“Everything’s fine,” he assured me. “There’s a charity g for the Children’s Hospital Foundation this Saturday. As major donors, we’re expected to attend.”

    “Oh,” I said, relief washing over me. Just a social event. “That sounds nice.”

    “It’s ck tie,” Alexander added. “Very formal. Thepany has a table, and several board members will be there.”

    “I’ll need a dress.”

    Alexander smiled. “I’ve already arranged for a stylist to bring some options to the house tomorrow evening.”

    “Of course you have. Do you always think of everything?”

    “I try,” he said, looking pleased with himself. “It’s important that we make ia /igood impression. The foundation does incredible work.”

    “What kind of charity is it exactly?” I asked, genuinely curious.

    “They fund research and treatment programs for children with rare diseases. Carter Enterprises donates annually to its pediatric research center.”

    I nodded, impressed. “That’s wonderful. I’d love to learn more about their work.”

    “The head of the foundation, Dr. Emily Porter, will be there. She’s brilliant,” Alexander said. “I’ll introduce you.”

    “I’d like that,” I said, smiling.

    As Alfred cleared our tes and brought dessert, I rxedpletely. It still amazed me howfortable I’d be with Alexander in such a short time. Our conversations flowed easily, punctuated byughter and the asional heated nce that made my stomach flip.

    “Oh, I almost forgot to mention,” Alexander said as he tasted the chocte mousse. “Your cares with aplimentary track day at Laguna Seca.

    b17:29 /bSat, Sep 6 N

    Professional drivers will teach you how to handle it at high speeds.”

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    “Are you serious?” I asked, eyes widening. “That sounds terrifying and amazing at the same time.”

    “It’s perfectly safe,” he assured me. “And incredibly fun. The Taycan handles like a dream on the track.”

    “I’ll take your word for it,” I said. “But sure, why not? When is it?”

    “Next month. We can make a weekend of it. There’s a beautiful resort nearby.”

    I nodded, still not quite used to how casually Alexander could n expensive getaways. “That sounds nice.”

    After dinner, we migrated to the living room with sses of brandy. Alexander settled onto the couch, loosening his tie and unbuttoning his cor. I kicked off my heels and curled up beside him, tucking my feet under me.

    “This is nice,” I said, sipping the amber liquid that burned pleasantly down my

    throat.

    “Mmm,” Alexander agreed, his arm stretching along the back of the couch behind me. His fingers absently yed with a strand of my hair.

    We sat infortable silence for a few moments, the only sound the gentle ticking of the antique clock on the mantel and the asional crackle from the firece Alfred had lit earlier.

    “Do you think your grandfather will be at the g?” I asked suddenly,

    Alexander’s fingers paused in my hair. “Most likely. He rarely misses it.”

    “Should I be nervous?” I hadn’t spent much time with Harold Carter,

    “About grandfather? No. He seems to approve of you.”

    “Really? How can you tell?”

    “He hasn’t made any disparaging remarks about you to my face, which for him is practically a ringing endorsement.”

    “Such high praise,” I rolled my eyes.

    “Trust me,

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    it is.” Alexander’s hand moved to my shoulder, squeezing gently. “Victoria will probably be there itoo/i.”

    “Great,” I muttered. “Something to look forward to.”

    “Ignore her,” Alexander advised.

    “Those designer heels of hers look pretty lethal.”

    “I’ll protect you from Victoria’s stilettos, I promise.”

    I leaned my head against his shoulder, surprising myself with the casual intimacy of the gesture. “My hero.”

    His arm slipped from the back of the couch to wrap around my shoulders, pulling me closer. I breathed in his scent, a mix of expensive cologne and something uniquely him.

    “I meant what I said about Ryan,” Alexander murmured, his breath warm against my hair. “If he bothers you again, I want to know immediately.”

    “I hope he won’t,” I said. “But I promise I’ll tell you if he does.”

    “Good.” Alexander’s voice was deep and satisfied, like he’d just won a small but important victory. His fingers yed with the ends of my hair, and I tried to focus on the moment instead of the memory of Ryan’s usations.

    We sat infortable silence, sipping our drinks. The brandy warmed my throat and loosened the tension in my shoulders. I felt myself sinking deeper into the plush couch, deeper into Alexander’s side.

    “Did I tell you what Victoria said to me at the office yesterday?” Alexander asked, breaking the quiet.

    I nced up. “No, what did the she–devil want now?”

    “She cornered me by the elevator to ask if I was ‘absolutely certain‘ about my choice in wife. Said she was ‘just looking out for the family name.

    “How thoughtful of her,” I rolled my eyes. “What did you say?”

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    …

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    “I told her my choice in wife was none of her fucking business and to focus on her own life instead of mine.”

    Iughed, nearly choking on my brandy. “I would have paid to see her face.”

    “It was priceless. Kind of like when a cat gets sprayed with water.”

    We both dissolved intoughter, and I felt thest of my stress from the day melting away. Alexander’s hand moved from my hair to my shoulder, pulling me closer.

    “Ready for bed?”

    I nodded. “Yeah, it’s been a long day.”

    We finished our drinks and headed upstairs together. The master suite was my favorite room in the house. It was spacious yet intimate, with floor–to–ceiling windows that showed a spectacr view of the grounds in daylight. The massive king–sized bed dominated the space, covered in luxurious linens that felt like heaven against my skin.

    “I’m going to shower.”

    Alexander nodded, already loosening his tie. “Don’t be long.”

    The hot water soothed my muscles, washing away thest remnants of my encounter with Ryan. I feltpletely renewed when I stepped out, wrapped in a fluffy towel.

    I towel–dried my hair and moisturized my skin, enjoying the simple ritual after such aplicated day. When I opened the bathroom door, a rush of cooler air hit my warm skin, raising goosebumps along my arms.

    Alexander was sitting on the edge of the bed, his shirt unbuttoned and hanging open to reveal his toned chest. He’d already removed his tie and shoes, looking rxed yet somehow stillmanding in his half–dressed state.

    “Feel better?” he asked, eyes tracking me as I moved across the room to my dresser.

    “Much,” I replied, tightening the towel around me. “Nothing like a hot shower to

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    wash away a crappy day.”

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    I selected a simple silk nightgown in deep burgundy. Alexander watched as I deliberated whether to duck back into the bathroom to change or just do it here. After a moment’s hesitation, I decided to stay.

    I turned my back to him and dropped the towel, quickly pulling the nightgown over my head. The silk slid coolly against my skin, settling just above mid–thigh. didn’t bother with underwear; it would only get in the way of the silk anyway.

    When I turned around, Alexander had moved from the bed. He stood directly behind me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

    “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his handsing to rest lightly on my hips.

    I gave a smallugh. “You tell me that every day.”

    “And I’ll keep telling you until you believe it’s impossible for me to look at you and not think it.” His fingers flexed against the silk covering my hips. “You’re so goddamn beautiful, Liv, I could say it a thousand times and it wouldn’t be enough.”