Chasing The Magic

Sienna

I hadn't gotten ready like he'd ordered me to over the phone—and why would I? I wasn't about to let that asshole win, no matter what had happened between us.

So here I was, trying to bury myself in a book. Mom always used books to distract herself, so I figured I could too. Except it wasn't working for me the way it did for her. My eyes glazed over the words, but my brain refused to quiet.

By the time I was halfway down the fifth page, Mom's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Evelyn, come here!"

"Why?" I shouted back.

"Just come here. You'll see."

With a sigh, I dropped the book and dragged myself down the stairs—only to freeze at the bottom.

Alex stood at the doorway. Roses in his hand. A smile on his face. Not his usual cocky smirk, but a real, genuine smile.

"Ma'am, you're even prettier than Jacob described," he said warmly, handing her the bouquet. "Pretty flowers for a pretty lady."

Mom laughed, actually laughed, before ruffling his hair like he was some kind of adorable boy. "What a charmer!" She pinched his cheek, giggling. "Come inside."

I wanted to roll my eyes into another dimension.

He stepped in like he owned the place, and Mom beamed as if she'd just adopted him. "So, you're Alex, huh? My husband talks about you all the time. I can't believe I'm finally meeting you."

"The pleasure's mine, Evelyn," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with sincerity. "Jacob's told me so much about you."

"And you wouldn't believe how much I've heard about you," Mom chuckled. "Now—let me call your friend. She's probably upstairs, tossing and turning on the bed for no reason. Her favorite pastime."

Her eyes shot wide as she turned and spotted me.

"Tossing and turning on the bed?" I arched a brow. "Seriously, Mom?"

"Oops." She bit her tongue, grinning. "Just a slip of the tongue. Didn't mean to expose your little secret."

"Mom!" I gasped, mortified.

"Hey, Sienna." Alex's voice cut through, smooth but laced with something sharper when our eyes locked. Trouble. That was the look. So much trouble waiting for me. "Why aren't you ready yet? Weren't we supposed to go for coffee? Forgot?"

I clenched my fists at my sides, standing rigid on the stairs.

In front of Mom, I couldn't tell him to fuck off. I couldn't tell him I wasn't going anywhere near him—because that would only raise suspicion. And given the timing—my boyfriend cheating yesterday, Alex showing up here today—it would look very questionable.

"Actually, I'm not feeling well," I said, forcing my voice sweet. "Maybe another day?"

"Sienna, that's rude," Mom interrupted before Alex could even respond. "He came all the way here to pick you up. How could you say no?"

"But Mom—"

"It's okay, Evelyn," Alex said smoothly, stepping in like the gentleman he wasn't. "If she doesn't want to, it's fine. I'll take her another time."

Gosh! This asshole was even better at acting!

"No, Alex. She'll go." Mom folded her arms, decisive. "She needs fresh air anyway. Sienna, go get ready. Now."

"If Alex is fine with it, why are you making it your business?" I snapped, glaring.

"Because I'm your mother. And I said go."

My gaze flicked back to Alex—and of course, he was smirking. Not smug, not cocky, just amused. Enjoying every second of my mom bulldozing me straight into his hands.

"God! Fine!" I hissed, spinning on my heel. I stomped back upstairs, slamming the door shut behind me.

Guess I'd have to get ready after all.

Because clearly, my mother had made it her personal mission to ruin my peace.

***

"I can't believe you just did that," I snapped as I reluctantly slid into his car. "How could you just fucking show up at my house?"

"Because I knew that was the only way to drag you out of your room," he replied casually, settling behind the wheel.

"That was creepy as hell, Grayson."

He chuckled. "You know, I've noticed something—you only call me Grayson when you're trying to sound cold. Even you know my name sounds too good falling off your lips."

"In your fucking dreams." I scoffed, crossing my arms.

He looked like he was about to fire back, but his eyes flicked toward me instead. Then, leaning in, he reached across the console. His cologne hit me first—clean, sharp, intoxicating. My breath stuttered as his arm brushed mine.

"At least put on your seatbelt, Flower," he murmured, tugging the strap across my chest and clicking it into place. His knuckles grazed my arm, and for a split second, our eyes locked.

Too close. Way too close.

His gaze flicked to my lips, his breathing roughening—yet instead of giving in, he pulled back slowly, turning his attention to the steering wheel like nothing had happened.

"Let's get going," he said smoothly.

"Yeah," I muttered, forcing out a laugh. "The sooner we start this, the sooner I can go home."

He smirked. "Oh, you're not going home that easily. Evelyn already gave me permission."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You're excused." His dismissive tone made my jaw drop.

What the actual fuck was wrong with this guy?!

I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to claw that infuriatingly handsome face of his. Instead, I stared hard at the road ahead as he drove. Silence stretched for a few minutes—until, of course, he broke it.

"So," he drawled, "what were you doing in your room? Clearly not painting—otherwise you'd be a beautiful mess right now. Let me guess... overthinking about that asshole? Imagining all the ways he fucked your best friend?"

The bitterness punched through me instantly, acid rising in my throat.

"Can you not?" I snapped. "Why the hell do you want to talk about them? Don't you have anything else to say?"

"I'd rather talk about what's going on in that beautiful head of yours," he shrugged. "And apparently, it's still full of him. I always knew Ryatt was an asshole—God knows what you ever saw in him."

"You're talking like you're any better."

"Still defending that piece of shit?" He scoffed, glancing at me like I was ridiculous. "Your taste in men has always been trash."

"Yes, sir." I gave him a sharp smile. "I admit it. Which is why I'm not making it worse by choosing you."

His lips curved wickedly. "Should've thought of that before you let me spread you across my desk, Flower."

Heat rushed through me, my cheeks flaming as images from last night seared back into my mind—his mouth, his hands, his voice.

"Listen, you—"

But before I could finish, his hand slid down my thigh, slow, deliberate. My breath hitched, body jerking. His palm pressed between my legs, right over my shorts.

My chest rose and fell sharply.

What the hell was he planning now?

"Well..." His smirk deepened as his eyes dropped to where his hand rested, then lifted back to mine. "Since you're being so mouthy today... how about I give you something to keep your mouth shut?"