Page 124 of Steel Beauty

“Yeah. That makes sense.”

In the kitchen, Alex hands me a steaming cup of coffee, a playful glint in his eyes. “Your java, my lady.”

I accept it with a smile, leaning against the counter as the warmth seeps into my hands. “Thank you, sir. Such chivalry this early in the morning.”

He mirrors my stance, leaning casually against the counter beside me. “Always gallant where you’re concerned.”

I smile over the rim of my coffee, the memory of last night tugging at the corners of my lips. “You were certainly gallant last night.”

His smirk deepens. “If by gallant you mean completely at your mercy, then yeah… that’s what I was.”

A smile tugs at my lips as I take a slow sip of my coffee, letting his words settle. So, we go a week without sex while observing fa’aaloalo at his grandparents’, and suddenly he’s reduced to a man who’s at my beck and call in the bedroom.

Duly noted.

Coffee in hand, we step out into the morning air. Alex opens the car door for me, the quiet gesture something I’ve come to cherish.

As we settle into the drive, the deep bass of a song I don’t recognize fills the car. Curious, I glance at the screen on the G-Wagon’s dash. “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA. The smooth blend of introspective verses and soulful vocals creates a vibe that feels both intimate and powerful. I tap my finger against my coffee cup in time with the beat, letting the music wrap around us like a cocoon.

Alex glances over, catching my small smile. “Finally coming around to my kind of music?”

I laugh softly. “Something like that.”

His gaze flickers back to the road. “Told you I have good taste.”

“Let’s not get carried away.”

He lets out a low chuckle, the sound blending with the music. “So, am I lucky enough to steal you away for dinner tonight, or do your coworkers get their turn with you?”

“You had me for an entire week. Did you not get your fill?”

“Of you? Never. I’d spend every second with you if I could.”

I can’t say that I’ll ever get my fill of him either. “All right, what’s the pitch? No takeout, no microwave meals—I have standards.”

“Perish the thought.”

“Consider it perished.”

“Fresh, chef-prepared cuisine, just for you. Candlelight, a little wine… and I promise we’ll be completely uninterrupted.”

I let the silence stretch, tapping my finger to the beat of the song like I’m really considering it, though the curve of my smile gives me away. “Hmm. Candlelight is tempting. But what’s the catch?”

“No catch. Just a perfect evening with me.”

Any evening with him is perfect. “You know, I don’t think I can say no to that.”

A slow smile of satisfaction spreads across his face. “I like the way you think.”

As we pull up to the office, Alex leans over, catching me by surprise with a soft kiss. There’s no rush in it, just the kind of tenderness that makes my heart flutter and my breath catch.

“Have a good day, favorite.”

I brush my fingers lightly over his hand, my smile growing. “You too, big guy. See you this evening.”

I step into Soul Sync’s building, the warmth of Alex’s kiss still buzzing through me. My mind drifts back to the car for a moment before Sophie’s and Whitney’s voices pull me back.

“Well, look who decided to return!” Sophie greets me with a quick hug, her energy as bubbly as ever. “Hope you had a restful week off.”

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