CHAPTER SIXTY NINE

CHAPTER SIXTY NINE
Alexandra stared at Damon, a faint flutter stirring in her chest. Her eyes softened before she caught herself—They hadn’t seen each other since the day he drove them to the police station, and having him here now stirred more feelings than she wanted to admit.

She cleared her throat gently, pulling her composure back into place.

“You could have sent a message through my secretary if there was any issue, Mr. Hartley.”

“I prefer coming down here myself,” Damon said, settling into the seat across from her, his eyes holding hers just a little too long.

“Alright then. What is it?” Alexandra asked.

Damon tilted his head a little, eyes never leaving her face.
“Wasn’t that Marcus?” he murmured.
“The same guy you swore you didn’t know… back at the diner?”

Alexandra’s eyes dilated, a small unreadable smile stretching across her lips.
So he remembered… and was that jealousy she was hearing in his tone?

“Are you jealous, Mr. Hartley?”

Damon scoffed lightly.
“Any reason to be?”

Alexandra lifted a shoulder.
“Looks like you were a while ago—especially with that killer glare in your eyes.”

A slow smile tugged at his mouth, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“Glad you noticed.”

Her cheeks warmed instantly.
“What do you want, Damon?”

Damon exhaled and rose from his seat, like he's waiting to do so for long while taking slow, deliberate steps toward her. Alexandra held her ground, chin up, defiant.

When he reached her, he crouched to her eye level, palms braced on either side of her chair.

“I missed you,” he murmured. “Haven’t seen you since the police station.”

Her breath caught as his scent wrapped around her, clean and masculine.
Her gaze dropped to his lips before she forced it back up.

“Are we supposed to see each other?”

Damon’s smile was soft, knowing.
“Still playing games, Alex? Do you want me to chase you to the ends of the world?”

She rolled her eyes.
“Mr. Hartley… are you aware this is an office? And anyone can walk in.”

His eyes flicked to the door—confident, unbothered—before returning to hers.
“No one will. I made sure of that.”

Then he leaned in and captured her lips in a fierce, hungry kiss that stole every breath from her lungs. One hand sliding to the back of her neck while the other lifted her easily onto the desk, gradually easing himself between her thighs, he deepened the kiss as she melted into him.

He kissed her like a man starved, and she matched his tempo with equal heat. His hands left her waist to press against the curve of her breasts through the silk she wore—a single touch that earned a whispered cry from her.

“Damon.” She moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Damon smiled faintly against her lips, tearing away just enough to take in her flushed face.

“I haven’t heard you moan like that in ages… hell, I missed that sound coming from you, Alexandra,” Damon groaned, his thumb brushing softly along her temple.

Alexandra sighed, breathless.
“Kiss me already… stop torturing me.”

Damon smirked.
“With all pleasure, my sweetheart.”

He captured her lips again, parting them with his tongue, tasting every inch of her mouth.

She tasted like mint and lemon—a flavor he had long missed. His hands trailed down her thighs, sliding her shirt up as they explored her heated core, while Alexandra melted against him, moaning and pressing closer into his hold. She was lost in him completely.

If anyone stepped into the room, they would probably be shocked to see her so flushed, so aroused, eyes half-lidded and utterly undone.

༺༺♡♡༻༻

Meanwhile, outside Alexandra’s office, Victoria stood, cheeks flushed with anger.

“What the hell do you mean I can’t see her now?”

“Ma’am, I’m really sorry,” Lexa said softly, keeping her tone polite but firm.
“She’s in a meeting, and I’ve been given strict orders not to let anyone in or interrupt.”

Lexa’s words were careful, almost echoing the instructions Damon had given her in case anyone tried to see Alexandra.

“Do you want to lose your job?” Victoria bit out, her eyes practically burning holes into Lexa, fists clenched tightly at her sides.

Lexa frowned at the brunette standing before her. Who does she think she is, asking me that?
“I don’t owe my job to you, Ms. So. I’d appreciate it if you stepped back and let me do my job without threats.”

“Or the security would escort you out.”

Victoria’s jaw tightened, a fire of anger churning in her chest. She just wanted to see Alexandra, to finally have the conversation she’d been waiting for—but this sly secretary wasn’t making it easy.

The worst part? She had gone to Damon’s office to check on him, only to be told he had gone to see Ms. Sterling. And now she was hearing that Alexandra was in a meeting. What stupid meeting could that be?

Only whatever was in the sky knew what they were doing in there, and the thought made her seethe even more.

“Alright. Since you won’t let me in easily way, I’ll go in myself then.”

Lexa’s eyes snapped up from the piles of files she was going through. A dark gleam shone in Victoria’s eyes making her sprang from her seat, pivoting sharply to stand in front of the door, ready to block her.

“You wouldn’t do—”

But Victoria shoved past her with so much force, pushing Alexandra’s office door open only for both women to froze, eyes wide, lips trembling—Lexa in shock, Victoria in disbelief.

Did she just barge in on her boss… sharing a heated, mouthwatering kiss with Damon Hartley, her business partner? Lexa thought.

༺༺♡♡༻༻

Chris lay on his side, staring at Alicia as she slept. He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His eyes softened—full of love, want, and a quiet ache.
He’d pulled away earlier when their kiss got too heated. God knew how badly he’d wanted her… but he wouldn’t rush her. Not when he had things in his life he needed to straighten out first.

Alicia shifted, lashes fluttering before her eyes opened to meet Chris’ intense stare. Heat rushed up her cheeks and she quickly dragged the covers over her face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispered, voice muffled by the blanket.

Chris smiled. “You looked so peaceful while sleeping. I could’ve taken a picture.”

The blanket flew off her head as Alicia shot him a wide-eyed look.
“Did you?”

A laugh rumbled from his chest—deep, warm, and unfairly attractive. It made something inside her melt.

“I didn’t, Ali,” he said, still smiling, “but with that expression you just made, I wish I had.”

Alicia rolled her eyes playfully and climbed onto his lap, straddling him. Her knees pressed against his sides while he leaned fully back, arms folded under his head like he was enjoying the view.

“So… what are we now?” she asked, grinning.

Chris arched a brow, eyes teasing.
“What do you think, Ali?”

She smacked his chest lightly. “Stop teasing, Chris.”

“I’m not,” he murmured, though the smirk said otherwise. “But teasing you is actually pretty fun. Don’t you think?” His hand slid around her waist, holding her in place.

Alicia’s cheeks warmed again.
“Are we… a couple now?” she asked softly, lips pouting, eyes uncertain.

Chris sat up, back resting against the headboard. His hands settled on her waist gently. “Alicia Harrison,” he said, voice low and earnest, “will you be my girlfriend?”

Her smile lit up her whole face. “Of course I will. What took you so long to ask me?”

"Although this wasn't the perfect kind of proposal I expected but anyways I love that you're here with me."

Chris smiled softly watching as she leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he pressed a slow kiss to her forehead, then her temple.