Chapter 7 Surrendering Her Pride
Sarah walked into a kitchen filled with the rich, savory aroma of roasted rosemary and garlic—her favorite.
She stood in the doorway, her briefcase still clutched in her hand, staring at Alex. He was moving with a practiced ease, tossing vegetables in a pan. He looked entirely too comfortable in her space, wearing a clean apron over his t-shirt as if he lived there.
"Alex? What on earth are you doing?" Sarah’s voice was sharp, fueled by the lingering adrenaline from her fight with Joseph.
"Who permitted you to just... walk in here?"
Alex didn't startle. He turned slowly, a playful glint in his eyes.
"The door was unlocked, Sarah. And I told you I was coming over to take care of you. You didn't say no."
"I didn't say yes either! I didn't respond at all!" She walked further into the room, her heels clicking aggressively.
"This is inappropriate. You’re Mark’s friend, and you’re in my kitchen acting like a personal chef. I need you to leave. Now."
Alex set the tongs down and stepped toward her, invading her personal bubble. He was smiling, but his eyes were steady.
"You’re doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Playing the boss. Playing the 'adult.' Trying to order me around because you’re scared of how much you actually want to sit down and let someone else take get of you for an hour." He reached out, his fingers gently brushing the stray hairs back from her forehead.
"You spend all day being the CEO. You spend all year being the perfect mother. When do you just get to be Sarah?"
"That’s not your concern, Alex," she whispered, though her shoulders began to sag.
"It is tonight. The food is almost ready. Go upstairs. Take a breath. Change out of that stiff suit."
"Alex, I am telling you to leave—"
"And I’m telling you the steak is resting and it’ll be perfect in ten minutes," he cut her off, his voice dropping to a low, commanding rumble.
"Go. Unless you want me to carry you up there myself?"
Sarah opened her mouth to argue, to scream and assert her authority—but no words came.
His confidence was a physical force, pushing back against her exhaustion. She felt small in the best possible way. Without a word, she turned and walked toward the stairs, her heart beating faster than ever.
Once inside her bedroom, she felt like she was losing control of her own life. She grabbed her phone from her bag, her fingers flying over the screen. She needed a voice of reason. She needed Stacy to tell her she was being insane.
She hit the contact for Stacy. The phone began to ring.
“Pick up, Stacy. Please pick up,” she murmured.
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open. Sarah jumped, the phone slipping from her hand and bouncing onto the duvet. She didn't notice that the call had connected just as it hit the fabric.
Alex stood in the doorway. He had ditched the apron. The predatory softness in his gaze had returned, more intense now that they were away from the kitchen.
"The food is plated," he said, his voice trailing off as he looked at her.
"But you’re still wearing too many clothes."
"Alex, please... I was just making a call," Sarah stammered, stepping back toward the bed.
"Forget the call. Forget the world," he said, closing the distance between them in three long strides.
"Do you need help with those buttons? Or are you going to keep pretending you don't want me to touch you?"
"I can do it myself," she lied, her hands fluttering to the blazer of her suit.
He reached out, his large hands covering hers, stilled her trembling fingers.
"Shhh. Be a good girl for once and just let me."
He leaned down, his lips ghosting over hers in a kiss that was barely a touch, yet it sent a jolt of electricity straight to her core. It was a kiss of total possession. Sarah’s eyes fluttered shut. Her protests died in her throat, replaced by a soft, broken moan.
Slowly, Alex began to dismantle the armor of the CEO. He unbuttoned her blazer, sliding it off her shoulders. His hands moved to the silk blouse beneath, his fingers certain. He wasn't rushing; he was worshiping.
He moved behind her, his breath hot against her neck as he unzipped her skirt. It pooled at her feet. Sarah felt exposed, vibrating with a mix of shame and a hunger so deep it frightened her. He led her toward the master bathroom, turning the shower once they got in.
"Step in," he whispered against her ear. "I’ll bring the wine."
Back on the bed, the phone lay face up. The call timer was ticking away.
"Sarah? Sarah, are you there?" Stacy’s voice came through the speaker, tiny and tinny in the quiet room.
"I heard a door. Who is that? Is that the boy, Sarah? Is that Alex?"
The sounds of the shower running drowned out the voice from the phone.
"Are you really doing this?" Stacy’s voice was rising in panic.
"If that’s him, you need to hang up! Sarah, he’s going to ruin you!"
In the bathroom, the water was warm, but the heat between Sarah and Alex was hotter.
She watched as he took off his clothes, slow and deliberate.
She closed her eyes.
“Look at me, mama. Watch me.”
It was an order. Her eyes moved up to his face, down to the hard contours of his body.
Her tongue snaked out to wet her lips.
She couldn't help it.
When he was completely naked, he stepped into the bathtub, settling behind her.
"You've been waiting for this," Alex murmured, his hands sliding over her wet skin.
"Yes," she whispered, finally surrendering the last of her pride.
On the bed, Stacy’s voice grew desperate.
"Sarah, I can hear the water! Please, tell me you haven't lost your mind. That boy is half your age! If Mark walks in... Sarah!"