Chapter 42
Chapter 44
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Chapter 44
Madison
I woke to sunlight streaming through floor–to–ceiling windows, my body deliciously sore in places I’d forgotten existed. The silk sheets whispered against my bare skin as I stretched, wincing at the pleasant ache between my legs.
The other side of the bed was empty, the sheets cold. No sign of Alexander.
“Ow,” I muttered, sitting up carefully. My thighs protested the movement, and I discovered new bruises blooming on my hips – perfect imprints of his fingers. Heat crept up my neck as memories from last night flooded back. The way he’d pinned me against the railing, his mouth trailing down my spine, his commands whispered in my ear…
I flopped back onto the pillows, covering my face with my hands. What had gotten into me? The shy, sensible Madison Harper I knew would never have begged a man to p>
No. Not going there.
The mirror across the room caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but gasp at my reflection. My hair was a wild mess, and his kisses kept my lips still swollen. Purple marks dotted my neck and collarbone like a connect–the–dots of debauchery.
“Great. Just great.” I’d need a turtleneck.
My muscles screamed as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The cool air hit my bare skin, making me shiver.
I spotted his black silk robe draped over a nearby chair and snatched it, wrapping it tight around my naked body. The fabric smelled like him – expensive cologne and pure male. My cheeks burned, realizing I was naked underneath. But my clothes from last night were scattered who–knows–where across his apartment.
The hardwood floors were cold against my bare feet as I padded toward the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee pulled me forward like a siren song.
Alexander stood at the gleaming counter, his broad back facing me. He wore a fitted gray t–shirt that hugged his muscles and black shorts that showed off his legs. My mouth went dry at the sight.
My stomach did a little flip as Alexander turned, a knowing smirk on his lips. His eyes traveled down my body, lingering on where the robe gaped open at my chest.
“Interesting choice of attire, considering we just bought you an entire wardrobe yesterday.” He raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his coffee.
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I tugged the robe tighter, heat flooding my cheeks. “I just grabbed the first thing I saw p>
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“Mhm.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. He reached for another mug and filled it with steaming coffee. “Here. You look like you need this p>
Our fingers brushed as I took the mug, tingling my arm. “Thank you, Mr. Knight p>
“Sleep well?” His voice dropped lower, rougher. He stepped closer, backing me against the counter. The edge dug into my lower back.
I took a shaky sip of coffee, trying to steady my nerves. “Yes, what little sleep I got.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His laugh was dark and rich. “Are you implying I kept you up too late, Miss Harper p>
“I didn’t mean-” I started, but his hand slid to my hip, thumb stroking over the silk.
“Your blush says otherwise.” He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “I seem to recall you weren’t complaining last night. In fact, you were quite vocal about your enjoyment p>
I nearly choked on my coffee. “Mr. Knight!” 1
“Drink,” he commanded, his finger tracing circles on my hip. “You’ll need the energy after last night’s activities p>
I lifted the mug to my lips, trying to ignore how his touch sent shivers down my spine. The coffee was perfect – rich and smooth with just a hint of vanilla.
“Good girl.” His praise made my insides flutter. He stepped back, giving me space to breathe, but his eyes never left me. “You look better in my robe than I do p>
I tugged the silk closer, aware of how it clung to my curves. “I’ll change as soon as I find my clothes p>
“No rush.” He took another sip, eyes glinting wickedly. “I rather enjoy the view. Especially knowing
what’s underneath p>
Heat bloomed across my chest.
“You’re adorable when you blush. Tell me, do you always turn this pink?” His gaze dropped lower. ” Everywhere p>
“That’s hardly appropriate breakfast conversation.” I clutched the coffee mug closer as if it could shield me from his heated gaze.
“Alright.” His lips curved into that dangerous smirk. “I won’t say another word until we finish our coffee.” He leaned against the counter, eyes locked on mine as he took a deliberate sip.
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“Thank you.” The relief in my voice was embarrassingly obvious.
The silence stretched between us, broken only by the gentle clink of ceramic against marble when he set his mug down. I tried not to stare at the way his throat moved as he swallowed or how his T–shirt stretched across his chest with each breath, but I failed miserably.
My eyes caught the sleek clock on his wall, and I nearly dropped my mug. “Oh god, it’s 9:35!” I set the coffee down with shaking hands. “The office p>
“I know.” He stepped closer, trapping me against the counter again. His hands settled on either side of me, caging me in. “And there’s no rush. My schedule’s clear this morning p>
The heat from his body seeped through the thin silk of his robe. My breath hitched as his fingers found the tie at my waist, toying with the knot.
“But… work…” The protest died in my throat as his other hand slid up my thigh, pushing the fabric aside.
“I own the company, remember?” His voice dropped low, making my knees weak. “I decide when my
assistant needs to be at her desk p>
Before I could protest, Alexander’s hands found my waist and effortlessly lifted me onto the cool marble counter. The silk robe parted, exposing my thighs and the swell of my breasts. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight.
“Mr. Knight…” I whispered though it came out more as a breathy moan.
He leaned in, capturing my lips with his. The kiss was possessive, claiming every part of me as his own. When he pulled back, his eyes were blazing with a mix of lust and something deeper that made my heart race.
His teeth grazed my bottom lip as he pulled away, leaving me dizzy and breathless. The intensity of his gaze made my insides flutter.
“You look thoroughly ravished.” His fingers traced the marks he’d left on my neck. “We should get some ice on these p>
I winced as his thumb brushed a particularly tender spot. “I didn’t even realize how many p>
“Mhm. I got a bit carried away.” He didn’t sound sorry at all. His hand slid lower, ghosting over the red marks on my breasts. “These too p>
“Mr. Knight!” I squirmed under his touch. 1
“Hold still.” He pressed a kiss to my shoulder before stepping back. “Let me take care of you p>
I watched as he moved to the freezer, admiring how his muscles shifted under his shirt. He returned
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with an ice pack wrapped in a kitchen towel.
“This might sting a little.” He pressed the ice against my neck, making me gasp. “Too cold p>
“No,” I breathed, leaning into his touch. The ice numbed the ache, but his proximity set my skin on fire. “It feels good p>
His free hand slid up my thigh, pushing the robe higher. “Does it now p>
The buzz of his phone against the marble counter made us both freeze. Alexander glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.
“Anthony,” he muttered, reaching for the phone with his free hand while keeping the ice pressed to my neck. The movement brought him closer, his hips settling between my parted thighs.
“Just a minute,” he whispered against my ear before accepting the call.
I watched as Alexander moved away from me, the ice pack abandoned on the counter. His broad shoulders tensed as he spoke into the phone. The silk robe gaped open at my chest, and I quickly pulled it closed, though my fingers trembled at the memory of his touch.
“At home. What do you want?” His voice carried that commanding tone that made my insides flutter.
I shifted on the counter, the marble cold against my bare thighs. His eyes flicked to me, darkening as the robe slipped higher. Heat bloomed across my chest at his heated gaze.
“Dinner on Sunday? Can’t make it p>
“And while we’re at it, stop with the matchmaking attempts. I’m not interested p>
Matchmaking? My stomach clenched. Of course, his friends would try to set him up. He was Alexander Knight – successful, handsome, and definitely not the type to settle for a shy assistant who wore knockoff clothes. Well, I used to wear knockoff clothes before yesterday’s shopping spree.
“I don’t have time for this.” He turned away completely, his voice sharp with irritation. “Meet me for drinks later if you want, but postpone the dinner. Or have it without me p>
I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. Was he declining a dinner with potential matches? The possessive part of me – a part I didn’t even know existed until he stormed into my life – purred with satisfaction.
“Drinks or not, Anthony p>
He ended the call and tossed his phone aside. When he turned back to me, his eyes blazed with renewed hunger. My breath caught in my throat as he stalked toward me, like a predator who’d spotted his prey.
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.