Page 14 of Alex (Men of Forbidden Temptation #4)

ELISE

It’s one thing to be tired at work, but it’s a totally different thing when your office is inside your billionaire boss’s mansion.

It’s another thing entirely when you are tired from fucking said boss’s son.

A loud yawn escapes from the deep recesses of my body. Luckily, no one is around to hear me. I’ve never been this tired before, and don’t plan on making it a habit.

Thankfully, the contract is done and over with. Not to mention, in the past. I’ve already received a follow up email from the lawyer saying he submitted it this morning and things should stay right on schedule.

So at least the extremely late night wasn’t a complete waste of time.

Getting up from my temporary desk, I traipse to the enormous kitchen and make a beeline to the stainless steel coffee maker. It’s way too fancy for what I need, but I make quick work of the auto make feature.

After clicking the button for extra bold flavor, the machine grinds the beans and prepares my coffee. The rich aroma is an instant wake up call.

I inhale deeply, enjoying the scent of the dark coffee.

The kitchen door opens, causing me to turn around and meet Alex’s gaze. He stares at me for a moment before saying, “You should probably take a nap instead of getting caffeinated.”

I wish I could take a nap, but I’m not related to the boss. “I can’t. There’s still a lot of work to do.”

Alex rolls his eyes and huffs. “You’ve already done your fair share for the day. Hell, for the week.”

It’s not that simple, and he knows it.

“My job doesn’t stop just because I’m tired.”

“Maybe not, but there should be boundaries and a clear quitting time.” His gaze is dark and menacing, like he’s not going to give up on this battle. Not anytime soon, at least.

“In order to keep the business running smoothly, I have to work long hours.”

He stalks over to me. “I’m not saying work part-time hours. Hell, I’m not even saying to only work forty hours.”

He reaches out with both hands, cupping my face with one and my waist with the other. “You shouldn’t be working sixty to eighty hours a week.”

I sigh, not wanting to argue, but also not knowing what to say. “Why is it such a big deal for you? Why does it matter how many hours I work a week?”

Alex glances toward the table where we ate the fettuccine Alfredo and garlic bread. When his gaze returns to mine, it’s different. Less harsh than before.

“Because I don’t want to see you like this. Overworked and resorting to an espresso shot before lunchtime.”

His lips tighten into a thin line, like there’s more he wants to say, but he’s holding back.

Why wouldn’t he just say what’s on his mind?

“I’ll be fine. I shouldn’t have many nights like last night.” Hopefully, none for the rest of this week.

“I’ll make sure that never happens again.” He turns around and storms off.

Shit. What is he planning?

I grab my coffee and head back to my office. Whatever Alex is planning, I want no part of it.

But clearly he’s wanting to spend more time with you.

Work comes first. I need this job, and I need the money more than I need a relationship right now.

It’s been nice being with Alex over the past week and a half, but I don’t have a bank account full of money as a backup plan to losing my job.

My computer dings with an instant message. Seeing it’s from Mr. Strickland, I immediately open it and read the brief message.

Please come to my office when you are available .

I gulp down my coffee, burning my throat in the process, before replying to Mr. Strickland.

On my way, Sir.

I half walk, half jog down the hall to his office. Calming my racing heart and ragged breathing, I knock on his door.

“Sir?”

“Come on in.” His tone is light and carefree despite the urgency in his message.

I take the seat in front of his desk. The same chair I was in yesterday when he found out about the contract.

He continues, “I didn’t mean you had to rush. This isn’t that important.”

I nod my head before speaking what’s on my mind.

“I just want to apologize for my mess up yesterday. It’s not how I work. I hardly ever make mistakes and if I do, they are never that bad, and if you let me prove it to you, I’ll work harder than ever before. Please, just don’t fire me.”

I’ve never begged to keep a job before, but I really need this one.

He looks at me with a stern expression on his face. “Did you get the new documents submitted?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Yes, sir. Early this morning before I went to bed.”

“Thank you.” His expression is still stern, leaving an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

Did Alex say anything to him about my late hours? Would he ?

I can’t answer the first, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that he would definitely say something to his dad.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Alex stood up for something he strongly believed in. Last time, it was about a client, not me and my working hours.

Mr. Strickland leans his head back and lets out a loud laugh. It sounds so foreign that it makes me jump in my seat.

Oblivious to my reaction, he asks, “Do you really think I would fire you?”

I don’t know how to respond to that question. Normally, I’d say no, but after my huge fuck up yesterday, I don’t feel so confident.

“I wouldn’t fire my best employee. You’ve been working long hours, for months now, helping me get ready for this merger. You spent hours last night redoing the documents, when doing them today would have been perfectly fine.”

He folds his hands and places them on his chest. “You need a break. So I would like to extend an invitation to have you come with me and Alex on my business trip to the city.”

I raise my eyebrows in disbelief. From what I understand, he isn’t firing me, he thinks I work too much, and he wants me to go to a business meeting with him.

That sounds like more work and even long hours. Which city? And with who?

I muster up a smile. “Sure, no problem. I just need to go home to check my mail, do some laundry, and pack a bag.”

Mr. Strickland stares at something behind me. Turning around in my seat, I see Alex standing in the doorway.

He clears his throat. “Sorry to interrupt your meeting.”

Mr. Strickland chuckles. “You’re not interrupting anything important. Please come sit down. I was just inviting Elise to the city with us.”

Alex plops down in the chair beside me. My gaze never moves off of his. “I overheard the tail end of the conversation. You can just use the washer and dryer here. There’s no point in bringing your dirty clothes all the way home just to bring them back.”

I glance at Mr. Strickland in time to see his eyebrows shoot up. Did he not know that I was staying here? Should I say something about it now that he knows?

Meeting Alex’s gaze, I say, “If you insist, but I still need to pack a bag and check my mail.”

Alex jumps up. “Okay, let’s go.”

I silently follow Alex down the hallway and down the back stairs to the garage. I wait until we are in his car and backing down the driveway to speak.

“Did your dad know I’ve been staying here almost every night since the break in?”

Alex’s jaw clenches before his expression softens. “Who cares? ”

Is he serious?

“I do!” I scream before apologizing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, but that is his house, and I think I should have asked if it was okay before assuming it was.”

“First, I don’t give a fuck what he thinks. You’ve been working well past eleven at night this past week. A few nights were after midnight. Last night was even later than that.”

He glances at me as he pulls out of the rich neighborhood onto the main road that leads into town.

“Second, if I want you to sleep in my bed, which I do, then you will. No ands, ifs, or buts about it. My bed, my rules.”

I nod as moisture gathers between my legs. That was a possessive declaration, if I’ve ever heard one.

He wants me in his bed.

“Is there a third point?” I ask, to keep my mind and conversation off of me in his bed.

He smirks and stares at me. His eyes darken as my smile gets bigger.

Alex parks in front of my apartment building and turns off the car. “Do you want me to stay here while you go in and pack, or would you like me to come inside with you?”

“You can come inside. It’s nothing fancy, so don’t get your hopes up.”

He follows me inside, walking a few steps behind me with his hand on my lower back. I stop at the wall of mailboxes to check my mail. He stands beside me and glances around the lobby.

I already know what he’s thinking because it’s the same thing Kate said the first time she came over. This place is a dump.

The carpet is dirty and stained. The wallpaper is peeling. And it smells like an old stuffy basement.

I quickly grab my mail and lead him down the hallway to my apartment. As soon as I push open my door, the cinnamon apple scent of my oil diffuser assaults our senses.

Alex closes the door behind him and inhales deeply. “Wow, it smells so good here. Like a bakery.”

“Thanks. It’s just an oil diffuser, though.” I point to the tiny decorative diffuser on my living room end table.

Alex walks over to the end table to study the diffuser. “Hmmph. I might have to get one for my room.”

I turn my attention to the large bundle of mail in my hand. Before I even go through the pile of envelopes and junk mail, I see it.

Another past due medical bill from mom’s last days in the hospital.

Not bothering to open it, I throw it on the counter with the sales flyers.

Before Mom died, she assured me that her debt wouldn’t become mine. That I wouldn’t be stuck paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, but that hasn’t stopped the bills from coming.

Mom’s promise hasn’t stopped the money hungry vultures from trying to squeeze every last dime from me they can.

“So, Alex, do you have any idea what this meeting is about? Is it regarding the upcoming merger? Is it another potential acquisition?”

He puts the diffuser back on the table and shrugs. “Dad only mentioned going to lunch with a business associate.”

That’s not helpful at all.

“Are we there to look pretty or actually do work?”

Once again, he shrugs. “We aren’t invited to the business lunch meeting, so I’m planning on enjoying the all expense paid vacation, and you should, too.”

That’s not the type of person I am. I might have agreed to go to the city with Mr. Strickland and Alex, but I’m not going to live it up, like Alex is planning.

Getting back to the task at hand, I ask, “So, should I pack casual clothes or business professional ones?”

He looks confused at my question. “Uh, both, just in case.”

I grab a weekend duffle bag and start packing clothes. I don’t have many clothes left here since most are at his house.

Alex sits on the edge of my bed, running his hand along my black comforter. “Don’t forget to pack some club attire.”

I poke my head out of my closet. “Club attire? I don’t have that.”

When would I have time to go clubbing? With my mother’s death and piles of bills and long work hours, I barely have time to see my best friend, Kate.

“Don’t worry, we can always shop for some when we get to the city.”

I shake my head before disappearing back into the closet to finish packing. “I’ll pass. Clubbing isn’t really my thing.”

“Have you ever tried it?” His chuckle lets me know that he already knows my answer.

“Well, no, but I don’t have to try hard drugs to know it’s not for me.”

He laughs. “Good point, but I think you will enjoy the club. Just give it a chance. I’ll be there, and I promise you will have a great time.”

The idea of grinding against Alex in a crowded club causes my face to flush with heat.

I throw several pairs of panties into my duffle bag before joining Alex back in my bedroom. Giving in, I say, “Fine, but I draw the line at strip clubs.”

There’s no way I can watch a woman grind on the pole, shake her perfect ass, and strip for Alex without getting jealous.

Alex’s eyes darken and watch my every move as he jumps up and stalks toward me. He pins me against my closet door; his erection poking me in my lower belly.

“I can promise you, the only person I’m interested in seeing strip for me is you, Elise. That would be a fantasy come true.”

I don’t have a chance to process his statement before his lips collide with mine.