Page 70 of Alex

No. Hell no. There’s no way that’s what happened, because Alex isn’t like that. He’s not innocent, but he wouldn’t steal someone’s girlfriend just to get the upper hand. Would he?

I close my eyes and try to push the nagging feeling to the back of my mind.

If Bianca was a game to Alex, what am I? A joke?Someone to help prove that he’s responsible and ready to take over part of the company?

No. Just stop. Alex really likes me and I like him. My thoughts are spiraling, and I’m only thinking of the worst.

I take a deep breath and open my eyes. Turning my attention to Alex, our gazes lock. He looks curious, hopeful, and turned on.

Risking a glance down at his pants, I quickly look away as a very noticeable bulge gets bigger.

His elbow nudges mine, but I don’t turn to face him. I continue to stare out my window as Mr. Strickland flies over a forest.

Knowing there isn’t another forest between the city and home, I sit up straighter. The beach should be coming into sight soon.

“Elise.” Alex’s voice comes through my headset.

I turn to look at him. The edges of his eyes crinkle as his smile gets bigger.

“Yes?” I whisper, not wanting Mr. Strickland to hear our conversation.

He holds his hand out for me with his palm up. I give him a questioning look before he drops his hand on my thigh. He opens his mouth to speak, but I shake my head.

‘I don’t want your dad to hear.’ I mouth, hoping he can read my lips.

He bounces his hand on my thigh to get my attention down there. His hand opens and closes several times before I understand what he’s wanting.

Laughing, I put my hand in his, and he closes his fingers around mine. We sit like this for several minutes until I can see the deep blue ocean.

Mr. Strickland lands the helicopter and flips a few switches to turn off the helicopter. The three of us unbuckle ourselves and step out into the warm sun.

Alex grabs our bags, and Mr. Strickland grabs his bag before we head our separate ways.

I follow Alex to his car. He unlocks the car doors and places our bags in the trunk. I sink into the luxurious leather seats and wait for him to join me.

Before he can start the car and drive off, I say, “I’ve been thinking a lot over the past two days.”

He turns his upper half toward me and places his hand on my leg.

A small smile forms on my face. “I hate the idea of lying to your dad. One because I need this job. And two, because I think this situation is more serious and time sensitive.”

He winces as I state my opinion, but he doesn’t interrupt.

“But as long as whatever you plan on doing doesn’t interfere with my job, then your secret is safe with me. That’s my one and only condition. Don’t cause me to lose my job.”

Alex sighs. “Thank you, Elise. I promise you won’t lose your job.”

“Then consider this matter settled.” I won’t tell Mr. Strickland, but Alex and I can move on and hopefully talk about things on our timeline.

He wants to say more, but he waits until his dad’s car drives off. “And what about us?”

Didn’t we just figure this out? I’m not going to tell anyone what happened, and Alex is going to keep Adam from trying to sabotage this merger.

“What about us?” I ask, needing some clarification.

His brows tighten as he stares at me with a blank expression. “Elise.”

“Alex.” I say his name in the same tone that he just said mine.

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