Page 44 of Ardent Desires

He turns to Lena and adds, “Ellie can walk into my office anytime she wants.”

I blink, surprised. Lena’s expression sours even more, but she says nothing, going back to her work.

“Come on,” Alexander says, gesturing for me to follow him inside.

I step into his office, the door closing behind me, and I’m immediately hit with the scent of him—clean, masculine, intoxicating. But something on the table catches my eye. There’s a small gift bag sitting there, and my stomach churns.

“What’s that?” I ask, nodding toward the bag.

He glances at it, then waves it off like it’s nothing. “It’s not important. It’s from an ex. I’m handling it.”

“An ex?” I echo, feeling a sinking sensation in my gut. “Which one?”

He turns to me, frowning slightly. “What’s going on, Ellie?”

I take a deep breath, pulling out my phone and showing him the text. His eyes narrow as he reads it, his jaw tightening. I can practically feel the anger radiating off him.

“Whoever this is, I’ll handle it,” he says, his voice cold and dangerous. “You don’t need to worry.”

“But I do worry,” I say, my voice a little shaky. “I don’t want my career being damaged because of… this. Because of us.”

He steps forward, his hands gentle as he cups my face, forcing me to look up at him. “Ellie, listen to me. No one is going to touch your career. I won’t let that happen. You earned your position, and no one can take that away from you.”

I swallow hard, the panic still bubbling just beneath the surface. “But what if—”

“Shh,” he murmurs, pulling me into his arms, holding me tight. His chest is solid and warm against mine, and for amoment, I let myself sink into him, let myself believe that everything will be okay. “I promise you; I’ll take care of this. Okay?”

I nod, even though I’m still scared. “Okay.”

He pulls back just enough to press a soft kiss to my forehead. “Now, let me worry about this. You just focus on work, alright?”

I nod again, feeling a little more grounded, though the fear still lingers in the back of my mind. I don’t know who’s behind that text, but I trust Alexander. He’s powerful, and if anyone can handle this, it’s him.

But part of me still wonders… what if this is just the beginning?

I glance back at the gift bag, my mind racing with questions. But before I can ask more, Alexander gently guides me to the couch, sitting beside me, his arm draped protectively over my shoulders.

“You’re safe, Ellie,” he says softly, his eyes searching mine. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I want to believe him. God, I want to. But as I sit there, wrapped in his arms, the weight of that anonymous threat lingers in the back of my mind, refusing to let go.

For now, though, I have to trust him. I have to trust that he can handle this, that whatever is coming, we can face it together

Alexander’s fingers are tracing down my arm, sending shivers through my skin. He’s so close, his touch electric, as if he can’t help himself. My body reacts instantly, leaning into him, craving more.

“Come here,” he whispers, his voice low and thick with desire.

Before I can respond, he’s lifting me into his lap, pulling me closer until I’m straddling him, my skirt bunching up around my thighs. His hands slide up my legs, pushing the fabric higher, and I can feel how hard he is beneath me. Heat floods through me as I settle against him, the friction making my head spin.

“Alexander,” I breathe, my voice barely audible, “someone could hear us.”

He smirks, his hand gripping my ass, pulling me down harder against him. “No one’s going to hear anything, Ellie,” he murmurs, his mouth brushing against my neck. “It’s just us. Now let me make you feel better.”

His words send a fresh wave of arousal through me, and I can’t help the way my body responds. My hips move of their own accord, grinding down against him, and his breath hitches, his grip tightening. He kisses me, deep and demanding, and my heart races as I feel him shift beneath me, adjusting just enough to line himself up.

I gasp as he pushes into me, slow at first, the stretch making my body tremble. He holds me steady, his hands gripping my hips as he thrusts up into me, filling me completely. It’s too much, too good, and I bite down on my lip to keep from moaning too loud.

“Fuck,” he groans, his head tipping back as he starts moving faster, his hands guiding my movements. “You’re so tight, baby.”

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