I cleared my throat and answered evenly, “There’s only one event tonight. Alpha Heath from Vasalin Technologies
has invited you to a yacht reception. It’s being held as a wee party in your honor.”
Alexander gave a single nod, his expression unreadable. “I’ll take a nap,” he said. “Wake me up at five.”
“Understood,” I said quickly.
Fin and I left the suite together and went to our own rooms. I didn’t even bother to unpack.
There wasn’t much time. I took a cab straight to the nearest shopping center and darted through the aisles like a wom- an on a mission. I needed everything-professional wear for business meetings, formal dresses for events, casuals for daily use. There wasn’t room for mistakes. By the time I returned, it was already 4:30.
I took the fastest shower of my life, towel-dried my hair, and slipped into a fresh set of professional clothes. My heart was pounding as I nced at the clock: 4:50.
I quietly let myself back into Alexander’s suite, careful not to make noise. I’d noticed he hadn’t picked an outfit for the yacht event, so I opened his suitcase, pulled out one of the suits he’d packed, and hung it up neatly. Then I select- ed a navy dress shirt and matching cks-sharp, elegant, but understated-and quickly ironed them.
By the time I was done, it was just past five.
I hesitated briefly, then made my way toward the bedroom.
The door creaked softly as I pushed it open.
And there he was.
Alexandery asleep in the center of the bed, a silver silk robe drapedzily across his frame. One side had fallen open, revealing the lean muscles of his chest, the slope of his corbone, and the soft rhythm of his breathing. His legs-long and perfectly proportioned-peeked out from under the robe, resting carelessly on the sheets.
I stood frozen for a moment, struck by the sheer… beauty of the man.
Yve stirred inside me.” He’s so handsome,” she whispered, sounding awestruck.” We should bite him and keep him forever.”
I forced myself to look away. I couldn’t afford to have thoughts like this.
But then I made the mistake of checking the time again.
It was already 5:30.
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I panicked.
I stepped closer and gently called, “Alpha Alexander… it’s time to get up.”
No response.
“Alpha Alexander,” I said again, louder this time, but his breathing stayed even.
My career might actually end here. If I let him miss this event-
Desperate, I leaned in and yelled right into his ear, “Wake up!”
What happened next was a blur.
In a sudden motion, his hand shot up and pressed firmly against the back of my head.
Before I could pull away, my lips identally brushed against his chin. Warm skin. The faintest trace of his scent- clean, crisp, addictive.
My eyes widened in horror.
Alexander froze too.
Time seemed to stretch.
Then slowly, without letting gopletely, he tilted his head back, pulling his face away from mine.
My body jolted back into motion. I pushed myself upright, muttered something incoherent, and practically stumbled out of the bedroom like it was on fire.
My cheeks were burning. My pulse was racing.
And I didn’t stop until I was safely behind the door to my own room, heart hammering against my ribs.
The second I shut the door behind me, I threw off my heels and stumbled into the bathroom. My hands went straight for the tap, sshing cold water on my face, trying to calm the blunder I had done.
All I had wanted was to wake up my boss. That was the task. That was the entire workflow.
How did that turn into me kissing him on the chin?
The back of my hand pressed hard against my lips as I reyed the moment in my mind-the warmth of his skin, the weight of his hand behind my head, the way our breaths collided in that strange, frozen second. It was too much.
I cursed softly and shook my head.
By six o’clock, I had reluctantly collected myself and returned to Alexander’s suite. My hair was tied up, my skirt straightened, my expression carefully neutral. Fin was already there, standing by the couch with his usual cool-
posure.
Alexander hadn’te out yet. Fin looked over his shoulder and smiled faintly when he saw me.
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Then Alexander walked out of the bedroom.
I turned just slightly-just enough that my eyes met his for a second. His gaze was calm. My own dropped immedi- ately to the buttons of his crisp white shirt. I focused on the fabric, the stitching, anything but the memory.
We followed him silently down to the car.
The ride to Rotona was quiet. No one said a word. I sat in the back, legs crossed, hands folded tightly in myp. I tried to force my breathing to slow, but every time the image of his face came back to me-those sleepy, half-lidded eyes-I stiffened again.
Alexander eventually broke the silence.
“Water.”
I blinked, startled. I reached forward, grabbed a bottle from the console, unscrewed the cap, and passed it to him.
But instead of taking it, he pushed it gently back toward me. “Rx,” he said. “Stop thinking about your work fail- ures. You’re stiff as a board.”
I blinked at him, mouth opening slightly, but I quickly closed it. I turned away and took a huge sip from the bottle.
We arrived at the yacht.
The lower deck was already bustling with Washington elites. The air was thick with perfume, champagne, and mon- ey. Fin and I followed Alexander aboard. I let my eyes travel upward—the vessel had three floors above us, including a pool, guest rooms, and a private view deck. All of it elegant. All of it out of ce for someone like me.
Alpha Heath himself came down to greet us. Despite the years lining his face, there was a sharpness in his eyes and a smooth confidence in the way he patted Alexander’s arm, like they were old allies reunited. His smile stretched wide across his wrinkled features-warm, political, and maybe a touch too eager.
The yacht was filled with just over a dozen guests, all of them polished and powerful. You could tell from the brands they wore and the way they held their sses that none of them were ordinary. Washington’s elite, no doubt. I adjust- ed my posture without thinking.
Then she appeared.
Adele Vasalin.
Petite, beautiful, with a glowing wheat-coloredplexion and an easy, infectious smile. She looked barely twenty, and Heath introduced her with grandfatherly pride-“My granddaughter, Adele. Just returned from Moonscar Acade- my.” His tone made it sound like a royal debut.
I blinked.Moonscar Academy?The same school Alexander went to.
Figures.
She stepped up beside Alexander, clearly briefed on who he was. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze fixed on him with shy admiration. And that smile-wide-eyed, rehearsed, hopeful. The kind of expression that hadn’t
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yet been burned by disappointment.
Fin and I exchanged a nce, and in that moment, we both knew.
This wasn’t just a reception. It was a setup.
Alexander greeted her with his usual calm,posed manners. Not cold exactly, but not warm either. And yet-he didn’t distance himself. He didn’t shut it down.
Adeleughed softly at something he said, tilting her head just enough to appear charmed. Alexander gave a faint smile. Maybe that was just his way-polite, detached, untouchable.
Still, she hovered close.
And he didn’t move.
Fin leaned over and muttered under his breath, “If Alpha Alexander knew this was a matchmaking setup, he’d never have shown up.”
I crossed my arms and tilted my head. “Why not? She’s cute. If they like each other, maybe it’ll work.”
Fin scoffed. “She’s not his type.”
I gave him a sideways nce. “And you know that how?”
He opened his mouth to answer, then paused.
His eyes darted toward the dock, expression sharpening in an instant.
Then, almost like a reflex, he muttered, “Why isshehere?”
I straightened. “Who?”
But Fin didn’t respond. He just kept staring, lips slightly parted.
I followed his gaze.
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