Thanks for reading. Smut is coming.
FLORA’S POV "Mr. Bennett, would you like to join us for movie night?" my mother asked, completely out of the blue after dinner and the whole birthday celebration. I shot her a glare, but she pretended not to see it, looking as innocent as a saint. Here I was, already feeling a bit unsettled that my boss was here, sitting in on what seemed like our little family gathering—and, annoyingly, his presence had me wet all over. And now, Mom was also asking him to join us for a movie. "Uh, I think Mr. Bennett is a busy man," I started, hoping to save both of us from this awkward scenario. "Nonsense," Alex replied smoothly, flashing that million-dollar smile at my mother. "It’s the weekend, and I would be honored to join you." I stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he really okay with sitting down with three women watching a sappy romance movie? Because that’s all we watch. To escape reality, we choose romantic movies, even the cliché, unrealistic ones. Mom, looking thrilled by his answer
FLORA’S POV I walked back into my room, second-guessing everything. Was this a good idea? My heart raced, and my hands felt clammy, but there was no denying the thrill bubbling beneath my nerves. At least my room was immaculate; all those years at the Kensington estate had drilled tidiness into me. I never left my space messy—a habit that came in handy tonight. The room was dark when I stepped inside. I flicked on my phone’s flashlight, casting a small glow across the space. There was no sign of Alex. My heart jumped. Where was he? I turned slowly, directing the light around the room, but before I could complete a full turn, an arm wrapped firmly around my waist, pulling me back against a warm, solid chest. A hand covered my mouth, silencing the gasp that almost escaped. “Not a sound, flower,” he whispered right against my ear, his breath hot against my neck. A delightful shiver ran down my spine, my body instinctively melting into him as my nerves buzzed with anticipation. “O
JAYDEN’S POV "That is absolutely not happening," I snapped, looking from my mother to Mr. Pembroke, who sat there with his eyes fixed on me, burning with barely contained fury. "I just got out of a marriage. What do you think people are going to say if I jump straight into another one?" Mr. Pembroke's lips tightened as he leaned forward. "Well, you should have thought about that before you knocked my daughter up," he spat back, his tone like cold steel. "I don’t care how you do it, Jayden, but Melissa will be married before this bump is obvious to the world." He cast a withering glance in my direction, making it clear that he expected no arguments. I ran a hand through my hair, muttering, “This was a mistake,” loud enough that I hoped it would echo off the walls and sink into someone’s stubborn skull. My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest as I paced the room. How did I even get here? Mr. Pembroke stood up and looked around. "I will be waiting for an i
FLORA’S POV I practically sprinted toward Alex as he stepped out of his sleek car, a beaming smile plastered across my face. I probably looked like a kid seeing candy, but I couldn’t help it. “Good morning, Mr. Bennett,” I greeted, praying my blush wasn’t as noticeable as it felt. Alex’s lips curled into that irresistible smile that made my heart do somersaults. “Good morning, Ms. Roberts. Did you have a good night?” he asked casually, strolling into the busy reception hall like he owned the world—which, technically, he kind of did. Good night? Oh, he had no idea. After what he did to me, my night had been nothing short of spectacular. But we had agreed to keep things strictly professional at work, so I swallowed the urge to gush and slapped on my professional face instead. “Yes, sir,” I replied, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. As we moved through the reception, the familiar chorus of “Good morning, Mr. Bennett” followed us like an entourage. Alex nodded politely whi
FLORA’S POV I bolted from my desk, forgetting to shut down my computer as Jolly trailed behind me, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. A small crowd of employees had gathered by the hallway leading to my office, their hushed murmurs mingling with one loud, unmistakable voice. Jayden. By the time I reached the scene, it was clear why everyone was gawking. Jayden was standing at the center, yelling my name like a lunatic. The receptionist, visibly flustered, was trying her best to block him from storming in any further. “She’s my wife, and I need to see her!” Jayden bellowed. Heat crept up my neck as mortification washed over me. My fists clenched at his audacity. Did he seriously think this was acceptable behavior? “I’ll take it from here,” I told the receptionist, forcing calmness into my voice. She hesitated, glancing between Jayden and me as if unsure whether to leave. “Are you sure?” she muttered under her breath, clearly unimpressed. “I was about to call security
FLORA’S POV Alex stood by his window, his silhouette stark against the city skyline. He was now stripped to only his crisp white button-down shirt. One hand was shoved casually into his pocket, while the other gripped a glass of whiskey like it was the only thing tethering him to sanity. Even with his back to me, I knew he felt my presence. But he didn’t turn around. I cleared my throat, trying to gather my thoughts. “Sir, um...” My voice faltered. Jayden’s words still echoed in my head, jumbled and raw. “I’m... I’m really sorry about that.” Alex finally turned, his expression calm but distant. His piercing gaze didn’t meet mine as he downed the rest of his drink in one swift motion. He walked back to his desk with measured steps, setting the empty glass down before taking a seat. “David just called,” he said, his tone flat. “The mask party has been rescheduled to the night of the Rockshire Fashion event. Adjust my schedule accordingly.” I blinked at him, completely thrown. W
MELISSA’S POV “Don’t even think about calling me again!” I hissed into the phone. “Do you have any idea what I’ve got on the line here? I will have you arrested if you ruin this for me! I’m getting married in a few days to the father of my child. What is wrong with you?” I hung up, almost flinging the phone across the room, but my heart leaped when it started ringing again. This time, I froze as my father’s name appeared on the screen. I wondered if the caller had already reached out to him. I swallowed hard and picked up. “Hi, Daddy,” I greeted, injecting a forced brightness into my voice. “How are you holding up, princess?” my father’s deep, steady voice rumbled through the line “I’m fine,” I said, exhaling shakily. “Just busy with wedding preparations. Jayden wants something small and private, but Lisette is pushing for something big and elaborate.” “Go with Jayden’s preference,” he said firmly. “The less attention we draw to this, the better, especially when it all come
FLORA’S POV Rockshire Fashion Night was finally here—or, well, tomorrow, and I was practically vibrating with excitement. A whole month and a few weeks of sketches, late nights, and caffeine-fueled brainstorming sessions were about to pay off. My designs were ready to shine, and I was more than eager to prove myself. But, as with most things in my life lately, joy didn’t come without its shadows. The situation with Alex was a thorn in my side, and not the sexy kind that made you tingle. Ever since Jayden’s unexpected and dramatic office visit, Alex and I had been operating on an unspoken no-contact policy. I was furious at him for his aloofness and remarks about that situation, and to make matters worse, he didn’t even seem phased by my cold shoulder. He mirrored my behavior with frustrating ease, keeping everything between us strictly professional, even when we were alone. Sure, I caught him sneaking a look my way more than once. His gaze always holds a flicker of... somethin
FLORA’S POV I knew I was deluding myself the moment I bolted from the party, thinking I could outpace Alex and avoid him altogether. But of course, Alex was Alex, he didn’t let things go. His footsteps followed me down the stairs, even as I slipped off my heels and made a desperate attempt to disappear into the night. Jayden’s words shouldn't matter, especially those about the scandalous relationship between us, but somehow, they kept repeating in my head. Maybe this thing with Alex, whatever it was, needed to stop before it spiraled completely out of control. I can’t keep getting caught up in sordid affairs with older unavailable men. “Flora! Stop right there!” Alex’s voice thundered behind me as I darted into a dimly lit alley. But I didn’t plan to stop. I didn’t even know where I was headed; anywhere but away from him. As I heard his footsteps come closer, I took to my heels, and he chased after me. “I swear to God, Flora, I will punish you thoroughly for this!” His voice w
FLORA’S POV I met a few more people who were amazed by my presence. Before I was done talking to all those people, I felt better. As much as Cynthia’s little stunt earlier had rattled me, I wasn’t going to let one snooty wine heiress ruin my night. So, I let myself unwind and even flirted a little with some of the younger, single men. Every now and then, I felt Alex’s gaze on me. His eyes lingered just long enough to send a shiver down my spine, but he didn’t approach me. Instead, he remained engaged in conversation with Cynthia and the older man who had joined their little group earlier. After a while, the energy began to wane, and I found myself craving a quiet moment. As the music slowed and couples began to fill the dance floor, I slipped away to the rail overlooking the city skyline, still clutching the glass of champagne I had been nursing since the night began. “Can I have this dance, Ms. Roberts?” The smooth and familiar voice startled me. I spun around, and there he
FLORA’S POV “If that isn’t the charismatic Alexander Lee Bennett,” a sultry female voice chimed behind us, rich with amusement and laced with a faint accent. I felt Alex stiffen beside me, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly before he turned toward the source of the voice. I followed his gaze, my curiosity piqued, and my eyes met a piercing deep blue gaze staring into mine with a smirk. She looked stunning, and from her poise and the way she clutched her wine glass, I could tell she had been in this game for a long time. She was breathtaking, the kind of woman whose entire existence screamed old money, designer labels, and boarding school poise. Everything about her, her sleek, raven hair and her perfectly lined crimson lips, looked polished to perfection. She seemed familiar somehow, but I couldn’t place her face. “Cynthia,” Alex said with forced cheerfulness as he strode toward her. I watched as they exchanged kisses on the cheek, the kind of cheek kiss rich peo
ALEX’S POV “Are you nervous?” I asked as I stepped out and opened the car door for Flora, offering her my hand. She shook her head far too quickly, avoiding my gaze. “Not at all.” Liar. I could read her like an open book. Her fingers had trembled on the ride here, betraying the calm front she wore like armor. She had no idea just how much I noticed, every sigh, every nervous fidget, every time her teeth worried that soft bottom lip. One thing Flora doesn’t know about me is that I’m very observant, especially towards people I care about. And I care about Flora—a lot. And then there was that dress. Jesus Christ, that red sequin gown had me spiraling. It hugged every one of her curves as though it was custom-made to drive me insane. The slit up the side teased just enough of her smooth thigh to make my brain short-circuit. All the way to this goddamn event, I had been battling the overwhelming urge to pull her into my lap and take her right there in the backseat. I had been ro
FLORA’S POV As soon as I stepped out of the interview room, Vicky was waiting, her warm smile as radiant as ever. In one hand, she held a steaming mug of coffee, which she extended toward me. “Come here, my good luck charm,” she said, spreading her arms wide. I couldn’t help but return her smile as I walked into her embrace. The soft patting on my back was soothing, grounding me after the whirlwind of interviews and public appearances. “How was that interview?” she asked once we pulled apart, her eyes scanning my face with genuine interest. “It was... refreshing,” I replied as we started walking out of the building. Trailing behind us were her assistant and a couple of bodyguards. Vicky nodded approvingly. “Your story is inspiring, Flora. You’re now the new face of fashion in Rockshire. I knew you were a diamond the very first day I saw you, and I’m so glad you proved me right.” Her words sent warmth flooding through me. “Thank you, Vicky. I’m truly grateful for the opportu
MELISSA’S POV Five Days Later… “Miss Roberts, congratulations on such an incredible debut! Your designs were a showstopper and left the audience in awe, and your decision to walk the runway yourself was such a bold move. What inspired you to take on that challenge?" The interviewer’s voice droned from the TV. I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly stayed in the back of my head. Flora's smug smile on the screen was the cherry on top of the torture. She thought she was so clever, didn’t she? Riding on the back of pity to catapult herself into the limelight. Jayden, sitting beside me on the couch, leaned forward like a lovesick puppy. "Thank you so much!” Flora began. "To be honest, it wasn’t part of the plan at all. The day before the event, I found out my signature piece had been sabotaged. It was devastating. Someone had destroyed my dress, and all my sketches had been wiped from my system. To make things worse, my model called in sick just hours before the show." Jayden sighe
FLORA’S POV There was silence in the room for a while. Maybe Alex had finally come to realize the truth—that I wasn’t the perfect person he thought I was. I couldn’t bear the thought of setting myself up for disappointment. Sure, I basked in his praises, but deep down, I knew he could never see me as anything more than his Sub. Whatever we had was transactional, wasn’t it? And I didn’t want to delude myself otherwise, knowing the caliber of person he was. Especially after what happened with Jayden. “Jesus Christ,” Alex muttered, breaking the silence as he removed the blindfold from my eyes. I blinked rapidly, the sudden light making my vision blur. My gaze dropped to the space between us, avoiding his eyes like they were molten lava. But Alex wasn’t having it. His hand cupped my face, tilting my chin upward. “Give me your eyes, Flora,” he commanded. I obeyed, locking my gaze with his piercing amber eyes. “You are perfect,” he said firmly, like he was stating a universal truth.
FLORA’S POV I knew the answer he wanted to hear, but deep within, I wasn’t convinced I was perfect at all. Before I could answer, my phone began to ring, shattering the charged silence. Alex sighed and eased off the bed, and I waited with bated breath. “Can I at least answer my phone?” I asked. “No, you can’t,” Alex growled. There was silence for a moment before he added, “Your mom is calling.” My heart skipped a beat. Of course, she was calling. Alex had dragged me away so suddenly I hadn’t even had a chance to see my mom and sister. “Hello?” Alex said into the phone. “Hi,” my mother’s familiar voice floated through the speaker. “Can I speak to Flo?” “Oh, Flora is kind of busy right now,” Alex said, and I could imagine his wicked grin in my direction. “She’s, uh... got herself a punishment.” My jaw dropped. My mother’s silence on the other end spoke volumes. My chest tightened with tension as my brain scrambled to decode what Alex had just said, and what Mom might be imagi
FLORA’S POV Alex didn’t speak to me until we arrived at his place. Luckily, it was empty since Clarissa and the other housekeepers had left. He got out of the car, strode over to my side, and opened my door with a precision that only added to my confusion. Before I could ask what was happening, he lifted me off the ground, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. My stomach clenched in both fear and excitement. “What are you doing?” I asked, half-laughing, half-nervous. “Keep shut,” he growled, his voice was low and commanding. He carried me through the house, up the stairs with quick strides. I expected him to stop at his bedroom, but instead, he pushed the door to his infamous red room open. Before I could process it, I was tossed onto the bed, the softness of the sheets did little to cushion the shock of the moment. Alex loomed above me with a look masked with anger. “It’s time to get what you deserve, Flora.” His large hands grabbed my ankles and yanked me to