I could lounge here for hours longer, content in body and mind, smiling like a loon. My relationship with Alexander has shifted, deepened. With our souls exposed in new ways, my trust in him has strengthened.

He’s shared his darkness with me, letting me carry part of his burden. His mother’s murder has always been troubling. I suspect most unsolved cases are, but it was his mother. Her death, like her life, will always stay with him. I know this. I see his pain so clearly even when he tries so hard to hide it from me. I can be there for him. I can help however he needs. I will do anything to ease his anger and help him find the peace he’s so desperately seeking, the peace he deserves.

Unfortunately, I have class. I flip the covers from my body and sit up, glancing to the empty spot beside me. Alexander left for the office an hour ago, leaving me with a kiss and bones of jelly from our morning activities. Making my way into the bathroom, I start the shower and then head for the mirror. He’s right about me. I’ve changed. I see it in my face and how it’s slimmed. I see it in my body—my breasts are fuller, my hips wider, my waist tapered in. I like what I see, but I like that Alexander sees the real me too.

Grabbing a fresh towel, I hang it on the hook and step under the shower spray.

I feel rejuvenated after days of discourse. We’ve broken down walls between us and he’s shown me his secrets. I’m not willing to lose him over his need to find the truth, so I’m here to stay.

I dry my hair with the towel and hang it up before walking out of the bathroom.

“You’ve become a beautiful woman.”

I jump when I hear the male voice, the timbre sending shivers down my bare spine. My eyes meet his, and I cover myself and run for the bathroom. “What are you doing here?” I yell with the safety of a wall between us. I grab Alexander’s robe from the hook and swing it around me, tightening the belt.

“I came to see you, and I got more than I could have asked for.”

My heart is racing, my skin crawling beneath the soft fabric. He saw me. That rat bastard saw me naked. I grit my teeth and swallow my embarrassment. Looking out through the doorway, he sits smugly in a chair by the fireplace. “Why do you want to see me?”

Gesturing toward the sofa, he raises an eyebrow. “Sit down, Ms. Grayson.”

“I’m not dressed.”

“Sit down anyway.” His tone leaves no room for argument and while I debate in my head if I have any say in the matter, I know deep down I don’t. I take a breath and exhale slowly. Tightening the robe over my chest, I walk to the sofa and sit. The reality is he scares me to death. I wish Alexander were here.

I don’t bother with questions. He has his own agenda, so I wait. He’s not a man to keep someone in suspense, always ready to tell exactly what’s on his mind. “I didn’t think much of you when Alex first brought you around.” Wow, thanks. My grimace can’t be restrained, but he continues, “I had dated the best society had to offer. After all, I’m not unaware of how important good looks are in life. I was gifted from both sides. My mother was a model when she met my father. He was considered a catch in looks and last name. Together they were the toast of the town.” My heart sinks as he brags of something so superficial. “Alex’s mother was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She wasn’t from around here but came here for school. I never thought she’d give me a chance. She didn’t know my family or our position, but I asked her out anyway. She told me no.” He laughs to himself, lost in the memory. “I asked her out every day for a week. She finally said yes. I won her over. Whether it was my charm, or good looks, my persistence, or maybe she found out who I was. I didn’t care. I was in love with Madeline the moment I laid eyes on her, and I loved her until the day she died.”

This man’s moods are as unpredictable as he is. “You only loved her because she was beautiful?”

Looking back at me, he says, “Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. It’s precious and rare. But above all it’s expendable.”

“So it never mattered what she looked like—”

“She was taken from me anyway.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because beauty is also a commodity. It’s bought and sold every day. Just like I knew, Alexander knows the benefits of having great genes. It will help him in business and in life. He needs someone equally his match.”

Alexander has always made me feel incredibly beautiful, but now doubt sinks in. Why did he choose me? I hope I’m reading him all wrong, but I ask, “Are you telling me, looks wise, I don’t fit?”

His eyes spark with challenge. He tilts his head in confusion and says, “Quite the opposite, as I first said. You’re stunning. I see why my son finds you so desirable.”

My head jerks back. “Please don’t talk about us in that way.” I close the gap in the robe that exposes my calves.

“I’m not hitting on you, Ms. Grayson. If I were, there’d be no question in your eyes. You’d know. Out of respect, I’ve kept my distance. Out of respect for my son.”

“You don’t respect him.”

“You have made up your mind so decidedly against me already. Let me put things to you more simply. If I wanted to fuck you, Ms. Grayson, I would have. So yes, out of respect for my son, I have kept a polite distance.”

“You’re so sure of yourself, regarding me. I would have never—”

His head is shaking. “Never say never.”

Standing, I move around to the other side of the couch. “Lines have been crossed. This is inappropriate on every level. I’m sure Alexander will not be happy to hear about this.”

He stands and buttons his gray suit jacket, a roguish grin surfacing, reminding me of Alexander when he wants to have sex. “You won’t be telling Alex anything about this meeting. My son and I have a few wrinkles to work through, but you wouldn’t want to be responsible for ruining the relationship we have built. Right, Ms. Grayson?”

Fisting my robe at the neck, I ask, “Why did you come here? To threaten me, to get me in line with whatever scheme you have going on?”

“I came here to offer you a job. I think you’d be an asset to me.”

My mouth falls open. “Doing what?”

“You have a way with people.”

“You don’t know anything about me.”

Sliding his hands into his pockets, he replies, “I know quite a bit about you. I know you’re often late to psychology on Thursdays because you stop for your weekly treat—a coffee at the campus coffeehouse. You were late paying your car insurance two months in a row recently. The teaching assistant last year in history hit on you twice, and you never told Alex. And your dad’s stroke two years ago happened after you told him you wanted to live with Alex.” He looks pleased with himself, his arrogance dripping from the corner of his devious grin. “You may stay in my house, but you don’t live here. Why is it that you and my son never followed through with that move-in plan?”

I gulp, his words, the memories hard to process. “Are you following me?”

“Follow might be too narrow of a word. Information comes my way and who am I to deny it.”

“You’re a horrible man.”

Sighing, he says, “I expected more from you.”

“If I’m such a disappointment, then why would you want me to work for you?”

“I’m glad you asked. We’ll be transitioning as we begin selling divisions of the company. Although no one should know, I understand that Alex has confided in you. Since you know, your skills could be utilized through various departments that struggle with change.”

“Nothing with you comes easy. What are you really offering?”

“A chance to be a part of this family.”

“I don’t need to be a part of this family. I only need Alexander.”

He steps closer, and by instinct, I want to move back, but I stay to hold my ground. Reaching for me, he touches my cheek. I cringe and turn away, but his fingertips stay and move slowly down my cheek until he’s grasping my neck. “So beautiful.”

My breath freezes in my throat. I can’t take it, and I move away. Hating that I give him power, I walk to the door with my head down. I open it, and with my back to him say, “Leave before Alexander finds you here.”

“I’ve made sure he’s preoccupied. You might remember Carinna? The woman from the party.”

My head whips to the left, my gaze over my shoulder hitting his. Lies. Don’t believe him. “I’ve never failed a test, Mr. Kingwood, and I don’t intend to now.”

“Carinna said the same thing. She was quite taken with my son, and he for her, and yet, I still took her from behind while she was bent over my desk, her lipstick smeared across a contract she was so sure I would sign.”

My fear swells inside. With my hand shaking, I grip the doorknob tightly to hide the emotions Alexander told me to bury for protection. “You raped her?”

“I think you’ve missed the point of our meeting, Ms. Grayson. Carinna Halifax wanted something. She used her assets to obtain it. I benefitted from both—the deal and the assets. To be blunt, no, I did not rape her. She’d be in my bed now if I allowed it, but I have other ideas for my bed.” He moves behind me. His breath creeps along the back of my neck, making the hair stand on end. “I wasn’t hitting on you earlier, but that was before I saw the dampness on your skin and wondered how wet you were between your legs.”

Spinning around, I put my hands up as a barrier. “You need to back up, or I will scream at the top of my lungs.” He chuckles, his amusement angering me. “Leave.”

Reaching forward, I flinch, my eyes squeezing closed. “Now, now, Sara Jane. I can call you Sara Jane, right?” His knuckles brush against one of my breasts. My hand goes flying, knocking it away as I stare into his sinister eyes. “Don’t you ever touch me again.”

He licks his lips. “I see the way your nipples respond to me, so sharp against the fabric. Your breath is deepening. Your eyes are dilated. You’re wild and yet can be tamed. Alexander has done well with you. Your compliance is necessary, Sara Jane, but your beauty is a bonus.” He takes a few steps back and shoves his hands in his pockets. “You fair very well under critical tests. I wonder if Alex will.”

Carinna. She is Alex’s setup. How dare he. My heart still races, but my head is in the game. “Before testing people, you should study your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. I’m no damsel in distress, and I refuse to believe the lies you’ve concocted about Alexander.”

“I’m well aware of your strengths and weakness. What I’m surprised to learn is that you’re my opponent. I mistakenly thought with Alex as a common denominator, we could be allies.”

I open the door wide and move to the side. “I won’t sell my soul for a paycheck,” I say adamantly, but I’d sell it to protect Alexander.

Stopping next to me, he eyes me from the side. “My apologies for making assumptions.” He walks into the hall. “Good day, Ms. Grayson.”

I shut the door and lean against the thick wood, locking it under my arm. My breath is shaking like my hands. If there’s anything I must do, it’s to make sure Alexander doesn’t become his father. Yet, I can see him slipping into the role so easily.

Pushing off the door, I go to the closet once my breath is calmer, more even. I have no idea how I went from a school girl to the woman I am now—determined to do anything to save the one I love—but I know I’m ready to take on the role.

I can’t tell Alexander about his father. He’s too volatile to handle it rationally. No, I must keep this under lock and key, safely inside of me. He must never know. The situation has been handled. It’s over. I’m good. Stronger for it.

While I get dressed, I realize the answer is right in front of me. Staring at a photo of Alexander and me, a simple black frame wrapped around the innocence of a black and white photo, it’s easy to see how we were once such different people. He looks youthful, something I never noticed when we were teenagers. Carrying both his mother’s death and his father’s spurning, he was already older than his years when we met. What I thought was a carefree smile still lights up my world, but it’s something I haven’t seen in too long.

Walking out, I finish getting dressed and ready for school. How can I bring that smile back?

* * *

I’m tapped on the shoulder. “Are you okay?”

My daydreams were getting the better of me. I turn around to Cal, who’s sitting behind me in the auditorium, and ask, “What?”

He leans down and whispers, “Are you okay after the other day?”

“I’m fine.” There’s no conviction to my answer. Even I don’t believe me. I turn back to face the Smartboards up front, hoping it’s enough to end the questioning.

“Was that your boyfriend?”

I nod slowly. “Yes.”

“Look, I’m not trying to pry or anything, but you should be careful. I’ve seen guys like him before. It never gets better.”

Turning around again, my eyes narrow, and his goes wide. Whispering, this time with conviction, I set him straight, “I appreciate the concern, but I’ve known him since I was seventeen. I don’t have to be careful around him.”

“That’s a long time.”

“Yes, it is. Why are we still talking about this? I’m fine. Really.”

“It was just something in the way he looked at you—”

Losing patience, I struggle to keep my voice low. “How did he look at me, Cal?”

“Like he’d rather kill you than let anyone else have you.”

My lips part in shock from his answer. “You think he’d kill me?”

“I didn’t say that. I said he looked at you in a way that said you were unmistakably and solely his.”

“You could tell that by the way he looked at me?”

“Everyone on campus could tell that.”

Oh, Alexander. My sweet, determined man. “Our relationship is complicated—”

“Clearly.”

Now annoyed, I’m quick to add, “I was going to also say, but there’s no one I trust more with my life.”

He glances to the front of the room and back to me. “I’m not judging. My sister was in a complicated relationship, so I understand more than you think. If you ever need to talk to someone, you can talk to me, Sara Jane.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m fine. We’re fine.” When I turn around, I vow to ignore him the rest of the semester. I don’t need outside observers causing me trouble or putting strange, misconstrued thoughts in my head. Anyway, I’m not so sure that I don’t look at Alexander that same way.

* * *

“Hello, I’m here to see Alexander Kingwood.” I need to see him. I need to talk to him, to touch him, to hold him. To cement myself to him in ways that I never felt I had to before today. Others have done this to me. Alexander and I are just fine.

“You’re Sara Jane. Hi, I’m Kimberly. We met very briefly at a holiday office party two years ago.”

Her welcoming smile and warm greeting elicits mine. “Yes, I remember now. How are you?”

“Very well. Thank you. How have you been?”

“Busy with school, but good.”

“Alexander talks about you all the time.” Her smile softens. “You’ve got him wrapped around your little finger.”

My cheeks feel hot from hearing he speaks to others about me. “I don’t know about that, but things are good.”

She stands and looks through the glass door toward the cubicles that fill the next room. “That’s great to hear.” When she sits back down, she says, “He was in a meeting, but I think he’s out now. You can go back.”

“Thank you; good to see you again.”

“Yes, you too.” I open the door and enter the large space. I’ve been here several times, but it’s been a while. Weaving my way toward the back, I see Alexander.

He’s on the phone with his back to me. I overhear him say, “I’ll be there. Nine sharp.”

A throat is cleared and Cruise says, “Hey Sara Jane, what brings you around?”

Alexander spins in his chair and when he sees me, he stands up, looking all kinds of guilty. “Hey, Firefly.” Taking me by the upper arms, he brings me in for a kiss. It feels like a distraction from the phone call, but I don’t want to lay into him right off the bat. After all, trust is a two-way street.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you today, so I wanted to stop by and see if you wanted to grab dinner before I have to meet up for my group project.”

“Yes,” he replies, grabbing his suit jacket from the hook of his cubicle wall. His eyes hit Cruise, a silent message exchanged.

Something’s going on, and I’m about to find out. “Do you need to wrap up or anything?”

“Nope. Let’s go.”

When he turns to shut down his computer, Cruise takes a call. I look around at the employees on the phone, closing up for the day. But then my eyes meet the ones I’ve tried to forget. Mr. Kingwood stands in his office, glass dividing us, and stares straight at me. His hand comes up in a small wave before I look away. “I can wait out in reception if you need more time.”

“No, I’m ready.” Alexander peeks back at me and smiles again. I dare to glance up one more time. This time his father is gone, and I release a breath in relief.

“Are you okay?” Alexander is staring at me, looking concerned. I can tell from the way he searches my eyes, he knows something is up. But he drops it. His hand covers my lower back and guides me toward the door. “Talk later, Cruise,” he says as we pass.

“Later.”