Chapter 6

Mira’s POV

In one second, my entire personality could be exposed by the content of my bag, and from the smirk on Alejandro fucking Montenegro’s face, I could tell he was satisfied to know I was no saint.

He let out a subtle chuckle, staring down at what had fallen out, then slowly lifted his eyes to meet mine.

I dropped to the floor instantly, avoiding his gaze as I scrambled to gather my stuff.

“Damn this bag,” I muttered under my breath as a surge of adrenaline shot through me.

While I fumbled to collect everything, he stepped closer and hovered above, standing tall like I owed him an explanation for being human. My eyes caught on his polished black shoes, gleaming, and as I lifted them higher, they landed on his groin.

“Don’t stare too long, you might actually want it,” he laughed, and I stiffened immediately, springing back to my feet.

“I wasn’t staring,” I shot back, tossing my stuff back into my wrecked bag.

“Yeah, right,” he replied, a smug smile tugging at his lips. “So are we going to talk about the collection of dildos that just fell out of your bag, or should we pretend it never happened?”

If I had a container with me, I probably would have climbed into it and sealed the lid tight—or better yet, found a gun to save myself from the high-class embarrassment burning through me.

Just day one on a job I had zero experience in but somehow managed to land, and I was already giving my client the worst impression imaginable.

Classic Mira Martinez. I had completely forgotten I’d tossed those in there while packing yesterday.

I cleared my throat after a long, painful silence. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Montenegro. These don’t belong to me; they’re a friend’s, and I should have double-checked to ensure we didn’t mix up our stuff.”

He squinted, studying me from head to toe as I clung tightly to my bag.

“I didn’t say it was an inconvenience, Miss Martinez,” he replied, voice low and amused. “If anything, it was… a good show.”

“Can we not make this a big deal?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady, even though my entire body was buzzing with embarrassment.

“Big deal?” His lips curled. “You’re carrying enough battery-powered big deals to open a small store, princess.”

I rolled my eyes so far back I saw darkness before speaking again. “Can I have today off? I’d like to sort out everything I own and fully settle in so I can effectively start working for you tomorrow with no distractions.”

“Alright,” he said, “it’s not like I actually needed you, but do what you must. I’m heading out.”

“Thank you,” I answered, turning on my heel and making my way back to the bedroom.

I could feel his gaze on my back like needles pricking my skin, and I could practically smell the smirk on his lips from this distance. Once I reached my door, I stepped inside and shut it tight.

“My life is ruined,” I exhaled, throwing myself onto the bed.

Grabbing a pillow, I pressed it against my face and let out a loud scream, but the persistent buzzing of my phone interrupted me.

It was Zara.

“Hey, girl,” I said, picking up.

“I don’t know how you can almost go an entire day without talking to your lifeline,” she replied.

I let out a small laugh. “It’s not been that long, Zara. You’re being overly dramatic. If this is your way of saying you miss me, then I miss you too.”

“I guess the hot guy you’re working for is treating you so well you almost forgot you had a friend,” she teased, letting out a loud cackle.

“He’s a jerk,” I sighed.

“I want all the details,” she squealed.

I explained everything that had happened in the last couple of hours to my best friend, and her reaction was exactly what I expected. She couldn’t stop laughing during the entire call, snorting so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear several times. I hadn’t even realized how long we’d been chatting until I heard the sound of water splashing from downstairs.

I pushed off the bed and moved toward the terrace in my room, holding the phone tightly against my ear.

Without warning, my eyes met his.

“He’s back,” I whispered, more to myself than to Zara. “Why is he back? He’s supposed to be at a conference by twelve.”

“Maybe he forgot something or maybe he’s checking if you’re testing your toys again,” Zara teased, breaking into laughter.

I rolled my eyes, leaning forward to get a clearer view, biting down on my lower lip as I watched him. Alejandro stood by the pool, pushing wet hair away from his forehead before diving in with clean, powerful strokes that made the water ripple around him. His body moved like it was built for the water, broad shoulders, lean hips, every muscle tightening with each smooth glide.

God, he looked like a dark, fallen god, and I hated how my eyes followed the lines of his body without permission, a warm flush creeping up my neck.

“Earth to Mira, are you still there, or are you drooling?” Zara’s voice cut through.

“I’m not drooling,” I snapped, wiping the corner of my mouth just in case, hating the heat simmering low in my belly. “I’m just… observing.”

“Observing, huh? Like you ‘weren’t staring’ earlier?” She laughed again.

“Shut up, Zara.”

Suddenly, more voices drifted up, male voices mixing with laughter and the clink of glass. I squinted, and that’s when I saw them—three men strolling onto the pool deck, each with a drink in hand, each looking like they’d stepped out of a billionaire lifestyle ad.

“Shit,” I breathed, ducking lower behind the railing. “Zara, he’s not alone.”

“Who’s there?” she asked, instantly alert.

“There’s three of them. One’s super tall with a buzz cut, tattoos down his arm—like a mafia bodyguard. Another one’s in a white shirt, unbuttoned to his chest, chain flashing, total playboy vibes. And the last one… he’s wearing glasses in that sexy professor way, and he just handed Alejandro a drink.”

“Damn. Are you living in a Netflix mafia romance, Mira?” Zara’s voice dropped in excitement.

“Feels like it,” I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away as Alejandro emerged from the water, droplets gliding down his torso, catching the sunlight as he raked his hair back, smirking at something the man with the chain said.

And in that moment, he looked up again.

Right. At. Me.

Our eyes locked, and time stopped. His smirk faded, replaced by something unreadable as he tilted his head, one brow lifting like he could see exactly what I was thinking.

“Mira?” Zara’s voice sounded distant, like it was coming through water. “What’s happening?”

I couldn’t answer. My breath caught, my pulse hammering, and for one terrifying, thrilling second, I felt like he was about to say something, even from that distance.

But then he looked away, raising his glass to his lips as if nothing happened, turning back to his friends with an easy laugh.

I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, stepping back from the railing, pressing a trembling hand against my chest.

“Mira?” Zara demanded.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing.

“I think…” I whispered, my voice catching as I glanced back at the pool where Alejandro stood, his back to me, but I could feel the weight of him there.

“I don’t think I can tame a man who can tame me with just his eyes, Zara.”