Page 9 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Her voice came out low, cracking with disbelief: “Then… why would he make that woman his secretary?”

A cold darkness spread across her expression, seeping into every line of her face. Her shoulders stiffened, and a bitter laugh threatened to escape.

“So what was the meaning of his words all these years?” she whispered harshly. “When he said I’m going to be the only woman around him? In the end, it turns out he was hooking up with random women. Who knows how many others he had behind my back all these years.”

***

At the CEO’s office, the door suddenly opened. Alexander had been leaning back in his chair, one hand impatiently adjusting the cuff of his shirt. His gaze kept flicking to the door as if he’d been waiting far too long for someone.

When Mia finally walked in with Allen following behind her, Alexander’s eyes instantly locked onto her. The file he had in his hand was upside down—he quickly flipped it the right way and tried to make his expression appear composed.

Allen and Mia approached his desk. Alexander rose to his feet and stepped out from behind the desk, his eyes never leaving her.

“Mr. Graves,” Allen announced politely, stopping before the desk, “as you requested, I have updated Mrs. Graves’s position. From today onward, she will be your personal secretary.”

Alexander waved a hand lightly, dismissing him. Allen bowed slightly and left the office, closing the door behind him.

Now it was just the two of them.

Alexander looked down at Mia. She smiled, polite and sweet, her hands folded lightly in front of her. “Mr. Graves,” she asked teasingly, “what would you like me to do?”

Alexander’s lips curved into a slow, deep smile.

“Miss Bennett,” he murmured, “your job is simple. The only thing you need to do is take care of me.”

Mia blinked, surprised and a little confused. “Take care of you? How?”

Alexander didn’t answer right away.

He stepped closer—close enough that she could feel his warmth. He slid a hand around her waist, drawing her toward him, lowering his head until his breath brushed her ear.

“I get busy,” he murmured. “I forget to eat. Forget to drink. Forget to rest. So your job… is to remind me. Bring me tea, bring me meals. Sit with me. We’ll eat together. And the rest of the time,” his voice dipped even softer, “you can do whatever you like.”

Mia let out a small laugh, her eyes curved with amusement. “That sounds like a fun job, Mr. Graves.”

He chuckled at her tone and leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. “I’ll arrange a desk for you in my office. Right across from me.” He ran his thumb gently along her waist. “Just sit there… where I can watch you while you do this important job for me, Mrs. Graves.”

Mia shook her head quickly and pointed to the outside area where the other employees sat. “I want to sit out there. With them.”

Alexander’s expression flickered—just a second of displeasure, possessiveness. He opened his mouth to argue, but she looked up at him with a pleading expression.

His face softened immediately.

He sighed, defeated, pulling her into his chest.

“You know I can’t refuse you for anything,” he said, voice low enough to vibrate through her. His hand rested on her waist, thumb stroking the fabric of her shirt like he couldn’t help himself. “You take advantage of that all the time, Mia.”

She gave him a sheepish grin, leaning into his chest, breathing in the clean, warm scent of him. For a moment, she just stayed like that—pressed against him, his arms wrapped around her like he’d been waiting all day for this.

Then she pulled back a little, looking up at him. “I’ll go now. You should get back to work.”

She turned—barely a step—when his fingers closed around her wrist. He pulled her back against him in one sharp tug.

Before she could breathe, his mouth was on hers.

His lips crashed onto hers with slow, hungry force. His hand slid up her back, pressing her into him until her body molded against his effortlessly.

His fingers tightened slightly in her hair, guiding her mouth to his, controlling the angle as he kissed her slower, deeper, more intensely. His tongue brushed hers in a teasing sweep that made her knees soften, and her fingers clutched helplessly at his shirt, trying to stay upright.