“Wait,” he replied quietly, tightening his hold instead.
His lips roamed her neck more insistently now. His mouth lingered longer, his tongue sweeping over sensitive skin before his lips followed, sealing each kiss with quiet urgency. His breath grew uneven, warm against her throat, and each kiss pulled a shaky breath from her in return.
Just when she felt like she might break, he finally pulled away.
His gaze lingered on her neck, dark and heated.
“We’ll continue later,” he said hoarsely. “Let’s make this quick.”
She frowned at him, but he ignored it, smiling faintly instead. He leaned down, brushed a brief kiss over her lips, then pulled back. A moment later, he opened the car door and stepped out, turning to extend his hand toward her.
Mia hesitated for a brief second before placing her hand in his. His fingers closed around hers immediately as he helped her step out of the car. The moment her feet touched the ground, his hand shifted to her lower back, guiding her forward. Together, they walked toward the store in front of them.
Mia’s steps slowed as she looked up, surprise flickering across her face. The storefront was dressed in soft pastel walls, adorned with delicate flowers and lace decorations. It looked almost dreamy. Above the glass entrance, an elegant board read Adore.
She glanced through the glass, her brows knitting slightly. Inside were plush couches and a glittering chandelier, but nothing thatclearly revealed what kind of shop it was. The place felt more like a refined lounge than a store.
Before she could ask, Alexander didn’t stop at the seating area, nor did he slow his stride. His grip on her hand remained firm as he led her straight past the couches.
An assistant approached them immediately, bowing slightly. “Mr. Graves,” she greeted with a polite smile. She was blonde and pretty, her expression warm yet professional.
Without pause, she led them down a short corridor and into a private room.
The moment Mia stepped inside, her pace faltered. Her fingers tightened reflexively at her side as her eyes widened.
The room was luxurious yet intimate—chairs and a table arranged neatly in the center, racks of dresses lining the walls. Mannequins stood nearby, each displaying an elegant white gown that looked too beautiful to touch.
Alexander turned toward the assistant and lifted a hand in a silent, dismissive gesture. She immediately understood. Without a word, she bowed again and slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
The quiet that followed felt heavy.
Mia turned to him sharply, confusion tightening her features. Her brows drew together, and her fingers curled unconsciously at her sides. “Mr. Graves… where are we?”
Alexander met her gaze without hesitation. “Didn’t you keep saying we don’t have a proper marriage?” he said calmly. “So we’re going to have one now.”
Her breath caught mid-inhale, sharp and involuntary. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
“Choose a dress,” he continued, his tone even, almost businesslike. “We’ll be getting married soon.”
Panic flashed across her face. She yanked her hand free and took a step back, her head shaking. “What—no—”
Alexander moved immediately. In two strides, he closed the distance between them, his hands settling firmly on her shoulders, stopping her retreat. One hand slid up, his fingers lifting her chin, forcing her trembling gaze back to his.
“Mia,” he said softly, his thumb brushing beneath her jaw. “Don’t refuse.”
His voice wavered—just enough for her to feel it—and that slight crack made her chest tighten.
“The only thing I ever wanted was you,” he continued, his eyes locked onto hers. “I’ve never wanted anything as much as I wanted you.” His grip tightened slightly. “I did everything I could to keep you… because I couldn’t bear to lose you again.”
Her chest tightened, breath shallow.
“I lied because I was afraid of scaring you away,” he admitted quietly. His forehead dipped closer to hers. “I’ve loved you for years—long before you ever knew my name. That’s why I have those photos.”
He leaned in, lowering his voice.
“Please forgive me for hiding the truth. But don’t hate me for loving you.”
His words dropped into a whisper.
