Page 56 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

I turn slightly, glancing at the guards behind me. They don’t belong in this space. Not in our space.

“Wait here.”

They bow their heads in quiet acknowledgment, stepping back as I reach for the door handle. With one deep breath, I push it open and step inside.

And there she is, just as I remember it.

Sitting at her desk, bathed in the soft glow of her computer screen, her features sharp and pristine, just as they always are. Her expression is unreadable, focused, her eyes moving across the screen as if whatever is in front of her holds more importance than my presence.

For a moment, I just stand there. Drinking her in.

I’ve spent months watching her from this very doorway. Watching her laugh, watching her sigh in frustration, watching her get lost in thought as she worked. I used to stand right here, sometimes asking a question I already knew the answer to or making a final comment just to steal an extra second of seeing her before heading out.

She lifts her gaze, finally looking at me.

Her face doesn’t budge—not at first. Then, I catch the subtle flicker of her eyes moving past me, out toward the hallway, resting on the guards standing behind me.

Her brows pull together ever so slightly, just the faintest hint of disapproval. I step fully into the office, shutting the door behind me.

Silence settles between us.

I stand there, bouquet of flowers in hand, waiting, watching.

She doesn’t speak. She doesn’t move. She just looks at me, and as much as I try to decipher her expression, I can’t read what’s going on in her mind.

All I know is that my pulse is quickening, my chest tightening with the emotions of being alone with her again in this space.

I finally break the silence.

“Good evening, Katherine.”

She straightens in her seat, her hands resting perfectly still on her desk.

“Good evening, Mr. Valkov.”

Her tone is curt. Sharp. Cold.

And my heart sinks at the sound of it.

“Katherine.” I take a slow step forward. “You know you can call me Alex.”

She exhales through her nose, shaking her head slightly, like I’ve said something exhausting. Then, without another glance at me, she turns back to her screen, dismissing me with the tilt of her chin.

“The working day is over, Mr. Valkov. Is there something I can help you with?”

Mr. Valkov.

Like I’m just another businessman. Another associate. Like I’m nothing to her.

I take another step forward, gripping the bouquet a little tighter.

“Katherine,” I say, my voice lower now. “We need to talk.”

She doesn’t even look up.

“I believe we’re both up to speed on all work related matters. Unless there’s an update I should be aware of—”

“Katherine, stop.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. “I’m not here to talk about work. I’m here to talk about us.”

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