Chapter 1

I'd been sleeping with Alexander Hayes for six years, and his replies to my texts were always perfunctory.

Just a "Mm," "Oh," or "Hm." That was all I ever got.

One of his friends snickered at me. "Alexander's just too proud to let his guard down. If you're tired of chasing him, just give it up."

Alexander shot him a cold look. "Mind your own business."

In everyone's eyes, I was just simping for Alexander for six years straight.

I cut them off with a smile. "Yeah, I'm done chasing."

Besides, I'd already had my fill.

My family had made it clear: if I couldn't win Alexander over, I'd have to obediently go on those blind dates.

*****

I had one last night with Alexander.

As we were getting dressed, he asked, "You didn't really mean it when you said you were done chasing me, did you?"

Alexander lit a post-sex cigarette and continued, "Charlotte, you know someone with your background can't get into the Hayes family."

"Yeah," I replied.

"And we're out of condoms. Make sure you buy some next time," Alexander added.

I laughed. "Alexander, you don't really bother reading my texts, do you?"

He paused, picked up his phone, and glanced at it.

Fair enough. No matter what I texted him, he'd just hit me back with some throwaway reply.

I used to give him a hard time about it, but he'd just shrug and say, "If it was really important, you'd call me."

I never did. In his eyes, nothing about me was ever urgent.

Alexander put his phone down and gave a sly smirk. "So, what do you mean by 'breakup fuck'?"

I finished slipping on my shoes, messing with my phone as I said, "It's not really a breakup. It's not like we ever had anything real between us."

But Alexander was top-notch in bed. And his stamina was impressive.

Honestly, with all that, it was totally worth it.

I flashed my phone at him. "All our chat history's gone, Mr. Hayes. No worries."

Alexander kept a straight face. "I've never publicly admitted to having a girlfriend, Charlotte. Honestly, you were this close.

"But I can't stand women who get all dramatic."

"Oh, that's an honor, and a bit of a shame," I said.

It was during work hours. I was waiting for the elevator when my mom called out of the blue.

"Sweetie, find some time to come home for a blind date," my mom said.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside.

When I looked up, I saw Alexander standing there, all dressed up in a sharp suit.

My mom kept pushing on the phone. "This guy is tall. His last name's Eland, over six foot three, and he's really handsome. He's totally your type."

The elevator was small, and my mom's voice echoed inside.

Alexander didn't say a word, just asked, "Which floor?"

"Sixteenth, thanks," I replied.

I turned the volume down on my phone.

"Okay, Mom. The day after tomorrow works. I have a day off, so I can come home," I said.

My mom finally hung up.

Someone's eyes were practically burning into my back.

Alexander finally spoke up. "Charlotte, your team's merger proposal has some flaws. Drop by my office later and we'll go over it."

I nodded respectfully. "Yes, Mr. Hayes."

The Hayes Group was a corporate giant, and they kept an army of lawyers on payroll.

I was part of that team. That was actually how I first crossed paths with Alexander.

Alexander didn't like people knowing about us.

At first, I didn't get it. But I always addressed him as "Mr. Hayes" and never crossed any boundaries.

Later, I finally understood what he meant.

We were just sleeping together, nothing more. We only talked when we were in bed, nothing more, nothing less.

When I walked into Alexander's office, he had his back to me, and behind him, I caught a flash of bright red.

A woman was pinned between him and the desk, their lips locked in a heated kiss.

Alexander was wearing a shirt that hugged his back muscles, showing off those killer lines.

He had got it all. He was intense, and he knew how to have a good time.

But above all, Alexander was a real player. He always ended things clean, no drama and no mess.

Alexander would drop you and have someone new in his bed before you even knew it.

I stepped back and gave the door a firm knock. "Mr. Hayes."

Alexander turned around and released the woman he was holding.

The woman smoothed her hair and straightened her clothes. She gave me a quick glance, grabbed the new luxury item from the desk, and walked out.

Alexander straightened his tie and lit up a cigarette. "I only smoke when you're here.

"If it were anyone else in my office, I wouldn't even take a drag. I gotta keep up the image."

I nodded. "Your office, your rules, Mr. Hayes."

Alexander asked offhandedly, "Did you catch the woman who just left?"