Hello, besties! I hope you're still loving the story so far! Apologies for not posting yesterday—I got caught up, and we're dealing with a nationwide power outage over here, which has slowed things down a bit. I know the tension between Flora and Alex is building slowly, but I wanted to really show their emotional struggles before diving into anything more steamy. Trust me, things are about to get very interesting, so hang tight! Thanks so much for choosing this book. Don't forget to leave a comment, give a thumbs up, and drop a gem if you're enjoying the ride. Your support means the world to me!
JAYDEN’S POV I watched from across the street as Flora stepped out of his car, her expression dazed, her steps slow as she made her way toward her house. My blood boiled. I’m losing my mind seeing them together like this. I hate Alex more and more with every passing second, especially for going after my wife. I knew Flora had met someone else—why else would she have so conveniently served me those divorce papers? But seeing that that someone was my estranged father made it even worse. Ever since that day she left my office, the man I asked to track her every move reported back that she had walked into The Bennett Group and then, later, ended up at Alex’s place, where she spent the night. That night, I couldn’t sleep a wink, tormented by the images of what they might have been doing. How could Flora possibly find a man twice her age attractive? But who was I kidding? I was lying to myself. Alex is handsome—no, he is the kind of handsome that makes heads turn wherever he goes, despit
ALEX’S POV I crossed a line I never should have crossed with Flora, and now I wasn’t sure if I could come back from it. After finding out Flora was married to my son, Jayden, I told myself she was strictly off-limits. But here I was, barely two weeks into trying to keep things professional, and I went ahead and ruined it all last night with one kiss. My original plan was to get Flora and Jayden back together. I had convinced myself it was the right thing to do. The position of my assistant was so that I would always be reminded that things needed to remain professional between us. Also, it was part of the plan to always get her to “bump into” Jayden—maybe rekindle whatever they had. She would accompany me everywhere—business trips, seminars, galas, socialite parties, and all the rest of those high-class events. I knew Jayden and Lisette would be at those same events. We always bumped into each other at those events, although we stayed clear of each other’s paths. I figured if Flo
ALEX'S POV Flora was right there, in the center of my office, on her knees, head bowed, looking like… well, like a damn submissive. I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to fill my lungs that suddenly felt like they had been running on empty for what felt like a whole decade." Does she even know what she is doing? I stepped inside the office and quietly closed the door behind me, the soft click echoing louder in the silence than it should’ve. She didn’t look up, but I could feel the tension radiating off her. I loosened my tie because it felt like the damn thing was choking the life out of me. "What... are you doing?" I asked, my voice sounding way too hoarse, I barely recognized it myself. Still staring down at her lap, Flora replied softly, “I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night. It was… it was out of line, and I shouldn’t have acted like that.” Last night. The memory of our kiss slammed back into my head, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to stash it away, but i
MELISSA’S POV I sat on the bed, tears silently rolling down my cheeks, my head bowed like a child caught breaking a precious vase. And just like a child, I was being scolded—but for something far worse than a clumsy mistake. My father was standing before me, and I could practically feel his anger radiating off him like heat from a furnace. He had always been disappointed in me, and, once again, I was proving him right. “I’m so disappointed,” he bit out, his voice like a whip. “You had one job, Melissa. Just one!” His words were sharp enough to cut glass. “But what did you do? You messed it up again, as you always do.” “I’m sorry,” I muttered, barely loud enough for him to hear. “Sorry? Is ‘sorry’ going to fix this?” He gestured toward my stomach, where the weight of my effort rested. "Is that going to take out that child from your womb? You couldn’t even keep him with a pregnancy, and now, you’re hiding in this hotel like a coward!” “I tried!” My voice cracked, desperate. “Bu
JAYDEN’S POV My driver pulled up to the curb outside Le Jardin and cut the engine. I stayed seated, inhaling deeply, trying to calm my nerves. I wasn’t thrilled about this dinner, but work demanded it. “We’re here, sir,” my driver prompted, catching my eye in the rearview mirror. “Yeah, I know,” I muttered, scanning my tablet screen absent-mindedly. Normally, Cherry would have accompanied me to something like this, but Mr. Charlse had labeled it “casual.” With another exhale, I finally stepped out of the car, mentally gearing up for what was ahead. But before I could take two steps, I heard the distinct sound of another car door opening. Out stepped Melissa, looking polished in a professional pantsuit and flashing a smile I could only describe as triumphant. My brows knitted together in irritation. Great, just what I needed. “Surprised to see me?” she asked, strutting over. I cast a quick glance around, as if anyone else might be witnessing this unwelcome reunion. “What ar
FLORA’S POV "Are you okay?" Alex’s voice pulled me back, gentle and with an edge of concern. I forced a smile, swallowing hard. "Ye… yes, I’m fine," I managed, though my voice betrayed me, trembling slightly. Before I knew it, I had downed the rest of my wine. I caught Alex glancing behind him. I didn't look up to know who it was—Jayden and Melissa were making their way toward us. My heart pounded like it was trying to escape my chest. Please, don’t let Jayden ruin this night. I focused on the champagne bottle, keeping my eyes fixed, hoping they would pass by without stopping. And they did. Jayden and Melissa walked right by, not sparing me even a glance, as if I were a stranger, taking their seats two tables away. I breathed a sigh of relief, releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. When I looked at Alex, he was watching me carefully, eyes narrowed like he could see through every last defense I had put up. “You seem tense, Ms. Roberts. Are you sure you’re alrig
FLORA’S POV Melissa kept staring at Jayden, her eyes practically willing him to pay attention to her, but he seemed oblivious to her looks. Then Alex reached out, leaning forward to help dab at the stain, but I quickly intercepted him, taking it from his hand. “I didn’t mean to ruin your dress,” Melissa said with fake sympathy. I forced a polite smile, refusing to give her the reaction she was looking for. “It’s fine, Ms. Pembroke. Accidents happen.” I turned to the rest of the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Without waiting for a reply, I hurried toward the restroom, heels clicking on the polished floor as I made my escape. Tonight had just turned disastrous, and I was boiling with rage. Once I got to the restroom, I stared at myself in the mirror, taking deep breaths to calm both my embarrassment and my anger. I wet a paper towel under the faucet and began to blot the stain, muttering under my breath, “Just breathe, Flora. She’s not worth it.” The
ALEX’S POV We were both silent for a while as we got into my car. Flora looked down at her fingers. I knew she was fighting to keep the tears in check, which made me want to hold her and tell her it was alright to let go. Instead, I reached for a handkerchief in the glove compartment and handed it to her quietly. She took it and gave me a grateful look. “Thank you,” she murmured, dabbing at her eyes carefully. I was grateful that I had given Homer the evening off and had driven to Le Jardin myself because of this situation. Now, driving us both home, I would have ample time to think—and unfortunately, all I could think about was what a mess I had created. I deserved a slap on the face for causing her such sadness and embarrassment. I now realized that my whole plan of reuniting Flora with Jayden was not only stupid but impossible, and sitting here with her beside me, I saw how deeply I had miscalculated. I had heard everything Jayden and Flora said in the restroom, and I coul
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