Chapter 237: Drop the Act, Kiddo

Chapter 237: Drop the Act, Kiddo
Nora’s POV

Alexander's gaze locked onto mine, his voice carrying a gravity I'd rarely witnessed. "You can do so much for me, and I can do this for you—be brave, just once."

The raw intensity in his eyes made my pulse stutter. This wasn't the ruthless CEO I'd grown accustomed to. This was a man stripped bare, every vulnerability exposed.

"You know," he continued, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my cheek, "you can change your mind anytime. Walk away if this isn't what you want."

I couldn't suppress my smile at his audacity. "Oh really?"

"Absolutely." His lips curved into that devastatingly wicked smirk. "But I won't give you a single reason to leave."

"Is that so, Mr. CEO?" I teased, my palms flat against his chest. "Pretty cocky for someone who was about to lose me forever just ten minutes ago."

Alexander drew me closer, his breath scorching my ear. "I promise to satisfy you so completely, you'll forget what leaving even means."

The double entendre sent heat flooding my cheeks. Something had shifted in his eyes—a tenderness I'd glimpsed only in stolen, unguarded moments.

"Let's head back," he said, intertwining our fingers. "I have meetings this afternoon, but I want you there."

As we walked down the corridor, his grip possessive and sure, a thought seemed to strike him like lightning. His steps faltered, and he whirled to face me with narrowed, dangerous eyes.

"Speaking of Charles," Alexander's voice dropped to a menacing growl, "I saw you two at the restaurant last night."

I blinked, blindsided by the sudden shift. "What?"

"I was upstairs. By the window." His jaw clenched visibly. "I watched you kiss him, Nora."

Oh shit. Our little performance had worked better than expected.

"That wasn't real," I rushed to explain. "We were acting—for your benefit."

"Acting or not," he snarled, backing me against the wall until I was trapped, "I don't want another man's lips anywhere near yours."

The possessiveness in his tone sent an unwelcome thrill through me. "Alexander, you don't understand. Charles is actually the reason we're here right now."

His eyebrow arched skeptically. "Explain. Now."

"He's been pushing me to fight for you all along," I said, meeting his blazing stare. "He recognized my feelings before I could admit them to myself. That kiss—it was his masterstroke to make you jealous enough to finally make a move."

Alexander's expression slowly morphed from fury to something between shock and grudging appreciation. "So he was playing matchmaker?"

"Essentially," I nodded. "He's been rooting for us this whole time."

"Hmm." Alexander didn't look entirely convinced, but his rigid posture relaxed fractionally. "I still hate that he kissed you."

"But it worked, didn't it?" I challenged playfully.

He pulled me flush against him, his voice a dark rumble. "I should thank him, then. But I'm damn glad I claimed you first."

The elevator ride to his office crackled with a different energy now—anticipation instead of animosity. His hand rested possessively on my lower back, his thumb drawing maddening circles that sent shivers racing up my spine.

When we reached the executive floor, Leo, Alexander's assistant, shot up from his desk clutching a stack of documents.

"Mr. Claflin, your lunch arrived, and the Hartwell contract needs your signature before—" He froze mid-sentence, taking in our joined hands and my slightly mussed appearance. "Oh! Mrs. Claflin, I didn't realize you were... I mean, I thought you'd already left..."

"Leo," Alexander interrupted smoothly, "hold all calls for the next hour unless the building's on fire."

"Y-yes, sir," Leo stammered, his gaze ping-ponging between us. "And the contract?"

"Leave it on my desk. I'll handle it later."

Leo nodded and beat a hasty retreat, clearly sensing the charged atmosphere.

The moment Alexander closed his office door, he hauled me into his arms, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that nearly buckled my knees. I melted against him, weeks of pent-up longing finally finding release.

He backed me toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, his hands mapping my curves with newfound permission. When my spine hit the cool glass, I gasped.

"Alexander, we're in your office," I protested weakly as his lips blazed a trail down my throat. "Someone could walk in."

"I told Leo to hold all calls," he murmured against my skin.

"That's not the same as locking the door," I pointed out, gently pushing him back despite my body's rebellion. "Besides, these windows—half the city could watch us."

With a frustrated growl, Alexander relented, guiding me to the leather sofa instead. "Fine. We'll finish this at home tonight."

"Tonight?" I repeated, already scrambling for excuses. The thought of being intimate with Alexander again both thrilled and terrified me. "I'm not sure if—"

"You're already plotting your escape," he cut me off, his knowing smirk making me flush. "You always have an exit strategy ready, don't you?"

I looked away, mortified by how easily he'd read me. "I'm just... concerned about appearances. Your employees must be confused. One minute Charles is proposing, the next we're practically devouring each other in your office. It's like a soap opera."

Alexander shrugged, completely unbothered. "Why should they be confused? A husband and wife reconciling—what's dramatic about that?"

Before I could respond, a tentative knock interrupted us. Leo entered cautiously, balancing our lunch order.

"Your meals, Mr. Claflin, Mrs. Claflin," he said, emphasizing my title with a knowing smile that made my face burn.

After Leo departed, we ate in companionable silence. I was halfway through my salad when a horrifying realization crashed over me.

"Oh my God!" I gasped, my fork clattering to the plate. "Aiden! I completely forgot about Aiden!"

Alexander looked up, alarmed by my sudden panic. "What's wrong?"

"My son is alone at the hotel," I explained frantically, already gathering my belongings. "I told him I'd be back after our meeting. He's been waiting for hours!"

Alexander immediately stood, snatching his jacket. "Let's go. We'll take my car."

When we reached my hotel room, the unlocked door sent my anxiety skyrocketing. The room was empty—no sign of Aiden anywhere.

"Aiden?" I called, checking every possible hiding spot. "Aiden, are you here?"

Alexander was reaching for his phone to call security when cheerful humming echoed from the hallway. The door swung open, revealing my son with chocolate smeared on his cheek and a satisfied grin.

"Mom!" he exclaimed, startled to see me. His eyes widened further when he spotted Alexander. "Mr. Claflin?"

I rushed to him, crushing him in a fierce hug. "Where were you? I've been worried sick!"

Aiden looked genuinely puzzled by my panic. "I just went downstairs for chocolate cake," he explained, gesturing to the evidence on his face. "I was playing my game, then got hungry. I didn't call because I didn't want to interrupt your important meeting with Mr. Claflin."

His innocent eyes shifted to Alexander, studying him with barely concealed curiosity. I could practically see the gears turning in his clever little mind, trying to decode what had changed between us.

Alexander, ever perceptive, caught on immediately. "I think you know more about what's happening than you're letting on, don't you?" he said, his tone surprisingly gentle.

My son maintained his angelic facade. "I don't know what you mean, Mr. Claflin."

"Your 'dad' Charles has returned to Highcrest City," Alexander stated bluntly. "You can drop the act now, kiddo."