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As much as I wanted to deny it, the undeniable chemistry between us felt like a ticking time bomb, and I couldn’t help but wonder how long we would be able to resist the temptation. But for now, professionalism had to prevail.
When Alexander emerged from the bathroom, the scent of his freshly showered skin enveloped me, making it even more difficult to focus on anything other than the man standing before me. He was clad in a crisp white dress shirt and tailored slacks, the very image of professionalism—yet beneath that facade, I sensed the same simmering tension that threatened to consume us both.
“Your turn,” he said, gesturing towards the bathroom with a slight nod.
***
The air in the suite felt heavy. The sound of his fingers drumming against the polished wooden table filled the silence, while my gaze wandered to the curve of his arm, where a single droplet of water from his earlier shower lingered.
“Shall we go over the meeting agenda for tomorrow?” he asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between us.
“Of course,” I replied, trying to shake the distracting thoughts from my mind. I walked over to the table where he sat, feeling the warmth of his body radiating towards me as I took my seat beside him. Each heartbeat reverberated with our unresolved chemistry.
Alexander flipped open his laptop, and we dove into the details of our presentation. He spoke confidently, but I noticed the way his eyes occasionally flickered up to meet mine, as if seeking reassurance or searching for something more.
“Olivia,” Alexander said, drawing me back to the present. “What did you think about adding a few slides on our recent success stories?”
“Good idea,” I agreed, struggling to keep my voice steady. “It’ll drive home the value we provide.”
As we continued working, our hands brushed against each other whenever we reached for the same document or took turns typing on the keyboard. Each accidental touch sent a thrill down my spine, the heat of his skin searing into my flesh like a branding iron.
“Maybe we should call it a night,” Alexander suggested, the rasp in his voice betraying his own inner turmoil. “We have an early start tomorrow.”
“Right,” I said, exhaling slowly as I tried to collect myself. “Let me come grab my clothes.”
We both stood, heading to the bedroom together where our suitcases had been set down.
Chapter Eleven
Olivia
I really took in the bedroom for the first time after rushing through changing earlier, a space far more intimate than either of us had expected and had since avoided. The dim light cast a warm glow on the plush carpet and opulent furniture, making the room feel even more sensual than it already was. As I took in the king-sized bed, adorned with silky sheets and an array of pillows, a bold idea formed in my mind.
“Listen, Alexander,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “Since we’re stuck here together, why not… share the bed? It’s big enough for both of us, and we can just keep things strictly professional.”
He hesitated, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Fine,” he finally agreed, his voice steady. “But only on the condition that we set some boundaries. We can’t let this… situation affect our working relationship.”
“Agreed,” I replied.
I was almost certain he was doing this for my benefit, and I appreciated it. As much as I wanted to give in, I knew that it was a road I couldn’t come back from. What happened after Alexander got tired of me and fired me? Or worse, if other people found out? Where was I going to get a job with the reputation as the girl who was willing to screw her boss? The wrong places, that was where.
As I watched him unpack his things, my eyes involuntarily lingered on the curve of his strong shoulders and the way his shirt hugged his muscular frame. The urge to reach out and touch him was almost unbearable, yet I knew I must resist—for the sake of our jobs and my own sanity.
“Thank you,” I said, offering him a grateful smile. “For being understanding and… willing to make this work.”
He nodded, his expression unreadable as he returned my smile. “Of course, Olivia.”
He went to the bed, now settled into the room, and pulled back the blankets. I gulped, thinking that maybe I should have thought this through now. But there was no going back as I watched Alexander slide into bed.
I got in on my side, overly aware of how close I was to him, and rolled over, flicking off the lamp. He did the same, settling in, and there was a small sliver of space between us. I could still feel the heat radiating off his back, though.
I itched to reach out and touch him, but I held still until I heard his breaths deepen. My body was still too tense to relax, and I started to wonder if I was going to go these two weeks without sleep.
***
The steam from the shower filled the bathroom with a hot, misty haze as I washed away the sleepless night. As I stepped out, my towel wrapped securely around me, I caught a glimpse of Alexander in the mirror, seated at the small suite table, working on his laptop. His focus and determination were evident, but there was something more—something that rendered him irresistible despite our imposed boundaries.
