Page 6 of Bossed Around

We stood there, suspended in that shared moment. The undeniable desire between us grew more palpable with every passing second. My heart raced as I contemplated how fully the lines of our professional relationship might blur.

He moved closer, lifting a hand to brush a stray hair from my face. His fingers stroked my cheek, and I began to lean into his touch. His hands were unexpectedly rough, and I liked the weight of his touch. But all too soon, he pulled his hand back. As our eyes remained locked, I found myself unable to look away, unwilling to break that electrifying connection.

“Tell me something.” He licked his lips, and my eyes followed the motion. His voice was deep as he shifted closer, lifting his hand to cradle my jaw. “Do you want this?”

The candor of the proposition was both terrifying and electrifying. A simple ‘yes’ was all that separated me from the person I craved. I bit my lip.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my inner turmoil reflected in the furrow of my brow. “But I can’t deny how much I want you.”

“Neither can I,” Alexander confessed, his fingers tracing the curve of my jawline. “I want you so much more than you can imagine.”

Our lips hovered just inches apart, a palpable tension filling the narrow gap between us. With each heartbeat, my willpower waned, drawing me into the irresistible magnetism of Alexander. “Alexander, I…” My words were swallowed by the sudden crush of his mouth against mine.

He kissed me fiercely, a carnal hunger driving him forward as he claimed my lips with his own. My body responded without hesitation, and a fire ignited within me as I surrendered.

As Alexander’s hands roamed my body, exploring my curves with a possessiveness that rocked me to my core, all my earlier preconceptions vanished. He was no longer just my boss. He was the man who had the power to make me feel alive in a way I had never thought possible. And he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

“Olivia.” Alexander panted between kisses, his eyes searching mine for an answer to the unspoken question that hung between us.

I took a deep breath, my lungs filling with the scent of him as I weighed the choices. “I don’t know what will happen next. But, my God, am I willing to find out.”

“Mm-hmm,” he growled, nodding and pressing his lips against mine once again.

Chapter Four

Alexander

The memory of Olivia’s flushed cheeks and shaky breaths consumed my thoughts as I stood at the window of my office, staring out at the city below. The late-night encounter we shared still lingered in my mind like a fever dream, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

The vulnerability I had witnessed in her eyes was something I had never expected, and it had caught me off guard. I had found her attractive since her first day, but I didn’t intend to give in like that. I might have taken her right there in the kitchen if she hadn’t pulled away.

When she whispered that she better go, it took everything in me not to argue. I had to pry my hands off of her, and it was one of the fucking hardest things I ever had to do. Now, she had taken over my mind and I had been replaying the kiss over and over like a goddamn teenager.

“Alexander?” A voice called from behind me, forcing me to abandon my musings. I turned to see one of my colleagues and brother, Christopher, standing in the doorway. He handled acquisitions and onboarding while I specialized in strengthening current client relationships, direction of the company, and negotiating contracts with suppliers.

“Christopher, what can I do for you?” I replied, feigning focus. But my attention remained on the unexplored depths of Olivia’s soul that I had glimpsed the previous night.

“Are you okay?” Christopher raised an eyebrow in concern, noting my unusual demeanor.

“Fine,” I said curtly, “just lost in thought.” I forced a grin, hoping to dispel any lingering suspicion. Christopher nodded and left me to my introspection.

Intrigued by Olivia’s hidden insecurities, my mind began to whirl with questions about my own actions and their impact on those around me. Was my drive for success and power truly worth the price others paid?

Damn it.

How had Olivia managed to affect me so profoundly, both personally and professionally? I had always prided myself on maintaining a clear divide between my emotions and my decision-making. Yet, there I was, questioning everything I thought I knew.

Standing in my office, I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching as a light drizzle began to dampen the city below. The cool glass pressed against my forehead, grounding me. My thoughts drifted back to Olivia, her vulnerability and resilience, which I found both compelling and disconcerting.

My phone rang. Olivia. My pulse quickened as I picked up the call, eager for this opportunity to hear her voice.

I hadn’t thought I would see her today since she was out of the office meeting with a potential client list I had given her. But I was glad she had called.

“Olivia,” I greeted her, my voice steady despite the rush of anticipation.

“Alexander,” she responded, all business. “I need to discuss the meeting I just finished with you.”

“Of course.” As we delved into work-related matters, I couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in her tone, an undercurrent that suggested something more profound between us.

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