Olivia found her mind drifting to a time when she used to


    perform this same intimate task for her ex–husband, how she


    had taken such pride in ensuring his shirts were perfectly


    pressed, his ties properly arranged. She had been so devoted


    then, so eager to please him, that she didn’t notice when their


    mate bond began to fade.


    She was so lost in the memory, that her fingers tightened


    unconsciously around the fine cotton of Alexander’s shirt, and


    when she finally came back to reality, she realized with horror


    that she had squeezed the fabric.


    The once neatly pressed shirt now had wrinkles spreading


    across the cor to the torso.


    “Do you have some particr grudge against my clothes?”


    Olivia gasped and turned around to find Alexander standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on the wrinkled shirt in her hands.


    *Author*


    Olivia didn’t know what to say or how to react. So, she tried to


    smooth the shirt out as much as she could, folded it neatly and


    set it aside. Then, she moved on to one of the suit jackets he


    packed.


    Once again, her mind began to wander. She even forgot that


    Alexander was standing right behind her, watching her movements. From the way her shoulders moved, he could tell


    she was upset. About what, he couldn’t tell.


    She continued working, until she folded thest piece of clothing and deposited everything into the closet. When she turned around, she was startled to see that Alexander was still


    standing there. It was apparent that he’d watched her throughout, and now she wasn’t just embarrassed, she was also


    nervous.


    And that was a dangerousbination. Olivia started


    searching for something to fill the awkward silence. Before she could stop the words, or think of something better, she blurted, “Is there anything else you need me to take off?” She


    immediately froze as the unintended double meaning of her


    words hit her.


    Alexander smiled slowly. Olivia walked right into that one. The


    Alpha would never let such a golden opportunity to tease his


    secretary pass him by.


    “Well, I suppose I’d catch a cold if I took everything off!”‘


    And without another word, Alexander turned and left the


    room, leaving behind a mortified Olivia.


    Alone now, Olivia sank onto the edge of the bed. The look on


    Alexander’s face as he turned away was burned into her mind.


    No matter how she reyed the scene in her head, she didn’t


    know what that look meant.


    She buried her face in her hands. Her biggest fear was that this


    interaction might have given Alexander the wrong impression


    of her.


    Olivia remained in that spot for some time, and when the


    embarrassment finally fizzled out, she rose to her feet and


    returned to her room. She pulled herptop and went to sit at


    the desk in the room. She was staring nkly at the screen,


    when her phone buzzed with an iing message from


    Steven.


    Steven Miller: Ben Wilde would like to postpone today’s


    nned event’s until tomorrow. He’s extending an invitation


    for Alexander to attend a wine tasting at his private vi this


    evening by 7pm instead. Please inform Alpha Alexander about


    this.


    Olivia read the message twice. After that awkward interaction


    with her boss, she’d hoped she wouldn’t have to see him till


    muchter. But the universe had other ns.


    Rising from her chair, Olivia made her way down the hallway


    to Alexander’s room. She stood before his door for a moment,


    gathering her courage, then raised her hand and knocked softly.


    “Alexander? I have a message from Steven about Ben Wilde.”


    Silence.


    She knocked again, a bit louder this time. “Alexander?”


    Still nothing. Perhaps he was in the shower, or maybe he had


    stepped out without her noticing. Or perhaps, and this thought


    made her stomach tighten, he was deliberately avoiding her


    after their ufortable encounter.


    Olivia pressed her ear closer to the door, listening for any sound.


    But there was nothing still. She finally backed away from the


    door. She would leave him alone for now, and respect his space.


    The only option was to return to her room.


    Nearly an hourter, her phone buzzed again. Steven’s name


    appeared on the screen.


    Steven Miller: Ben Wilde has inquired again. He says if


    Alexander cannote to the estate, he would be happy to


    bring someone to Alexander instead. He seems quite eager to


    meet. What should I tell him?


    Olivia stared at the message with a low groan. It dawned on her


    that she couldn’t just let Alexander be. She had to get a response


    from him.


    With a deep breath, Olivia gathered all her courage and walked


    back down the hallway. She knocked on Alexander’s door again


    with more determination this time.