Chapter 5 A Dream that Felt like Sin
“No, Joan,” Alex replied, clearly tense. “Nothing happened. You passed out and I put you to bed. That’s all. I would never cross that line.”
Relief loosened something inside of me, but doubt followed instantly.
Nothing happened?
Then why did it feel so real?
“Are you sure?” I asked, my gaze fixed on him.
He went quiet and answered after some moments.
“I wanted to… but I didn’t,” he said, his voice low.
“You were drunk… how could I touch you without your consent?”
“Hmm,” I heaved a sigh of relief.
“I would never take advantage of you,” he added quietly.
I nodded slowly, unpacking my bag to bring out some files so that we could start the meeting.
It was clear that nothing happened.
But the scariest part was…
A tiny and dangerous part of me wished it hadn’t been just a dream.
“You forgot…”
Alex wanted to talk, but he was cut off by a knock on the door. He straightened immediately and switched his expression to business-like calm.
“Come in,” he said.
The door opened and Marcus walked in.
“Oh… Joan… it’s so good to see you again,” he said, his face lighting up immediately he saw me.
“Good morning,” I replied with a polite smile.
“Thank you for coming to the party,” he said.
“You are welcome. I had a good time,” I muttered.
“Hope you are good today? Alex told me…”
Before Marcus could finish his words, Alex pretended to clear his throat as he quickly shot him a warning look.
“Oh,” Marcus muttered and glanced at his watch.
“I have to go now. I just came to say hi.”
Then he left, the door closing behind him.
Alex exhaled quietly while straightening the papers on his desk and the office became silent with unspoken words between us.
“So… about the client,” I said, breaking the silence.
“Oh… yeah, the client,” he replied.
“I want to drink water, do you care for some too?” he asked, already moving toward the small dispenser by the wall.
“Yes, please,” I replied, keeping my voice even.
He poured the water and turned toward me to hand me the water. As I stretched my hand to collect the glass of water, our hands brushed… just for a second.
I pulled my hand back quickly, the glass trembling slightly in my grip.
“Thank you,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
I took a small sip while Alex moved back to his seat.
“Shall we continue?” I asked.
“Yes,” Alex replied.
We talked and rubbed minds together about the project.
The meeting ended quicker than I expected.
I stood up, and Alex walked me to the door.
“Joan,” he said just before I reached for the handle.
I paused, but I didn’t turn.
“Trust me… I didn’t touch you that night,” he said.
Then, I turned to look at him.
“Okay,” I replied.
“I don’t regret wanting you, but I’m glad I stopped myself,” he added.
“I’m glad too,” I replied.
Deep down, I wished he hadn’t stopped.
Before he could say anything else, I opened the door.
“See you at the next meeting, Mr. Hart,” I said with a professional smile.
“See you, Miss Cole,” he smirked.
Then I walked out without looking back, and drove back to the office to complete my work for the day.
After closing from work, I went back home to give Lena the good news.
“Hey girl,” I said, sliding down to the chair.
“Welcome back,” she replied, munching on a handful of small cookies.
“So did you ask him?” she asked almost immediately.
“Yes, I did,” I replied, pretending to be sad.
“Oh, wow,” she scoffed.
“If you know what’s best for you… let’s go and get the contraceptive as fast as possible. We will talk about it when we get back,” she added.
“He didn't have sex with me,” I said, smiling.
“You got me for a second,” Lena said.
“I can rest now,” I sighed.
“I know you wished it happened,” she teased.
“Because I don’t understand why you would dream about having sex with him,” she said and laughed loudly.
“I don't know what you mean,” I smirked.
“You sure know what I mean,” she continued teasing.
“Don’t you think you should get a man?”
“Coming from someone who doesn’t have a man too,” I giggled.
“Do you want cookies?” she asked, pretending not to hear me.
“I don’t want… go and bring a man home,” I laughed and headed to my room.
“I need to freshen up.”
When I got inside my room, I leaned against the door.
"Well... she is correct," I sighed and jumped into my bed.
"Wait..." I muttered and sprung up.
"I just hope I didn't say anything stupid that night," I added, racking my brain to see if I would remember something.
But I didn't.
"Geez," I tapped my forehead and lay back in bed.
ALEX HART’S POV
I wasn’t joking when I said I wanted her. I wished I hadn’t stopped that night, but…
Sleeping with a lady while she’s drunk? That’s not what I would ever do even if I lost my memory.
Seeing her again at the fake party and at the meeting today made me realize that I’m still madly in love with her.
My gaze shifted to the velvet pouch I placed under the stack of files on my table.
“The jewelry,” I muttered.
I wanted to mention it, but Marcus interrupted.
I picked it up, and opened the pouch. Inside was the silver bracelet I kept safely inside it. I smiled as I turned it slowly in my finger.
As I looked at the bracelet, that night flashed back to my mind.
Her giggles and laughter, and the way she leaned into me when she could no longer stand steadily.
Then, how quiet, peaceful, and pretty she looked when I laid her on the bed.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to get lost in the moment.
Then I remembered what she said.
“Alex…”