The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 108: “You don’t want to?”

[Alexander’s Penthouse — Late Night]

After spending the whole evening in the bar, all four of them decided to continue their conversation in Alexander’s apartment.

"I am telling you," Patricia pointed at Alexander with exaggerated seriousness, swaying slightly, "you are a very handsome man who is very lucky. You are blessed with not only wealth but also beauty and charm."

She sighed and dramatically grasped her chest. "You can make any woman lose control and make their hormones take a roller coaster ride."

Evelyn laughed so hard that she almost kicked Lucas while Alexander, who wasn’t used to getting such compliments, only smiled.

Lucas snorted as he dropped onto the couch. "She says this like she is handing out awards."

Evelyn laughed, leaning against the kitchen counter for balance. "What award is he getting exactly?"

Patricia squinted at Alexander as if evaluating him. "Best, tall, broody and surprisingly Decent Boyfriend."

Alexander raised a brow. "That is very specific."

"It’s competitive," Patricia said firmly. "You beat a lot of emotionally unavailable men for that title."

Lucas clutched his chest. "Wow, I didn’t even get nominated."

"That’s because you are chaos," Evelyn said cheerfully, pointing at him. "Fun chaos but still chaos."

Lucas gasped and placed his hand dramatically on his chest. "I am curated chaos."

Alexander poured water into glasses and handed one to Evelyn. "You are both drunk."

Patricia waved a dismissive hand. "No, no. I am honest."

She turned back to Alexander again and narrowed her eyes. "You know what I like about you?"

Alexander braced himself. "Should I be scared?"

"Yes," Lucas said immediately.

Patricia ignored him. "You look like you could ruin lives but instead you are out here worrying about whether Evelyn drank enough water."

Evelyn burst out laughing. "He does do that."

Alexander smiled and asked, "Do you also want water, Patricia?"

Patricia nodded. "I would be honoured."

When he handed her a glass of water too, Patricia announced loudly, "You are such a gentleman, no wonder Evelyn is in love with you."

Evelyn groaned, covering her face. "Patricia—"

Lucas leaned forward, grinning. "Okay, that’s my cue. Before she starts giving a speech."

Patricia blinked at him. "I was going to give a speech."

"And I am saving everyone from that," Lucas said, standing and offering her his arm. "Come on, I will drop you home safely before you declare Alexander the eighth wonder of the world."

She eyed him suspiciously. "You promise not to kidnap me?"

"Only emotionally," he replied smoothly.

Patricia laughed, looping her arm through his. "Fine but I am telling Evelyn everything tomorrow."

Evelyn waved them off, still smiling. "Please do."

Lucas paused at the door when Alexander called him.

"Take care of her," he said.

"Always," Lucas answered with a reassuring smile.

....

The apartment was quiet now. In fact, it was too quiet after the laughter, the teasing, the noise of the bar and Lucas and Patricia disappearing into the elevator.

Evelyn swayed slightly as she kicked off her heels, laughing under her breath. "I can’t believe you let Lucas drink that much," she accused, pointing a finger at Alexander that missed its target completely.

Alexander caught her wrist before she tipped forward.

"I didn’t let him do anything," he said, amused. "He is a grown man who makes terrible decisions."

She smiled up at him. It was soft, unguarded and tipsy in the most dangerous way.

"I like you like this," she murmured.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Relaxed." Her fingers slid up his sleeve, resting against his forearm. "And less guarded."

Alexander froze. That touch was so warm and careless that it did something to him.

He was still a little buzzed himself, still riding the edge of adrenaline from the day and Evelyn was too close, far too close.

"You should sit," he said gently, guiding her toward the couch.

She didn’t resist, she leaned into him instead.

"Stay," she said suddenly, fingers curling into his shirt. "I don’t want to go home."

His pulse kicked hard.

"Evelyn—" His voice dropped. "You have had a lot to drink, let me drop you home."

"I don’t wanna go home, I want to stay here with you tonight." She tilted her head, studying his face like she was memorizing it. "And I know exactly what I want."

She kissed him before he could respond. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t clumsy.

It was soft at first then deeper, fuller. Then her hands slid up his chest, anchoring herself to him like she had decided this was where she belonged.

Alexander groaned quietly before he could stop himself.

For a moment, just one dangerous moment, he kissed her back without restraint. His hands came up, steadying her and holding her close.

They were so close, he could feel her warmth sink into him.

She shifted, her body pressing against his and her fingers tugging at his waist in a way that made his breath hitch sharply.

That was when he stopped.

He rested his forehead against hers, breathing hard.

"Hey," he whispered. "If we keep going, I won’t be able to stop."

Her lashes fluttered open and confusion flickering across her face. "You don’t want to?"

"That’s not the problem," he said hoarsely. "I want to too much."

Silence settled between them, thick and charged.

Slowly, he guided her down onto the couch and pulled her with him until she was tucked against his side instead.

She protested weakly, then sighed and curled into him with her cheek resting against his chest.

"You are annoying," she muttered sleepily.

He smiled into her hair. "And you are dangerous when you drink. You are not drinking when you are not around people you trust, okay?"

She nodded, fisting her fingers in his shirt again but this time, softer.

They stayed like that for a long time.

Alexander stared at the ceiling with one arm wrapped around her and every nerve awake.

Stopping himself had never been harder but holding her felt right in a way nothing else ever had and that scared him more than anything.

Alexander stayed still, listening to her breathing even out against his chest.

For a few seconds, he thought she had fallen asleep.

Then she shifted but not away, closer.

Her knee slid over his thigh and her arm tightened around his waist as if instinctively seeking more warmth.

Her lips brushed his collarbone in a lazy, unconscious motion that sent a sharp jolt straight through him.

Alexander closed his eyes.

"Evelyn," he murmured softly, more a warning to himself than to her.

She hummed, her nose nudging against his skin. "You smell nice," she whispered, words slurring just enough to betray the alcohol. "You smell like calm."

He let out a breath that sounded dangerously close to a laugh. "That might be the least accurate description of me right now."

Her fingers traced slow making circles against his chest. It was innocent but lethal.

"You are always calm," she said. "Even when everything is on fire."

He tightened his arm around her slightly, anchoring her hand before it wandered anywhere else.

"That’s because someone has to be," he replied quietly. "And tonight, it’s definitely not you."

She tilted her head back to look at him, eyes heavy-lidded but sincere. "You take care of everyone," she said suddenly. "Who takes care of you?"

The question caught him off guard and for a moment, he didn’t answer.

Then he looked down at her, thumb brushing her hair back gently but deliberately staying above the line he knew he couldn’t cross.

"Right now?" he said softly. "You are."

Her lips curved into a slow, sleepy smile. "Good," she murmured. "I like that."

She shifted again, trying very clumsily to climb fully into his lap.

Alexander reacted instantly, hands firm but careful as he stopped her, pressing her back against his chest instead.

"Okay," he said, half-amused, half-strained. "That’s enough rebellion for tonight."

She frowned at him, offended. "You are very good at saying no."

He leaned down, his lips brushing her temple close enough to make her shiver, far enough to keep control.

"I won’t always be," he admitted quietly. "That’s why tonight has rules."

Her protest faded as sleep finally started winning. She sighed, heavy and warm against him, fingers still gripping his shirt like she was afraid he might disappear.

"Promise you won’t leave?" she mumbled.

Alexander’s chest tightened.

"I promise," he said without hesitation. "I am right here."

Minutes passed and her breathing deepened. Her body was fully relaxed now.

But Alexander didn’t move, he didn’t dare.

His arm stayed locked around her while his other hand rested carefully at her waist in a protective way but aching with everything he wasn’t letting himself take.

Outside, the city lights glowed endlessly.

Inside, Alexander Reid sat awake on his couch with the woman he loved asleep in his arms with every instinct screaming for more and every ounce of restraint holding the line.

Because wanting her was easy but protecting her, even from himself, was the part that mattered the most

.....