Page 22 of Ardent Desires

He watches me for a moment longer, as if checking to make sure I’m telling the truth, then nods. “I’ll be back soon.” He turns to follow Camilla, but not before he glances back at me over his shoulder, flashing me a smile that sends a warm rush through my chest.God, he’s handsome.

I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, glancing around the room. Alone now, I feel the nerves creeping back in. I pull out my new phone, still trying to get used to the feel of it after spending half the day programming my old contacts and apps into it. I can’t believe he got me this thing. It’s sleek, red, and way too nice for someone like me.

I scroll through my messages and find one from Jenna, a photo of a tray of cinnamon cookies shaped like... cocks.Of course.I chuckle, typing out a response when I hear a voice from in front of me.

“I’m hoping that’s not a jealous lover making you giggle. I’d be jealous, Ellie.”

I look up, startled, to find Logan West standing there, his gray eyes watching me with that same unsettling intensity as before. My fingers tighten around my phone, and I quickly slip it into my purse, taking a sip of champagne to steady myself.

“It’s just my friend,” I say, keeping my tone casual, though his gaze makes me uneasy.

Logan tilts his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “Is she as pretty as you?”

I smile politely, trying to keep things light. “She’s prettier, actually.”

He takes a sip of his drink, his eyes roaming over me again in a way that makes my skin crawl. “I doubt that,” he says, stepping a little closer, too close for comfort.

I step back, feeling the cool glass of my champagne press against my lips as I take another sip. “So, what are you and Xander doing here?” Logan asks, his tone casual, but there’s something sharp beneath it. “This is a hospitality event, isn’t it? Blackwood Enterprises is known for tech and AI. What’s your game?”

I shrug, trying to keep my expression neutral. “We’re just here to meet people.”

He looks me up and down again, his smile widening. “Well, I can’t complain. At least I got to meet you.”

My discomfort grows as he takes another step forward, closing the distance between us. His gray eyes gleam with something that makes my skin prickle. Before I can respond, he leans in slightly. “How about dinner sometime?” he asks smoothly, his voice low.

“I don’t think I—” I start, my words faltering, but before I can finish, I feel a familiar hand on my arm.

Alexander.

He doesn’t say a word, just pulls me away from Logan with a firm, controlled grip, leading me through the crowd with purposeful strides. The tension in his body is palpable, rolling off him in waves, and I can feel the heat of it even through the material of my dress.

“Alexander, what—” I start, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he takes the champagne glass from my hand and sets it down on a nearby table without breaking stride. He leads me into a secluded hallway, away from the main event, before finally letting me go.

His eyes are stormy, his jaw tight as he clenches his fists.

“Alexander, are you okay?” I ask, concern lacing my voice.

He clenches his jaw, his hands flexing at his sides. “That bastard...” he mutters under his breath, his voice low and dangerous.

Before I can ask what’s going on, his hand is suddenly on my neck, firm but not rough, and then his lips are on mine.

I gasp against his mouth, the shock of the kiss sending a jolt through my entire body. But the second his lips part mine, all coherent thought leaves me. He sucks my lower lip into his mouth, and I can’t help the trembling that courses through me. He feels so good.God, he tastes good—like champagne and something darker, somethinghim.

My hands grip his arms, feeling the tension coiled in his muscles as he pulls me closer, pressing me against the cool wall of the hallway. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I moan, the sound vibrating between us as I pull him closer, needing more, needingallof him.

I pull away just long enough to gasp, “I don’t want to get you sick.”

His lips curve into a smile, and for a moment, I’m mesmerized by how that simple expression transforms his usually stoic face into something softer, something... vulnerable.

“I don’t care,” he says, his voice rough as he leans in again, capturing my mouth with his.

This kiss is hungrier, more desperate, and I respond in kind, my fingers tangling in his hair as his hand slides down to my waist, gripping me tighter. There’s no space between us now, his body pressing into mine, and I can feel the heat radiating off him, the strength of his grip as he kisses me like he’s been holding back for far too long.

I don’t care that we’re in a public hallway, that anyone could walk out and see us like this. I don’t care about anything but the way his mouth moves against mine, the way his hands are on me, holding me, grounding me, making me feel more alive than I have in a long time.

I kiss him back with everything I have, pouring all the frustration, the confusion, and thewantI’ve been bottling up into this moment. The feel of his tongue against mine is dizzying, intoxicating, and I don’t ever want it to stop.

But just as quickly as it started, the sound of footsteps echoes down the hallway, breaking through the haze of heat and desire.

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