Chapter 22 A Slap #2
Mia was about to answer when Emily yanked her down onto the couch. “Oh, come on — enough serious talk.” She dragged Mia’s hand across the abs of the nearest man with a grin, then sat back, eyes sparkling.
At that moment the door swung open again. Two figures filled the doorway: Alexander and Allen.
Mia snatched her hand back, startled.
Emily stood so fast she nearly knocked a glass over, forcing out an awkward laugh. “Alexander!”
Allen, however, was businesslike. He stepped forward and signaled the naked men to leave the room.
Emily waved a hand, a little too loudly. “It was Mia! She wanted to see this kind of place. She’d never been to a shirtless bar before, so I brought her.”
Mia hissed under her breath, horror flashing in her eyes. “What are you doing? Are you seriously throwing me to the wolf?”
She shot Mia a look that was somewhere between apology and a silent plea.
Alexander’s gaze sharpened.
Emily leaned closer and whispered urgently, “Mia, he’s your husband. He’s not going to humiliate you for trying something for the first time. But if he tells my husband I’m the one who brought you here, I’m dead. He’ll torture me to death!”
She gave Mia a desperate, pleading look. Mia could only frown. “You betrayed me so fast, sister-in-law. This will be my memory of meeting you for the first time.”
Emily leaned closer, voice dropping to a guilty whisper. “I’m sorry! This is my third strike, okay? Yours is only the first. He’ll forgive you. Sebastian? He’ll lock me in the house and make sure I never step out ever again.”
Alexander’s voice cut through the banter, cool and dry. “I didn’t expect my wife was so starved for the sight of the male body.”
Mia winced and tried to recover. “No, I’m not—” she laughed, flustered. “It’s nothing like that.”
Emily jumped in, feigning innocence. “Mia, these men are nothing special! They all look the same—and not even half as good looking as your husband! We’re young; we should be focusing on our work and our husbands, not some sexy shirtless men.” She planted her hands firmly on her hips.
Mia hissed through her teeth, “Stop pouring gasoline on the fire! You’re making it worse for me.”
Emily crossed her hands in a pleading prayer. “Please — just this once. I promise I’ll pay you back. I’ll die for you next time!” She mouthed silent assurances as Alexander watched them both.
Alexander’s voice cut through the noise. “Allen, my brother is waiting outside. Escort his wife to him personally.”
Emily’s face went pale, then flushed with fury. “You already told him I am here?!”
Alexander slid his hands into his pockets, his gaze fixed on her with calm defiance and utter indifference.
Emily gritted her teeth and marched toward the door. As she passed him, she threw him a sharp glare. “You and your brother—both of you are such damn snitches!”
Alexander didn’t even blink, which only made Emily grit her teeth harder in anger. She huffed, flipped her hair sharply, and stormed out of the room.
Allen followed silently, and the door slammed shut behind them with a loud thud.
Once the room quieted, it was just Alexander and Mia. Her eyes met his, and she felt herself melt under his gaze.
Mia’s cheeks were still flushed as she protested, voice trembling slightly. “Mr. Graves—you can’t punish your sister-in-law, so you shouldn’t punish me either. Equality matters! Same rules for everyone!”
Alexander strode toward her, loosening his tie, and unbuttoning his coat. “Have you forgotten you have a husband?” he asked, his voice sharp.
“I didn’t do anything with that man!” Mia blurted, defensively. “I didn’t touch him at all!”
Alexander’s gaze darkened. “Oh? So you’re disappointed you didn’t get to touch?”
Alexander’s fingers deftly unbuttoned the first three buttons of his shirt, letting it fall open to reveal smooth, tensed skin.
Before Mia could react, he grabbed her wrist and pressed her hand against his chest. Warmth radiated through her, making her inhale sharply. His voice dropped low. “Where did you want to touch him? Here?”
He guided her hand over the sculpted planes of his chest, letting her feel the taut muscles beneath her fingers. “Here?”
She shivered, a rush of conflicting thoughts in her mind.
“You really don’t take me seriously, do you?” Alexander murmured, pulling her closer.
Mia immediately looked at Alexander, shaking her head in denial, but he pulled her close, his grip firm.
Mia’s voice trembled as she pleaded, “Please… give me another chance.”
“We’re already married. You have my name. How can you go out chasing naked men?” Alexander’s dark gaze bore into hers. “Tell me, how should I punish you?”
Mia’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of fear and guilt crossing her face.
“Mr. Graves, you know I’m very young, right? I’m still discovering the world. I don’t know what’s best for me yet. Please, forgive me, and let me take this as a chance to learn and do better,” she answered, offering a small, scared smile as she tried to salvage the situation.
“Still discovering the world, huh?” Alexander raised a brow, tightening his grip on her waist.
His eyes darkened. The next moment, he closed the space between their faces. His lips crushed against hers with a force that stole her breath, tongue nudging hers with a hunger that made her knees weaken.
Mia tried to respond, to pull back, but his hand tightened at the back of her neck, tilting her head just enough to claim her fully. Her heart hammered against her ribs, heat pooling low in her stomach as his kiss seared across her senses.
Then, with a measured step forward, he pinned her back against the wall. The hard surface pressed into her spine, but his hand at the back of her neck anchored her safely, ensuring she wouldn’t be hurt even as he pressed closer, body flush against hers.
He broke the kiss just enough to let his lips trail down her jaw, nibbling gently before licking over the hollow of her throat.
His tongue traced slow, teasing patterns, grazing every sensitive patch of skin, making her shiver and arch into him.
One hand pressed against her lower back, pulling her flush to him, while the other cradled her head, ensuring she couldn’t move away.
Her hands pressed against his chest, trembling, powerless under his dominance, every nerve on fire.
When he finally drew back, his dark gaze swept over her like a storm, lips parted, breaths shallow but controlled.
“Next time I see you trying to discover this world with anyone but me,” he murmured, voice threatening, “I’ll personally teach you what’s better for you.
” He patted the back of her head. “Do you understand?”
Mia nodded immediately, swallowing hard, her heart racing.
Finally, an hour later, Alexander and Mia arrived back at Graves Manor.
As they stepped through the main door, Alexander paused mid-stride. He turned, lifting his hand toward her with a subtle, expectant motion.
Mia tilted her head, puzzled for a brief moment. Then, with a playful flick of her own, she slapped her hand against his in a cheeky high-five.
“Heh,” she grinned, staring up at him.
Alexander blinked, frozen for a heartbeat, his hand hovering in midair. Then he exhaled and reached out again, capturing her hand and pulling her gently closer.
“I was asking you to hold my hand,” he murmured in her ear, pressing a soft kiss just beneath it.
Mia shuddered at the contact, a warmth spreading through her, and gave an embarrassed, sheepish smile.
His hand slid to her waist, pulling her against him as he guided her inside the house. They stepped into the living room together—and froze at the sight before them.
Camila sat rigidly on the couch, her posture perfectly straight, lips pressed into a thin line. Across from her, a woman lounged with her arms crossed tightly, glare piercing, radiating an unmistakable anger.
Both women’s eyes lifted the moment Mia and Alexander entered.
“Mia, come here,” Camila said smoothly, extending a hand toward her. “I have something to discuss with you.”
Mia’s brow furrowed, a flicker of worry passing across her features. She glanced at Alexander, seeking reassurance, before taking a tentative step forward. Her hands twisted nervously at her sides, fingers gripping and releasing as if unsure how to steady herself.
But before she could reach the couch, the other woman sprang to her feet with blinding speed. Her hand struck Mia’s cheek sharply, the sound echoing through the tense room.
Mia staggered back, shock freezing her for a heartbeat. Her hand shot instinctively to her burning cheek, eyes wide, pupils dilated.
Then, adrenaline and instinct took over—she spun on her heel and slapped the woman back, the action swift and instinctive.
The woman’s head snapped sideways from the impact, dark hair falling over her shoulders in a perfect cascade that did nothing to soften the sharpness of her features. High cheekbones, piercing dark eyes, and full lips twisted in fury made her look like a demon wearing a disguise made of flesh.
Her tailored black dress clung to her toned frame, every curve accentuated, radiating power and control even in her rage.
Her eyes blazed with uncontrollable fury. Lips curled back, teeth bared, and a strangled scream tore from her throat. “How dare you?!” she spat, voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Mia’s frown deepened. “Are you out of your mind? You slapped me first! Do you expect me to just stand there and take it? Who do you think you are?”
The woman’s eyes snapped toward Alexander, her finger stabbing at him accusingly, trembling with rage. “I am Alexander’s wife of five years!”