Chapter 21 Say It Louder #2
Mia had just sat up, her face burning red as she realized it had all been a dream. She looked flustered, avoiding his gaze. But Alexander didn’t give her the chance to move away.
He stopped in front of her, leaning down, hand gripping the headboard of the bed to get closer until their eyes locked. He leaned in, close enough for her to feel his breath, his eyes locking onto hers.
“Alexander?” he asked quietly, one brow arched, his voice low and probing.
Their gazes held, neither looking away. Mia swallowed hard and stammered, “You’re wrong. I—I wasn’t calling you. I was just… calling a friend. Someone I know. Alex… andra. Alexandra.”
“A friend?” he repeated, his tone deceptively calm, but his eyes burned with something far darker. “Funny. You seemed very passionate when you said that name.”
Alexander’s lips curved slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. Before she could continue, he leaned forward and caught her lips in a deep, silencing kiss. When he pulled back, his hands were braced on either side of her head, trapping her between his arms.
“It seems my Mia is learning very quickly how to address me,” he murmured.
“Mr. Graves—”
But Alexander tilted his head, studying her face with dark intensity. His voice dropped, rough and low. “When you dreamed of me, you didn’t call me that. You said my name.”
Her breath caught. His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering. His next words came out husky, almost a whisper.
“I really like how my name sounds from your lips,” he murmured. “Say it again, Mia. I love hearing it.”
“Mr. Graves, I told you—I wasn’t calling you,” she said nervously. “I was calling a friend’s name.”
His expression hardened instantly. The flicker of jealousy in his eyes darkened. Before she could blink, his hand came up and engulfed her face, his palm pressing against her cheek and jaw, forcing her to look up at him.
“Then tell me,” he echoed, his tone sharp and dangerous. “Who is this friend whose name you call in your dreams?”
The air between them thickened. His grip wasn’t rough, but it held an unmistakable warning, she could feel his restraint trembling under the surface, his control hanging by a thread.
Mia’s heart pounded. “No one,” she whispered. “I was just saying random things in my dream.”
Alexander’s grip loosened slightly, but his thumb brushed against her lower lip. “You’d better not let me find out you’re seeing any other man, Mia,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a warning that made her shiver. His eyes met hers, intense and dark. “Or else…”
Her pulse thudded in her ears. Nervous, excited, breathless.
Alexander’s thumb lingered along her jaw as he leaned in, his gaze fixed entirely on her lips. The air between them tightened, heavy with unspoken desire. Every inch he closed made her chest rise faster, her breath catching at the nearness of him.
Then—
The sharp ring of his phone cut through the silence.
He froze, jaw tightening. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Then he exhaled sharply and drew back, the irritation in his eyes clear as he glanced toward the phone. His hand slipped away from her face, though the warmth of his touch still burned against her skin.
“Wait for me,” he said, voice low and promising. “We’ll finish this later.”
He straightened, grabbed his phone, and left the room without another word.
Mia pressed her hands to her burning face, mortified and breathless all at once. “I really can’t resist him at all,” she muttered under her breath, sinking back against the pillows, her heart still racing from both dream and reality.
***
Camila had personally overseen the breakfast table that morning.
She sat at the dining table, with Alexander in the middle and Mia beside him. Thomas stood behind them with his hands folded, quietly waiting as they ate.
Throughout breakfast, Camila hadn’t taken her eyes off Mia even once. Her constant smiling gaze made Mia squirm slightly in her seat.
Noticing Mia’s growing discomfort under his mother’s stare, Alexander set down his fork and knife with a quiet clink. “Mom, you—”
“Shut it!” Camila cut him off sharply before he could finish, the warmth vanishing from her face for a split second. Then, just as quickly, she turned back to Mia with a soft, motherly smile.
“Mia, tell me,” she said sweetly. “What kind of wedding would you like? We’ll invite everyone — oh, and your parents too. How about I meet them personally?”
Mia’s smile faltered slightly. She lowered her gaze as she answered quietly. “Mrs. Graves, my parents passed away a few months ago.”
Camila froze, the smile on her lips fading. “Oh, dear…” she murmured, genuine pity flashing in her eyes.
Before the silence could grow awkward, Mia continued softly, “Alexander and I think… a marriage certificate is enough for now. We’ll have the ceremony after a few months.”
Camila sighed, visibly disappointed, but nodded. “Alright, if that’s what you both want.”
She motioned to Thomas, who stepped forward immediately and placed a small black card into her hand. Camila extended it toward Mia. “Here. This is for you.”
Mia looked down, her brows knitting in confusion. The card was completely black, the only word embossed on it in silver was Graves.
“It’s a family card,” Camila explained proudly. “Each of my daughters-in-law receives one. With this, you can buy anything in the world — there’s no limit.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “I can’t accept this, Mrs. Graves,” she said quickly, trying to hand it back. “You’ve already given me so many gifts.”
Camila chuckled and waved her off. “Don’t worry, this evil geezer here—” she pointed her thumb at Alexander “—has more money than he knows what to do with. You don’t have to save a single penny for him. Spend it freely.”
Alexander sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m sitting right here, Mother.”
“So what?” Camila snapped, glaring at him. “Do you think I’m scared of you?”
Mia bit her lip, trying hard not to laugh. Lifting the card, she offered it back. “Mrs. Graves, I already have so many gifts. I don’t need more money,” she said, trying to hand it back to Camila politely.
“Keep it,” Alexander interjected, his eyes flashing as he looked at Mia. “You’re her daughter-in-law. You have to keep it. No exceptions.”
Mia hesitated, then curled her fingers around the card, feeling awkward but unable to refuse him. She held it close to her chest, absentmindedly picking up the glass of milk from the table. She lifted it to her mouth and took a sip—only to flinch as the hot liquid burned her lips.
“Ah!” she gasped, setting it down quickly.
Alexander’s head snapped toward her. At once, he reached up and cupped her face in his hand, lifting it.
Her lips puckered slightly, and her cheeks flamed with shame—especially with his mother sitting right next to them.
Yet Alexander seemed entirely unfazed. Pulling her closer, his eyes flicked down to her mouth.
“You burned yourself?” he asked, frowning. “Show me… where does it hurt?” His thumb reached up gently to caress her lips, inspecting them for any redness or sign of a burn.
Camila, watching the exchange, hid a small smile behind her hand. She quickly rose to her feet. “Let’s go, Thomas. I need to take a walk,” she said, leaving the dining table and walking away, her lips twitching slightly as she walked away from the intimate moment.
As soon as she was gone, Mia pulled back from Alexander’s hold, glaring at him in embarrassment. “Mr. Graves! Your mother is still here! What are you doing?” Shame colored her cheeks as she spoke.
Alexander leaned back in his chair, utterly unbothered. “She’s my mother. Why are you getting so worked up?”
Then, without warning, he leaned back slightly, reached up, and unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt.
Mia’s eyes widened as his well-toned chest came into view. Her gaze dropped before she could stop herself, heat rushing to her face.
Alexander caught her staring. His lips curved into a smug smile. “Mrs. Graves,” he drawled, “do you like what you see? You’re not thinking about shame now, are you?”
Mia’s face turned scarlet. She jumped to her feet, clutching her bag. “I—I’m going to meet your brother’s wife! Your mother asked me to see her today!” she stammered, practically running from the table and nearly bumping into the chair on her way out.
Alexander leaned back, clearly entertained. “Would you like me to drop you off personally in my car, Mrs. Graves? Just you and me?” he called after her, his tone light but suggestive.
Mia stumbled at his words, nearly tripping as her face grew even redder. “No need!” she shouted back. “I’ll go on my own!”
Alexander chuckled under his breath as she fled the dining room, her hurried footsteps echoing through the house.