Page 42 of Alex

I hurry back to my computer before I abandon my work and let him take me in the kitchen.

Chapter Twelve

ALEX

As the moviecredits scroll on the television screen, I yawn and glance at the clock on my end table.

It’s almost one in the morning and Elise is still upstairs working.

My dad is a complete asshole for making her work as much as she has been this week. Sure, he might pay his employees better than the jobs in town, but making her work this much is absurd.

It’s a miracle she hasn’t packed up her shit and quit yet.

Like Mom.

I shake that thought out of my head. Elise is nothing like Mom. She won’t leave us the way Mom did. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if she did, and I don’t think Dad could either.

After turning off my television, I head upstairs and sneak around the corner, leaning against the doorframe to her office.

The light from her computer monitor shines onher face, giving the smaller office a light glow. Her eyes look heavy, like she’s doing everything in her power to fight sleep.

She runs a hand through her hair and sighs before craning her neck to one side, then the other, to stretch the fatigue away.

Why is she torturing herself like this? Nothing is this important to lose an entire night’s sleep.

I clear my throat, announcing my presence. “Hey, you need sleep.”

She jumps at my voice, letting out a little yelp as she slaps her hand to her chest.

“Oh my God, Alex, you scared me.”

I chuckle. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I saw how late it was and wanted to come pry you away from work.”

She shakes her head. “Can’t right now. I’m trying to finish this tonight. I need to finish it.”

“The contract?”

She winces as she looks at me. “You know about the contract?”

Wanting to lighten the mood, I tease her. “Of course, I do. I’m the boss’s son.”

She rolls her eyes, and I let out a loud laugh. I only know about the contract because I overheard Dad on the phone.

Anger builds in my chest as I remember hearing Dad put all the blame on Elise. Sure, the delay might be because she messed up on a few of the sheets, but she’s been working close to eighteen hours a day.

Not to mention the change in scenery, the interruption of her normal habits, and trying to get the office here set up, while continuing to help Dad run the business.

It’s too much, but Elise doesn’t complain. She takes everything thrown at her in stride and works until she finishes everything that is asked.

“Come to bed.” I say in a soft tone.

It sounds like I’m inviting her to come fuck me, and as tempting as that sounds, she needs sleep more.

If I can somehow convince her to stop working so many hours, I’d love to take her out on an actual date, but until then, I’ll keep cooking her dinner since she seemed to love it last night.

She stops typing and glances at me. “I just need fifteen more minutes to finish and then I promise I’ll go to bed.”

Knowing she will probably find something else to work on after the contract, I counter. “Five minutes.”

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