CHAPTER 39: 39: KISS ME & PROVE IT

Adrian’s breath stuttered. The sudden, intimate touch of Alexander’s hand on his knee was a seismic shock that obliterated all his careful walls of professionalism and fear. It was precisely the kind of direct, dominating contact Alexander had avoided since the kiss, and it felt like a deliberate act of claiming.

He knew he had to turn. Alexander’s commands were absolute now, and his silence would only invite a more forceful, less gentle persuasion. Slowly, reluctantly, Adrian rotated his body on the seat, his eyes lifting to meet Alexander’s.

Alexander was close. Too close. The proximity was a physical pressure, and Adrian could see the minute flex of Alexander’s jaw, the depth of blue in his eyes—a color that seemed to absorb all the passing highway lights.

"Y-yes, Boss?" Adrian whispered, his gaze flickering down to the hand resting heavily on his knee, anchoring him.

Alexander didn’t immediately ask the question. He simply observed Adrian’s panicked eyes, the faint blush that had returned to his cheeks, and the frantic flutter in his throat.

"You’re still shaking, Adrian," Alexander noted, his thumb making a slow, almost imperceptible stroke against the denim over Adrian’s kneecap. It was a gesture of terrifying intimacy. "You said you hate proximity. But you were transfixed in that elevator. You didn’t look away."

Adrian swallowed. The accusation in Alexander’s tone wasn’t about the job; it was about the truth of that moment. Alexander wasn’t letting him deflect with talk of debt and dismissal anymore.

"It was... it was the sudden silence, Boss," Adrian lied, the words catching in his throat. "It was unusual. I was caught off guard by the... the quiet."

Alexander leaned in just a fraction more, the movement deliberate and commanding. The scent of cedar and smoke intensified.

"Don’t insult my intelligence, Adrian. We both know what that was. You bite your lip and speak softly when you are comfortable, when you are interested... like with Jacob." Alexander’s voice was a low rumble, devoid of anger, which made it all the more compelling. He lifted his other hand and gently brushed his knuckles against the underside of Adrian’s jaw, mimicking the earlier gesture.

"You looked at my lips, Adrian. Right before that phone call interrupted us. Why?"

The question was a direct challenge to the very lie Adrian had established: that Alexander was just his ’eww’ male boss. Adrian’s mind scrambled, not for an answer that would save him from the debt, but an answer that would save him from this powerful, devastating man who had him cornered.

He couldn’t admit the truth—not just because of the danger, but because of the sheer, reckless audacity of his attraction.

"You... you asked me a question, Boss," Adrian managed, latching onto a technicality. He pointed a trembling finger at the hand on his knee. "You said you have a question. What is it?"

Alexander looked down at his own hand on Adrian’s knee, then back to Adrian’s defiant, desperate eyes. A slow, predatory smile touched the corner of his lips.

"My question is simple, Adrian," he murmured, removing his hand from Adrian’s knee, only to trace the line of his jaw once more before letting his fingers rest on Adrian’s tie knot. "Why do I get a string feeling that you’re onto me?" His voice rolled right into Adrian’s ears, low and deliberate.

Adrian shuddered visibly, his eyes widening as he gripped his bag with his shaky hands, biting his lower lip to stop it from trembling.

He tried to move, to lean away from Alexander, but he was immediately stopped by Alexander’s hand behind his neck.

He gulped, having no choice but to look into Alexander’s predatory eyes, "B-boss, I’m not comfortable with whatever this is –"

"Tell me, why are you always shaky with me? Do I scare you that much?" Alexander asked, his hand leaving Adrian’s knee to hold his arm, his eyes never leaving Adrian’s.

Adrian inhaled deeply, if he needed to get out of this sudden situation, he needed to save himself before he let himself lose.

"Boss, I already told you that I hated proximity. Especially now, in this small space. I’m claustrophobic, it gets me nervous, scared even –"

"At the office, in the hallways, the spaces are quite okay. Yet, when I come close, you turn into this nervous wreck... why?" His eyes fell on Adrian’s flushed cheeks, taking note of how they intensified at his every word.

Adrian swallowed hard, "It’s work, Boss..." whatever that meant.

"You meet Sebastian at your workplace, but you never quiver. You meet Jacob at work every day, yet you never get nervous. But me... I think you owe me an explanation, Mr. Cole." His hand slowly slid up Adrian’s arm, hesitating on his shoulder for a bit before taking it up to Adrian’s red cheek, "Why are they always flushed beside me?" He asked in a dangerously low voice.

It was a miracle that Adrian was still breathing, he didn’t know how, but he was grateful he still did.

"B-Boss, it’s b-because they’re my friends..." he gulped as Alexander’s thumb rested lazily on his flaming cheek, "I’m comfortable around them because they’re my friends. But you’re not, boss. You’re my boss, and yes, I do fear you, you literally hold my life in your hands now, what’s there not to fear when I have a powerful boss such as yourself?" Adrian summoned courage and removed Alexander’s hand from his cheek and behind his neck, leaning away and pressing his back against the door.

Alexander didn’t respond, he just pinned his darkening gaze on Adrian, his hands clenching lightly on his lap.

"You’re lying, Mr. Cole," Alexander spoke quietly, his voice reverberating through the quiet car.

Adrian bit his lip, digging his fingers into his hands, "I don’t know what else you want me to say, boss." He replied in a tired voice, looking out the window at the darkening sky.

’What have I gotten myself into’ Adrian shut his eyes tightly.

"Eyes on me, Mr. Cole. That’s no way to treat your boss," Alexander commanded.

Adrian sighed, getting a little frustrated, "Whaat so you want from me, boss?" His tone was hard and angry.

He hated the way Alexander unconsciously played with his emotions. Tempting him to come out of the closet just so he would be mocked and shamed.

"You’ll watch your tone with me, Mr. Cole –"

"Just leave me alone, Alexander! I’m my own person and need my space. Respect my space." He heaved, angrily looking at Alexander’s unreadable face.

"If... if you don’t need me for anything work-related, I’d like to get out of here," he turned and tried to open the door but failed.

Alexander had the doors locked.

"Now, eyes back here, Mr. Cole," Alexander commanded, his tone grave.

’Shit, it’s over. I let my temper out again,’ he gulped as he slowly turned on his seat.

His eyes fell on Alexander’s and he realised that Alexander meant business now.

"I just told you to watch your tone, Mr. Cole, but you... You raised your fucking voice at me," Alexander slowly started to lean in, his hand reaching for Adrian’s shoulder.

Adrian’s heart was drumming crazily, Alexander’s hand on his shoulder felt like a deliberate caging, grounding him from trying to move away again.

"Boss, I’m sorry. I just have a lot of things going on in my head. And you’re suddenly probing about my life, I just felt kind of cornered and I don’t like that feeling," Adrian rushed to explain.

"You’re a liar, Adrian. Your explanations, you’re cover-ups. They’re all lies. I think you like me," Alexander dropped the bomb.

"What?!" Adrian gasped, then chuckled nervously, "Me? Like you?" He laughed, shaking his head, "That’s not possible, boss. Did you forget you’re my boss, and a man?" He cleared his throat, willing his pulse to slow down.

"That’s what I thought, too. That’s it’s not possible. But, after carefully studying you, Mr. Cole, I believe that you’re exactly what you say you’re not –"

"I’m not gay," Adrian cut in, breathing hard.

"There’s only one way to find out, and believe me, I do hope you’re not. For s smooth running of my business, it would be best if my secretary, doesn’t harbor unaccepted feelings for me," Alexander stated, smirking.

Adrian narrowed his eyes, ignoring his chest that was now vibrating violently from fear and excitement.

"What way, boss? I’d do anything to prove that I’m not gay. But, let’s say that I was, which I’m not, it’s just a scenario. But even if I were, I would never be attracted to my boss. Especially someone as mean as yourself," Adrian tapped his legs anxiously, suckung his lower lip between his teeth.

Alexander nodded and slowly leaned in, his face inches away from Adrian’s, his eyes burning hot as he looked from Adrian’s eyes to his lips, gulping loudly.

"Kiss me and prove it," Alexander’s voice came out huskier than intended.

He was feeling kind of feverish, and his heart was pounding like a hammer in his chest.

’Who was this test for really? Adrain, or myself?’ He clenched his jaw.

Adrain laughed, "Boss, I never knew you could crack a joke. K-kiss you?" He stammered, sweat breaking out of his forehead as he slowly panted.

’What sort of twisted logic is this?’ Adrian thought as he panicked.

Alexander’s hand suddenly cupped Adrian’s cheek, pulling him closer until their breaths mingled, "If you’re not gay, kiss and feel nothing..." his eyes lowered between Adrian’s legs, "Then I’d know you’re not interested in me," he challenged.

Adrain shook his head, "Boss, this isn’t right, we shouldn’t be doing this. Please, just take my word for it. After all, you’ve kissed me once and you saw I didn’t –"

"That was me saving your life. This time, I’m testing your sexuality. For business purposes, of course," Alexander interrupted in his deep, husky voice, his eyes burning hotter on Adrian’s lips.

"I’m waiting, Mr. Cole. It’s just a simple lip to lip, it wouldn’t matter, right?" He whispered slowly, holding Adrian’s disoriented gaze.

Alexander’s fingers tightened just enough to make Adrian freeze, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.

"Go on," Alexander murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "Prove it."

Adrian’s lips parted in disbelief, but no sound came out. The space between them throbbed like a live wire.

"Boss, this isn’t—"

"Do it," Alexander ordered softly.

Adrian’s breath trembled. Every instinct screamed at him to pull away—

But when he met Alexander’s eyes, all he saw was hunger.

His pulse stuttered. His mind went blank.

And before he could stop himself—

—he moved.