Page 5 of Dominant

But even if he’d enjoyed a harmless prank while killing time at the bar, watching me vindictively ruin his new partner’s dessert didn’t exactly cast me in a good light. It looked petty - and there was no reason he wouldn’t tell Jennifer what he’d seen when she realized her precious dessert was ruined.

I could feel a hot flush rising on my cheeks. This was bad. I hated them, but I was hoping to get away with an anonymous act of sabotage.

My father invited Alexander to speak, which broke his concentration on me, and I listened to him give a well-rehearsed speech about the exciting future of Chateau Andilet.

When he’d been thoroughly welcomed and toasts had been made, the guests reanimated like they’d been woken from stasis and clapped, and then began to disperse around the room.

“Try my tiramisu!” cried Jennifer into the microphone, as several guests beelined for the dessert table. Alexander was in the lead.

“Tiramisu?” asked Nicki, scooping some into a bowl and holding it out to him with a smile.

“No thanks,” he said, grinning. “It looks delicious, but I’ve got to watch my blood pressure.” And then…

He winked at me.

Nicki, looking slightly confused, gave a small nod and handed the bowl to the next guest in line behind him. Alexander kept his eyes on me.

“Your mother made this, right?” he asked me cheerfully. “Do you help her with the baking?”

“Mr. Abbott,” I took a step towards the other end of the table, hoping to lure him away from my sisters’ ears. “Can I interest you in any of the other desserts?”

To my relief, he followed me two steps down before he leaned in and said in a low voice, “I don’t know. Did you pour salt over these as well?”

Stepping around the table to the other side, I stepped in close to him. “Mr. Abbott--”

“It’s still Alexander.”

“Alexander.” I had no idea what I intended to say. What could I say? How could I even begin to explain? “I don’t know what you think you saw--” I began, but he cut me off again before I could finish my sentence.

He wrapped a strong hand around my upper arm and leaned in slightly too close, and I froze with surprise. “I saw exactly what I think I saw, Miss Andilet,” he said quietly. He was so close I could smell his cologne - a woodsy, citrusy smell that I couldn’t help but try to breathe in. He smelled incredible.

“I saw a naughty girl,” he continued, “who should be punished.”

Shocked, I pulled away from him just as Jennifer approached us. He released my arm and for a split second I felt unbalanced.

I tried to turn a composed face to Jennifer, knowing my cheeks were flaming.

“And what are you two talking about so seriously?” she asked with a smile. Her eyes flicked over to me with brief annoyance.

“The best way to get home from here,” answered Alexander, smoothly.

“Oh!” Jennifer pouted. “But you’re not thinking of leaving, are you? The night has just begun!”

“Oh, I’m not one for late nights,” he smiled effortlessly. “Besides, I offered to give Jordan a drive.”

I froze.

Jennifer cocked her head in confusion. “But Jordan, what’s wrong with your car?”

“Uh… it’s in the shop,” I lied, trying to think quickly. “But I’ll just take the bus home. It’s honestly no problem.”

Relief washed over her face. “Ah, well then!” She started to nod, just as Nicki called for her attention.

“Mom?” She was holding a bowl of tiramisu and a fork. Beside her, Jackie was pulling the tray off the table with a stricken look.

“Shall we get going?” asked Alexander, holding out an arm for me as if I was his date.

Concern was registering across Jennifer’s face as she watched Jackie remove the tiramisu from the table.

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