Chapter 17

Erin's POV

Back at my desk, I immediately felt everyone's eyes on me before they quickly looked away. Great, now I'm the office gossip focal point. I sighed, forcing myself to focus on my computer screen, pretending not to notice the whispers around me.

Mike cautiously approached my desk, concern written across his face. "Everything okay? That sounded... um... intense."

"It's fine," I lied, eyes fixed on the screen as I tried to calm my anger. "Just some standard new employee guidance."

He hesitated, clearly unconvinced. "You sure? If you need any help..."

I looked up and gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mike. I really am okay."

He nodded, though doubt lingered in his gaze. Then he shifted his weight, suddenly looking nervous. "So... I was wondering if maybe we could grab dinner after work? There's this amazing Italian place nearby, and their lasagna is absolutely killer."

I was about to decline when I noticed Alexander standing across the office. He was watching us intently, his expression stony. He's watching me and Mike... A rebellious feeling surged through me. Lisa wants me to stay away from him? Let him see what "away" looks like.

"Sure," I flashed Mike a brilliant smile, raising my voice slightly to ensure Alexander could hear. "Dinner sounds great!"

Mike's face instantly brightened, eyes sparkling. "Awesome! Meet in the lobby at six?"

"Perfect," I agreed, sneaking another glance at Alexander. His expression had darkened further, and he turned to stride out of the office. Happy now? I mentally called after him, feeling both triumphant and inexplicably disappointed.

---

As soon as the workday ended, I gathered my things and headed toward the lobby with mixed feelings. On one hand, I was looking forward to dinner with Mike—he seemed like a nice guy, and I was starving. On the other hand, Alexander's brooding face kept appearing in my mind. Why should I care what he thinks? He's nothing to me.

Mike was already waiting in the lobby, immediately waving when he spotted me. "Hey! Ready to go?"

"Absolutely," I smiled. "I'm famished."

We had barely taken two steps toward the exit when Mike's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned. "Sorry, I need to take this."

"Wilson?" he answered, his voice instantly becoming tense. "What? Now? But I—" He sighed, his shoulders visibly slumping. "Yes, sir. I understand. I'll be right there."

He ended the call, his face filled with regret. "Erin, I'm really sorry. Wilson says there's an emergency meeting, needs to be handled immediately. He mentioned... something about major issues with the quarterly report."

Emergency meeting? Quarterly report? After hours? Suspicion rose inside me. "Don't worry about it, Mike. Work comes first."

"Rain check?" he asked hopefully, his eyes reflecting genuine remorse.

"Of course, no problem," I replied with a smile.

After Mike hurried away, I walked alone toward the underground parking garage, my mood deteriorating with each step. Fantastic, another night of takeout and sleeping in my car. Thinking about that narrow folded back seat and its hard surface made me sigh.

The garage was dimly lit, my footsteps echoing in the empty space. As I approached my rental car, I suddenly froze, my heart skipping a beat.

Alexander was leaning against my car, arms crossed over his chest, eyes gleaming in the shadows. He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a small patch of tanned skin.

Damn it! What's he doing here? My first instinct was to turn and leave, but it was too late—he'd already seen me.

"Going somewhere?" he asked lazily.

I forced myself to approach, trying to appear nonchalant. "Home. Problem with that?"

"Interesting." He slowly straightened, his gaze never leaving my face. "I thought you had a date with Mike. Dinner?"

I stopped a few steps away from him, crossing my arms. "Plans changed."

The corner of his mouth quirked upward in a knowing smirk. "How unfortunate."

Realization suddenly hit me. "It was YOU! You had Wilson call Mike away!" I accused sharply. "You controlling, manipulative JERK! That quarterly report was complete bullshit!"

"Just arranged an emergency meeting. CEO privilege," he said dismissively.

"What gives you the right to interfere with my personal life?" I stepped forward, trembling with anger, my finger nearly jabbing his chest. "You arranged this job, didn't you? And Mike's meeting! What the hell do you want from me?"

He suddenly pushed off from the car and moved toward me until we were only inches apart. His scent enveloped me—cedar, leather, and pure male—making me instinctively back up.

"You needed a job. I provided one." He took another step closer, sneering slightly. "As for Mike... I don't like seeing you with other men."

I nervously retreated until my back hit the cold car door. "This is ridiculous! You have NO right to decide who I date!"

"Don't I?" He leaned forward, one hand braced against the window beside my head, trapping me between his arm and the vehicle. In the dim garage lighting, his eyes turned a deep navy blue. "After that night in Chicago, you still want to pretend there isn't something special between us?"

My heart raced, my breathing quickened. Don't let him affect you, Erin!

I took a deep breath. "That was just a one-night stand, Alexander. A mistake. We're step-siblings now, and this whole thing is absurd. I can't do this anymore, Alexander. You interfering with my dates, controlling my job." I lifted my chin, meeting his eyes directly. "I'm submitting my resignation tomorrow."

His expression immediately darkened. "You're not quitting."

"You can't stop me," I smiled at him defiantly. "Maybe I'll even call Mike, see if he wants to reschedule our date. We were getting along quite well before your little interrup—"

The next moment, his hot lips crashed against mine, forceful and uncompromising.