ALEXANDER. "So, how was the date?" Arabella asks as I shift on the bed, lifting the phone in the air so she gets a good view of my face. I slip a hand beneath my head as I stare at the small image of her in the corner of my screen. She looks so fucking breathtaking in the silk white blouse she’s wearing. The first two buttons are opened and the way she’s positioned gives me a small peek of the fresh skin that lies underneath. My heart squeezes, a warm sensation floating through me at the sight of her. After two fucking long weeks—I’m not sure how I survived those two weeks in the first place. But seeing her now, everything seems alright in the world again. Everything seems alright in my world again and the fact that she’s in my house, hugging my pillow and on my couch warms my heart. "Alex? Did you hear me?" She speaks again, breaking me out of my calm thoughts, and I lift a brow. "What?" "The business date. I asked how it was." As the words leave her mouth, a frown spills onto my f

ARABELLA. We finally arrived in Florida and I don’t think I’ve ever felt this needy. It’s as though I wouldn’t be able to breathe if I didn’t see Alexander the next second. We barely stayed five minutes at the hotel before I bugged Sinclair to bring me here, and I was willing to come myself, despite knowing nowhere around. I had Sinclair wait down at the receptionist floor because I wanted to come alone. I hardly saw anyone around as I make my way down here after several tries and remembering a little of Clair’s guide, and here I am. I’m standing by the door, my brows furrowed as I watch Alexander and the woman who stand before him. The first thing I planned to do when I see him was jump into his arms, hoping he’s just as surprised and happy to see me. I’ve tried so hard to not tell him so many times during our texts over the days, but now my heart is in my throat as I stand before him. His eyes are on me, but my eyes are on the woman. She looks gorgeous and well older than me in her

ARABELLA. I walk out of the company with a big smile on my face and stride in the direction where Sinclair is parked. He huffs as I open the door and climb in. "I knew I made the right decision staying here." "I asked you to." I chuckle as I fix my seatbelt, and he shakes his head. "Only because I wanted to. Satisfied?" "Yeah," I mutter happily, and he smiles softly. "How was the meeting? Did he act any different?" At his question, my mind goes back to my few minutes with Alex and I feel blood rush to my cheeks as an entirely different image flashes through my mind. I discreetly press my thighs together and swallow, hoping Sinclair doesn’t catch onto that reaction. "He did?" When I look back at him, his brows are furrowed, two lines forming over them, and I’m quick to oppose the thought I know he’s having. "No, that’s not it. He didn’t. Everything was great, but he had to leave for some business." And though we were only able to spend a short time together, it felt like the best t

ALEXANDER. "I don’t want to leave," I mumble as I bury my face in Arabella’s neck and drop my hand over her waist, pulling her back to me. She giggles and tries to turn, but I don’t let her. And after two more attempts, she sighs and drops a hand over mine, her fingers caressing my wrist as she speaks. "Then don’t." "Your family–" "I’m sure they don’t mind you’re here. Plus, it’s late." She pauses and peeks at me over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming under the lights. There’s a small smile on her face as she adds. "Unless you have something else to do." She attempts, but I can tell that’s not what she truly wants. Not what I want. I brush her hair from her cheek and lean forward to press my lips to hers. It’s a short innocent kiss, but it turns into something more when I pull back and her lips look wet with a face that tells me she wants more without having to say the words directly. Her other hand slides up my neck as I suck on her bottom lip and a moan escapes my throat when she d

ALEXANDER. My eyes widen. "Amanda?" I croak as I keep my eyes on Zack, who looks like he just got denied the biggest and most important goal of his life. "But how… How did she? How did that happen? We have more than 60% of the shares and she only got the…" "No, Alex." Zack interrupts and pushes himself off the wall he’s leaned against. He swipes a hand down his face before he crosses his hands over his chest. "She wasn’t the one. The buyer isn’t Amanda." I wiggle my brows. "I don’t understand. Are you saying…" I pause and I don’t complete the words before Zack nods, confirming the thought that comes to mind. "There’s a new buyer?" "Yeah." "Who? And how exactly did they manage to buy the company without having shares?" He sighs. "I don’t know who it is and I don’t know how they did this, but they must be really good." He lets out a dry chuckle. "Exceptionally good, because I never thought this was possible. I didn’t know…" "We have to find out who it is." "We’re in the dark. W