wonder and fear at the sight before me, which was like entering a completely dif

der's. I never thought I could touch

masterpiece. Nearly all the walls were glass, p

s a constant reminder of how far I had come fro

ty, pulsing with a power I had never exper

oor open for me with such ease that it

lness mixed with something I couldn't qu

ed it and everything in it, giving the

t of hesitati

dows that extended from floor to cei

g, it seemed far away, as

rk contrast between my opulent surroundin

, but Alexander did

senting me with a prize. "This is going to

n the task at hand and f

e linens was set against a backdrop of city lights, the furniture was sleek and mo

e for tha

not intended for me. This

I had intended, but I sa

red on me. "Slow down," he said. "After all, this is onl

he turned to face the hallway. "You k

was evident as I obse

rary until everything was sorted-repeated like a mantra in my

said softly, "Thank you," my

I couldn't deny the i

in the air between us that I wasn't

indow as Alexander left the r

fe-was so far away, I pressed my palm against th

s, poised to play my ro

though? Was it merely a performance?

h I had made myself comfortable in the calm, elegant r

but there was a hint of something more-som

enjoyed a glass of wine a

hen, the penthouse echoing with the

tailored suit fitting his body in all the right pla

ng his strength. H

rying to concentrate on my glass and the flickeri

se. To the subtle, nearly undetectable way he appear

were intense, as if he was looking for s

aring. A tiny smile curved his

hint of knowledge that annoye

vealing the uneasiness that chur

he remai

me, his eyes gradua

d be easy. A solution to an issue. No feelings, no co

. My instincts begged me to resist the pull I

" sounding more defensive than I meant to. "We

gh the barriers, I had painstakingly erected ar

e barely audible. "But busines

wine glass I was holding. My though

with the safety I so sorely required. But I had no idea how to stop

let you get some rest," sounding

t of his stare remained on me, an

ht between the growing, irresistible attraction that t

and quiet tension bet

eserve the professionalism that had initi

ed for too long, and every delicate touch of his hand

re than I ought to have. His self-as

times when his expertly constructed mask slightly l

id my own hesita

d of the limits we had established, li

remain detached. But resisting the urge that boile

though, I felt afraid. Fearful of losing myself in this univ

ntangled in his web of power, as I was

ked; I could feel myself sl

-

a rival businessman known for his ruthle

arrived, and I couldn't help but observe how Alexan

lexander to me and back again. "I've heard that things are...

my body tensed uncontrollably. Carson's eyes furrowed, an

son added, his eyes resting on me fo

g sinister was happening here, and I cou

rson's smile, as though h

t now had a hint of harshness. "Everyth

But I must ask, Alexander, how long do you think this will go

hing I hadn't grasped before

eement. I was only a pawn in a

ization's weight swept over me like a tidal wave. H

roomy bed that night. I had trouble falling asleep. Every no

nd luxurious life? Or had I switch

to enclose me as I rolled onto m

gs or soft the sheets were, I could not

's sneakers tapping softly on t

down on me from every angle. It wasn't

could I act as though nothing was wrong and I wasn't overwhelme

entle knock on the door. Alexander, was

ble. I was unsure of whether I wanted to confront

ful night air. The tension coil inside of me tightened as th

a trembling breath, every ner

dle when my mind cried out, "What if

k after I entered whatever w