Chapter 262
Madison
I peeked into Mom’s room, finding her already dozing. I scribbled a quick note explaining I was going out, left it on her nightstand, and then grabbed my purse.
“Ready,” I announced, rejoining Alexander in the living room.
The ride down in the elevator was silent. I stared at the descending numbers, hyper–aware of Alexander standing beside me, his cologne filling the small space. When we reached the lobby, he guided me through the doors with a light touch at the small of my back.
“I sent the driver home,” Alexander said once we stepped outside. “I’ll drive us p>
His car waited at the curb, sleek and intimidating like its owner. He opened the passenger door for me, a gesture that felt both gentlemanly and possessive.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he slid into the driver’s seat.
“My place p>
The engine purred to life, and Alexander pulled into traffic with practiced ease. I watched his hands on the steering wheel, remembering how those same hands had touched me just days ago.
“You’re quiet,” he observed, glancing at me as we stopped at a red light.
“Just thinking”
About?
“Why did you tell my mother we’re dating.” I turned to face him. “You know I haven’t told anyone about our arrangement. I specifically asked you to keep it private from the beginning, yet you’re the one who told Hazel and now my mother p>
Alexander’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Your mother is already worried about her health. Do you want her stressing about how you’re managing to pay for her premium care p>
“I could have explained p>
“What? That your boss is paying your mother’s medical bills in exchange for your companionship? How would that conversation go, exactly? More lies about the company providing special benefits? How long before she starts asking questions?” The light turned green, and he accelerated smoothly. “This way, she’s happy. She thinks her daughter is dating someone successful who cares about her. One less worry for a woman who’s been through enough ”
I hated that his logic made sense. “And what happens when our arrangement ends? When the contract expires p>
Alexander shrugged, his expression unreadable. “You tell her we broke up. Simple p>
Simple. The word echoed in my head. Of course, it was simple to him. I was just a temporary fixture in his life, a fake girlfriend with an expiration date. After spending all this time together, I was still just a contract to him.
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Chapter 268
We rode in silence for a few minutes before Alexander spoke again. “You disagree p>
“No, it makes sense,” I replied, trying to keep my voice neutral. “Breaking up is the logical conclusion to a fake relationship p>
He shot me a curious glance. “You sound upset p>
“I’m not upset.” I stared out the window at the passing buildings. “Just planning ahead p>
‘Always the efficient assistant,” he murmured, a hint of something I couldn’t identify in his tone.
We pulled into the underground parking beneath his building. Alexander guided me to the private elevator that led directly to his penthouse, his hand returning to the small of my back. The touch felt both comforting and confusing.
Once inside his penthouse, I kicked off my heels and padded to the floor–to–ceiling windows that showcased the Manhattan skyline. The city lights twinkled below us, a constellation of human activity.
“Drink?” Alexander asked, already moving toward the bar.
“Whiskey. Neat p>
His eyebrows rose slightly. “Bad day p>
“Complicated day,” I corrected.
He poured two glasses and joined me at the window, handing me one. Our fingers brushed during the exchange, sending a familiar warmth up my arm.
I sipped the amber liquid, letting it burn a path down my throat. The skyline glittered before us like scattered diamonds against black velvet. I could feel Alexander’s presence beside me, solid and warm in the cool air of the penthouse.
“Your mother is quite the character,” he said, breaking our comfortable silence.
I smiled despite myself. “She’s always been that way. No filter, says whatever comes to mind p>
“I like her.” Alexander swirled his whiskey. “She reminds me of someone p>
“Let me guess–me p>
His lips quirked upward. “You’re more… calculated. You think before you speak p>
“Unlike someone I know who tells my mother we’re dating without consulting me first.” I took another sip, avoiding his gaze.
“It seemed like the simplest explanation.” He shrugged, his shoulder brushing mine. “Besides, technically, we are dating, Exclusively p>
“Technically, we have an arrangement,” I corrected. “Dating implies something else entirely p>
Alexander turned to face me, leaning one shoulder against the glass. “And what does it imply, Madison p>
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Chapter 268
+25 BONUS
I stared into my whiskey, searching for the right words. “Real feelings. A future. Things that aren’t part of our contract p>
Alexander took a slow sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving mine. “Elaborate p>
I sighed, putting my glass down on the nearby table more forcefully than intended. “Dating means sharing personal stories over dinner because you want to, not because it’s scheduled in your calendar. It means calling someone in the middle of the night to hear their voice, not because you need something from them p>
“We share meals,” he countered, his voice low. “We talk p>
“Because it’s in the contract,” I replied, crossing my arms. “Along with the exclusivity clause and the sex.” I felt my cheeks warm but pushed forward. “Real dating doesn’t come with terms and conditions, Mr. Knight. There’s no expiration date p>
Alexander’s expression remained unreadable as he finished his whiskey. “So you’re saying our arrangement is…
deficient p>
“I’m saying it’s exactly what it’s supposed to be–an arrangement. A business deal with benefits.” I turned back toward the window, watching the city lights blur through unshed tears. “Let’s not pretend it’s something it’s
not p>
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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.