31. Magnolia Steel
Chapter 31
Magnolia Steel
Soft morning light streams through the windows, casting the room in a warm, golden hue. Alex’s arm is draped around me, his presence a quiet reassurance, steady and familiar. Waking up like this—wrapped in his warmth—feels like a secret I want to hold on to forever.
He stirs, his arm tightening slightly as a sleepy chuckle rumbles from his chest. “Morning, blanket thief.”
I laugh, tilting my head to meet his gaze. “Blanket thief? I think you’ve got that backward. I spent half the night reclaiming my side after you stole the covers.”
His lips curve into a slow, easy grin as he brushes a stray lock of hair from my face. “So, you’re the victim now, huh?”
“You’re built for rugby, and I’m built for… arranging throw pillows. Cover battles are not exactly a level playing field here, big guy.” I arch an eyebrow, feigning seriousness. “Rude.”
His chuckle is low and soft as his hand lazily traces circles on my back. “Fair.”
A comfortable silence settles between us, the memories of our week in Samoa still fresh in my mind. Each one vivid, treasured—a reminder of how deeply we’ve fallen into this rhythm together.
“I’m still not over the fire-knife dance. Seriously, how did I not know you could do something like that?”
Pride lights his eyes. “Didn’t scare you off?”
“Scare me?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Not even close. You were incredible. Honestly, I could barely breathe watching you. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.” My fingers glide along his arm, a playful glint in my eyes. “You know you’re going to have to do it again for me, right?”
“Oh, is that so?” he teases, one eyebrow arching. “Just for you?”
“Absolutely. And next time, I’ll try not to forget how to breathe.”
He brushes a kiss against my forehead. “Just say the word, favorite, and I’ll give you a private show.”
“Careful. I might take you up on that.”
He pulls me closer, the quiet intimacy of the moment settling in. I shake my head lightly, still caught up in the memory of his fire-knife dance. “I’m not sure how anyone could watch you and not be impressed.”
“Glad to know I made an impression. But honestly, you impressed my family more. They love you.”
A smile tugs at my lips as memories of the past week surface—Malie’s warmth, the easy banter of his siblings, the way his cousins welcomed me like I’d always belonged. “I adore them. Your family’s incredible. I’ve never known what it feels like to be part of something like that. It’s special, Alex. You’re lucky to have them.”
His arm tightens around me, his expression soft and full of quiet gratitude. “I know.”
Eventually, the morning insists we leave the bed. Reluctantly, we slip from the covers, our bare feet padding across the floor to the bathroom. The shower fills the room with a soft, steamy haze, and we fall into step with one another—exchanging lazy smiles, the occasional laugh, and unhurried touches that make even mundane moments feel special.
Later, we stand side by side at the sink, caught in the quiet rhythm of routine. He brushes his teeth while I comb through my damp hair, the ease of it all settling around us like second nature. Our glances meet in the mirror, a fleeting moment that feels like we’ve been doing this forever.
He heads to the closet, and I follow, my eyes roaming over the neatly hung shirts. A playful idea sparks, and I can’t resist. “How about I pick your suit today?”
“All right. Impress me.”
I sift through the shirts, my fingers skimming over the fabrics until I land on a sapphire blue button-down. The vibrant color will make the warm, rich brown of his eyes even more striking and will look incredible against his sun-kissed skin. Holding it up, I turn to him with a grin. “This one. Trust me—instant double takes.”
He takes the shirt from me, his smirk softening. “As long as it gets your seal of approval, I’m good.”
I reach for a sleek charcoal suit that I’m certain is tailored to fit him with perfection. “This will set it off—clean, classic, and just the right amount of sharp.” I pluck a navy silk tie with a subtle sheen, holding it against the shirt. “This pulls it all together. Trust me, you’ll look like you walked straight out of a magazine.”
He takes the tie from my hand, his gaze bouncing between me and the outfit. “You know, I think I need you around every morning to pick out my clothes.”
I smooth a hand over the fabric. “Well, I do have an eye for choosing the perfect textures and colors for decor. It stands to reason that I’d have the skills to choose what drapes you too.”
“Yeah. That makes sense.”
In the kitchen, Alex hands me a steaming cup of coffee, a playful glint in his eyes. “Your java, my lady.”
I accept it with a smile, leaning against the counter as the warmth seeps into my hands. “Thank you, sir. Such chivalry this early in the morning.”
He mirrors my stance, leaning casually against the counter beside me. “Always gallant where you’re concerned.”
I smile over the rim of my coffee, the memory of last night tugging at the corners of my lips. “You were certainly gallant last night.”
His smirk deepens. “If by gallant you mean completely at your mercy, then yeah… that’s what I was.”
A smile tugs at my lips as I take a slow sip of my coffee, letting his words settle. So, we go a week without sex while observing fa’aaloalo at his grandparents’, and suddenly he’s reduced to a man who’s at my beck and call in the bedroom.
Duly noted.
Coffee in hand, we step out into the morning air. Alex opens the car door for me, the quiet gesture something I’ve come to cherish.
As we settle into the drive, the deep bass of a song I don’t recognize fills the car. Curious, I glance at the screen on the G-Wagon’s dash. “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA. The smooth blend of introspective verses and soulful vocals creates a vibe that feels both intimate and powerful. I tap my finger against my coffee cup in time with the beat, letting the music wrap around us like a cocoon.
Alex glances over, catching my small smile. “Finally coming around to my kind of music?”
I laugh softly. “Something like that.”
His gaze flickers back to the road. “Told you I have good taste.”
“Let’s not get carried away.”
He lets out a low chuckle, the sound blending with the music. “So, am I lucky enough to steal you away for dinner tonight, or do your coworkers get their turn with you?”
“You had me for an entire week. Did you not get your fill?”
“Of you? Never. I’d spend every second with you if I could.”
I can’t say that I’ll ever get my fill of him either. “All right, what’s the pitch? No takeout, no microwave meals—I have standards.”
“Perish the thought.”
“Consider it perished.”
“Fresh, chef-prepared cuisine, just for you. Candlelight, a little wine… and I promise we’ll be completely uninterrupted.”
I let the silence stretch, tapping my finger to the beat of the song like I’m really considering it, though the curve of my smile gives me away. “Hmm. Candlelight is tempting. But what’s the catch?”
“No catch. Just a perfect evening with me.”
Any evening with him is perfect. “You know, I don’t think I can say no to that.”
A slow smile of satisfaction spreads across his face. “I like the way you think.”
As we pull up to the office, Alex leans over, catching me by surprise with a soft kiss. There’s no rush in it, just the kind of tenderness that makes my heart flutter and my breath catch.
“Have a good day, favorite.”
I brush my fingers lightly over his hand, my smile growing. “You too, big guy. See you this evening.”
I step into Soul Sync’s building, the warmth of Alex’s kiss still buzzing through me. My mind drifts back to the car for a moment before Sophie’s and Whitney’s voices pull me back.
“Well, look who decided to return!” Sophie greets me with a quick hug, her energy as bubbly as ever. “Hope you had a restful week off.”
Whitney gives me a once-over, her brow arching as suspicion gleams in her eyes. “We didn’t run into you once—not even at the coffee shop. That’s so unlike you.” She pauses, tilting her head slightly. “And look at you—sun-kissed and glowing. Did you live at the beach this week?”
I pause, a small smile tugging at my lips as flashes of Samoa drift through my mind: walking along golden shores, the rush of waterfalls, Alex teasing me about tan lines as I lounged in the sun.
It wouldn’t be a lie to say I spent a lot of time surrounded by sand and water.
Meeting Whitney’s curious gaze, I shrug. “I did spend quite a bit of time at the beach.”
As I settle into my desk, Elijah’s familiar voice slices through the hum of the office, his footsteps purposeful as he heads straight for me. He leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his brows arched in that signature nosy way of his.
“So, where’d you disappear to? Some kind of romantic getaway?”
I glance up, offering him a smooth, practiced smile. “Just a change of scenery and some time to recharge. Nothing too exciting.”
Elijah tilts his head, his gaze sharpening, as though trying to read between the lines. “Well, since you’re all recharged, why don’t you clue me in on the new dating suite? Got any plans yet?”
The afterglow from my time with Alex wraps around me like armor, impenetrable and unyielding. Nothing could sour my mood today—not Elijah’s nosiness, not even a full day of deadlines. “I’ve been back five minutes, Elijah. Give me a second to breathe, and I’m sure I’ll conjure something brilliant.”
He smirks, clearly unfazed by my response. “Fair enough. But if you need a second pair of eyes—or hands—don’t hesitate to call me.”
I offer him a polite smile, shaking my head lightly. “Thanks. Just need a little time to get back into the groove.”
“This’ll be the last one we do together in Sydney. Two weeks, and we’re back to Charleston.”
His words hit me hard, settling like a stone in my chest. I nod slowly. “The last one in Sydney,” I echo softly, almost as if I’m still trying to grasp the reality of it.
“Thank fuck, right?” he says casually and matter-of-fact. “I’m so ready to get out of here. Aren’t you?”
I hesitate, the truth catching in my throat and refusing to budge. “I think I could stay forever. I’ve fallen in love…” I pause, glancing away to collect myself before finishing, “with Australia of course.”
Elijah doesn’t seem to notice the crack in my voice, but I feel the truth of it deep in my chest. Leaving Sydney—leaving Alex—feels like stepping off a cliff I’m not ready to face.
Elijah’s sly smile pulls me back to the present. “I don’t know what you could possibly love about this place.”
I shrug like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “What’s not to love?”
He shakes his head, obviously dissatisfied with my answer, and dives into a string of design details. But his words barely register, blurring under the despair left behind by his earlier statement. Two weeks. Just fourteen days, and I’ll be back in Charleston. The life Alex and I have built will be nothing more than a memory.
I clear my throat, forcing myself to focus, and cut Elijah off gently. “I’ll take a look at the specs and get started. I just need a little time to work through it.”
After a beat, he nods. “Fair enough. Let me know if you need anything.”
The day drags on, tasks blending into each other in a dull haze as I go through the motions. My mind refuses to stay on track, drifting constantly to Alex, to the life we’ve been living here, and the ache of knowing it’s all temporary.
By late afternoon, a quiet anticipation starts to bloom. I wonder if Alex will be waiting outside to pick me up or if we’ll meet somewhere for dinner.
Just as I glance at the clock, my phone buzzes with a message from him.
Pick you up at 5:15? Same place I dropped you this morning?
My fingers fly over the screen, the reply coming without a second thought.
Yes, 5:15 would be great.
See you then.
Even his simplest messages have a way of brightening the longest days. It amazes me how easily we’ve fallen into this routine—one that feels so natural.
As the workday winds down, I gather my things and make my way to the exit, my thoughts already drifting to Alex. There’s no message to say he’s here yet, but I know he’s close. Stepping into the crisp evening air, a small smile tugs at my lips as I imagine what he might have planned for tonight.
Then I see her, and my steps falter.
She stands outside the entrance, impossible to miss. A striking blonde with sharp eyes and a posture that radiates confidence. Everything about her—the impeccable clothes, the cool indifference in her expression—screams power, and it sends a ripple of unease through me.
Her gaze locks on to mine, unwavering, and recognition slams into me like a punch to the gut.
Celeste.
She strides toward me, her expression unreadable but undeniably focused. Every step she takes sharpens the dread pooling in my stomach, but I force myself to stay still, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me falter.
“Who… the… fuck… are … you?” she asks, low and icy, each word drawn out like a deliberate threat.
Her surprise arrival throws me for a moment, but I compose myself. Straightening my posture, I lift my chin. “How did you find me here?”
Celeste’s lips curve into a slow, calculating smirk. “Oh, I have my ways.”
The hair on the back of my neck rises as her sharp gaze sweeps over me, dissecting me as though I’m some kind of puzzle she’s determined to solve. “Then why not use those ways to figure out who the fuck I am?”
Her smile doesn’t falter, her confidence unwavering. She doesn’t reply, just keeps studying me, her silence heavier than any response. The tension between us hums like a live wire, sharp and unrelenting.
Finally, she turns on her heel, striding away with the same cold, deliberate precision she arrived with, the click of her heels against the pavement echoing long after she’s out of sight.
What a bizarre encounter.
I’m rooted in place, my heart racing, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach as I watch her disappear around the corner. The echo of her heels fades, but the chill she left behind remains.
Alex’s car pulls up to the curb, the sight of him washing relief over me like a tide. I slip into the passenger seat, closing the door with a shaky exhale. He glances at me, his brow furrowed with concern. “Everything okay?”
I hesitate, glancing over my shoulder as if expecting her to materialize out of thin air. The words feel heavy as I finally meet his gaze. “She knows where I work, Alex.”
His expression hardens instantly, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Who? What do you mean?”
“Celeste,” I whisper, her name slipping out like a ghost. My eyes dart toward the window, half expecting her to be lurking around somewhere.
Alex stiffens, his jaw clenching as his knuckles whiten against the wheel. “Celeste was at Soul Sync?”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “She didn’t say much, but it was enough. If she’s watching us… if she even suspects you’re a client, she could destroy everything.”
His jaw flexes as he processes my words, his gaze fixed ahead. “There’s no way she knows I was a client.”
“But what if she’s digging? What if she’s following us?” My voice wavers despite my effort to keep it steady.
Alex reaches over, his fingers wrapping around mine, their warmth steadying me. “Hey.” His thumb brushes over my knuckles in circles. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. She doesn’t know about Soul Sync, and there’s no reason to think she’s pieced anything together.”
I take a deep breath, his calm presence easing the turmoil even as the knot in my chest refuses to fully loosen. As he pulls away from the curb, I hold on to his words like a lifeline, trusting—for now—that we’ll figure this out.
Alex glances over at me. “I can see how rattled you are. How about we skip going out for dinner tonight? We’ll go back to my place. It’ll be quieter.”
I nod without hesitation. “I’d prefer that.”
As the city lights blur past the windows, his hand stays wrapped around mine, steady and reassuring. The shadow of Celeste’s presence looms, but with Alex beside me, it feels bearable. Whatever she’s planning, I know we’ll face it together.
For the first time tonight, that thought loosens the knot in my chest enough to let me breathe.