She shook her head gently. “No… I’m not hungry.”
Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Before she could react, he closed the distance between them, and his lips claimed hers, stealing her breath. Mia’s eyes widened in surprise before fluttering shut.
“Alexander,” she murmured, half-laughing, her voice breathless.
His hands slid to her sides, holding her as if she were something precious he had waited far too long to touch.
“Since you don’t want to eat,” he whispered against her lips, burning with desire, “let me eat you.”
Chapter 16 The Missing Pages
The next morning, Alexander woke early.
The house was still, wrapped in silence—until the sharp sound of the doorbell rang through it.
His eyes snapped open.
He glanced immediately at Mia, still sleeping peacefully beside him, her breathing soft and steady. Frowning, he reached out and gently covered her ears with his hand, shielding her from the sound. She shifted slightly but didn’t wake.
Satisfied, he slipped out of bed carefully.
He pulled on casual trousers and a T-shirt, movements quick but quiet, then padded downstairs, irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior. He moved fast, determined not to let whoever it was ring again and disturb her sleep.
As he opened the front door, he stopped short.
Sawyer stood outside, dressed neatly in office attire, expression sharp and alert.
Sawyer’s eyes swept over Alexander in one slow, assessing glance.
“Don’t you have work?” Sawyer asked coolly. “What are you doing staying home on a Monday?”
Alexander stepped aside and opened the door wider. “Come in,” he said lightly. “Don’t scold me while standing at the door—you’ll tire yourself out.”
He turned and led the way inside.
Sawyer followed, his gaze sweeping through the living room the moment he crossed the threshold. His eyes lingered on the high ceilings, the clean lines of the furniture, the quiet luxury woven into every detail. Nothing was excessive, yet nothing was lacking either. It was the kind of space that spoke of power without needing to announce it.
“Your house is… quite big,” Sawyer commented, tone neutral but edged with curiosity. After a brief pause, he added, “Bigger than mine.”
Alexander smiled, slow and casual, a trace of smug satisfaction slipping through. “Of course,” he replied lightly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Sawyer continued to look around, his expression unreadable, as though he were silently checking for anything out of place—anything that might suggest neglect.
“I was worried,” he said at last, sounding almost offhand, “that Mia might be living in a small, shabby house. Especially if your family didn’t accept her for coming from a smaller household.”
“My mother gifted Mia six houses,” Alexander said calmly, as though discussing the weather. “Two are in this city. The rest are abroad. I also transferred this house in her name the day we got married.”
Sawyer blinked, then his expression softened a fraction. “Good,” he said. “I like Mrs. Graves. When I meet her, I’ll thank her personally.”
Alexander nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“You can meet her at the party Mia and I will host for our wedding,” he said smoothly. “I’ll make sure it’s grand.”
Sawyer’s gaze flicked back to him, sharper now. “Where is Mia?”
“She’s sleeping,” Alexander answered immediately. His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the firmness beneath it. “I don’t want to wake her.”
