Alexander leaned toward me, and the closer he got, the harder my heart mmed against my ribcage. His eyes nced down at my lips, and my mouth dried.


    I had no idea what was about to happen.


    When our lips were right next to each other, Alexander abruptly pulled away from me.


    “You should go,” he murmured in a deep voice. “Or you won’t be able to leave.”


    I blinked at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?” I asked.


    He smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I didn’t really lose our bet, Olivia. Soon, someone is going to knock on my door again, and you need to leave before they do.”


    My stomach swooped when I realized what he meant. I shot to my feet. “You think that Ethan is the one who sent you that bottle of wine?”


    As I waited for Alexander’s answer, my pulse quickened just like it had a few moments ago, but now it was for an entirely different reason.


    *Olivia*


    “I don’t know for sure, but I can’t think of anyone else who would send up alcohol as a present other than Ethan,<i>” </i>Alexander said and frowned. “Can you? I mean, you know him better than I do.”


    My back straightened, and my stomach jolted. I didn’t like his tone or his insinuation that I knew Ethan better. I mean, it was true since he


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    Dupe THE


    <b>had </b>been my husband, but I didn’t like the reminder


    Alexander looked up at me as he waited for a response. The expression in his eyes made me pause. If I didn’t know any better. I would think that there was jealousy in his gaze.


    My shoulders slumped, and my anger left me as quick as it came. I blew out a long breath, then thought of something and a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of my lips.


    “Well, maybe Naomi sent you that bottle of wine,” I suggested <b>in </b><b>a </b>teasing tone. “I bet she hasn’t left the hotel yet and wants to try her luck with you again, and the bottle of wine is a sort of olive branch.”


    I crossed my arms and stared at him. If he wanted to mention my ex, then two could y that game. He had a potential love interest that I could bring into the conversation, too.


    “You always seem to be the one bringing up Naomi,” Alexander pointed out and leaned back on the couch, his posture rxed. “Maybe you’re the one who is interested in her. Go ahead and ask her out. Since I’m not the least bit interested in her.”


    I blushed and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I wanted to tell him that if it weren’t for him, Naomi would be thest thing on my mind, but I didn’t want to reveal that he had any control óver my thoughts.


    *Author*


    Meanwhile, a few rooms over from Alexander and Olivia, Ethan was standing in a room across from the waiter who delivered Alexander the wine. There was an impatient frown on Ethan’s face, and he crossed


    his arms.


    “Well, was she there?” Ethan asked.


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>214 </b>


    The waiter nodded. “Yes, the woman whose picture <b>you </b><b>showed </b><b>me </b>was in Mr. Green’s room.”


    As soon as the words were out of the waiter’s mouth, Ethan swore under his breath. His face turned red with rage, and he began to <b>pace </b>the room with his hands behind his back and his body tense.


    Of course, Ethan had already suspected that Olivia and Alexander were seeing each other in some capacity. But it was different when the proof was staring him in the face. The fact that Olivia was in Alexander’s room made his hands shake with anger. How could Olivia do this to him? How could she move on so quickly? Sure, Ethan had, but he was a man, and he had needs.


    After the waiter left, Ethan waited fifteen minutes before he went to Alexander’s door. He knocked and waited with his arms crossed and his foot tapping an impatient rhythm.


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