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Chapter 0253
Chapter 0253
Ella POV
The trip upstairs to the apartment was mostly silent. I couldn’t speak for Alexander, but I was feeling strangely sober after what had just passed between us. I didn’t regret it exactly, but I knew it had been a mistake–a mistake I had insisted upon making.
Alexander seemed composed, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him. He carried the racing jacket slung over one arm, his fingers tracing idly over the embroidered words.
The driver’s carefully averted gaze when we stepped out of the car told me he was fully aware of what had happened, though it wasn’t as if we were keeping it a secret
The hallway to the apartment was short, and Alexander’s fingerprint scan unlocked the door with a soft beep. When it clicked shut behind us, I kicked off my shoes with a quiet sigh of relief.
I should have worn something more practical, but I’d wanted to look good for our dinner after the race, so I’d gone with heels. My sore feet would remind me not to sacrifice comfort for fashion again–at least not too often.
Alexander walked to the coat closet and carefully hung up the racing jacket before slipping off his own. When he turned back, I was shrugging off my jacket, and he stepped closer to take it. His fingers brushed mine as he did, sending a small jolt through me.
We stood there in the entryway for a moment, an odd tension settling between us. When Alexander finally smiled, it was his usual teasing, cocky smile–but there was a subtle uncertainty in it that caught me off guard.
“It was a great night,” he said, his voice soft. “I just hope you don’t regret it.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, though I knew exactly what he meant.
“You regretted it the last time we slept together,” he said plainly, his tone devoid of any attempt at coyness. “I hope you don’t this time.”
“I don’t,” I said quickly. “And… I don’t think I really regretted it the first time, either. Not exactly. I think I was just embarrassed about the situation.”
Crossing my arms–not in anger but to steel myself–I met his gaze. This was delicate ground, a topic we’d avoided broaching so openly before, and I didn’t want to let the moment slip by.
“That’s good,” Alexander said, his smile softening. “I wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable or as if you’d made a mistake.”
“I think it was a mistake,” I admitted quietly, “just… one I don’t regret.‘
His smile faded, and his brow furrowed slightly. “How do you mean?”
“I think it’s a mistake for us to keep violating our deal. But don’t regret our actions. Does that make sense?” “It makes perfect sense,” he said after a pause, his voice low and thoughtful. “And I agree completely. It’s a mistake to treat our contract so casually. If we start bending the rules now, it’ll be harder to enforce them later, should we need to.”
He hesitated, his tone growing more serious. “We might need to revisit the contract… maybe add some additional provisions.”
“Additional provisions?” I asked, my brows furrowing. “What do.you mean by that? Shouldn’t we just update the
terms?”
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Chapter 0253
“I don’t feel that would be sufficient,” he replied, glancing away, his bright eyes suddenly shadowed with unease.
There was something he didn’t want to say–I could tell. But I wasn’t willing to let it go. Dancing around serious topics as though we were too fragile to handle them wouldn’t do us any good. Still, I didn’t want to upset him, so I chose my words carefully.
“If we’re going to be sleeping together,” I began slowly, “shouldn’t we just remove the provision in the contract that makes this… a violation?”
Alexander shook his head, his voice steady but low. “I think an additional provision will be necessary. If we’re going to continue sleeping together–and to be clear, I would like to.”
His smirk returned as his eyes raked over me, and I felt my cheeks flush under his gaze.
“Then what’s the problem?” I asked, my voice a bit sharper than I intended.
Alexander hesitated, then stepped closer, his hands reaching for me. His grip was light, first on my elbows and then sliding down to hold my hands.
I uncrossed my arms to let him, and the warmth of his touch sent a ripple of heat through me. The memory of earlier made my skin feel alive, tingling with electricity.
“I’ve told you this before,” he said gently, his tone earnest “But I need you to understand that nothing has changed. I can’t fall for anyone. I want to make sure that our attraction doesn’t create confusion about that.”
The words stung more than I cared to admit, but I hoped my expression betrayed nothing.
“You’ve made that clear,” I said softly, though my voice felt thin. “I just wish I knew why.”
“That’s not something I’m ready to talk about,” he said, his grip tightening slightly, as though bracing himself.” Not with anyone. Even you.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. Alexander was entitled to his secrets, especially about something that seemed so deeply personal. I wouldn’t press him.
“I’ve grown very fond of you,” he continued, his tone quiet but deliberate. “And I’m very attracted to you. But that’s all it is.”
“I understand,” I replied, though my voice caught just slightly. “We can update the contract on Monday.”
Alexander’s shoulders relaxed, a look of relief softening his features. “Okay,” he said, his voice a little lighter.
I rose onto my tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. Thank you for speaking openly with me,” I said softly. “And I’m glad you had a good day–you deserved it.”
“I’m not sure how to thank you for it,” he replied, finally releasing my hands. His voice was quiet, almost introspective. “No one’s ever shown me that kind of consideration before. I can’t think of a better gift.”
I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest. “I’m glad my guess was right,” I said. “But it’s getting late. We should get cleaned up and get some sleep. I have a feeling I’ll be nursing a hangover in the morning.”
Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “Would you like to shower?” he asked.
“That sounds nice,” I said, brushing my hair back from my face. “I need to wash my makeup off anyway.‘
“I’ll make some coffee,” he offered, already heading toward the kitchen. “And maybe grab a snack. Getting some food in your system might help with the headache tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” I said as I turned toward the bedroom. “I’ll save you some hot water.”
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Chapter 0253
“I appreciate it,” he said, shrugging out of his suit jacket and draping it over the back of a barstool.
I paused for a moment in the hallway, watching him as he moved with quiet efficiency, his focus already on the coffee machine. Then, before he could turn and catch me string, I slipped into the bedroom.
The night had been wonderful, even grounding in a way I hadn’t expected. Alexander and I were growing closer, and today, he’d let me in–if only a little.
Yet, as much as I treasured these moments, I couldn’t ignore the quiet truth pressing against my thoughts. There was still a distance between us, one I was beginning to accept would always remain.
