The sunlight reflected off the shiny car body, but his eyes weren’t on her. They were locked on the man beside her—sharp, burning, deadly. A cold, seething rage simmered in his stare, so intense it made the air feel heavier.
Mia’s heart jumped painfully. She quickly turned her gaze away and pointed toward the restaurant.
“Let’s go over there,” she said quickly, her voice tight.
But they barely took two steps when Alexander’s voice cut through the street, terrifyingly calm.
“Go on a date with him,” he called out, “and I will drive him over with my car.”
He said it like a simple fact, but the threat beneath the words made the air crackle. His eyes burned into her and Steve, cold and blazing at the same time.
Steve stiffened instantly. His face went pale.
Without even looking at Mia again, he stepped away from her and practically rushed across the street toward the restaurant alone.
Mia spun around, fury burning hot in her chest as she glared at Alexander. “Mr. Graves,” she snapped, her breath shaking, “can you stop being so overbearing and rude?”
Alexander shut the car door with a low, controlled thud, the sound echoing through the parking lot. He straightened to his full height and walked toward her with long, powerful strides.
“You haven’t seen me being rude yet.”
Before she could blink, he reached her—and suddenly his shadow fell over her. Heat rolled off his body as he leaned down, his scent—clean, crisp, masculine—filling her lungs.
Then, without hesitation, Alexander scooped her straight into his arms.
“Ah—!” Mia yelped, her stomach flipping as her hands flew up, gripping the hard line of his neck to steady herself.
His hold didn’t waver. His arms were solid, muscles flexing effortlessly beneath her as he carried her toward the car like she weighed nothing.
He placed her in the backseat. The door shut with a decisive snap and she heard the lock click immediately after.
Her pulse spiked. She grabbed the handle urgently. It didn’t move.
A second later, she heard another click—the other door unlocking briefly.
Alexander slid inside, his tall frame filling the space. But the moment Mia pushed the door open to escape, his hand shot out. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, warm and undeniably strong.
“Stop it,” he murmured, tugging her back into the car.
He shut the door again—this time harder. The lock snapped into place.
In one smooth, dominant motion, he slid his arm behind her back and under her legs, lifting her off the seat once more and guiding her onto his lap. His thighs were solid beneath her, his breath warm against her cheek.
Her heart hammered.
His hand lifted, sliding into her hair, fingers curling at the back of her head. He leaned in, his face inches from hers.
Mia turned her face away at the last second.
His lips grazed her cheek anyway. The brief touch sent a shiver down her spine. He lingered there for a moment, inhaling softly near her skin before pulling back just enough to look at her.
His hand came to her chin, fingers firm but gentle as he turned her face toward him.
“Why are you running away from me?” he asked, his voice low, rough, like a quiet warning. “Is it fun to make me chase you?”
“I didn’t ask you to chase me, Mr. Graves,” she snapped, breathing unevenly. “I want you to leave me alone.”
“That is not going to happen,” he replied, his tone turning flat, cold—dangerously calm.
