Page 54 of Midnight Wishes

Noticing her reservation, Alex continued, his voice low and soothing. ‘You are so talented. And frankly, I find it upsetting that you’re stuck painting Labradors when you’re capable of that.’ He gestured vaguely at the easel behind him, where his painting still stood on display. ‘We both know this world. And we know it’s not a meritocracy. Your work deserves to be seen. You just need help getting your foot in the door. Think about it this way—one day when you’re as famous as you should be, I can sell that and recoup my investment and then some.’ His lips kicked up on the side.

Sarah tried and failed to tamp down the affection fluttering in her chest. Because somehow, between fucking her on every surface of his house, he’d come to know her. To know how to approach her. What she needed to hear. And the easiest way to hide that affection was to default to their usual dynamic. ‘You overpaid me for the painting, you know.’

The bank notification had come through with one zero more than her invoice.

‘I paid you what it’s worth. I did some investigating. And I was not paying less than half what you charge for painting a dog.’ An air of distraction coated his final words as he checked his beeping watch. ‘Shit, I’m running late. Traffic will be anightmare tonight. Can I pick you up at six?’ His words sped up while he moved to grab the painting.

‘I can get the trai—’

‘I’ll pick you up at six,’ he said firmly, one last blinding smile making her heart explode before he disappeared out the door, canvas in hand.

The pink box still lay on the counter, her name on it in Alex’s bold handwriting.

When she opened it, she found a set of handcuffs in soft, lilac-coloured leather and a note:

These seemed more your style - A x

Chapter 26

ALEX

Same Risk | Madi Diaz

‘Erik, can youplease tell your brother to stop pacing like he’s scared to ask his crush to the prom?’

Abby sat curled into his brother’s side, nose tucked into a romance novel while Erik watched a repeat of that afternoon’s grand prix qualifying. Alex chose to ignore the nerve of her complaining about his behaviourin his house.

Somewhat.

‘Erik, can you please tell your fiancée to stop being an annoying—’ Alex broke off as steely grey eyes turned to glare at him over the back of the sofa. It never failed to be jarring when his otherwise mild-mannered brother turned aggressively protective on a dime. ‘I’m nervous, okay? It’s been a while since I’ve had an actual date, and longer since I’ve had one I care about. And I’m pretty sure I’ve never had one where the woman is unaware that itisa date.’

Green eyes popped up next to Erik’s. ‘A word of advice? Let her see that. You know you’re outrageously charming. You alsoknow that hasn’t worked on her. AndIknow that’s not all there is to you. If you want her to let you in, you’re going to have to be vulnerable with her. You’re kind, Alex. You’re thoughtful. Even if you thought—still think—I’m an annoying little shit, you always looked out for me when we were kids. You look out for me now, even if I don’t need you to.

‘Let her see the guy who commissioned a handmade Taylor Swift cardigan for my birthday present, because my favourite album didn’t have one. Not the overgrown frat boy you portray yourself as.’

Alex stared at her for a second, uncertain where to put the affection he had for her. ‘Ew,’ was eventually what came out.

Delicate features scrunched up. ‘I know. Remember what I said, just forget that I said it.’

‘You know it’s okay for you two to like each other, right?’ Erik deadpanned, attention back on the cars whirring around Zandvoort.

‘Nah.’ Abby stuck her tongue out at Alex, as if she wasn’t twenty-six years old, and he responded in kind, as if he wasn’t three years older. ‘You’d better get going if you want to stop for flowers on the way.’

‘Shit.Flowers. How did I not think of flowers?’ Alex muttered as he walked out, already searching for the nearest florist that would still be open. A moment of panic came when his call connected in the car and they asked what he wanted. Tulips were out of season. Roses were too much. Then a brief conversation with his tattoo artist flashed to the front of his mind. He rattled off the names of wildflowers, and fifty-five minutes and a brief stop later, he was knocking on Sarah’s door.

Alex lost the ability to say more than a strangled‘hi’when he looked up from the heeled boots that appeared in the doorway and found her sheathed in a black satin wrap dress that dipped low in the front and tied into a bow at her waist. She looked like a present. Breathing didn’t become any easier when he reached her face and found her full lips the colour of a rich red wine.

It had been too long since he’d kissed her. Two days suddenly felt like a lifetime.

‘You got me flowers?’ She frowned. He waited a beat too long to answer, mind still reeling from the sight of her. ‘Aleksander.’

‘Right. Yes.’ He thrust them towards her and settled his face into an easy smile. ‘Figured this should feel like a date from the beginning. For authenticity’s sake.’

‘They’re beautiful,’ she said softly.

And before he could stop himself, Alex was responding, ‘So are you.’

It ought not to have been a big deal. He’d told her countless times that she was stunning or sexy or gorgeous. Needed to say it as much as he suspected she needed to hear it. But…never beautiful, apparently. Because if he’d ever seen the way she smiled in response—half exasperated, half pleased, all radiant—he’d have been calling her that every day.

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