Chapter 2
The alcohol and the sudden excitement made my mind go totally blank.
I could catch that clean cedar scent on Alex, and feel the warmth radiating from his chest and the strong, steady beat of his heart.
Exciting? This was way beyond exciting. It was like partying in a danger zone.
If Ethan ever found out, he'd be completely furious.
That thought ignited in my mind like a wildfire, scorching away every shred of reason I had left.
I lifted my gaze, meeting Alex's deep, intense eyes. "Mr. Carter, do you think you can afford this?"
Alex let out a low, rumbling chuckle that sent a jolt right through my chest. "Try me and see."
As soon as he said that, he cradled me in his arms and strode straight toward the lounge at the back of the private room.
He slammed the door shut with a kick.
The world spun as he threw me onto the soft bed.
My red dress fanned out around me like a blooming flower.
He yanked off his tie, unbuttoning his shirt with slow, deliberate movements as he stalked toward me.
Those eyes that usually looked at everyone with cold indifference were now locked on me like a wolf zeroing in on its prey, full of aggression and possessiveness.
"Nice dress," Alex murmured, his voice rough. "But honestly, I like it even better off you."
*****
When I woke up the next morning, my whole body felt like I'd been completely dismantled and rebuilt overnight.
No one else was on the bed, but the warmth still lingered.
On the nightstand, there was a glass of water and a note.
The note was written in bold, sweeping handwriting: [I really enjoyed it last night. My number: xxxxxx.]
What was this, a five-star review from a hookup with after-sales service?
I scoffed, got up, and walked into the bathroom.
In the mirror, my neck and collarbone were streaked with red marks.
The wild, reckless version of myself from last night felt like a total stranger, and it honestly scared me.
But at the same time, it also thrilled me to the core.
I took a shower and got dressed. Then I tore the note into tiny pieces and flushed them down the toilet.
Alex and I both knew this was an unspoken game between us.
As soon as I left the hotel and slid into my car, Ethan texted me: [Where were you last night? I called and you didn't answer.]
He sounded so casual, like he had nothing to feel guilty about.
I started the engine and only texted several words: [Let's get a divorce.]
Then I blocked Ethan without a second thought.
Back at the house Ethan and I shared, I started packing up my stuff.
I didn't have much. One suitcase was enough to hold everything I owned.
Just as I was about to leave with my suitcase, the door swung open.
Ethan stood there, looking exhausted. When he saw the suitcase at my feet, he frowned.
"Yolanda, what's your problem now?" he said.
I couldn't even be bothered to talk to him. I brushed past, heading for the door.
But Ethan suddenly grabbed my wrist, and his grip was really strong.
"I told you, Ruth is sick. Can't you be a little more understanding? Do you have to be so unreasonable?" he said.
Understanding? Whoever gave a damn about me, then? Three years married to Ethan, and I'd felt like some lonely housekeeper, living like a widow.
I yanked my hand free and shot him a cold look. "Ethan, we're done.
"My lawyer will send you the divorce agreement."
With that, I walked out with my suitcase, not even glancing back.
Ethan's furious voice rang out behind me. "Yolanda, if you walk out that door, don't even think about coming back!"
I didn't even slow down.
Who the hell would want to come back to this damn place, anyway?
I dragged my suitcase along, but had nowhere to go. Before I even realized it, I found myself dialing that damn number that kept echoing in my mind.
The call connected almost instantly, and it was quiet on the other end. "Hello?"
It was that same deep, husky voice.
I took a deep breath. "Mr. Carter, do you... happen to need a maid at your place?"
There was a brief pause, and then a low, amused chuckle sounded. "Yeah, I need one. But only for bedroom duties."
*****
I ended up moving into Alex's penthouse.
The place was pure minimalist—black, white, and gray everywhere. It felt cold and lifeless, just like Alex himself.
We laid down some ground rules.
In public, we were total strangers.
He was Ethan's best friend, and I was Ethan's ex-wife.
But behind closed doors, we were the most intimate kind of enemies.
He gave me shelter, and I helped him vent his desires.
It was a no-strings-attached arrangement.
*****
A week later, I met Ethan at a café to discuss the divorce settlement.
When I arrived, he was already there, looking sullen.
"Yolanda, are you done making a fuss? Come home with me," Ethan said.
I slid the document from my lawyer across the table to him. "Sign it."
Ethan didn't even glance at the document and directly knocked it off the table. "You think a lawyer's gonna scare me? Alright, if you want a divorce, sure. But you're leaving with nothing."
Leave with nothing? Keep dreaming. As if I didn't know about all those assets he'd gotten stashed overseas.
Just as I was about to speak, the café's doorbell jingled.
Alex walked in.
He was rocking a sharp, custom suit, with a pack of assistants following close behind. He looked like he owned the place.
He strode right past us to the table next door, not even sparing me a glance.
But the moment he took his seat, our eyes locked for a heartbeat.
His gaze was meaningful.
I snapped my gaze away, but my heart was pounding like crazy.