Page 16 of My Billionaire Boss Crush

I smile, my heart swelling with a mix of relief and a newfound connection. “And I'm grateful for you, Alexander,” I reply, my voice filled with sincerity. “Thank you for giving me another chance even when I didn’t deserve it.” Thank you for giving me a glimpse into who you are, I want to say, but I don’t. There’s only so much line I can cross.

There’s a lull in our conversation that makes me restless, not because it’s awkward, but because I can never get tired of hearing his voice. I also want his averted gaze to remain on me, however inappropriate that sounds.

So, I move a bit closer and peer into his eyes. “Since we’re, you know, sharing and all…” I trail off with a mischievous smirk that grows wider when he stares at me. “Why don’t you tell me what really happened between you and David McCrae?”

Alexander looks taken aback, but only for a moment, then he releases a short bark of laughter. “Wow, I didn’t take you for a gossip, Miss Osbourne.” He raises a perfectly carved brow.

I shrug, sipping my wine as I don an innocent expression that I don’t think he buys even for a second. “I’ll just like to be ahead of all the office gossip for once.” I grin. “So?” I shove him slightly with my elbow. “Did he deserve it?”

A dark cloud falls over Alex’s face as his grip tightens on the wine glass. And I know whatever happened between him and David must have ruffled his feathers badly. “Yes.” That’s all Alexander says, clipped and short.

I nod in understanding, and together, we sip our wine and allow the evening to unfold, sharing stories that leave us winded with laughter and two whole bottles of wine short.

I start to feel fuzzy inside, the tell-tale signs that I’m beyond drunk. Still, I rise to my feet, determined to go into my room and bring out the stuffed pony I swore to Alexander that I still have after telling him the story of how my father bought it for me instead of an actual pony like I wanted.

Unfortunately, as soon as I rise, the entire world shifts, and I’m swaying dangerously. With nothing to hold onto but air, I fall into Alex’s lap, my hand on his beating chest, and our mouths dangerously close to each other.

Neither of us speaks as the air crackles with anticipation in my dimly lit living room, our bodies drawn together by an undeniable magnetic pull.

Alex’s eyes bore into mine, intense and filled with a mix of desire and hesitation. It's a moment suspended in time, where the line between professionalism and passion blurs, threatening to shatter every bit of control I’ve managed to build.

I don’t know who moves first, but as the distance between us shrinks, I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips, the promise of a kiss lingering in the air.

My heart races, its rhythm matching the tempo of the unspoken desires that dance between us. Even now, I can imagine how heavenly his soft, wide lips would taste, how incredible they would feel against mine.

My eyelids flutter shut as every part of me comes alive with anticipation. When his lips finally touch mine, every part of me comes alive.

My hands suddenly have a mind of their own as they begin to explore his taut body as he sets me ablaze with his soft, firm lips.

My heart is racing as the butterflies in my stomach take flight. A moan slips out of my mouth when Alex’s tongue gains entrance and brushes mine.

I’ve never been kissed this way, and a part of me somehow knows that no one is ever going to make me feel as glorious as this.

I press my body further against his, shivering with pleasure when he releases a growl that vibrates through me. His hand falls on my waist and tightens, and I sigh, melting completely against him.

I never want him to stop, I realize. Nothing that feels this good should ever come to an end.

But it’s as if the universe is against me because the minute that thought passes through my head, Alex abruptly pulls back.

I open my eyes to find his expression, a complex blend of longing and self-restraint.

“I can't,” he whispers, his voice strained. “I can't do this.”

Confusion and shame washed over me as I realized what I had been so eager to do with the man who was my boss and my father’s friend. I step back, giving us the space we both need, but my heart aches with the weight of our unfulfilled desires.

The reality of our circumstances crashes down upon me; our roles, the risks, and the delicate balance we've tried to maintain.

Without uttering another word, Alexander turns on his heel and storms out of the room, leaving me standing there, my heart in turmoil.

I watch him go, a mix of frustration and longing pulsating through every fiber of my being. Part of me wants to chase after him, to demand an explanation, to bridge the chasm that has formed between us. But another part of me understands the gravity of the situation, the need for caution and restraint.

As the door slams shut, the room feels emptier, colder. I sink down onto the couch, my mind swirling with a sea of conflicting emotions. We had tiptoed along the precipice of forbidden love, the boundaries between professional and personal growing thinner with each passing day. But now, reality has come crashing down, reminding us of the risks and consequences that lie in wait.

I take a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing thoughts. I've always prided myself on my resilience and ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and composure. But right now, I feel vulnerable and uncertain.

I question whether we can ever find a way to bridge the gap between us or if the lingering desires will forever be left unfulfilled.

Chapter ten

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