Chapter 9 Jealous #3
“I’m going to kick that motherfucker out of the office,” he said coldly.
Then his fingers tightened slightly around her waist as his tone shifted—lower, darker.
“But you—” he continued, eyes boring into hers, “you’re coming back to my office from tomorrow. Where I can watch you the entire damn time.”
He leaned closer, his forehead nearly touching hers. His jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful.
“Men out there aren’t good, Mia,” he said harshly. “You’re too innocent. You haven’t dated anyone. You haven’t seen how ugly people can get. You don’t understand how easily someone can ruin you.”
Mia’s chest tightened. His words felt like an insult.
“I haven’t dated?” she snapped, her hazy eyes flaring as she shot him a sharp look. “Did you forget I was married before?”
She straightened, forcing her trembling shoulders back, lifting her chin in defiance. “Even though James wasn’t a good husband, he never let me get hurt. I never had to worry about other men at all!”
The change in Alexander was instant.
The concern vanished. Jealousy flared in his eyes like a sudden storm breaking loose. His expression hardened, turning frighteningly sharp.
“You’re still thinking about that fucker?” he growled quietly.
His voice dropped, thick with restrained rage.
“Do you miss him?”
The intensity of his gaze sent a chill straight down her spine.
Mia immediately regretted her words.
Alexander’s fingers tightened around her waist as he yanked her closer.
His other hand slid up to her throat, holding her still, forcing her to look at him.
He pressed her back against the door, his body caging her in completely.
His grip at her waist kept her pinned as his thumb brushed slowly along her jaw.
His face hovered inches from hers.
“I gave you space, Mia,” he said, his voice rough with barely contained rage. “I stayed away.”
He leaned in until his breath brushed her lips.
“But don’t even dare think I’ll stand by and watch you fall for other men.”
The intensity in his voice was scorching.
“I can do everything for you. I can give you anything you want.” His eyes locked onto hers. “But the only damn man—” his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, “who gets to exist in your life—is me.”
Mia frowned up at him through her hazy, drunken vision.
“No,” she snapped, shaking her head weakly but stubbornly. “It’s my life.”
She pushed at his chest.
“I can be with anyone,” she said fiercely. “I’m not living with you anymore. You’re not my husband. I can be with whoever I want.”
The moment the words left her mouth, his restraint snapped.
Alexander surged forward and crashed his mouth onto hers, the kiss fierce, claiming her. His hand slid up fast, fingers fisting in her hair as he tilted her head back, forcing her to take him, forcing her to feel him.
The kiss was angry, rough, soaked in jealousy. His lips moved over hers with bruising urgency, stealing every breath she tried to draw, as if he were afraid that even a second of distance would mean losing her. He kissed her like he was erasing something.
Mia gasped against his mouth, her chest tightening as he deepened the kiss, his jaw clenched, his breath hot and uneven. There was nothing gentle about it. It was all possession, all pent-up fury and desperation pouring into the way his lips devoured hers.
She struggled to keep up, fingers curling into his coat as her lungs burned, her heartbeat thundering wildly. His mouth didn’t slow. Didn’t soften.
Only when her knees weakened did he finally pull back a fraction, his forehead pressing against hers, breaths ragged, eyes dark and blazing—still claiming her, even without touching her lips.
She shoved him away hard.
Gasping for air, fury blazing, Mia glared at him.
Without saying another word, she spun around and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
***
After an exhausting day at the office, Mia stepped out of the office.
Her shoulders sagged with fatigue. Her legs felt heavy as she walked toward the main street. Irvin hadn’t shown up at the office since the dinner with Alexander, and Sam had taken over as the new boss.
Just as she reached the sidewalk, someone touched her shoulder.
Mia jumped and spun around, startled, only to see Harold standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers. He wore a wide grin, looking far too cheerful.
“Congratulations,” he said brightly.
Mia blinked in confusion before letting out a small laugh. She accepted the bouquet, cradling it in her arms.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “And flowers for what?”
“For joining the new office,” Harold replied casually. “You’re not happy?”
“Of course I’m happy,” Mia said, laughing softly.
Harold slung an arm around her shoulder, leaning closer, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret.
“Even if you’re not,” he whispered dramatically, “don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone you’re bored out of your mind working here.”
Mia burst into laughter, the tension in her shoulders easing. Some of her exhaustion faded.
Harold grinned, clearly pleased to see her smile again.
“I met Hazel yesterday,” he added. “How about a party tonight?” His eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ll invite Hazel, a few of my friends… we’ll get drunk out of our minds.”
“Maybe another day,” Mia said quietly. She shifted the bouquet in her arms, hugging it closer to her chest. “Even if I don’t like coming here, this is my big-girl job now. I have to be responsible and come every day for as long as I work here.”
Harold’s smile faded. He frowned slightly, studying her face.
“When are you going back home?” he asked gently. “Are you and Alexander done fighting yet?”
Mia didn’t answer.
Her fingers tightened slowly around the flower stems, the paper crinkling softly under her grip. Her gaze slid away, fixing on the pavement instead of his face. The air between them went still.
Harold noticed.
He released her shoulder and stepped in front of her, blocking her line of sight so she had no choice but to look at him. He took both of her hands in his, his touch warm.
“I don’t know what happened between you and Alexander,” he said softly. “But no matter what… I’ll always be your friend.”
His thumbs brushed lightly over her knuckles.
“If you need anything—anything at all—just tell me. I’ll help.” Then he leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “And if you want to do something without Alexander finding out…” He winked playfully. “I’m very good at keeping secrets.”
Mia let out a small laugh despite herself.
Seeing her smile, Harold relaxed. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. His hand patted her back gently.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “Everything’s going to be all right. Soon, you won’t have to worry at all.”
Mia’s shoulders finally loosened.
She rested her chin lightly against his shoulder and hugged him back, breathing in deeply. The exhaustion from the day—the tension, the unease—seemed to melt away inside his comforting hold.
“Thank you, Harold,” she whispered. “You’re a really good friend.”
Harold didn’t reply. He just kept patting her back in a calm, steady rhythm.
Neither of them noticed the car parked across the street.
Inside the driver’s seat, James sat motionless.