Chapter 106
Chapter 109
Madison
I forced a laugh, hoping it didn’t sound as strained as it felt. “Mr. Knight? Are you insane p>
“Come on! The way he looks at you during meetings p>
“Because I’m his PA. That’s literally my job – to anticipate his needs and be available when he needs something “Oh, if she only knew just how available I’d been lately.
“Professional needs, sure,” Hazel smirked. “But have you seen how he watches you when you leave a room? Trust me, that man is thinking about more than quarterly reports p>
“You’re drunk.” I grabbed her wine glass before she could spill it. “And delusional. Mr. Knight is my boss. End of story p>
“But p>
“No buts.” I cut her off, setting both our glasses on the coffee table. “Tell me one thing – have you actually seen him up close? Like, really seen him p>
Hazel flopped back against the cushions. “Well, no. But I’ve seen him in magazines, newspapers,
all over social media. Plus, that one time I came to meet you for lunch, I saw him walking down the hall p>
“Exactly my point.” I crossed my arms. “So how exactly would you know how he looks at me when I leave a room? And you’re always insisting he’s interested in me – based on what? Some tabloid photos and a five–second glimpse p>
“Because he spends so much time with you!” She waved her hands dramatically. “All those late nights, weekend calls p>
“Because I’m his PA!” I threw a decorative pillow at her head. “That’s literally in my job description. He’s not interested in me, Hazel. We’re strictly professional p>
“Oh, please.” Hazel caught the pillow, hugging it to her chest. “He gave you that massive loan for your mom’s hospital bills. CEOs don’t just hand out personal loans to their assistants unless they’re interested p>
I shifted uncomfortably, the lie about the loan tasting bitter on my tongue. But it was better than explaining the real arrangement. “It’s a company program, Hazel. They offer emergency medical assistance to employees. I have to pay it all back, with interest p>
“Right.” She rolled her eyes. “And I’m sure he offers these ‘company loans‘ to everyone who bats their eyelashes at him p>
“Have you forgotten who we’re talking about?” I grabbed my wine glass, needing something to do
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with my hands. “Alexander Knight – Manhattan’s most notorious playboy? The man who shows op at every charity gala with a different supermodel? That Alexander Knight p>
Harel wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t forgotten his reputation p>
“Good.” I drained my glass, hoping this would end the conversation. “Because I refuse to be another notch on his very expensive bedpost. The loan is strictly business. Nothing more p>
“I just worry about you, Mads. Those kinds of loans… they can take forever to pay off. What happens. if you can’t keep up with the payments p>
I picked at a loose thread on my dress, avoiding her eyes. If she only knew the real terms of my “loan
agreement – exclusive dating rights, on–call availability, and activities that definitely weren’t covered in my PA contract.
“The terms are manageable,” I said carefully. “Mr. Knight was very accommodating p>
“I bet he was.” Hazel waggled her eyebrows again.
“Not like that!” I threw another pillow at her. “God, you’re worse than the office gossips p>
“Girl, I’m just looking out for you.” Hazel dodged the pillow with practiced ease. “These rich guys, they think they can get away with anything because daddy’s money will fix their problems p>
“Mr. Knight isn’t like that.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Defending him would only feed Hazel’s suspicions.
“Oh? And how would you know?” She raised an eyebrow. “Has our little Madison been spending quality time with the boss p>
“I know because I handle his schedule, meetings, business dealings.” I counted off on my fingers.” Trust me, he’s completely professional p>
“Professional?” Hazel snorted. “The man’s been photographed with half the models in Manhattan. And don’t get me started on those charity galas where he shows up three sheets to the wind with a different woman every time p>
“That’s just tabloid stuff p>
“Remember that video from the Thompson benefit? Where he could barely stand straight?” She leaned forward. “Rich boys love their drinks and their drugs, Madison. One minute, they’re all charm and promises; the next thing you know, you’re waking up alone wondering what happened p>
I shifted uncomfortably, memories of our first encounter flooding back. His dilated pupils, the way he’d… But that had been different. Someone had drugged him. Right?
“I’m always careful around him,” I said, which wasn’t entirely a lie. I was careful – careful not to let
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anyone discover our arrangement, careful to keep my feelings in check, careful to remember this was just business.
“Are you?” Hazel’s voice softened. “Because sometimes I see the way you talk about him… like right now, you’re getting that dreamy look p>
“I am not!” I grabbed my wine glass, needing something to hide behind. But she wasn’t entirely wrong. My mind had drifted to that night in his penthouse, his hands gripping my hips, his voice rough with need…
“Just promise me you’ll keep your guard up. These playboy types, they’ve got it down to an art. The sweet words, the grand gestures, the convenient ‘emergencies‘ that require your presence at midnight p>
I nearly choked on my wine. How did she know about those late–night calls?
“I promise I’m being careful,” I managed. “Mr. Knight is just my boss. Nothing more p>
Hazel’s expression softened. “Look, I just worry about you. You’ve got this massive weight on your shoulders with your mom’s medical bills, and I don’t want to see some rich playboy taking advantage of that p>
“I appreciate the concern, but it’s unnecessary.” I pulled at a loose thread on my sleeve, avoiding her
eyes.
“Hey.” She reached across the couch and squeezed my hand. “I want you to know I’m here for you. Always. No matter what happens or what choices you make p>
“Even terrible ones?” I tried to joke.
“Especially terrible ones.” She grinned. “That’s what best friends are for. No matter what happens. Even if you end up sleeping with your impossibly hot boss and need someone to help hide the body when it all goes wrong.” (1
I laughed despite myself. “I’m pretty sure that’s not in the best friend handbook p>
“It’s in the fine print.” She winked. “Seriously though, Mads. I know you’re private about things, especially with everything going on with your mom. But if you ever need to talk, or cry, or just get hammered and forget about life for a while I’m your girl p>
“I know.” I squeezed her hand back, guilt gnawing at me for keeping so much from her. “And I love you for it p>
After helping Hazel clean up, I called a cab and headed home, my mind spinning with everything I couldn’t tell her. As the city lights blurred past the window, I couldn’t help thinking about that first night with Alexander.
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“s on what matters “Imuttered to myself. “Mom’s health. Work Paying bills p>
The cab pulled up to my apartment building. After paying the driver, I stepped into the lobby, hit the elevator button, and tried not to compare it to Alexander’s private elevator.
My apartment felt especially hollow tonight. There were no floor–to– ceiling windows showcasing Manhattan’s glittering skyline, no Italian marble countertops, and no custom furniture. It was just my simple space with its IKEA decor and Target throw pillows
I kicked off my heels, dropped my keys in the bowl by the door, and tried to shake off thoughts of Alexander’s palatial penthouse. And Katherine. And that missing photo.
“Stop obsessing.” I told my reflection in the bathroom mirror. “He’s not yours to obsess over p>
But as I crawled into bed, her name whispered through my mind once more. Katherine, Katherine.
Katherine.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.