LOGINAlexander’s POVI reach into my bag, take out some wads of 100-dollar bills, and hand them to Michael and his colleagues. “Thank you all for tonight.”They respond with delighted thanks, tipping their heads slightly and smiling. I take a small cake from the staff member who left earlier, counting the candles stuck in it to ensure they number up to twenty-four.“Goodnight, Mr. Thorne.”“Goodnight,” I respond. With that, I shut the door. The automatic lock clicks immediately. And I head back to join Sophia. My steps slow when I see her still seated in her seat, attractive legs crossed under the table. Something warm and new coils in my chest, forcing me to stop in my tracks.I watch her. She’s not seen me yet. The pen is in her left hand, which holds the document up. She sniffles, dabbing tears from her eyes with my handkerchief as she stares at the document.Has she signed it? It’s a letter of intent.She flips the page, still sobbing so softly, it makes my pulse beat. Seeing her cry
Alexander’s POVShe sniffles, face turning to her left as her hand goes to her eyes.My left arm stays around her. I reach into my pocket for my handkerchief and slip it into her grip. It was not my intention to make her cry again on this special day. I move my fingers against her ribs, tickling softly.Her body kicks against mine and freezes. She pulls in another inhale and glances at me with misty eyes before blinking away. “Still crying?” I whisper in her hair.She dabs her eyes with my handkerchief, then slowly shakes her head.I kiss the scar again, silently making a vow to myself. No harm would ever come to her. Never. For as long as we last… together… and maybe beyond…She moves, turning slowly. The fabric of her dress brushes against my shirt, and in seconds, she puts herself to my chest. My hands shift onto instinct, holding her slender frame easily.It’s quiet. Warmer… tender.My head whirs, threatening to wander off, especially when she puts her arms around me and shifts c
Alexander’s POVHer silver heel scrapes against the tiles as she steps back while pulling me. And she trips, losing her footing. Her grip on my wrist tightens. Her eyes spread. A tiny sound escapes her throat, her hair flailing behind her head.I grab her left arm and pull her toward me. She freezes, eyes glued to mine. Blinking.Again, I don’t know if it’s the blush on her cheeks, but she’s very crimson now. Embarrassed, she drops her eyes and walks straight into my chest.Prepared to receive her, my arms curve around her waist as an inaudible chuckle slips out of my lips.“You’re laughing at me,” she murmurs, poking a finger between my ribs.I press my lips together, fighting to ensure no sound comes out of me. Every day, she becomes more amusing.“Your ankles are always at risk,” I mutter, stroking her back in this unrequited embrace. My eyes stay glued to the red birthday decoration hanging on the wall at the other end of the room.“It’s all your fault.” She whines.“My fault?”Sh
Sophia’s POV~19:10: Dinnertime~Classic piano tunes travel to my ears from a distance. I run my palms over the ruffles of my dress as I take slow steps after the female staff who came to get me from our suite.The path is dimly lit and quiet. Vintage and classical decorative pieces animate the hotel passages.We get to the arched entryway, and she stops. I pause and meet her smiling gaze. Gesturing in, she says, “He’s waiting for you over there.”My eyes shift in the direction of her hand and land on a stunning dark-haired Alexander in a long-sleeved midnight blue shirt and white pants, legs crossed, with a foot dangling in suede coffee-brown bit loafers. Seated in the corner of the private space, he holds his phone in his right hand, typing as he sips water from a glass. He’s had his hair restyled elegantly to the back. My heart skips and begins a marathon. I turn to the staff and murmur, “Thank you.”“The pleasure is mine. Have a lovely evening,” she answers and turns to leave.
Sophia’s POVGarvey brings the car to a stop.Still in Alexander’s lap, I fix my eyes on the right window, staring at a fancy cream building.GEORGIA ‘N’ GEORGINA.I know this place. It’s a fine dining establishment. I’ve been here once with my parents. It was an experience of a lifetime.Alexander’s hands lazily drop in my lap. He sits upright, bringing his face to my right ear to whisper, “It’s time to feed you.” I lean into his chest, slipping my hands into his and staring at his lips without shame, unable to hide that the whole drive here had me in my feels. He prods my ribs and kisses my cheek instead, tickling me again. “Let’s go have lunch.”I push myself forward, smiling silly and wide as I get off his lap. I wish I didn’t have to.He scoffs with a smirk and exits the car first. I smooth my hair and dress inside the car, watching as he adjusts my purse on his body. Then he stretches a hand to me. I take it and let him help me out of the car.Unable to stop blushing, I twist
Sophia’s POVAlexander nods in response.The female attendant turns to me, wearing a pleasant smile, “Hello, Miss Sophia.”“Hello,” I mutter.“This way, please,” she says, ushering us inside with her hands.Alexander puts his arm around my waist and takes the first step after the attendant, who leads us somewhere.Shoppers stop to stare at us; uniformed attendants pause to smile and greet Alexander, then greet me. Our path is cleared faster than I can blink. Heat prickles my cheeks as I’m filled with an awareness of how much attention my man commands.He turns to meet my eyes. His fingers strum on my waist as he holds my gaze, sending light, tickling sensations through me. He doesn’t care that eyes are on us. A tiny giggle escapes my lips. I put my face against his arm, and he shifts his fingers to my elbow, giving it a gentle stroke.Always tickling me every chance he gets.The attendant pushes a door for us. It’s labeled: VIP. She holds the door open, we go in, and she shuts it.Pri
Sophia’s POVAlexander’s calmness fills the elevator like gravity. I stare at my reflection against the panel—blonde hair secured in a neat bun, my teal silk skater dress falling perfectly—a 360-degree improvement from the last time I was here.He slowly holds my hand and locks our fingers with gen
Sophia’s POV⁓August 25, 2025: Dimitri & Lena’s Wedding Day⁓It’s exactly one week since my failed attempt at running away. One week since my second and best kiss ever. One week since I got reintroduced to Alexander Thorne as his fiancée. And one week of receiving large rose bouquets from him daily.
Sophia’s POVHe’s got nipple piercings, a back half-full of tattoos, smokes cigars, swore never to get married, but says he’s marrying me in October.I’m the first woman he’s invited into his penthouse and bedroom; he kisses like a sinner and promises to show me things I can’t handle yet. He lies ef
Alexander Thorne’s POVPhone in hand, I tap a slow rhythm against the steering wheel, my gaze fixed on the pristine lineup of cars in my private garage. My mind is elsewhere.Dimitri left thirty-five minutes ago. I sent Garvey home, too, yet I’ve been seated inside the darkness of this car, waiting.







