Page 12 of Wicked God
“She’s not my fiancée. Not yet. And honestly, I don’t even know her. She’s just a name, a photograph, a deal brokered by our families. I’m planning to refuse anyway.”
A thousand reasons to decline parade through my mind. But then I look at Alex’s hand, at the way his fingers curl slightly, inviting me to take a leap I haven’t dared in years. His gaze is steady, unflinching, as if he already knows I’m going to say yes. And maybe he does. Perhaps he sees the cracks in my facade, the way I’ve been holding myself together with sheer willpower and desperation.
Maybe running away for one night isn’t the answer, but it might be exactly what I need. A few hours where I don’t have to be anyone but myself.
“One night,” I say quietly.
His smile transforms him, erasing the tension I hadn’t noticed before. “One night,” he agrees.
I take his hand.
Chapter 6
Olivia
I’ve never been one to run from my problems, yet here I am, slipping through the grand ballroom with Alex as if we’ve done this a hundred times before.
His hand is warm and solid around mine as he guides us through clusters of gossiping socialites and champagne-wielding donors. I catch a glimpse of Cassandra across the room; she’s engrossed in a conversation with a distinguished older gentleman. I quicken my pace, eager to slip away before she notices my impromptu exit.
The last thing I need is her protective instincts kicking in, demanding to know where I’m going with a stranger I just met. Though knowing Cassandra, she’d probably applaud my spontaneity while simultaneously lecturing me about stranger danger.
The cool evening air hits my face as we step outside, a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere of the ballroom. The valet brings around a sleek black Aston Martin, and I raise an eyebrow.
“Nice ride.”
“It’s fast.” He opens the passenger door for me. The gesture is old-fashioned, gentlemanly, and completely at odds with the reckless decision we’re both making.
I slide into the leather seat, the scent of expensive car interior mixing with his cologne and making me dizzy. Or maybe that’s just the champagne. Or the adrenaline of doing something completely insane with a man I met twenty minutes ago.
“Where to?” he asks, settling behind the wheel. The car purrs to life with a low, throaty rumble that I feel in my bones.
“Surprise me.”
He gives me a sideways glance, something wicked flickering in his grey eyes. “Dangerous words, Olivia.”
The way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine. I should be terrified—I’m in a car with a complete stranger, no one knows where I’m going, and I’ve abandoned all common sense for the sake of one night of escape. Instead, I am more alive than I have been in weeks.
This is either going to be the best decision I’ve made all week or the worst.
“I’m feeling dangerous tonight,” I admit, settling back into the plush leather seat.
Alex pulls away from the curb, navigating through the city streets as the lights blur past my window. The silence between us isn’t awkward. It’s charged. Electric. I steal glances at his profile as he drives, noting the strong line of his jaw, the way his fingers grip the steering wheel with casual confidence.
I never thought I’d find a man driving hot, but here I am, caught by the slow flex of muscle along Alex’s forearms as he shifts gears.
We drive through the heart of Empire Heights, past the gleaming skyscrapers and upscale boutiques that define our social world. But instead of heading toward the exclusive restaurants or private clubs where someone like Alex would typically take a date, he turns toward the harbor district.
“The marina?” I ask.
“You’ll see,” he says cryptically.
I raise an eyebrow at him but don’t press further. Instead, I write a short message to Cassandra letting her know I’m feeling unwell and will be heading home early. It’s vague enough to avoid questions but specific enough to keep her from panicking. I don’t mention Alex.
The car glides through the city, the lights blurring into streaks of gold and white. I catch glimpses of my reflection in the window, my face half-lit by the glow of the streets. I look lighter. Like the weight of the world has been momentarily lifted from my shoulders.
“You’re quiet,” Alex says after a while, his voice breaking the silence.
“I’m just... thinking.” I turn to face him. “This is so unlike me.”
