Page 32 of Surrendering to the Obsession

“Do you like him?”

Mia froze, speechless for a second. Then at once she said, appalled. “No! How can I like him? He’s your cousin—and Hazel’s friend. I’ve met him, what, twice? Maybe three times now. Don’t talk nonsense!”

Alexander’s eyes didn’t waver. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her cheek, brushing her skin like fire.

“I don’t like him,” he murmured. His lips ghosted over her temple, then down to her cheek, each word a whisper against her skin. “Especially not when he looks at you.”

His thumb traced the outline of her mouth slowly, his tone turning possessive, almost dangerous. “Stay away from him.”

Mia’s pulse quickened under his touch. The intensity in his eyes made her breath catch. They burned—not with anger, but something deeper. Possessiveness. Obsession. The kind that stripped away logic.

“Mr. Graves…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Alexander’s head tilted slightly, lips brushing the edge of her jaw. “Like what?” he asked, his voice low, teasing.

Her breath hitched. “Like this…” she breathed, barely audible.

A faint smirk curved his lips. Before she could take another breath, he kissed her again—deeper, hungrier. His lips trailed downward, tracing the line of her throat before biting, then sucking, hard enough to make her gasp.

“AH—Alexander Graves!” she snapped, trying to push at his chest when the sting became too sharp. Her cheeks burned as she twisted away, breathless. “If you keep doing this, I won’t let you kiss me ever again!”

Alexander froze mid-motion, his breath still warm against her neck. Then, slowly, he straightened. The faintest smirk curved his mouth, his eyes glinting darkly.

“What did you just call me?”

Chapter 6 Fears

Mia’s eyes widened. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. “It—it was a mistake…” she stammered.

Alexander’s thumb brushed her lower lip again, tracing the shape of it with unhurried focus. “Say it again,” he murmured, voice husky, his breath ghosting over her skin.

Mia froze, caught in his stare. Her lips parted, but before she could speak—

A sharp knock at the door cut through the air.

Startled, she jumped out of his lap, shoving him back and stumbling to her feet, cheeks flaming. “Who is it?” she called, already halfway to the door.

Before she could reach it, Alexander’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist and yanking her back against him. His other hand pressed against her lower back, holding her close.

He leaned down, lips brushing the sensitive skin of her neck. His teeth sank in, a sharp, possessive bite, leaving heat and pressure that made her gasp. Then his tongue followed, dragging over the spot he’d marked, licking the tender skin in a slow, almost claiming motion.

His lips moved with precision, a hot suction that left her breath catching in her throat, her knees trembling. She tilted her head instinctively, giving him more access as her pulse spiked.

Then, with the same controlled precision, he pulled back just enough to murmur against her skin, low and intimate, “I’ll open it.”

His hand lingered on her wrist for a heartbeat longer, thumb brushing lightly over her pulse before he finally released her. He strode to the door with effortless, commanding confidence.

Mia exhaled shakily, her legs weak as if she’d just run a sprint. Her fingers rose on their own, brushing over the warm, tingling mark on her neck, tracing the imprint of his lips. Her chest heaved, hair falling in loose strands across her flushed cheeks, slightly tousled from the sudden closeness.

Alexander swung the door open, his movements sharp and edged with annoyance.

Harold stood outside, his brows immediately drawing together. Seeing Alexander at the door, his expression instantly hardened. “Why are you in Mia’s room?”

Alexander’s lips curved, but it wasn’t a smile. His eyes were cold. Without hesitation, he slipped an arm around Mia’s waist and drew her flush against him, his palm firm on her hip as though staking a claim. “I’m her husband. Where else should I be?”

Mia stiffened, feeling the heat of his touch sear through her thin dress. Her pulse hammered in her chest.

Harold’s gaze flicked from Alexander to her, then landed on the redness and hickey blooming along her neck. His expression darkened, displeasure and disbelief twisting his features.