Page 21 of Ardent Desires

West smiles, turning his attention to the mayor for a polite greeting before his gaze lands on me. His smile widens as his eyes sweep over me like he’s assessing every inch of my body.

“And who is this beauty?” he asks smoothly, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips in a move that feels both old-fashioned and slimy at the same time. Deep in my gut, I already know that I cannot trust a word that comes out of his mouth.

“I’m Ellie Sanders,” I say, pulling my hand back as quickly as I can without being rude. “I work with Mr. Blackwood.”

His smile sharpens. “Logan West. I went to school with Xander here.”

Xander? My eyes flick to Alexander. I’ve never heard anyone call him that. He’s always Alexander, or Mr. Blackwood. But Logan says it like it’s some kind of inside joke, and judging by the hard set of Alexander’s jaw, it’s not a welcome one.

The mayor excuses himself, leaving me, Alexander, and Logan standing in this tense little triangle. The air feels tight, like something’s about to snap.

“It’s been a while,” Logan says, his eyes gleaming with something I can’t quite place. He leans in just a fraction toward Alexander. “You’ve been busy, I assume?”

Alexander’s reply is clipped. “I have.”

Logan smirks, but before he can say whatever snide comment is clearly on the tip of his tongue, Alexander steps in.

“Excuse us,” he says, his voice low and firm. “We need to speak with someone.” And just like that, he takes my arm, gently but insistently, and pulls me away from Logan.

I can feel the tension rolling off him as we move through the crowd. His grip on my arm is firm, but not painful, just... controlled.

I lean in, whispering, “Are you okay?”

He glances at me, flashing a smile that’s all plastic, all business. “I’m fine, Ellie. Don’t worry about it.”

But I canfeelthat he’s lying. Something about Logan West has him on edge. I file the thought away, for now.

We stop in front of an older woman with sleek silver hair and a polished, regal air about her. She’s dressed in a deep emerald-green gown that screams money and power.

“Ellie, this is Camilla Rochefort,” Alexander says, his voice back to its smooth, professional tone. “CEO ofLes Mains de Paris.”

I take a sip of champagne to steady my nerves, the bubbles doing nothing to calm the racing in my chest.

Camilla’s smile is warm, but there’s a sharpness in her eyes that tells me she’s not someone to take lightly. “Alexander,” she says, her French accent making his name sound like a melody. “Always a pleasure.”

“Likewise,” Alexander replies smoothly, shaking her hand. “This is Ellie Sanders, my business partner.”

My hand feels small and insignificant as I shake hers, but I smile, trying to match her energy. “It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Rochefort.”

“The honor is mine,” she says, her eyes flicking between me and Alexander. “So young and already a business partner. You must be quite talented, Ms. Sanders.”

I smile, trying not to choke on the compliment. “I try my best.”

Camilla laughs, a soft, elegant sound. “Don’t we all?”

As they dive into conversation about the state of the restaurant industry and the future of luxury dining, I sip more champagne, feeling slightly more at ease. But there’s still this underlying current—this tension between me and Alexander—that I can’t quite shake.

Logan’s appearance rattled him. And if I’m honest, it rattled me too.

But right now, standing next to him, I’m just trying to keep my head above water, trying to remember that Ibelonghere, that I’m not just some assistant tagging along. I’mhis business partner—at least for tonight.

And even though the room is filled with people who could buy my entire life ten times over, I’m here. With Alexander Blackwood.

Camilla is in the middle of explaining something about a new restaurant she’s opening in Paris when she stops, her eyes brightening as she spots someone across the room. “Alexander, darling,” she says, touching his arm lightly. “I must introduce you to someone. He’s been dying to meet you.”

Alexander looks at me, his brows lifting slightly in question. “Will you be fine?”

I smile, nodding, doing my best to seem unbothered by the idea of being left alone at this massive event. “I’m fine,” I say, my voice coming out steadier than I expected.

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