Chapter 16

Olivia

His eyes narrowed. "You think you know me based on what? One rescue and a dinner?"

"I know that someone who truly believed love was meaningless wouldn't care so much about protecting himself from it."

Alexander's jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought I'd pushed too far.

"You're an interesting woman, Olivia Morgan," he said finally.

"Is that a compliment?"

"An observation." His lips curved in an infuriating half-smile.

I gripped the railing tighter, feeling the cool metal ground me. The city lights twinkled below us like a mirror image of the night sky, but all I could focus on was the heat radiating from Alexander's body.

"I want to ask you two things," I said, turning to face him fully.

His eyebrows rose slightly. "I'm all ears."

"First, back at the presentation, you said 'it's been a long time.' Why? We'd literally met less than a week before."

Alexander leaned against the railing, his shoulder brushing mine. "Preparation. I couldn't exactly acknowledge that we'd met while you were crying over your cheating boyfriend. I was creating our cover story early."

"You were that confident I'd say yes to your insane proposal?"

"I'm always prepared for multiple scenarios."

"Right," I rolled my eyes. "And my second question. In your message, you said, 'Be my girlfriend for the night.' But this..." I gestured between us, "has been just dinner. Nothing else."

"Are you disappointed?" His voice dropped lower, sending shivers across my skin. "Do you want more than this, Olivia?"

Fuck. The way he said my name made my nipples tighten against the thin fabric of my dress. I stepped back, needing distance from his intoxicating presence.

"It's getting late," I said, glancing at my watch. "I should go."

"I'll drive you home," he replied, straightening from the railing.

"No need. I can grab a cab."

Alexander's eyes darkened. "How can I possibly let my wife leave in a cab?"

"I'm not your wife yet," I snapped. "And I might never be."

"Yet," he repeated, as if that was the only word he'd heard. "Come on. My car's downstairs."

I followed him back through the penthouse, my heels clicking against the marble floors. The remains of our dinner still sat on the dining table: empty wine glasses, half-eaten dessert, and the candles burned low.

"You didn't answer my question," Alexander said as we stepped into the elevator.

"Which one?"

"Do you want more than dinner?" His eyes locked with mine in the mirrored walls of the elevator.

My cheeks flushed. "What exactly are you offering?"

"Whatever you want." His voice was like velvet. "I'm a generous man."

The elevator doors closed, sealing us in the confined space together. My heart hammered against my ribs.

"I bet you are," I muttered, pressing myself against the wall, putting as much distance between us as possible. "But I'm not that easy."

"I never thought you were." He stepped closer, invading my space. "That's what makes you interesting."

His cologne wrapped around me like an invisible hand, pulling me toward him. My back pressed against the elevator wall, and I felt the cool metal through my dress. Alexander's eyes held mine, unblinking, like a predator watching its prey.

"You should know," I said, trying to sound casual while my heart hammered against my ribs, "I've got pepper spray in my purse. And I know how to use it."

"I remember. You mentioned it in the car."

"Just making sure we're clear."

"Crystal." He took another step closer, until I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Though I wonder why you feel the need to remind me."

"Because you're looking at me like I'm your next meal," I said, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

"Maybe you are."

Jesus fucking Christ. My pussy clenched so hard I nearly gasped. This man knew exactly what he was doing, and it was working. My nipples tightened against the thin fabric of my dress, and I prayed he wouldn't notice.

The elevator continued its descent, each floor bringing us closer to the lobby. Twenty-nine... twenty-eight... twenty-seven... Why did this building have so many goddamn floors?

Alexander's eyes never left mine. He didn't speak or move, just watched me with an intensity that made my skin feel too tight. His gaze dropped to my lips, then lower, lingering on my breasts. I crossed my arms over my chest, which only made him smirk.

"What are you doing?" I wanted to ask, but the words stuck in my throat. His silence was more unnerving than any pickup line or sleazy comment.

Twenty... nineteen... eighteen...

He shifted his weight, moving even closer. Our bodies weren't touching, but they might as well have been. I could feel every inch of him, the promise of his body just centimeters from mine. My mind raced with images of what he might look like naked, all hard muscle and smooth skin, his cock thick and heavy between his legs.

Fuck. I was getting wet just standing in an elevator with him. This was bad. Very bad.

Ten... nine... eight...

His eyes dropped to my crossed arms, then back up to my face. One eyebrow raised slightly, as if asking a question. I didn't know what the question was, but my body wanted to answer yes. Yes to everything.

Three... two... one...

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. Alexander stepped back, gesturing for me to exit first. I hurried out, my legs shaky beneath me.

The lobby was nearly empty, just a security guard at the desk who nodded to Alexander as we passed.

I slid into his car, grateful for the cool leather against my overheated skin. He closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, giving me a moment to collect myself.

What the fuck was wrong with me? I'd just broken up with Ryan less than a week ago, and here I was fantasizing about my boss's cock. My boss who wanted to marry me for a business deal. My boss who'd seen me at my absolute worst, crying and drunk outside a party.