fingers through mine and pinned my hand to the small of my back."Can't. Scared you'll get back at me later, Mr. Knight."He let out a low chuckle."Be good."That one word sent a shiver down my spine, half my body going weak.This man was ice cold one minute, burning hot the next.And those rare moments of softness? They wrapped around my heart tighter than anything else."Go to sleep."He pulled a thin blanket over me."We leave at two."---My sleep was as soft as sinking into a cloud.When I opened my eyes again, the sun was
"What are you two chatting about so intently?"Roy returned from his call, pulling out a chair and sitting down with his usual bright smile.He only saw Alexander turned slightly toward me, the two of us sitting close together as if whispering quietly.I was bowing my head, sipping congee slowly with my eyelashes lowered.He sensed an unusual vibe between us, like invisible sparks crackling in the air.Alexander sat upright, lifting his teacup to regain his poised, stoic demeanor."Nothing important. Just some follow-up work details."Roy nodded, not asking more, but his smile faded a little, tinged with apology."Lisa, Mr. Knight," he said, his tone hurried."I just got a call. Something urgent came up in Hong Kong that needs my immediate attention."He looked at me, speaking faster."So my original schedule has to be moved up. I'm flying back to Hong Kong from Chengdu this afternoon, and I have to head down the mountain soon."
My ears burned bright red in an instant. My fingers tightened around my chopsticks.On the surface, I forced myself to stay calm.Roy looked a little disappointed, but he still tried to persuade me."Work's never really done, Lisa. Why not take a vacation? You deserve it."Beneath the table, Alexander's fingers slid dangerously up to the middle of my thigh.The calloused pad of his thumb even pinched me lightly, a deliberate, teasing move."Ah..."I couldn't hold back a sharp, quiet gasp."What's wrong?"Roy asked, concerned."Nothing."I ducked my head quickly, taking a sip of tea to cover my reaction. The steam misted my flushed cheeks."Burned my tongue a little."But the mischievous hand under the table gave me another pinch as punishment for that gasp.Harder this time.My legs went weak. I almost knocked over my teacup.I clamped my thighs shut abruptly, trying to trap his wandering hand.Alex
The sky outside stayed dim.The mountain temple was wrapped in a pale blue mist.Alexander Knight's internal clock was carved into his bones.He opened his eyes at five sharp.Warm, soft curves pressed against his chest.I curled up, my even breath brushing his neck.His gaze traced the smooth line of my spine downwards.Past the faint love bites he'd left the night before.Suddenly, he froze.His eyes locked onto a pale pink scar, an inch long, just below my shoulder blade.The stitch marks were still visible, slightly raised.Fresh.Last night, lost in the haze of candlelight and desire, he'd missed it entirely.A sharp ache burned in his chest.I nuzzled his torso, moaning softly in my sleep, and wrapped my leg around his waist.Alexander's eyes darkened.He tightened his arm, rolling to pin me beneath him.His lips pressed to my scar, then my forehead, my nose, finally capturing my parted mouth.
Dim temple lamps flickered.The faint scent of sandalwood hung in the air.The bed dipped under our weight.Alexander's scorching kisses trailed down my slender neck.Slow.Deliberate.Like he was savoring every inch of me.His teeth caught the strap of my lotus-pink dress.He tugged it gently aside.To bare my soft shoulder to the cool air."Lisa..."His voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like his own.My cheeks burned.A soft whimper escaped my lips."Hmm, never done this before. Am I clumsy?""Mr. Knight's got to have plenty of experience. Be patient with me, yeah?"He leaned down.His nose brushed my burning earlobe.His breath hot against my skin."Funny you should say that."His voice dropped to a low growl.Sending shivers skittering down my spine."Me neither."My eyes flew open.Wide with shock.This man—an unattainable icon of the elite, lus
I stared at the familiar figure downstairs, a faint, fluttery feeling stirring in my heart.Three minutes?Was he treating me like a soldier on an emergency deployment?I glanced down at my camisole nightgown and slippers, then headed out.The elevator descended, and so did my
Alexander Knight pushed the driver's seat back with one hand, and I sank into the soft leather upholstery."Alexander, you..."Before I could finish, his scorching body pressed down on mine.He tore off his gold-rimmed glasses and tossed them onto the dashboard.One hand locke
A lingering gloom hung over the White Mansion.Since the scandal at Nebula Hotel and the ten million ransom, the White family had been severely weakened. Chloe White stayed home all day, her former arrogance gone.Winnie Carter’s visit felt like an unwelcome intrusion."Chloe
The crisp afternoon light of Zurich, shining through the screen, reflects in my eyes.I curved the corner of my lips and smiled. "Alright then. A ride in Mr. Yan’s personal car and all the treats you could ask for. I’d better think hard about how to repay this.""No need to







