Page 7 of Tell Me You Want Me

“Tell me,” I rasp, moving my thumb to her clit, watching as her breasts bounce with each thrust of my body.

“Fine, I’ll stay,” she finally admits with a sob. Her core pulses wildly around me, milking every drop of control I have left. Her entire body goes rigid as she tumbles over the edge. I plunge in deep one last time. A gut-wrenching growl of my own is pulled from my chest as I let myself go, coming inside her as our combined orgasms rips through the room. I collapse over her, burying my face in the crook of her neck, holding her tightly as I recover. My lips feel the pounding of her pulse, kissing her soft skin again and again while waiting for her breathing to return to normal. Finally, Alexandria’s arms settle around me, holding me just as much as I’m holding her. “For now.”

“Pregnant or not, annulment or not, you’re staying right here, wife.”

CHAPTER FIVE

alexandria

So, I slunk out of Dante’s penthouse like I’d never been there at all. I had to. My career depends on it. And while I conceded to put the annulment talk on hold last night, we also have way more to discuss. Still, it was hard to leave Dante and his muscular frame that was sprawled across the bed. The dark sheet pulled down to his waist, exposing the sharp angles of his back and the red scratches my nails left on his skin. Then there are those dimples right above his ass on either side that had me biting my lower lip. One of his heavy arms was flung over the empty space where I’d been lying.

I held my breath and gathered my clothes off the floor, moving as quietly as a mouse in order to not wake him up. Dante moves like a predator when he’s awake, possessively gripping me, kissing me until my mind goes blank, and destroys my ability to think rationally. I didn’t want to think about how good he feels or the promises he whispered against my throat.

I needed air.

I needed my own space.

And so, I left with him being none the wiser.

Less than an hour later, I was back in the comforting confines of my own place. I showered, scrubbed, and lathered my body torid myself of the scent of Dante to help keep my head clear of the overpowering alpha who pushes past all of my defenses.

By the time I step into Sterling Capital in my corporate armor—a tailored cream blazer, black button-down shirt with a ruffled collar, black wide-leg trousers, and red pumps for a pop of color—I feel like Alexandria Holland again, the competent career-oriented woman who has a plan.

I walk into the glass-walled office, set my leather bag on the desk, and look down at my left hand. The emerald-cut diamond catches on the fluorescent light of the ceiling. There’s no way I can wear the glowing beacon without being bombarded with a plethora of questions. I pull the rings over my knuckle and drop them into the pocket of my pants, hiding the evidence.

Out of sight, out of mind.

I press the button to turn on my computer, waiting for the system to fire up, but before the lock screen loads, I hear my boss’ voice.

“Alex,” Vik says, his deep voice carrying over the quiet morning. “Can you come into my office for a minute?” My friend, Romy, has really tamed the beast of a man. He used to never ask questions, just barked orders. And now that he’s being a nicer version of himself and I’m hiding a massive secret, well, my stomach decides to do a violent flip as the cold flood of dread returns in full force, making my throat go dry.He knows.

He has to know. Dante probably called him the second he woke up and realized his new wife pulled another vanishing act. Vik will probably think I’ve lost my ever-loving mind—and newsflash: I have. I’m legally married to a man I barely know, I’m currently ignoring the incessant buzzing of my phone, and to top it all off, there’s a very real possibility I could end up pregnant.

My mind goes into hyperdrive. Plan B pill. God, why didn’t I think of this earlier? Is it too late, now? How effective is it afterVegas? I need to get to a pharmacy the second I step out of this building for the day.

“Alex?” Vik calls my name.

“Right. Coming,” I squeak out, forcing my trembling legs to work in order to carry me across the floor and to his office. I’m so out of it, I nearly forget my tablet, notes, and a pen.

“Great job on the Las Vegas contract,” Vik praises me as I walk into his office and settle into a chair in front of his desk. I’m preparing my speech:It’s a mistake, Vik. I swear it won’t affect my work. I’m trying to get it annulled.

“What?” I blink, freezing midway.

“The contract with the Nevada group.” My boss is looking at me with genuine approval. “The legal team reviewed the terms you secured this morning. It’s pristine. The board is thrilled, and that’s not an easy feat. I just wanted to go over the final percentage you’ll be receiving.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I sit, utterly stunned. Vik spends the next few minutes talking about how I took on more responsibility and did him a massive favor so he wouldn’t have to leave Romy alone while pregnant. When he slides a piece of paper across the wood desk, six figures jump out at me, and I quickly do the calculations that taxes will take out. Damn, it’s still a sweet deal, one I didn’t expect.

“Didn’t think I’d ever make you speechless, Alex.” He doesn’t know. Dante hasn’t call him, and Vik is giving me a massive amount of money I never expected.

“Well, you did. Maybe Romy should stay pregnant. It might make me a wealthy woman.” I manage to get my words together.

“That’s the goal. I just have to get her on board with that.” My eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets.

“And that’s my cue to get started for the day. I love Romy, and you’re my boss, and, well, you get the gist.” Vik slides his tablet across the table. There’s a contract pulled up withmy name, the date, the amount, and all of the other corporate jargon.

“Sounds good, and thank you, Alex. Truly.”

“You’re welcome.” I stand up, grabbing my items I didn’t need to begin with. “And thank you as well.” I walk back out to my desk, my knees shaking so badly I barely make it to my chair before collapsing. All of this pregnancy talk has me picking up my phone, hands shaking as I open my browser. My fingers fly across the screen, typing into the search bar for Plan B effectiveness after two days.